Abstract
The production and use of illicit drugs are age-old activities. At different times societies have been more or less tolerant of these activities according to prevailing laws and attitudes. More recently and for several decades the government of the United States has engaged in a “war on drugs.” Part of this war involves the employment of anti-drug advertising to discourage drug use, an activity in which the government has enlisted allies such as advertising agencies to assist in combating drug use. This case contrasts these demarketing efforts with the highly successful use of basic marketing tactics by a group of Mexican drug dealers. The case is appropriate for in-class discussions or the preparation of a short report in undergraduate courses such as marketing management, consumer behavior, and promotional strategy.
Reviewer Comments