Marketing Commons^™

Transforming Legacy Brands Into Cultural Moments: The Power Of Transmedia Storytelling, Grace Goshert

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Throughout my internship, I was captivated by the company’s journey to being driven by

intellectual property rather than just being product driven. On my very first day, the Vice

President of Marketing for North America, Matt Brutocao, spoke to all the interns about his role

and the direction the company is going. My first notes from my internship and his presentation

are the words marketing is storytelling. Throughout the rest of my internship, this idea would

come into play during talks with executives, company people in all departments, and with my

peers. It was very clear that Mattel wanted to …

"Nobody Reads Books Anymore:" Challenges, Opportunities, And Recommendations For The Book Publishing Industry In A Digital World, Nathan D. Provencher

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis analyzes the current challenges and opportunities facing the book publishing industry in the digital era. Although recent data suggests a decline in reading for pleasure among U.S. adults, industry revenues remain relatively stable, indicating that traditional measures of reading do not fully reflect industry performance. This thesis examines how digitization influences key aspects of the book publishing industry, including production, marketing, and consumption. Using a combination of secondary research and an interview with a self-published author, this thesis analyzes the impact of digital technology on the industry. The findings indicate key challenges, including increased competition for consumer attention, …

Cultural Intelligence Recruitment: A Reflection Of Communication And Marketing At Wallace Myers International, Emily Salazar Coutino

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

In an increasingly interconnected global economy, effective international talent acquisition hinges on the ability to navigate cultural diversity and communicate authentically across borders. This reflective thesis, anchored in a two-month internship at Wallace Myers International, a Dublin-based recruitment agency, examines how the cultural backgrounds of consultants and interns from Germany, France, Italy, Hong Kong, and the U.S. influence workplace communication, employer branding, and recruitment marketing. Drawing on Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory and Inglehart’s Theory of Cultural Transformation, the study analyzes observed communication dynamics among a diverse multinational team and their impact on candidate engagement and client relations. It explores the …

Exclusive By Design: Engineered Scarcity And Consumer Behavior In Fashion Drops, Caroline H. Meyer

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

The drop business model centers on releasing small batches of products, often without much notice, on a recurring or semi-regular schedule. These limited releases, or "drops," sell out quickly and rarely restock, creating urgency and making each product feel exclusive. Consumers are trained to anticipate launches, check for updates, and act fast within minutes to secure items before they’re gone. By tapping into psychological drivers such as scarcity, fear of missing out (FOMO), and the desire for social belonging, the drop model flips traditional retail logic. Instead of keeping shelves full, it withholds. Instead of lowering prices to drive sales, …

Make Fashion Circular: Extending Brand Loyalty By Extending The Life Of Garments, Madelyn Schillinger

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This research targets the fashion industry and its journey towards sustainability and circularity, specifically through the rise of clothing resale. It discusses the environmental impact of the overall fashion industry, as well as how secondhand shopping can offset the production of new items. This research also compares third party marketplaces with private, brand-operated resale platforms, exploring how each one benefits both the environment and consumers. Each resale model provides variety in user experiences, profits, and sustainability outcomes. These findings reveal that peer-to-peer platforms have helped normalize secondhand shopping, but brand resale initiatives have a greater control over sustainability and customer …

Creative Brief For Upkept, Angela Cheng

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

The repair and alterations market is currently outdated and fragmented, despite the demand for repair services. Consumers are willing to spend money on repairs, but there isn’t currently a convenient solution that makes the process easy. Upkept is trying to change this market by offering a more modern, tech-enabled, online solution that makes garment repair simple and accessible. Instead of going to a tailor in person, the process is streamlined. The goal is to make clothing repair feel like an easy, everyday option rather than an expensive inconvenience. Helping consumers save time, be more sustainable, and get more value and …

Creative Brief For Upkept, Ashley A. Wheeler

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

My thesis is a creative brief and pitch for the client Upkept along with an appendix. Upkept is a tech-enabled, affordable, sustainable, online repair and alterations service. The current market for the repair and alterations industry is fragmented and outdated. Consumers want a different solution like Upkept. Our goal was to help Upkept build trust, awareness, increase accessibility, and make repair feel easy, like an everyday option rather than an expensive inconvenience. Our three deliverables for the brand were partnerships with the university and influencers, in-person touchpoints, and expanded drop-off locations and lockers.

