Abstract
The term ‘market segmentation’ conjures up images of a whole being divided into smaller parts (segments). Yet, since the dawn of marketing, market segmentation has become a confusing metaphor, badly explained, poorly implemented and, also, one of the last bastions of marketing ignorance. Indeed, a recent Harvard Business Review article about 30,000 failed product launches in the US put their failure down principally to inadequate market segmentation (Christensen et al., 2005).
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Buzzell, R. D. and B. T. Gale (1987), The PIMS Strategy: Linking Strategy to Performance, New York: The Free Press.
Christensen, C., S. Cook and T. Hall (2005), ‘Marketing malpractice: the cause and the cure,’ Harvard Business Review, December: 74–83.
McDonald, Malcom and Ian Dunbar (2005), Market Segmentation: How to do it, How to Profit from it, 2nd edition, Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.
Peters, T. J. and R. H. Waterman (1982), In Search of Excellence, New York: Warner Books.
Rogers, E. M. (1976), ‘New product conception and diffusion,’ Journal of Consumer Research, 2 (March): 220–30.
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 2008 contributors
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
McDonald, M. (2008). Market Segmentation as a Metaphor: Whoever Heard of Alexander the Mediocre?. In: Kitchen, P.J. (eds) Marketing Metaphors and Metamorphosis. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230227538_5
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230227538_5
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-54709-8
Online ISBN: 978-0-230-22753-8
eBook Packages: Palgrave Business & Management CollectionBusiness and Management (R0)