The Field

Marketing is a field that goes beyond simply selling, advertising or retailing. It is a function characterized by rapid changes in techniques and knowledge. One definition describes marketing as the process in a society by which the demand structure for economic goods and services is anticipated or enlarged and satisfied through the conception, promotion, exchange, and physical distribution of goods and services. This statement views marketing broadly, and it shows the broad range of activities in the field of marketing. To accomplish the task of marketing, a wide variety of activities or functions must be performed. Information must be gathered to guide the design of new products and to redesign improved models of existing products. In addition, many marketing functions arise in connection with physical distribution. Questions of speed, cost, storage, and care in handling as well as proper assortments arise. Prospective buyers, both industrial and household, must be informed about goods and services through advertising, selling, packaging, and other promotive means. Each of these major tasks contains a number of minor functions. And, most important, each activity has to be managed, so marketing management supervision must be emphasized as well.

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