The concept of 4Ps in Marketing was introduced by E. Jerome McCarthy in 1960. Since then all marketing professionals have been taught about the 4Ps in their Business schools. The Marketing mix, which includes Product, Price, Place & Promotion has served most of the marketing executives well and has yielded them results.
The Changing Marketing Landscape
However, it’s been almost 6 decades since its introduction and marketing has evolved and requires changing the model to fit the modern marketing challenges. Additionally, the 4Ps model was more company-focused than the customer.
Many marketing experts have since then provided new frameworks like Dr. Jagadish Sheth’s 4As and Robert Lauterborn‘s 4Cs. Also, there have been variants of the 4P model extending into 7Ps and 8Ps. However modern commerce and globalization have thrown a very grave challenge for Marketers which if not addressed could potentially destroy their brand. A problem that has killed brands despite the marketers having ensured that the 4Ps, 4As or the 4Cs are in place. A problem, which is as big as $2 Trillion and growing at 14% annually. A problem that is global and affects all verticals.
What we are talking about here is counterfeiting viz fake products. Counterfeiting is highly prevalent globally but in Asia, it has taken the shape of a monster that needs to be addressed by companies and marketers urgently.
Marketers who have spent hard effort and time in ensuring that their brands are priced correctly, promoted well, distributed at the right places and have all the features, fall prey to the counterfeiter who has simply introduced fake products but with the same brand & packaging.
The Urgency of Brand Protection:
A Company that does not have a brand protection strategy is bound to face brand value erosion sooner or later and could potentially end up killing the brand and the company. The Brand protection strategy might see resistance from other departments as it forces them to rethink the status quo however the strategy must see the light of the day else very soon the product and company might bite the dust. Another common reason for receiving pushback to brand protection from other folks in a company has been their concern about the increase in cost. However, it is important that they realize that band protection is an investment and not an expense as the ROI on this has been evident in multiple cases.
Technological Solutions for Brand Protection:
While brands need to adopt technology and new packaging, they need not spend their effort on building technology to implement their strategy. What they need is just the will, the right leader and the team to ensure that the implementation happens. There have been some really good solutions brought out by different companies(in pic) that have helped brands in giving a unique non-reproducible and non-copyable identification to each unit of their products. Brand protection which was not only expensive but futile is now proving to be cost-effective and potent against counterfeits thanks to new technologies and improvements in mobile penetration.
Expanding the Marketer’s Arsenal
The Impact of Counterfeiting on Consumers:
20% of most products sold are fake which means companies are leaking 20% of their revenues. Also the revenue degradation is not limited to 20% as eventually consumers start losing faith in brands due to the substandard quality of products they receive which albeit are fake but unknown to the consumer.
Hence it is imperative that the marketer now doesn’t limit herself to 4Ps but adds another P to her arsenal for Protection against counterfeits or if she is following 4Cs then another C for Counterfeit Protection and if 4A then another A for Anti-Counterfeiting.
The ROI of Brand Protection:
Companies that have invested in brand protection have seen a disproportionate return on investment to the tune of 200x. Besides the improvement in revenues, the most important thing a strong protection strategy helps achieve is a happy and loyal customer which is what the new models and frameworks had sought to achieve. So next time you come up with a marketing plan don’t just limit it to 4Ps, 4Cs or 4As, make sure it is 5Ps, 5Cs or 5As.
In the battle against counterfeiting, technology emerges as a steadfast ally. Beyond dollars and cents, the true cost of counterfeiting involves the delicate balance of human lives, ethical responsibility, and the relentless pursuit of authenticity. As brands and consumers navigate this complex landscape, the imperative remains—to dismantle the shadowy consequences of counterfeiting and safeguard the integrity of brands in the modern era.
Elevate Your Brand's Fortification: Acviss Brand Protection
At Acviss, we understand that counterfeiting is not just a financial threat; it's a menace that compromises brand credibility and consumer trust. Our comprehensive suite of brand protection tools, including Certify, Origin, Bonus, Assist, and Truviss, is meticulously designed to provide an impenetrable shield against counterfeiters.
Certify: Combatting Counterfeits with Cutting-edge Technology:
Our Certify solution employs state-of-the-art technology to encode products with unique, non-reproducible identifiers. These identifiers serve as digital fingerprints, allowing consumers to verify product authenticity effortlessly.
Origin: Unveiling Transparency in the Supply Chain:
With Origin, we bring transparency to your supply chain. This track-and-trace solution ensures that every product's journey is traceable, from manufacturing to the hands of the end consumer.
Bonus: Loyalty Management Beyond Boundaries:
In the realm of loyalty management, Bonus takes centre stage. Enhance customer engagement and retention with a seamless loyalty program that not only rewards consumers but also acts as a powerful deterrent against counterfeit products.
Assist: Warranty Management Redefined:
Assist revolutionizes warranty management, providing a robust system to authenticate genuine products and streamline warranty processes. It ensures that consumers receive the quality they expect and deserve.
Truviss: Guardian of Online Brand Protection:
In the digital age, Truviss emerges as the guardian of online brand protection. Safeguard your brand from threats like brand impersonation, fake websites, and fraudulent product listings with our advanced technology.
The Acviss Commitment
Choosing Acviss as your brand protection partner is a commitment to excellence and an unwavering dedication to the authenticity of your products. Our solutions not only mitigate the financial risks associated with counterfeiting but also contribute to building a loyal customer base.
Conclusion
In the battle against counterfeiting, Acviss is not just a solution provider; we are your strategic ally. Elevate your brand's fortification with our innovative tools, stay ahead of counterfeiters, and ensure that your brand's legacy remains untarnished in the face of evolving threats. Partner with Acviss for brand protection that goes beyond the ordinary, safeguarding your brand's integrity in the digital age.
