Tag: dma

Email List Growth: Reaching New Audiences through Sponsorship 7th June, 2011

I recently attended the DMA’s Email Customer Lifecycle Breakfast Briefing with sponsors Silverpop and came away with some refreshing ideas about how to grow email lists.  Working in sponsorship, accessing a list/audience is one of the vital benefits within a sponsorship proposal.  Most often, the audience has not opted in to receive 3rd party communications; however, it is perfectly acceptable and the norm to incorporate sponsor branding within the sponsored event communications.  Options on how to do this successfully were in my last blog Email Newsletter Sponsorship: Who is Getting it Right?

However, badging logos to an email is not always the best way to organically grow your list through sponsorship within eNewsletters.  More integrated approaches can be taken if both parties are flexible, which can create a more engaging relationship with the customer you are trying to reach.

Case Study: A Small World & Boujis

A Small World is similar to a private members online network where the audience is fairly exclusive and difficult to access.  By invite only, a Small World has generated a unique and large enough audience that can become an attractive partner for luxury brands.  Typically this has been done through display advertising.  However, more recently there has been an increase in jointly supported events that are supported by communications sent by both partners to their respective database.  The most recent partner through A Small World’s email newsletter promoting an event with Boujis – a nightclub located in London.

This email was sent by A Small World to their London members.  By avoiding looking overtly commercial and sending communications which the audience has not agreed to receiving, A Small World has promoted their own event showcasing Boujis in the format and copy of the email.  When tickets are reserved, guests are then asked whether they’d like to receive communications and similar invitations to events held with Boujis.  This provides benefit to both parties – enhancing both the A Small World member experience through an exclusive invite specific to their city of residence as well as providing an exclusive audience for Boujis to build brand awareness and showcase their venue to.

In terms of using sponsorship for list growth, this is a great example illustrating how to grow your list organically through a partner – avoiding purchase or rental of data lists.  Instead of spending the money trying to jump start building a new list of customers, Boujis have wisely spent the money in a tailored sponsorship opportunity.  This not only provides them organic list growth, but also alignment with a trusted brand and a tangible event attracting new customers.

I can’t wait for more inspiration and email marketing tips at the second session in the Email Customer Lifecycle sponsored Silverpop  on Conversion,  12 July 2011.  Free to all DMA members, book early to avoid disappointment by emailing [email protected]

To find out more about email marketing, make sure to check out the DMA Email Blog.

Slingshot Sponsorship agency shortlisted for the highly respected Corporate Engagement Awards 2011 26th May, 2011

Slingshot Sponsorship has been shortlisted for 4 categories at the Corporate Engagement Awards.

London-based sponsorship agency Slingshot has been shortlisted by judges for four categories at the Corporate Engagement Awards for their innovative approach with the Equifax and the Direct Marketing Association UK sponsorship campaign.  Categories shortlisted include Best Communication of Corporate Sponsorship Activity, Best Execution of Sponsorship Activity, Best Brand Awareness, and Best Collaborative Approach.

Four nominations in such highly competitive categories, alongside industry heavyweights including The Royal Bank of Scotland with The Prince’s Trust, BT, Jaguar, the Young Vic with Markit, The Big Issue Foundation and Turner Broadcasting is sound acknowledgement of Slingshot’s growing market position in the sponsorship industry.

The Slingshot Sponsorship agency delivers and develops long-term brand strategies that engage targeted audiences through sponsorship rights.  Integrated and tailored in each approach, Slingshot diversifies across a range of industries with clients based in publishing, events, trade associations, and charities.

Jackie Fast, Managing Director of Slingshot Sponsorship, is thrilled to be shortlisted.  “It is such an achievement to be nominated for four categories alongside some very high profile campaigns.  Since launching the agency in 2010, nomination of our work is real recognition of the growing strength of our agency and underlines the measurable positive impact that our work and insight had on both the sponsor’s and the rights owner’s businesses.”

The strict criteria set out for the Corporate Engagement Awards indicated that only the strongest candidates within the industry would be shortlisted for the award. Slingshot’s successful nominations illustrate its capabilities in creating successful partnerships that generate ROI through sponsorship.

The winners of the Corporate Engagement Awards will be announced at the awards ceremony in London on 19 July 2011.

Building Brand Awareness Through Sponsorship: Equifax & DMA Case Study 16th May, 2011

We recently put together our case study page on our website, but while we are collating all of our case study material, we thought we share the Equifax one on our blog!

For more case studies, be sure to check out the page here.

Sponsorship Objective

Equifax wanted to target prime users and suppliers of data, where data was the most important factor in the success of the business. The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) was approached as having a highly niche audience of senior marketing professionals.  Further research showed that 69% of DMA members quoted data as core to their business (see below).

Importance of data within DMA membership

0 = Not important 10= Data is the most important part of my business

Sponsorship Programmes Initiated

  • Data events/conferences
  • Youth marketing initiatives including Young Spark and Young Direct Marketing Awards
  • Online display throughout DMA website
  • Industry leading research
  • DMA Awards
  • BSi Standard DataSeal

Results

  • Overall brand awareness amongst DMA members increased 29% in 2 years
  • 72% of DMA members are now aware of Equifax
  • DMA members who have never heard of Equifax decreased by 19% in 2 years

Our Overall DMA Sponsorship had impressive results. It was crucial that we saw a genuine return on our investment in this activity and a 29% increase in brand awareness certainly met that objective. By aligning ourselves with the DMA we also put Equifax in a credible ‘thought leadership’ position on the key issue of marketing data which, undoubtedly, will reap rewards for us going forward.

– Chris Sherlock, Head of Equifax Marketing Service, Equifax

For more information:

www.dma.org.uk

www.equifax.co.uk