Director of marketing for a regional hospital
You are the director of marketing for a regional hospital. The board of directors at your hospital has studied the 2011 Institute of Medicine (IOM) report Early Childhood Obesity Prevention Policies. The alarming statistics quoted in the IOM report stated that “almost 10 percent of infants and toddlers carry excess weight for their length, and slightly more than 20 percent of children between the ages of two and five already are overweight or obese” (IOM, 2011, pg. 1). A survey conducted among the pediatricians who admit patients to the hospital validated that area children under the age of 5 years follow or exceed the national trend of being overweight or obese. The board is very concerned about childhood obesity rates for the children in the hospital’s marketing area. At the last meeting, the board directed the marketing department determine the demand for childhood obesity programs and to review the IOM report and propose a marketing campaign to provide information to parents and guardians concerning ways to prevent children from birth to 5 years of age from becoming overweight. Click here to access the IOM report.
Do you think the hospital needs to complete more marketing research before embarking on the campaign?
What advertising media would you suggest to be used during the campaign?
What products or services could the hospital offer to assist in reducing the number of infants and toddlers who are overweight?
Do you expect to generate any revenue for the hospital from the campaign?
How long will the campaign last? How long would you continue to measure the effectiveness of the campaign?
Sample Solution
Yes, I think the hospital should complete more marketing research before embarking on the campaign. This research would help the hospital to better understand the needs of the community and to develop a campaign that is effective and relevant.
The marketing research should focus on the following areas:
- What are the concerns of parents and guardians about childhood obesity?
- What information are they looking for on how to prevent childhood obesity?
- What advertising media do they consume?
- What products or services would they be interested in using to help prevent childhood obesity in their children?
- Traditional media: television, radio, print, and outdoor advertising
- Digital media: social media, search engine marketing, and display advertising
- Community outreach: partnering with local schools, childcare centers, and community organizations to offer educational programs and resources
- Educational programs and resources for parents and guardians: These programs could teach parents and guardians about the causes of childhood obesity and how to prevent it. They could also provide resources for parents and guardians, such as healthy recipes and meal plans.
- Nutrition counseling for parents and guardians: Nutrition counselors can work with parents and guardians to develop healthy eating plans for their children. They can also provide advice on how to feed children healthy foods and how to avoid unhealthy foods.
- Pediatric weight management programs: These programs are designed to help children who are overweight or obese lose weight and keep it off. They typically involve a combination of nutrition counseling, physical activity, and behavioral counseling.