Bottled Water And Bottled Water Delivery In Washington, D.C. And Northern Virginia: A Marketing Phenomenon

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Article Title:

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Bottled Water And Bottled Water Delivery In Washington, D.C. And Northern

Virginia: A Marketing Phenomenon

Article Description:

====================

Bottled water and bottled water delivery has grown in popularity

in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area in recent years. This

popularity is due to a number of factors like poor municipal

water quality and a growing awareness of the role of good health

in modern living. In addition there are a small number of high

quality water suppliers who have adjusted their product and

service offering to the unique needs of the marketplace.

Additional Article Information:

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561 Words; formatted to 65 Characters per Line

Distribution Date and Time: 2007-09-29 15:42:00

Written By: Jon M. Stout

Copyright: 2007

Contact Email: mailto:jon.stout@...

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Bottled Water And Bottled Water Delivery In Washington, D.C. And Northern

Virginia: A Marketing Phenomenon

Copyright © 2007 Jon M. Stout

Element H2O

http://www.elementh2o.com

Bottled water and bottled water delivery has grown in popularity

in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area in recent years.

This popularity is due to a number of factors like poor municipal

water quality and a growing awareness of the role of good health

in modern living. In addition there are a small number of high

quality water suppliers who have adjusted their product and

service offering to the unique needs of the marketplace.

But marketing has come under attack by municipal water suppliers

and other groups who have a vested interest in supplying lower

grade municipal water. Claims are made that bottled water is

unregulated (not true for bottled water companies that engage in

interstate commerce) or that bottled water is often nothing more

than repackaged bottled water (partially true for even some large

bottled water suppliers). Criticism is also levied against spring

water in bottles because of contaminated spring water due to

industrial and organic pollution.

These critical statements about the use and misuse of bottled

water marketing however are superficial and do not examine the

real role of proper bottled water marketing. In essence marketing

is nothing more that identifying and segmenting consumers with

shared desires and needs and preparing strategies to meet those

shared desires. Done right, marketing is more than spin, hype or

puffing and true marketing benefits all involved.

Proper marketing of bottled water products must, at a minimum

address the following needs in the market place.

* Water quality – Since municipal water is terrible in both

level of contaminants and odor and taste, bottled water suppliers

must produce contamination free water that tastes good. Purified

water based on a distillation/oxygenation process is considered

by many experts to be the highest quality best tasting water on

the market today. The water is 99.9% pure and, because of the

addition of oxygen, it has a fresh, light taste.

* Product features – Customers in the market are interested in

product features that make the product safe and easy to use.

Features such as spill proof caps, carrying handles and bottles

made of safe materials are required to be successful in the

Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia market.

* Quality customer service – Many large suppliers in the market

give only lip service to the customer service needs of the

customers and respond slowly or not at all to customer requests

and complaints. However, there are good companies with a culture

of customer satisfaction that meets the needs of the market

place.

* Supplier integrity – Some suppliers in the market offer low

loss leader pricing coupled with a long term contract and

penalties for cancellation. At best this unfair to the consumer

and at worst this practice is unethical. Consumers are urged to

choose a water supplier with fair prices and without hidden

charges.

* Community support - Look for a company that includes giving

back to the community as part of its culture. Many companies are

interested in selling products only to the community and do not

support community events or charities. Some suppliers, however,

participate in supporting the Washington and Northern Virginia

community events as a matter pf policy.

Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia represent vibrant, growing

communities that are health and family oriented. Pure water is a

part of this lifestyle. If you are choosing a water supplier,

pick one that markets honestly and fairly and meets your needs.

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Jon M. Stout is Chairman of the Board of Element H2O.

For more information about bottled water

(http://www.elementh2o.com/Store/), private label

bottled water and (http://www.elementh2o.com/local/)

bottled water delivery go to http://www.elementh2o.com