Behind The Game-Day Experience: Sports Marketing In Practice, Catherine S. Boyle

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper examines two internship experiences in sports marketing and athletics administration: one with the Houston Texans and one with the University of Arkansas Athletics Department. With the Texans, responsibilities included sponsorship activation, fan engagement at events such as the CONCACAF Gold Cup and Training Camp, and serving as a player care assistant for players' families. At Arkansas Athletics, work focused on NIL strategy, athlete profile development, basketball scouting, and managing a social media account dedicated to athlete branding. Both experiences made clear how much of sports marketing happens behind the scenes, and how much it depends on relationships.Working in …

Beautiful By Drew Advertising Campaign, Maddilyn R. Fairchild

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

An Honors Thesis in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Marketing and Management-Organizational Leadership. This document includes a creative brief and pitch deck, presented to professionals from the Beautiful by Drew company. It is a comprehensive advertising campaign designed to reach Gen Z shoppers.

Shopper Marketing Thesis For Upkept, Chesney Cox

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This shopper marketing brand thesis focuses on Upkept, an online tailoring and alterations company based in Rogers, Arkansas. Using research gathered through in-depth interviews, empathy maps and user personas are created to better understand customer motivations, behaviors, and perceptions surrounding clothing repair. Based on these insights, three strategic deliverables, partnerships, in-person touchpoints, and expanded services, are designed to increase brand awareness and encourage a shift in target market attitudes toward clothing repair as a valuable, accessible, and sustainable solution.

Not Just A Drink: The Cultural Evolution Of A Beverage Turned Lifestyle And Its Adaption To Spain, Ava Axtell

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This research explores the rise of dirty soda in the United States and how a simple customizable beverage evolved into a cultural ritual shaped by social media, treat culture, and the lifestyle norms of the LDS community. It analyzes the cultural meaning behind Swig’s popularity, including how influencers and online aesthetics transformed the drink into a status symbol and daily indulgence. This study also compares U.S. and Spanish cultural values, including individualism, indulgence, and social rituals, to determine how Swig must adapt its product, branding, and store model for successful expansion into Spain. Findings reveal that while dirty soda thrives …

Creative Brief For North Shores Resort & Marina, Shelby B. King

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

In today’s experience-driven travel market, destinations that offer authenticity, affordability, and a sense of community stand out. North Shores Resort and Marina, located on the scenic northeast end of Lake Ouachita, has long been a hidden gem offering a strong sense of family and community, prolonged camper stays, and more economical pricing compared to nearby marinas. Despite consistently high occupancy rates for boat slips and campsites, North Shores has an opportunity to expand its visibility and grow its customer base through improved marketing strategies. As a former employee with direct insight into the day-to-day operations, I identified key areas where …

Saving Grace Nwa & Immerse Arkansas Internships: An Analysis Of Arkansas Nonprofits Serving Youth In Crisis Situations, Raegan A. Mcelmurry

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

In the United States, there are 23,000 youth each year who age out of foster care (Morris, 2021). Aging out occurs when the youth turn 18 and are no longer under the provision of child welfare, as they are considered legal adults. Most of these youth, however, do not have stable support systems to fall back on, due to not being adopted during their time in the system. Because of the lack of financial and emotional support, 20% will immediately encounter homelessness, 60% will engage in criminal activity, and 50% will have no steady income within four years removed from …

Rigged Or Random? How Angry Bettors, Game Fixing, And Controversy Affect The Integrity Of The Sports World, Ryan S. Bostik

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper explores how the legalization of sports betting has fueled fan outrage, athlete harassment, and mistrust in professional and collegiate athletics. It explores the psychology of sports gamblers, the role of social media and online betting, and recent scandals in the sports world. It also highlights the measures being taken by the NCAA, government, and professional sports leagues to protect athletes and maintain integrity. This paper ultimately questions whether true integrity can be maintained in a sports world increasingly influenced by gambling.

