The various types of media currently available due to technological developments enable customers to enjoy convenient access to product information, allowing them to make more informed choices about what they buy than ever before. Companies, on the ot...
The various types of media currently available due to technological developments enable customers to enjoy convenient access to product information, allowing them to make more informed choices about what they buy than ever before. Companies, on the other hand, are increasingly finding it hard to meet the ever-changing needs of consumers. Integrated Marketing Communication(IMC) has been created to fillthe need for an integrated operation of various marketing communication channels for consumers. It is a holistic approach to marketing to ensure a consistency of message to consumers according to segmentation and modeling based on his or her character and consuming behavior.
As a technology-driven era is giving way to an emotion-driven one, consumers prefer to have products that spark an interest of a consumer regardless of price. Brand plays an important role in connecting people with products. Not only do customers value the function of a product butthey also have an affinity with the product with an image and story to it. They voluntarily create a community to share their experience and story of the products they bought.
For this reason, today's marketing should identify factors that touch the emotion of consumers so that it can lead up to a future purchase. The value of a brand can increase by building a close relationship between consumers and products, resulting in a stronger brand power. This is the target of IMC strategy.
Storytelling is an interaction between speaker and listener. There should be a natural interaction between brands and consumers in order for them to have a close and lasting relationship. When a story based on a brand is created and delivered, the very characteristics of a story such as changeability, extension, contagion and sympathy can play as a bridge between brands and consumers. This demonstrates that storytelling can be a valuable strategic tool for IMC in this emotion-centered era. The purpose of this research is to identify the importance and dynamics of storytelling in IMC strategy by analyzing AnyMotion, a TV commercial of Samsung Electronics which is regarded as one of the most successful cases in IMC.
This research is based on a theoretical analysis. First the theoretical background of IMC and storytelling, different types of storytelling technique and others factors were investigated. Second, the value of storytelling in IMC and how people respond to product-based storytelling were analyzed. Third, the role of storytelling as a success factor for IMC was investigated through the analysis of Samsung Electronics' AnyMotion. Fourth, how the storytelling-based IMC will develop in the future was discussed. Lastly, a conclusion was reached and future research topics were suggested.
Case studies have shown that the story of AnyMotion of Samsung Electronics is funny, riveting and viral. Such factors behind the storytelling have inspired consumers to actively participate in a community to share their story and experience. This has led to an increase in sales and recognition of the brand. Even as time passed by, consumers have recalled the story and image surrounding the product purchased and modified and developed a new story. This is a testament to the argument that storytelling has an impact on the recognition of a brand, strengthening its brand power. Playing as a raw material for new types of expression and technique, a unique story based on a brand can be widely used in an era of ubiquitous computing and integration. It was concluded that storytelling is the right approach when it comes to IMC and is a valuable factor for the success of the IMC strategy.