Advertising Unit 3-5
Advertising Unit 3-5
Advertising Unit 3-5
3.1 Strategies is Message Design; Copy; Layout; Theme; Advertising Campaign; Illustration;
Advertising Appeals.
ADVERTISEMENT COPY
An advertising copy is a term used to describe the main text used in the advertisement. The
text could be a dialogue, a catchy punch line or a company’s dictum.
It is a print, radio or TV advertising message that aims at developing and retaining an interest of
the target customer and prompting him to purchase the product within a couple of seconds.
According to the UK advertising guru, David Ogilvy, ‘people do read lengthy advertisements if
they are skillfully written’. The most significant part of the copy is the headline, and sometimes
even a small shift in the text brings magnanimous results.
DEFINITION:
An advertisement copy is the text used in the advertisement, be it print, radio, television or
other form of advertisement. The text so used can be in the form of dialogs, some catchy
phrase, a company's motto or slogan or any word advertising agency.
ESSENTIALS OF A GOOD ADVERTISEMENT COPY:
Credibility- An ad copy must focus on the credibility or the reliability of the advertising. The
copywriters should essentially flaunt an element of reliability in the ad so that the consumers are
convinced to go ahead with the product. The credibility of an advertisement is the extent of
honesty in the ad message. Misleading and misinterpreted ads harm the reputation of the
selling house.
Attention- The keywords, punch lines or a phrase that seize the attention of the potential
consumers or some component in the ad that attracts the target audience is essential in a good
advertising copy.
Assurance of benefit– An advertisement copy must contain some promise of the benefits that
the product offers if the consumer purchases and uses the product.
Brief and clear- An ad copy must be brief and clear, i.e. it must be to the point. It doesn’t mean
that the copy must omit the important elements of the advertising. A clear copy is easy and
quick to be read by the readers. It is self-explanatory, definite, and precise. Clarity makes way
for interpretation.
Apt and conforming- The copy must be apt and must match the needs of the prospects. A
copywriter has to use the most suitable USP. Every ad copy must meet the conforming
standards and rules acceptable to the advertising media and the laws of the land. A copy that
offends the morality challenges religious beliefs of the people is not welcomed by any media.
TYPES OF ADVERTISING COPY:
Human interest copy
Human interest copy entices the emotions and senses of its prospective customers rather than
the intellect and judgment. This advertisement copy defines the product to people instead of
sticking to facts. Human Interest copy gets to selling part indirectly or reluctantly. It focuses on
people’s undying interest in themselves, their families and friends.
The most important forms of Human Interest Copy are- humorous copy fear copy, predicament
copy, and story copy.
Humorous copy Humorous ad copy is a copy which is designed to make the reader laugh. This
copy brings about a smile on the readers face.
Fear copy Fear ad copy arouses a sense of fear in the reader to save their lives or to protect
themselves from something. It creates interest among its consumers by instilling a sense of fear
in them. Fear advertisement copies must be designed carefully as it may carry an unpleasant
association on the viewer’s mind concerning the product.
Story copy In a story copy, a story is narrated in a very interesting way to develop interest
amongst its prospects. Customer experiences can also be narrated in the form of a story.
Predicament copy In a predicament copy, the copy provides a dramatic explanation about the
product. This copy explains all the advantages and benefits of using the product. The
predicament copy usually takes over the other three forms of the advertisement copy.
Educational ad copy
An educational ad copy attempts to inform, update and prompts its clients to buy a product by
educating the prospective customers. It is designed to educate the public about the attributes of
the product. Introductory ad copies are usually created in this way. It is the responsibility of
every manufacturer to educate the prospects regarding the product and endure a warm
welcome amongst its clients. Such an ad copy signifies the benefits and special features of the
product.
Reason Why Copy
A Reason Why advertising copy offers reasons as to why the consumers are expected to buy
the product of a particular brand. The reason why copy appeals directly to the intellect or the
judgment of an individual than the emotions. It tries to explain the product qualities and benefits
by giving evidence in the forms of testimonials, guarantees, customer experiences, and so on.
The approach of this copy explains reasons to readers as to why the advertised product has to
be purchased. The format of this copy states a fact about a product or a service in the headline
and then explaining why the fact is true in its further text. This form of advertising works better in
print than on media, because broadcasting an ad has a limitation with respect to time. There are
good chances of the viewer missing the headline or the reasons why the headline claims to be
the truth.
Institutional Ad Copy
Institutional copy doesn’t sell its goods and services. Institutional ad copy aims at promoting the
selling house. It focuses to build a strong reputation for the selling house. The main objective of
this type of ad copy is to create, maintain, and increase the goodwill through its
Suggestive Copy
A suggestive copy suggests or attempts to convey the message to the readers directly or
indirectly and prompts them to purchase the product. Suggestive ad copy works best when the
reader is confused regarding the quality of the product and is juggling with decision making
regarding his purchase.
Expository Copy
Expository copy conflicts with the Suggestive copy. An Expository copy doesn’t conceal
anything about the product but instead exposes the facts that are clear and apt. It describes the
product features, uses, merits, operation and benefits of the products or services. Even a swift
glance registers quickly in the consumer’s mind and is quite easy to remember or pick up
CHARACTERISTICS OF ADVERTISING COPY:
The format of advertising copy must be so designed that it possesses the characteristics, or
features like:
(1) Arresting pictures,
(2) Arresting headlines,
(3) Novelty and contrast of the product,
(4) Dis-tinctiveness,
(5) Message size and position (how long, how short, how it is put, etc.)
(6) Colour,
(7) Shape,
(8) Movement.
ETHICS OF DESIGN AND LAYOUT It is not necessary that all elements of advertisement copy
must form part of the copy. They appear in today’s ads with varying degree of frequency. The
components of the copy must be decorated or positioned on the basis of certain basic principals
regardless of the number of elements in an add. The following five principles of good
composition are important to anyone who creates or evaluates the advertisement - (1) Balance
(2) Proportion
(3) Contrast and emphasis,
(4) Eye –movement,
(5) Unity.
1. Balance
A layout may be called balanced if equal weight or forces are equidistant from a reference point
or a light weight is placed at a greater distance from the reference point than a heavy weight.
Balance is the law of nature. The reference point or fulcrum is the optical centre of the
advertisement. The artists with a given area or space, are to place all the elements within this
space. Optical centre of fulcrum of the ad is often a point approximately two – thirds of the
distance forms the bottom. It is the reference of the layout.
2. Proportion
Proportion is closely related to balance since it refers to the division of space among layout
elements for a pleasing optical effect. Good proportion in an advertisement requires a desired
emphasis on each element in terms of size and position. If the major appeal in an Advertising
and Sales Promotion Page 86 advertisement is product’s price. The price should be displayed in
proportionate space position.
3. Contrast and Emphasis
Contrast means variety. It gives life to the whole composition and adds emphasis to selected
important elements. An advertiser always looks to advertisements from completion point of view
and desires the policy of the most important elements to attract the attention of the people. An
advertisement with good contrast may attract the attention of customers contrast maybe visible
in a number of ways. It may be witnessed through sizes, shapes and colours. Different colours
sizes and shapes of elements in an advertisement add contrast. The varying directions, of
design elements (Vertical trees, horizontal pavements arched rainbows) add contrast. There
must be sales communication purpose behind every layout decision made.
4. Eye Movement
Eye movement is the design principle which helps move the eyes of the readers from element
to element in the order given in the hierarchy of effects model for effective communication of the
message in advertising. An effective ad uses movement to lead its reading audience from initial
message awareness through product knowledge and brand preference, to ultimate action (intent
to purchase). Direction and sequence are two terms for the same element and artists may
perform it in many ways. Mechanical eye direction may be created by devices such as pointing
fingers lines arrows or even a bouncing ball that moves from unit to unit. Planned eye
movement should follow the established reading patterns too, such as the tendency to start to
top left corner of a page and read through to the lower right corner. The eyes also moves
naturally from large items to small from dark to light and from colours to not – colours.
5. Unity or Harmony
Unity or harmony is another important design principle. Although each element should be
considered as a separate unit in striving for balance, proportion, contrast and eye movement the
complete layout or design should appear as a unified composition. Common methods of
securing unity in layouts are
Use of consistent typographical design.
Repetition of the same shapes and motifs,
The overlapping of elements
Use of a boarder to hold elements together and
Avoidance of too much space between various elements.
Although unity and contrast seem conflicting but, they function quite smoothly together if they
operate at cross purposes, if the artists strive for balance here as well as in the layout overall.
Unity contributes orderliness to elements – a state of coherence, if they are properly placed.
Contrasting size, shapes, colours and directions can flow together beautifully
ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN
An advertising campaign is a series of advertisement messages that share a single idea and
theme which make up an integrated marketing communication (IMC). Advertising campaigns
appear in different media across a specific time frame. The critical part of making an advertising
campaign is determining a champion theme as it sets the tone for the individual advertisements
and other forms of marketing communications that will be used. The campaign theme is the
central message that will be communicated in the promotional activities. The campaign themes
are usually developed with the intention of being used for a substantial period but many of them
are short lived due to factors such as being ineffective or market conditions and/or competition
in the marketplace and marketing mix.
∙ An advertising campaign is an organized series of advertising messages with identical or
similar messages over a particular period of time.
∙ It is an orderly planned effort consisting of related but self contained & independent
advertisements.
∙ Though the campaign is conveyed through different media, it has a single theme & unified
approach.
∙ There is a psychological continuity due to a unified theme.
∙ The physical continuity is provided by similarity of visuals and orals.
OBJECTIVE
♣ Inform people about your product
♣ Convince them to buy the product
♣ Make your product available to the customers
ILLUSTRATIONS
“A picture is worth a thousand words.”
Everyone in the advertising circle is familiar with these astute above-mentioned quotations.
Illustrations can persuade, inform and influence action. They can express emotions and convey
brand characteristics. An Illustration is a depiction of stories, events, concept or any process.
Depending upon any situation illustration may vary and can be stylized, expressive or realistic.
OBJECTIVES:
The several objectives of illustrations in advertising:
1. To conceptualize the product; a showcase.
2. To pictualize its utility, its convenience; depicting the story of the usefulness of the product.
3. The desire of owning the product either by knowing the utility or by the beauty and
appearance of the product.
4. To establish in the minds of customers that it is superior to other product.
5. To create that impelling desire on the part of the prospect to read the advertising message,
which is inherent in all art. Art embellishment is to advertising what stage scenery and costumes
are to drama.
