Reference no: EM133318322
Assignment:
You have been asked by the founders of le seltzer to create a marketing plan to penetrate the Ontario market. The product will be sold directly to consumers via Mr. Case (note: there is a delivery charge attached to this), as well as through retailers, bars and restaurants. As such, the audiences you need to consider are consumers AND food and beverage business owners (restaurants, cafes, grocer, specialty stores).
The plan will be in the format of a business case report (PowerPoint), no more than 12-15 slides and any detailed information should be in the appendix.
Background
le seltzer is a family-owned, Montréal-based seltzer company. Launched in 2021, le seltzer was started by two brothers, Noah and Sam Bick, who are passionate about seltzer. On their public-facing material (website) they say that they "have always felt a connection to seltzer---it's history resonates with our Jewish Montréal roots, and it has always been our drink of choice at the local deli, park, and on road trips."
The product is sold in 24-packs and comes in four flavours: black cherry, yuzu blossom and pomelo, ginger, and orange vanilla. Here's how the founders describe the product: "Our natural flavours are exciting, a little bold, but still classic---with just the right amount of carbonation."
Noah has been quoted as saying: "Over the next couple of years, I'd like to establish le seltzer as Canada's leading independent seltzer brand. In the States, there are a handful of household, independently-owned seltzer brands; but in Canada, there isn't any."
Assumptions/Key Details
Marketing budget is $500-$1,000/month
At this point they are using social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, under the @le seltzer handle) to promote their business.
The focus has been very much on the local roots-the company was launched and the product is made in Montréal...so what does this mean for expansion into a new market?
Because the product is sold as a liquid in cans it is expensive and complicated to ship without damaging the cans
The founders have identified a key issue in the Ontario market, which is that there is not a keen understanding of the difference between seltzer and sparkling mineral water. One of their key distinctions in that they use reverse osmosis water as the base, which is a story they'd like to tell
Question-
Promotion Strategy
- How will you communicate with the target audience? What channels will you use? Provide rationale.
- What's the ideal timing to ramp up promotions? (For example, is this a post-holidays focus, or should le seltzer wait until warmer weather when people are more inclined to drink cold beverages?) Provide rationale
- How will you get the product to consumers? Directly, or through retail? If directly, how can you bring down shipping costs?