Marketing strategy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Posted by Zander Henry on Aug-22-2018

1. The vision of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

The vision of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is to be the leading quality service and product provider for customers. Being the best and the leading player means that Houghton Mifflin Harcourt marketing strategy and operations focus on:

• Providing high quality of products and services
• Providing value to customers
• Concentrate on building customer experience

2. The mission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt marketing strategy is grounded in its mission. The mission for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is to be the favorite brand of the customers. This mission is essential for the marketing strategy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt as it focuses on all operations and marketing activities in the direction of:

• Consumer centrism
• Using research to understand and influence consumers

3. Brand Equity of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Understanding and knowing the brand equity is vital for directing and giving meaning to the marketing strategy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. The knowledge of brand equity will help in shaping Houghton Mifflin Harcourt marketing strategy effectively – thereby facilitating the growth of business for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

3.1. Brand awareness

• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has high brand awareness because of international operations
• The company focuses on higher budget allocation in the country of origin
• Each market for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has modified marketing and strategic directives and plans

3.2. Brand association

• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is directly associated with the brand name and product category
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has a broad product portfolio
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is associated with promising and delivering quality and innovative products
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is also associated with excellent customer service

3.3. Brand loyalty

• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has been successful at gaining high consumer loyalty because of unique and influential marketing strategy
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has a global customer base
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt keeps adding value addition to the products and product portfolio to keep consumers engaged

3.4. Brand asset

• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has a substantial brand value
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt also enjoys the high financial worth
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt focuses on building a reliable and robust employee base

3.5. Brand element

• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt uses the brand element as a means of competitive advantage
• Uses adaptability in product, services, and marketing to meet different cultural demands

4. Situational Analysis of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

The situational analysis will help in developing the marketing strategy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt by conducting a thorough market analysis. This market analysis will aid in understanding the compatibility between external opportunities and other factors, and internal strengths – to be used to maximize the marketing influence of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

4.1. SWOT

4.1.1. Strengths

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt marketing strategy can benefit from the following internal advantages:

• Strong brand image
• Global distribution network
• Investment in market research
• Innovation

4.1.2. Weakness

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt faces challenges in marketing strategy because of the following weakness:

• Slow organizational processes
• High product prices

4.1.3. Opportunity

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has the following possibilities of business growth:

• Green lifestyles
• Regional expansion
• Diversification

4.1.4. Threats

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt faces business threats because of the following factors:

• Increased competition
• Increased imitation

4.2. PESTEL

4.2.1. Political

• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt operates I markets with political stability
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has funding support from the government for small businesses

4.2.2. Economic

• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt enjoys high sales because of higher GDP
• Lower interest rates make business expansion and loaning easier for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
• Low inflation strengthens the financial position of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

4.2.3. Social

• Higher education and awareness increases sales of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt predict
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt focuses on understanding consumers and fulfilling their demands through its offerings

4.2.4. Environmental

• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has an active CSR program
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt ensures environmental safety in all its operations

4.2.5. Legal

• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is aware of local and global laws of business and human resource management
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt abides by all statutes – especially labour law, discrimination law, and employee safety laws

4.3. Porter’s Five Forces

4.3.1. Threat of substitutes

• High risk of replacements
• Substitutes offer similar products at low prices

4.3.2. The threat of new entrants

• New entrants need high financial investment
• New entrants need updated technology for keeping par with industry progress

4.3.3. Bargaining power of buyers

• Sales made to end consumer directly
• Stocking of products at retailers, as well as own-controlled retail outlets

4.3.4. Bargaining power of suppliers

• Multiple suppliers of raw materials
• Suppliers are chosen after careful inspection, and through contracts

4.3.5. Industry rivalry

• High industry rivalry
• Players offer similar products
• Players compete through marketing to influence consumers

5. Marketing Objectives for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: The Marketing Strategy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt marketing strategy has the following objectives for the current financial year:

5.1. Increased market penetration

• Increase top of mind recall for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt brand and products by 30%
• Increase sales for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt by 40% by the third quarter of the financial year
• Achieve a trial rate for new products of 10% during the first quarter of the launch
• Increase consumption rate of existing products by 45% during the current financial year

