Driving Effectiveness with Direct Mail: Key Insights

 
Making a physical impact in a digital world
 
August 2023
 
KEY TAKEOUTS FROM
WARC’S RESEARCH:
DRIVING EFFECTIVENESS
WITH DIRECT MAIL
 
ABOUT WARC’S RESEARCH
 
2
 
The full report upon which this document is based was developed by WARC in association with 
Royal Mail
Marketreach
.
-
It takes a fresh look at what direct mail can offer in today’s world, in the context of
 
changing consumer behaviours
post-COVID and technology innovations, and explores
 
the best strategies for measuring the effectiveness of direct
mail campaigns.
The report features a range of examples where direct mail has been used to drive ROI and
 
sustained growth.
The basis for the report is an analysis of case studies from WARC ‘s case study database – all of which have been
awarded at, or entered into marketing effectiveness
 
awards and 
are therefore viewed as
 ‘successful’. This analysis is
combined with a review of WARC’s global data, industry knowledge and examples.
This document is a summary of the key takeouts.
1.
2.
3.
 
Mail can be an
impactful
differentiator in
marketing campaigns,
driving revenue and
ROI for brands that
invest.
 
Direct mail can be
highly personalised
and targeted,
capturing attention
for longer with multi-
sensory experiences
& digital integrations.
 
Direct mail delivers
on both brand
building and
performance goals –
its not just a direct
response medium.
4.
 
Mail remains one of
the most measurable
channels and the
direct marketing
industry is facing the
effectiveness
challenge head on.
 
WARC’S FOUR KEY TAKEOUTS
 
3
 
Driving effectiveness with direct mail
 
4
 
EFFECTIVENESS INCREASES WHEN MAIL IS
IN THE MIX
 
WARC's case study-led research
revealed that campaigns in its
database including mail in the mix had
huge commercial impacts versus all UK
campaign cases.
This analysis looks at the types of
outcome effects that the campaigns
report. It looks at the effects reported
by all the case studies combined, and
compares it to those that feature
direct mail.
 
+52%
 
+43%
 
+64%
 
+75%
 
Source: WARC “Driving effectiveness with direct mail” 2021
 
Hard metrics measured
UK cases that used direct mail in the mix, 2016 
 2020, % of cases
 
5
 
CAMPAIGNS ARE 
43
%
MORE LIKELY TO
REPORT REVENUE
UPLIFTS WHEN MAIL IS
IN THE MIX
*
 
Source: WARC “Driving effectiveness with direct mail” 2021
 
*when comparing campaigns that include direct mail with
average UK campaigns
 
6
 
CAMPAIGNS ARE 
75
%
MORE LIKELY TO
REPORT PROFIT UPLIFTS
WHEN MAIL IS IN THE
MIX
*
 
*when comparing campaigns that include direct mail with
average UK campaigns
 
Source: WARC “Driving effectiveness with direct mail” 2021
 
CAMPAIGNS ARE 
64
%
MORE LIKELY TO
REPORT MARKET SHARE
UPLIFTS WHEN MAIL IS
IN THE MIX
*
 
*when comparing campaigns that include direct mail with
average UK campaigns
 
Source: WARC “Driving effectiveness with direct mail” 2021
 
8
 
CAMPAIGNS ARE 
52
%
MORE LIKELY TO
REPORT ROI BENEFITS
WHEN MAIL IS IN THE
MIX
*
 
Source: WARC “Driving effectiveness with direct mail” 2021
 
*when comparing campaigns that include direct mail with
average UK campaigns
 
9
 
A PERFORMANCE CHANNEL AND MORE
 
Mail boosts softer brand metrics too
 
There’s an inherent advantage in direct mail given that it always lands in the same place, through people’s letterboxes. This
predictability gives the channel an average engagement rate of 95%, according to the latest JICMAIL figures.
Reaching people at home along with high engagement drives softer metrics such as brand health/equity and awareness
measures.
The chart shows brand health / equity effects in nearly 50% of cases where mail is in the mix. The same is true for
awareness effects.
 
