Friday, October 20, 2006

The Advertising Essentials - Part 3

Here is the final part. The final word on the subject as well!

7. Be Executionally Excellent

Particular care must be taken with product, preparation and consumption sequences, and pack shots. We must never forget that we are selling products, which people are going to eat or drink. The product must always be presented in the most appropriate and appetite-appealing way.

Consumption shots should realistically communicate this in a totally credible way. Of course, there are exceptions, if you were to advertise for a brand of condoms to name one such!

The development of proprietary product sequences that are properly integrated into the communication (with appropriate voice-overs to underline a product-based consumer benefit) can help to enhance perceptions of our products’ superior quality. Unique and proprietary product shots and mouth-watering consumption sequences that appeal to our senses help to create appetite appeal, to differentiate our products and to motivate purchase.

Pack shots should usually also include the product as it is meant to be consumed, and should be given sufficient emphasis to be impactful, and remind consumers of what to look for on the shelf.

There is a skill in achieving high production standards in print and on film, and there are experts who can help. In order to achieve the peak of perfection, we must be prepared to invest in production budgets, and not be tempted to cut corners. This does not mean that we can substitute strong simple ideas with spectacular shows that hide the lack of a creative idea.

In summary, the questions to ask and answer are:

1. Have we done everything possible to ensure the best product shots?
2. Are the consumption shots realistic?
3. Does the product come across as truly enjoyable?
4. Are the product shots / consumption sequences proprietary to the brand, and consistent with building brand equity?
5. Have we clearly communicated a consumer benefit via the portrayal of the product and its consumption?
6. Is our brand highly visible in order to secure 100% correct brand identification?


8. Bring About a Sale

The unequivocal raison d’etre of all communication is to bring a profitable sale. There is no other reason for investing in brand communication. Although different forms of communication have shorter or longer-term effects on sales, all should be evaluated over time on their ability to build brand equity with our consumers, and in so doing bring about a sale.

In general, we should seek to create communications which have the consumers’ interests at heart, that are involving in content and execution, that are original and provocative, that get talked about, and have the “must see again” factor. In everything we do, we should always strive to build a place for our brands in people’s lives…in the long term.

In summary, the key question to ask and answer is:
Have the right tracking study mechanisms been put in place to measure the contribution of communications (advertising and other forms of communication) to bringing about a sale?

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