The Straining Effect Of House V Ncaa On College Athletics Departments, Sullivan W. Scott

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis examines the implications of the House v. NCAA ruling on collegiate athletic departments, particularly in light of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation and the NCAA's new revenue-sharing model. Through analysis of programs like Tennessee, Arkansas, and Auburn, this research reveals how schools are attempting to rethink revenue strategies, leveraging corporate partnerships, subscription models, and donor collectives to remain competitive. It also highlights disparities between Power 4 programs and smaller Division I schools, raising concerns over widening resource gaps, Title IX compliance, and roster reductions. Ultimately, this study concludes that while NIL reforms address athlete equity, they also …

Creative Brief For Wk Kellogg's Co, Sarah K. Johnson

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

In recent years, cereal, the once classic and essential breakfast food has been losing its market share and overall sales in the breakfast category. WK Kellogg’s cereal brands include Frosted Flakes, Froot Loops, Frosted Mini Wheats, Special K, Rice Krispies, Raisin Bran, Corn Flakes, and more, yet their sales have been falling. They now face a challenge, as consumers become more cost and health conscious, how can cereal be made fun again? What ways can they engage with new audiences and further excite current customers? After conducting research, I have developed a creative brief and strategic pitch that include solutions …

Creative Brief For Reign Storm, Caroline F. Mccready

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis presents a comprehensive creative strategy for Reign Storm, a health-conscious energy drink under the Monster Energy brand, aiming to capture the attention and loyalty of Gen Z consumers. Recognizing Gen Z’s prioritization of wellness, transparency, and authenticity, the project develops actionable marketing strategies tailored to their values and behaviors. Through competitive analysis, consumer research, and trend identification, the thesis identifies Reign Storm’s market opportunities and challenges in a rapidly growing clean energy sector dominated by brands like Celsius and Alani Nu.

Key deliverables include the creation of a Collegiate Ambassadors Program, a strategic content plan to maximize TikTok …

Sports Betting, The Gateway Drug To A Gambling Addiction: A Study Of The Implications Of Sports Gambling On Societal Well-Being And Its Effects On The Younger Generation, Ellison Lewis

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Introduction

It is everywhere you turn. In recent years we have seen unprecedented growth in the advertising, activities, and addiction of gambling. To put it into perspective “the AGA reported that total revenue from land-based casino games, sports betting and iGaming reached $66.52 billion for the calendar year, a 10% gain from the previous record set in 2022.” Of that, $10.92 billion came from sports betting specifically which was a 44.5% increase from the prior year (Reynolds, 2024). Factors contributing to the rise include the increase in gambling advertisements, the legalization of sports betting, and the removal of environmental barriers …

Corporate Partnerships: The Heartbeat Of An Organization, Turner J. Symancyk

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

A deep-dive into the world of Corporate Partnerships for large sporting events. This thesis includes day-to-day responsibilities and takeaways from a ten-week internship with the 2024 Men's Basketball Final Four event.

Rome Wasn’T Marketed In A Day, Hayden Brown

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis explores the topics of cultural branding, consumer behavior, and tourism marketing in Rome, Italy, based firsthand experiences during a summer study abroad program. By looking at how companies, brands, and places market themselves in Rome, brands in the United States can apply the same concepts and strategies that work in a global setting. This study highlights key differences between U.S. and Italian approaches to marketing tactics and insight into why these strategies work so well in Rome. Marketing is a way for brands to build emotional connections with consumers, and companies in Rome have mastered these connections with …

Guiding Principles For Successful Ai Integration & Agentic Ai: The Next Step In Ai Evolution, Andrew C.R. Nelson

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

AI has revolutionized various processes throughout the value chain. When taking a focused look at Marketing and Supply chain functions, however, the two largest retailers in the world, Walmart and Amazon, have led the charge towards AI modernity within implementation. With AI’s impact on business taking the forefront of the collective consciousness, innovations have seemed to emerge daily. Agentic AI is the newest “flavor of the month” that is promising to further optimize and provide value to businesses and their different needs. With this advancement in AI reasoning, the realm of innovative possibilities has expanded greatly. This in combination with …

Quantifying Marketing Lifts To Create A Data-Driven Model: Walmart Merchandising Operations Internship, Susannah Patton

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

I assumed the role of a Merchandising Operations Intern, working directly under the guidance of Planner Candace Gooding in D71. Given the prominence of the furniture and mattresses department in the online retail space, due to the limitations of in-store infrastructure for large products, our focus within D71 is centered on expanding the digital business. Over the past couple of years, Walmart has strategically shifted towards launching higher-end retail items, particularly in the realm of stylish furniture, bolstered by robust marketing initiatives. Although historical performance, seasonality, and price elasticity have traditionally guided forecasting for these items, the oversight of additional …

The Rise And Fall Of A Video Game Dynasty And Its Road Back To Glory, Kade Rogerson

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

For years the EA Sports NCAA Football series had been a long-standing success story in the world of sports video games. Combining the unique feel of collegiate athletics with the realistic nature of the game that its technology provides led the series to be a major source of revenue for Electronic Arts, Inc. in the extremely competitive and profitable industries of video games and sports merchandising.

