I thought I’d start this month’s “Looking Ahead” feature with a moment of humour from Tom Fishburne and his cartoon from a post titled…
“generic advertising ‘in these uncertain times'”
The point here is that many marketers are defaulting to a safe and somewhat cliched style in their advertising and other messages. Well worth reading the whole post.
Now, I’m not going to suggest that we are anywhere near to being “back to normal”. However, around the world the various measures taken to combat the Covid-19 pandemic are being eased somewhat in a number of places.
I’d suggest as well that people have adapted to the situation and are getting on with their lives as best they can…
…which means they are receptive to offers that are relevant and attractive.
The comments at the beginning of last month’s post about how to market in a time of crisis are still relevant. But provided that you…STAY RELEVANT…and REMAIN APPROPRIATE…there’s no need to hold back in your marketing.
And…referring back to the beginning of this post…remember that being boring is probably the biggest sin in marketing!
One other point…
…this crisis will end. If you’re currently closed…or restricted in what you can do…it’s important to prepare for the reopen and getting back to full speed as fast as possible.
Special promotions can play a BIG part in that…
…so it’s worth being prepared. With all that said, let’s have a look at the holidays and occasions that can be used as the basis for a promotion…
With the month of June approaching…
…we’re almost halfway through 2020!
That in itself can be used as the basis for a marketing promotion…
…along with the other holidays and events that fall in the coming month…
…to create your own marketing calendar for June 2020.
If you’re in the northern hemisphere…
…the broad theme can be thought of as “Summer”.
The Summer Solstice occurs at 21.44 UT on June 20 (in the UK that’s 22.44 BST on June 20).
There’s also Father’s Day (Sunday, June 21) in the USA, UK and Canada.
Other events…
June 1 – Global Day Of Parents
June 1 – International Children’s Day
June 1 – World Milk Day
June 3 – World Bicycle Day
June 3 – Repeat Day
June 4 – Tailors Day
June 5 – World Environment Day
June 6 – D-Day Anniversary
June 6 – World Pest Day
June 6 – Russian Language Day (also the anniversary of the birth of Alexsandr Pushkin in 1799)
June 6 – Yo-Yo Day
June 8 – World Oceans Day
June 9 – World Accreditation Day
June 9 – Donald Duck Day (first appearance in 1934)
June 10 – World Art Nouveau Day
June 10 – Ball Point Pen Day (anniversary of patent in 1943)
June 12 – World Day Against Child Labour
June 12 – Superman Day
June 14 – World Blood Donor Day
June 14 – World Juggling Day
June 15 – Magna Carta Day (anniversary of the signing in 1215)
June 15 – Smile Power Day
June 15 – Global Wind Day
June 17 – World Day To Combat Desertification And Drought
June 18 – International Panic Day
June 20 – World Productivity Day
June 20 – World Refugee Day
June 20 – June Solstice (takes place at 21.44 UT so check exact time and date for your location)
June 21 – Father’s Day (USA, UK, Canada)
June 21 – World Music Day
June 21 – International Day Of Yoga
June 23 – Anniversary of birth of Alan Turing, celebrated mathematician and codebreaker
June 23 – International Widow’s Day
June 25 – Day of The Seafarer
June 25 – Global “Beatles” Day (celebrating the iconic pop music group)
June 26 – International Day Against Drug Abuse And Illicit Trafficking
June 26 – UN International Day In Support Of Victims Of Torture
June 27 – Sunglasses Day
June 29 – Remote Control Day (in 1964 the remote control device was introduced)
June 29 – Camera Day
June 30 – International Asteroid Day (also “Meteor Watch Day”, the anniversary of the 1908 meteorite crash in Siberia)
June 30 – Social Media Day
Keep in mind that school and academic years may be ending in June, which affords an opportunity for a “graduation” theme.
Remember also…June 30/July 1 marks the halfway point for the year.
Looking at some country-specific events…
In the USA…
June 1 – Statehood Day (Kentucky, Tennessee)
June 1 – Jefferson Davis Birthday (Alabama)
June 3 – Jefferson Davis Birthday (Florida)
June 11 – Kamehameha Day (Hawaii)
June 14 – Flag Day
June 14 – US Army Birthday
June 16 – Bunker Hill Day (Massachusetts)
June 19 – Juneteenth (Most regions)
June 19 – Emancipation Day (Texas)
June 20 – West Virginia Day (West Virginia)
June 20 – American Eagle Day
June 21 – Father’s Day
June 23 – Public Service Day
Canada…
June 21 – Father’s Day
June 21 – National Indigenous Peoples Day
June 22 – Discovery Day (Newfoundland and Labrador)
June 24 – St Jean Baptiste Day (Quebec)
U.K….
June 13 – Queen’s Birthday
June 21 – Father’s Day
UPDATE: 27 June 2020
Not sure how I missed this, but 27 June is “Armed Forces Day” in the UK. The day falls on the last Saturday in June.
Australia…
June 1 – “Official” first day of winter
June 1 – Western Australia Day / Foundation Day (WA)
June 1 – Reconciliation Day (ACT)
June 6 – Queensland Day (QLD)
June 8 – Queen’s Birthday (all states except QLD, WA)
June 8 – Bounty Day (Norfolk Island)
June 15 – Queen’s Birthday (Norfolk Island)
June 30 – End of the financial year
That’s it for this month. Wishing you every success with your event-driven promotions and campaigns in June 2020!