Friday 25 April 2014

Cross-Platforms is the only way of building brands



While Shakuni found out that the Pandavas were in the kingdom VIRAT during the agyaat vaas (hiding period of 1 year), he did not attack virat immediately. He made the surrounding kingdoms to virat attack on kingdom virat. The entire army of virat was occupied in war against the neighbouring kingdoms.

Only then Hastinapur army (Shakuni) attacked Virat. And Virat was left with no army but the young teen age prince to fight the mightly army of Hastinapur (Guru Dhrona, Bhishma, Karna, Duryodhana and many).

Utilizing different channels in the right proportion and time will always give your Brand a One Upon like Shakuni did.

Reaching consumers has become increasingly complicated with the addition of newer and newer media platforms.

Advertisers simply don’t have the tools they need to effectively choose between:

30 second spots on leading TV shows

Banner ads on popular websites

Video ads on streaming video sites

Conversations on a friend’s social media newsfeed

Mobile ads on a smartphone

Countless other advertising vehicles

While your message has to be unique and specific, the mediums available to communicate your message are virtually limitless. The opportunities are practically endless, but the prospect of having so many choices causes brands to get confused during the decision-making process.
Cross-platform marketing is an opportunity to reach customers on a new level of engagement. 

WHO WE ARE - When brands are questioned this, in many cases, it brings up questions that haven't really been answered.

WHO ARE THEY - get to know your customer base.

Who are they?
How do they use technology in their daily lives?
When are they active?
How could their experience be better?

A cross-advertising contains traditional advertising methods along with synergistic modern media experience. Creating clutter breaking communication message for the brand and figuring out appropriate vehicles are essential. It’s also critical to recognize that the digital user experience is just as important as the in-person experience.

In 2014, one-dimensional advertising just isn't enough anymore.

Today’s contemporary advertising and branding strategy requires coining of a clear, consistent message, an accurate view of the customer base and a continual, focused communication effort through multiple vehicles.

Needless to say, like us, mediums too evolve and according to the changes, the cross platform selection too is dynamic.

Have you ever thought on the amalgamation of mediums that you do for your brand success?



Thursday 10 April 2014

SHIVAJI ADVERTISING


Always an exception, always a hit!

Shivaji  - one of the greatest warriors Indian history ever saw. He did not have as big an army or modern arms then, as the Britishers, yet, he was successful in defeating them.
His unconventional methods during the warfare made this happen. He drove the opponents towards the vulnerable hilly regions of Maharastra and threw big stones while hiding behind the hills.

Now this is what we call Guerrilla warfare tactic. Unconventional and cost effective. (stones don’t cost)

And ever since, guerrilla techniques have been working wonders, not to forget in branding also.

Brands are trying their best to be more creative in the market place leaving a lot of advertising examples behind as inspiration for competitors around the world.

An unexpected advertising approach that disrupts the audiences’ environment to get their “quality” attention, helping brands to convey messages more effectively is termed as guerrilla advertising.

It is a low-cost (not necessarily) advertising strategy that is used to target an audience in an unconventional way

Guerrilla advertising is more about the association of time, energy and imagination and less about big marketing budgets like conventional advertising models (TV, print, outdoor, etc.).  And that’s not where it ends. This advertising approach is usually known to create a lot of buzz and hype and makes it go viral! 

Not every innovate or shocking campaign means that it is guerrilla marketing. Following points identifies the elements of guerrilla marketing campaigns.

Absolutely unexpected
Unexpected and surprise- not expected by the participant of the event was not prepared to observe or be part of it. The essence of guerrilla advertising lies in using this Suddenness and unexpectedness as an advantage. By encountering a surprising situation people tend to raise their attention.

Drastic
The element of this ‘drasticness’ enables the marketer to reach large number of message receivers without necessarily large budget. It is the element that may significantly help the campaign to be cost-effective with great degree of Attention and Interest component.

Humorous
Humorous effect in the communication helps diminishing the barriers between the sender and receiver. Moreover, a bit of amusement in the marketing communication can significantly increase the productivity of the campaign by reaching larger number of receivers. According to a research, it can be stated that those guerrilla marketing campaigns that comprises the effect of humour influence more receivers and helps to create interest.

One shot game
One shot game, meaning that the guerrilla marketing campaign is achieved only in a strict limited period of time, indicates that the receivers of the guerrilla messages know that the campaign is only temporary and also this concept should not be repeated on the same market.

Cheap
The goal is to create rumour, buzz effect and immediate impact on target group but still keeping the budget tight. However, there should be still clear difference between the necessary budget for guerrilla campaign and a traditional marketing campaign

Guerrilla marketing campaign should always give the audience something that will make them feel richer or pleased. The benefit can be conveyed by giving something for free or just giving them a reason to smile.


Unconventional is the conventional new!