Defining Marketing

"Marketing is the activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large" ("American Marketing Association", 2013). This definition of marketing as defined by the American Marketing Association, has changed since 2004. Marketing is now regarded as an 'activity' instead of a 'function' and is considered broad and more than just a department.

According to our text, "Marketing is the performance of activities that seek to accomplish an organization's objectives by anticipating customer or client needs and directing a flow of need-satisfying goods and services from producer to customer or client (Perreault, Cannon, & McCarthy, 2011)".

After reading the and information from the text and other definitions on the internet I no longer see marketing just as advertising, and I am able to recognize marketing strategies used in businesses and corporations. Marketing can be a sort of a social process in order to learn what is hot, what is convenient, what people like, and what they want in a product or service. They use these ideas and then find ways to modify, present and promote the product in order to sell well. The particular needs of the marketing functions with in a company are very important to its organization's success. Summed up, the role of marketing functions are; to create a product or service image, address any potential concerns, keep up with sales trends, identify customers changing needs, and be open to new and changing ideas.

QuickTrip has demonstrated excellent marketing skills over the years that have contributed widely to the organizations success. QuickTrip operates in Missouri, Illinois, and Kansas. QuickTrip has always been known for their guaranteed gasoline, quick and friendly service, and cleanliness. QT is moderately priced for the convenience. They usually have the cheapest gas prices. Besides gasoline, Quick Trip sells some grocery products, alcohol, good coffee, snacks, fresh salads, quality fresh sandwiches, fresh wraps, shakes, slushies, some QT's have ice cream machines. They also offer fresh microwaveable foods (and a microwave). Quick Trip often has promotions like get a wrap, a bag of chips and a drink for $5.00. They have fountain drinks for $.69 in the spring and summer, hot dogs, brats, taquitos, and corn dogs 2 for $2. They keep their standards high so that they can continue to be known for their quick service and cleanliness. Another thing I have noticed is that QT keeps their employees around for years. They pay them well and recognize their achievements. Quick Trip is everywhere in certain areas of St. Louis sometimes there are 4 on one main street within 7 miles and no Quick Trip on the next main street nearby. Over the past decade I have seen many more Quick Trips opening and more advertising such as billboards, radio ads and occasional coupons. I look forward to watching them grow to other cities and states.

Netflix is another outstanding service that is gaining popularity all over the world with over 30 million users. Netflix has grown tremendously over the years because of their excellent marketing skills and new services and promotions. At first when my Dad introduced us to Netflix movies