Case Study

Classic Case Study: Run Like a Girl

This classic case study – the “Run Like a Girl” campaign – provides students with insights into how authentic storytelling and social advocacy can transform brand communication. They will explore how brands can successfully shift from product-focused messaging to engaging with social issues by using authentic storytelling.

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The Success of Walmart Case Study

This Walmart case study offers students a real-world example of cost leadership and successful retail strategy. By reviewing its Everyday Low Pricing, economies of scale, and efficient logistics management, students will gain insights into this competitive strategy. A great exercise for delving into the reasons for Walmart’s dominance in a highly competitive market sector.

The Success of Walmart Case Study Review the Teaching Activity

KFC Toothpaste Case Study

This activity uses KFC’s fried‑chicken–flavored toothpaste (launched in 2025) to explore how novelty products can generate viral buzz, earned media, and support brand positioning. This task helps students with identifying the marketing objectives, consumer behavior triggers, and success behind the use of novelty product brand extensions.

KFC Toothpaste Case Study Review the Teaching Activity

Starbucks Third Place Positioning – Still Relevant?

This Starbucks case study focuses on their longstanding “third place” concept, which has been a key component of their success and differentiation. However, your students will need to assess whether this “third place” offering remains a viable strategy in today’s marketing environment, considering trends like remote work, increased competition, cost of living concerns, and shifting consumer expectations.

Starbucks Third Place Positioning – Still Relevant? Review the Teaching Activity

Crocodile Dundee Tourism Case Study

In this activity, students review an Australian tourism campaign that included a fake news story about an upcoming Crocodile Dundee movie. Featuring Hollywood celebrities like Chris Hemsworth and Margot Robbie, and employing humor, film references, PR stunts, and a Super Bowl TV spot, the campaign captured global attention. This exercise crosses into international marketing, leveraging consumer insight, creative storytelling, media strategy, and campaign effectiveness.

Crocodile Dundee Tourism Case Study Review the Teaching Activity

Addressing the Challenges Facing Starbucks

In this mini case study, students explore the strategic challenges facing Starbucks, including its drift away from its core brand identity and its “third place” experience. Due to its expansion and diverse product offerings, Starbucks strengths have transformed into potential weaknesses. Students will review how operational inefficiencies, market pressures, and changing consumer behaviors have impacted the brand, and assess whether the proposed strategic changes will be effective. NOTE: This activity can also be run as a video case study, with an optional detailed video to show students.

Addressing the Challenges Facing Starbucks Review the Teaching Activity

Classic Case Study: McDonalds Happy Meals

This McDonald’s case study reviews their iconic and enduring Happy Meal offering. The case explores a variety of marketing concepts with a particular focus on family decision making, product bundling, brand associations, ethical considerations, and the ability to offer multiple benefits to deliver consumer value. Although it is a relatively simple product, its continued and significant market success is undeniable, making it a classic and important case study for your students.

Classic Case Study: McDonalds Happy Meals Review the Teaching Activity

Classic Case Study: Snickers You’re Not You When You’re Hungry

This activity focuses on the Snickers “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry” campaign as a mini case study. Students will explore the campaign’s creative use of humor and the role of classical conditioning in creating brand associations through the integration of cohesive IMC strategy.

Classic Case Study: Snickers You’re Not You When You’re Hungry Review the Teaching Activity

Classic Case Study: The KFC FCK Campaign

This video-based activity explores KFC’s innovative response to a 2018 supply chain crisis in the UK, which led to widespread restaurant closures due to a lack of chicken. Instead of opting for a defensive approach, KFC launched the bold “FCK” campaign, a humorous and self-deprecating apology that turned a potential PR disaster into a masterclass in brand recovery. Students will analyze the campaign’s elements, its impact on KFC’s brand image, and lessons in crisis communication.

Classic Case Study: The KFC FCK Campaign Review the Teaching Activity

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