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CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
Over the last few years, the number of entertainment and community events subsidized
by enthusiastic advertisers has increased. They apparently recognize this as a new media form
possessing the unique ability to breakthrough the clutter of thousands of commercial messages
that bombard customers daily. An event can enhance and link other elements of a promotional
mix – advertising, public relations, sales promotion and direct marketing – to create a singular;
high visibility experience for the consumer.
Traditional ways of marketing communication such as advertising and sales promotion
are losing their effectiveness day by day because of the exponentially increasing clutter in all
types of media. The result is reduced reach and impact. In the new millennium, events are
proving to be the best media for enhancing the effectiveness of advertising and sales promotions
since events take marketing phrase Customer is the King/Queen literally and endeavor to actually
treat the customers to experience hitherto reserved for the royalty.
Events can now be positioned not as a subsidiary effort to advertising but as an equally
important independent marketing communication tool. Events enhance the effectiveness of the
traditional modes of communication as they can be more focused on a particular target market.
They can also act as a logical and impactful end to an advertising campaign as and when there is
a need to shift to a new campaign involving a different promotional mix.
The coming age of the events industry can be seen from the fact that a rough
conservative estimate involved in events is Rs.500 crores in the year 2000-2001. The growth rate
forecast for the same being 50 to 100% per annum. A cursory glance through a daily newspaper
revealed astounding statistics. Total number of events on that particular day: 136, number of
sports events: 12, number of entertainment related events: 56, number of general events: 44, and
so on. Taking a conservatively low value of Rs.1, 00,000 per event, we get a daily turnover of
Rs.13.6 crores!!! Now it would be easier for the size of the events industry.
Rs.500 crores is the estimated chunk of the market that is available for professional event
organizers to exploit, given the fact that most events get done in- house by either corporations or
other institutions. In fact, some more ad hoc calculations would reveal that family events
especially marriages also involve enormous money. Assuming that 1000 weddings and other
family ceremonies at an average expenditure of Rs.2, 00,000 take place in India every day, we
would get a whopping figure of Rs.20 crores spent per day! College festivals form another major
area and such college festivals are invariably totally in control of the youngsters in the 17 to 21
years age group. The number crunching done here was just to explain the enormity of the
industry and the opportunities therein.
Generally speaking sponsored events fall into five major categories: sports,
entertainments, fairs & festivals the arts &cause-related. Clearly, event marketing has rapidly
become a significant element within the marketing mix. It’s strategic enable marketers to
communicate with consumers in a personal & relevant manner to fully “experience” their brands.
It also provides a framework for an integrated marketing plan that can support a number of
corporate, brand & trade objectives.
Branding is a major issue in product strategy. Creating a brand loyal market is the main
aim of any marketer. At the same time, developing a branded product requires a great deal of
long-term investment, especially for advertising & promotion.
9 WHAT IS A BRAND?
Perhaps the most distinctive skill of professional marketers is their ability to create,
maintain, protect & enhance brands. Branding is the art & cornerstone of marketing. The
American Marketing Association {AMA} defines a brand as; “a name, term, sign, symbol, or
design, or a combination of them, Intended to identify the goods or services of one seller or
group of sellers to differentiate them from those of competitors”. Thus a brand identifies the
seller or maker. Brands differ from other assets such as patents, copyrights that have expiration
dates.
According to Kevin Keller “what distinguishes a brand from its unbranded commodity
counterparts is the consumer’s perceptions & feelings about the product’s attributes & how they
perform. Ultimately, a brand resides in the minds of consumers.”
Marketers must decide at which level(s) to anchor the brand’s identity. Scott Davis suggests
visualizing a brand pyramid in constructing the events of a brand. At the lowest level are the
brand attributes, at the next level are the brand’s benefits, and at the top are the brand’s beliefs &
values.
Example:
Thus marketers of dove soap can talk about its attribute of one- quarter cleansing cream;
or its benefit of softer skin; or its value, being more attractive. The attribute is the least desirable
level. First, the buyer more interested in benefits. Second, competitors can easily copy attributes.
Third, the current attributes may become less desirable.
A brand can be better positioned by associating its name with a desirable benefit. Some
successful brand positioning examples are Volvo (safety), hallmark (caring), Harley-Davidson
(adventure), Nike (performance) & Lexus (quality).
If the brand evokes a strong set of beliefs & values, the company must be careful not to
stray from this. Thus Mercedes stands for high technology, performance & success. Mercedes
must project these qualities in its brand strategy.
There must be some link or fit with the property's offering and the sponsor's offering
They should share similar attributes, such as high quality, well built, expensive, high prestige
Complementary Values must exist between sponsor's product(s) and property. An example is,
prestige, quality and expensiveness would be present in an event associated with Mercedes or
BMW. You would not expect to find both supporting an event associated with Kmart.
Building brand identity requires additional decisions on brand‘s name, logo, colors,
tagline & symbol.
At the same time, a brand is much more than a name, logo, colors, and tagline of symbol.
These are marketing tools & tactics. A brand is essentially a marketer’s promise to deliver a
specific set of features, benefits & services consistently to the buyers. The marketer must
establish a mission for the brand & a vision of what the brand must be & do. The marketer
must think that he is offering a contract to customer regarding how the brand will perform. The
brand contract must honest.
9 BRAND EQUITY
Brands vary in the amount of power & value they have in the market place. At one
extreme there are brands that are not known by most buyers. Then there are brands for which
buyers have a fairly high degree of brand awareness. Beyond this are brands with a high degree
of brand acceptability. Then there are brands that enjoy or high degree of brand preference.
Finally, there are brands that command or high degree of brand loyalty.
ii.The company can charge on higher price than its competitors because the brand has higher
perceived quality.
iii. The company can more easily launch extensions because the brand name carries high
creditability.
iv.The brand offers the company, some defense against price competitive.
A brand needs to be carefully managed so that its equity does not depreciate. This
requires maintaining or improving brand awareness, perceived quality & functionality, &
positive associations. These tasks require continuous research & development investment,
skillful advertising & excellent trade & consumer service.
A common misconception is that brands are basically built by advertising. It is true that
TV stations & people watched the comedies, dramas, & ads with almost equal interest. Now,
viewers may be watching one of the dozens of TV stations & many are zapping or ignoring the
commercials. In fact many more are simply not watching TV. They are busy on their computers
or engaged in recreational activities.
Marketers are therefore turning to other tools for attracting attention to their brands.
Among the most important are:-
i.Public relations & press releases: Brands can gain a lot of attention from well-placed
newspapers & magazine stories, etc.
ii.Sponsorship: Brands are frequently promoted in sponsored events such as world famous bicycle
& car races.
iii.Clubs & consumer communities: Brands can form the center of a customer community, such as
Harley-Davidson motorcycle owners or Bradford plate collectors.
iv.Factory visits: Hershey’s & Cadbury’s, two candy companies, have built theme parks at their
factories & they invite visitors to spend a day.
v.Trade shows: trade show creates a great opportunity to built brand awareness, knowledge &
interest.
vi.Event marketing: Many automobile companies make an event out of introducing their new car
models.
vii. Public facilities: Perrier, the bottled water company, etched its identity in the public parks to
promote healthful lifestyles.
viii.Social cause marketing: Brands can achieve a following by donating money to charitable
causes. Ben & jerry‘s ice cream turns over 7% of its profits to charity.
ix.High value for the money: Some brand creates positive word of mouth by offering exceptional
value for the money. Examples include IKEA & southwest airlines.
x.Founders or celebrity personality: A colorful founder, such as Richard Branson, or a celebrity
personality, such as Michael Jordan, can create positive affect for a brand.
Although print and broadcast advertising have played a large role in building strong
brands, other forces are now playing an increasing role. Customers come to know a brand
through a range of contacts & touch points: personal observation & use, word of mouth, meeting
company personnel, telephone experience, seeing a web page, receiving invoices, live events &
so on. Any of these experiences can be positive or negative.
Companies must balance their communication expenditures among the main
communication media these include the following seven communications vehicles: advertising,
public relations, trade and sales promotion, consumer promotions, direct marketing, event
marketing & internal employee communications. Companies are increasingly moving their brand
building budgets to public relations, direct marketing, event marketing & employee training.
Associate a company(brand, product) with the qualities of the event itself while
simultaneously projecting the company’s personality, values and style; position a company to be
in touch with people’s interests and responsive to their preferences, lifestyles and attitudes.
Event marketing is an important part of any integrated communications plan because it
extends the impact of other elements (advertising promotion, etc.) in an environment where
consumers are more open and receptive. Event marketing involves canvassing for clients and
arranging feedback for the creative concepts during and after the concept initiation so as to arrive
at a customized package for the client, keeping the brand values and target audience in mind.
Marketing plays an important role in pricing and negotiation as well as identifying opportunities
to define and retain event properties by gathering marketing intelligence with regard to pricing,
timing, etc. In fact, ideally, event marketing involves simultaneous canvassing and studying the
brands prints; understanding what the brand stands for, its positing and values, identifying the
target audience and liaison with the creative conceptualizes to create an event for a perfect mesh
with the brand’s personality.
Events literally bring products to participants in an innovative and personally involving
manner. For example, when Camlin was interested in introducing active school students to its
new product line of Artoons sketch pens, in addition to advertising in the expected magazines
and TV options; it sponsored drawing competitions at premier city schools. It offered product
giveaways and demonstrated the product’s features and benefits through a huge float and
effectively, reinforces the brand image of the product or service in the interest of the consumer
through an event association using celebrities, locations and/or acknowledged industry leaders.
In 1998, soft drinks manufacturer Coca-Cola India acted as the title sponsor of part of the Asha
Bhonsle Live Concert Tour organized by UNIRAPPORT Events, a division of UTV. The
concert was an elaborate tour of 10 cities. The audience had the opportunity to watch Asha
Bhonsle live in concert. Coke obtained the opportunity to present the event and use tickets
for the show as giveaways, thus effectively tying a brand building exercise with
increasing customer traffic in its retail outlets as well as a sales promotion campaign.
