Head & shoulder marketing assignment

The H&S Anti dandruff shampoo bottle is a white rectangular shaped bottle with a royal blue per part where the cover is, having a few different colored strips on it depending on the variant of the product. Using attractive white and royal blue as its base packaging and also freshness essence helps create a positive impression for consumers. The labeling of this product can be found at the back of the bottle. It includes some information for the consumer such as a direction on how to use the shampoo to achieve the best result and also a caution part where consumers are reminded of their safety when using the shampoo.

Furthermore, the labeling Includes additional Information and reminder to consumers that this product helps eight five signs of dandruff which are flakes, Itchiness, dryness, oiliness and Irritation. Lastly, a list of ingredients used for the shampoo can be found in the labeling and also information of H&S’s manufacture- Procter and Gamble. H shampoo has a unique feature that is it is rich in Parishioner Zinc (APT), the only active ingredient, which is highly effective at fighting and also preventing dandruff symptoms because of its anti-fungal properties. With APT, H created Hydrazine complex which is found in all H products.

This formula allows consumers to control and also act on dandruff quickly (Our formula, 2011). Other than that, the Actinic formula which adds natural cool menthol to H’s menthol shampoo gives consumer a cooling and refreshed effect after washing their hair as mentioned earlier (Refreshing 2011). Due to H&S shampoo Is a convenience product, there are no extra services consumer get from this product but online members of Procter & Gamble are able to enjoy free samples of HAS Anti Dandruff shampoo and also free expert tips and advice of everyday life (Coupons, Samples and Savings, 2011).

As for product classification, H&S Anti Dandruff shampoo is a consumer product and normally bought by consumers or personal use. Consumers, especially those with dandruff symptoms, are willing to spend some time in looking for the availability of this product because of its unique function in treating dandruff. In the anti dandruff shampoo market, H&S has a few competitors such as Clear anti dandruff shampoo and Sunlit anti dandruff shampoo, which are considered as acceptable substitute products for consumers.

Normally brand conscious and loyal customers would spend more time in seeking this product before they turn to other brands or even do not buy at all compared to normal consumers. H&S anta dandruff shampoo comes with 1 1 varieties In the market based on consumer needs. The product Is also delved Into regular or menthol content. Each product has 3 SKU (Stock-Keeping unit) consisting ml, mall and Dandruff from other anti dandruff shampoos. 1. 2 Current Pricing In Malaysia, anti-dandruff shampoos market is slightly saturated with a number of sellers of different brands; therefore H&S shampoo is in a monopolistic competition market.

This is the case because there are different brands offering products with the same function and almost similar price as H&S. Examples of the competitors are Sunlit Anti Dandruff shampoo, Pentane Anti Dandruff 2 in 1 shampoo, Clear Anti Dandruff Scalp Oil Control shampoo and also Dove Anti Dandruff shampoo (Shampoo Catalogue 2011). A change in price of this product would definitely change consumers’ demand but preference is also a factor in this case.

An increase in price will lead to a slight decrease in the quantity demanded although there are available substitute products with the same function but some consumers will still prefer H. An example on how the product’s price can affect its volume is shown when Procter & Gamble with the intention of increasing sales volume of H&S in India cuts down the products prices (Sahara Sheila 2011). The current price of the product is slightly higher than all its competitors in the market, close to around Ringing Malaysia (ARM) 1. 00.

Consumers of H&S Anti Dandruff shampoo normally based their purchase decision on the quality and feature of this product. It is clear that this product costs higher than its competitors, the reason why consumers choose this product because of its effectiveness in treating dandruff issues and most victims of dandruff symptoms find this product a solution to their problems. Besides that, the company has successfully linked H&S shampoos to anti dandruff through its advertisement. This creates a brand image among consumers that when it comes to dandruff they would refer it to H&S shampoo.

This established brand image also plays a part in influencing consumers’ purchasing decision. Business’s costs are not very important when pricing this product because Procter and Gamble (P&G), a multinational company has 12 different hair care brands under it and also other products (Hair Care Brands 2011), because of P&G’s products diversification, the pricing of H is not based on the business’s costs. H&S is using price-quality inference strategy therefore it has a higher price compared to other brands. 1. 3 Current Distribution This product is available for consumers in many locations around Malaysia.

In Mir’, there are a few locations and shops where this product can be found. At Banging Plaza, convenience stores such as Guardian and Watson are selling the product and also hypermarkets such as Giant Hypermarket and Survey Hypermarket. Supermarkets selling H Anti Dandruff shampoo are the GO supermarket at Curtain University and also the Pick & Save Mart found at the shop lots in Assassin area, Mir Supermarkets Directory 2011). In Malaysia, Procter & Gamble (M) Sad. Bad. Is the wholesaler of H shampoo and the products are imported by the company before distributing to retailers around the country.