5.2. Enhanced brand recognition

• Increase top of mind recall by 65% during the current fiscal year
• Increase brand recognition by 80% during the first two quarters of the current financial year

5.3. Increased use of digital marketing

• Acquire 25,000 new online customers during the financial year
• Increase website traffic through using blogging and email tactics effectively by 505 during the first two quarters of the year
• Acquire 65,000 likes on the official Facebook page of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt during the first quarter of the financial year

5.4. Retail Growth

• Contract with five more leading supermarkets in the first quarter of the year to stock product at eye level shelving
• Contract with two leading online retail sites – eBay and Amazon – to stock our products, and increase accessibility for consumers globally by the second quarter of the financial year

6. Segmentation of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt marketing strategy uses different means of segmentation to reach an increase in market penetration.

6.1. Demographic segmentation

6.1.1. Age

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has consumers of age groups

• 20-45 years
• 45-60 years

6.1.2. Gender

• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has a broad product portfolio for both males and females

6.1.3. Life-cycle stage

Consumers for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, according to the marketing strategy, are in the following various life cycle stages:

• Single students
• Single graduates
• Single people living at home/not living at home
• Young couples without children
• Married couples with one to four children – all at home
• Married couples with one or two children in college
• Old married couples with an empty nest

6.1.4. Occupation

The marketing strategy devises the following occupations for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt consumers:

• Professionals
• Students
• House makers

6.2. Psychographic segmentation

6.2.1. Social class

• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt focuses on segments of middle-upper and upper social classes

6.2.2. Lifestyle

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt consumer segments have the following lifestyle characteristics:

• They aspire towards a better and higher living standard
• They want to be successful – professionally and socially
• They are not hesitant to try new things, products and services in life
• They are confident in their behaviour and attitude
• They are mainstreamers in their fields

6.3. Geographic segmentation

6.3.1. Region

• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has operations spread across the western developed countries such as America, the united kingdom, and the Netherlands
• It also has operations in emerging markets such as Brazil, India, and China

6.3.2. Density

• The focus of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt remains on the urban part of the population

6.4. Behavioural segmentation

6.4.1. Personality

The marketing strategy defines personality characteristics for the consumers of the brand of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, such as:

• Determined
• Confident
• Ambitious
• Hardworking

6.4.2. Usage frequency

• The consumer segments for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt are regular and frequent users of the product

6.4.3. Benefits sought

• Consumers seek functional benefits
• The focus, however, is more on the emotional benefits reaped from the consumption of the brand

6.4.4. Degree of loyalty

• Consumers are very loyal
• Have an emotional attachment with the brand

7. Targeting of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Positioning of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

The marketing strategy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt targets consumer groups based on segmentation as follows:

7.1. Target market

• The target market for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is from middle to upper class
• The target market is ambitious and desires to purchase high-end consumer products
• This target market also seeks affordability
• To meet target market expectations, the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt focuses on quality control

7.2. Mass marketing

• The marketing strategy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt focuses on mass marketing
• This also requires unique marketing designs and product promotion programs
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt makes use of one strategy to influence all segments

7.3. Undifferentiated marketing strategy

• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt does not differentiate between market segments
• It uses a single marketing strategy to target all segments and consumer groups
• Based on this, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt also created the marketing mix under the marketing strategy as a singular one for the whole market – regardless of the segmentation divides.

7.4. Focus on quality

• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has created, developed, and maintained a brand that satisfies all consumers under the undifferentiated marketing strategy and mass marketing
• No compromise on quality has been made in the broad product portfolio
• To ensure the influence of a single marketing strategy, the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has also adopted a consumer-centric approach in its overall marketing strategy and operations as well
• This was used for targeting strategy as well as for maintaining growth

8. Company Competitive Advantage in the marketing strategy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

The marketing strategy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt stands out from the clutter and competition. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has also achieved a sustainable competitive advantage in its marketing strategy. This is because of the following factors that Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has utilized:

