Game Theory and Strategic Behavior
D1 Suppose that GE is trying to prevent Maytag from entering the market for high efficiency clothes dryers. Even though high efficiency dryers are more costly to produce, they are also more profitable as they command sufficiently higher prices from consumers. The following payoffs table shows the annual profits for GE and Maytag for the advertising spending and entry decisions that they are facing.

GE
MAYTAG

Advertising = $12m
Advertising = $0.7m
Stay Out
$0, $30m
$0, $35m

Enter
$1m , $20m
$12m, $15
Based on this information, can GE successfully prevent Maytag from entering this market by increasing its advertising levels? What is the equilibrium outcome in this game?
Suppose that an analyst at GE is convinced that just a little bit more advertising by GE, say another $2m, would be sufficient to deter enough customers from buying Maytag, thus, yield less than $0 profits for Maytag in the event it enters. Suppose that spending an extra $2m on advertising by GE will reduce its expected profits by $1.5 m, regardless of whether Maytag enters or stays out. Would this additional spending on advertising achieve the effect of deterring Maytag from entering? Should GE pursue this option?

New Production Introduction
Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Germany owns Alka-Seltzer, which was launched in 1931 and was meant for relief of minor aches, pains, inflammation, fever, headache, heartburn, sour stomach, indigestion, and hangovers. Alka-Seltzer Plus was a spin-off of the original medicine, meant to relieve colds and flu.

The company has recently introduced a new and improved Alka-Seltzer Plus, as described in this TV ad (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..

The ad shows that Alka-Seltzer Plus can fight congestion, unlike NyQuil.

Explain how Alka-Seltzer Plus has been quality and price-positioned in an existing market. In your opinion, has Bayer positioned their product appropriately in the market for cold and flu symptoms relief products? Would you advise Bayer to use a skimming or a penetration pricing strategy? Explain your reasoning.

How do you think Proctor and Gamble, the company who produces Vicks NyQuil, would respond to the ad?