Events therefore offer innumerable opportunities for the sponsors to extract every possible
mileage available in the marketing lexicon.
Though sponsoring of a big event like a rock show, an Olympic Games or a cricket
tournament invariably means sharing the limelight with other companies and other
brands, the customization of events totally serves the communication agenda of a
company. Communication through live media integrates the functions of advertising, sales
promotions and public relations.
Events vie for a very small share of the marketing budget pie as of now. But as the
importance of events as a marketing tool builds up, it will eat into a larger portion of the
marketing budget pie vis-à-vis other currently popular modes of marketing communication
such as television advertising and Internet banner ads. It will thus become a part and
parcel of the integrated campaign. This is so because events help in addressing the
diverse marketing needs of a company.
Value creation is paramount in building long term relationship. The sponsorship that was
created is a mutual exchange between you and the sponsor. Both are expected to benefit
simultaneously. To ensure this you need to manage the relationship. This calls for a plan
strategy, an action or implementation process and a feedback, check or evaluation process. Your
sponsor should be in agreement with the procedures outlined in obtaining the objectives of the
sponsorship. The check or evaluation process calls for some form of measurement of results on a
time line basis. Here is one last tip. When you are making your objectives make sure they are not
arbitrary. Make sure they are specific, quantitative, realistic, measurable and attainable.
Marketing involves sales, costs of sales, and sales and marketing expenses, all of which affect
profitability and cash flow. Financial objectives are different from marketing objectives and are
in most cases easier to measure. Marketing objectives are mostly based on sales revenue and
market share and awareness level depending on the visibility of the sponsor.
Sales are much easier to measure and track. Market share and awareness are more difficult
because it may require research to determine these accurately. As you develop objectives it is
much better to develop the measuring system within the objectives itself.
Brand building has long been the rage in industrialized countries and now the buzz has
reached Asia. Gurus are preaching to Asian entrepreneurs that they should build their own brand
names rather than copy someone else’s ideas.
Innovate rather than imitate seems to be the thing to do. Great examples are offered:
Sony, Nike, and Orange. All prime examples of profitable products made successful through
brand building. Through years of advertising these brands have become recognizable symbols to
nearly everyone on the planet.
In countries where competition, individual achievement and standing out from the rest
are not among the most important values, there are typically few well known brands. Still, Asian
marketers have always understood the need to persuade and compete in their advertising
messages. So in the past decades, where strong brands have proven to be money makers, the
Asian business scene has naturally started taking notice. At the same time advertising agencies
and consultants in the region have been keen on stressing on advertising as the only way to truly
create a brand.
The role of advertising itself is changing rapidly, due to emerging media technology such
as mobile phones, the internet and point of purchase advertising. Ad agencies are desperately
trying to catch up with the new media. Starbucks as an example of how a brand can be
established without massive spending.
In some product categories in South East Asia, spending on brand building is already
established. One example is the lucrative energy drink market in Thailand. In a bid for market
share several advertisers are spending heavily on traditional media such as TV and billboards.
This particular market has switched from being use oriented to being user-oriented, and linking a
well known spokesperson to the brand has been the preferred method. Presenters, mostly rock
stars, are promoting new brands or old brands that have been revamped. The question now is
whether producers with smaller budgets can try to promote innovative products to consumers
through brand building and not loose their shirts. There is hope for Asian entrepreneurs who
want to build a unique brand without taking huge financial risks.
Since the global trend is shifting from excessive spending on mass media to more focused
promotional activities the companies can look in their own back yard for the answers.
Demonstrations using skilled demonstrators are a way to create short term product trial as well as
promoting the brand. Point of purchase marketing can communicate branding now at bus
stations, malls, train stations, inside taxis outside taxis, etc. These are relatively inexpensive
ways of communicating a message that could build a brand. Nobody says the building of a brand
has to happen overnight. The cheaper options will take longer time for the brand to be built – that
has to be admitted. But the point is that brands require innovation not only in the product
development stage but also in methods of finding low cost media. Of course the choice of media
will always depend on the target customer. Finally, another important issue besides the execution
or choice of media channel is the original idea for the brand and how that idea is perceived by
the target audience.
CHAPTER 3 :EVENTS
9 AGE OF EVENTS
Events arise out of an individual’s pleasure instinct. The ever-increasing human need for
new mediums of entertainment captured the fancy of Indians. Thus the previously unorganized
sector of events made way for amore professional approach to event management.
The success of any event can be measured by the smiles, satisfaction, awe, inspiration
and exhilaration that it generates. To arrive at the correct chemical formulae of a successful
event, there are no fixed parameters. Trial and error was the basic approach followed by the
event professionals until recently.
The euphoria generated in the fair was not only good for the participants and audience
but also for the economy for the region as a whole. Ancient events such as Indian fairs and
festivals with their visually spectacular depiction of epic themes interwoven with singing,
dancing and emotion were a means of expression of the spiritual and cultural tradition of a
community.
Rural India comprises of 75000 villages and the T.V. penetration here barely crosses 11%
and the internet effect is infinitesimally small. Therefore, to obtain reach for their
communication campaigns, various corporate have resorted to events as a strategic alternative.
Having made a humble beginning, event has now come a long way in terms of classification and
specialization that are possible in this field. In fact, in this new millennium, events as a medium
will be catering to all demographic segments of the population. Events have proved to be a
versatile marketing communications tools since they can easily customized to cater to the
communication needs of the industry; be it pharmaceutical, financial services or any other. To
add to the benefits s that an events offers, live media integrate the three traditional model of
marketing communication, viz. advertising, sales promotion and public relations. An event can
actually act as a focus for specific company and help in giving a guideline to media- related
decision making such as when to change, stop or introduce new campaign.
9 EVENT DEFINED
Events
Right
communication With Live
from the Client Audience Creates Desired
Impact
9 HIERARCHY OF EVENTS
Objectives: This would include clarity on the marketing objective, target audience for the
specific communication, and a measurable communication-objective. An increase in off-take is
normally the end result of any element of a marketing communication-mix.
a] Brand awareness
b] Creating excitement around the brand
c] Association with the cause of the event to find acceptance within the TG
d] Trial of the brand
Rest of the decisions would follow from the current objective of the brand:
Consumer insights: A truly great event idea is one that moves far beyond the questions about
what people want and starts looking at what they care about. If an event with good brand-
proposition/target-audience fit is not available, it may necessitate creation of a new event with
elements controlled by the consumer insight.
Evaluating various media choices: Multiple media options were evaluated along all the
parameters given above. The noise-level around cricket on any medium was just deafening,
especially at a time when the World Cup was around the corner. At the price-value equilibrium-
point and given brand need, the best option came to be an event around cricket, targeting the
particular consumer insight
Contact innovation: "Race for Pace" - This unique grassroots event was aimed at finding and
nurturing potential fast bowlers. It would enable the brand to associate itself with a sport that's
next to religion in India and with a cause that few have identified their brands with. This event
gives an opportunity to the brand to strengthen its bond with the Mumbai community as well.
Value-creation: The event led to an association of the brand with some of the most respected
names in Indian and world cricket. It involved cricketers like Dennis Lillee, Nari Contractor,
Karsan Ghavri, Balwinder Singh, and Ajit Wadekar. More importantly, this association was to
promote the game and not only to convey the commercial message of the brand.
The event generated an unprecedented response. It is important to note that this was pre-exam
period and therefore it was rather difficult to get a large participation. However, the number of
registrations during the event surpassed all the expectations - it was 25 per cent higher than the
maximum expected number! Besides, the kind of visibility and appeal this association created for
the brand was formidable.
Sustainability: Sponsorships take time and sustained support to build high recall for the
association. Fortunately, sponsorship decay-rate is also normally quite low and therefore a good
association takes a lot of time to erode from popular memory. An event should be associated
with on a long-term perspective and not as a one-off fling.
Ghost awareness: The stronger the brand, higher is the chance of its being recalled as associated
with a certain event. However, fairly unknown brands can also build good quality awareness, if
the association is right, provided they sustain the sponsorship for a long enough time.
Sell-through rights: It gives the title sponsor a right to sell the rest of the sponsorships of the
event. It helps the promoters of the event as it offsets their up-front cost, while it lets the title
sponsor decide the clutter level around the event.
Promotional partnership: A marketer's contribution to the event is a factor of the sales the
event generates for the brand.
Performance assurance: It ensures the promoters of the event share the risk with the marketer
in terms of success of the event.
Some of these developments would make it easier for marketers and media planners to
make sponsorship-investment decisions. However, keeping a focus on the brand and association
objectives and regularly monitoring the delivery of any sponsorship on these parameters would
always be important.
9 WHY EVENTS
[ Helping in rejuvenating brands during the different stages of the product life cycle The
massive amount of money that is spent during the introduction stage of products gets drastically
reduced over time. By the time the product reaches its maturity/decline stage, the need for cutting
down the budgets associated with the media campaigns, while at the same time maintaining the
customer base is felt. And events offer the best medium for such a focused approach. It helps in
generating feelings of brand loyalty in the products' end user by treating them as royally as
possible.
[ Associating the brand personality of clients with the personality of target market
Citibank is an elite bank where people do banking with pride. Hence, other premium
brands would like to associate themselves with the same audience as those addressed by
Citibank, so as to benefit from the rub-off effect. Thus, through an event like The Great
Escape—an exhibition-cum-sale event organized exclusively for Citibank credit card
holders, small merchandisers like jewelry shops, white goods retailers and others get to
do business with the Citibank customers, as well as build and maintain a premium
image for themselves. Therefore, here Citibank acts as the event organizer and such
merchandisers, who cannot by themselves arrange for premium events on a large scale,
participate as clients to associate the personality of their products and brands with the
personality of Citibank customers.
