Case Summary

Launching the BMW Z3 Roadster BMW Z3 Roadster was a new product concept that reflected a niche opportunity. The main objective of the Z3 launch was to reposition their German-made, driving performance, tradition bound, and precision engineering cars as more stylish and fun to drive cars in the American culture. This risky movement of changing the brand personality was done using both nontraditional and traditional marketing tools. Some of the nontraditional methods used were movie placement, Neiman Marcus Catalog offer, BMW internet site with “Build-Your-Own-Roadster” module, Press launch in Central Park and Jay Leno Tonight Show. Traditional methods such as TV and Print advertising were also used, while maintaining the nontraditional spirit in them. Nontraditional marketing methods are capable of creating word of mouth which requires no out-of-pocket expenditure compared to more expensive TV advertisements. They are also more cost efficient per dollar spent, especially in BMW’s psychographic segmentation. Moreover, nontraditional media like movie placement give greater exposure and visibility even reaching the two audiences that are hard-to-reach through network TV or print: foreign viewers and young people. The positive feelings about the movie and movie stars can also be transferred to the brand, ultimately building the overall brand equity. These methods are more credible, unique and impactful as they are generated by the public compared to the traditional media generated by the advertiser. Moreover, nontraditional methods are more efficient since the consumers go through only a three stage process (WOM infatuation purchase) compared to the four stage process of traditional media (awareness interest desire action). However nontraditional marketing tools can also be risky. One major risk involved in nontraditional media is the uncertainty and

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