Cultural Differences in Marketing Messages

With the current emphasis on the global marketplace, researchers are pointing out the fact that consumers in different cultures may react differently to marketing messages. These consumers may evince different consumer behavior which needs to be understood and accommodated by companies whose products cross borders. Indeed, market research has shown that companies in a multi-cultural environment such as the United States must be aware of cultural differences in shaping messages for different markets and even different market segments. Thus, purchasers from the Hispanic population may have different buying patterns than those from the Chinese population. International marketers are becoming more aware of the need to tailor messages differently depending on whether the target market is Asia, Europe, Latin America, Africa, or the Middle East.

The prevailing view taken by many business people in the past was expressed by Thomas Jefferson when he stated: "The merchant has no country." The assumption was that business was the same no matter where it was conducted. Brake, Walker, and Walker (1995) note that there are three dubious assumptions underlying this view:

1) the culture of money and profit crosses national and regional boundaries;

2) the language of profit and the bottom line is recognized around the world; and

3) a good deal is a good deal no matter where it is offered.

The authors note that all three assumptions have some credence on the surface but that it should

Related Essays

The Marketing Function in the 21st Century .... products, not simply customized marketing campaigns .... They suggest that the differences and distinctions .... will eventually eliminate the cross-cultural issues that .... (1877 8 )

Marketing in Japan & the US .... consumers and is honored by Japanese marketing companies .... Certain topics are taboo in advertising messages in many .... This difference reflects cultural differences. .... (1797 7 )

Managing Cultural Differences Table .... a proficiency in sending and receiving messages. .... chapter four of Managing Cultural Differences is that .... business managers, negotiating, and marketing approach to .... (7932 32 )

Cultural Diversity & Nike .... addressing, rather than ignoring, the cultural factors and .... These differences between people in the same .... must focus on developing marketing messages that focus .... (9406 38 )

Nike's Marketing Function .... addressing, rather than ignoring, the cultural factors and .... These differences between people in the same .... must focus on developing marketing messages that focus .... (9405 38 )

ty. The consumer relies on these vendors for a good deal of merchandise, even though they are technically illegal (Uchitelle, 1993, D1). This consumer behavior also militates against the gigantic shopping centers so prevalent in the United States. Such cultural differences between Mexico and the United States are major forces in shaping consumer behavior. Uchitelle (1993) shows that one problem for companies like Wal-Mart in Mexico is that their prices are not that different from those of the street vendor (Uchitelle, 1993, D4). The consumer therefore has no incentive to change old habits. Latin America as a whole shows differing consumer behavior from that of the United States, with variations within the different cultures of Latin America as well. A recent survey in Latin America shows that consumers there are more likely to be influenced by celebrity endorsements of products, but they are also less likely to respond to money-back guarantees. The survey also shows that there are differences among the economies of the smaller middle class and lower income areas in Latin America. The consumer responds to different kinds of products and is more likely to buy certain types of American products than others. The consumer res

Category: Business - C