[ Image building Over and above the brand identity that a company encourages,
events such as the Great Escape conceived by Mahindra & Mahindra, exclusively
for the owners of their four wheel drive vehicle, the Armada, are an attempt to build a
specific image of not only the corporate, but also the product. In its seventh edition
and being hosted for the second year in succession by Goa, the offbeat drive event
organized by Sports craft and cosponsored by Tidewater Oil Company attracted over
250 participants and 85 vehicles for the grueling 90 km drive. To let owners
experience the thrill of four-wheel driving, M&M charts out an offbeat route that
emphasizes the difference between normal and four-wheel driving and lets the
participants experience the high, one feels when steering and navigating an Armada.
The trip also creates a bond between the company, the customer and the product as
well as amongst the participants themselves. One of the event savvy companies,
Mahindra is very much into sports, in that it has its own active soccer team and also
sponsors the World Squash Championship to establish a world-class image
worldwide.
[ Relationship building
Creating a forum for bringing together key corporate influencers, decision makers and
businessmen The main objective of the 12 city IBM Solutions Forum 98 organized by Tata IBM
Ltd. And spread over a few months was to bring to the doorsteps of key people in the industry
the wide range of IBM Technologies and cost effective solutions available for all sizes of
business.
Creating a forum for career match making One of the more frequently held career fairs is
the Brassring Career Event, held in the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, California
by www. Brassring.com. one such event was in August 2000 to facilitate a friendly and face-to-
face interaction between software professionals looking for career opportunities with recruiters
looking to hire the best talent.
Event marketing involves canvassing for clients and arranging feedback for the creative
concepts during and after the concept initiation so as to arrive at a customized package for the
client, keeping the brand values and target audience in mind. Marketing plays an important role
in pricing and negotiation as well as identifying opportunities to define and retain event
properties by gathering marketing intelligence with regard to pricing, timing, etc.
Event marketing has been defined as a state of focused event strategy managed
consistently over a period of time to reinforce aspects of brand character. There are further
definitions wherein the focus has been more on the reasons why events are being used as a
marketing tool. For instance, according to Richard R. Alford, International Vice President and
General Manager-India of International Management Group (IMG) event marketing is a rifle
shot approach to one’s audience where there is very little wastage.
In fact, ideally, event marketing involves simultaneous canvassing and studying the brand
prints; understanding what the brand stands for, it’s positioning and values, identifying the target
audience and liaison with the creative conceptualizes to create an event for a perfect mesh with
the brand’s personality.
9 5 C’S OF EVENTS
The activities required marketing and managing events require certain steps to be
followed that can be called the five C’s of events. The first is Conceptualisation of the creative
idea/ambience followed by Costing i.e. calculation of cost of production and margins on the
event. Canvassing, for clients/sponsors, customers/ audience and networking is the next step.
Depending on the customers’ needs and marketing objectives, Customization of the concept is
required. Finally, the most important part event management is the execution of the event as
planned. This activity is termed as Carrying- out the event.
Initial Concept
Canvassing
Final concept
Carry out
Event
5 C’s OF EVENTS
The matrix shown in the figure positions events and other modes of marketing
communication in a two-dimensional matrix. The horizontal axis represents the life cycle stage
and the vertical axis represents the relative position of the tools.
Relative position and life cycle stages can be judged on the basis of the characteristics of
the industry. The demand and popularity of the various media help determine the life cycle stage
of the media as well as their relative positions vis-à-vis other media. The graphical representation
clearly indicates the growing importance of events.
With regard to the competitive position of events as a medium and the life cycle stage it
is in vis-à-vis other marketing communications media, it is clear that:
[ Traditional ways of most popular modes of marketing communication a denoted in the figure
are moving from the growth phase into the maturity stage. Their effectiveness is lost due to the
cut- throat competition which is leading to undesirable clutter in all kinds of media including
internet.
[ An event as a medium is in a tentative/ favorable position now and will continue to remain so
in the near future and tend towards becoming stronger. Event organizing as an industry is still in
the nascent or introductory stage when seen in the light of commercialization or corporatisation
of events as a business proposition. Events as a strategic marketing communications tool would
gain significant followers and will bite into a much larger portion of the marketing budget.
Dominant
Strong
Favorable
Tentative
Weak
EVENTS
Too many advertisements have lead to a cluttering on TV, print and other media. This has
given rise to a need for avenues which provide exclusivity to the sponsor while not sacrificing
the benefits of reach and impact.
The increasing number of TV channels and the greater no. of programmes have led to
fragmentation of the viewership. Hence, the need for narrow-casting of campaigns to the sharply
defined target audience.
Proliferation of low intensity television viewers who view a little of each channel leads to the
need for capturing the full attention of the target audience.
Media cost inflation; i.e., due to rise in inflation, which has been eroding the advertising
budgets, advertisers are demanding the best return from every ad-rupee spent. Media planning
has become more complex and therefore the need for increased effectiveness in terms of tangible
impact which can be instantly evaluated has risen.
Proliferation of various media channels, therefore the requirement for intelligent media
buying.
Events have the ability to bring together sharply defined participants since the capacity for a
particular event is usually limited. A specific number of the target audience could be invited or
enticed to buy tickets for a show specially created for a particular profile of the target audience.
Since the audience is actively targeted, the option of controlled reach can be exercised and
ideal audiences for narrow- casting of information can be gathered. This leads to lowering of the
media networking budgets and focused communication with the specially gathered audience.
The audience that has been specially invited invariably is an ideal audience.
An event carried out professionally and cleanly is invariably a memorable experience. The
word of mouth publicity that this generates is an advantage that lingers on a long time after the
event has actually been carried out. This provides an advantage of a higher brand recall to the
client.
The involvement of all the senses in experiencing the event is one of the greatest advantages
that events can offer. Events can be designed such that the audience is actively involved in every
part of the event and made to feel good. Thus, events as a live media offer a certain amount of
immediacy to the experience- of being there while its happening. For the audience it is
undoubtedly a thrilling situation.
Live media also enables interactive communication. Live media scores over conventional
advertising in terms of reach, impact and tangible immediacy of measurement. Live media
communication is a complete sensual experience as compared to a press advertisement or
TV/radio commercial. This is so because a press ad is basically a flat piece of paper and a
commercial is just an audio visual experience. The high recall value of live media
communication is also a major factor.
No other media can boast of the ability to provide such massive collection of feedback
instantly as events. Being a live media, it is possible to feel and deduce the reactions of the
audience to the aim or objective that the event was conceived for.
The easily customizable nature of events, mean that specific trades of the local inhabitants
can be incorporated in the big picture to ensure that the event is socially and culturally in tune
with the local culture. Thus, the localization of events is very easy.
The advantage in terms of post event publicity that events can offer over and above the paid
or bartered media is the benefit associated with the reports of the event in the newspaper and the
news on the electronic media. For such reports there is no extra cost to be borne- neither by the
sponsor nor by the event organizer. This is a double edged sword because, in case the event is
not upto the mark or is dogged by controversies, then, the same is also reported impartially.
The conversion of good events into television software for future use either by the sponsors
for their commercials or by the media houses for programming is also a unique benefit that
events offer. Such software become products by themselves and can be used profitably in the
future.
Apart from the above, there are some other important reasons for using events because
they provide the solution to deal with the legal restrictions pertaining to marketing
communication. Cigarette, liquor, guthka and other tobacco related products are officially
banned from being advertised on the Government controlled media and hence are focused to use
events with a mass base as a marketing tool. Examples include the launch of 555 cigarettes, a
Benson and Hegdes product. This product launch held at the Turf Club, Mahalakshmi Race
Course grounds, Mumbai, involved a lot of hype and hoopla. This event other than aiding in the
brand launch also provided for the first contact with the actual consumer who got to try the
product free of charge, giving an instant feedback on the quality and the post event brand recall.
Thus, it provided Benson and Hedges with an alternative media with an equal, if not a better
capability to create the desired impact. In fact, for decades, liquor and cigarette manufactures,
unable to advertise through the mass media, have been sponsoring car rallies, horse races, film
premiers and cricket matches to earn mileage. The Mc Dowell’s Derby and Wills Made-for-
Each-Other contest represent the earliest attempts at the corporatization of commercial public
events.
Imagine you belong to a monthly networking group and there is one business owner who
shows up looking different every time you meet.
One month she has wind–tossed hair, a flamboyant red dress, and stiletto–heeled shoes. A
month later, she is back in a conservative navy pants suit, low–heeled oxfords, and sleek brown
hair. And so it goes. Everyone keeps mistaking her for someone else. You can not get a fix on
who she is, what she represents, or whether working with her would be beneficial.
In fact, she is a successful real estate agent and exactly the person you need to find the
office you want. But you keep ignoring her because she appears unreliable.
[ Critical financial judgments are based on packaging, looks and image, regardless of skills or
expertise.
[ Public perception influences the course of business.
[ An inconsistent identity kills the customer relationship.
That look–at–me red dress is accepted style for an outgoing salesperson. You don't need
to look drab to be taken seriously. It is the constant change that works against trust.
Customers evaluate your business in similar encounters. How you dress your firm
expresses the core of the company. Your company's dress is the brand message. If your message
is clothed in rebellious red one day and conventional blue the next, your brand is confusing.
Consumers today are skeptical and knowledgeable. They are not likely to trust products or
services that change — if, in fact, they even remember you. Your message must have staying
power. And that comes from a brand strategy.
Your brand consists of the promise you make to customers and customer perceptions of
how well you fulfill that promise. Too often, companies equate their name or tagline with the
brand identity. But, "Just Do It!" resonates with consumers not because it is cool or authoritative.
Nike must deliver products and services that make that catch phrase work. When consumers can
depend on that experience — consistently — the tagline evokes emotional buy-in.
Don't reach for that logo design just yet. There is some brand-building homework to do
first. Before you invest a pound in marketing, you must be able to communicate your brand —
your promise to customers — in 10 words or less. What is the heart and soul of what you sell?
