Strategy June 22, 2015

Promotions Planner

Plan creative campaigns three months out.

By  Christopher Ruvo

October 2015

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Nonprofits, corporations, schools, sports teams and other organizations across the country will host, sponsor or participate in events that generate funds to battle breast cancer and encourage early detection practices (www.cancer.org). Look for local opportunities, such as providing T-shirts for participants in 5k fundraisers.

National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month

Schools throughout the nation will be holding classroom activities and hosting assembly presentations aimed at eradicating bullying (www.stompoutbullying.org). Pens, pencils and wristbands with anti-bullying messages will influence students to grasp the message that picking on others is not cool.

 

National Crime Prevention Month

This initiative seeks to motivate people everywhere to commit to making their communities safer (www.ncpc.org). Look to partner with police departments running special outreach programs geared toward educating citizens on how they can safely contribute to stopping crime. Have the cops give out keychain flashlights or flashing light wands with their department logo, contact information and emergency numbers.

 

Oct. 4-10 Fire Prevention Week

Add branding power to fire departments’ mission to increase fire safety practices in their communities. Suggest products that include T-shirts, caps, novelty plastic firemen hats, stress relievers shaped like firemen and brandable coloring books with fire safety tips (www.nfpa.org).

 

Oct. 11-17: National Food Bank Week

This week  presents a chance for your corporate clients to get free positive publicity (www.feedingamerica.org). Have clients partner with a food bank or two, pledging to match donations up to a certain dollar amount – and to pay for giveaways to people who donate during this week. Gifts, which should include the branding of your client and the food bank, can include reusable tote bags made from recycled materials. Encourage your clients to share their do-gooding with the local media.

 

Oct. 14: Emergency Nurses Day

Empower health networks and individual hospitals to show ER nurses how much their dedication and hard work is appreciated (www.ena.org). Pitch tech products busy nurses can use, such as mobile phone holders, adapters/chargers and scratch-proof iPad cases.

 

Oct. 16: National Boss Day

This is a day set aside for honoring bosses. Help human resource departments at larger companies show managers throughout their organizations that their efforts are valued with gifts like power banks, custom-label wine bottles or apparel

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Oct. 18-24 National Chemistry Week

An estimated 10 million people across all 50 states will participate in open houses, contests, classroom visits and more aimed at celebrating the contributions chemistry has made to modern life (www.acs.org/ncw). Provide participating companies and schools with science-themed products, such as stress relievers shaped like chemical flasks or microscopes and light-up, hand-held magnifying glasses.

 

Oct. 25-30: National Massage Therapy Awareness Week

Massage therapists in every state will seek to attract attention to the benefits of massage therapy (www.amtamassage.org). Fuel promotions with branded incentives therapists can give to first-time customers. Think wellness products with an earthy angle, such as all-natural lip balm and eco-friendly candles.