The case examines a Philadelphia-based craft vodka brand, Stateside Vodka (Stateside), that prides itself on quality ingredients and a strong local identity. With growing demand and brand recognition in its home market, the company is contemplating an international expansion strategy. Stateside is exploring various aspects of the expansion process, including market analysis, strategic positioning, brand development, and potential international growth, .....more

Teaching note for product W45894.

Nike Inc. (Nike), the global leader in footwear, had captured the imagination of several generations of athletic footwear users through its sports-centric, powerful emotional branding, adaptability, and sustainable practices. It was also entrenched in the offline channel through strong relationships with its wholesalers and retailers. In 2020, a new chief executive officer (CEO), John Donahoe, pivoted Nike’s strategy towards a digital, data-centric, .....more

Teaching note for product W45620.

It was late September 2024, just six months since Saxbys proudly opened its newest location on March 6 at Purdue University’s Neil Armstrong Hall of Engineering in West Lafayette, Indiana. The fall semester was in full swing, and with students back on campus and foot traffic on the rise, Saxbys was entering a critical phase for brand visibility and growth. Nick Bayer, Saxbys’ founder and chief executive officer (CEO), recognized the importance of .....more

Teaching note (A) for product W44864.

In April 2025, Aaron Sneed, founder of Defense Operations & Engineering Solutions Inc. (DOES), confronted a mounting crisis as US–China trade tensions escalated. With new tariffs threatening the supply of Chinese pharmaceutical ingredients and exposing deep vulnerabilities in global drug manufacturing, Sneed revisited a long-standing concern: America’s dependence on foreign sources for critical medications. Having witnessed similar disruptions .....more

Teaching note for product W44917.

Dooney & Bourke, a premium leather-goods provider based in Connecticut for nearly 50 years, was a key player in the premium handbag and accessories market. In mid-2024, Dooney & Bourke was concerned about a loss of market share overall a dependency on the US market segment, and the fear that it was not “top of mind” for a younger, more progressive demographic. Senior Vice President and Head of Brand Strategy Peter Beaugard had to consider .....more

Teaching note for product W44674.