You may manufacture balloons but what you are really selling is the joy of celebration. That
means your tagline jumps from, "Get a lot of hot air!" to, "It's time to party!" Be clear about what
you offer. Once you are clear about who you are as a firm and which customers are best to target,
all efforts become more focused. You will save time and money. Think of branding as the
personality of your enterprise. Define that and the logo follows.
9 Create consistency
Another challenge is to reinforce brand trust and build business awareness at every
moment and in every channel of customer contact—what marketers like to call customer touch
points. Each customer must receive a consistent message that represents your brand at every
point, from word-of-mouth to the final sale. Your corporate identity is communicated and
represented by individual graphic designs and words: logos, taglines, letterhead, brochures,
business cards, Web sites, posters, direct–mail fliers and postcards, press releases, word of
mouth, TV or radio ads, CD promotions or billboards. In short, the entire range of advertising
and promotional options.
A company can build its brand image through creating or sponsoring various events.
Event marketers have favored sports events & are now using other venues such as art museums,
zoos, or ice shows to entertain clients & employees. AT&T & IBM sponsor symphony
performances & art exhibits, in Visa is an active sponsor of the Olympics; Harley – Davidson
sponsors annual motor cycle’s rallies, & Perrier sponsors sports events. Companies are searching
for better ways to quantify the benefits of sponsorship & they are demanding greater
accountability from event owners & organizers.
Companies can also create events designed to surprise the public & create a buzz. Many
amount to guerrilla marketing tactics. Here are some examples;
-Driver 2, a new car- chase video game, arranged for a convoy of 20 car wrecks, with smoke
pouring from their engines to crawl through Manhattan & LosAngeles to attract attention of the
new game.
-Ask Jeeves, the Internet search engine, sent 35 actors in British butler’s outfit to guide visitors
to their seats & answer tennis trivia questions at the U.S open tennis tournament.
-Kibu.com pays hundreds of school girls to do “peer marketing” by hanging around with their
peers, handling out free lip gloss, & talking about kibu’s cosmetic site.
The increase use of attention-getting events in a response to the fragmentation of media:
Consumers can turn to hundreds of cable channels, thousands of magazine titles, & millions of
internet pages. Events can create attention, although whether they have a lasting effect on brand
awareness, knowledge, or preference will vary considerably, depending on the quality of the
product, the event itself, & its execution. Event creation is a particularly important skill in
publishing fund- raising drives for non-profit organizations. Fund raisers have developed a
repertoire of special events, including anniversary celebrations, art exhibits, auctions, benefit
evenings, bingo games, book sales, cake sales, contests, dances, dinners, fairs, fashion shows,
parties in unusual places, phonathons, rummage sales, tours and walkathons. No sooner is one
type of event created, such as a walkathon, then competitor’s spacon new versions, such as
readathons, bikathons and jogathons.
For profit organizations also use events to call attention to products and services. Fuji
photo Film Company flew its blimp over renovated statue of liberty during the reopening
celebration, out doing its rival Kodak, which has mounted a permanent photo exhibit at the site.
Anheuser- Busch sponsored a Black World championship, Rodeo in Brooklyn that attracted
more 5,000 spectators.
9 SPONSORSHIP
There are numerous definitions of sponsorship. The one that caught my attention was in
the sponsorship seekers toolkit book. "Sponsorship is an investment in sports, the arts, a
community event, individual, venue, institution, program or cause which yields a commercial
return for the sponsor". It’s a mutual exchange between the entities and corporations. The
exchange obviously means that both the sponsor and the sponsee can simultaneously receive
benefits. Sponsorship is really how much value the event can provide to a corporate sponsor.
9 \INTRODUCTION
Corporate sponsorship can be a great way to fund health promotion events and programs
that you otherwise would not be able to run. But, it can also be a long and time consuming
process if done without considering all of the issues or the proper research. It can even harm your
image if you are not strategic about the corporations that you partner with. This article is an
introduction to corporate sponsorship as a means of fundraising and explains the difference
between corporate sponsorship and corporate giving, the issues that should be considered before
soliciting sponsors and what corporate sponsors are looking for from a relationship with you. It
will also discuss the research process, the important elements of a sponsorship proposal, issues to
consider in closing the deal and how to nurture your new corporate relationship.
In order to be successful at securing corporate sponsors, you must make sure that it is
sponsorship that you are actually requesting. Corporate sponsorship and corporate giving are
often used interchangeably but are actually two completely separate acts; the money comes from
separate sources, you will deal with separate departments and the goals, objectives and the
proposal will all be different. Corporate giving (or corporate donation) is a philanthropic activity.
A corporation will donate money or products and the only acknowledgement they will expect is
a tax receipt and a thank you corporate sponsorship, on the other hand, is a business relationship.
Corporations look for marketing and community relations opportunities in exchange for money,
products or services, and they want corporate recognition for their involvement.
9 ISSUES TO CONSIDER
There are many issues that organizations should consider before leaping into the
world of corporate sponsorship. There are many concerns within health promotion about
partnering with corporations and it is important to consider all of the implications corporate
sponsorship could have on your clients, volunteers, donors and board members. For example,
how would a woman at an eating disorder event feel if Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers
sponsored the event? You will probably want to create a corporate sponsorship policy to guide
you. This policy could include a statement of principle, screening criteria for sponsors and an
administrative process. There is also an enormous amount of work involved in the research,
soliciting and maintaining of corporate sponsorship relationships and it is important for you to
have the time and energy to be able to fulfill your promises to the sponsors.
Ask yourself the following questions before you decide to solicit corporate sponsors:
Remember that this is a marketing opportunity for corporations and that you need to have
something to offer them in return. Not only do they want to increase the awareness of their brand
or product but they also want to enhance their image. When deciding to sponsor your event or
program, corporations will ask themselves "What's in it for us?"
The amount and depth of the research that you will need to do will vary depending on
how much money you are requesting and the size and types of corporations you plan on
soliciting. If you are soliciting sponsors for an expensive nation-wide program, you will have
considerably more research to do than if you are soliciting sponsors for an inexpensive local
awareness event. The first step is to develop a list of prospective sponsors.
Think about the nature of your event or program and consider the following:
Consider which corporations might have the same target market as your event or
program. For example, if you are planning a health fair in a rural community for seniors, you
would not solicit corporations like Sony, HMV, or NIKE. But if you were organizing a
basketball tournament for teenage boys and girls in an urban setting, these would be excellent
corporations to include on your solicitation list.
The second step is to qualify your prospective sponsors. You need to determine if the
corporation you are considering has the financial capabilities to engage in sponsorship at all or at
the level you are interested in. You can do this by contacting organizations such as the Chamber
of Commerce and the Board of Trade. It is also important to confirm that the marketing plan of
the potential sponsor is a "good fit" with your event or program.
Review the sponsor's past marketing efforts, by reviewing their annual report and
studying their advertisements, to see if there is a match. As well, talk to marketing executives to
determine if your event or program would be of interest to them.
The last part of your research it to determine the appropriate person to send your proposal
to and how long it will take them to review and consider your proposal.
The sponsorship proposal must convince a potential sponsor that your event or program
is going to meet their business needs. It needs to be visually appealing and easy to comprehend.
Mail your proposal to the individual that you have already confirmed as being the appropriate
contact. Follow up with that individual every two days from the date of receipt. Be persistent but
very pleasant.
• A list of what the sponsor will be required to provide (either financially or with
products) as well as items such as their logo, banners, signs, booths, staff
members
• A separate page of contact information so that the corporation can easily find the
appropriate person to get in touch with if they are interested in pursuing the
relationship.
Once a corporation has expressed interest in sponsoring your event or program, you will
need to move into the negotiation phase. This type of negotiation can be intense and often will
take place face-to-face. (If you are asking your local bakery to sponsor the dessert of your
fundraising dinner, a phone call may be enough to close the deal.) When in negotiations, the
potential sponsor may be asking for space for a larger logo or they may want the right to veto
other sponsors. You will have to decide if you are willing or able to provide them with what they
are requesting. Once a deal has been reached, make sure that you get it down in writing, even if it
is your local bakery. If the negotiations are not working, do not be afraid to walk away.
Prior to the start of the event or program, keep your sponsor abreast of any
changes that you are making that will affect their role as a sponsor. It's essential to keep the lines
of communication open and address any concerns that they might have. The most important way
to maintain a good relationship with your sponsor is to make sure you deliver on everything you
have promised them. If you do not, you are not only jeopardizing the relationship with this
sponsor but with all of your future sponsors. After the event or program has ended, evaluate the
partnership. Were participants receptive towards your choice of sponsor? Did your sponsor's
display fit with the atmosphere of your event? Did you distribute as many programs as
promised? Was the group of participants a good match for the sponsor's product? Were there as
many media spots as promised?
Be sure to thank your sponsor for their involvement in your event or program and keep in
touch after the event or program has ended. Invite them to other events such as an open house,
put them on your newsletter distribution list or drop them a line to update them on upcoming
events that may require further sponsorship. It is cost efficient for sponsors to maintain a
relationship with you if they received a good return on their investment, and a lot less work for
you.
9 CONCLUSION
Corporate sponsorship can be a valuable source of funding for health promotion events
and programs provided it is done correctly. This means taking the time and resources to first
understand how sponsorship will fit with the objectives and policies of your organization and
your event or program. And secondly, spending the time, energy and resources to do the
necessary research, to write a professional proposal and to make sure that you deliver on every
promise you have made. If you are new to the sponsorship world, consider starting small. Solicit
one sponsor for a local event and then work your way up. Be professional and remember that you
are entering a business relationship, which may be a different way of thinking.
In today’s frenetic, time-chasing world, more than 200 companies have forayed into
events and event management. This industry has mammoth scope for young and ambitious
entrepreneurs. According to industry sources the total billings for the year 2002 were estimated
at Rs. 1950 crores with domestic events accounting for Rs. 1150 crores and international events
accounting for Rs. 800 crores. Events are fast becoming an integral part of the marketing strategy
of companies. Live Entertainment events, especially international events are drawing people in
large numbers. Television channels are looking for driver programmes to boost viewership and
events offer a unique genre of programming. On account of these factors the industry is
expected to grow at an astounding rate of 30 % per annum over the next 5 years to a size of
Rs. 5600 crores in 2006.
