Wine Intelligence CEO Lulie Halstead reflects on five key focus areas for wine marketers during and after COVID-19, based on the evidence presented in a range of marketing theory and practice studies.
- Continue marketing spend: As companies cut marketing spend, each pound that is spent becomes more effective as it delivers a proportionally higher share of voice (SOV) amongst a total reduced spend across a category. This results in this spend being more ‘effective’ than ever with studies showing that “all things being equal, a brand whose share of voice is greater than its share of market (SOM) is more likely to gain market share” (Clarke, 2009) so increasing SOV leads to higher market share in the longer term, holding true also during times of recession
- Focus on core brands: During times of stress, upheaval and economic crisis, consumers tend to revert to what’s familiar as it makes us feel ‘safer’. This is particularly true when shopping trips are more challenging and there is a need to switch to new purchase channels (e.g. online). Analysis of brand purchase during previous recessions has shown that ‘high market share brands’ tend to win at these times. It’s time to park more niche brand development that might distract and focus on what we know works well
- Think about agile innovation & NPD that focuses on relevant benefits: There is also opportunity for selected NPD and innovation. NPD that focuses on helping consumers through these times and solves direct problems can be effective, such as convenient and economical larger packaging formats and online engagement activities. Collaboration with competitors, in an environment where competition legislation is being adjusted, can provide also open new opportunity
- Avoid promotional discounts: There will be lots of channel pricing discrepancies and short-term promotions, but fixing brands at lower price points will keep them there, causing long-term viability issues. While these will be difficult time for many, consumers will continue to rely on treats, ‘min rewards’ and everyday luxuries in a time of recession, and wine will remain both a treat and a reward, whether priced at $5 or $50
- Think local: In times of stress, our tendency as humans is to revert our focus to our local (and national) communities and this is even more true now in an era of lockdown and restrictions of movement. ‘Local’ consumers have the ability to buy direct more easily, visit more frequently as movement restriction are lifted and feel engagement to support brands that are ‘closer to home’
About Wine Intelligence Ltd:
Wine Intelligence was founded in 2002 to support the global wine industry in understanding customers better. The company conducts insights and consultancy projects with trade and consumer respondents around the world and is now established as the world’s leading research-led insights, branding and marketing strategy consultancy for the wine sector. Our active clients, who include some of the largest wine businesses in the world, now number over 100 companies and organisations.
