I think the popularity of this post and by implication, the 6Ws reflects marketers wishes to be more customer-centred – most will agree with that!

That said, I don’t think the 6Ws are a replacement for the 7Ps or 4Ps – it’s an alternative way of thinking.

For me, the traditional marketing mix is still essential as a quick way to review strategic marketing decisions for a business. In our vote and the CIM on the best marketing model the 7PS still wins (alongside STP): http://www.smartinsights.com/digital-marketing-strategy/online-business-revenue-models/marketing-models/.

The 4Cs gives a more customer-centred version of the 4Ps: http://www.smartinsights.com/marketing-planning/marketing-models/4cs-marketing-model/

Followers of different mindtools may also be interested in SAVE related to me by Stephen Bateman as relevant for a B2B Content Marketing project. It’s been described by Eduardo Conrado, senior VP and CMO-Motorola Solutions, shifted his marketing strategy two years ago, moving away from a traditional, product-driven approach and instead focusing on the needs of customers in the government, enterprise and public services markets that the company serves.

You can read more:

http://www.marketing.org/pcontent/show/id/bma-buzz-2013-jan-implementing-save-motorola

https://hbr.org/2013/01/rethinking-the-4-ps