This document defines marketing and discusses its evolution and contemporary approaches. It begins by defining marketing as the process of creating customer interest in products and services through communication and value creation. It then outlines the historical progression of marketing orientations from production to product to selling to the current customer-focused approach. Contemporary approaches discussed include relationship marketing, business marketing, and social marketing. The document also covers marketing research, market segmentation, and marketing planning. It concludes by noting the need for firms to adapt their marketing strategies to global markets.