Advertising objectives

Advertising is communication, so advertising objectives are expressed as communication goals. (Реклама это коммуникации, по этому …… как коммуникационные цели) They are also measurable, and limited to a certain length of time, usually one year. An example of an advertising objective is, " if they are asked to name every brand they can think of in the product category, 40% of consumers in the target market will name our brand. This can be checked by survey one year after our advertising campaign has begun." Notice that the objective is not stated in terms of sales. Traditionally, sales have been the only measurement of adver­tising effectiveness (акцент). But in recent years, marketers have realized that sales are a result of many factors, not of advertising alone. The empha­sis has therefore shifted to communication goals, quantifiably expressed.

This shift is due largely to the work of Russell Colley, who provided a theoretical framework for setting advertising objectives. In the early 1960's, Colley developed his DAGMAR approach (Defining Advertising Goals for Measured Advertising Results). Coliey said that the only function of advertising was to communicate to a target audience. It should communicate information about the company and the product. It should create an attitude — readiness to buy the product — that would lead to purchase. Colley used six principles in his approach to advertising goals.

1. Advertising goals state the communication components of the total marketing effort.

2. They are stated in writing, in measurable terms.

3. Both planners and creative people (copywriters, designers) agree upon them. They agree on the nature of the message and of the target audience before they agree on exactly how to de­liver the message.

4. They are based on real problems and opportunities. These are discovered by careful research, not by intuition or guess.

5. They establish a basis for later evaluation. For instance, con­sumer awareness of the brand is tested both before and after the advertising campaign.

6. At the same time (в тоже время) they are stated, the specific means (способ) of later evaluation are also stated (survey, questionnaire, redemption of coupons, etc.).

The final goal of all advertising is to have consumers use the goods or the service. Russell Colley's model for attaining that goal names three stages that precede action. First is awareness that the product exists. Second is understanding of what the product is and what benefits itoffers. Third is the decision to use the product. Then comes the actual purchase of the product or use the service.

This is a model of the " hierarchy of effects." These are steps that a consumer takes toward purchase. They also delineate the effects of advertising at the various stages.

In 1961, Robert J. Lavidge and Gary A. Steiner refined Colley's model. In their theoretical model, they named five steps inthe move­ment toward purchase(покупка). They also outlined how the emphasis of adver­tising changes to expedite the process. They said that a consumer moves from awareness to knowledge, then liking. During this time, advertising gives factual information. Next the consumer reaches the level of preference, then conviction. At this point, consumers prefer the brand over all others, they want to buy it, and they are convinced that the purchase would be a wise one. Advertising inthis period aims to change feelings and attitudes. It appeals to the emotions. As the con­sumer draws closer to purchase, advertising is directed at motives. It seeks to stimulate action.

A third model of the hierarchy of effects is AIDA. Like DAGMAR, AIDA is an acronym. It stands for Attention, Interest, Desire, and Action. This familiar formula suggests that one good advertisement can move consumers through all four steps. First, it captures the attention; some­thing in it catches the eye or the ear. Then there must be something that holds the interest of the reader, watcher, or listener. The advertisement should stimulate the consumer's desire to have the product. Finally, it should stir him or her to action.

The buyer behavior model uses the language of computers to summarize the decision process. It begins with recognition by the con­sumer of an unsatisfied need. The need motivates action, the search for ways to satisfy that need. The search narrows to a specific product. The consumer is aware of its existence, but lacks — and looks for — informa­tion about it. Next, he or she evaluates the information and considers the risks of purchase. " Will this product satisfy my need? Will it be worth the cost in time and money? What if I make the wrong decision? " At this point, the consumer decides whether to buy the product. If the consumer buys it, he or she decides whether he or she is satisfied or dissatisfied with it. If dissatisfied, the consumer begins the search again. If satisfied, he or she may decide to use it regularly.