The industry, however, lacks the structural requirements and an organized infrastructure
in terms of skill management and its development. If explored properly, the Event Management
Industry has the potential of being one of the forerunners in building the Indian economy. A
distinct gap was perceived by corporate in the personnel recruited or appointed by them for
handling events. Specialized event managers are now widely sought after, being absorbed in
event management firms, media firms, advertisement firms, hotels, or by corporate houses
themselves.
Over and above the marketing angle, the economic benefits to the region hosting the
event are also a positive aspect. Countries like India should be not only investing in information
technology but also other communication infrastructure to be ready in this millennium to host
similar mega-events. The singular importance of mega events in driving an economy into a
growth phase has already been emphasized earlier. And India needs events like these. The 1982
Asian Games held in New Delhi gave an impetus to the Indian economy with the setting up of
an Asian Games Village for the participants with all modern facilities essentially in
transportation and infrastructure.
The buses which were introduced during the games to transport athletes are infact still in
operation and are plying between various cities such as Mumbai and Pune, 18 years later!
Similarly, in 1996 Cenetennian Olympics held in Atlanta gave an impetus to the local economy
and helped in giving a face lift to the entire city with new free ways and attractions added to
places as The Underground, the World of Coca-Cola and the Olympic Village. These were build
in anticipation of the influx of thousands of athletes and millions of fans of the games. The local
infrastructure thus got a boost and Atlanta is now amongst one of the most modern and fastest
growing cities in the USA.
So far, the above mentioned needs have been satisfied using traditional media such as
television, radio, print, etc. in the future though, events will be in a position to fulfill the above
marketing needs as compared to other tourists. Exports have cited reasons for the advent of
events as a major marketing tool.
While answering this question, clients have to think whether the event being sponsored
or co-sponsored by them is in tune with their image and personality. The decision criteria should
always be based on the fact that unless it pays to be at the event in reasonably tangible and
measurable terms it is better not to sponsor. An event is worth sponsoring only if it is in the
position to offer you the benefits that you have decided to derive.
You can also create your own event. One of the more obvious advantages is that it gives
your complete control over:
1) How your company is positioned;
2) How your customers are treated;
3) How much you spend;
4) The number and type of sponsors;
5) The quality of the event;
Whether you buy into an existing event or create your own, work closely with everyone
involved; they must all know what hope to achieve. Make sure your plan is realistic and that you
are prepared to measure results.
From the objectives, develop strategies and tactics to leverage your sponsorships. For instance:
1) Reinforce, enhance or alter a brand’s image;
2) Strengthen corporate image through community and public relations specially in cities
where your company has a large employee base;
3) Offer an opportunity for product trial through sampling;
4) Offer hospitality for your key business contacts;
5) Provide a platform to increase sales and market share;
6) Demonstrate category leadership (to your distributor);
7) Communicate product or service capabilities;
8) Focus marketing efforts or provide a platform for a comprehensive marketing program;
9) Open new channels of distribution;
10) Forge new links with opinion leaders;
11) Improve morale;
12) Neutralize competition;
13) Launch a new product or service;
14) Make sure that your objectives are clearly articulated and understood by everyone
involved, both internally and externally.
EG:
It looked like any other fax message lying on my table, one working day in end-
December last year. There was nothing unusual or attractive about it. On closer scrutiny
however, I found that the message was an invite to attend a function organized by Balaji
Telefilms, a company floated by Bollywood heart throb of yesteryears, Jeetendra and his
glamorous daughter, Ekta. The function was a press conference to announce the fact that Balaji
Telefilms was foraying into "event programming".
Balaji Telefilms has not been the first to do so. With the plethora of television channels
in the country, programming houses have been on the rise. What is new, however, is the trend of
these high-flying programming houses to venture into the arena of programming for events, a
task hitherto handled by a cluster of event-management companies.
Earlier, media mogul, Mr. Subhash Chandra, had already entered this segment through
group companies, Zee Event and Zee Telefilms. They recently managed a music awards
ceremony for which the former managed the event and the latter did the programming.
Australian media mogul, Mr. Kerry Packer, had his company Channel 9 tie up with state-
owned television channel, Doordarshan, to telecast a special event, where leading Bollywood
heroines were asked to dance to songs of the dancing queen of yesteryears, Helen. This was an
event that took the television ratings of the state-owned channel to dizzying heights.
So why is there such a big rush for event management? Is it because there is big business
potential? The answer is a big YES!
A very nascent segment of big ticket entertainment business, the live entertainment and
event management industry has the potential to gross more than Rs 3,350 crore in less than five
years from now, says a report prepared by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and
Industry (FICCI). Almost a decade ago the industry was estimated at only Rs.20 crore in size,
but has grown to become a Rs.200 - 250 crore industry today.
Says Mr. B. R. Jaju, executive president finance, who has been asked to overlook Zee
Events division, "The whole dimension of events will undergo a change. Event programming
helps us to improve content quality and generate additional viewership. This activity remains a
major focus area for the company."
Adds Ms. Gopi Shah, general manager-events, Zee Network, "Organizing and
successfully managing large programs and events enables us to not only improve upon our TRP
ratings but also in keeping in touch with the film industry." So bullish is Zee on events that it has
established a separate division, Zee Events, to work on not only programming but also on the
physical part of managing events. It has transferred Ms. Shah, who was earlier in London
managing the network’s UK operations, to India to manage the division.
Added Ms. Shah, "I have come in to plan and create events for various Zee Network
channels, which will enable us to increase company’s revenues." She further said that handling
the physical part of events helps the company to not only save on costs but also exercise better
control on the show. Zee, since 1998, has been organizing important and very popular events and
programs such as the Zee Cine Awards and Zee IMI - Sangeet Awards among others.
The network is gearing up to organize at least one mega event every month, if not more,
exclusively for its channels. The division is already contributing about 20 per cent to the
revenues of Zee Telefilms.
9 THE DYNAMICS
This novel way of packaging entertainment has its roots firmly embedded in advertising
and public relations. Corporate houses consider sponsoring events featuring popular artists as a
means of reaching their target consumers.
Therefore corporate sponsorship of events to promote products has also seen a big spurt.
A recent trend amongst multinational companies, especially the fast moving consumer goods
companies entering India, is to promote their products through a tailor made event. In 1998
Coca-Cola alone sponsored 70 music related events across the country. Suffice to say that this
industry is primed for a big boom in corporate sponsorship. Reasons Mr. Mirwani, " Advertising
through live events creates an instant response in the audience and hits the target immediately."
"It was liberalization of the economy and its opening up way back in 1992, which gave
the much desired impetus to the event management industry", pointed out Mr. Brian Tellis,
director and founder member of Fountainhead Promotions & Events.Fountainhead is a leading
name in the industry and is known for organising events for the Times of India group, including
the Smirnoff war of DJs and the Brand Equity Quiz. The company also provides "event support"
to two of the most well recognised events in the country - the Femina Miss India contest and the
Filmfare Awards function. Events like Femina Miss India and its male equivalent Graviera Mr.
India contests have started pulling in larger than ever crowds and corporate sponsorships.
Reminiscing, he pointed out that, as the economy began opening up, a lot of
multinationals came into the country and brought with them the culture of promoting their
products and brands through events and programs. "Product managers for Indian brands looked
around and followed suit. The trend truly caught on. A positive fallout of this has been the fact
that the approach to events and programs became more structured, something which was missing
earlier", explained Mr. Tellis.
As it usually happens with most sunrise industries, the influx of new people in the sector
has simmered down substantially with time and the present players can be truly addressed as
survivors. Points out Mr. Mirwani, "In 1995-96, almost 15 new companies were being formed
everyday. However, most of them have downed their shutters. Today the numbers are low. The
industry is looked upon as a serious business venture, where gross returns are in the order of
anything between 15 per cent to 20 per cent Projects are not of long term nature and returns as
well as results are almost instantaneous."
The live concert circuit is probably the fastest growing segment of the business. As per
industry estimates, it has grown more than 200 per cent between 1995 and 1999. The last three
years have witnessed a spate of international artists coming to India to perform in live events.
With Indian films and film celebrities always being close to the heart of Indians,
wherever they may be located, there is a huge potential for the event management industry to
organize live shows abroad. The last few years have seen a plethora of such shows held in
countries like the US, UAE, UK and South Africa, where there is a large non-resident Indian
presence.
These shows have evoked tremendous response not only from the Indians settled there
but also from Pakistanis, Sri Lankans and UAE residents. Shows already organized in the US
featuring leading film artists have been a complete sell-out, with people craving for more.
The UAE with a large concentration of South Indian population has been a favourite stop
over for South Indian film artists who have always performed to a full house. Moreover, with the
growing expatriate population in countries like Australia, Canada and New Zealand, there is a
huge untapped potential for shows/events to be organized abroad with Indian "stars".
Organizing international artists to perform in India is very expensive. Accordingly, many
companies now prefer organizing promotional events featuring domestic artists thereby adding a
new dimension to the event management industry. However there are companies which still
prefer to have international artists perform in India. For example, Pepsi aims to bring at least two
internationally renowned performers to India each year.
9 THE FUTURE
If the projections made by FICCI is true, the biggest gainer in all this would be the
government, which collects taxes on such events. According to FICCI, from Rs 100 crore
collected in 1999, the tax revenue can rise to about Rs 1,007 crore in the year 2005.
Industry experts, however, feel that if this growth is to happen, certain anomalies are to
be cleared:
• Entertainment tax rates, which forms a big chunk, needs to be rationalized across the
country. Presently different states levy different tax rates, with southern states levying
lower taxes. Funds thus saved can then be reinvested in more "Events", which will help
generate more revenues for the government.
