Case Name :      First Class Trading Corporation

Authors :           Christopher A. Ross

Source :             Ivey Publishing

Case ID :            W11351

Discipline :        Marketing

Case Length :    13 pages

Solution Sample availability : YES

Plagiarism : NO (100% Original work)

First Class Trading Corporation, a Montreal based company, had two partners: Jeff Morahan, the founder of the company, and David Sciacca. After evaluating the school supplies industry, Jeff had identified an opportunity that involved marketing a fully stocked school bag to schools and parents. The bag was filled with various items that a child needed as determined by a given teacher’s requirements. The strategy of the company was to target elementary and secondary private schools in the greater Montreal area with elementary schools as their initial target. To date, the partners had generated only a disappointing level of sales through cold calls and sales visits to schools. The two partners had drawn up a strategic plan with objectives, positioning and a marketing mix and were now wondering if they were on the right track. Had they missed something? Should they seek additional advice? Should they move ahead? The situation is complicated because of the various stakeholders (school directors, teachers, parents and students) who are involved in the marketing process.