Marketing Playbook points to a post by Laura Ries on the startegy to adopt if one is a number 2 in the marketplace. “A strong #2 brand needs to position themselves as the opposite of the leader.”
Listerine: bad-tasting mouthwash
# 2 Scope: good-tasting mouthwashHome Depot: messy, male-oriented
# 2 Lowes: neat, female-orientedCoke: older people
# 2 Pepsi: younger peopleMicrosoft: proprietary-software
# 2 Linux: open-source softwareWal-Mart: always low prices, messy
# 2 Target: cheap chic, wide aisles, neatMercedes-Benz: big, comfortable cars
#2 BMW: smaller, driving machinesRepublicans: conservative
# 2 Democrats: liberal
(Rank determined by which party is defending the White House)