• Apart from the tax rates, the payment of entertainment tax also poses a major problem to
the organizers. Currently the tax has to be paid before the tickets for the event are sold
and the relevant department stamps the tickets for the tax paid. This means that if the
amount of tax paid is lost if the tickets remain unsold. The government should only levy
tax on the exact number of tickets sold.
But, despite these hurdles the industry is poised for significant growth. Says Mr. Tellis, "I
see phenomenal growth ahead. More and more brands are coming into the country and more and
more are realizing the potential of exposing and promoting their products through events on a 1:1
basis with target audiences. Brand custodians are realizing that if they have Rs 100 in their kitty
to promote their products, then some part of it must be earmarked for events in addition to the
print and the television media."
However, industry players are unanimous that promoting brands through events is
definitely not a replacement for the print and the electronic medium. They can at best supplement
the two streams. That in any case is good enough!
INTRODUCTION
The company knows how important the Olympic Movement and the Olympic spirit of unity
and competition are to its consumers. That’s why they have always pushed themselves to find
ways to make their connection to the Olympic Games more meaningful.
The Olympic Games are truly global events that provide an opportunity to bond with
consumers all over the world through activities and promotion they appreciate and understand.
Special programs like the Company’s presenting sponsorship of the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic
Torch Relay, give Coca-Cola the opportunity to share the Olympic Spirit with people around the
world. The Company was proud to give local citizens the chance to carry the Olympic Flame on
its journey to the site of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. They selected 2,500 torchbearers who
had demonstrated courage, dedication, passion or a deep concern for others.
They’ve also created original popular activities at the Games themselves, like the Pin
Trading Center, where people can trade pins with other fans from all over the world, and Coca-
Cola Radio, which gives popular DJs a chance to share the excitement of the Olympic Games
with their home town fans.
The Coca-Cola Company is a founding sponsor of Special Olympics, and has been
involved since 1968. in 2002, they renewed their partnership through 2005 which covers the
2003 Special Olympics World summer Games in Dublin, Ireland, and the 2005 Special
Olympics World Winter Games in Nagano, Japan.
They support Special Olympics because of the positive impact the organization has on
everyone who comes in contact with it. They applaud its ongoing dedication to empowering
individuals with mental retardation in more than 150 countries to become physically fit,
productive and respected members of society.
OBJECTIVES
The main objective of the company for sponsoring the events is to create goodwill for the
company. They believe in supporting the organizations that customer care about. All around the
world, people are passionate about sports. That’s why they have been involved with the Olympic
Games since 1928 and sponsor the FIFA World Cup. And that’s why they support hundreds of
sports activities in local markets around the world. Sports and Coca- Cola is a great match. But
their sponsorships extend beyond the playing fields into other areas that captivate their
consumers.
As a Global Partner, they work closely with Special Olympics to create and execute
grassroots promotions and marketing activities designed to raise awareness and support for the
organization. At the 2003 World Games, Coca-Cola Pin Trading Centers – and refreshed the
athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers with over 1.5 million servings of soft drinks, juices and
waters.
Their objective for sponsoring the events remains the same, i.e., to increase their sales
and profitability and the goodwill of the company. Also they have been more or less successful
in achieving their expectations or their objectives.
The events sponsored by them are mostly on large scale involving great amount of money
or higher cost. But it pays to do so because their aim is to reach the masses.
\ SAMSUNG
SYDNEY OLYMPICS 2000
OLYMPIC SPONSORSHIP
SAMSUNG AT SYDNEY
As in the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympic Games, Samsung will supply all the wireless
communications equipment needed to operate the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Samsung will
provide approximately 25 units of wireless communications equipment including mobile phones
and technical experts. Providing athletes, staff, volunteers and visitors with fast and reliable
communication, Samsung will contribute the success of the games and its ultimate mission:
fostering the unity among the global community.
Also, by sponsoring the National Olympic Committees and National Olympic Teams in
many countries including the US, China, Brazil, and Australia, Samsung contributes toward
helping athletes becoming prepared for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
SAMSUNG been sponsoring a range of events in the recent past... these include not just the
famous Olympics 6ut also some smalltime events. Because of the Brand name and the image the
company has established, sponsoring an event definitely adds to the company image and not to
forget, the profits!
List of some of the events sponsored 6y Samsung in the recent past:-
The Running Festival is a 5-kmfun run for peace and ninth in Central Europe, and all
over the world, limits to age or ability as it is not a competition. Every participant, regardless of
how he or she completes the run, is a winner. Now the Running Festival has become one of the
largest sporting events in Central Europe.
Since 1997SAMSUNG, the Korean global company, one of the Biggest companies
in the world has Been the title sponsor of the Nations Cup in co-operation with the
International Equestrian federation (IEF), the ruling Body of the world-wide equestrian
sport.
The history of the Nations Cup dates back to 1909, when the first team competition
for military officers was held in London's Olympia Hall, now the annual site of a 'World
Cup competition. In the 92 years since a total of 1,131 Nations Cups has Been held in 37
countries. 32 countries have won at least one Nations Cup - the ones with the most wins are
Germany (182), Great Britain (167), France (142) and the United States (137).
Each Nations Cup Brings about an extra dimension of national pride and official
status as riding for your country in a team competition means something very special for
every rider. 'With this sponsorship SUMSUNG wants to promote the equestrian sport on a
world-wide Basis, .fit the same time it is also SUMSUNG intention to strengthen the global
attitude for a Better understanding, Bringing harmony, peace and prosperity.
Samsung has served as a Worldwide Partner for the Nagano 1998 "Winter Olympics,
Sydney
2000 Olympic Game and Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Game and will and will
continue supporting the Olympic Movement as part of the Top (The Olympic Partner)
program. As the official sponsor in the wireless Communications Equipment Category,
Samsung has supplied mobile phone and other wireless hardware to the athletes and officials
at the games.
Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games mascots-Powder, Copper, and Coal-were the
first ever to be created by ordinary citizens. In May 2002, the Salt Lake Organizing
Committee accepted mascot drawings from more than 4000 elementary schoolchildren from
around the state of Utah. The SLOC narrowed the list of entries to just three and asked the
general public to submit names for them via the telephone, Internet and Postal Service in July.
Power, Copper and Coal respectively symbolize a hare, wolf and black bear. SLOC President
Mitt Romney explains these animals represent the natural scenery of Utah as well as the main
characters in American children’s tales. The hare, wolf and black bear also share a common
thread with Citius, Altius , and Fortius, who embody the Olympic spirit of “Faster, Higher and
Stronger.”
Samsung Electronic proudly continues its worldwide Olympic sponsorship with the
International Olympic Committee to be official wireless communication equipment partner for
the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
During the games, Samsung will provide wireless telecommunication equipment
together with technical support in key arrears to the 2004 Athens Organizing Committee,
keeping official, media, staff and volunteers in close contact. For Athens 2004 Olympic
Games, Samsung will also provide key wireless solution to the organizing committee that will
enable Olympic Family to access Olympic Games information via Samsung’s mobile phone.
Such expertise in digital wireless telecommunication technology will play a vital role
in contributing to the successful operation of the game but the most importantly, keep our
fans, athletes and everyone attending the game share the exciting moments of the Olympic
game.
Samsung’s extensive support of sports is based on the company-wide belied that sports
play a unique role in unifying people regardless of age, race, or gender. The company believes
that sports promote cooperation among individuals, companies and nations. Based on this
belief, Samsung became one of the International Olympic committee’s Worldwide Partners in
1997 and have extended the partnership trough 2008 Beijing.
OBJECTIVES
Samsung has already established itself as a well known brand all over the world.
Achieving the position they are in now and maintaining the same has never been an easy task;
especially in today’s competitive world.
Samsung emerged from a challenging period in the previous decade as a much
stronger company today: one that is now more globally-focused restructured and streamlined,
and more committed that ever to true innovation.
Samsung is well-positioned to take on this important global leadership role. They now
have the global resources in place and certainly have the technological capability; SAMSUNG
has clearly established itself as a global market leader in many interrelated high- tech
categories. But perhaps more important, they also have the “heart and soul” needed to be a
trailblazer in this new digital landscape.
All around the world, the ”heart” of SAMSUNG has listened, cared and reached out to
all the people-to try to understand what these people truly need and desire in order to live a
better, richer, more value-added life.
Across the globe, people are hungry for the same thing-freedom. Freedom from
limitations of time and space. Freedom to access information and entertainment’ or to
communicate, anytime and anywhere, using products that are simple to handle, accessible, and
regardless of age, culture, or geography. This is what SAMSUNG understands and believes,
truly, in our “heart”.
But it is one thing to listen and understand-and another to respond. SAMSUNG has
time and again demonstrated-and another to respond to people needs and dreams with
products that are easy to use and affordable, while also being revolutionary and empowering.
Such products can only come from people who are passionate about design, who care deeply
about quality, and who always push the boundaries of what is new and possible. This wealth
of creativity, passion, and innovative spirit that resides inside our company-this is the “ soul”
of SAMSUNG.
If ‘Coca-Cola’ were the name of a person, how would you describe that person? How
does that person make you feel? Consumers often prefer products that have a strong, positive
image. An important ingredient of this image will be the associations that are evoked in the mind
of the consumer. The ‘brand personality’ is what people think and feel, consciously and
subconsciously, about a company identity or product and is described the same way as you
would a person.
Sponsorship involves providing financial support, creative input, media support, and
experience to an important event or activity organized by another party. In return, the company
receives a public opportunity to be seen to support and be associated with an event, activity or
person. Sponsorship is a crucial part of a public relations strategy because it is possible to reach a
target audience with a specific message.
