Global Marketing and Communication on the Web

Target Audience: Secondary, tertiary.

Language Proficiency: Variable, according to task.

Learning Focus: Reading, research, critical thinking, writing.

Technology Needed: Web browser software.

Instructions:

Once a company decides to move into international markets, it must determine whether to standardize or adapt its promotional materials.

Task: Go to the Levi's jeans and Coca Cola web sites.

These web sites have been specifically designed for each country or region. Read about the companies and explore the international versions of their web sites. Then, answer the following questions:

1. Does one company market its products in more countries than the other?

2. How do the companies differ in the way they "divide up" the world market? And, why?


3. Do the web sites differ from country to country? If yes, in what way(s)?


4. What are at least two reasons why having different web site designs for different countries or regions might be important? Do you think the type of product has an effect on this? Why or why not?

Expanded Options:

Better Business Bureau
http://www.bbb.org/


Consumer Reports
http://www.consumerreports.org/

E-commerceTimes
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/


©1997-2009: Leslie Opp-Beckman and Kay Westerfield, University of Oregon's American English Institute in Eugene, Oregon (U.S.A.). Permission to distribute and use for educational purposes provided the authors' names are left intact. This site may not be mirrored. Links to other sites should not be construed as an endorsement by the authors or the University of Oregon of the views contained therein. Last updated 22 October 2008 by lob.

CV for Leslie Opp-Beckman, Email: leslieob@uoregon.edu
CV for Kay Westerfield, Email: kwesterf@uoregon.edu
5212 University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403-5212 USA

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