Classic Definitions:
* Philip Kotler: "Marketing is the process of planning and executing the conception, pricing, promotion, and distribution of ideas, goods, and services to create exchanges that satisfy individual and organizational objectives." (This is a very widely recognized definition)
* American Marketing Association: "Marketing is the activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large." (Focuses on value creation and societal impact)
Modern Definitions:
* Seth Godin: "Marketing is the art and science of getting people to care." (Emphasizes the importance of creating emotional connections)
* Al Ries: "Marketing is the battle for your mind." (Focuses on the importance of positioning and brand differentiation)
* Jay Baer: "Marketing is the process of creating a relationship with a customer so they want to buy from you." (Highlights the importance of building relationships)
* Peter Drucker: "The aim of marketing is to know and understand the customer so well that the product or service fits him and sells itself." (Stresses customer-centricity)
* Marketing Science Institute: "Marketing is a set of activities, institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large." (Similar to AMA, but with more emphasis on the exchange process)
Other Perspectives:
* Social Marketing: "Social marketing uses marketing principles and techniques to influence voluntary behavior change that benefits individuals and society." (Focuses on influencing behavior for social good)
* Digital Marketing: "Digital marketing encompasses all marketing efforts that use an electronic device or the internet." (Focuses on marketing in the digital age)
* Content Marketing: "Content marketing is a strategic marketing approach focused on creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience — and, ultimately, to drive profitable customer action." (Focuses on creating valuable content to engage audiences)
Key Takeaways:
These definitions highlight the various aspects of marketing:
* Customer-centricity: Marketing is all about understanding and meeting customer needs.
* Value creation: Marketers strive to create value for customers, clients, and society.
* Exchange: Marketing involves facilitating the exchange of goods, services, or ideas.
* Communication: Effective communication is crucial for building relationships and driving customer action.
* Strategic planning: Marketing requires careful planning and execution to achieve desired outcomes.
The specific definition you choose will depend on your context and the specific aspects of marketing you want to emphasize.