{"id":214329,"date":"2022-01-23T11:16:24","date_gmt":"2022-01-23T09:16:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/?p=112147"},"modified":"2022-01-23T11:16:24","modified_gmt":"2022-01-23T09:16:24","slug":"everything-you-need-to-know-about-brand-activations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-brand-activations\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need to Know About Brand Activations"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_112148\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-112148\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/?attachment_id=112148\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt width=\"300\" height=\"111\" class=\"wp-image-112148 size-thumbnail lazyload\" src=\"http:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-brand-activations.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-112148 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-brand-activations.png\" alt width=\"300\" height=\"111\"><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-112148\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Brand Activations Photo: stock image<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Everything You Need to Know About Brand Activations<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019d be forgiven for not knowing the latest marketing buzzword: brand activation. But, before you roll your eyes, you\u2019ll be surprised to learn, brand activation may actually be the secret ingredient missing in your recipe for success.<\/p>\n<p>Previously, if a brand resonated with its target market, that was a plus. With less competition and smaller markets, brands were able to survive on their reputation for quality. Now, with the advent of the internet, everything\u2019s changed.<\/p>\n<p>Meaningful engagement with customers is critical. Developing a personal connection with your consumers will decide the future of your business. Indeed, personal value has twice as much impact as business value on B2B purchasing decisions.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s why it\u2019s essential to cultivate a brand experience, culture, and personality. If you\u2019re ready to activate your brand, then you\u2019ve come to the right place.<\/p>\n<p>Below, we\u2019re delving past the fluff words and marketing speak to find out the secret of brand activation. We\u2019ll discuss what it is, what ideas you can use, and how brand activation can revolutionize your customer experience.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s get started!<\/p>\n<p><strong>What are brand activations?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Brand activation is any campaign, event, interaction, or connection with a customer(s) that sparks awareness and builds engagement.<\/p>\n<p>Think about it.<\/p>\n<p>When you started your business, no one knew who you were or what you were about. You were a lone brand cast adrift in an endless sea of other brands. You were lost. Unknown.<\/p>\n<p>But, gradually, through each customer interaction, your reputation grew. People noticed. No longer were you lost; now you were the destination.<\/p>\n<p>You activated your brand.<\/p>\n<p>However, don\u2019t confuse brand activation with more pedestrian branding strategies. After all, what\u2019s the purpose of all brand strategies: to build awareness and connect with the audience.<\/p>\n<p>Brand activation is different. It\u2019s not the passive accrual of customers and recognition. Instead, it\u2019s a business showcasing its brand to the world through a specific campaign or event. It\u2019s the flash in the dark. The kick-ass guitar solo. The headline performance. It\u2019s a brand in total control, creatively demonstrating who and what they are.<\/p>\n<p>Think about Apple\u2019s annual tech launches. A local bakery hosting a Bake-Off Competition. Or a charity, launching a digital marketing campaign across social media.<\/p>\n<p>In short: think big!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why is brand activation so important?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If it\u2019s not obvious yet, brand activations put you on the map. They\u2019re a landmark event in a company\u2019s calendar. They\u2019re a chance to get people hooked. To teach them about your fantastic product or service, then keep them coming back.<\/p>\n<p>And that\u2019s precisely the point. Brand activations are all about personality. No brand activation is the same.<\/p>\n<p>There are fun brand activations. Creative brand activations. Experiential brand activations. Some companies want to launch a festival. Others prefer a digital campaign designed to create awareness.<\/p>\n<p>In the end, you call the shots.<\/p>\n<p>The only goal is to create that emotional connection. To jolt your company into life and win over a lasting customer base.<\/p>\n<p>And, best of all, brand activations work. Despite all the time and effort required, 98% of people report feeling more inclined to purchase a brand\u2019s products following an activation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Following me so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The key steps in a brand activation strategy<\/p>\n<p>Ok! We all understand. Brand activations are awesome. But how do they work? What do you need to do?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Well, all great brand activation strategies can be broken down into four simple steps:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span>What are you about?<\/span> No grand brand activation can happen before you\u2019ve defined your brand. Like the plot of a movie, a brand\u2019s raison d\u2019etre should be a simple line.<br \/>For instance, Apple\u2019s brand statement could be: cutting-edge tech with beautiful design. It doesn\u2019t have to be complicated; it just has to speak the language of you. Whether that be the gooiest cookie or the best of modern European literature. What\u2019s your message?<\/li>\n<li><span>Who are you selling to?<\/span> There\u2019s a fundamental rule of marketing: know thy audience. This will determine whether you opt for a fun, creative, or experiential brand activation strategy. You need to know the demographic, interests, and traits of your prospective buyers. After all, 72% of customers prefer marketing messages tailored to their tastes. I mean, who doesn\u2019t?<\/li>\n<li><span>What are your strengths and weaknesses?<\/span> Before we delve into your brand activation ideas, it\u2019s time, to be honest. What\u2019s good and bad about your product? What will put people off? And how can you lessen the problem? Continuing our Apple analysis: the obvious downside of Apple\u2019s excellence is the price. Not everyone can afford the latest iPhone or iPad. How does Apple counter this? By embracing it. Its brand activation events are luxurious, cutting-edge, elite. Indeed, weaknesses can often be turned into strengths. Brand activation is a chance to own your message \u2013 so be careful to preempt any downsides before your customers get a chance.<\/li>\n<li><span>What\u2019s your big event?<\/span> Now you know your message and your customers, how are you going to draw them in? Mind map out different brand activation ideas. Go wild. Anything is possible. But just remember to keep it within the theme of your brand and its message.