IAB: Christmas & Holiday Media Planning 2021

Part 1: Interview with Mark Titley

IAB: Christmas & Holiday Media Planning 2021 – Pt1

Marketers will need to approach Christmas and seasonal marketing different ways in 2021 from their media planning, creative development and ensuring that goods are available for consumers in time for Christmas. In this Q&A a range of industry experts give guidance on making Christmas 2021 a success.  We dive into what the current circumstances mean for both brands and retailers themselves and the opportunities that are available. We will look at how consumer behaviour has changed in the last 6 months and how to best navigate this space to maximise the impact in the lead up to the Christmas period.

Mark Titley, Head of Client Services, Bench - Q. With changes in delivery times and product supply how can marketers develop an agile digital advertising plan to suit 2021? With the ad market bouncing back, what tips do you have to help campaigns stand out and advertisers have a strong share of voice?

Mark – With all the uncertainty that 2020 and 2021 have brought, it has highlighted the need for flexibility within marketing plans. With different states and territories going in and out of lockdown, a national approach just doesn’t make sense. A lot of dollars have been wasted on locked in traditional media that don’t have messaging suited to the situation. Accentuated further by businesses that have a heavy bricks and mortar presence with poor online experience. Businesses that have pivoted their models to both capitalise in the huge growth in e-commerce but also consumption of digital media have reaped the rewards!

This is where programmatic comes in as the smart marketing choice. The flexibility, scale, speed to market and efficiency that it provides makes it the wise choice in the ever-changing dynamic in Australia. With access to the vast majority of traditional channels (excluding print) and especially the ability to access DOOH,  programmatic is not just the performance driver that it once was. Marketers are outsmarting their competition with the advantages that it provides. Reaching the right audience, at the right time, with the right message and connecting the dots between their activity.

As was brilliantly covered by Les Binet, if you want to increase your share of market you need to have a higher (effective) share of voice. The key word here is effective… It doesn’t mean you need to outSPEND your competition but it does mean you need to outSMART your competition. Giving you a higher share of voice efficiently and effectively where it counts – with less wastage. I know where I would be spending my money!

Heading into the busiest retail period of the year (Oct-Dec) with so much uncertainty combined with supply challenges it will be imperative to remain flexible and be able to pivot so that you don’t miss out on the biggest opportunity available.

May the odds be ever in your favour!

 

This Q&A appeared on the IAB website October, 2021

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Shai Luft - Bench Media

Chief Operating Officer

Shai Luft

Meet Shai Luft, a senior marketing executive with a proven track record of delivering results for Australia’s largest ASX200-listed companies. Despite his success, Shai was frustrated by the amount of red tape and bureaucracy that held back marketing innovation. That’s why he co-founded Bench in 2012. As the driving force behind Bench’s operations, Shai is committed to empower marketers with the agility and control they need to achieve their best results.

Ori Gold - Bench Media

Chief Executive Officer

Ori Gold

Meet Ori Gold, an ad tech and martech expert. Driven by the frustration of everyday marketers facing a lack of control and accessibility, Ori co-founded Bench in 2012 to revolutionise the digital advertising landscape. Heading the talented and forward-thinking team at Bench, Ori is the driving force behind the company’s strategic and product vision. Thanks to Ori’s leadership, Bench has become one of the most respected and successful digital agencies in Australia.

General Manager

Liam Garratt

Meet Liam Garratt, the creative mind behind Bench’s top-notch products and services. With a career in digital media spanning over a decade, Liam has made a name for himself as a leader in the industry. He got his start in 2011 working for UK-based programmatic platform Crimtan, where he played a key role in launching the company’s Australian office. In 2017, Liam brought his expertise to Bench, where he now leads the Product & Services functions. Liam is passionate about delivering only the highest quality products and services to Bench’s clients. His commitment to excellence is the foundation of Bench’s stellar reputation.

VP of Growth

Anthony Fargeot

Meet Anthony Fargeot, the pioneer behind Bench’s growth and success. Joining Bench in its infancy in 2013, Anthony’s experience with high-growth start-ups gave him the skills to help Bench become one of the most successful digital agencies in Australia. As Head of Client Services and then Director of Operations, Anthony led Bench through its highest growth period. Today, as VP of Growth, Anthony uses his creative thinking and strategic insights to always look for new and innovative ways to help Bench stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly changing digital landscape.