6. To acquaint people with the packages and physical appearance.
Importance of Illustration in Advertising:
Illustrations are included in advertising layouts in order to communicate a concept or two to the
audience. These effective pictorial images direct the viewer’s eye to the advertisement and
capture his/her attention. Usually, the drawing is designed to convey a commercial, political, or
ideological objective. Advertising can be seen nearly everywhere in modern day life and takes
the form of many different things including billboards, television commercials, flyers, posters,
direct-mail kits, web banners, wall paintings, bus stop benches, and many others. Before the
popularity and feasibility of photographic reproduction, promotions depended on illustration as
the means of reinforcing the ad’s message
FUNCTIONS
we will examine how illustrations can attract attention, aid retention, enhance understanding, or
create context
¬ Attention: According to cognitive theory, only a small fraction of all sensory stimuli that reach
the brain actually make it to the working memory, a process known as selective perception
(Gagné, 1985). Considering the limitations of working memory, it is easy to understand why
such a process is necessary. Using illustrations can help because they can be complex to the
senses, and because they can provide novelty in the probably more plentiful stream of spoken
words or written text.
¬ Complexity: Complexity draws and holds attention (Fleming &Levie, 1978). Illustrations,
because they can display varieties and interrelationships of lines, shapes, colors, spaces, and
text, tend to be more complex to the senses than lectures or text alone, and so they will stand
out to the learner.
¬ Novelty: Anything that is originally novel and attention getting can become monotonous with
overuse
¬ Retention: Retention usually refers to keeping information available in the long-term memory,
but the ability to retain needed information in working memory is equally important to learning
and performance.
ADVERTISING APPEALS
MEANING:
An advertising appeal is a statement designed to motivate a person to act. The appeals which
the advertiser makes usually focus the buying motives of the consumers. Pleasing total quality
of a radio becomes basis to motivate the music and the vitamin contents of a drug form an
appeal to motivate public and listen to people to preserve their health. However, numerous
appeals may be made for any product. Advertising appeals are designed in a way so as to
create a positive image of the individuals who use certain products. Advertising agencies and
companies use different types of advertising appeals to influence the purchasing decisions of
people.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF ADVERTISING APPEAL
There are three types of appeals:
1) Rational or Informational Appeal 2) Emotional Appeal 3) Moral Appeal
Rational or Informational Appeals This is generally product oriented appeal, highlights the
functional benefits like- quality, economy, value, or performance of a product.
Following are different types of rational appeals:
∙ Feature Appeal - Advertisements based on such appeal are highly informative, provides
information of product attributes or features that can be used as the basis for rational purchase
decision. Technical and high involvement product often uses this appeal.
∙ Competitive Advantage Appeal - Such appeal is used to compare the product with the
competitor's product directly or indirectly and advertiser try to present his product superior then
competitor's product on one or more attributes
∙ Favourable Price Appeal - Here price offer is considered as the dominant point of the
message.
∙ News Appeal - Some type of news or announcements about product or company dominates
the advertisement.
∙ Product Popularity Appeal - Product popularity is considered as the dominant point of
advertisement by highlighting the increasing number of users of brand or the number who have
switched to it.
∙ High Quality - Some products are preferred for their quality not merely because of their taste or
style, such products are advertised by highlighting the quality attribute in advertisement.
∙ Low price - Many people prefer low priced goods. To target such audience products are
advertised by highlighting the low price tag of the product.
∙ Long Life - Many consumers want product of durable nature that can be used for a long period,
in advertisement of such product durability is the dominant point of the message.
∙ Performance - Many advertisements exhibit good performance of product.
∙ Economy - Many customers consider savings in operation and use of product, for example in
case of automobile the mileage is considered while selecting the brand or model.
∙ Scarcity - Another appeal that is occasionally used is scarcity. When there is a limited supply of
a product, the value of that product increases. Scarcity appeals urge consumers to buy a
particular product because of a limitation.
∙ Other Rational Appeals - Other rational appeals include purity, more profits, time saving,
multifunction, more production, regular supply and availability of parts, limited space required,
artistic form, etc. that can make advertising effective.
Moral Appeals Moral appeals are directed to the consumers’ sense of what is right and proper.
These are often used to exhort people to support social and ethical causes.
Types of Moral Appeal are as follows:
∙ Social awakening and justice
∙ Cleaner and safe environment
∙ Equal rights for women
∙ Prohibition of drugs and intoxication
∙ Adult literacy
∙ Anti-smuggling and hoarding
∙ Protection of consumer rights and awakening
Message execution: Execution style the approach, style, tone, words, and format used for
executing (properly conveying) an advertising message.
Slice of life: style sows one or more “typical” people using the product in a normal setting.
5) Mood or image: builds a mood or image around the product or service, such as beauty, love,
intrigue, or serenity.
9) Scientific evidence: presents survey or scientific evidence that the brand is better or better
liked than one or more other brands.
2. It must have a Good Theme: A good theme means there must be something which has to be
told to the prospects. Only meaningful words become effective in conveying the story.
5. It must be Believable: The theme of an effective advertising appeal must be believable. The
message which is doubted can never be effective. Only facts are presented in an interesting
manner.
6. It must be Complete: An advertising appeal should be complete and must not be superfluous.
Such information which is likely to confuse the prospects in making buying decision should be
avoided.
3.2 Scientific Advertising: Creative Concept; Strategy and Creativity; Strategy in Message
Design; Words and Pictures; Art Direction; Copywriting.
SCIENTIFIC ADVERTISING
"Scientific advertising" refers to a method of advertising that relies on data, research, and
empirical evidence to make informed decisions about advertising campaigns. It's a systematic
and data-driven approach to marketing that aims to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of
advertising efforts. Here's a detailed explanation of scientific advertising:
1. **A/B Testing**: One of the core principles of scientific advertising is A/B testing (or split
testing). It involves creating two versions of an ad or a marketing campaign (Version A and
Version B) with a single variable difference between them (e.g., different headlines, images, or
calls to action). By running both versions simultaneously and measuring the response,
marketers can determine which version is more effective. This helps in optimizing ad
performance based on concrete data.
2. **Data Analytics**: In scientific advertising, data plays a crucial role. Marketers collect and
analyze data related to their advertising campaigns. This includes metrics like click-through
rates, conversion rates, bounce rates, and more. Tools like Google Analytics and other tracking
software are commonly used to monitor the performance of ad campaigns. Marketers then use
these data insights to make informed decisions about their ad strategies.
10. **Long-term Planning**: Scientific advertising often involves long-term planning. Marketers
aim to build brand recognition and customer loyalty over time, not just focus on short-term
gains. This may involve creating a consistent brand image and messaging across various
campaigns.
CREATIVITY
1. **Originality**: Creativity in advertising often starts with the development of original ideas and
concepts. Advertisers strive to create content that hasn't been seen before or present familiar
ideas in new and exciting ways. Originality can be achieved through unique visuals, concepts,
copywriting, or even unconventional ad placements.
2. **Emotional Appeal**: Creativity often involves tapping into the emotional aspects of the
audience. Effective advertising campaigns connect with people on an emotional level by evoking
feelings such as happiness, nostalgia, excitement, or empathy. Emotional appeal can make an
ad memorable and resonate with the audience.
4. **Visual Creativity**: Visual elements play a significant role in advertising creativity. Design,
color, imagery, and typography are used to create visually appealing and memorable ads. A
visually creative ad can leave a strong impression, even without much text.
5. **Surprise and Intrigue**: Creative ads often incorporate an element of surprise or intrigue.
They captivate the audience's curiosity and make them want to learn more. This can be
achieved through unexpected twists, clever humor, or intriguing visuals.
6. **Metaphors and Symbolism**: Using metaphors and symbolism in advertising can be a
creative way to convey complex ideas or emotions. Symbols and metaphors can simplify the
message while adding depth and layers of meaning.
7. **Cultural Relevance**: Creativity in advertising takes into account cultural trends, references,
and nuances. Ads that reflect current events, pop culture, or societal values can resonate with
the audience and make the brand seem culturally relevant.
8. **Creativity and Brand Identity**: Creativity should align with the brand's identity and values.
While advertising campaigns may aim to be creative and attention-grabbing, they should remain
consistent with the overall brand image. A balance must be struck between creativity and brand
integrity.
9. **Memorability**: A truly creative advertisement is often one that people remember long after
they've seen it. Creativity can make an ad unforgettable, which is valuable in building brand
recognition and recall.
10. **Call to Action**: Creativity doesn't end with capturing attention; it should also drive a clear
call to action. A creative ad should motivate the audience to take the desired action, whether it's
making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or sharing the content.
11. **Feedback and Iteration**: In advertising, the creative process often involves seeking
feedback and iterating on ideas. Advertisers may test different creative approaches to see which
resonates most with the audience and continually refine their campaigns based on data and
feedback.
Strategy in message design for advertising involves planning and structuring the content to
effectively communicate brand's message, connect with a the target audience, and achieve
specific objectives. Some key aspects to consider:
4.Message Clarity - keep the message concise and easy to understand • Use clear language
that aligns with the target audience's level of familiarity with the topic.
5. Emotional Appeal - Tap into emotions that resonate with your "audience · Emotionally
compelling message tend to be more memorable
6. Consistency - Ensure that the message aligns with gour brand's identity and values. building
strong brand image • Consisting help
7. Visual Element - Choose visuals that complement the message and resonate with the
audience. Visuals. should enhance the message, not overpower it.
8 Call to Action (CTA) - Include a clear and compelling CTA that prompts the audiences to take
the desired action such as making purchase or visiting a website.
9)Platform and context - Consider the platformcutere the message will be displayed tag;- social
media, print, TUT - Adapt the message to fit the context of that platform.
10) Feedback and Adaption - Monitor how performs and gather your message feedback - Be
ready to adapt and refine your strategy based on the results.
In advertising a "Strategy in Message" refers to the deliberate plan ar approach taken to convey
a specific message to the target audience This strategy encompasses various element such as
the choice of words , tone, imagery and overall presentation .It's about designing the message
in a way that effectively communicates the intended meaning, elects the desired emotional
response, and motivates the audience to take a particular action such as making a purchase or
engaging with the brand. The strategy in the message aligns with the overall marketing and
communication goals , and it takes into consideration the characteristics of the target audiences,
the brand identity and the competitive landscapes.
The human brain processes Images 60000. Times when are faster than words. In instance need
to communicate our messages. | quickly & images Can be a are essential billboard or up
entirely of words is An example a Facebook ad made a bad idea - we need to be able to grab
someone's attention while part driving past a billboard scrolling or striking image can through
social media and a granter that.
Impact of words on advertisement message
Words have the benefit that you can search them. When it comes to inbound marketing
(encouraging customers to come to come to you rather than advertisement to your customers.)
keywords are often necessary for helping customers to find you. You cannot search for an
image not without using words.
Images and words are both important for building trust. Images are typically used to provide
visual evidence. Many people are more likely to buy a product online if there are photographs
provided, while many people trust an online service if photos of employees are provided. Words
meanwhile can be used to show how knowledgeable you are. Blog - posts, eBooks, seminars
and educational videos all rely on the ability to use words to give people advice – being able to
explain things well can prove you’re an expert in your field and that you are a company that
should be trusted.