All the products are imported from Procter & Gamble (Thailand) Ltd. Which is the manufacturer for H shampoos of Malaysia and the Philippines (Manufacturers 2011). However, consumers who wish to buy directly from the wholesaler could do so but normally very few would go by this mean because of the availability of the products in most stores and online purchasing services. The factor that influences the wide distribution of this product includes the price of the product which is low and affordable for most consumers product comes in three bottle sizes ranging from ml, mall and mall.

The small product size requires only a little space for display in most stores, which contributes to why it is widely distributed. 1. 4 Current Promotion One of the promotional message for H shampoo is “ All-day itch relief. Guaranteed. “. This message is promoted at the product’s official website (Head & Shoulders 2011). The message is to assure and guarantee consumers that the reduce will solve any itchiness or similar kind of issues on their hair. The other promotional message of the brand is “ 100% flake-free” that is found in a commercial advertisement on TV.

This message is showed at the last part of the advertisement together with H&S anti dandruff shampoo bottles. The message H&S is trying to bring out is the effectiveness and confidence it has in removing dandruff or flakes on people’s hair. The promotion of this product through advertisement and also internet has the intention of establishing the brand in the market so that consumers realize he existence of such product that comes with special functions.

It is obvious that H are using some promotional tools in promoting its product such as advertising through TV, advertising online and also discounts. The purpose of promotion is that the company wants to send a message to consumers that H anti dandruff shampoo is a solution for dandruff symptoms patients and people who are fed up with hair itchiness. By doing this, not only the company can establish the brand in the market but also increase sales volume as promotion can be a big tool in ensuring success.

The theme of the current promotions is emphasizing on the effectiveness of H anti dandruff in removing dandruff and solving itchiness on the hair. In all the promotional tools that the company uses, the company has been consistent in shaping messages that reflect the theme of the promotions. Another example of the company’s promotional tool is a slogan “ l Never Knew You Had Dandruff’ (List of Advertising Slogans 2011). 2. 0 Segmentation Theory 2. 1 Define and Explain Segmentation Market segmentation is a strategy that involves dividing a larger market into subsets of consumers with common needs.

This can be done through the process of splitting potential customers into different groups, within which customers share similar interests for the goods or services offered in the market (Market Segmentation 2011). Market segmentation strategies can be developed over a wide range of characteristics found among consumers, for example one group may be identified by gender while the other group composes of consumers within a given age group (Malcolm Datum 2011). Market segmentation has allowed H to benefit from the anti dandruff market in a few ways.

The first benefit gained is H was able to better H differentiate its product and came out with H anti dandruff shampoo, obviously wanting to help consumers that have a need in solving dandruff issues after the company found out the problem through market segmentation. The next benefit to the brand from using segmentation strategy is H through understanding and focusing on the needs of customers, was able to get ahead of its competitors, in this case anti dandruff. H anti dandruff shampoo succeeded in being the market leader by becoming the world’s No. Brand in anti dandruff shampoo market (About Head and shoulders 2011). The third benefit from segmentation that the brand enjoyed is consumers now buy their product because they are able to focus their marketing on consumers who are most likely to buy H&S anti dandruff shampoo. On emphasizing on the ability of the product to remove dandruff, refreshing and also prevent itchiness, H&S was able to focus particularly on a group of consumers in the market which leads to a possible higher profit from the sales to these consumers who share the same interest.

In 2007, the introduction of APT as an active ingredient to the shampoo, which is highly effective in fighting dandruff because of its anti-fungal repertories is an effort of H&S to further focus on marketing this product to its segmented market. The three benefits mentioned reflects that market segmentation is used as a strategy by H&S which has successfully benefited the brand so far. 3. 0 Target Market Identification 3. 1 Geographic Segmentation H&S can practice geographic segmentation for its product in Malaysia. The company should extend its product marketing into the state of Juror, the southern state of West Malaysia.

The capital city of Juror is Juror Barr and this would be the focused city for H&S, with a city size of 1. Million. A density of 7, 409 per km makes Juror Barr the second largest urban area in Malaysia (Introduction to Juror Barr, 2011). The main reason H&S should target the above city mentioned is because in urban areas, consumers have higher purchasing power and are more health conscious compared to consumers from rural areas. The state of Juror has an average temperate ranging from OFF to OFF each year and has high humidity (Monthly averages for Juror Barr, 2011).

