The camera opens on an FBI trained forensic artist and a woman, separated only by a curtain. He asks her to describe herself as he draws. This sketch is compared to the one that a stranger described for her, pointing out her true beauty.
Dove’s “Real Beauty Sketches” campaign is masterfully crafted to hit you in the heartstrings as you realize the beauty you can’t see in yourself. As content marketing companies, this is what we hope to achieve. This is “Brandertainment.”
Simply Put
“Branded content,” “Advertainment” or “Brandertainment” — it goes by many names but they all mean one thing: An entertainment based vehicle that is complementary to a brand’s marketing strategy. This is funded by the brand in hopes of connecting with the target audience in a unique and engaging way through stories that elicit feelings.
Roughly 61 percent of consumers have reported that they are more likely to buy from a brand that delivers custom content. We escape the drudgery of day-to-day life through our entertainment choices. Enter the champions of the marketing world, the digital marketing firms.
Can You Do It?
Most content marketing companies use professional media producers instead of in-house production, however you don’t need Hollywood to create your incredible piece of content. While viral videos are intended to reach mass audiences, “Brandertainment” is intended to create the deeper connection with the target audience.
With a unique concept, this form of content marketing can be achieved by even the smallest brands. First, set clear goals for your campaign — do you want to increase sales or simply increase brand awareness? Second comes the brainstorming — bounce ideas back and forth until you define a clear winner.
Finally, produce and launch your campaign — a small budget doesn’t mean low quality content. Invest in a production team that will carry your idea to the finish.
As the great Willy Wonka once said, “Invention, my dear friends, is 93 percent perspiration, six percent electricity, four percent evaporation and two percent butterscotch ripple.” So sugar up, and good luck.