8.1. Cost-effectiveness

• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt focuses on reaching consumers effectively rather than grandeur
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt focuses on developing an integrated marketing approach
• The use of digital marketing efficiently and expertly has helped the company reach a wider audience at a lower cost
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has in-house copywriters for marketing campaigns which also helps in controlling costs
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt also focuses efforts on ground activities – which are less expensive than commercial marketing tactics

8.2. Innovation

• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has stayed updated with latest developments in marketing research and marketing knowledge
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt makes use of new and innovative tactics to reach its target consumers
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt also employs top of the field marketers to facilitate its marketing strategy and promotional campaigns
• Each marketing campaign launched by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is effective catchier and more influential than the previous one

8.3. Strong market research and consumer understanding grounded

• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt marketing strategy is strongly grounded in consumer and market research
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt makes informed marketing campaigns and goals based on consumers’ behavioural feedback
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt also incorporates consumer feedback in its marketing strategy
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt marketing strategy is based on market trends, and consumer needs and wants

8.4. Making effective use of emotional appeals

• Consumers’ emotional needs strongly influence all marketing objectives and marketing goals set by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
• In addition to fulfilling functional needs, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt also tries to fulfil the emotional and psychological needs of the consumer
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt tries to build a strong emotional bond with the consumer, which also results in high consumer loyalty

9. Distribution Strategy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt marketing strategy highlights the use of the following distribution strategy to maximize reach and accessibility for consumers.

9.1. Intensive distribution strategy

• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt makes use of intensive distribution strategy because it is mass marketing
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s marketing strategy is based on undifferentiated segments, and thus an intensive distribution strategy allows high penetration and reaches in the overall market
• With the use of the intensive distribution, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt tries to maximise its coverage of the markets where it's present
• For achieving the intensive strategy, the company uses hardcore 360-degree integrated marketing strategy and campaign to reach all consumers, across all segments in the market.

9.2. Direct distribution strategy

• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt uses direct distribution country of origin as well as in locations where it has subsidiary operations
• The Houghton Mifflin Harcourt also makes use of modern retailing channels
• Also, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt makes use of e-commerce and makes a sale through online retailers, as well as through the company website
• Direct distributions have allowed Houghton Mifflin Harcourt to increase market penetration and accessibility for consumers

9.3. Indirect distribution strategy

• This strategy is largely used for offshore operations where the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt does not have a subsidiary
• In these offshore locations, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt largely works through the export model
• This makes use of several intermediaries in between, before the product by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt reaches the target consumers
• Intermediaries for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt include not only the end retail outlets, but also sales agents, retail agents, and distribution agents in offshore locations

9.4. Selective distribution strategy

• For some products of its portfolio which are premium in nature, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt makes use of selective distribution channel
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has maintained a few outlets in the country of origin, and in selected offshore markets for these products
• These placements and locations are chosen based on the niche market that Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has for its premium products
• These locations, placements, and marketing strategy helps make the company’s product selectively, but readily accessible for its niche target audience

10. Competition Analysis in the marketing strategy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

The industry in which Houghton Mifflin Harcourt operates is very responsive to market and consumer trends. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, therefore, needs to be vigilant in its market strategy towards competition – to make sure that it maintains its competitive advantage.

10.1. Strategic Group Analysis

• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt competes with direct and close competition based on quality and price
• Consumers choose between different companies from the industry based on their functional offering
• Consumers have progressively evolved to strengthen loyalty and form an emotional bond with products that they consume
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt also competes, thereby, with close competition for building stronger brand image, increasing consume loyalty, and for forming strong emotional ties with the consumer

10.2. Industry rivalry

• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt experiences high industry rivalry
• The barriers to entry for the industry are low, and new entrants gain easy access in the industry
• The number of local as well as global players is increasing

11. Marketing mix of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

The marketing mix for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt as per the marketing strategy is the following:

11.1. Product

• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has a broad product portfolio
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt provides mass marketed products for all segments across the market undifferentiated
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt also provides some selected, premium products to niche customer groups
• All products in the portfolio consistently maintain high quality
• All products are tailored to meet consumer specifications, demands and needs across different regional markets
• The Houghton Mifflin Harcourt maintains a high focus on innovation in products and introduces new products frequently to keep the consumers engaged