The hot and humid weather are causes for dandruff or itchiness for most people. With a high density city, hot and humid weather, Juror Barr is a potential market to be targeted by H&S that provides refreshing and healthy hair for its users. 3. 2 Demographic Segmentation Demographic factors are popular bases for segmentation analysis. Based on other markets of H&S, the target market should be focused on Generation-Y, the age group of 18-30 years old male Malaysian consumers, with middle or high income level.

This target group is a group that is brand conscious and care about the health of their hair. They are willing to spend more on a product as long as the product benefits them or provides a solution to their problem. The H&S anti dandruff shampoo will be a good product to this targeted group. Not only the product has many benefits to the user, considered expensive among its competitors and fights dandruff or itchiness effectively, H&S anti dandruff shampoo gives users a healthy hair, which is suitable for those with active social life. Besides, the fact that H&S is the No. L anti dandruff conscious.

In terms of occupation and education level in an urban area, those which will be targeted are most likely professionals, managers, officers, high school graduates, businessmen and also college students. In short, the young adults are ongoing to be the primary target of H&S. 3. 3 Cryptographic Segmentation In the same demographic, people tend to have different cryptographic profiles. The target market is focused on groups who are higher middle class people in the city. This group of people will be the majority group in a city like Juror Barr, earning ARM, OHO- Arms, 000 per month (Kuris Immuring 2008).

The personality of the target group is gregarious, ambitious and solution seeker. With H&S anti dandruff shampoo, consumers not only get the physical benefit from it, they will also feel satisfied that they have found a solution to their hair issues. For the Generation Y, this group consists of many young adults who are very active in their social and physical activities. Their interest lays a lot in the health of their body and most importantly this group is more brand conscious than any other age group in history. Quality of a product is the priority before they purchase anything.

Opinions of friends and colleagues play an important part in their decision making process. Based on the Roy Morgan classification, the targeted group is made up of consumers that are young optimism and something better. For young optimism, the thinking of this tatter is associated with young professionals and students whose thoughts are focused on having a chance to enjoy an outgoing lifestyle. The group with the pattern something better consists of people seeking to achieve bigger deals and strong preference for more power (Values Segment 2011).

These two patterns of lifestyle are potential customers for H&S anti dandruff because of the effectiveness and result it can bring. 3. 4 Behavioral Segmentation For the targeted market, the company seeks for consumers who will use the brand on the frequent basis. This implies that H&S is targeting mostly for loyal customers instead of impulse buyers or brand switchers, these customers are mostly made up of solution seekers and customers with brand awareness. Consumers of this group are ready to change from brand awareness into a brand seeker because their overall satisfaction towards the brand.

The benefits that this group seeks after from the product are the convenience and availability of the product in various places, the effect of the product that is satisfying and a good brand with affordable price. Promotion that promotes a consistent message and a focused theme will satisfy the consumers of this group. Characteristics of Target Market even in Section 3. 0 of report (abbreviate to fit the space provided) Image used in collage to illustrate characteristic (Give image number) Describe how the image chosen illustrates the characteristics of your brand’s 1 primary target market.

Geographic The State of Juror The image is the map of West Malaysia and the state of Juror is highlighted in red. Hot Weather 2. The sunny sky illustrates the climate of the target market is a place that experiences hot weather throughout the year. High Density City 3. The image of a crowd crossing the road shows that the density of the city is high, , 409 people per km. The City of Juror Barr 4. The image is a photo of the city Juror Barr, the city of the target market. Demographic Professionals 5.

The image represents the occupations of the targeted market which is made up of mostly professionals, officers and managers. 6. The group of young adults on the photo represents the age group that is targeted for the product, consisting mostly Generation Y. Malaysian 7. The image consists of people from different races which is representing the diversity in culture of Malaysian. The nationality of the targeted consumers will be mostly Malaysian. Male 8. The image shows clearly that the gender of the targeted market is male only. Primary target market Cryptographic Solution Seeker 9.

The magnifying glass in the image illustrates a solution seeking characteristics of consumers. The product will be targeted among solution seekers that always seek for products to solve their problems. Brand Awareness 10. A few brand logos such as Aids, Apple and Nikkei are examples of popular brands worldwide. The image represents consumers with brand awareness when they purchase products. 11. The thumbs up in the image shows that consumers are satisfied and will continue to ay the product in future which gives rise to loyalty. Overall Attitude (Happy) 12.

The image with a few people Jumping for Joy represents the happiness of consumers after using the product and they are satisfied overall. Behavioral Roy Morgan Classification 13. Roy Morgan classifications of consumers of the targeted market are young optimism and something better. Both patterns are people who seek to strive for the better and bigger and enjoy an outgoing lifestyle. High Middle Income Household 14. The image shows a family with a good life and has more than enough income to spend. The targeted market is focused on high middle income households.