Bachelor's Thesis

Analysis of DRFG's Marketing Mix

Final Thesis 1.11 MB

Author of thesis: Michal Stratil

Acad. year: 2025/2026

Supervisor: Ing. Jakub Ulč

Reviewer: Ing. Nikola Grubhofferová

Abstract:

The bachelor thesis focuses on the marketing mix and customer targeting of DRFG Investment Group within the Czech investment and financial services market. The thesis is divided into three main parts. The first part presents the theoretical background related to marketing, marketing strategy, customer targeting, relationship marketing, the marketing mix, SWOT analysis, and Porter’s Five Forces analysis. The theoretical part also focuses on marketing within financial and investment services and the role of marketing research and questionnaire surveys.
The second part analyzes the current market position and marketing activities of DRFG. The analytical part includes an analysis of the competitive environment using Porter’s Five Forces framework, an evaluation of the marketing mix, and a SWOT analysis of the company. Attention is also given to customer perception and brand awareness through a questionnaire survey focused on awareness of DRFG and factors influencing trust in financial companies.
The final part of the thesis proposes practical recommendations aimed at strengthening marketing communication, brand awareness, and customer relationships. The recommendations primarily focus on relationship marketing, offline promotion, sponsorship activities, and improving public visibility in order to support long-term competitiveness and customer trust within the Czech investment market.

Keywords:

marketing mix, customer targeting, financial services marketing, investment marketing, DRFG Investment Group, relationship marketing, brand awareness

Date of defence

22.06.2026

Result of the defence

Defended (thesis was successfully defended)

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Grading

E

Process of defence

In his presentation, the student informed the committee about the objectives, solutions and results he had reached in his thesis. The committee then read the opinions and evaluation of the thesis supervisor and the opponent. The student answered the questions from the supervisor's assessment in part, the question from the opponent's assessment in part. Questions from committee members: 1. Ing. Bumberová: Could you describe KPIs? - partly answered 2. Ing. Bumberová: Who will be responsible form implementing this measures? - partly answered 3. Ing. Bumberová: You mentioned the company had strong position. What are the methods to support this statement? - partly answered 4. Ing. Bumberová: Can you use BCG matrix? - partly answerd On the basis of the presentation and the answers to the questions asked in the discussion, the committee decided that the student defended the thesis.

Language of thesis

English

Faculty

Department

Study programme

Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (BAK-ESBD)

Composition of Committee

doc. Ing. Robert Zich, Ph.D. (předseda)
Ing. David Havíř, Ph.D. (člen)
Ing. Jakub Ulč (člen)
Ing. Veronika Bumberová, Ph.D. (člen)
doc. Ing. Vít Chlebovský, Ph.D. (místopředseda)

Supervisor’s report
Ing. Jakub Ulč

The aim of the thesis was to evaluate the current marketing situation of DRFG and propose recommendations for improving marketing effectiveness and customer targeting. The aim is not considered fulfilled. The theoretical part is weak and relies on few repetitive sources. For a thesis focused on marketing mix, I would expect competitor analysis to compare marketing mix elements specifically, not just general market positioning. The author conducted a questionnaire survey with only 41 respondents, which is insufficient for the target segment, and no methodology is provided for how the questionnaire was designed. The proposal part is the weakest section — recommendations remain general and not properly developed. The author mentions cost estimates as ranges in text (e.g., "3-6 million CZK") but there is no structured summary table or total calculation. Implementation timelines are similarly vague. For proposals such as "cooperation with banks" or "fintech collaboration," the author fails to identify specific potential partners — why are no concrete companies mentioned? Minor typos appear in table and graph citations. The plagiarism check shows high level of similarity due to upload timing — the work is original. I recommend the thesis for defense.

Q: Which specific banks or fintech companies would you recommend DRFG approach for partnership, and what would be the total annual budget required to implement all your proposed recommendations?
Evaluation criteria Grade
Splnění stanovených cílů E
Zvolený postup řešení, adekvátnost použitých metod C
Schopnost interpretovat dosažené výsledky a vyvozovat z nich závěry E
Praktická využitelnost výsledků E
Uspořádání práce, formální náležitosti, použitá terminologie a odborná jazyková úroveň D
Práce s informačními zdroji, včetně citací D

Grade proposed by supervisor: E

Reviewer’s report
Ing. Nikola Grubhofferová

Fulfilment of the objective
The objective of the thesis was to analyze the marketing mix and competitive environment of DRFG and propose recommendations for improving marketing effectiveness and customer targeting. The objective was fulfilled, and the thesis addresses all stated partial objectives.

Approach to solving the problem and contribution of the student
The author uses appropriate analytical methods, including the 4Ps marketing mix, SWOT analysis, Porter’s Five Forces analysis, and a questionnaire survey. The main contribution of the thesis lies in the comprehensive evaluation of DRFG’s current marketing activities and the formulation of recommendations aimed at strengthening brand awareness and customer relationships. The practical recommendations are relevant, however, some of them are relatively general and lack a more detailed feasibility or economic assessment. The questionnaire survey provides useful insights, although its explanatory value is limited by the relatively small sample size.

Formal layout and language level
The thesis is logically structured and clearly organized. The formal layout meets the requirements for a bachelor thesis. The language level is good, and the text is generally clear and understandable. Minor stylistic imperfections occur occasionally. Some parts of the analytical section are descriptive and contain repeated information.

Compliance with standard requirements for a bachelor thesis
The thesis meets the standard requirements for a bachelor thesis in the field of Business and Management. The author demonstrates the ability to work with relevant literature, apply theoretical concepts to a practical problem, and formulate recommendations based on the findings. The analytical depth is average, which is reflected in the proposed evaluation.

Overall assessment: The thesis is a solid piece of work with a relevant topic and practical orientation. Despite certain shortcomings in analytical depth and critical evaluation, it fulfils the objectives and requirements of a bachelor thesis.

Proposed grade: C.
Evaluation criteria Grade
Splnění stanovených cílů D
Zvolený postup řešení, adekvátnost použitých metod B
Schopnost interpretovat dosažené výsledky a vyvozovat z nich závěry C
Praktická využitelnost výsledků D
Struktura práce, použitá terminologie a odborná jazyková úroveň B
Práce s informačními zdroji C
Topics for thesis defence:
  1. Why did you choose Porter’s Five Forces model for the analysis of the competitive environment? Which of your recommendations would be the easiest for DRFG to implement?

Grade proposed by reviewer: C

Responsibility: Mgr. et Mgr. Hana Odstrčilová