Review of the Marketing Plan
The first step in the IMC planning process is to review the marketing plan and objectives. Before developing a promotional plan, marketers must understand where the
company (or the brand) has been, its current position in the market, where it intends to
go, and how it plans to get there. Most of this information should be contained in the
marketing plan,a written document that describes the overall marketing strategy and
programs developed for an organization, a particular product line, or a brand. Marketing plans can take several forms but generally include five basic elements:
1. A detailed situation analysis that consists of an internal marketing audit and review
and an external analysis of the market competition and environmental factors.
2. Specific marketing objectives that provide direction, a time frame for marketing
activities, and a mechanism for measuring performance.
3. A marketing strategy and program that include selection of target market(s) and
decisions and plans for the four elements of the marketing mix.
4. A program for implementing the marketing strategy, including determining specific
tasks to be performed and responsibilities.
5. A process for monitoring and evaluating performance and providing feedback so
that proper control can be maintained and any necessary changes can be made in
the overall marketing strategy or tactics.