‘Coca-Cola’ is one of the top global sponsors of sport. The rationale for sponsoring
international and local sporting events is that it is "a natural fit". By matching the brand with
world standard events ‘Coca-Cola’ benefits from the exposure and the associations made
between it and the event being sponsored. Equally by ensuring that local events are sponsored
the brand is exposed exclusively to a local market and will thus be seen as a local brand. By
devising innovative and tailored marketing programmes based on local consumer insights, sales
can be increased in the ready-to-drink nonalcoholic beverage market. Local offices around the
world ensure that the company participates and supports local communities. ‘Coca-Cola’ is
aware of what is relevant in the lives of its target market such as sport, music and fashion. Life
experiences are created around these interests.
By getting involved in these daily experiences ‘Coca-Cola’ meets its sponsorship
objectives
• To ensure ‘Coca-Cola’ is viewed as making everyday life more interesting and fun.
• To be seen as a national sponsor at a local level and global sponsor on an international level.
By capturing the pace and vitality of the ‘Coca-Cola’ brand and by referring to the
refreshing nature of the drink, a strong message is sent to the consumer about how the product is
being positioned in the market place. Attributes of the product suitable to sports sponsorship are
highlighted. By positioning ‘Coca-Cola’ as an icon and leading brand that mentally and
physically boosts consumers, associations with major sporting events are reinforced.
[ BRAND POSITIONING
‘Coca-Cola’s’ brand personality reflects the positioning of its brand. The process of
positioning a brand or product is a complex managerial task and must be done over time using all
the elements of the marketing mix. Positioning is in the mind of the consumer and can be
described as how the product is considered by that consumer. When researching the positioning
of a product, consumers are often asked how they would describe that product if it were a person.
The purpose of this is to develop a character statement.
This can ensure that consumers have a clear view of the brand values that make up the
brand personality, just like the values and beliefs that make up a person. Many people see ‘Coca-
Cola’ as a part of their daily life. This affinity between the brand and the consumer leads to a
high degree of loyalty and makes the purchasing decision easier. Brand positioning guides ‘what’
will be communicated in the company’s advertising, while the character statement guides ‘how’
a message should be delivered or put across.
The Marketing Mix is the name placed on the ‘4Ps’ of marketing: Product, Place, Price,
and Promotion. It is this fourth element, Promotion, which is focused on in this case study. This
involves communicating the benefits of a product to increase sales and ultimately profits. There
are four main methods of promoting the benefits of a brand.
• Advertising
• Personal Selling
• Public Relations & Sponsorship (PR)
• Sales Promotion
[ PUBLIC RELATIONS
One of the marketing department’s functions is to manage public relations and maintain a
positive and beneficial image of the firm’s policies and products. The aims of the Public
Relations Manager liaising with the marketing function are to:
• Make the public aware of the existence of the firm and maintain the good name and image of
‘Coca-Cola’ by issuing press releases, organizing news conferences and informing the public
about the firm’s activities.
• Maintain goodwill amongst the public for the company. Goodwill is the likelihood that the
existing customer will return and can be equated with brand loyalty. Brand loyalty occurs when
customer’s repeat-purchase a particular branded product on a regular basis. ‘Coca-Cola’ has a
high level of brand loyalty. When you want a drink do you automatically pick up a bottle of
‘Coca-Cola’?
‘Coca-Cola’s’ powerful brand personality has become a vehicle for promotion in its own
right, sponsoring many events both on a global and local level. The company has long been
associated with global events such as The Olympic Games, The FIFA World Cup, Rugby World
Cup and Special Olympics. Coke has also been linked to world fairs and national exhibitions
since 1905. With the Olympics blossoming in popularity and complexity, increased attention has
been turned to serving the growing crowds and to supplying the needs of the athletes and
organizing committees. In many countries where Olympic associations lack full government
sponsorship local bottlers of ‘Coca-Cola’ donate funds to aid potential Olympians as the
partnership of ‘Coca-Cola’ and the Olympics continues to grow.
‘Coca-Cola’ will be the official global sponsor of the Special Olympics to be held in
Ireland in 2003 (this is the first time the games will be hosted outside the US). As the Olympic
Movement’s longest-standing corporate partner, ‘Coca-Cola’ has aided the evolution of games
together with more than 190 National Olympic Committees assisting thousands of athletes in
their training.
FOOTBALL
‘Coca-Cola’ also sets out to support football at every level of the sport. On a global basis
‘Coca-Cola’ has been a sponsor of the World Cup since the 1978 tournament in Argentina
through to France in 1998 and into the new millennium. In Europe, ‘Coca-Cola’ is involved with
the European Championship and plays a prominent part in making the event such a success. The
global popularity of football makes it an ideal sport
for ‘Coca-Cola’ to build on the life experiences of
their target group.
RUGBY
‘Coca-Cola’ has also become the long-term sports sponsor of the Rugby World Cup. The
Company has been a sponsor since 1995. This is the first time for a sponsor to commit to more
than one Rugby World Cup. The Company wants to communicate that ‘Coca-Cola’ is the
refreshment that stimulates and revitalizes rugby fans, and enhances the group experience and
enjoyment of watching the game.
FOOTBALL
As football is about fun, excitement, passion, pride and shared enjoyment ‘Coca-Cola’
tries to match this feeling within its brand. The company supports local football because it
matches its customers’ interests. This market driven approach involves listening to what people
say and giving them what they need and want.
‘Coca-Cola’ is also the official soft drink sponsor of GAA providing strong support for
the International Rules football series. The Association President Joe McDonagh stressed the
importance of this sponsorship as it ensured a successful series. Locally ‘Coca-Cola’ supports
and is present at all the national hurling and football games. The brand is also present at GAA
schools level matches i.e. Leinster Secondary Schools Hurling and Football Championships,
Feile na nGeal, Feile Peile and under 14 Hurling and Football.
Life experiences are created for customers around interests. By getting involved in the
daily experiences and by being aware of what is relevant in the lives of local target markets, such
as music and fashion, ‘Coca-Cola’ can build on these brand associations. The ‘Coca-Cola’ ‘Form
and Fusion Design Awards’ is a cutting edge, visually exciting and highly educational
competition developed for students in transition or senior year in secondary schools in Ireland.
Students are encouraged to work in groups, using their own skills and imagination, to
design and create futuristic costumes created solely from recycled
materials . On completion the students organize a fashion show where
six outstanding designs make their debut.
The competition provides a platform for learning through fun and enhancing
interpersonal skills. The potential for the competition to grow and sub-divide into a variety of
educational disciplines is enormous. The competition began at a local level in 1998 when Aidine
O’Reilly a schoolteacher in Ballincollig Community School in Co Cork, wanted to set up an
exciting challenge for her transition year students. In 1999, Aidine, with the support of the ‘Art
Teachers Association of Ireland’ brought the competition to Munster where 9 schools made 38
costumes and the competition received both national and regional media coverage.
In 2001 the competition more than doubled in size with 192 schools participating. This
number represented 2,400 students making a total of 365 designs. The final event was hosted in
Millstreet in Cork, which was the venue for the 1993 Eurovision Contest (Munster’s largest
venue) to an audience of 2,500 people. ‘Coca-Cola’ Ireland is delighted to be involved with this
unique competition for the second year running.
This event was visually spectacular. ‘Coca-Cola’ achieving huge press and television
coverage all over the Republic of Ireland. Coverage included exposure on the Lata Show,
Nationwide and TV3 News.
[ CONCLUSION
It is necessary to create the right brand image that closely matches consumers’ life
experiences and feelings. Sponsorship is one way of building these associations. Through events
such as ‘Coca-Cola’s’ Form and Fusion Design Awards and sporting events a brand manager can
ensure that its product image is made relevant to the target audience.
In concern with this project a major player in the event industry was visited
“WIZCRAFT INTERNATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT PVT. LTD.”.
[ COMPANY PROFILE
Wizcraft was instrumental in the inclusion of event budgets in corporate advertising and
marketing communications plans in India. They introduced international experience and world-
class laser and lighting technology in India. Today, their client portfolio represents the whose
who of corporate India.
[ SERVICES
9 Corporate Events
9 Special Events
9 Television
9 Artist Management
9 Events Management
• CORPORATE EVENTS
9 Annual Celebrations
9 Seminars
9 Staff Programs
9 Exhibitions
9 AGMs
9 Conferences
• SPECIAL EVENTS
9 Concerts
9 Entertainment extravaganzas
9 Awards functions
9 Weddings
9 Nightclubs
• Television events
9 Award nights
9 MTV VJ hunt
9 Coca-cola
9 Channel [ V ] live
• ARTIST MANAGEMENT
9 Artist management
9 Talent development
9 Artist banks
Premium South Asian TV channel brings its global audience a unique awards ceremony
fusing international cricket and Bollywood together. London, England (24 th February 2003) –
With much of the globe in the grip of cricket World Cup fever, Sony Entertainment Television
Asia (SET Asia) is set to raise its viewers temperatures even higher with the exclusive screening
of the 7 th Annual CEAT Cricket Ratings Awards, it was announced today. SET Asia is the
international feed for Sony Entertainment Television (SET), Indias leading cable and satellite TV
channel.
This unique awards ceremony combines South Asias twin passions of cricket and
Bollywood to create a star-studded event that leaves viewers gasping for more. In making todays
announcement, Rajan Singh, Executive Vice-President for International Business commented,
“Our exclusive coverage of the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards is yet another example of our
commitment to cricket related programming. It promises to be a fabulously entertaining show for
all the family – and one that both cricket followers and Bollywood fans will thoroughly enjoy.
Alongside our regular cricket shows such as Kapil Dil Se, we look forward to bringing
our viewers lots more live and exclusive international cricket coverage throughout 2003. This
years ceremony, presented by VJ Cyrus Broacha and the beautiful Malika Arora Khan, include
cricket celebrities such as Clive Lloyd, Kapil Dev and Rahul Dravid, to name but a few.
The vivacious Bollywood starlet, Shilpa Shetty and singers Saif Ali Khan and Shankar
Mahadevan provide entertainment on the night. The studio audience is also packed full with
some of the biggest names in Bollywood including Aamir Khan, Anil Kapoor, Raveena Tandon
and Sunil Shetty.
