There are many inspiring stories of the small business once operated from a “garage”, transformed into a global multibillion dollar enterprise such examples are: Apple and Google. It is wonderful to see Capitalism in action, these businesses fulfilled a need and were richly rewarded for doing so. How did these businesses keep the momentum going throughout the decades? How did they manage to stay relevant with fast changing trends and constantly fluctuating consumer needs? I believe that it was through market research. Market research, however, is essential to you and your brand’s long-term success. Market research will keep your brand afloat while companies who fail to make research a high priority drown, (Fletcher, 2013)¹ Without market research even these highly successful companies can face disastrous consequences, for example Blackberry, once the leading device in the mobile phone industry, they lagged behind the new technology of “touch screen” and quickly faded off into the sunset. Blackberry became overconfident in their success and did not continue to perform market research to better forecast new technology and popular trends. With the help of market research many companies big or small can bring out their potential. Bringing out hidden potential for companies is not only available for the technology market, other types of businesses such as Bath and Body Works has great potential for widespread name recognition, and increasing their commercial success.

Bath and Body Works is a specialty store that sells home and body fragrances, they have a great website that is eye catching, tailored to their target market, and easy to use. The firm has a limited advertising campaign, they have a very limited TV commercial, no radio advertising. The company focuses its advertising efforts towards returning customers, with mailers, and e-mail promotions. With the use of market research both primary and secondary, Bath and Body Works can develop a comprehensive marketing plan. According to Fletcher, when used properly, marketing research should tell you what’s most important to your consumers and help you to prioritize and maximize your time effectively, (2013)¹. Since we are focusing on collecting data in order to implement new media outlets for Bath and Body Works, the first step should be to collect data, in particular a survey that would be conducted in malls where the store primarily is located. There the survey would be short, it would ask two questions:

1.    How likely are you to use a Bath and Body Works app?

2.    How likely are you to click on a web page banner ad for Bath and Body Works?

The results from the survey would help Bath and Body Works understand what the target market sees as more convenient form of new media. Interpreting the results would allow Bath and Body Works to confidently move on to the development of their new app, and or investing in banner ad promotions in targeted websites. Through this form of market research the information is highly specialized and tailored to the company’s needs.

Another beneficial method to gather data is, secondary market research. Secondary market research is the gathering of data that most closely fits the firm’s need for information. For example: The survey yielded some favorable results with its second question, but would still like some other information. Further research from financial data or from scholarly articles. Advertising Age has important information that could be used to help Bath and Body Works decide whether investing in banner ads is a wise move. Recently, banner-advertising has changed. SEM (search engine marketing) has become more advanced with new techniques that allow marketers to target their banner ads by location and by behavior. These techniques, called geotargeting and behavioral targeting, are great ways to get the most for your money, (Goosmann, 2014)². Bath and Body Works would be interested in knowing that through targeted advertising the company’s advertising resources are working effectively and efficiently. According to Goosmann, We continue to design and serve online display advertising (including the occasional banner) as an integral part of any multichannel campaign. We run hundreds of millions of ad impressions and know display ads are solid "introducers" to brand messages and also act as "influencers." 

When we have stopped using banner display ads for clients, we've seen traffic, search and conversions plummet, (2014)². The information is very persuasive and again confidence boosting. Bath and Body Works has a limited advertising campaign because they are afraid to move onto new media channels. Through market research the company can be more willing to step out of their comfort zone and into something new and promising.

With the new information that has been gathered for Bath and Body Works, it looks like a new-media advertising campaign, utilizing both the mobile application, and web page banner ad promotions Bath and Body Works will have a well-rounded marketing communications plan. As Fletcher has stated, market research, keeps you relevant and future-oriented, it helps Optimize brand strategy and positioning, and it elevates your messaging and communication. Through the use of market research, Bath and Body works stands to make greater profits and amazing brand recognition. With the utilization of these tools Bath and Body Works can stay relevant and present in the minds of their targeted consumers.

Footnotes:

1. Fletcher, B. (2013, April 23). Five Reasons Why Market Research Matters (and Five Tips for Using It). Retrieved June 6, 2015, from http://www.marketingprofs.com/opinions/2013/23874/five-reasons-why-market-research-matters-and-five-tips-for-using-it

2. Goosmann, T. (2014, November 10). In Defense of Banner Ads: Everybody Hates Them, but They Work. Retrieved June 6, 2015, from http://adage.com/article/digitalnext/defense-banner-ads-hates-work/295782/