This week in marketing and advertising, we spent some time getting to know the local coffee scene in Amherst! We visited several coffee shops and analyzed each locale based on various marketing criteria, including everything from the product itself to the layout and design of the shop, their social media presence, and other forms of promotion. Afterwards, we brainstormed recommendations for how each shop could improve their brand image and attract more clients.

In the classroom, we’ve been working together to develop a new product that addresses a current problem or inconvenience people may face as plastic straws become phased out and paper straws become popular: the inevitable mushy mess that occurs when the paper straw has been submerged in liquid for too long. We’ve done some analysis of our competitors and customer base, as well as research into potential materials and the associated costs. Next week, we’ll work on narrowing down who our customer is and creating a marketing campaign that appeals to them.