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>This is a great time to outsource your brand activation to an industry expert like Isilumko Activate. We\u2019ll be able to review your message and customer base, identifying any missing components. Then, we\u2019ll generate tons of fun and creative brand activation ideas that will \u201ccreate and connect the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Four brand activation ideas<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>While it\u2019s true that brand activation events vary wildly. For your first brand activation, it pays to stick to four broad categories.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Let\u2019s explore these different brand activation ideas and when to put them to use:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span>Free trial campaigns:<\/span> Everyone loves a free sample. That one-week trial of a product you need for work. Only it never lasts a week, does it? After trialing the service, you\u2019re hooked \u2013 soon, you find yourself subscribing for a year; it was just that good. That\u2019s the logic behind the trial campaign, in a nutshell. But there\u2019s a fine line to walk here. If you offer a free cookie to everyone walking by, many may never visit your store. You want to create an event where you can target your audience. That\u2019s where digital trial campaigns benefit. People search out your product and then enjoy the free trial. Or, prior customers can be sent an invitation via their email.<\/li>\n<li><span>Experiential marketing:<\/span> Popup photobooths that show off photo editing software. Virtual tours of games. Or seawater in a can. This is experiential marketing. The latter example was a masterclass from the water sports brand Tribord. To remind people of the dangers of the sea, they simulated the drowning experience through a fake drink called WAVE \u2013 essentially seawater in a can. That helped boost sales and awareness of their new floatation jacket. Experiential marketing is all about creating an immersive user experience that lodges in their memory.<\/li>\n<li><span>In-store brand activation:<\/span> If you\u2019re a brick-and-mortar-based business, in-store brand activation is your chance to tell a story. This means in-store promotions and events. Take a bookstore that invites an author to launch their new book. Or, at Christmas, a major retailer hosting a themed celebration to mark the start of Christmas shopping and showcase their decorations.<\/li>\n<li><span>Industry events and trade shows:<\/span> Finally, here\u2019s a classic. Suppose you\u2019re struggling to find your customer base, head to a trade show. Here, you\u2019ve got a captive audience ready to dive into your brand.<br \/>Push your brand at a live seminar or presentation. Wow, with a branded booth that shouts your message to the rooftops. Most of all, get noticed!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Five tips for a successful brand activation<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s not waste any more time. What\u2019s the secret to a successful brand activation?<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>It\u2019s all about emotion. Brand activations are about triggering emotion in a customer. That could be excitement, nostalgia, Christmas spirit, or childish glee. Spark that reaction, and you\u2019ll have a customer for life.<\/li>\n<li>Create an experience. Don\u2019t spend all your time and money on a flop. Create a memory in your customer\u2019s minds that they\u2019ll never forget. Start a conversation.<\/li>\n<li>Be inventive. Consider Carlsberg\u2019s campaign back in 2015. They put up a billboard that read, \u201cProbably the best poster in the world.\u201d At the bottom was a pump where you could pour yourself a chilled pint \u2013 now that\u2019s thinking outside the box.<\/li>\n<li>Think big. This is your grand brand activation. It\u2019s got to wow and amaze. Don\u2019t settle for a few leaflets. What\u2019s going to get people interested?<\/li>\n<li>Hire the experts. Don\u2019t go it alone. Here at Isilumko Activate, we have won many awards from our experience activating brands. With a strong emphasis on ROI and consumer insights, our brand activations are a day to remember.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Do you want to bring your brand to life?<\/p>\n<p>Do you want to get noticed with an innovative, creative brand activation? Get in touch! \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/isilumkoactivate.co.za\/our-services\/brand-activations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/isilumkoactivate.co.za\/our-services\/brand-activations\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>http:\/\/www.cmo.com\/opinion\/articles\/2017\/8\/9\/b2b-buying-is-full-of-emotions-ptr-tlp.html<\/li>\n<li>https:\/\/www.protocol80.com\/blog\/b2b-marketing-statistics<\/li>\n<li>https:\/\/medium.com\/@BCEXmktg\/15-experiential-marketing-facts-to-get-you-through-2017-3a7e37f1973c<\/li>\n<li>https:\/\/smarterhq.com\/privacy-report<\/li>\n<li>https:\/\/sendpulse.com\/support\/glossary\/brand-activation<\/li>\n<li>https:\/\/blog.hubspot.com\/marketing\/brand-activation<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/mypr.co.za\/contact\/featured\/\">CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"entry-pagination pagination\">Pages: <span class=\"post-page-numbers current\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Page <\/span>1<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-brand-activations\/2\/\" class=\"post-page-numbers\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Page <\/span>2<\/a><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\">Source: MyPR.co.za<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Brand Activations Photo: stock image Everything You Need to Know About Brand Activations You\u2019d be forgiven for not knowing the latest marketing buzzword: brand activation. But, before you roll your eyes, you\u2019ll be surprised to learn, brand activation may actually be the secret ingredient missing in your recipe for success. Previously, if a brand resonated [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":214330,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3331,18,3332,9021,3336,1],"tags":[3257],"class_list":{"0":"post-214329","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-cape-town","8":"category-durban","9":"category-johannesburg-south-africa","10":"category-mypr","11":"category-pretoria-south-africa","12":"category-south-africa","13":"tag-mypr","14":"entry"},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-brand-activations.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/214329","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=214329"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/214329\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/214330"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=214329"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=214329"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=214329"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}