There are definitely times when words can leave a lasting impression, Such
as catchy slogans and interesting facts. However in general a person will remember only 10% of
the text or audio that they consume. People are much better at recalling images .Therefore at
times when we want to leave a lasting impact, it’s good to use mages. Images are big part of
branding- a strong logo, color scheme and fonts can help people to remember your company.
ART DIRECTION
Art direction is the management of creative processes that produce visual outputs such as
publications, media, environments, communications and symbols. For example, magazine
covers, movie sets, video games, advertising and visual branding may all require the work of an
art director. Art Directors are responsible for the creation and development of advertising ideas,
with particular focus on their visual appearance. These ideas can exist in many formats from
posters and print advertisements, to TV commercials, cinema, radio, experiential, Direct
Marketing leaflets, mobile applications and websites
The following are common elements of art direction.
CREATIVE VISION
Creating a big idea that serves as the vision for a visual work. This may
Include an overall style, attitude, message, approach, mood and theme.
TARGET AUDIENCE
Crafting works to resonate with a target audience. This potentially involves market research.
CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS
Maintaining client relationships, pitching a creative vision and achieving acceptance of final work
products.
DECISON MAKING
An art director often has creative
Control of visual outputs and needs to make regular decisions.
TEAM MANAGEMENT
In some cases, an art director manages a creative team and is responsible for things such as
goal setting, performance management,
Productivity and influencing on behalf of the team.
COPY WRITING
Copywriting is the process of writing persuasive marketing and promotional materials that
motivate people to take some form of action, such as make a purchase, click on a link, donate
to a cause, or schedule a consultation.
These materials can include written promotions that are published in print or online. They can
also include materials that are spoken, such as scripts used for videos or commercials.
The text in these materials is known as “copy,” hence the name “copywriting.”
You may not realize it, but copywriting is everywhere.
In fact, if you just start by looking in your mailbox, you’ll find some obvious examples of
copywriting. Promotions for local restaurants, catalogs, fundraising letters from charitable
organizations, or sales letters for various products and services are all forms of copywriting.
Take the example below from Stitch Fix, a website that specializes in helping people find a
fashion style that’s appropriate for them. The site also sells clothing for a range of different
styles
You can see the page has been written and designed to prompt you to take action in a variety of
ways. You’re asked to “Read More,” “Get Started,” or “Follow Us” on social media. You can also
“Ask a Stylist” for fashion advice.
These are simple prompts we see on websites on a daily basis, and they’re all forms of
persuasive copywriting
3.3 Print Advertising: Newspapers; Magazines; Out-of- Home (OOH) Advertising; Transit
Advertising; Headlines; Display Copy; Body Copy; Layout Stages; Principles of Design; Role of
Colour in Print Advertising.
Newspapers
Newspaper display advertising is a form of newspaper advertisement - where the advertisement
appears alongside regular editorial content. Display ads are generally used by businesses and
corporations towards promotion of their goods and services and are generally for larger budget
clients. Display ads appear in all sections of the newspaper except the editorial page, obituary
page, and classified section.These ads can span across multiple columns - and can even cover
full page, half page, quarter page or other custom sizes. They are designed in high resolution
coloured and black/white formats providing higher visibility for the mass audiences of
newspapers. For many major newspapers in developing markets, display ads play a significant
role in subsidizing the cost of the published newspaper.
Newspaper display ads are different from the regular "display ads" terminology, which is
commonly referred to as advertisements placed on the internet in banner and other rich media
format
National Newspapers: Newspapers with national circulation in India are either in English of
Hinds. The Times of India, The Hindu, The Hindustan Times and others a national English
daibes. Dainik Jagran, Dainik Bhaskar, Amar Ujala, Hindustan, Nav Bharat Times and Basherya
Sahara are Hindi national dailies. These newspapers have editonal content with a nationwide
appeal. These newspapers mainly attract national and regional advertisees
Daily Newspapers (regional/local): These newspapers are published daily and in some bes the
circulation figures of these regional newspapers are much higher than national newspapers.
They provide only brief coverage of important national news and event.
Advantages:
Penetration: Newspapers offer an advertiser a high degree of market coverage of penetration. A
high percentage of literate people read newspapers daily, both in urban and rural areas. The
level of readership is very high among households with higher income and education levels.
They are also the ones who generally read a national and a local daily. Some newspapers have
a national daily in English and also a regional/local daily in a different on the geographical area).
By making one space buy, the advertiser is able to achieve more extensive coverage and reach
different segments of population with language (depending advertising message. By using daily
newspapers, national or local, media planners can achieve high level of frequency in media
schedule.
Flexibility: Unlike television, newspapers offer considerable flexibility in terms of accepting and
running the advertisements. Most newspapers accept ads allowing a closing time of 24 hours
before publication. Of course, if the ad is coloured or meant for a Sunday supplement, it would
require relatively longer closing time. Advertisers take advantage of this flexibility in responding
to current market conditions and reaching customers with timely messages. Use of newspapers
allows advertisers to use creative options as the ads can be produced and run in very large to
small sizes, shapes, and formats. To attract readers' attention, the ads can be produced in
colour, placed in the Sunday magazine section, or the newspaper may carry the ads as special
inserts.
Limitations:
Reproduction Quality: This happens to be a major limitation of newspapers as an advertising
medium. The paper quality of newspapers is called coarse newsprint, not suited to proper colour
reproduction. Newspapers also lack time available to bring about fine details required in
high-quality reproduction of photographs and graphics of most advertisements since they use
high-speed rotary printing process. Good colour reproduction is possible only in special
newspaper supplements using better quality of printing paper, such as Sunday supplements.
Reproduction of high-quality colour is important when the product appearance is critical in
creating an impact. High-quality colour reproduction is quite expensive and for this reason, not
suited to many advertisers. When a product's visual appearance is important in the ad, the
advertiser will not use newspaper advertising.
Short Life Span: Another limitation of newspapers is their short life span. Newspapers are not a
leisure and pleasure medium and hence customers do not devote much time to reading them.
Most people generally read newspapers as soon as they are received and then dump or throw
them away. Newspapers are not read when they are two or three days old. Few people turn to
an old article or review for some specific reference and while doing so, they definitely ignore any
ads that appeared in that issue, or at least there is very little chance for ads to be read. So a
newspaper ad is unlikely to have any impact beyond the day it is published and any chance of
repeat exposure is rather remote. Many consumers just skim through the newspaper and this
increases the possibility of missing the ad or not paying attention to most ads.
Magazines
Magazines are considered as the most specialized of all the advertising media. The magazine
industry has often been described as "survival of the discriminating." The number of magazines
has increased steadily to serve the educational, informational, entertainment and other
specialized needs of consumers, business, and industry. There are some general interest
magazines with mass appeal, such as India Today, Reader's Digest, Outlook, The Week, and
Frontline, but most magazines are targeted at specific interest audience in terms of
demographics, interests, activities, lifestyle, or fascination. For example, Femina, Society,
Savvy, Grihshobha and Women's Era are women's magazines targeted at specific audience
segments based on demographics and lifestyle. Business India, Business Today, Business
World, and Intelligent Investor target audiences interested in business and investment.
Availability of a wide variety of magazines makes them quite an appealing medium to a very
large number of advertisers. Magazine advertising is equally popular among large and small
companies. Their high-interest readers are usually willing to pay a premium for the magazines.
As pointed out earlier, the role of magazines is different in the media plan of an advertiser.
Magazines allow the presentation of detailed ad messages along with beautiful reproduction of
photographs, graphics, and colours. Magazines are comparatively a more high-involvement
form of print medium than newspapers, as they are read in a leisurely manner and are not
dumped or thrown after reading as happens in case of newspapers.
Magazines can be classified in various ways but the most important classification can be in
terms of their editorial appeal or the type of readership they attract.
Advantages:
Reproduction Quality-
From advertisers' point of view, a highly desirable and valued attribute of magazines is the
reproduction quality of advertisements. Magazines are generally printed on high-quality paper.
The printing processes used are modern and provide equally superior reproduction both in
colour and black and white. This is quite an important feature for a visual medium like
magazines, because photographs and illustrations are often a dominating part in ads. The
reproduction quality in almost all the respectable magazines is far too superior compared to
what is offered by newspapers, particularly in colour. Special newspaper supplements are an
exception, which are produced on superior glossy paper. Use of colour in ads is particularly
important for advertisers when a product's visual elements are important in creating an impact.
Creative Flexibility-
Advertisers can take advantage of a great deal of flexibility in terms of the type, size, and
placement of advertising material in magazines. There are options of special facilities that help
advertisers in making the ad more noticeable and readable, such as gatefolds, bleed pages,
and inserts. Multiple-page advertising in magazines takes many forms. The most common
advertising of this form uses two-page or three-page spread and inserts. A spread increases the
impact of the message and removes any competition of reader's attention.
Gatefolds' is a form of multiple-page insertion and uses a third page, which folds out and gives
the ad extra-large spread. It is used by advertisers to make a striking presentation and are often
found at the inside cover of magazines, or on inside pages. BPL has used gatefolds on the
inside pages of some issues of Reader's Digest for ads of its televisions. Raymonds, Canon,
and Wipro also have used gatefolds in Reader's Digest. India Today also now carries gatefolds.
Limitations:
High Costs-
Magazines are among the most expensive media on CPM basis and in a valued
mass-circulation magazine, such as India Today or Reader's Digest, advertising can be quite
expensive. Many advertisers use quality magazines as a niche supplement in their media
schedule. The cost of ad space in magazines varies according to the size of audience they
reach and the degree of selectivity Advertisers with limited budgets may be interested in the
absolute costs of ad space and costs of producing quality advertisements for such publications.
Limited Reach and Frequency-
Quite a few magazines in India (both Hindi and English) have higher circulation figures than
English dailies. Magazines published in English have their reach in all the regions. Hindi and
some regional-language magazines have large circulation but their readership is confined to
certain regions only. To reach a broad market area, media planners must make media buys in a
number of magazines. If media strategy is based on broad reach, magazines are used in
combination with other media. A large number of magazines are either monthly or fortnightly
publications; the scope of building ad frequency is limited. Magazine advertising is a good
supplement to TV and newspaper advertising and is also good for reaching special interest
target groups who cannot be reached efficiently with television.
Outdoor
Outdoor advertising represents the oldest medium. We have already seen in the historical
background that outdoor advertising existed as early as 5,000 years ago in Babylon, Greece
and Egypt. Painted advertising dates at least to Pompeii, where decorated walls promoted
merchandise. Outdoor advertising is one of the more permeating communications and it is
almost impossible for anyone living in a civilised society anywhere in this world not to have been
exposed to it in one form or the other.
Outdoor advertising is usually used as a supportive medium by most national advertisers and
includes billboards, hoarding, posters, wall paintings, and transit advertising, etc. Outdoor
advertising can generate considerable reach and frequency levels at a fraction of the cost of
mainstream media and is most successful when it is used to accomplish narrowly defined
communication objectives, such as:
. To generate immediate brand name recognition when introducing a new product and
complement other forms of advertising
. To remind customers who are already in the market-place about established and recognised
brands of the marketer.
