Time for our regular look ahead…this time at the month of July 2015. Let’s take a look at the coming month for events, occasions, holidays and anniversaries that can form the basis for a marketing campaign or promotion and that you can use to create a marketing calendar July 2015.
Two big themes or ideas.
First, that we’re now in the second half of the year. July 1 is sometimes referred to as “Second Half Of The Year Day”.
As with any milestones like this, it’s an opportunity to give people a bit of a jolt and get them to review their goals and plans for the year.
Of course, if they are off-track a little you might well be able to help them get back on track!
Secondly, it’s Summer (in the northern hemisphere)…
…but the depths of Winter if you’re in the southern hemisphere.
In the USA July 4 is the great national occasion “Independence Day”. This theme of independence is very much a universal ideal and so can be used pretty much in any country. The idea of “personal independence” can be the basis for a promotion in many different markets. It’s worth keeping in mind that one of the primary reasons people go into business for themselves is the desire for freedom and independence.
Taking a look at some specific occasions…
July 1 – International Joke Day
July 2 – World UFO Day (note that June 24 is also regarded as World UFO Day by some)
July 4 – Independence Day (USA)
July 4 – International Day Of Cooperatives (first Saturday in July)
July 5 – Anniversary of the birth of P.T.Barnum (legendary showman and circus founder)
July 6 – International Kissing Day
July 7 – Global Forgiveness Day
July 10 – Godiva Day
July 11 – World Population Day
July 12 – Simplicity Day
July 13 – Rock Worldwide Day (30th anniversary of “Live Aid” concert)
July 14 – Bastille Day (France)
July 17 – World Day For International Justice
July 18 – Nelson Mandela International Day
July 20 – Anniversary of first landing on the Moon (1969)
July 21 – Junk Food Day
July 22 – Pi Approximation Day (22/7!)
July 24 – Tequila Day
July 25 – Carousel Day (honouring William Schneider who invented the ride in 1871)
July 26 – Parents’ Day
July 29 – International Tiger Day
July 30 – International Day Of Friendship
July 31 – World Ranger Day
Looking at country-specific events…
In the USA…
July 3 – Independence Day Holiday
July 4 – Independence Day
July 24 – Pioneer Day (Utah)
Canada…
July 1 – Canada Day
July 1 – Memorial Day (Newfoundland and Labrador)
July 9 – Nunavut Day (Nunavut)
July 13 – Orangemen’s Day (Newfoundland and Labrador)
U.K.
No major holidays or national occasions in July…but it’s the height of summer and there are plenty of major sporting events taking place.
The British F1 Grand Prix is on July 5…
…the first Test of the Ashes cricket series with Australia starts on July 8…
…and Wimbledon tennis reaches its climax on July 12.
Australia…
No official holidays in July. NAIDOC (“National Aborigines And Islanders Day Observance Committee”) Week starts on July 5.
As noted above, the Ashes series against England starts on July 8.
More generally, Winter and the new financial year are ideas that can be used. Also, keep an eye out for local festivals and events.
Looking at some anniversaries…
…the Salvation Army was founded in London (as the Christian Mission) on 5 July 1865 by William and Catherine Booth.
Also on that day, the US Secret Service began operating as a division of the Treasury Department with the mission of preventing counterfeiting of the currency.
On July 21 (1865), the first known “quick-draw shootout” in the Old American West took place. “Wild Bill” Hickok shot and killed Davis Tutt in Springfield, Missouri.
16 July 1935 – the world’s first parking meter was installed in Oklahoma City, USA.
30 July 1935 – the first 10 Penguin paperback books published in the UK.
27 July 1940 – cartoon character “Bugs Bunny” makes his first appearance in “A Wild Hare”
A noteworthy business (and cultural) anniversary…
…on 17 July 1955, the first Disneyland theme park opened in Anaheim, California.
And another business anniversary…
…Amazon.com opened its website to the public on 16 July 1995. What on earth did people do before “Amazon Prime”?!?
Note as well, that there are anniversaries related to a number of major wars…World War 1 (100 years), World War 2 (70 and 75 years), the Korean War (65 years) and the Vietnam War (50 years).
That’s it for this month. Plenty of ideas for a great marketing calendar July 2015 and here’s to your success with event-driven marketing in July 2015!