Is couponing a strategy that helps build long term loyal customers?

First, think about your marketing strategy for a second and regardless of a coupons ability to bring (lasting) brand value to your consumer, as important, is the need for trade support. The all important need to add value to the trade relationship is a mandatory and couponing is a retail traffic builder.

We helped our clients drop billions (yes, billions) of coupons over the years and we see couponing as a significant tool in the marketing mix. As a matter of fact when used in conjunction with other sales building vehicles/tools, coupons effectively increase the register ring with multiple, cross category purchases if used in tie-in programming and other meaningful sales programs.

• They help build awareness when used in in-home FSI or other direct mail solutions.

• They can be used as defensive strategies to offset a competitors program used as regional overlays or on a national program.

So back to the original question, lasting brand loyalty, maybe, but the fact is they are an important part of a brand marketers necessary toolkit and shouldn't be discounted.

Elizabeth Gilbert's best-selling 2006 memoir launched a self-discovery movement that could best be described by its full title: Eat Pray Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia.

Although Sony Pictures has simplified the title, the ongoing search for "everything" remains an integral part of the movie release Friday -- especially if "everything" includes the slew of merchandising items, from the "I Deserve Something Beautiful" lotus petal necklace (Dogeared Jewels and Gifts, $72) to the "Only True Love Remains" organic tee (Signorelli, $45) to the official prayer beads (World Market, $4.99).

Online advertising spending will resume double-digit growth in 2010, reaching $61.8 billion worldwide, according to eMarketer.

Unlike other major media, online advertising spending increased in 2009, growing 2 percent to $55.2 billion, the research firm reported.

By 2014, eMarketer estimates online spending will leap to $96.8 billion worldwide, growing at an 11.9 percent compound annual rate, despite the slow, uneven and fragile global economic recovery.

Do So Effectively and Marketing Opportunities Will Follow

You can do your part to stimulate the economic recovery and help build your brand. Here's how.

First, recognize that buyers holding tightly to their purchase orders must not only be encouraged, but also inspired to do business with you. Moving from persuasion to inspiration requires an investment of time and, yes, dollars -- though not always a huge amount. Success is more likely to hinge on marketing savvy and a brand strategy executed with precision.

Like many others, you're probably thinking about how this uncertain economy is going to affect your business. It's surely a hot topic among retail marketing leaders. Brands that thrive in recessions tend to be very focused on better merchandising at retail. When budgets are tight, we have to focus on what we know actually sells." This isn’t about creating new brand identities, this is about return on investment at retail.”

Washington, March 3, 2009 - This St. Patrick’s Day, Americans are more likely to stash any "pot o’ gold" they find rather than spend it.  According to NRF’s St. Patrick’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch, people celebrating the Irish holiday will spend an average of $32.80 on decorations, food and beverage and festive attire, compared to an average of $35.04 in 2008. Total spending is expected to reach $3.29 billion.*

Young & Rubicam, looking to snag more revenue in one of the few ad sectors still growing despite the recession, is forming an alliance with Mars Advertising, a specialist in pitching products to consumers while they're busy shopping.

Audience fragmentation and the waning power of TV ads have forced many companies to peddle their products inside stores, where potential buyers are closer to a purchase. Their tools can include jazzy video displays, colorful promotions in the aisles or in-store video screens that serve up ads.

Even though 22% of consumers admit they are self-conscious when it comes to redeeming coupons at the grocery store, many are shrugging off the uncomfortable feeling to save money.

• 57% of those who admitted that clipping coupons was awkward now say they don't care as long as they save money.
• 26% of consumers under age 35 said the economic downturn has reduced their inhibitions about coupon usage.
• Nearly 23% who suffer financially have become less self-conscious about redeeming coupons.
• About 40% of people ages 35 to 54 said they used more coupons in the last six months, compared to 36% of consumers ages 55 to 64, and 25% of those ages 65 and older.

Source: ICOM Information & Communications, March 2009

It's a precarious time for brands. Consumers are spending less money and investing it more carefully. They may be abandoning favored brands for low-priced competitors or generic alternatives. That's why it's more important that ever for established brands to engage in aggressive value building.

Value building is not a new concept. In good times and bad, smart brand marketers have always recognized the need to build value and differentiate-to make their brands a little better than competitors by adding a new feature, creating a special promotion or forging a unique alliance with another brand.

Marketing a product to a consumer necessitates getting the word out to the public – buy our product and you will get the best bang for your buck. In today’s economy, consumers are not handing out their bucks so quickly. People are being more thoughtful and cautious before parting with their dollars.

Many economists have declared a recession is already here, thus fueling a critical change in thinking for millions of consumers. We have witnessed gas prices across the nation climbing toward or over the $4.00 a gallon mark, the volatility of the stock market, and the soaring number of home foreclosures due to the subprime mortgage financing crisis. With all these conditions preying on us, we are forced to take a more introspective and analytic approach when it comes to personal buying habits.