I have completed the final class in Global Marketing. The final assignment was to choose one of five topics, utilizing the entire course content.
The task was to select one of these five topics and write an essay:
Students should choose one topic from the following topics:
(1) Identify the variables that global marketers can use to segment global markets and give an example of each.
(2) Explain the factors that contribute to the successful launch of a global strategic partnership.
(3) After evaluating identified segments, decisions have to be made whether to pursue a particular opportunity or not. Assuming the decision is made to proceed, an appropriate targeting strategy must be developed. Explain the basic categories of target marketing strategies and how they can be implemented.
(4) Describe the different categories of retail operations that are found in various parts of the world.
(5) List the major innovations and trends that contributed to the digital revolution.
The writing format was specifically outlined, consisting of Introduction, Study description, Analysis, Implication, and Conclusion. The Study description section was an addition to the usual writing structure.
I chose topic (5) and discussed new businesses, marketing methods, and social issues that emerged due to technological advancements. While researching and reading papers, I had a realization about "propaganda."
Taking my experience in American society as an example, the Democratic Party has already dominated education, media, and IT in the U.S. This domination seems to have been in place for quite some time. From elementary through high school, the environment is cultivated to foster loyalty to the Democratic Party, explaining that certain ideologies are correct. Bringing up alternative viewpoints is often considered "strange thinking." These ideas are amplified through "broadcasting" and further expanded through "IT technology." As a result, universities, media, and the press effectively operate to ensure that Democratic propaganda is successful.
However, while such propaganda seems to work continuously, there comes a point when it breaks down. When members of society judge that their interests are being seriously harmed, they begin to reconsider the propaganda. The recent election of Republican Trump was due to many people understanding the reality of propaganda and deciding not to be fooled anymore.
Various American media outlets continued to propagate that "Harris" would be elected, but the American public did not believe this news and recognized it as propaganda. This time, they put a full stop to that propaganda. Of course, during this process, the Democratic Party's mishandling of border issues, neglect of drug problems, and political exploitation of LGBTQIA+ issues added to the confusion. Many people seemed to feel tired of it all.
Looking at Korea from an American perspective, I sense many similarities. The announcement and interpretation of the recent state of emergency, the process leading to impeachment, and various media showing support for impeachment are similar to the "education, media, and IT" situation in the U.S. Looking back, I realized that our country is in a similar situation to the U.S.
For a long time, the education sector, broadcasting industry, and media have become systems closely influenced by certain propaganda under the name of progressivism. News articles and broadcast programming that only convey one side of the story greatly overlap with the American situation. However, one difference from the U.S. is that because there isn't the strength to listen to diverse voices, those with differing opinions are attacked viciously.
Through this MBA assignment, I was able to reflect on myself once again. "Are the things I judge created by propaganda, or are they my own choices?" This made me reconsider not only my work but also how I view media.
While we talk about democracy, I began to think about whether the majority is being used for the benefit of certain groups by exploiting propaganda in the name of democracy.
Still, the U.S. has the strength to hear diverse voices, but I wondered if Korea has such strength. It seems helpful that I can think about these things through my American MBA experience.