SBP 043: The Barber's Brief - November 2, 2023

Welcome to another episode of the Barber’s Brief. A segment where we cover news that caught our eye, a marketing moment where we highlight a case study, and our ad of the week.

Enjoy the show!

Our Hosts:

Follow our updates here: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/sleeping-barber/⁠⁠

Get in touch with our hosts:

Marc Binkley: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcbinkley/

Vassilis Douros: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/vassilisdouros/⁠

In the News:

Unilever promotes internally to appoint new top marketer.

Source: Marketing Week - https://www.marketingweek.com/unilever-appoints-new-top-marketer-promotes-internally/

What B2Bs Need to Know About Their Buyers.

Source: HBR - https://hbr.org/2022/09/what-b2bs-need-to-know-about-their-buyers

Nestle promises an across-the-board increase in marketing spend.

Source: Strategy Online - https://strategyonline.ca/2023/10/19/nestle-promises-an-across-the-board-increase-in-marketing-spend/

Synthetic data is suddenly making very real ripples - Mark Ritson

Source: Marketing Week - https://www.marketingweek.com/synthetic-data-market-research/

Amazon upgrades ad suite with new data clean room, AI image generator

Source: Marketing Dive - https://www.marketingdive.com/news/amazon-unboxed-advertising-data-clean-room-ai-image-generator/697825/

Unilever thinks purpose is pointless for some brands

Source: The Message - https://the-message.ca/2023/10/27/new-unilever-ceo-downplays-purpose-and-hikes-adspend/

The Marketing Moment:

ZGM: AB is Calling

Background

In order for Alberta to thrive now and in the future, we need skilled, young labour. Labour that we just can’t pump out fast enough organically. So, we need to attract skilled workers from other parts of Canada. Workers who may not realize the career and lifestyle opportunities, along with the affordability advantages that Alberta has to offer.

Challenges

Focus group research found that Alberta is portrayed by some as lacking in culture and diversity. We knew this version of Alberta wouldn’t appeal to skilled, young workers living, for example, in the urban centres of Toronto and Vancouver. We would need to address their misconceptions of Alberta head on by using publicly available and completely defensible data to compare Alberta’s advantages in affordability, career opportunities and lifestyle to other strategic Canadian cities.

Strategy

Saying that “Alberta is diverse and rich in culture” could easily be dismissed as marketing language. The messaging needed to focus on jobs, housing and lifestyle, with imagery showcasing a diverse, culturally rich province.

Lead with The Cost of Living targeting Toronto & Vancouver

Execution

Launched Summer 2022: Website, Radio, Audio, Digital & Social in Van + Tor featuring AB advantages including affordable homes, liveable city, family friendly, career opportunities

Fall 2022 - OOH takeover at Yonge-Bloor in Tor + Granville-Robson in Van + Wrapped Vancover Sun paper

Results

AB had the biggest positive net migration from other provinces

Alberta's population grew by 60,000 in the quarter following the campaign– more than any other year since they began estimating populations in 1951.

Ad of the Week

The King & The Viking - Beats by Dre

The Norway international features alongside the one the Los Angeles Lakers superstar in a new promo campaign entitled "The King and The Viking," in which the pair connect with their families on the day before a big game.

In the promo, Haaland receives a heartfelt message from his father and agent, former footballer Alfie. Meanwhile, the man known as "King James" receives a pre-match pep talk from his wife, Savannah.

AD Link: https://youtu.be/EuUXiJW2HjY

© 2023 Sleeping Barber