SLEIGH THE SEASON: ANYWHERE_
WHY OOH INTERNATIONALLY & IN AIRPORTS THIS WINTER
As winter settles in, it brings not only a seasonal shift but also a transformation in consumer behaviour. The chilly holiday season paradoxically warms hearts around the globe. As people travel to reunite with loved ones, relish the festive charm of Christmas markets, and of course partake in gift . Whatever consumers get up to this winter, one thing is certain – they will be OUTSIDE. Talon International is your gateway to unlocking the immense potential of the season. With a network spanning 20+ offices worldwide, we empower brands to launch captivating Out of Home campaigns in over 100+ markets globally, emphasising the importance of why OOH internationally during the winter season.
In this “Sleigh the Season” blog, we’ll explore why OOH should top your priority list this Christmas. Including:
- the pivotal role that airports play in connecting with receptive audiences
- the power of proximity and the unique engagement it presents
- the transformative impact of programmatic buying on traditional holiday campaigns
- how dynamic DOOH can help unwrap the magic of the season
- key cities you should have on your OOH radar.
THE PIVOTAL ROLE OF AIRPORTS
Consumers are more eager than ever to get away, despite the challenges of a rising cost of living. ABTA’s latest report highlights that booking numbers are at an all-time high and increasing +16% year on year.
As key travel gateways, airports offer an unparalleled opportunity to capture consumers in a relaxed state of mind. Statistics reveal that within airport environments, 85% of frequent flyers express their enjoyment of airport ads and a striking 90% maintain a high level of ad awareness. When it comes to shopping, the allure of airports is undeniable, with 73% of travellers indicating their likelihood to indulge in retail therapy. Furthermore, a staggering 70% of global shoppers are enticed to visit airport retail establishments after exposure to OOH ads. Airports have earned their reputation as iconic shopping destinations that particularly appeal to affluent audiences. In fact, a remarkable 71% of luxury jetsetters anticipate encountering prestigious brands’ advertising when travelling through an airport.
TIP: Leveraging our global expertise in planning OOH campaigns in airports, we strategically identify prime locations to target diverse audiences worldwide. From arrivals to departures, this approach highlights the significance of why OOH internationally, ensuring effective engagement and influence over a captive audience during the festive season.
POWER OF PROXIMITY
When planning an international winter campaign, remember proximity reigns supreme.
Proximity targeting allows brands the opportunity to capitalise on the unique context, emotions, and activities often associated with Christmas. With location data enhancing the precision of Out of Home campaigns across cities and transport hubs, targeting becomes not just strategic but measurable. Imagine reaching passengers as they arrive at their destination airport. Enticing them with an advert for nearby hotels, or showcasing convenient onward connections upon their return home. Insights from a Talon study underline the impact of proximity touchpoints. 60% of audiences agree that ads are more noticeable when seen at key locations. Furthermore, 49% express an inclination to visit a store, while an additional 47% consider making a purchase after encountering an ad.
TIP: Strategically placing ads in high-traffic areas like transports hub and major cities becomes a catalyst for brands to genuinely engage consumers and drive meaningful action.
TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT OF PROGRAMMATIC
As a report from Barclays notes, consumers will remain mindful of their spending this year. This is amongst a backdrop of audiences becoming more dissociated with brands that don’t align with their priorities. How do you target this audience staying mindful of the current landscape?
OOH advertising has always been front of mind to drive brand fame and reach audiences at scale. However, the advancements in Out of Home technology means it is no longer simply a top of the funnel medium. It has been proven to work effectively along all stages of the purchasing process. Moreover, the growing use of audience data and measurement capability in OOH has seen the rapid growth in programmatic OOH. Results from a Talon study show PROOH drives a +15% higher level of audience relevance and 3x increase in purchase intent.
TIP: Using audience behaviour data, PROOH effectively delivers a transformative boost to Christmas campaigns as advertisers can use their own or third-party data to achieve a granular level of audience targeting and focus on those key ‘consumption moments’.
THE MAGIC OF DYNAMIC DOOH
The name dynamic DOOH itself highlights how flexible and changeable it can be; creative executions that adapt based on specific parameters. This dynamic capability can unlock the magic of OOH during the Christmas season. With results indicating an +18% increase in brain response among those exposed to such campaigns. Moreover, this approach yields an additional +16% increase for in-store sales, amplifying effectiveness.
TIP: As OOH continues to evolve, using dynamic DOOH is a sure-fire way to make your campaigns successful this festive season. It helps brands forge emotional connections with their audience by adding context. This not only makes the ads engaging, but also makes them memorable.
CITY SPOTLIGHTS
Discover the escalating trend in winter air travel, especially during the festive season. Talon International provides insights on why OOH internationally is key to effective planning.
Ireland
Despite the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, research from Talon Insights shows Irish consumers are maintaining their spending habits, with 18% budgeting for winter sun destinations like Lanzarote, Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Morocco. Dublin Airport has witnessed YoY growth in passenger numbers, reaching 1.48M passengers travelling between December and January 2022.
USA
The average American spends nearly $1000 on gifts at Christmas time, underlining the need for heightened investment in advertising to appeal to more affluent consumers. Post-pandemic travel continues to grow, particularly in states like Colorado, Arizona, and Nebraska, where interstate travel has surpassed pre-pandemic levels. Regarding travel into the US, New York City attracted 6.5M visitors during the festive period in 2022. What beats New York in the snow!
APAC
83% of shoppers in the APAC region take advantage of year-end sales for purchases, surpassing the global average of 70%. This presents an ideal scenario for proximity targeting, allowing advertisers to connect with audiences in the right mindset. Furthermore, 40% of Singaporeans are motivated to travel due to the holiday season. With top international destinations including Bangkok, Seoul, and Kuala Lumpur. 4.6M passengers travelled through Changi Airport from December 2022 to January 2023, solidifying its position as the Skytrax World’s Best Airport winner in 2023.
UK
Passenger numbers in the UK are on the rise. Notably at London Heathrow, which has experienced a 32% rise so far in 2023 and 38% MoM. Popular destinations include New York (JFK), Dubai (DXB), and Los Angeles (LAX) each served by five, four, and five airlines respectively from LHR. When it comes to splashing the cash on Christmas gifts, Brits are expected to spend an average of £602 each. An increase of 40% from an average spend of £429 in 2022. A Mintel report highlights that chocolates, coffee, cooking kits, clothing and alcoholic beverages top the list when it comes to Christmas gifting in the UK, with clothing accounting for 50% of gifts given and alcohol more than half of the food & drink category.
USE OOH TO CREATE GLOBAL IMPACT THIS CHRISTMAS!
Talon International is perfectly positioned to assist your brand navigating the global shift in winter consumer behaviour. Whether that be strategically placing your message in airports through PROOH or launching a dynamic campaign across major cities, armed with insights on why OOH internationally matters, our team ensures you Sleigh the Season with impactful OOH anywhere!