Soft metrics measured
UK cases that used direct mail in the mix, 2016 
 2020, % of cases
 
Source: WARC “Driving effectiveness with direct mail” 2021
 
DIRECT MAIL BRINGS TRUSTED INTERACTION
INTO THE HOME
 
 
10
 
70
%
 
35
%
 
of people have been driven
online as a result of
receiving direct mail
1
 
of consumers have made a
purchase, or made a
payment or donation, in the
past year as a result of
receiving a piece of DM
2
 
Source: WARC “Driving effectiveness with direct mail” 2021, 1. JICMAIL, 2. IPA Touchpoints
 
Direct mail is unique as it puts a marketer's message
into the homes and hands of consumers and they
interact with it multiple times.
It drives trust and authenticity to communications.
More then nine in 10 (95%) open, read and file mail.
Response is either immediate or drives a later action
or consideration – so it offers marketers both
performance and brand building advantages.
 
YOUNGER AUDIENCES WELCOME MAIL
 
Digital natives respond enthusiastically to physical brand experiences
 
11
 
Source: CMO Council & Pitney Bowes, Royal Mail Marketreach & Trinity McQueen, IPA TouchPoints
 
of 15-44 year olds have
searched for more
information online after
receiving mail in the last 12
months.
 
Mail drives action
 
of 15 to 24 year olds are
more likely to trust mail
than any other age
group.
 
A question of trust
 
of Gen Z consumers prefer
brand experiences that
combine physical and
digital.
 
The rise of phygital
 
TECHNOLOGY
INNOVATIONS DRIVE
PARTICIPATION
 
12
 
Marketers are looking to use new tools that help
consumers deepen their interaction as well as bridge the
gap between paper and digital.
Technology can take things a step further with augmented
reality experiences that will allow an image within a piece
of content to come to life or QR codes that can be natively
scanned with a smartphone to open up a bespoke landing
page for the relevant product, service or offer.
 
have scanned in a QR code
from mail to interact with a
brand online
 
84
%
 
Source: WARC “Driving effectiveness with direct mail” 2021
1.
2.
3.
 
Start by putting the
right framework in
place, with all of your
metrics and
measurement points
agreed up front you
can track more
accurately.
 
Use tracking
mechanics like QR
codes, coupon codes
and so on to improve
your ability to track
actual response rates.
 
Use the metrics to
measure outcomes
that are most
important to your
business:  Cost per
acquisition to lifetime
value.
4.
 
For more detail and
advice on
measurement
contact us
.
 
4 STEPS TO BETTER MEASUREMENT
 
Mail is highly measurable
 
Source: WARC “Driving effectiveness with direct mail” 2021
 
13
 
JICMAIL (The Joint Industry Committee for Mail)
provides marketers with audience measurement and
campaign impact data that help improve the integration
process of direct mail into econometric models.
Marketers can use JICMAIL to:
1.
Convert mail items to ad impressions.
2.
Analyse mail behaviour to test model
assumptions.
3.
Measure the full range of mail effects.
4.
Assess brand specific and competitor mail
campaigns.
 
14
 
JICMAIL
 
Gold standard industry metrics to support campaign planning
 
REACH
how many people in the
household saw it
 
FREQUENCY
how many times people in the
household returned to it
 
CAMPAIGN
IMPRESSIONS
audience reach x frequency
 
THANK YOU
 
Download
 the research
Slide Note
Embed
Share

Direct mail continues to be a powerful marketing tool, offering personalized, targeted, and impactful campaigns in today's digital world. WARC's research highlights the effectiveness of including direct mail in marketing strategies, driving revenue growth, brand building, and overall campaign success. When combined with digital integrations, direct mail proves to be a valuable channel for driving ROI and capturing consumer attention in a multi-sensory manner. Campaigns including direct mail show significant commercial impacts and are more likely to report revenue uplifts, showcasing the importance of integrating mail into the marketing mix.

