1.0 INTRODUCTION
This report is a marketing plan for the next three (3) years for Imperial Tobacco Group Public Limited Company. Imperial Tobacco is a multinational company specializing in tobacco and tobacco related products (mainly cigarettes, cigars and rolling paper) with the host company being located in the United Kingdom.
A marketing plan is a ?written document that summarizes what the marketer has learned about the marketplace, indicates how the firm plans to reach its marketing objectives, and helps direct and coordinate the marketing effort.' Kotler et. al. (2006) The marketing plan for Imperial Tobacco will include an overview of the company (strategy, values, financial situation, market share and management overview), PESTLE. Analysis, SWOT Analysis, Analysis of Sector Trends and Competitors, Objectives and Assumptions formulated and a forecast and budget for the three (3) years.
In preparing the report references were made to the Imperial Tobacco Company Website, Marketing Textbooks, Business Strategy Textbooks, Internet Articles/Libraries, Journals and Lecture Notes.
2.0 COMPANY OVERVIEW
Imperial Tobacco is the world's fourth largest international tobacco company. It manufactures markets and sells a comprehensive range of cigarettes, tobaccos, rolling papers and cigars. It achieves sales in over one hundred and thirty (130) countries; employs approximately fifteen thousand (15,000) employees; and has thirty three (32) factories worldwide.
2.1 Strategy
The strategy of Imperial Tobacco is "to create sustainable shareholder value by growing our international operations, both organically and through acquisition.' ...