Sales lunch

Press, 29 January 1986, Page 33

Sales lunch

Mr Ron Friedman, the marketing consultant, strides among a giant consumer panel at the Old Stone House, Cashmere. His guests, paying $lO a head, raised about $lOOO for Catholic Social Services, and provided market exposure for several firms. Mr Friedmaji, formerly a marketing lecturer at the University of Otago and the University of Canterbury, has introduced an American concept to New Zealand. His firm, Target Services Group, Ltd, organises lunch gatherings on the lines of the United States scheme, Lunch is

Served, begun in 1945 and now holding about 2000 functions a month. Charitable organisations are hosts for the Target Services lunches. They charge any admission they wish, and pay only for the cost of the venue. Companies provide food and refreshments, and pay a fee (50c per lunch guest) to Mr Friedman’s group. In return, Mr Friedman makes a presentation at the lunch, speaking about the sponsors’ products. He

gives prizes to some guests—sponsors’ products. For an extra fee, Target Services will do some market research at the lunch, such as administering a firm’s questionnaire. At the Catholic Social Services lunch, Havill’s Mazer Mead Company, Ltd, of Fernside, Ranglora, provided mead for the guests and some background information about the drink.

Goodman’s was represented in force, with a

former Friedman student, Mr Craig Smith, of the subsidiary, N.Z. Serial Foods, Ltd, present—with pasta samples.

New American Icecream, the product of a firm owned jointly by the Dairy Board and Goodman’s, was the dessert. The guests enjoyed the meal, the charity was pleased with its takings, and the sponsors were satisfied. Mr Smith, of Serial Foods, said the lunch meetings were an ideal way to introduce people to food products.

Mr Friedman is about to widen the venue of the marketing lunch scheme from Canterbury to the whole country.

—NEILL BIRSS