  • Direct Mail Marketing
  • WARC Research
  • Campaign Effectiveness
  • Revenue Uplifts
  • Digital Integration

Uploaded on Mar 26, 2024 | 2 Views


Download Presentation

Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.

The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.

You are allowed to download the files provided on this website for personal or commercial use, subject to the condition that they are used lawfully. All files are the property of their respective owners.

The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. KEY TAKEOUTS FROM WARC S RESEARCH: DRIVING EFFECTIVENESS WITH DIRECT MAIL Making a physical impact in a digital world August 2023 Classified: RMG Internal

  2. ABOUT WARCS RESEARCH The full report upon which this document is based was developed by WARC in association with Royal Mail Marketreach. - It takes a fresh look at what direct mail can offer in today s world, in the context of changing consumer behaviours post-COVID and technology innovations, and explores the best strategies for measuring the effectiveness of direct mail campaigns. The report features a range of examples where direct mail has been used to drive ROI and sustained growth. The basis for the report is an analysis of case studies from WARC s case study database all of which have been awarded at, or entered into marketing effectiveness awards and are therefore viewed as successful . This analysis is combined with a review of WARC s global data, industry knowledge and examples. This document is a summary of the key takeouts. 2 Classified: RMG Internal

  3. WARCS FOUR KEY TAKEOUTS Driving effectiveness with direct mail 4. 1. 2. 3. Mail remains one of the most measurable channels and the direct marketing industry is facing the effectiveness challenge head on. Mail can be an impactful differentiator in marketing campaigns, driving revenue and ROI for brands that invest. Direct mail can be highly personalised and targeted, capturing attention for longer with multi- sensory experiences & digital integrations. Direct mail delivers on both brand building and performance goals its not just a direct response medium. 3 Classified: RMG Internal

  4. EFFECTIVENESS INCREASES WHEN MAIL IS IN THE MIX Hard metrics measured UK cases that used direct mail in the mix, 2016 2020, % of cases 35% +52% WARC's case study-led research revealed that campaigns in its database including mail in the mix had huge commercial impacts versus all UK campaign cases. +43% 32% 23% 23% 23% +64% 22% +75% This analysis looks at the types of outcome effects that the campaigns report. It looks at the effects reported by all the case studies combined, and compares it to those that feature direct mail. 14% 12% ROI Revenue Market share Profit Use direct mail in the media mix All UK cases 4 Source: WARC Driving effectiveness with direct mail 2021 Classified: RMG Internal

  5. CAMPAIGNS ARE 43% MORE LIKELY TO REPORT REVENUE UPLIFTS WHEN MAIL IS IN THE MIX* *when comparing campaigns that include direct mail with average UK campaigns 5 Source: WARC Driving effectiveness with direct mail 2021 Classified: RMG Internal

  6. CAMPAIGNS ARE 75% MORE LIKELY TO REPORT PROFIT UPLIFTS WHEN MAIL IS IN THE MIX* *when comparing campaigns that include direct mail with average UK campaigns 6 Source: WARC Driving effectiveness with direct mail 2021 Classified: RMG Internal

  7. CAMPAIGNS ARE 64% MORE LIKELY TO REPORT MARKET SHARE UPLIFTS WHEN MAIL IS IN THE MIX* *when comparing campaigns that include direct mail with average UK campaigns Source: WARC Driving effectiveness with direct mail 2021 Classified: RMG Internal

  8. CAMPAIGNS ARE 52% MORE LIKELY TO REPORT ROI BENEFITS WHEN MAIL IS IN THE MIX* *when comparing campaigns that include direct mail with average UK campaigns 8 Source: WARC Driving effectiveness with direct mail 2021 Classified: RMG Internal

