Perceptions of product placement practice across Australian and US practitioners

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to examine the perceptions of Australian product placement decision makers and to compare them to those of their US counterparts, as reported by Karrh, McKee and Pardun.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is a differentiated replication of a US‐based study. Data were gathered by an online survey from product placement decision makers.FindingsThe findings reveal that many Australian practitioner attitudes and beliefs are more similar to those held by US practitioners in 1995 than in 2003. Similar to their US counterparts, Australian practitioners are disinclined to implement academic research findings into their decision making.Research limitations/implicationsThe data are limited in terms of the sample size and type (non‐probabilistic), the restrictions imposed through the conditions set by the replicated study, namely the non‐reporting of standard deviations resulting in the need to use pooled standard deviation to enable comparisons.Practical implicationsThis paper should be of interest to academic researchers and practitioners as it reports on practitioners' views and use of academic research and factors they use in making strategic placement decisions.Originality/valueThe Australian context is original. However, the value of the paper lies in the replication approach. A key issue in marketing research is the lack of replications and accurate comparison points; both are necessary if practitioners are to be confident when applying knowledge produced through academic research.