Activity can be taught in the classroom or online
Google, Windows, & Mac-friendly!
All documents are editable to meet your classroom needs.
This activity is included in the Global Marketing Unit Plan
Empower your students to think critically about the ethical decisions businesses face in the real world. In this engaging case study activity, students explore both ethical and unethical marketing practices by researching real-world examples, analyzing the impact on businesses and consumers, and presenting their findings in either a written report or a multimedia presentation.
This ready-to-use resource is ideal for Business, Marketing, and Technology courses, challenging students to apply ethical reasoning, media literacy, and communication skills to real-life business scenarios.
What’s Included:
Editable Case Study Instructions (for report or presentation)
Research & Planning Prompts
25-Point Grading Rubric
Editable Slide Deck Template
Teacher Instructions with a 3-Day Pacing Guide
Project Breakdown:
Step 1: Review key marketing ethics concepts (e.g., data privacy, misleading advertising)
Step 2: Research two real-world cases — one ethical and one unethical
Step 3: Analyze each example and its impact on the company and consumers
Step 4: Create a 1–2 page report or a 6–8 slide visual presentation
Step 5: Reflect on what was learned about ethical practices in marketing
Learning Objectives:
Identify and evaluate ethical vs. unethical business practices
Connect current events to core ethical principles in marketing
Develop research, writing, and presentation skills
Reflect on how marketing ethics impact consumer trust and brand reputation
Assessment Criteria:
Credibility of sources and relevance of case studies
Depth of ethical analysis and reflection
Visual and written clarity in the final product
Professionalism and effort
Perfect For:
Business, Marketing, and Digital Citizenship Units
Ethics and Responsibility Lessons
Project-Based Learning Days
Individual or Group Assignments
Why Teachers Love It:
✔️ Engages students with current events
✔️ Promotes critical thinking and ethical reasoning
✔️ Easy to implement with no prep required
✔️ Flexible for in-class or remote learning
Help your students explore the real-world power and responsibility behind marketing decisions with this insightful and thought-provoking activity!