INDIVIDUAL MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS PLAN

Company chosen - ADIDAS - to develop a report for an Integrated Marketing Communication plan for the fashion brand chosen from your first presentation. The communication plan needs to cover the period July-September and/or October-December 2023. You should be prepared to consider the full range of available Marketing Communication tools to complete this assessment and to justify the rationale for their use based on solid academic theory and research.

Full Answer Section

     
    • Look for trendy and brand-conscious clothing and footwear.
    • Active on social media and follow influencers for style inspiration.
Campaign Objective:
  • Increase brand awareness and positive brand perception among parents and teenagers.
  • Drive sales of adidas Originals and Performance products for the back-to-school season.
  • Position adidas as the go-to brand for stylish, comfortable, and sustainable back-to-school essentials.
IMC Tools and Rationale:
  • Digital Marketing:
    • Social Media Marketing:
      • Partner with family and parenting influencers to create engaging content showcasing stylish and durable adidas back-to-school outfit ideas. (Social Proof Theory)
      • Utilize interactive features like polls and quizzes to help parents choose the right backpacks and footwear for their children. (Elaboration Likelihood Model)
      • Launch a branded hashtag challenge encouraging parents and teens to share their back-to-school style using adidas products. (Bandwagon Effect)
      • Partner with educational platforms and back-to-school shopping groups to promote adidas products.
    • Search Engine Marketing (SEM):
      • Implement targeted search engine advertising campaigns using relevant keywords related to back-to-school shopping, kids' clothing and footwear, and sustainable brands.
      • Optimize product pages and landing pages with relevant keywords to ensure adidas products appear in search results.
    • Content Marketing:
      • Develop blog posts and articles offering tips for back-to-school shopping, highlighting the importance of comfort, durability, and sustainability in kids' clothing and footwear.
      • Create engaging video content showcasing the back-to-school product line and its features, such as durability tests and sustainability initiatives.
  • Public Relations:
    • Partner with educational institutions to offer discounts or promotions for students and teachers purchasing adidas back-to-school essentials. (Community Involvement)
    • Issue press releases announcing new back-to-school product launches and collaborations with relevant brands or athletes.
    • Secure media placements in parenting magazines and online publications to generate positive brand coverage.
  • Experiential Marketing:
    • Host pop-up shops in key shopping centers offering interactive experiences where families can try on and personalize adidas back-to-school products. (Sensory Marketing)
    • Partner with local schools or community centers to organize events with giveaways and activities promoting the adidas back-to-school collection.
  • Traditional Media:
    • Consider limited television commercials during programs relevant to families and back-to-school shopping. (Classical Conditioning)
    • Utilize targeted print advertising placements in family magazines and local newspapers during the back-to-school shopping season.
Evaluation and Measurement:
  • Monitor website traffic, social media engagement metrics (likes, comments, shares), and influencer campaign performance.
  • Track sales data to measure the impact of the campaign on back-to-school product sales across various channels (online and in-store).
  • Analyze brand sentiment through social media listening tools and online reviews to gauge brand perception.
  • Conduct surveys among parents after the campaign period to gather feedback on brand awareness and purchase decisions.
Budget Allocation:
  • Digital Marketing: 55% (highest allocation due to the target audience's digital habits)
  • Public Relations: 20%
  • Experiential Marketing: 15%
  • Traditional Media: 10%
Timeline:
  • Pre-Campaign (May-June): Develop campaign materials, secure partnerships with influencers and media outlets, launch social media teasers.
  • Campaign Period (July-September): Execute all marketing activities, monitor performance, and make adjustments as needed.
  • Post-Campaign (October): Analyze results, gather feedback, and develop a post-campaign report.
Conclusion: This integrated marketing communication plan aims to leverage a strategic mix of digital, social, experiential, and traditional media channels to reach both parents and teenagers during the crucial back-to-school shopping season. By focusing on stylish, comfortable, and sustainable products, adidas can effectively position itself as the preferred brand for families seeking quality back-to-school essentials.  

Sample Answer

     

Target Audience:

  • Primary: Gen Z and Millennial parents (25-45 years old) with children aged 5-18 years old.
    • Interested in stylish and functional back-to-school apparel and footwear for their children.
    • Value comfort, durability, and sustainability in their purchasing decisions.
    • Active on social media and influenced by online trends and recommendations.
  • Secondary: Teenagers (13-18 years old) who have a say in their back-to-school shopping choices.