Outdoor medium combines high levels of reach and frequency at low CPM costs, and a
colourful presentation of products to audiences already in the marketplace. It offers the
advertisers the last opportunity to remind and influence the consumer prior to purchase.
The audience of outdoor advertising doesn't have to spend either the money or the effort to see
the ad. They are there, inviting anyone and everyone to come and see them, not just once but
repeatedly as long as they are there.
Audience Delivery: Outdoor advertising maximises both reach and frequency. It is estimated that
with proper placement, a moderate outdoor campaign reaches 75% adults in a market at a
minimum of 15 times in a 30-day period. This level of exposure is beyond any other medium.
The sheer size of outdoor ad makes it noticeable.
Geographic Flexibility: Outdoor advertising is highly flexible and can be placed almost anywhere
the law permits. It can be placed near stores, on buildings, along city roads, on mobile
billboards, and highways etc. Outdoor can conveniently cover local, regional, or national
markets.
Continuity: Outdoor advertising provides 24-hour coverage and cannot be turned off or ignored
like any other media. Exposure to outdoor media is not dependent on audience habits, there is
no zapping or zipping; it cannot be put aside or left unopened. The outdoor ad message is
always working for the advertiser.
Transit Advertising
In some ways, transit advertising is similar to outdoor advertising as it also uses billboards neon-
signs, and electronic messages. Transit advertising is targeted at millions of people who are
exposed to various modes of transportation, such as buses, subways, trains, or air travel. The
printed ads are paid for and provided by the advertiser to the firm managing transit advertising It
is the responsibility of this firm to place and maintain the ad posters on the vehicles.
The rate structure varies depending on the site, period, and the size of display. Important railway
stations sites, where thousands of passengers pass everyday cost much more than others with
lesser traffic. Advertisers are also offered bulk contract for placing their ads on more number of
railway stations, bus stands and airports, etc.
Of the many variations of transit advertising, the airline ticket holder is a very effective form of
advertising communication. It reaches a very captive audience and keeps the message in front
of the air passenger for as long as the ticket is retained.
There is an extensive public transport system in India because most people cannot afford
private transportation. A very large number of commuters travel everyday to their place of work
and back home. Employees of Indian Railways alone number about more than one-and-a-half
million. A large number of people, including those who come to see off the passengers, visit
railway stations, bus terminals, and airports everyday and are exposed to a variety of ad
messages on posters, neon-signs, and electronic boards etc. Posters also appear on the sides
and backs of buses, commuter trains, trams, and delivery vans. Kiosk ads are affixed on
streetlight and telephone poles. A very large part of ambulatory population is exposed to transit
advertising
Exposure Duration: A major advantage of indoor forms of transit advertising is that the duration
of exposure is long. An airline passenger looks at her/his ticket many times and is likely to read
the ad message more than once.
Exposure Frequency: Millions who commute to their place of work and back home everyday are
exposed to ads repeatedly.
Geographic Selectivity: Advertisers can choose geographical areas to reach a select segment of
population. This is particularly useful to local advertisers who can buy locations in certain
neighborhoods.
Low Cost: Transit advertising is among the least expensive media and can be purchased for a
very reasonable CPM.
Waste Coverage: A significant number of exposed audiences to transit advertising do not fall
under the category of potential customers. In the absence of specific geographic segments for
products, this form of advertising leads to considerable wasted coverage.
Creative Limitations: The message on the outside of vehicles is fleeting and only short copy
points are appropriate. This does not allow for any colourful and attractive ads and limits any
creativity.
ADVERTISING HEADLINE
An advertising headline is a short, attention-grabbing phrase or sentence that serves as the
main message of an advertisement. They are designed to capture the audience’s interest and
encourage them to read or engage further with the advertisement.
For example – “ Get a Brighter Smile in Just One Week “
“Unleash Your Potential with Our Fitness Program!”
TYPES OF ADVERTISING HEADLINE
Direct headlines - Direct headlines are a type of headline commonly used in advertising,
marketing, and journalism. They are designed to grab the reader's or viewer's attention quickly
and convey the main message or key information in a straightforward and concise manner.
Direct headlines typically avoid using clever wordplay, ambiguity, or subtlety and instead focus
on delivering the message directly and clearly. Example - "Get 50% Off All Electronics Today!"
"Breaking News: Major Storm Expected Tomorrow"
Indirect headlines - Indirect headlines are a type of headline commonly used in various forms of
writing, including journalism, marketing, and creative storytelling. Unlike direct headlines, which
present the main message or key information upfront, indirect headlines often employ wordplay,
curiosity, ambiguity, or storytelling techniques to pique the reader's interest and encourage them
to read further into the content. Example - "The Secret Ingredient for a Happier Life"
"What They Don't Want You to Know About Saving Money"
Question headlines - Question headlines are a type of headline that poses a question to the
reader as a way to grab their attention and encourage them to engage with the content. These
headlines are commonly used in journalism, marketing, and various forms of written
communication.
Example - "Are You Making These Common Investment Mistakes?"
"What's the Secret to a Healthy and Happy Relationship?"
Curiosity headlines - Curiosity headlines, also known as curiosity-driven headlines or curiosity
gap headlines, are a type of headline that piques the reader's interest by presenting a partial or
intriguing statement without revealing the full information. These headlines are designed to
create a sense of curiosity and compel the reader to click on the article or content to learn more.
Curiosity headlines are commonly used in online content, such as blog posts, news articles, and
clickbait-style headlines.
Example "The One Thing You Should Never Eat for Breakfast – Find Out Why"
"Secrets of the World's Richest People – Are You Using These Strategies?"
How-to headlines - How-to headlines are a type of headline commonly used in content
marketing, instructional writing, and educational materials. They explicitly indicate that the
content that follows will provide step-by-step instructions, guidance, or information on how to
accomplish a specific task or achieve a particular goal. How-to headlines are clear and direct,
outlining the content's purpose and offering value to the reader.
Example - "Master the Art of Public Speaking: A Step-by-Step Guide"
"Discover How to Cook Restaurant-Quality Meals at Home"
Command headlines -Command headlines, also known as imperative headlines, are a type of
headline that directly instructs or commands the reader to take a specific action. These
headlines are straightforward and often use strong, action-oriented language to compel the
reader to act immediately. Command headlines are commonly used in advertising and
marketing to encourage consumers to make a purchase, sign up for a service, or take some
other desired action. Example - "Call Now for Your Free
Consultation"
"Act Fast: Limited Stock Available"
Comparison headlines - Comparison headlines, as the name suggests, are a type of headline
that highlights a direct comparison between two or more things, ideas, products, or concepts.
These headlines are commonly used in various forms of communication, including marketing,
advertising, journalism, and content creation, to help readers quickly understand the differences
or similarities between the subjects being compared. Example - "iPhone vs. Android:
Which Smartphone Is Right for You?"
"Gas vs. Electric Cars: Which Is More Eco-Friendly?"
Testimonial headlines - Testimonial headlines are a type of headline that feature endorsements
or positive statements from satisfied customers, clients, users, or experts. These headlines are
commonly used in marketing and advertising to build credibility, trust, and social proof for a
product, service, or brand. Testimonial headlines typically highlight the experiences, opinions, or
recommendations of individuals who have had a positive interaction with the product or service
in question. Example - "Why Celebrities Love Our Skincare Line:
Testimonials from Hollywood Stars"
"Customer Testimonial: 'The Best Customer Service I've Ever Experienced"
Emotional headlines - Emotional headlines are a type of headline designed to evoke strong
feelings, emotions, or sentiments in the reader. These headlines are commonly used in various
forms of communication, including journalism, advertising, content marketing, and social media.
The goal of emotional headlines is to connect with the reader on an emotional level, making the
content more engaging and memorable. Example - "The Joy of Giving: How
One Act of Kindness Can Change Lives"
"Why We Can't Ignore the Climate Crisis Any Longer"
Storytelling headlines - Storytelling headlines are a type of headline that uses elements of
storytelling to capture the reader's attention and create a narrative or emotional connection.
These headlines are designed to make the content more engaging and relatable by presenting it
in a storytelling format. Storytelling headlines are commonly used in journalism, content
marketing, and various forms of written communication.
Example - "The Love Story That Defied All Odds: A Tale of True Romance"
"The Mystery of the Abandoned Mansion: An Urban Explorer's Adventure"
DISPLAY COPY
Persuasive copy - Persuasive copy, also known as persuasive writing or persuasive content, is
a type of written communication that aims to influence the reader's thoughts, beliefs, opinions,
or actions. It is commonly used in marketing, advertising, sales, and other forms of persuasive
communication to convince the audience to adopt a specific viewpoint, take a particular action,
or make a decision, such as purchasing a product or service.
Creative Copy - Creative copy, often referred to as creative writing or creative content, is a
style of written communication that prioritizes imaginative and artistic expression. Unlike other
forms of writing that focus on conveying information or persuading the reader, creative copy
places a strong emphasis on literary techniques, storytelling, and evoking emotions and
experiences. Creative copy is commonly found in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, advertising,
marketing, and other artistic or expressive forms of writing.
Comparison copy - Comparison copy is a style of written content that focuses on comparing
two or more items, concepts, products, services, or ideas. It is commonly used in various forms
of communication, including marketing advertising, product reviews, and decision-making
guides, to help readers or audiences understand the similarities and differences between the
subjects being compared.
Storytelling copy - Storytelling copy, also known as narrative copy or narrative marketing, is a
style of written content that incorporates storytelling techniques to engage the audience, create
emotional connections, and convey information or messages. Instead of presenting facts or
features in a straightforward manner, storytelling copy uses elements of storytelling to frame the
content in a narrative structure, often with characters, settings, conflicts, and resolutions.
BODY COPY
A body copy is a part of copywriting element. Advertising body copy is the longer portion of text
in an advertisement that follows the headline and supports the main message. It provides more
detailed information about the product, service, or offer being promoted. Body copy elaborates
on the benefits, features, and value of what's being advertised.
TYPES OF BODY COPY
Descriptive copy - Descriptive copy refers to the portion of written content that provides detailed
descriptions, explanations, or information about a product, service, place, event, or concept.
This type of content is often used in marketing, advertising, product descriptions, travel guides,
and other forms of communication to paint a clear and vivid picture for the reader or audience.
Narrative copy - Narrative copy refers to the portion of written content that tells a story or
conveys information using a narrative structure. Narrative copy often includes elements such as
characters, settings, plot developments, and storytelling techniques to engage the reader and
make the content more compelling and relatable.
Problem-solution copy - Problem-solution copy, is a style of written content that focuses on
identifying a specific problem or challenge and then providing a solution or solution options to
address it. This type of content is commonly used in various forms of communication, including
marketing, advertising, educational materials, and informative articles, to help readers
understand, confront, and resolve issues they may be facing.
