05.26.2009 posted by Lisa Witter

Marketing to Women in the Recession

Consumer Marketing

Draftfcb’s Gigi Carroll released her nine tips for marketing to women in the recession:

1. “Authentic value” is the new price of entry. Only what is good, trusted and worthy will win the race in the minds of today’s women. And those who adapt first, will lead the pack.

2. Little luxuries are always and still appreciated – be it a candle, fabric softener, new shampoo, perfume or chocolate. These little luxuries are more important than ever because they make women feel special, happy, complete and optimistic.

3. Big luxuries are still sought, but more selectively. Witness DeBeers new “Fewer, Better Things” campaign that was conceived with the thought that “things with enduring value are better perceived than those that are disposable.”

4. Functional luxuries, such as cell phones, iPods, and high speed internet, are all seen as essential, and still-necessary objects.

5. Practicality can be profitable. Be it big screen TV to entertain at home, high-quality coffee to prepare at home, or an ongoing relationship with Netflix. Anything can become practical if given the right frame of reference.

6. Comfort is in. Kraft, Heinz, Hershey, Uggs … they make women feel good, calm and safe. If your brand can tout it, find comfort in comfort.

7. The thrill is in the hunt. With bargain-hunting added, shopping just got more exciting. And bargains have never looked better than they do today.

8. Green is still in the black. Green products are still viewed not as a luxury to do without, but rather, as the right thing to do.

9. Transparency has never been more clear. Suspicion and wariness surround big business now and customers demand that marketers be more honest and loyal with them. And as a marketer, keep in mind that if you don’t hold up, word of mouth has never had more volume.

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What’s a Shespotter? It’s someone who gets that women vote, give, volunteer, spread the word and make more buying decisions than men do, which makes them the number #1 target audience if you’re working for change. We started this blog to continue the conversation we began in our book, The She Spot: Why Women are the Market for Changing the World and How to Reach Them.... [more]

About the bloggers

Lisa Chen & Lisa Witter Lisa Chen and Lisa Witter are the authors of The She Spot: Why Women are the Market for Changing the World and How to Reach Them. They are also both senior strategists at Fenton Communications, the nation’s largest public interest communications firm. [Read more about them here]

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