Question

Topic: Advertising/PR

Marketing To Wal-mart

Posted by Jessica_Castro on 4/2/2008 at 7:08 PM ET 75 Points
My small DNA testing company is interested in breaking into the main stream business. Recently a competitor has gotten massive amounts of PR on their Private DNA kits they have in pharmacies. We have been working on DNA kits to put on shelves as well. I am running into a laundry list of problems though, and need some serious help.

My boss asked me to get information on all the big pharmacy companies including grocery stores such as Wal-mart, Target, etc. I have found their information but some of what they require I have never heard of. I am completely lost and I need some guidance as to what I should do, where I should start ect.

Here is what we have so far:
A company working on a prototype for us to present
Info on all the big pharmacies and their requirements
We have begun the process of purchasing UPCs

Any and all info would be really helpful. Thank you so much!
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Jessica_Castro on 4/2/2008 at 7:20 PM Author
    The problem is there is a very real chance that this won't take off. Our competitor got both good feedback from customers but bad publicity from a local newstation and legal professionals (obviously). We aren't really looking to invest too much money in this...especially since we are a smaller company...

    I will suggest you to my boss though and see what she thinks... Thank you for the offer. I really appreciate it!
  • Posted by joshuacrumbaugh on 4/3/2008 at 9:43 AM Member
    I'm well acquainted with the Global Development Director over there and have sold quite a bit of product to them in the past. Why don't you get in touch with me about this matter. My email address is joshuacrumbaugh@yahoo.com.

    Thank you,
    Joshua D. Crumbaugh
  • Posted by Jessica_Castro on 4/3/2008 at 10:10 AM Author
    After speaking with my boss, she told me that this might be a venue worth exploring. So if you do work for a company or know a company that could help with this project please leave the following information:

    1.) Their name
    2.) Contact person
    3.) Years in the business
    4.) Any major contracts
    5.) Location
    6.) Number or email
    7.) Your name as a reference

    Feel free to leave any other information that you feel is important. Also please keep leaving ADVICE, free advice is always the best.

    Thanks for all your help!
  • Posted by joshuacrumbaugh on 4/3/2008 at 12:01 PM Accepted
    My offer is simply this.

    I've worked with these companies in the past and have relationships that can get any company with decent financials and a good product in the door. I don't do this as a career because I've never been happy with the way manufacturers reps handle this. I would charge a 1 time fee that includes relationship building, contract negotiation and structuring. The negotiation and structuring is vitally important when dealing with a company such as Wal-Mart due to the fact that they have put many business under. The most important thing I offer is keeping my hands out of your business'pockets. Fees are negotiated and established on a case by case basis and are based on the complexity of bringing your product to the Wal-Mart shelves.

    Joshua D. Crumbaugh
    [Phone number deleted by staff]
  • Posted by Jessica_Castro on 4/3/2008 at 2:56 PM Author
    Thank you for you information. I think I will be calling you shortly to see what we can work out and to give you a little bit more information about our company and what we are trying to do.

    Now I would like some other offers so that I might shop around and decide what would best work for my company. So please don't be shy...if you think that you might be able to help please leave your information and I will call you.
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