Marketing Forecast from Ad-ology

One of the major causes of continued market turmoil is economic uncertainty. In the extended period of uncertainty we’re now experiencing, investors have been slow to make decisions and even slower to commit capital to new projects. This hesitation is impacting the advisor-client relationship even for high level strategic financial advisors.

After widely publicized cases regarding disgruntled consumers, banks and overdraft fees, Congress passed new legislation designed to prevent abuse by financial services providers. The only problem is many consumers are not aware of the new laws. Or, if they are, consumers don’t understand the details. Findings by HarrisInteractive suggest that more banks should be engaging in marketing campaigns to educate customers.

Like operators in many other industries, insurance companies are feeling economic pain. And they are looking for better ways to market and deliver their services. In large part, insurance companies across the globe are planning to move more operations online.

Although the total gift card market and prepaid card market dropped in 2009, analysts expect revenue growth in 2010. The tighter credit standards are the primary drivers behind card market improvement as consumers shift to a pay-now or pay-before mindset. A Javelin Strategy & Research study suggests that marketers can increase sales by targeting specific businesses and demographics with prepaid and gift card products.

In the past few years, consumers have learned painful lessons about the need to save and invest money. But many consumers lack even basic knowledge about how to invest and what they might expect for returns. To find help, men and women of all ages are turning to new sources to gather information.

Insurance companies appear to be taking a page from food marketers’ handbook. A recent report in Youth Markets Alert describes how insurance companies are expanding their efforts to reach the youngest consumers: kids and teens. One company, American Family Insurance, is sponsoring the “Clifford the Big Red Dog Be Big” campaign while State Farm has underwritten the Nickelodeon’s “Go Diego, Go Live! Tour.”