5. Identify and discuss each of seven substantial or highly-consequential marketing or marketing-relevant events that have transpired since the beginning of 2014. What are the marketing implications of each of these events?
Here "event" is broadly defined; it may be a marketing initiative by a firm [such as a creative, highly-effective, or controversial promotion, a unique pricing scheme, the introduction of a truly innovative product, etc.], a legislative or regulatory act that impacts or is likely to impact marketers or buyers, a news story that's likely to have significant marketing implications for numerous organizations/industries [e.g., discovery that gluclomictiatica causes sularcomplasia], an occasion or holiday with marketing implications or potential marketing implications, and so on.
Hint: When searching for relevant events for this question, consider the advice of Warren Buffet: "Never ask a barber if you need a haircut." Just because a company spokesperson or a blogger says an event is highly significant doesn't necessarily mean that it is. Use your own judgment to decide, but if in doubt about the suitability of an event, feel free to ask Dr. Martin.
More specifics, hints & suggestions
There are no strict guidelines for the length of the paper, but if your paper is concise and well-organized, about 8-10 pages (double-spaced, 12-point type) for the narrative will suffice, plus a few additional pages for a title page, list of references, tables, figures, pictures, exhibits, etc.
Use any common referencing style to document the sources you use in the preparation of your paper (Dr. Martin will post the American Marketing Association's style guidelines and worksheets on BlackBoard). Refer to sources by name or number within the body of your paper and also include complete bibliographic information for the sources in footnotes or in a list of references at the end of the paper (Hint: style guidelines vary, but the most important guideline is to include enough information about each source to enable the reader to find it).
If you quote a source (i.e., use their choice of words, verbatim), be sure to bracket the quotation with quotation marks and if the quotation is from a book or periodical include both the source and the specific page number where the quotation may be found. Here's an example using AMA's style...
In body of paper...
Several people talk about this. For example, Martin (2015) urges students to "be sure to bracket the quotation with quotation marks" (p. 2), so it's probably a good idea to do so.
In list of references at end of paper...
Martin, Charles (2015), "Marketing Perspectives" Assignment (class handout for Mkt 801). Wichita, Kansas: Wichita State University.
As previously noted, refer to the course calendar in the syllabus for the due date of the question/topic you choose to address. Submit your completed paper on or before the due date -- as a paper copy or email attachment (Word document or pdf file). However, consider working well ahead of the due date to enable you to enlist the help of classmates to proofread and critique preliminary drafts of your paper. Feel free to include a brief "acknowledgments" section in your paper to recognize classmates who were helpful; this could help their Class Preparation & Participation grade.
Note that a printed copy of assignments submitted as email attachments. Such email attachments are acceptable, but note that Dr. Martin's printer is not a color printer, so if you submit your paper electronically avoid relying on color, such as using color-coded exhibits that may be difficult to decipher in black and white.
Grading criteria
Excellent papers will thoroughly address the selected question/topic and will reflect a blend of factual information, rich research, others' perspectives and the student's own thoughtful perspective on the question/topic. Great papers also will be well-written (interesting, concise, clear, organized, free of misspelled words and typographical errors, grammatically correct, properly documented).