Challenge: The rising costs of college tuition spurred the need for additional sources of college funding. First Marblehead wanted to build its private college funding business to fill that need. Objective: To better understand the mindset and behavior of college-bound high school students, current college students and parents, with respect to college fina...

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Challenge: A specialty electronics retailer was losing market share to lower-cost, big-box retailers. Objective: To explore potential new brand strategies for updating the brand and insuring its long-term relevance against big box retailers. Specifically, Plan-it explored opportunities for building an “expertise positioning” through all aspects of the st...

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Challenge: Work ‘N Gear, the largest U.S. retailer of work apparel and footwear designed for industrial and healthcare environments, partnered with Plan-it to establish a clear direction for the brand’s long-term marketing planning. Objective: Develop an in-depth profile of key target audiences, identify needs of each and understand how well Work ‘...

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Challenge: Tommy Hilfiger licensed footwear was concerned about its lagging men’s shoe line sales. Objectives: To help Tommy Hilfiger gain critical  knowledge about the weaknesses in its men’s line, and to better understand the success of its women’s line to leverage that knowledge and evaluate potential opportunities in product, service and merch...

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Challenge: Staples was focused on growing its printing services business among business customers and prospects, and wanted to understand the needs and drivers behind seeking out printing services and, specifically, how Staples could deliver on those needs. Objective: Ultimately, to determine elements of an optimal print experience both in-store and online...

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