Welcome to the regular “Looking Ahead” feature where we consider the coming month, September 2014…
…and the events, occasions, anniversaries and holidays that smart direct response marketers can use as the foundation for event-driven marketing promotions.
After the lull of the last month or so…
…it’s a time of a change of seasons.
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.
Also, this year sees the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War 1…
…and also the 75th anniversary of the outbreak of World War 2 (generally reckoned to have started on September 1 when Nazi Germany invaded Poland).
These events are not necessarily something to be used as the basis for a marketing campaign but they will be in the news and in people’s thoughts.
Looking at some specific occasions…
September 1 – Labor Day (USA)
September 5 – International Day Of Charity
September 8 – International Day Of Literacy
September 10 – World Suicide Prevention Day
September 10 – Ideas Day
September 20 – START of German Oktoberfest (ends October 5)
September 21 – International Day Of Peace (also World Gratitude Day)
September 23 – Autumn Equinox (02.29 UTC, 03.29 BST)
September 25 – World Maritime Day (last Thursday in September)
September 26 – European Day Of Languages
September 27 – World Tourism Day
September 28 – International Right To Know Day
September 29 – World Heart Day
September 29 – International Coffee 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 the opportunity for a little fun!
Looking at specific events in particular countries…
In the USA…
September 1 – Labor Day
September 7 – National Grandparents Day
September 11 – Patriot Day
September 17 – Constitution And Citizenship Day
Canada…
September 1 – Labour Day
U.K.
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 7 – Fathers Day
September 3 – Australian National Flag Day
September 17 – Citizenship Day
September 27 – AFL Grand Final
September 29 – Queen’s Birthday (WA)
…plus there’s the Spring Equinox (in the southern hemisphere) that falls on September 23 (at 12.29 AEST or 02.29 UTC ).
Finally for this month, on September 7…
…in 1929, “Business Week” magazine was first published (45 days before the Wall Street Crash)…
…in 1998 Google was launched from (where else?) a garage in Menlo Park, California (and officially launched its search engine just over a year later on 21 September 1999)…
…and on 19 September 1928, Mickey Mouse made his debut!
Remember to keep an eye out for local events and sporting occasions that are relevant to your market.
Every success with your event-driven marketing in September 2014!