Monday, May 7, 2012

Advertising Addiction


I was talking to a friend that works with a direct marketing brokerage firm. Her employer helps firms place direct mail advertisement via USPS to areas covering most of the U.S. Recently, a Canadian-based pharmacy contacted the firm. The drug store is interested in implementing an $80,000 campaign in the U.S.  The direct mail advertisement provides new customers a free, three-month membership in the pharmacy’s frequent pill-popper club. (retail price, $28/month). 

 The main pecuniary benefit to club members is a 15% discount “off already low-priced” prescription medications.  If the customers choose to continue in the club after the initial 3 months, the pharmacy is offering a “money-back guarantee”. If, at any time within the fisrt 6 months, the customer wishes to discontinue their membership, the pharmacy will refund the customer all previously-paid monthly club fees. 

U.S. accounting guidance has a lot to say about these types of transactions.

However, since the pharmacy is located in Canada, they would need to use Canadian GAAP. http://www.frascanada.ca/index.aspx




No comments:

Post a Comment