Testimonial copy - Testimonial copy refers to written content that includes endorsements,
reviews, or statements from individuals or customers who have had positive experiences with a
product, service, or brand. Testimonials are used as a form of social proof to build trust and
credibility with potential customers or readers. This type of content is commonly found in
marketing materials, product descriptions, sales pages, and promotional content.
Explanatory copy - Explanatory copy, in the context of body copy, refers to written content that
provides detailed explanations, clarifications, or additional information about a specific topic,
concept, product, service, or process. This type of content is often used to help readers gain a
deeper understanding of complex subjects, procedures, or offerings. Explanatory copy aims to
educate and inform the audience, making it easier for them to grasp the subject matter.
Inspiration copy - Inspiration copy, in the context of body copy, refers to written content that is
designed to motivate, uplift, or inspire the reader. This type of content often includes positive
messages, stories of personal growth or achievement, and encouraging words meant to inspire
the reader to take action, overcome challenges, or pursue their goals. Inspiration copy is
commonly used in self-help literature, motivational speeches, personal development articles,
and content designed to boost morale and motivation.
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
Unity: Unity is considered as the most important design principle. All creative advertising has a
unified design. The complete layout (copy, visual, headline, logo etc.) should appear as a single
unified composition. If the ad does not have unity, it falls apart and becomes a visual confusion.
Unity contributes orderliness to elements.
Balance: Balance, a key principle of design, involves the harmonious distribution of visual
elements within a composition to create a sense of equilibrium. There are three main types of
balance: symmetrical balance, achieved by mirroring elements on either side of a central axis;
asymmetrical balance, which distributes visual weight unevenly while maintaining equilibrium
through careful consideration of various design elements; and radial balance, where elements
radiate outward from a central point. Balance enhances visual harmony, promotes organization,
and makes designs aesthetically pleasing and comprehensible. It plays a vital role in guiding the
viewer's attention, emphasizing key elements, and achieving the desired impact in various
artistic and design contexts.
Contrast: Contrast is a design principle that involves emphasizing differences between visual
elements, such as colour, shape, size, or texture, to create visual interest, highlight important
elements, and make a composition more engaging and dynamic.
Sequence or eye movement: Sequence or eye movement is a principle of design that guides
the viewer's visual journey through a composition. It involves arranging elements and visual
cues in a way that directs the viewer's gaze in a deliberate and structured manner, encouraging
them to follow a specific path and absorb information in a logical order. Effective eye movement
ensures that the viewer comprehends the content as intended, leading to a more engaging and
coherent visual experience, particularly crucial in storytelling, user interfaces, and informational
graphics.
Emphasis or proportion: Emphasis refers to division of space among layout elements. That is,
accentuating or focusing on an element or group of elements so that they stand out among
element of layout for pleasing optical effect. The designer decides whether to put more stress on
illustration, headline, the logo or the copy. If all the elements get equal emphasis, the ad ends
up with no emphasis at all.
Role
The role of broadcast advertising is to persuade consumers about the benefits of the product. It
is considered as a very effective medium of advertising. The cost of advertising on this channel
depends on the time of the commercial and the specific time at which it is aired. For example,
the cost of an ad in the premium slot will be greater than in any other slot.
RADIO
Promotion through radio has been a viable advertising option for over 80 years. Radio
advertising is mostly local to the broadcast range of a radio station, however, at least three
options exist that offer national and potentially international coverage. First, in many countries
there are radio networks that use many geographically distinct stations to broadcast
simultaneously. In the United States such networks as Disney (children’s programming) and
ESPN (sports programming) broadcast nationally either through a group of company-owned
stations or through a syndication arrangement (i.e., business agreement) with partner stations.
Second, within the last few years the emergence of radio programming delivered via satellite
has become an option for national advertising. Finally, the potential for national and international
advertising may become more attractive as radio stations allow their signals to be broadcast
over the Internet.
Advantage
RADIO IS INFLUENTIAL
Radio is the medium to build top-of-mind awareness - for example, careful time placement of
ads can have a real impact on your call to action. In addition, a "live read" that offers a personal
endorsement by a radio personality will add credibility to your product or service. Studies show
that radio content influences people because they feel they are hearing it from a "friend" and
referrals are always the best type of sales opportunity.
RADIO REACHES YOUR TARGET CUSTOMERS WITH FREQUENCY
Advertising works by repetition. Your target customer may well need to hear your commercial
three or four times before they respond to your call to action. To reach this level of frequency,
radio advertising is usually more cost-effective than other media. People choose to listen to the
radio - they want to listen and be engaged and they listen on average to almost 15 hours of
commercial radio each week.
RADIO IS FLEXIBLE AND IMMEDIATE
Radio commercials can be created quickly without the production and delays of other media.
Copy can be produced and revised at short notice. A radio advertising campaign can be up and
running within a week.
Disadvantage
DISTRACTED LISTENERS
Most individuals are not just listening to the radio. They might be driving or preparing a meal at
the same time. So you may be reaching your target market, but they may be tuning out your
message.
REQUIRES REPETITION
Listeners need to hear a message multiple times for it to be retained. That means that you may
need to run your message over a longer period or more frequently in order to see results.
AUDIO FORMAT ONLY
Radio presents the disadvantage of limiting advertisers to audio-only advertising. For some
products advertising without visual support is not effective.
Examples of radio advertisements
Airtel's brand tune Composed by AR Rahman. This Jingle still lives in our mind rent free even
today.
TELEVISION ADVERTISEMENT
Television advertising offers the benefit of reaching large numbers in a single exposure. Yet
because it is a mass medium capable of being seen by nearly anyone, television lacks the
ability to deliver an advertisement to highly targeted customers compared to other media
outlets.
Television networks are attempting to improve their targeting efforts. In particular, networks
operating in the pay-to-access arena, such as those with channels on cable and satellite
television, are introducing more narrowly themed programming (i.e., TV shows geared to
specific interest groups) designed to appeal to selective audiences. However, television remains
an option that is best for products that targeted to a broad market.
The geographic scope of television advertising ranges from advertising within a localized
geographic area using fee-based services, such as cable and fiber optic services, to national
coverage using broadcast programming.
Television advertising, once viewed as the pillar of advertising media outlets, is facing numerous
challenges from alternative media (e.g., Internet) and the invasion of technology devices, such
as digital video recorders, that have empowered customers to be more selective on the
advertisements they view. Additionally, television lacks effective response tracking which has led
many marketers to investigate other media that offer stronger tracking options.
Advantage
Disadvantages
EXPENSIVE
TV advertising can be expensive, especially during prime time slots or popular events. This can
make it difficult for small businesses with limited budgets to compete with larger brands.
MONITORING RESULTS
B2B advertising aims to develop leads, increase website traffic, or encourage consumers to take
action, but traditional TV doesn't offer a direct way for businesses to measure and track these
responses accurately.
SKIPPING ADS
TV viewers are usually channel surfing during commercial breaks, switching to other channels,
or engaging in other activities. This behavior can cause advertisements to reduce their
effectiveness.
CONTENT-BASED AD BUYING
Content-centric advertising revolves around trying to display advertisements based on the
content that is being displayed on a television.
For example, a content-centric advertising approach might involve ad placements for fitness
equipment on a sports program dedicated to 20 to 55-year-old males.
MAINTAINING ENGAGEMENT
In an increasingly digital world, viewers have more options for consuming media, and people
are no longer solely reliant on traditional TV for entertainment.
Instead, leveraging data for audience targeting reaches the exact audience at the ideal time and
on the right device.
Examples
Fevicol as a brand we know has never ceased to amuse us with their witty ads there are a few
of such ads.
UNIT-5:-
Effective Advertising reaches potential customers and informs them of your products or
services.
Ideally, advertising should capture the prospective customer’s attention and entice them to use
your product.
Compare site traffic before and after your advertising campaign to determine if more people are
visiting your site. You can use different analytic tools to get daily, weekly and monthly reports on
site traffic.
Assess the types of pages they visit: For example, how many product pages they view as
opposed to blog posts.
How much time they spend on each page: Are they spending seconds or minutes looking at
your website?
How did they find the page: Did they come across your page on social media or via a search
engine?
When you focus on lead quality, you can increase your chances of converting a lead into a sale.
e. Survey Testing:
Gathering survey data provides crucial insights into advertising campaign effectiveness. When
you survey your audience about your advertising campaign, you can ask precise questions that
help you:
An ad that simply has your company logo on it will be more effective than one with three images
and two paragraphs of text. You should only use photos when appropriate, usually to convey
what you’re selling, especially if a particular product is unique. When you do use images, be
sure to use a high-resolution image, so your ad doesn’t turn out blurry or pixelated.
A CTA should be a standout focal point of the ad, prompting viewers to click on it. To make your
ad even more enticing, one trick you can try is instilling a sense of urgency. For example,
phrases like, “For a limited time,” “While supplies last,” and “Ends Tuesday,” could all make a
viewer take action, rather than seeing your ad and thinking they’ll check it out later.
In the easiest terms, your clients or prospects should be able to see your advertisement and,
based off the colors, typeface, logo, and CTA, know it is your company. Keeping your
advertisement on brand is important when introducing multiple ads on different platforms.
2.It acts as a Safety measure: Measuring advertising effectiveness helps in finding out
ineffective advertisement and advertising campaigns. It facilitates timely adjustments in
advertising to make advertising consumer oriented and result oriented. Thus waste of money in
faulty advertising can be avoided.
3.Avoids possible failure: Advertisers are not sure of results of advertising from a particular
advertising campaign. Evaluating advertising effectiveness helps in estimating the results in
order to avoid complete loss.
Advertising Pre-testing or Ad Pre-testing is a market research method that allows brands to get
consumer feedback and test advertisements before launching a new campaign to ensure its
effectiveness.
Benefits of Pre-Testing :
(i) To check clerical, grammatical, printing or technical errors.
(ii) To make communication more effective from readers points of view.
(iii) Minimise waste in advertising.
(iv) To make it more meaningful and effective.
(v) It is simple, less time consuming, and less costly.
The pre-testing methods of checking advertising effectiveness are as follows :
Other Methods :
There are several other pre-testing methods :
(a) Projective Technique : The purpose of this test is to avoid the drawback of direct questioning
and allow the respondent to reveal his feelings about an advertising situation various types of
projective techniques are :
(i) Depth Interview : The respondent is given the advertising material and is asked to express
his opinion freely. The interviewer studies the respondent about his feelings and motivation.
(ii) Word Association : The researcher presents a word and the respondent is asked to reply
with first word or throught that comes to his mind. For example:- What is the first things you
think I say toothpaste? Or automobile?
(iii) Sentence Completion : The researcher shows an incomplete picture or puts an incomplete
sentence and the respondent is
asked to complete the picture or sentence.
i. Recognition Tests:
● Under this method the respondents are asked to point out the contents of those
advertisements which they might have seen.
● The objective of this test is to know the degree of effective impact of advertisement.
● In recognition the respondents are asked to pick an item that he/she has previously been
seeing from a number of other items that have not been previously seen.