However, the series came to an abrupt halt in 2013. Spearheaded by the O’Bannon v. NCAA lawsuit, EA was forced to discontinue the series after legal action was taken regarding the game’s unauthorized use …

Social Selling: My Experiences Through An Internship With Outside Life, Zariah Farris

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Last summer I had the opportunity to be a campus development associate intern with Outside Life, a company who crafts personalized ski trips for universities across the United States. This internship was virtual and taught me so many skills about how to communicate well while being fully digital and how to go through the the sales process virtually. With our sales being made without any in-person connections, I was introduced to social selling, a concept I discuss further in my thesis. I reviewed the timeline of what my internship and getting started with the company looked like. In my thesis …

Crossing Borders And Breaking Barriers: A Strategic Analysis Of Chick-Fil-A'S Expansion Into The French Market, Avery Besson

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis explores the strategic considerations and potential challenges of Chick-fil-A, a prominent American fast-food chain, establishing itself in France. The study investigates the cultural, economic, and regulatory factors that may impact Chick-fil-A's entry strategy, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of the opportunities and obstacles the company may encounter in France. This research will examine Chick-fil-A’s previous attempts at expansion, analyze an American company that has successfully established themselves in France, and provide market entry strategies to Chick-fil-A to establish its presence in the French market successfully.

The Swift Effect: How Popstar Taylor Swift Has Brought Business And Viewership To The National Football League, Mckenna Baron

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Big reputation. Two words that perfectly define the twelve-time Grammy award-winning, and Time’s 2023 Person of the Year, Taylor Swift. Swift had a monumental year in 2023. Her Era's tour is going down in history as one of the biggest tours to date. Swift is one of the most decorated music artists of all time. Swift’s love life had been kept quiet for the past few years until her recent relationship with football star Travis Kelce made headlines on the news. Kelce and Swift have taken the National Football League (NFL) and Swifties by storm, transforming the business and viewership …

Barbie (2023): An Analysis Of Mattel's Positioning Of The Barbie Brand Throughout The Decades And How Barbie (2023) Served As A Crucial Point In The Changing Of Perceptions Of The Iconic Doll., Alejandra Gomez

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper is a deep analysis of the positioning of Barbie by Mattel Incorporated. It analyzes what exactly is Mattel’s positioning of the Barbie brand before diving into a study into whether Barbie (2023) impacted this positioning at all by changing stereotypical perceptions of Barbie. The study consisted of 200 participants answering a survey that gathered their perceptions of Barbie. The 200 were then divided into groups who watched Barbie(2023) and groups who did not to further measure whether perceptions of Barbie (2023) were changed by the film which displayed Barbies as being diverse and had feminist themes.

Crossing Digital Borders: An Exploration Of Changes In Exposure And Perceptions Of Other Cultures Via Social Media Platforms, Madison Mahoney

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Social media's explosive growth has revolutionized global connectivity, engaging billions of users and transforming how we learn and share in digital communities. Social media has enabled cross-cultural connectivity and cultural exploration, showcasing diverse lifestyles and customs.

In this Honors undergraduate thesis, research was conducted exploring the relationship between exposure to other cultures on social media and user's perception from seeing this content. This research gauged if there were more positive or negative associations for people from other countries or cultures due to exposure via social media, users' perception and reaction to culturally-insensitive content on platforms, and consumer reaction to culturally-oriented …

Creative Brief For The University Of Arkansas Student Technology Center, Emma Sutherland

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Creative Brief for the University of Arkansas Student Technology to improve the awareness and quality of the center.

The Ethical Implications Of The Multi-Level Marketing Industry, Lauren Longworth

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

The first multi-level marketing (MLM) businesses were created in the early 20th century and have seen a substantial increase in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic due to their work-from-anywhere nature. Multi-level marketing is “the practice of distributing, selling or supplying products or services through various levels of independent agents” (Koehn, 2001, p. 153). As working from home became the norm in the past few years, MLM businesses promised financial freedom, a steady income, and opportunities for growth, all by working on the Internet. What was often less transparent is the likelihood of these independent agents making a profit. Distributors have …