Ad & Media Strategies
May 21, 2009 posted by Otilia Otlacan

New Ad-ology Study: Reduced Advertising During Recession Negatively Impacts Consumer Perception

Perceived Success of Banks, Retail, Automotive Tied to Advertising

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – More than 48% of U.S. adults believe that a lack of advertising by a retail store, bank or auto dealership during a recession indicates the business must be struggling. Likewise, a vast majority perceives businesses that continue to advertise as being competitive or committed to doing business.

The latest Ad-ology Research study, “Advertising’s Impact in a Soft Economy,” analyzes consumer perception about businesses that continue to advertise, and those that do not, in the current economy.

The study finds advertising appears to play a key role in consumers’ view of how a business is doing, and by not advertising, businesses may be sending a warning signal to current and potential customers.

“It is critical to advertise in the current economic climate, to maintain long-term positive consumer perception of your brand,” said C. Lee Smith, president and CEO of Ad-ology Research. “Advertising not only assures consumers of a business’ reliability in a soft economy, but it can influence where and what they buy, especially when the ads address concerns about value,” Smith said.

Other key findings:

* 40% of consumers use coupons more now than a year ago
* Most consumers are as willing or more willing to pay more for ‘healthy’ or ‘organic’ products than they were a year ago
* A ‘deeply discounted price’ was the number-one factor that would make consumers more likely to purchase a big-ticket item (+$1,000)
* TV, newspaper, direct mail, and Internet top local media from which consumers saw/heard an ad within the last 30 days that led them to take action
* Store Web sites ranked second only to search engines as the way consumers research products and shop online

Advertising’s Impact in a Soft Economy is available for purchase through Ad-ology.net, and includes 63 data charts and additional marketing insights.

About Ad-ology Research

Ad-ology Research analyzes key marketing and advertising trends in over 400 industries and what motivates end-customers. The company’s research is used by over 2,000 advertising agencies, media properties and product marketing departments across the United States. Ad-ology Research is a division of Sales Development Services (SDS), Inc. – a Westerville, Ohio firm founded in 1989.

Methodology

Ad-ology Research surveyed an online consumer panel of 1,225 adults in a manner that is 98% representative of the adult population of the United States from April 24-29, 2009. The margin of error for this survey is +/- 2.2 percentage points.

Otilia is the founder and editor of AdOperationsOnline.com, launched in 2008. She is based in Dublin (IE) and Arad (RO) and works as a consultant through her company, RightFit Media, specialized in web monetization, social media strategy, brand awareness and brand development for ad tech companies.
  • http://www.hydranetwork.com Sue

    Smart marketers use smart advertising during a recession. Clearly the boom market advertising methodologies don’t necessarily apply in leaner times. Smart marketers need to reduce advertising waste, measure twice and cut precisely in the areas which will provide the most ROI. More and more marketers are moving to a pay-for-performance model for their advertising. Cost Per Action, Cost Per Engagement and other specifically measurable performance-based marketing models are the key to efficient and effective marketing in this economy. Don’t stop advertising, just be smarter about how, when,and where you’re advertising.

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