Integrated Marketing Communications Integrated Marketing Communications is a simple concept.

It ensures that all forms of communications and messages are carefully linked together. At its most basic level, Integrated Marketing Communications, or IMC, as we'll call it, means integrating all the promotional tools, so that they work together in harmony. Promotion is one of the Ps in the marketing mix. Promotions has its own mix of communications tools. All of these communications tools work better if they work together in harmony rather than in isolation. Their sum is greater than their parts - providing they speak consistently with one voice all the time, every time. This is enhanced when integration goes beyond just the basic communications tools. There are other levels of integration such as Horizontal, Vertical, Internal, External and Data integration. Here is how they help to strengthen Integrated Communications. Horizontal Integration occurs across the marketing mix and across business functions - for example, production, finance, distribution and communications should work together and be conscious that their decisions and actions send messages to customers. While different departments such as sales, direct mail and advertising can help each other through Data Integration. This requires a marketing information system which collects and shares relevant data across different departments.

Vertical Integration means marketing and communications objectives must support the higher level corporate objectives and corporate missions. Check out the Hall Of Fame later for more about missions. Meanwhile Internal Integration requires internal marketing - keeping all staff informed and motivated about any new developments from new advertisements, to new corporate identities, new service standards, new strategic partners and so on. External Integration, on the other hand, requires external partners such as advertising and PR agencies to work closely together to deliver a single seamless solution - a cohesive message an integrated message. The many benefits of IMC are examined in the section called, 'Benefits of IMC'. Benefits of IMC Although Integrated Marketing Communications requires a lot of effort it delivers many benefits. It can create competitive advantage, boost sales and profits, while saving money, time and stress. IMC wraps communications around customers and helps them move through the various stages of the buying process. The organisation simultaneously consolidates its image, develops a dialogue and nurtures its relationship with customers. This 'Relationship Marketing' cements a bond of loyalty with customers which can protect them from the inevitable onslaught of competition. The ability to keep a customer for life is a powerful competitive advantage.

IMC also increases profits through increased effectiveness. At its most basic level, a unified message has more impact than a disjointed myriad of messages. In a busy world, a consistent, consolidated and crystal clear message has a better chance of cutting through the 'noise' of over five hundred commercial messages which bombard customers each and every day. At another level, initial research suggests that images shared in advertising and direct mail boost both advertising awareness and mail shot responses. So IMC can boost sales by stretching messages across several communications tools to create more avenues for customers to become aware, aroused, and ultimately, to make a purchase Carefully linked messages also help buyers by giving timely reminders, updated information and special offers which, when presented in a planned sequence, help them move comfortably through the stages of their buying process... and this reduces their 'misery of choice' in a complex and busy world. IMC also makes messages more consistent and therefore more credible. This reduces risk in the mind of the buyer which, in turn, shortens the search process and helps to dictate the outcome of brand comparisons. Un-integrated communications send disjointed messages which dilute the impact of the message. This may also confuse, frustrate and arouse anxiety in customers. On the other hand, integrated communications present a reassuring sense of order. Consistent images and relevant, useful, messages help nurture long term relationships with customers. Here, customer databases can identify precisely which customers need what information when... and throughout their whole buying life.

Finally, IMC saves money as it eliminates duplication in areas such as graphics and photography since they can be shared and used in say, advertising, exhibitions and sales literature. Agency fees are reduced by using a single agency for all communications and even if there are several agencies, time is saved when meetings bring all the agencies together - for briefings, creative sessions, tactical or strategic planning. This reduces workload and subsequent stress levels - one of the many benefits of IMC.

RED BULL ENERGY DRINK

Market Review Canadian Retail market for energy drink is worth approxim $44 million. Red Bull holds 50% of market share worth $22 million Consumer often confuse energy drink with sports drinks such as Gatorade and PowerAde. Seen as addictive, Drug-infused beverages with negative health implication. Major beverage corporations are weighing into the energy drink market with their own variations Today Youth and young adults are facing increased responsibilities

Competitors Analysis ( Market Share ) Red Bull 50% Hansens Natural 18% Coca cola ( Rockstar , Full Throttle ) 17% Pepsi ( Amp , No fear ) 10% Independent / Regional 5% Target Market

Young Athletes Sobe No fear , Mountain Dew Amp The Mans Man Moster , Full throttle Females Tab , Rockster Real Competition Multi dimensional corporation that are market leaders in several other sectors that have the ability to advertise infinity because of their substantial budget and brand leadership.