  9. A PERFORMANCE CHANNEL AND MORE Mail boosts softer brand metrics too There s an inherent advantage in direct mail given that it always lands in the same place, through people s letterboxes. This predictability gives the channel an average engagement rate of 95%, according to the latest JICMAIL figures. Reaching people at home along with high engagement drives softer metrics such as brand health/equity and awareness measures. The chart shows brand health / equity effects in nearly 50% of cases where mail is in the mix. The same is true for awareness effects. Soft metrics measured Use direct mail in the media mix UK cases that used direct mail in the mix, 2016 2020, % of cases All UK cases 48% 48% 47% 45% 42% 41% 40% 39% 35% 35% 29% 21% 10% 9% 7% 4% Social media, buzz Brand Awareness Web traffic PR value Consumer participation Search performance Brand specific measures health/equity 9 Classified: RMG Internal Source: WARC Driving effectiveness with direct mail 2021

  10. DIRECT MAIL BRINGS TRUSTED INTERACTION INTO THE HOME of people have been driven online as a result of receiving direct mail1 Direct mail is unique as it puts a marketer's message into the homes and hands of consumers and they interact with it multiple times. 70% It drives trust and authenticity to communications. More then nine in 10 (95%) open, read and file mail. of consumers have made a purchase, or made a payment or donation, in the past year as a result of receiving a piece of DM2 Response is either immediate or drives a later action or consideration so it offers marketers both performance and brand building advantages. 35% 10 Source: WARC Driving effectiveness with direct mail 2021, 1. JICMAIL, 2. IPA Touchpoints Classified: RMG Internal

  11. YOUNGER AUDIENCES WELCOME MAIL Digital natives respond enthusiastically to physical brand experiences The rise of phygital 88% A question of trust 45% Mail drives action 42% of Gen Z consumers prefer brand experiences that combine physical and digital. of 15 to 24 year olds are more likely to trust mail than any other age group. of 15-44 year olds have searched for more information online after receiving mail in the last 12 months. 11 Source: CMO Council & Pitney Bowes, Royal Mail Marketreach & Trinity McQueen, IPA TouchPoints Classified: RMG Internal

  12. TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONS DRIVE PARTICIPATION Marketers are looking to use new tools that help consumers deepen their interaction as well as bridge the gap between paper and digital. Technology can take things a step further with augmented reality experiences that will allow an image within a piece of content to come to life or QR codes that can be natively scanned with a smartphone to open up a bespoke landing page for the relevant product, service or offer. 84% have scanned in a QR code from mail to interact with a brand online 12 Source: WARC Driving effectiveness with direct mail 2021 Classified: RMG Internal

  13. 4 STEPS TO BETTER MEASUREMENT Mail is highly measurable 4. 1. 2. 3. For more detail and advice on measurement contact us. Start by putting the right framework in place, with all of your metrics and measurement points agreed up front you can track more accurately. Use tracking mechanics like QR codes, coupon codes and so on to improve your ability to track actual response rates. Use the metrics to measure outcomes that are most important to your business: Cost per acquisition to lifetime value. 13 Source: WARC Driving effectiveness with direct mail 2021 Classified: RMG Internal

  14. JICMAIL Gold standard industry metrics to support campaign planning JICMAIL (The Joint Industry Committee for Mail) provides marketers with audience measurement and campaign impact data that help improve the integration process of direct mail into econometric models. Marketers can use JICMAIL to: REACH how many people in the household saw it 1. Convert mail items to ad impressions. FREQUENCY how many times people in the household returned to it 2. Analyse mail behaviour to test model assumptions. 3. Measure the full range of mail effects. CAMPAIGN IMPRESSIONS audience reach x frequency 4. Assess brand specific and competitor mail campaigns. 14 Classified: RMG Internal

  15. THANK YOU Download the research Classified: RMG Internal

More Related Content

giItT1WQy@!-/#giItT1WQy@!-/#giItT1WQy@!-/#giItT1WQy@!-/#giItT1WQy@!-/#