Building Brand Buzz - Part 2

Licensors and Licensees can usually cite social media numbers and claim leadership in this space. If you're responsible for this critical role, do you offer an engaging fan message or is it simply promotional?

In my experience working with a fifty-year old brand like Doctor Who we regularly communicated with audiences, held special live fan events at comic conventions and tracked the fan blogs. Here's some usable ideas to engage fans and build brand buzz:

1. Run a simple poll on social media and ask fans to choose a favorite design or action figure. Pick five fans randomly and send them the item that fans requested the most. Create a little more sizzle and ask a retailer to sponsor the fan poll. It also helps if you are aware of state rules regarding polls and awards of prizes.
2. Engage fans worldwide and pose the question, "Where in the world is...." and add in the brand or character name. Fans can send in their photo of the character's action figure, fashion apparel or even an artist drawing with varying geographic background locations.

Remember to post fans first names so they get the recognition. Be sure to advise them of this prior to posting their names.

3. Send a star or random celebrity your product and request a photo of them with it. Will this work? Marketers hire agencies for this but companies do it on their own all the time. A friend of mine was a popular actor who never received his action figure until I requested it from the studio. His reaction upon receiving it - Priceless!

For more ideas on building brand buzz, feel free to contact me or visit www.LRStudiohub.com