● And if the respondent is able to connect the product with the company then it passes the
recognition test.
iv.Split-Run Tests:
It is a modification of the inquiry test.
● Two different versions of the same advertisement are printed in the same press run of an
issue of a particular publication, so that some of the copies contain one version of the ad and
the others contain the other version.
● The publication is distributed normally, but the distribution of the advertisements is split
according to the request of the advertiser. Some advertisers split their run in alternate bundles;
others prefer to split by geographic location or by subscription versus newsstand sales.
● The purpose of the split run is to compare the effectiveness of the two alternate ad copies.
Advertisers will take advantage of this option when they desire to learn which of two elements
used in the advertising will achieve the desired objectives.
● Elements that are often tested are prices, copy appeal, layout, type of illustration, coupon
offered or no coupon offered, or premium or rebate offered or not. The results of split-run testing
are revealed by the number of responses to each advertisement. The split-run option is offered
as a convenience to advertisers.
● E.g.,One advertisement presents the cold drink in a transparent bottle and the other
advertisement presents the cold drink in a non-transparent bottle. The advertisement is keyed.
Now, in two different markets i.e., cold drinks marketed in transparent bottles are more, it is
taken for granted that this advertisement has been more successful compared to the second
one.
v. Psychological Tests:
These tests can be conducted only by trained interviewers.
● A variety of psychological tests are used which include storytelling, word association,
sentence completion, depth interviewing etc.
● This test attempts to find out what the respondent has been in different advertisements and
what they mean to him.
● They are asked to express their emotion with respect to the product whether it has a negative
approach or positive.
vi. Focus Interviews: In this method some selected consumers are called and are asked to
deliberate discussion on the advertisements presented to them.
The attention of the members of the panel is focused on certain aspects of the
advertisement.
The opinion expressed by the participants becomes the basis to study the effectiveness
of advertising.
Vii. Readership Tests:
This method attempts to study the impact of advertising in increasing the product awareness by
the consumers.
Readership test facilitates the relative importance and effectiveness of advertisements
published in national press. The readers are asked to tell where they have read the
advertisement and how it has increased their awareness about the product.
The various methods used to study the effectiveness of an advertisement provide information
about the impact of an advertisement on the product awareness and bringing about a change in
the attitude of the consumers.
2. In-depth Interviews:
In-depth interviews are the most commonly used qualitative research method. These are semi -
structured one to one interviews, which means the questions to be asked and issues to be
addressed are fluid and take shape as the interview unfolds.
These interviews last 60-90 minutes and are physically conducted.
Advantages:-
1) Yields rich data and new insights.
2) Allows-to-face interaction.
3) Can capture both affective and cognitive aspects.
Disadvantages:-
1) Costly and time consuming.
2) Requires highly trained interviewers.
3) These findings too cannot be generalized for the entire population.
3. Observation:
Observation is a research method where researchers gather data by observing people's
behaviour or events in their natural setting.
There are two main types of observation:-
i) Covert → Here, no one knows that they are being observed and the observer is concealed.
ii) Overt → Here, everyone knows they are being observed.
When is it useful?
1) when trying to understand an ongoing process or situation.
2) when gathering data on individual behaviours or interactions between people.
Advantages:-
1) Allows researchers to collect first hand data from where the activity is happening.
2) Researchers can get answers from groups unwilling to answer questions.
Limitations:-
1) Insights are susceptible to researcher’s bias.
2) Observation can be expensive and time-consuming.
QUANTITATIVE METHODS
1. Customer Survey
A market research survey is a cost effective way to collect quantitative data. Information can be
obtained from large groups of people quickly and the survey itself is easy to set up.
When creating a market research survey, questions should be close ended, giving participants a
yes / no or one that requires a numerical reset. The survey questions must be carefully
considered for the results to provide meaningful data. Traditional surveys were conducted on
paper. In recent times, these have evolved to telephone surveys, mail surveys and personal
interviews.
Advantages:-
1. Inexpensive way to gather customer feedback.
2. Reduced cost and time constraints.
3. Easy to track changes in consumer sentiments over time.
Disadvantages:-
1. Sampling errors can lead to excluison of variable inputs
2. Repeated surveying can become tiresome for the customers and result in increased
probability of survey fatigue.
2. Polls
While similar, polls are a shorter survey version. It is often used to give researchers a
point-in-time perspective of a large group of people. Data can be collected in person, over the
phone, or online.
One the whole,quantitative methods and experiments are conducted by researchers to measure
the actual cause and effect relationships primarily for new product introductions.
For example, to test the effectiveness of an ad campaign, the advertisers may run it in one
geographical area but not in another & may compare the sales results in these 2 regions.
Definition :
A sales promotion is a marketing strategy in which a business uses a temporary campaign or
offer to increase interest or demand in its product or service. Primarily, sales promotions are
used to motivate buying behaviour or trigger an uptick in purchases in the short term, in order to
reach a benchmark or goal. Although the immediate purpose of a sales promotion is an uptick in
sales, there are plenty of other benefits to building out a strategic sales promotion technique
with your marketing team. For example, some companies run their Black Friday sales within a
strict 24 hours’ time frame, while some spread it over an entire week. Some have in-person
offers, or online offers, or are exclusive to one type of purchase.
# Importance of sales promotion –
Seller point of view –
Boosting Sales Volume: Sales promotions can lead to a substantial increase in sales volume.
For instance, if discount of 20% or more can lead to a 50% increase in sales compared to
non-promotional periods. Imagine a smartphone retailer offering a limited-time "Back to School"
discount on the latest models – this can significantly drive-up sales during the promotion period.
Clearing Inventory: Businesses often face the challenge of excess inventory, which can tie up
resources and impact profitability. Promotions like "End-of-Season Clearance: Up to 70% Off"
can help address this issue effectively. Well-designed clearance sales can not only clear out old
stock but also create a sense of urgency among customers, leading to quicker purchases.
Attracting New Customers: Acquiring new customers is vital for business growth. Promotional
pricing is a significant driver for new customer acquisition, with 27% of consumers stating that
discounts and promotions influence their decision to try new products or services. For instance,
a "First-Time Shopper Special: 15% Off" can entice new customers to give your online beauty
store a try.
Creating Urgency: Time-limited promotions create a sense of urgency that compels consumers
to act quickly. Research by FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) found that 60% of millennials make
reactive purchases due to FOMO. An example could be an online bookstore offering a "24-Hour
Flash Sale: 30% Off Bestsellers" – this limited-time offer triggers the fear of missing out and
encourages immediate purchases.
Testing New Products: Introducing new products can be risky, but promotions can mitigate that
risk. Promotions on new products can increase sales by 27% compared to non-promotional
periods. For instance, a restaurant launching a new dessert could offer a "Try Our New Delight:
20% Off This Week Only" to entice customers to explore the offering.
Enhancing Brand Awareness: Creative promotions can significantly boost brand visibility.
According to a study, promotions that include social sharing options can amplify their reach. For
example, a clothing brand hosting a "Fashion Forward Friday" contest, where customers can
share their outfit photos with a specific hashtag for a chance to win a shopping spree.
Buyer point of view –
Cost Savings: Consumers consider price the most important factor when making purchasing
decisions. Sales promotions offer buyers a chance to save money, influencing their choice of
products and brands. For instance, an electronics retailer offering a "Summer Tech Sale: 20%
Off Laptops" attracts buyers seeking a good deal on a laptop upgrade.
Increased Purchasing Power: Psychological strategies says that leverage promotions to
increase buyers' perceived purchasing power. A grocery store offering a "Buy 2, Get 1 Free"
deal on breakfast cereals may lead buyers to purchase more than initially intended, as they
perceive getting extra value for their money.
Rewards for Loyalty: A study found that 77% of buyers participate in loyalty programs.
Promotions tailored for loyal customers reinforce their commitment. An example is a coffee shop
offering a "Loyalty Anniversary Special: Buy 1 Coffee, Get 1 Free" as a thank-you to long-time
patrons
Feeling Special: Exclusive promotions create a sense of privilege; buyers feel special when they
receive personalized offers. An online fashion retailer sending a "VIP Access: 20% Off Your
Wishlist Items" to select customers nurtures a sense of exclusivity and appreciation.
Timing Influence: A study shows that urgency is a key driver of buying behaviour. Limited-time
promotions exploit this psychological trigger. For example, a fashion retailer launching a
"24-Hour Flash Sale: 40% Off Summer Collection" encourages buyers to act swiftly to secure
discounted summer outfits before the promotion ends.
Seasonal Excitement: Promotions tied to holidays or seasons create a sense of anticipation,
align with buyer expectations. A clothing store's "Summer Wardrobe Refresh: Up to 40% Off
Swimwear and Sandals" captures the spirit of the season and engages buyers.
sales promotions are a powerful tool that holds immense significance for both sellers and
buyers. For sellers, promotions drive sales, enhance brand visibility, and cultivate customer
loyalty. Buyers benefit from cost savings, value perception, and the thrill of finding deals.
Promotions also simplify decision-making, create urgency, and build a sense of connection.
Evaluation: -
Company: Starbucks
Before Sales Promotion: Before implementing the sales promotion strategy, Starbucks
experienced periods of stagnation in some regions. While the brand was recognized for its
premium coffee offerings, competition from local cafes and other chains led to decreased foot
traffic in certain locations. Standard marketing efforts like advertising and word-of-mouth were
not enough to sustain growth.
Sales Promotion Strategy: Starbucks utilized a range of sales promotion tools and techniques to
revitalize its growth and engage customers more effectively.
1. Happy Hour Promotions: Starbucks introduced Happy Hour promotions during specific time
frames, typically in the afternoon. During these hours, customers received a significant discount
on selected beverages, encouraging them to visit Starbucks during slower periods.
2. Loyalty Program - Starbucks Rewards: Starbucks revamped its loyalty program, Starbucks
Rewards, allowing customers to earn stars for every purchase. Accumulated stars could be
redeemed for free drinks, food items, and other perks, incentivizing repeat visits and larger
orders.
3. Limited-Time Seasonal Drinks: Starbucks introduced seasonal drinks during holidays or
special occasions, often with unique flavours and designs. These limited-time offerings created
a sense of urgency and excitement among customers, driving them to visit Starbucks to try the
new beverages.
4. Gift Card Promotions: Starbucks launched promotions where customers received bonus gift
card value when they loaded a certain amount onto their Starbucks gift cards. This not only
encouraged gift card purchases but also brought customers back for multiple visits to use their
loaded cards.
5. Buy One Get One (BOGO) Offers: Starbucks occasionally ran BOGO promotions, where
customers who purchased a specific drink received a second one for free. This strategy
promoted sharing and attracted pairs of customers to visit together.
6. Mobile App Exclusive Offers: Starbucks leveraged its mobile app to offer exclusive discounts
and rewards to app users. This encouraged customers to download the app, thereby increasing
engagement and providing a convenient way to access promotions.
