PocketSherpa : Connecting Travelers with Locals in the Online Marketplace

This assessment examines the marketing strategy of PocketSherpa, an application developed by Localyte Inc., an open platform web site which connects travellers with locals. Issues related to online transactions are discussed from both a buyer’s perspective (credit-card frauds, privacy and security issues) and a seller’s perspective (bogus orders, credit card back-charges, fraudulent charges). Students are asked to propose a marketing strategy that examines issues such as brand equity, customer loyalty, and strategic partners and alliances. This assessment is suitable for use in both undergraduate and graduate courses in marketing and e-business