Marketing Communications An Introduction

Marketing Communications Defined The coordination and integration of all promotion tools and sources within an organization to maximize the impact on consumers and other end-users at minimal costs.

Components of Promotion F I G U R E 1 . 4 Components of Promotion Product Price Promotion Distribution Advertising Sales Promotions Personal Selling Database Marketing Direct Marketing Sponsorship Marketing Internet Marketing Public Relations

Factors Affecting the Value of IMC Programs Development of information technology Changes in channel power Increase in competition (global competitors) Maturing markets Brand parity Integration of information by consumers Decline in effectiveness of mass media advertising

E X H I B I T Shoe Advertisements Which advertisement attracts your attention the most? Which advertisement is the least appealing? How important is the brand name in each ad? What is the message of each individual advertisement? What makes each advertisement effective? What are the pros and cons of each advertisement? Skechers (http://www.skechers.com) Reebok (http://www.reebok.com) New Balance (http://www.newbalance.com) Asics (http://www.asicstiger.com)

Communications Theory In order to understand marketing communications, one must not only understand marketing, but also understand some elements of communication theory. Communication defined - the process by which individuals share meaning.

Information Information is what is exchanged in the communication process Information is described as a one-way process, whereas the communication process is regarded as two-way, a dialogue Why do we try and obtain information before making a purchase? A receiver-orientated view defines information as the “reduction of uncertainty” (Wersig 1974:73)

The Power of Information Certain communication initiatives are “better” at eliciting information – i.e, personal selling, and forms of direct marketing and direct response marketing Information is obtained through mutuality, sharing with other consumers – i.e., impact of word of mouth communications, and consumers knowledge and interactions. Information is key to influencing and determining consumer choice decisions.

What’s Happening? http://business.financialpost.com/2010/09/09/fp-marketing-will-sex-violence-and-science-fiction-help-sell-baby-carrots/

Communication Process: a linear model Noise Sender Noise Encoding Channel Decoding Noise Receiver Feedback Noise

Communication Noise in Television Advertising F I G U R E 1 . 2 Communication Noise in Television Advertising

Advertising Clutter Discussion Slide How many ads were you exposed to during the last 24 hours from the following media? Television Radio Magazines Newspapers Billboards Internet Web sites How many ads can you recall from each of the above media?

Kelman’s model of Message Source characteristics These characteristics influence what we see, what we choose to see and listen to. Source Credibility Source Attractiveness Source Power

Source credibility Refers to the extent that receivers perceive the source as able and willing to give an objective opinion.

Source attractiveness Occurs when the receiver identifies some type of relationship with the source and therefore adopts a similar position.

Source power This is said to be present when the source of a message is able to reward or punish.

Any questions or comments?