Twelve awards will be given including Best Performance in the Game of Cricket, CEAT
Best Coach, CEAT Best Sports Media Personality, CEAT Lifetime Achievement Award and the
CEAT International Team of the Year Award.
9 IIFA
Immense thought, effort and care has gone into the creation of the Samsung IIFA
awards, to make it truly appealing to a global Indian audience who has been constantly
supportive of entertainment from India. Samsung IIFA awards stand strong on a foundation,
which adheres to international parameters. Be it in terms of procedures or technicalities,
international guidelines have been followed to arrive at a system, which is comprehensive and
credible.
Decisions are taken under the aegis of the Management Committee and The Advisory
Board comprising respectable and eminent figures from the Indian Film industry. An
independent audit firm ensures strict monitoring and absolute credibility of all judging and
voting procedures.
Proposed to be held annually at the world's most celebrated venues, the Samsung IIFA
awards are specially conceptualized and designed to be spectacular extravaganzas combining the
best of Indian and International entertainment and world class event technology, reaching out to
a vast audience through multiple channels of delivery.
9 Coke V Popstars.
Our Bureau
BANGALORE, April 24
TOYOTA Kirloskar Motor Ltd has put together a multi-pronged strategy to market their
mid-class luxury Camry here. Mr K.K. Swamy, Deputy Managing Director of Toyota-Kirloskar
Motor Company, told newspersons today that several major events to market Camry would be
organized during the year. These include a golf tournament called, `tee in the dark.' A fashion
show was held earlier, proceeds of which went to a NGO.
Around 100 chief executive officers from Bangalore will be invited to participate in the
golf tournament which will be held in the night. Similar events will be organised in Delhi and
Mumbai, Mr Swamy said. "We plan to associate Camry with premium events," Mr Swamy
added. The model is primarily marketed through the direct marketing route. He said the company
plans to sell over 1,000 Camry cars during the current calendar year. Since its launch in October,
around 500 cars have been sold.
The company expects to have a market share of 20 per cent to 25 per cent of the segment.
The total market size of the mid-size luxury sedan is around 5,000. This segment registered a 40
per cent to 45 per cent growth in 2002. The company plans to offer newer models of Camry in
India whenever they are launched internationally.
The costlier version of the car, V3, which is priced at around Rs 18.5 lakh, constitutes
around 90 per cent of the total sales. The V1 model is priced at around Rs 18 lakh. The V3 model
has leather upholstery, while V1 has fabric upholstery. The completely built unit (CBU) car is
being imported from its Japanese facility and the various taxes on the car are around 100 per
cent. .
Toyota Motor Corporation has sold over 8 million units of Camry since its launch in
1983. According to the company, Camry has been the best-selling car in the US for the last four
years and is sold in more than 100 countries. It is currently manufactured in eight countries.
Mr Swamy said the company has reopened its factory though the production has not been
restored fully. Toyota closed down its factory on April 21 and April 22 because of a truckers'
strike which paralysed the supply chain of several automobile companies.
He said the company has targeted a sale of 34,000 units of its largest selling vehicle, the
Qualis.In 2002, the company sold 25,000 units of Qualis. The company plans to sell 9,000 units
of its another model, Corolla during the current calendar year.
This ad. campaign is an example of how a company can build its brand image by keeping a close
watch on events taking place all around the world.
Remember The Britannia Khao, World Cup Jao! Contest? The one at started the
'scratch card' promo fever. The promo received a merit award at the International Promo
Conference Chicago. Though simple, the concept was novel enough have garnered the interest
its target audience with unerring precision. Each Britannia product wrapper had a run count
printed on it. The consumer had to collect 100 runs and visit, or mail it, to a prize center. The
center gave a World up book in exchange for every 100 runs (from a series of nine books). The
consumer then scratched the "Scratch off portion" on the book which revealed a "Try again" or a
prize label. The prizes included a huge number of low-value items like Britannia biscuits, or
those of medium value like watches, TV sets or cricket bats, and a few of high value like World
Cup tickets. The campaign was a runaway success and suited in a 20 per cent increase in
sales for Britannia, high top-of-mind awareness, and wide press coverage.
The Britannia gambit was not exactly freak promotional campaign that suddenly made
good. It is part of a growing realization that advertising can only get your information across to
the consumer, but you may probably have to back that up with ground-level activities that enable
you to make a direct grab for the customer. Marketers are realizing that a 30-second ad spot is
not enough to sell a product and one needs to reach out to consumers on a one-to-one basis.
Enter below-the-line marketing, which covers direct marketing, promotions, events, loyalty
programmers - all activities that do not involve the mass media (TV, radio, press, outdoors, etc).
Broadly speaking, below-the-line promos are differentiated from above-the-line activity by the
simple fact that no commissions are paid. In mainline advertising, the advertising agency is paid
a commission for getting ads inserted in the press or for releasing TV spots. Not so for promos.
The reason why many marketers are now beginning to put more money into below-the-line
communication is because it's closer to the sale and more accountable. The growth rates for
above-the-line communications have been much, lower compared to below-the-line.
Promotional activities are important components of marketing strategy, and must mesh
well with long-term objectives. While the need for advertising to disseminate information is
unquestionable, companies also need to reach out to the consumer directly to manage the
relationship better. Synchronization of advertising with other promotional events like road shows
and sponsorships offers companies a multiplier effect in terms of customer impact. With the
frequency of promos going up, so too has its share of corporate spend (as a percentage of total
marketing budgets). Generally, consumer promotions are tactical and short-term as compared to
advertising, which is considered more strategic and long-term. Promotions either increase
penetration within the market (more people buy) or increase the depth of consumption (people
buy more). Not surprisingly, in the last two years almost every major ad agency has created a
promotions group (HTA's Thompson Connect, Leo Burnett's Leo Activation, and Lowe Lin-
tas' Advent, to name a few).
If below-the-line spending is gaining more followers, it is partly because of some
assumed benefits. Among them:
\ Promos finally drive the consumer to buy by providing a tangible incentive (in the form of a
freebie, discount). They generate trials by incentivising immediate purchases and help break
brand loyalties.
\ Promotions can push up sales dramatically by inducing one to buy more than what one does in
a normal purchase cycle.
\ Promotions can help a brand cut through the clutter more effectively. Lack of brand
differentiation is most evident in advertising or brand communication across categories. Very few
ads manage to cut through the clutter. Only the most innovative ads get remembered enough to
generate brand trials.
\ The impact of promotions is measurable within a short time. It is quite possible to agree in
advance on the objectives in numerical terms: how much will be sold, how much should the market
share increase and what the impact of a brand's width and depth of consumption within a given
market should be.
\ Since results can be quantified more easily in promos than in advertising, it makes promos the
most cost-effective method of reaching out to target audiences with minimal waste. They can be
more focused (executives with two wheelers, teenagers using contact lenses).Unique, innovative
and low-budget solutions too are feasible.
Given its cost-effectiveness, smaller players tend to appreciate the power of below-the-
line communication more than the bigger ones. Also, below-the-line
communications work well in a depressed economy. With the significant increase in mass
media rates making TV and print advertising relatively more expensive, this avenue seems a
better option. Even specific events and festivals (like Diwali, Christmas) can be cashed in on with
time-bound promotions.
\ PROMOTING PROMOS
Promotion Marketing Awards Of Asia (PMAA) is the only award programme which
recognize promotion marketing excellence and mastery throughout the Asian marketing industry
(in China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South
Korea, Taiwan & Thailand) every year.
Since 2002, Kidstuff Promos & Events - the agency coordinating entries from India -has
been calling for entries from promotion marketing, advertising, internet and direct response
agencies and clients with in-house marketing departments. Gold, silver and bronze trophies are
awarded in each of the 16 entry categories. Some interesting categories are: best multi-disci-
plined promotion campaign, awarded to the campaign best utilizing a minimum of three
marketing disciplines - such as broadcasting, direct marketing, advertising, public relations, in-
store merchandising and internet; best campaign generating brand loyalty, best use of innovative
communication strategy, best effective long-term promotion marketing campaign, and best
small-budget (costing under $25,000) campaign.
In 2002, Kwality Walls' Ek Din Ka Raja promo for Hindustan Lever India won the
Best Campaign by Country award. This promotion had 10 top prizes and each prize allowed a
family to shop for items worth Rs 10 lakh in a single day in Mumbai. Apart from this, there were
several low and medium-value prizes.
There had been scope for a large promotion in the ice-cream category, as most consumer
offers in this category tend to be either free ice creams or a priceoff . In this context, to break
clutter, it was thought that a big promotion would achieve brand equity. The promo was base on
consumer insight like the fact that there is a strong aspiration to get rich quick and that today
shopping is more of a passion.
Two other promos in recent years that have been noted for their success are Wiz-craft's
launch of the Honda Accord, and Lowe Lintas's event for Hindustan Lever's Axe Voodoo
'Call of the dark' party. Consumer promotions are no longer considered as tactical exercises
merely to increase sales. In most product categories they now play an active role in brand-
building. However, advertising professionals may tend to associate above-the- line with all that
is good and wholesome. They sometimes see above-the-line activity as more in tune with the
goal of making long-term profit, while below-the-line efforts are dismissed as efforts to bring in
short-term cash but long-term losses. On the other hand, promotion agencies believe that below-
the-line efforts tend to create more interaction between the customer and a company, creating
powerful, long-term loyalties and profit. The truth lies somewhere in between with mass media
advertising and below-the-line promotions increasingly complementing each other. Take the
example of a new brand of cooking stove. The concept of the product would have to be sold
before a promotion could be announced. A new brand would do well to involve consumers at
retail outlets through product demos. While promotional aspects would build up traffic at retail
outlets, point- of- purchase posters several outlets explaining usage of the product would also
help. TV commercials will be the best way to create awareness. Advertisements could also
reassure consumer based on the assurances associated with the brand. The consumers’ attention
can only be caught by delivering ‘brand experience’ using integrated communication involving a
mix of media, both above and below the line.