________ involves defining the firm's marketing mix variables so that target customers have a clear, distinctive, desirable understanding of the firm's offerings relative to competitors' offerings.

A) Processing
B) Perceptualizing
C) Positioning
D) Proportioning
E) Prospecting

Positioning involves strategically positioning a product or service in the mind of the target customer, based on factors such as price, quality, and differentiation from competitors. It helps to create a unique identity for the brand and establish a competitive advantage. Processing, perceptualizing, proportioning, and prospecting are not related to this concept.