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The necessity to assess television programming as programming (rather than merely as a vehicle to deliver advertising audiences) is discussed against the background of commercial television's rapidly changing technology, a principal effect of which has been to fragment formerly “mass” audiences. Traditional ratings data (because they lack adequate quantitative detail, contain no qualitative information, and measure programs only after they are aired) are becoming an insufficient basis for making either programming or advertising decisions. As audiences become increasingly segmented, the necessity to understand them (exactly who they are and why they watch particular programs) becomes apparent‐whether for purposes of developing programs, scheduling them, or ascertaining whether they constitute an efficient vehicle within which to place advertising messages. Audience understanding can come only from a considerably expanded base of systematic research.

Analyses successful international ads for alcoholic drinks, cigarettes and corporate identity to determine the core meanings for each product. Argues that these meanings constitute “cultural definitions” of the products, and that they represent a significant aspect of marketing information. Concludes that the meaning exemplars discerned in each category define parameters for advertising appeals, but still leave a lot of decision latitude about how to target within the market.

Since the global versus multinational marketing debate began some twenty‐five years ago, pros and cons of each approach have been well recognized. This article provides an overview of the various methods by which global companies are achieving worldwide marketing success. Emerging positioning strategies are illustrated against a background discussion on establishing a world brand, segmenting global markets on the basis of consumer similarities and product benefits, and the recognition of universal themes. The basis for this research was to look at what is being done in the global marketing and advertising arena via print advertising from Japan, Europe, and the Middle East. Examples of ads are provided to illustrate various universal themes and positioning strategies in both the high‐tech and high‐touch product categories.