A warm welcome to the “Looking Ahead” feature where we consider the coming month…
…and the events, occasions, anniversaries and holidays that smart direct response marketers can use as the foundation for event-driven marketing promotions in a marketing calendar for September 2018.
After the lull of the last month or so…
…it’s a time of a change of seasons. The September Equinox falls on September 23 at 01.54 UT (that’s 02.54 UK time…check for your particular location).
It’s Autumn in the north and Spring in the south…
…and these can be used as broad themes for a promotion.
Tied in with these, in the northern hemisphere it’s “Back to School” or “Back to Work” and the start of the run-in to the end of the year.
In the southern hemisphere, “Spring Time” or “Spring Cleaning” can be used as a theme.
Looking at some specific occasions…
September 1 – World Beard Day (first Saturday in September)
September 2 – “V-J Day”, the official end of World War 2 in the Pacific (the Japanese government actually surrendered on August 15 but the official ceremony took place 2 weeks later)
September 3 – Skyscraper Day
September 4 – Wildlife Day
September 5 – International Day Of Charity
September 6 – Fight Procrastination Day (also “Read A Book Day”)
September 7 – Buy A Book Day
September 8 – International Day Of Literacy
September 8 – World Physical Therapy Day
September 8 – Star Trek Day
September 9 – Teddy Bear Day
September 10 – World Suicide Prevention Day
September 10 – Swap Ideas Day
September 11 – Patriot Day (USA)
September 13 – Programmers’ Day
September 13 – Roald Dahl Day (anniversary of the birth of acclaimed storyteller)
September 13 – Positive Thinking Day
September 13 – Anniversary of the birth of Milton S. Hershey (in 1857) – sometimes referred to as “International Chocolate Day”
September 15 – International Day Of Democracy
September 16 – World Ozone Day (International Day For The Preservation Of The Ozone Layer)
September 17 – Country Music Day
September 17 – Constitution Day (anniversary of the signing of the US Constitution in 1787)
September 18 – World Water Monitoring Day
September 18 – Respect Day
September 18 – Get Ready Day (third Tuesday in September)
September 21 – International Day Of Peace (also World Gratitude Day)
September 22 – Business Women’s Day (anniversary of the founding of the American Business Women’s Association in 1949)
September 22 – START of German Oktoberfest (ends October 7)
September 22 – Hobbit Day
September 22 – World Rhino Day
September 23 – September Equinox (01.54 UT, 02.54 BST)
September 23 – International Day of Sign Languages
September 24 – Punctuation Day
September 25 – World Dream Day
September 25 – Psychotherapy Day
September 26 – European Day Of Languages
September 26 – Batman Day (the anniversary of the character’s first ever appearance, which was in Detective Comics #27 way back in May 1939)
September 27 – World Tourism Day
September 27 – World Maritime Day (last Thursday in September)
September 28 – International Right To Know Day
September 29 – World Heart Day
September 30 – International Translation Day
September 30 – International Podcast Day
One somewhat “controversial” event is “Blasphemy Day” on September 30. This could be used as a hook in a promotion challenging conventional wisdom in your market.
And in some places, September 19 is “Talk Like A Pirate Day”. Could be an opportunity for a little fun!
Looking at specific events in particular countries…
In the USA…
September 3 – Labor Day
September 8 – Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Day
September 9 – California Admission Day (California)
September 10 – National Grandparents Day
September 11 – Patriot Day
September 15 – National Cleanup Day
September 17 – Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
September 18 – Air Force Birthday
September 21 – National POW/MIA Recognition Day
September 22 – Emancipation Day (Ohio)
September 28 – Native Americans’ Day (California)
September 30 – Gold Star Mother’s Day
Canada…
September 3 – Labour Day
UK…
No major national events this month. Keep an eye out for local events or occasions specific to your industry.
Australia…
September 1 marks the first day of spring, so scope for a “Spring Cleaning” theme.
September 1 – National Wattle Day / First Day Of Spring
September 2 – Father’s Day
September 3 – Australian National Flag Day
September 17 – Citizenship Day
September 19 – National Family Business Day
September 24 – Queen’s Birthday (Western Australia)
September 28 – AFL Grand Final Friday (Victoria)
September 29 – AFL Grand Final
…plus there’s the Spring Equinox (in the southern hemisphere) that falls on September 23 (at 11.54 AEST).
Remember to keep an eye out for local events and sporting occasions that are relevant to your market and can be part of your marketing calendar for September 2018.
Every success with your event-driven marketing in September 2018!