Back to School Advertising
Right around the world, Back to School time is considered one of the largest shopping season of the year, as families ready themselves for going back to school. When it comes to your Back to School Advertising, it’s important to consider timing – and you may find yourself surprised by what research has found. In the USA, the National Retail Federation found that over $80 billion was spent on Back to School shopping, with the average household spending ~ $500. So depending on your location, Back to School is different in the Northern Hemisphere compared to the Southern Hemisphere.
For most bricks and mortar retailers as well as online retailers, the Back to School season is the second largest selling season after the winter holidays. As such retailers are incredibly competitive at this time of year and are vying for sales. So how can your brand stand out from the crowd, influence parents and generate sales? Here are some ideas on how to make your back to school advertising campaign a success.
Back To School Advertising Strategies & Targeting
From a Media Planning and Buying perspective, Gourmet Ads recommends for brands wanting to engage and influence Grocery Buyers using Contextual Targeting and Audience Targeting for their Back to School Advertising Campaign.
Back to School Contextual Targeting
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Back to School Content
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Lunch Recipes
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Sandwich Recipes
Back to School Audience Segments
These segments can be used uncoupled in your own DSP
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Sandwich Recipes
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Recipe Content
Back to School Campaign Options
Back to School Dates
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August & September – US, Canada & UK
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Late January – Australia, Singapore, New Zealand
Back to School Ads
Here are some of the Back to School Ads we’ve run across Gourmet Ads.
Back to School Advertising Strategy
Saving Parents Money
During Back to School, parents are typically sensitive about price, especially if they have multiply kids to buy for. So advertising that focuses on saving money is key, and as such many retailer offer Free Shipping, Coupons, Mail in Rebates and straight instore discounting. If you offer a compelling discounting offer, parents will most likely buy everything at your store, as a way to get it all over and done with !
Attention Grabbing Creative and Messaging
With so many retailers investing in back to school advertising campaigns, your creative has to grab the attention of parents. Remembering parents will be bombarded, so clear and concise messaging is key. As an example, in previous years some retailers have done campaigns around “penny products” where a range of products were just a 1 cent. If that doesn’t grab your attention, then not sure what will.
Media Planning and Buying
When developing your media plan you need to look at two key audiences. The first being parents, the second being the grocery buyer. There’s no point developing great creative if you don’t buy media targeted to either or both of those audiences.
So what type of brands should be undertaking Back to School advertising campaigns?
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School supplies (typically office supplies)
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Food Products aimed at Kids (for lunch boxes)
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Beverage Companies (also for lunch boxes)
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Supermarkets & Grocery Companies (various)
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Electronics Stores (Laptops, calculators, etc)