What is the difference between differentiated and undifferentiated marketing?
Answer: The undifferentiated marketing strategy focuses on an entire target market rather than a segment of it. This strategy employs a single marketing mix -- one product, one price, one placement and a single promotional effort -- to reach the maximum number of consumers in that target market.
A differentiated marketing strategy targets different market segments with specific marketing mixes designed especially to meet those segments' needs. Each mix includes a product, price, placement and promotional program customized specifically for a particular segment. For example, a company that manufactures vitamin supplements might identify gender-based market segments. It could produce one multivitamin formula for women and another for men. It could further differentiate by segmenting the gender groups by life stage and creating different marketing mixes around each one. Differentiated marketing is best suited for markets with readily identifiable segments, each with distinctive needs.