Media objectives: who will use it? Women 16-35, comfortable personal income, aggressively pursuing goals, reject some social conventions (housewife, marriage), Urban, or want to be, secondary target males, similar demographics also teens, but inadvertently. Media objective: why will you drink Red Bull? Red Bull is the current market leader Independent, it has an European origin which is very catchy, well-known label, small can Berry-flavoured, carbonated, available sugar-free. Restorative, vitalizing effects increases mental awareness. It has all natural ingredients that TASTE BETTER THAN COFFEE When? It has a pulse some media Jan-Aug

outdoor, transit and magazines Heavy Sept-Dec: Back to school, winter season, holiday obligations Prime time television Where? National campaign Focus on urban markets How? Transit, outdoor, print, television Reach is key moderate frequency to avoid annoying overplay Female oriented channels Message should support independence Event marketing/sponsorship

Target Market Strategy:- 1 year national campaign; climax in the fall and continue at a high intensity through the busy holiday season; To maximize total impressions and utilize a broad range of channels, a pulse approach will be used in scheduling media;

A profile match strategy will be implemented; womens magazines such as Elle Canada and Lou Lou, television programs such as Canadas Next Top Model, and Desperate Housewives

Reach/Frequency/Continuity:Brand awareness and image are necessary to succeed as campaign must connect with the target to encourage trial purchase and eventually brand loyalty and the frequency is to ensure that the consumer recognizes the products new image Market Coverage:Trendsetting areas - major urban markets and reaching the trendsetting female is the main concern of the campaign and the extent of coverage will rely entirely on the substantial budget. Creative plan:To communicate that Red Bull can restore mental awareness and energize a busy, independent person Communicate that Red Bull is an effective, good tasting substitute for other caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea, pop); and it contains all natural ingredients To communicate that Red Bull is an independent, edgy brand Creative Strategy Image:Show attractive women consuming Red Bull as a substitute for coffee and other energy supplements Image

The target market will see how effectively Red Bull fits into their busy lifestyle thus highlighting the small can and the well-known Red Bull label will also create brand awareness in association with the female market There must be a clear contrast between the average, dull woman and the successful, vibrant Red Bull drinker Tone and Style:Humor will be used to stress the advantages of Red Bull over other energy supplements and competitive brands Tone & Style Appeal Techniques

Appeal techniques:The positive aspects of Red Bull will be presented in contrast to the negative aspects of the alternatives demonstrated visually as well as implied Media selection Rationale:Still a staple in any major media campaign Television allows a demonstration of the advantages of Red Bull Good reach and proven impact. Magazines:The only print media utilized in 2007 Provides critical brand awareness

Clear and precise demographic selectivity Geographic flexibility across many urban markets Outdoor & Transit:Growing in popularity exponentially Potential for gross exposures far outweighs the lack of target market selectivity Both mediums can supplement secondary male and teen market exposure Sales Promotion:- Must encourage the first purchase of the product in store, and make the new target market aware of the product and its benefits and $800 000 set aside for design, creation, and distribution of sales promo materials and co-operative advertising costs. Large displays integrated into the cooler shelves that hold the product with freestanding units at the point of purchase Sales Promotion Bull hoof-print stickers placed on the floor leading from the door to the freestanding rack or coolers. Bull sound when you step on the last footprint Getting Involved

Magazine:2 consecutive partial-page ads followed by a full page ad and a full calendar year They have ads in Fashion Magazines, like Lou Lou, Hello!, Elle (Canadian Edition) which is a Magazine Total: $1 454 988 Fashion

Transit:Interior posters full showing with space in each city will be purchased for 12 weeks but only run four weeks at a time on a rotating schedule The Transit Total cost is: $301 815 53 500 Transit Televisions:Target Female Audience, aged 16-35in the month of September-December only Prime-time programs such as: The Bachelor Americas Next Top Model The O.C. Desperate Housewives Extreme Makeover: Home Edition The total Television cost: $2 237 600 The key point summary:1. 2. 3. 4. Target Female Audience, aged 16-35, but acknowledges the old target Focus on gross exposures for brand awareness Integrate into female culture Use a variety of media, primarily to support PR and sales promotion themes