Assignment: You are marketing consultants for a cricket farmer who wants to develop a national campaign to sell Cajun-spiced and chocolate-covered crickets.You are to develop a detailed written marketing proposal for the cricket farmer and present your proposal to him for approval.Be sure to follow the instructions as outlined below.

Part I - Identify a target market (Who wants/needs these?)

Who are the customers for the cricket products? Be sure to consider market segment and segmentation. Example: The demographics of my target market are . . . The psychographics of my target market are . . . etc. Be sure to explain what factors were involved in choosing your type of segmentation for each demographic.

Part II - Identify the marketing mix

1.Product/Service Management (Product):Businesses must decide which products to offer customers.

oWhat is the name of your product and/or company?Why did you choose this name for your product?

oWhat is your slogan?

oDescribe the product that will be offered in detail!

oHow will the product be packaged?Describe your packaging in detail!

oExplain the level of quality of your crickets and why you chose this level of quality.

oWill guarantees or warranties be offered?Explain the terms of your guarantee or warranty.If you are not offering one, explain why you made that decision.

oProvide a prototype of your package. Yes, you need something tangible. Even though you cannot get it to me, be sure to describe it in detail or take a picture and send. Be creative and make it attractive and marketable.

2.Pricing (Price):The amount a business charges customers for a product.

oSimilar items are selling for $2.89 per package. Should prices vary? Why or why not?

oWhat is the price of your product?

oHow did you decide on this price?Is your price based on competitor's current price, cost of production + markup, consumers? (Cost + Markup = Retail Price)

oWhen will the product be discounted?

oWho are your top 3 competitors?

3.Channel Management (Place):Having the product available at the right time and location.AKA: distribution

oWhat is your plan for channel of distribution and identify any channel members involved. (Manufacturers, Distributors/Transportation, Agents, Wholesalers, Retailers, Customers)

oWill the product be sold in a department store, boutique, discount store, specialty store, or on the Internet?List the store(s) where your crickets will be sold and explain why you chose these locations.

4.Promotion:Informing and reminding customers of products available to them and persuading them to purchase. Promotion includes advertising, sales promotion, and publicity.

Describe the 3 CREATIVE ways you will promote your product.Be sure to include details such as: type of promotion, where it will take place, often, etc. (contests, games, celebrity endorsement, coupons, etc.) Think about what are the most effective form(s) of communication for these products.

Part III - Marketing Functions

1.Selling: How will you utilize personal selling and salespeople? Will you need additional salespeople at particular times of the day or year?Explain!

2.Marketing Information Management: Describe the 3 ways you will gather information to help make business decisions. Remember, you may need to gather information before and after the release of your product. (where will this info come from, how will it be used?)

3.Take a SWOT at it! List your product's one biggest strength, weakness, opportunity, and threat. Identify one problem you anticipate and solution to help you prevent/manage the issue.

4.Social Media: Describe your social and mobile marketing campaign.