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Promoting Through Pets
It's an undisputable fact - Americans love their pets. According to the 2011-2012 American Pet Products Association (APPA) survey, 62% of U.S. households own a pet, which equates to 72.9 million homes. This number includes people from every demographic and is perhaps one of the most common denominators amongst any target audience. Regardless of the industry you're in, you can build an emotional connection between clients and your brand by sharing this bond and making their furry friends the focus of your marketing campaign.

There are many factors about the pet industry that have helped it to thrive. These same things will also make promotions geared toward pet lovers successful.

Visibility
Whether performing tricks for houseguests, going for a walk or participating in competitions, people just love to show off their pets. Consumers spend billions of dollars each year on animal apparel and accessories that gussy up their pet in order to captivate an audience. It works too! Americans not only love their own pets, but they also love other people's pets. They will point them out to a friend, say hello and give them a pat whenever possible. Marketers have the opportunity to gain a lot of exposure for any brand by adding a logo to fancy accessories donned by these cute creatures.

Goodwill
Beyond the sheer number of people who own furry, scaly or feathered friends, there is a powerful relationship between people and their pets. A Packaged Facts' March 2012 Pet Owner survey found that 9 out of 10 people consider their pets to be part of the family. Corporate giveaways become very effective when they make an emotional connection with the recipients. Promotional products geared toward pets say a lot about the company handing them out. The perception will be that if your business cares about animals then they most certainly care about their clients.

Recession-Proof
Regardless of the state of the economy, people will still spend money on their pets. According to market research gathered by the APPA, Americans spent almost $51 Billion on pets in 2011 and that number is estimated to increase to almost $53 Billion in 2012. In fact, consumers will often spend money to pamper their pets before buying extras for themselves. This speaks volumes about the importance people place on these products and one of the best ways to make an impact with any marketing campaign is to add value to the lives of the target audience.

Promotional products have been around for a long time, often making it difficult to come up with something new. Unusual gifts, especially those that build a personal connection with your audience, are far more likely to grab the attention of the user and make a lasting impression. Pet-related items offer a fresh new approach to advertising and could be the ticket to making your next campaign a success.




$uccessful $eedlings:
Add a fresh spin to your next marketing campaign with this PurePet Natural Fur Freshener. This spray mist has a light, natural citrus & vanilla scent, and includes all natural water soluble ingredients that bind with the proteins that cause bad odors and eliminate them.
This Tick & Flea Zapper is a must-have item for any furry pet-owner. This little comb will give ticks or fleas a little electrical shock that dogs and cats won't even feel! The fine tooth comb will then remove the insect leaving the pet clean and owners happy.
This convenient travel water bottle for pets is an essential for anyone hitting the road. It has a capacity of approximately 9 ounces and features a water tank and drinking tray that fold up together for easy storage.