Publications
Publications
- February 1997 (Revised January 2002)
- HBS Case Collection
Launching the BMW Z3 Roadster
By: Robert J. Dolan and Susan M. Fournier
Abstract
James McDowell, vice president of marketing at BMW North America, Inc., must design Phase II communication strategies for the launch of the new BMW Z3 Roadster. The program follows an "out-of-the-box" prelaunch campaign centered on the placement of the product in the November 1996 James Bond hit movie, "GoldenEye", and including other "nontraditional" elements such as a product appearance on Jay Leno's Tonight Show, an offering of a Bond Edition Roadster in the Neiman Marcus Christmas Catalog, and large-scale public relations activities. McDowell must assess the effectiveness of the prelaunch activities and design marketing tactics that can sustain product excitement until product availability in March. Includes color exhibits.
Keywords
Management Teams; Marketing Communications; Marketing Strategy; Brands and Branding; Product Launch; Product Positioning; Innovation and Invention; Auto Industry; North America
Citation
Dolan, Robert J., and Susan M. Fournier. "Launching the BMW Z3 Roadster." Harvard Business School Case 597-002, February 1997. (Revised January 2002.)