Name Brand Project

Name Brand vs. Generic Brand 

We're going to research to see if it's worth the money to spend on name brand food items verses generic brand items through a blind taste test.  You will be broken down into groups.

• 1.  Decide on one item

     • Examples: Soda, Crackers, Chips, Mac-n-Cheese, PopTarts, Cereal, 

1. Decide who will bring in the generic brand, who will bring in the name brand, who will bring in the items to distribute your items. 

   1. • We just need to sample your items

      • Keep track of the cost of your item, along with the volume of your items (20 fl. oz) 

      • Do not throw away your packaging until the project! 

      • We need different cups/plates for each item labeled with A or B per group

        • Little bathroom Dixie cups work great

        • Example: I am bringing in Mtn. Dew vs. Mt. Lightening. For a class of 18 (17 students and 1 teacher) I would need to bring in a total of 36 cups; 18 labeled with an "A" and 18 labeled with a "B". My group will be the only one who knows which Letter is the brand vs generic. 

2. When directed all students will visit your area, sample cup A and sample cup B. Then they will report to you which one they liked the best. DO NOT disclose what product A is or B until told to do so. 

   1. • • When sampling your goal is NOT to determine which is the name brand and which is the generic. You are to taste them both and decided which one you like the best. Also note color, texture, and other noticeable differences

3. Once all votes are in your group will create a graph depicting the results

   1. • Graph will include a title, legend, X & Y axis labels 

4. Look at the packaging of your item, create an advertisement (Radio or Television ) for the generic item.

• • Record commercials on the iPad 

5. Then, individually complete the following writing component:

• 1. What is the unit price for each of your products? (price/weight)  Which one is really cheaper? 

     • 12 pack of soda, cost 2.50   2.50/12 = .208 per can

  2. After tasting the Name Brands and the Generic Brands of all the products, which one would you spend your money on and why? 

  3. Looking at the packaging and/or advertisements for your product:

     • What did the companies do to "catch" your eye? 

     • How did the generic brand mimic or try to stand out from the name brand? 

     • If you did the shopping, what was the product shelf positioning of each item? Where they side by side, separate shelves, etc.? Why do you think the reason was for their placement? 

       • If you did not do the shopping, why is product placement important?

     • Since online shopping is becoming popular, how are companies competing for your purchase? 

What are you turning in? 

* Tally Sheet (group) 

* Recorded commercials on iPad (group) 

* Graph (group) 

* Answers to question #6 (Each member of the group needs to turn in their own answers.)