7. Free Wi-Fi and In-Store Comfort: Starbucks promoted its stores as comfortable workspaces
with free Wi-Fi, encouraging customers to spend more time in the cafes. This extended stay
often led to additional purchases, benefiting the company's bottom line.
After Sales Promotion: Starbucks' sales promotion strategy resulted in significant changes
across multiple aspects of its business.
1. Increased Foot Traffic: The Happy Hour promotions and limited-time offers brought in higher
foot traffic during traditionally slower periods, boosting overall sales.
2. Enhanced Customer Engagement: The Starbucks Rewards program deepened customer
engagement. Customers were incentivized to make more frequent purchases to earn stars and
unlock rewards.
3. Seasonal Excitement: The introduction of limited-time seasonal drinks generated excitement
and anticipation among customers, driving them to visit Starbucks specifically for these new
offerings.
4. Boosted Loyalty: The loyalty program and gift card promotions enhanced customer loyalty,
encouraging repeat business and larger purchases.
5. App Adoption: The app-exclusive offers led to increased adoption of the Starbucks mobile
app, which further strengthened the company's direct communication with its customers.
6. Brand Perception: The comfortable in-store environment and free Wi-Fi reinforced Starbucks'
brand image as a welcoming place for customers to relax or work, contributing to a positive
overall perception.
Here are some of the numerical statistics of Starbucks company before and after using the tools
and techniques of sales promotion:
Revenue: In 2011, Starbucks' revenue was $14.9 billion. In 2022, it was $26.58 billion. This
represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7%.
Net income: In 2011, Starbucks' net income was $2.7 billion. In 2022, it was $5.3 billion. This
represents a CAGR of 8.2%.
Number of stores: In 2011, Starbucks had 16,635 stores. In 2022, it had 35,022 stores. This
represents a CAGR of 7.8%.
Customer loyalty program: In 2011, Starbucks launched its customer loyalty program, Starbucks
Rewards. As of 2022, there are over 20 million active Starbucks Rewards members.
Social media following: In 2011, Starbucks had over 10 million followers on Facebook and
Twitter. In 2022, it has over 100 million followers on these platforms.
These statistics show that Starbucks' sales promotion efforts have been very successful in
driving revenue growth, net income growth, store growth, and customer loyalty. The company's
social media following has also grown significantly, which helps to drive brand awareness and
engagement.
Conclusion: Starbucks' strategic implementation of sales promotion tools and techniques played
a crucial role in transforming various aspects of its business. By introducing Happy Hour
promotions, enhancing the loyalty program, offering limited-time seasonal drinks, and utilizing
mobile app exclusives, Starbucks effectively increased foot traffic, customer engagement,
loyalty, and brand perception. This real-life example underscores the importance of well-planned
sales promotion strategies in driving positive changes in a company's performance and
customer relationships.
Company: Coca-Cola
Background: Coca-Cola is a globally recognized beverage brand known for its soft drinks and
beverages. Despite its strong brand identity, Coca-Cola faced challenges in maintaining
consumer interest and countering competition from other beverage options. To address these
challenges, Coca-Cola implemented a comprehensive sales promotion strategy.
Before Sales Promotion: Before implementing the sales promotion strategy, Coca-Cola was a
well-established brand with a wide range of products. However, shifts in consumer preferences
towards healthier alternatives and increasing competition required Coca-Cola to adapt its
marketing strategies to maintain market share and appeal to a broader audience.
Sales Promotion Strategy: Coca-Cola employed a variety of sales promotion tools and
techniques to increase sales, enhance consumer engagement, and reinforce brand loyalty.
1. Contests and Giveaways: Coca-Cola launched contests and giveaways where consumers
could participate and stand a chance to win prizes, such as merchandise, trips, or even cash
rewards. These contests encouraged engagement and repeat purchases.
2. Limited-Edition Packaging: Coca-Cola introduced limited-edition packaging designs and
themes, often tied to events, holidays, or pop culture trends. These unique designs created a
sense of novelty and encouraged collectors to purchase multiple bottles.
3. Loyalty Programs: Coca-Cola implemented loyalty programs, such as "Coca-Cola Rewards,"
where consumers could collect codes from product packaging and redeem them for rewards like
discounts, products, or experiences.
4. Personalized Bottles: Coca-Cola launched campaigns where consumers could personalize
their own Coke bottles with names, messages, or images. This created a personalized and
shareable experience, encouraging consumers to purchase for themselves or as gifts.
5. Bundled Offers: Coca-Cola offered bundled promotions where consumers could purchase
multiple products at a discounted price, encouraging larger purchases and increasing overall
sales.
6. Incentive Promotions: Coca-Cola partnered with various restaurants and retailers to offer
promotions such as "Buy One Get One Free" or discounts on Coca-Cola products with the
purchase of certain items.
After Sales Promotion: Coca-Cola's sales promotion strategy led to notable changes across
various aspects of the company's performance.
1. Increased Sales: The combination of contests, limited-edition packaging, and bundled offers
resulted in increased sales volume and consumer engagement.
2. Brand Loyalty: The introduction of loyalty programs like Coca-Cola Rewards fostered brand
loyalty by rewarding consumers for repeat purchases.
3. Enhanced Engagement: Personalized bottles and giveaways created engagement
opportunities on social media platforms, where consumers shared their unique experiences with
Coca-Cola products.
4. Market Share: Coca-Cola's strategic promotions helped it maintain its position as a leading
beverage brand and attract new consumers.
5. Consumer Connection: Personalized packaging and contests facilitated a deeper emotional
connection between consumers and the brand, making Coca-Cola a part of personal
celebrations and experiences.
6. Data Utilization: The sales promotion campaigns generated valuable data on consumer
preferences, engagement patterns, and promotional redemptions, which could be leveraged for
future targeted marketing efforts.
7. Positive Brand Perception: Successful execution of sales promotions positioned Coca-Cola
as a brand that consistently offers unique experiences, rewards, and value to its consumers.
Here are some of the numerical statistics of Coca-Cola company before and after using the
tools and techniques of sales promotion:
Revenue: In 2012, Coca-Cola's revenue was $48.0 billion. In 2022, their revenue was $35.1
billion. This shows a decrease in revenue of 26.5%.
Net income: In 2012, Coca-Cola's net income was $10.7 billion. In 2022, their net income was
$8.9 billion. This shows a decrease in net income of 16.9%.
Market share: In 2012, Coca-Cola had a global market share of 42.8%. In 2022, their market
share was 41.5%. This shows a decrease in market share of 2.7%.
Brand value: In 2012, Coca-Cola's brand value was $69.2 billion. In 2022, their brand value was
$89.1 billion. This shows an increase in brand value of 29.7%.
These statistics show that Coca-Cola's revenue, net income, and market share have all
decreased since 2012. However, their brand value has increased. This suggests that
Coca-Cola's sales promotion efforts have been successful in maintaining brand awareness and
loyalty, even as their sales have declined.
Conclusion: Coca-Cola's strategic use of sales promotion tools and techniques effectively drove
positive changes in sales, brand loyalty, engagement, and market presence. By introducing
innovative programs like contests, limited-edition packaging, and loyalty rewards, Coca-Cola
demonstrated the transformative potential of a well-executed sales promotion strategy in the
beverage industry. This real-life example underscores the importance of adapting sales
promotion tactics to evolving consumer preferences and maintaining brand relevance.
Market Saturation and Competition: As markets become saturated with similar products and
services, companies face the challenge of distinguishing themselves. Intense competition
compels businesses to utilize sales promotion to stand out, attract attention, and entice
consumers to choose their offerings over those of competitors.
Economic Pressures: Economic fluctuations, recessions, and inflation can lead consumers to
tighten their spending. Sales promotions help alleviate this pressure by offering discounts and
deals that make products more affordable, encouraging spending even during challenging
economic times.
Consumer Price Sensitivity: Consumers today are highly sensitive to prices due to increased
access to price-comparison tools and information. Sales promotions, such as discounts,
cashback offers, and limited-time deals, capitalize on this sensitivity by directly appealing to the
value-conscious consumer.
Changing Consumer Behaviour: Shifts in consumer behaviour, including a preference for online
shopping, convenience, and instant gratification, have led companies to adapt their marketing
strategies. Online platforms provide an ideal space for deploying digital coupons, flash sales,
and other promotions.
Digital and Social Media: The rise of digital marketing and social media has transformed the
way promotions are delivered and received. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and email
marketing allow businesses to reach a broader audience instantly, facilitating the growth of sales
promotion.
E-commerce Growth: E-commerce has witnessed exponential growth, making it easier for
businesses to implement and manage various sales promotion techniques. Online retailers can
quickly adjust prices, offer exclusive deals, and personalize offers based on user browsing
history and shopping behaviour.
Technological Advancements: Technological advancements enable innovative sales promotion
methods such as mobile apps, location-based offers, and personalized promotions through data
analysis. Mobile devices have become a primary channel for accessing promotions and making
purchases on the go.
Consumer Experience Enhancement: Companies are using sales promotion not only to
increase sales but also to enhance the overall consumer experience. Loyalty programs, referral
rewards, and exclusive membership perks contribute to a sense of belonging and encourage
repeat purchases.
Inventory Management: Sales promotions are employed to manage inventory levels effectively.
Businesses can use promotions to clear out excess stock, introduce new inventory, or
encourage customers to buy larger quantities.
Product Lifecycle Management: Throughout a product's lifecycle, different promotions can be
used to maintain interest and boost sales. Initial promotions at launch, followed by mid-life
discounts, and end-of-life clearance sales help maximize the product's profitability over time.
Globalization and Cross-Border Trade: With the expansion of international trade, businesses
face the challenge of adapting to various consumer preferences and cultural nuances. Sales
promotions allow companies to tailor offers to specific markets, catering to local tastes and
preferences.
Data-Driven Insights: Advances in data analytics enable businesses to gain insights into
consumer behaviour, preferences, and purchasing patterns. This data allows for targeted
promotions that are more likely to resonate with specific customer segments.
Branding and Awareness: Sales promotions can help create brand awareness and establish a
positive brand image. Well-designed promotions can generate buzz and increase word-of-mouth
marketing, driving both short-term and long-term sales growth.
Cross-Promotions and Partnerships: Collaborative promotions with other businesses can extend
promotional reach and increase exposure. Joint promotions allow for cost-sharing and often
result in mutually beneficial outcomes.
Psychological Factors: Human psychology plays a significant role in the effectiveness of sales
promotions. The fear of missing out (FOMO), the desire for instant rewards, and the satisfaction
of getting a good deal all contribute to consumer motivation to make a purchase.
Measurable ROI: Sales promotions provide a measurable return on investment (ROI), making it
easier for companies to assess the effectiveness of their marketing efforts. Metrics such as
sales lift, coupon redemption rates, website traffic, and social media engagement can be
tracked to gauge success.
