Media Sales Today

The peak time for toy sales remains the holiday season but consumers purchase these products at other times during the year. Not surprisingly, digital marketing is becoming increasingly important for parents as they research what their children ask for. And, new data indicates that marketers could boost results by shifting their ad strategies.

Traditionally, consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturers have used coupons to get shoppers to try new products or services. During the recession, coupon distributions rose significantly but analysts reported that these numbers dropped in 2011. And, in 2012, marketers may be making some changes to their coupon strategies.

At the Consumer Electronics Show last week, Nokia, along with partners, AT&T and Microsoft, announced the March 2012 rollout of Ace – a smart phone also known as Lumia 900. Industry analysts predict that the three partners will spend at least $100 million advertising this new smart phone. Reps need to check in with local retailers that carry AT&T and Microsoft products as well as smart phone sellers to discuss what’s happening in this market and to tap into some of these funds.

If there’s one thing the ongoing economic crisis has taught consumers, it’s the importance of emergency cash reserves. But it can be difficult for consumers to justify setting aside cash when so many routine expenses come their way. Some insurance companies have decided that the best way to sell life insurance is to promote the dual benefit of the whole-life or permanent plans – survivors get a payout as a death benefit and plan holders can tap the funds to cover cash emergencies.

Just when consumers thought they’d seen it all with respect to bells and whistles on their televisions, manufacturers are ready to sell something new. This year, large screen TVs with extra slim profiles will be lining store shelves. To move these products, both manufacturers and retailers will be rolling out new ad campaigns.

Globally, automakers are expecting a strong 2012. Demand in the U.S., the world’s third largest market, will be solid, but outpaced by faster-growing economies. This year, U.S. automakers will likely be revving up their ad budgets to compete with international manufacturers who have set aggressive targets in the U.S. market and they’ll also be promoting luxury vehicles and lease financing.

General economic conditions and the continued high rate of unemployment are conspiring to keep consumers away from their dentists. While consumers are resorting to a variety of strategies to reduce their costs, dentists are taking action as well, often by joining discount networks. Reps can boost their sales by contacting discount dental plan providers as well as dentists who belong to these networks.