Lab #7—Consumer Production and Marketing

Add to the materials provided with current research. See board for assigned groups.

(1)  Advertising—information or not?

Use the magazines provided and the Web to find instances of advertising that could be considered information provided to consumers. Provide both pros and cons of the use of such advertising. Be sure to cite ethical principles in doing so. Don’t forget to examine the factors described on page 363 of your text.

(2)  Markets and consumer protection, due care, ???

       Provide both pros and cons of the use of the card described below. Be sure to cite ethical principles. Can you find other instances of the use of “kiddy” products used for marketing? What about instances of marketing in schools (TV, vending machines, etc.)?

Hello, Kitty Debit MasterCard

(3)  Foods, Advertising, Marketing

       Do the dietary recommendations by the U. S. Government (DHS & USDA) affect the foods we eat? What about the marketing and advertising of foods? For example, look at the article (Government Recommends Eating Whole Grains) at

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=622397

What effect has that on the cereal industry? Are there other similar instances?

(4)  Privacy?

       How much does a company know about its customers? Is there such a thing as too much? Do privacy standards differ from country to country? As a consumer, what are the pros and cons of companies knowing my buying habits?

       Check the Powerweb site for articles #57 and #63. Also, the following articles are useful:

(What Wal-Mart Knows About Customers’ Habits)

http://www.thepowerhour.com/news/walmart_knows.htm

(Breach Points Up Flaws in Privacy Laws)

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050224/ZNYT01/502240326