In essence, the growth of sales promotion is driven by a complex interplay of market dynamics,
consumer behaviour, technological advancements, and the need for businesses to stay
competitive and relevant in a rapidly changing landscape. By leveraging these factors
effectively, companies can harness the power of sales promotion to drive sales, engage
consumers, and build brand loyalty.
4.Cost of implementation:
Costs associated with staffing, advertising, and operational changes may be incurred during the
planning, execution, and marketing of a sales campaign. Promotion may not be worthwhile if
these costs outweigh the revenue earned.
6. Increase competition:
As companies compete to offer the greatest bargains, sales promotion may result in more rivalry
amongst them. Prices and earnings could decrease as a result for everyone.
1. Consumers Promotion:
• Price Deals: Price deals involve offering discounts on products to attract
consumers. This could be in the form of temporary price reductions, “buy one get one free”
offers, or other price-based incentives.
• Coupons: Coupons are vouchers that offer discounts or special deals on
products. Consumers can redeem these coupons at the point of purchase to receive a discount.
• Contest and Sweepstakes: These are promotional activities where consumers
can participate in contests or sweepstakes to win prizes. These activities create excitement and
engagement with the brand.
• Premiums: Premiums are free or discounted items offered as an incentive with a
purchase. For example, a free toy with a kids’ meal at a fast-food restaurant.
• Sampling: Sampling involves giving consumers a free or trial-sized product to
encourage them to try it. This helps in introducing new products or flavors to potential
customers.
2. Trade Promotions:
• Trade Discount: Trade discounts are reductions in the price of a product offered
to retailers or wholesalers. These discounts are usually based on the volume of products
purchased.
• Exchange: In exchange promotions, a company might offer retailers a discount or
incentive for returning unsold or outdated products. This helps in managing inventory and
fostering good relations with retailers.
• Buybacks: Buyback promotions involve the manufacturer repurchasing unsold
inventory from retailers, typically at a discounted rate. This can help retailers reduce risk and
ensure the product’s availability.
These tools and techniques are essential in marketing to boost sales, attract consumers, and
maintain good relationships with both consumers and trade partners. The choice of which
promotion to use depends on the product, target audience, and marketing goals.
Importance: Sales promotion is a marketing strategy aimed at stimulating demand for a product
or service over a short period of time. It typically involves offering incentives to consumers or
trade partners to encourage them to make a purchase or take a specific action. Sales
promotions play a crucial role in marketing and business for several reasons:
1. Boosting Sales
2. Customer Acquisition
3. Customer Retention
4. Competitive Advantage
5. Brand Awareness
Key Objectives: Promotion for the sales force plays a crucial role in achieving several key
objectives that are essential for the success of a business. These objectives include:
1. Increasing Product Awareness and Brand Visibility:
- One of the primary goals of promotion is to create awareness about the products or services
offered by the company.
- It involves showcasing the unique features, benefits, and value propositions of the products
to the target audience.
- Enhancing brand visibility helps in establishing a strong presence in the market and
differentiating the brand from competitors.
In summary, promotion for the sales force is a multifaceted strategy aimed at creating
awareness, generating interest, driving demand, nurturing customer relationships, and
motivating the sales team. These objectives collectively contribute to the growth and success of
the business.
2) Sales Contests: Sales contests are short-term competitions where salespeople compete to
achieve specific sales goals. Prizes can range from cash bonuses to vacations or other
rewards.
3) Profit Sharing: Some companies offer profit-sharing plans, where a portion of the company's
profits is distributed among the sales team based on their contributions to those profits.
4) Sales Commissions Tiers: Salespeople can earn higher commission rates as they exceed
specific sales thresholds or tiers. This encourages them to push for higher sales levels.
5) Non-Monetary Incentives: Besides cash rewards, non-monetary incentives like gift cards,
merchandise, or company stock options can also motivate sales teams.
6) Sales Bonuses: Companies may offer bonuses for achieving specific sales targets or quotas.
These bonuses can be one-time payments or structured as ongoing incentives.
can be categorized into two main groups: internal forces and external forces. These forces play
a crucial role in shaping a company's sales promotion strategies and outcomes.
Internal Forces:
Sales Team:
- Motivation: The sales team is responsible for executing sales promotion strategies. Their
motivation, training, and understanding of these strategies are essential for their success.
- Feedback: Sales teams often provide valuable feedback on the effectiveness of sales
promotions based on their direct interactions with customers.
Marketing Department:
- Strategy Development: The marketing department plays a pivotal role in planning and
designing sales promotion campaigns. They analyse market trends, consumer behaviour, and
competitor activities to create effective promotions.
- Budget Allocation: They are responsible for allocating budgets to different sales promotion
activities and ensuring that resources are used efficiently.
Customer Service:
- Feedback Loop: Customer service teams are in direct contact with customers and can
provide insights into customer preferences, complaints, and reactions to sales promotions.
- Problem Resolution: They play a vital role in resolving any issues that may arise from sales
promotions, ensuring customer satisfaction.
External Forces:
Competitors:
- Competitive Analysis: Competitor actions, such as pricing, promotions, and product launches,
influence a company's sales promotion strategies. Firms must constantly monitor and adapt to
stay competitive.
- Counteractions: Competitors may respond to a company's promotions with their own,
impacting the effectiveness of the original promotion.
Economic Conditions:
- Economic Cycles: Economic conditions, such as recessions or economic booms, can impact
consumer spending habits. During a downturn, consumers may be more responsive to
discounts and promotions.
- Inflation: Rising prices can influence the types of promotions that are most effective, as
consumers seek value for their money.
Consumer Behaviour:
- Psychological Factors: Consumer behaviour, including their perceptions, attitudes, and
motivations, significantly affects the success of sales promotions. Understanding these factors
helps in designing promotions that resonate with the target audience.
- Buying Habits: Consumer preferences and buying habits are continually evolving.
Companies must adapt their promotions to align with changing consumer preferences, such as
online shopping trends or a growing interest in sustainability.
- Social and Cultural Factors: Cultural events, societal trends, and social media can impact
consumer behaviours and influence the effectiveness of promotions. For example,
holiday-themed promotions during festive seasons can be more successful.
In summary, internal forces like the sales team, marketing department, and customer service
are essential for the development and execution of sales promotion strategies, while external
forces such as competitors, economic conditions, and consumer behaviours shape the overall
effectiveness and impact of these strategies. Successful sales promotions require a keen
understanding of both internal and external factors to maximize their outcomes.
3. Baseline Comparison:
- Establish a baseline by comparing performance metrics before and after the promotional
period.
- This will help you determine the impact of the sales promotion on your business.
6. Cost Analysis:
- Evaluate the cost-effectiveness of your sales promotion by comparing costs incurred with the
increase in sales and revenue generated.
- Calculate the return on investment (ROI) to assess the effectiveness of your promotional
spending.
7. Competitive Analysis:
- Consider the competitive landscape and compare your promotional results with those of your
competitors.
- Assess how your sales promotion performed in relation to industry benchmarks or standards.
8. Post-Promotion Evaluation:
- Evaluate the long-term impact of your sales promotion.
- Assess whether the promotion led to sustainable increases in sales or customer loyalty.
- Analyse the promotional strategies' impact beyond the immediate promotional period to
understand its overall effectiveness.
9. Customer Feedback:
- Seek feedback from customers who participated in the promotion.
- Conduct surveys or interviews to understand their perception of the promotion, its impact on
their purchasing decisions, and their overall satisfaction.
Sales promotions can increase sales in the short term. They can also:
Attract new customers
Boost long-term loyalty
Increase revenue
Increase cash flow
Improve brand awareness
Increase customer satisfaction
Attract Customers: Sales promotions are typically used as a price inducement to attract
price-conscious buyers not interested in products a regular prices. This is common when
companies want to build a customer base, such as at a grand opening, when a competitor goes
out of business, or in a highly competitive industry. In some cases, sales promotions on one
product, known as a "price leader" or "loss leader," are used to get customers into the store so
you can sell them other, more profitable items.
Increased Revenue: Increasing revenue is a common goal for sales promotions. Often, sales
promotions restrict your profit potential, but they allow you to generate more revenue in the
short run due to increased sales volume. This also means more cash flow, which is why
companies struggling to meet near-term financial obligations often turn to discounts. To realize
greater revenue, you need more customers to buy more product at the reduced price.
Price Orientation: One of the more risky or negative effects of sales promotions is that they can
lead to a price orientation amongst customers. This is especially true if you overuse them or
maintain discounts for an extended period. Customers psychologically connect the promotion
price with the value of the product, and a price hike down the road may not work.
Inventory Reduction: Effective sales promotions lead to inventory reductions because customers
buy more product. In fact, this is why companies hold them regularly at the end of a buying
season. For example, when Halloween is over, you often see retailers discount decor and candy
to make room on the shelves for other products. While this often results in a gross loss on the
excess inventory, you at least get some revenue rather than throwing out expired or obsolete
products.
More relevant -
It can make it relevant – for example, if your prospect has just been promoted, reaching out to
say congratulations and start a discussion on how they’ll affect change in their new role can help
add a new level of relevance.
More context -
It can give you context – it can be as simple as knowing that a busy period is approaching for an
ideal customer and reaching out with a message on how you can help alleviate their work load.
Build trust -
It can build trust – offering support or more information at the right time in the buying cycle can
be the difference between a “deal lost” and “closed won” – too soon and the information is
irrelevant, too late and they could have gone with a competitor
Consumption Frequency -
There is an inverse relationship here. Higher the frequency, lesser the timing will be.
Commodity Age -
There is an inverse relationship here. More the age, lesser the timing will be.
Type Of Audience -
Here also, there is an inverse relationship here. More the active audiences, lesser the timing will
be and vice versa.
A well-defined sales cycle creates transparency. By defining and measuring all of the steps to
the conversion of a customer, you can see where in the sales process your prospective leads
are stalling, and, figure out how to better pave the way for future sales. With an understanding
of the total length of time, it takes to complete a sale, you can create sales projections based on
the leads in your pipeline. This means you can predict future revenue, which is key to forming
business strategy.
Frequency marketing, also known as loyalty programs, involves encouraging customers to make
repeat purchases by enrolling them in a formal program that builds their loyalty and commitment
to the brand.
Advantages :-
Customer Retention – The loyalty programs ensure that there is high customer retention and
low customer churn.
Customer lifetime value – Because the customer is retained for a longer duration, there is a high
customer lifetime value because of frequency marketing.
Higher sales volume – You get higher sales volume because the same customers are buying
higher quantities of products from you in a recurring fashion.
Cost savings – Retaining a customer is much cheaper than acquiring new customers. Thus, a
lot of costs are saved when using frequency marketing.
Disadvantages :-
Customers will always expect freebies – Due to their very nature, customers will always expect
freebies from the company and ask for the same to be retained by the company.
Loss of customers if loyalty programs closed – There can be an immediate loss of existing
customers if companies turn down a loyalty program, thereby opening up the market for the
customer where another competitor can swoop in and acquire the loyalty of the customer.