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Source:  Media Buyer Planner

Consumers Say Fewer Ads Spell Trouble

The research study, Advertising’s Impact in a Soft Economy, was undertaken to determine whether stopping advertising during the recession could harm a business. It found that advertising appears to play a key role in consumers’ views of how a business is doing. By not advertising, businesses may be sending a warning signal to current and potential customers, Ad-ology said (via Marketing Charts).

For example, when consumers no longer see/hear advertising from an auto dealership during a down economy, 50% say they view the dealership as struggling. When a dealership advertises during tough times, 34% believe the dealership to be committed to doing business.

Consumer perception is similar for stores and banks. When advertising ceases among the following businesses, consumers thing they are struggling and may not be in business much longer. However, when they continue to advertise frequently, consumers believe they’re committed to doing business and are competitive and performing well.

“It is critical to advertise in the current economic climate, to maintain long-term positive consumer perception of your brand,” said C. Lee Smith, president and CEO of Ad-ology Research. “Advertising not only assures consumers of a business’ reliability in a soft economy, but it can influence where and what they buy, especially when the ads address concerns about value.”

The study also found that:

• 62% of respondents say media news reports make the economy worse, and 44% say they consume less news now than they did a year ago.
• 46% of consumers view a company’s products/services less favorably if that company is announcing layoffs.
• 40% of consumers use coupons more now than they did a year ago% are somewhat willing to pay more for “green” products that claim to be better for the environment, and 7% are very willing.
• 46%  are somewhat willing to pay more for “healthy” or “organic” food products, while 7% say they are very willing.
• A deeply discounted price is the number-one factor that would make consumers more likely to purchase a big-ticket item (more than $1,000).
• TV, newspaper, direct mail, and internet top local media from which consumers saw/heard an ad within the last 30 days that led them to take action.
• Store websites rank second only to search engines as the way consumers research products and shop online.

Research from Nielsen IAG earlier this year found that advertising does indeed help ailing financial brands, and echoes these findings from Ad-ology.

About the survey: Ad-ology Research surveyed an online consumer panel of 1,225 adults in a manner that is 98% representative of the adult population of the United States.The survey was fielded from April 24-29, 2009.