11.2. Place

• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt wants to have a close, emotional and personal relationship with its consumers
• The company maintains high control in its distribution strategies – especially through direct distribution strategy
• The company has a presence in leading supermarkets
• The Houghton Mifflin Harcourt also has company-operated stores in malls, and otherwise to make products accessible to consumers easily
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt also makes use of e-commerce to increase penetration and sales

11.3. Price

• The Houghton Mifflin Harcourt prices its products so that its target consumers can afford it easily
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt uses relative pricing strategy for its products
• The price of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s products include not only the high quality raw materials and value additions but also the enhanced customer experience they deliver
• The company’s pricing strategy allows it to enjoy stable revenue and profit growth

11.4. Promotion

• The Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has a high budget allocated towards marketing activities
• The Houghton Mifflin Harcourt invests substantially in digital marketing activities to reap high and effective results
• Use of digital marketing has also allowed Houghton Mifflin Harcourt marketing strategy to cap costs and expenses
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt also takes part in direct consumer engagement through on-ground activities where the company initiates trials
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt also invests in traditional media channels to reach maximum consumers in the market

11.5. People

• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has a large workforce across different companies
• This workforce is continually trained to become experts in their respective fields of operations
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt hires without discrimination
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt ensures that its employees remain motivated through building an inspirational and creative organizational culture
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt focuses on also building and maintaining organizational commitment and loyalty in its employees

11.6. Process

• All activities at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt - from raw material procurement to the final sale to the end consumer - undergo systematic processes
• The processes at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt are well defined, and well communicated to all employees
• All employees are trained to follow the processes internally to ensure consistently high quality as well as timely production and deliveries
• The systematic processes also ensure a smooth running of operations at the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

11.7. Physical evidence

• The physical evidence for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt includes the company logo, company store designs, and the product packaging
• Satisfied and excited customers in the retail spaces of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, as well as during product consumption create a bubbling and an inviting atmosphere
• The e-commerce website for retail by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is also designed with a friendly customer interface to allow maximum interaction with the brand
• The store designs created by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for its retail space allow consumers maximum interaction with the products directly.

12. Promotional tactics for the marketing strategy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

12.1. Digital marketing

• The company uses social media for reaching consumers effectively
• The Houghton Mifflin Harcourt interacts with the consumers directly, and engages with them, answers their queries and takes their feedback
• The company also shares information and build relationships with consumers through digital marketing
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt also makes use of blogging, emails, and content creations as a means of digital marketing

12.2. Conventional marketing

• The company uses a 360-degree approach in its marketing strategy
• This means that the company makes use of traditional marketing channels as well – such as TV, magazine adverts, and out of house placements

12.3. Influencers

• For direct, on-ground engagement, the company uses influencers
• Influencers interact with consumers directly, or through their channels of communication as a means of content creation and endorsing the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt brand

13. Monitoring and evaluation of the marketing strategy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

13.1. Changes in sales

• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt regularly tracks its sales to identify the effectiveness of its marketing strategy
• Increase in sales reflect the success of marketing strategy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
• Sometimes, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt experiences increase ins ae after some time of the launch of the marketing promotions

13.2. Surveys and focus groups

• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt frequently conducts focus groups and surveys to identify its brand worth
• These methods also help the company identify brand value, brand recall, and brand recognition
• Focus groups allow Houghton Mifflin Harcourt to gather feedback on its marketing strategy and helps it understand consumers better

13.3. ROI

• Effectiveness of marketing strategy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt can also be seen through the revenue and profit growth
• Return on investment allows Houghton Mifflin Harcourt to effective gauge the effect and influence of the marketing strategy, and measure its success

13.4. Attainment of marketing objectives

• All marketing objectives set by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt are SMART
• The quantitative set against each of the marketing objective can facilitate attainment evaluation for the overall marketing strategy
• Successful and timely attainment of these marketing objectives highlight the success of the marketing strategy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt