chapter 17

PRINCIPLES OF MARKETING 101

PROFESSOR NOURIJANIAN

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  • CH 17. ADVERTISING & PUBLIC RELATIONS

ADVERTISING & PUBLIC RELATIONS

Discussion Questions

  • What if the difference between institutional and product advertising?

  • What is the difference between competitive advertising and comparative advertising?

  • What are the major steps in creating an advertising campaign?

  • What is a target audience? How does the marketer analyze the target audience after identifying it?

  • What role does an advertising agency play in developing an advertising campaign?

  • How do organizations use public relations tools? Give examples of some observations?

  • What are some negative public relations?

DIFFERENT TYPES OF ADVERTISING

  • Definition of Advertising:

    • Advertising is a paid, non-personal communication transmitted to consumers through mass media, which includes television, radio, the internet, print media, direct mail, outdoor displays, and transit signs.

    • It is utilized by businesses and non-business organizations to reach large audiences.

Types of Advertising:

  1. Institutional Advertising:

    • Focuses on promoting an organizational image, ideas, or causes rather than specific products.

    • Advocacy Advertising:

      • Centers on a company’s stance on public issues, such as taxation or sustainability.

  2. Product Advertising:

    • Aims to promote features, uses, and benefits of a specific product or brand.

    • Types of Product Advertising:

      • Pioneer Advertising:

        • Stimulates demand for an entire product category rather than a specific brand, commonly used in the early stages of a product's lifecycle.

      • Competitive Advertising:

        • Emphasizes specific brand benefits to build demand.

        • Comparative Advertising:

        • Directly compares one brand against competitors.

        • Reminder Advertising:

        • Serves to remind consumers of established brand benefits.

        • Reinforcement Advertising:

        • Assures customers they made the right choice in purchasing this product.

  3. Native Advertising:

    • A digital advertising format designed to blend seamlessly into the platform's content.

    • This form matches the look and feel of the surrounding media, including examples such as sponsored articles and in-feed social ads.

MAJOR STEPS IN DEVELOPING AN AD CAMPAIGN

  1. Identify & Analyze Target Audience:

    • Define the specific group of consumers that the campaign is aimed at.

    • Analyze demographics, lifestyles, and media habits to tailor the messaging appropriately.

  2. Define Advertising Objectives:

    • Specify clear, precise, measurable goals.

    • Example: "Increase awareness by 20% within 3 months."

  3. Create Advertising Platform:

    • Outline key selling points or issues significant to the target audience.

    • This forms the foundation for messaging in the campaign.

  4. Determine Advertising Appropriation (Budget):

    • Establish the budget for the campaign using various methods:

      • Objective-and-task:

        • Define objectives and tasks to determine the budget.

      • Percentage of sales:

        • Allocate a specific percentage of sales to budget.

      • Competitive matching:

        • Compare and match competitors' spending.

      • Arbitrary approach:

        • Budget set based on a set number, often without a solid foundation.

  5. Develop Media Plan:

    • Select and schedule the appropriate media outlets.

    • Consider factors such as audience location, demographics, message content, and costs.

  6. Create Advertising Message:

    • Develop both the copy (text) and artwork that align with:

      • Product features and benefits.

      • Characteristics of the target audience.

      • Media platform and campaign goals.

  7. Execute the Campaign:

    • Coordinate activities and ensure implementation across chosen channels.

    • This requires careful planning and synchronization to ensure effectiveness.

  8. Evaluate Advertising Effectiveness:

    • Utilize pre-tests (before launch) and post-tests (after launch) to assess the campaign.

    • Recognition Tests:

      • Measure recall of the ad.

    • Recall Tests:

      • Aided recall (providing clues) and unaided recall (no clues).

Responsibility in Developing Ad Campaigns

  • Advertising campaigns may be developed by either:

    • A Firm’s Own Advertising Department:

      • Preferred when direct control over messaging and execution is desired.

      • Often used by companies with in-house expertise and lower budgets.

    • An Advertising Agency:

      • Independent business that creates, plans, and manages campaigns for clients.

      • Agencies offer specialized knowledge, creative expertise, and media connections.

    • Collaboration:

      • Even if an agency is used, marketing managers provide guidance, approve strategies, and ensure alignment with company objectives.

DEFINE PUBLIC RELATIONS

  • Public Relations (PR):

    • Involves broad communication efforts aimed at creating and maintaining favorable relationships between an organization and its stakeholders.

    • PR focuses on attempts including:

      • Enhancing the public image of the company.

      • Building trust with consumers, employees, investors, and the community.

      • Managing reputation during positive and negative situations.

    • Unlike advertising, PR is often considered more credible because it is not paid media; it is classified as earned or shared coverage.

PUBLIC RELATIONS TOOLS

Common Tools Used by PR Professionals

  1. Press Releases:

    • Announcements provided to media outlets.

  2. Press Conferences:

    • Live events organized to share significant news or address concerns.

  3. Feature Articles:

    • Extended, in-depth stories published in various media outlets.

  4. Event Sponsorships:

    • Associating the brand with causes or high-visibility events to boost image.

  5. Community Involvement Programs:

    • Activities showcasing social responsibility through volunteering or partnerships.

  6. Digital & Social Media PR:

    • Engaging directly with audiences online.

  7. Crisis Communication:

    • Managing public messaging during negative incidents or controversies.

ANALYSIS OF PUBLIC RELATIONS

Uses of PR:

  • Promoting Goodwill and Positive Brand Image:

    • Integral for fostering a positive relationship with the public.

  • Managing Crises and Reducing Negative Publicity:

    • Important for protecting the company’s reputation.

  • Supporting Product Launches or Major Company Initiatives:

    • Emphasizing new products or campaigns.

  • Communicating Company Values to Stakeholders:

    • Essential for maintaining transparency and trust.

Evaluating PR Effectiveness:

  • Media Coverage Analysis:

    • Examination of number of mentions, reach, and tone of coverage.

  • Social Media Metrics:

    • Tracking shares, comments, and sentiment analysis.

  • Public Opinion Surveys:

    • Assessing reputation before and after campaigns.

  • Sales/Lead Impact:

    • Looking at the indirect but measurable influence on overall brand performance.

CLASS EXERCISE

Objective:

  • Apply concepts from Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC), Advertising, and Public Relations by creating a short, cohesive campaign that integrates different promotion mix elements and utilizes PR tools to support brand messaging.

  • Time Required: 10–15 minutes

  • Format: Small groups (2–4 students) or individual work followed by a class discussion.

Scenario:

  • Your team has been tasked by a mid-sized company launching a new eco-friendly sports drink brand, GreenFuel.

  • Target Market: Health-conscious adults aged 18–35.

  • Key Differentiator: Contains 100% plant-based ingredients and utilizes compostable packaging.

Your Task:

  1. Propose one advertising concept detailing the medium and the message.

  2. Choose one PR activity/tool to support the launch.

  3. Explain how word-of-mouth or viral marketing could amplify awareness.

  4. Select one element of the promotion mix (sales promotion, personal selling, etc.) to complete the campaign.

SAMPLE ANSWERS

  1. Advertising Concept (Medium & Message):

    • Medium: Social media ads (Instagram and TikTok) & streaming platform video spots.

    • Message: “Fuel your workout. Fuel the planet. GreenFuel – the drink that powers you and the planet.”

    • Visuals: Featuring vibrant, active lifestyle images paired with eco-friendly messaging.

  2. PR Activity/Tool:

    • Host a press event at a local fitness center featuring fitness influencers and sustainability experts discussing eco-friendly nutrition.

    • Issue a press release to health and sustainability media outlets regarding the event.

  3. Word-of-Mouth/Viral Marketing:

    • Launch a “#FuelGreenChallenge” encouraging users to share workout videos featuring GreenFuel, tagging friends to participate.

    • Create incentives such as prizes for the most creative video submissions to encourage sharing.

  4. Promotion Mix Element:

    • Offer free product samples at gyms and fitness expos.

    • Coupled with digital coupons distributed via email and social media to encourage trial purchases.