TV Advertising: A Game Changer for First-Time Advertisers
Welcome to the heart of marketing news! Today, we’re diving into something that could change the way brands think about their advertising mix—particularly television advertising. In recent findings from research conducted by the Video Advertising Bureau (VAB), it seems that even amid a world of fragmented viewership and challenges, brands are still putting their money on TV. That’s right! Over $4 billion has been poured into TV advertising by 931 first-time advertisers since 2021. So why is this traditional medium still getting so much love? Let’s find out!
TV: The Traffic Booster
One of the key pieces of good news from VAB is that TV advertising can actually help drive traffic to websites. This is particularly true for brands just dipping their toes into the television waters. Sean Cunningham, the president and CEO of VAB, boldly stated that “It’s irrefutable hard data that multi-screen TV works like a light switch with respect to building customer traffic.” It seems that brands are discovering that the impact of TV commercials goes beyond just being visually appealing—the results are measurable and significant.
Understanding the Numbers
In the report titled “Breaking Through: How New Advertisers Are Using TV To Ignite Interest & Turn Consumers Into Customers,” VAB evaluated data from 201 first-time TV advertisers between April 2020 and April 2024. Out of these brands, 173 tracked their website traffic before launching their TV spots, while 28 didn’t track at all. The exciting news? Those that measured their website traffic saw an average jump of 12% in traffic during their TV debut month compared to the six months prior!
Speaking of sustainability, brands that promoted themselves on TV continued to enjoy the benefits, witnessing a total increase of 20% in unique monthly visitors when looking at data beyond the launch month. That’s quite a boost for a first-time campaign!
Investment Variations
When it comes to TV spending, results were varied, which only adds to the interesting story. Brands that invested up to $500,000 typically saw an impressive 8% increase in unique users during their launch month. Meanwhile, those who upped the ante and invested between $2 million and $5 million experienced an average 9% increase, along with an ongoing average boost of 25%.
For the big players, those dedicating more than $10 million to their advertising efforts witnessed a staggering 36% increase in the month of launch and an ongoing average increase of 42% throughout their campaigns. Talk about making a splash!
Direct-to-Consumer Brands Shine
What’s really fascinating is that not all brands are created equal when it comes to TV ads. Direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands are taking the cake, showing a monthly average increase of 622,000 unique users. This number is almost double the overall average increase of 387,000 viewers from other brands. So, it seems DTC brands are leveraging this traditional medium with incredible success!
Investment Trends Over Time
Interestingly, while initial investments from first-time TV advertisers jumped by a whopping 70% in the months following their TV debut in 2021, we see a slight decline year-on-year. In 2022, investments still increased but at a slower rate of 54%, and in 2023, it dropped to 37%. The data suggests that while brands are intrigued by the effectiveness of TV advertising, they may be cautious about continuing the trend at such high spending levels.
The Takeaway
In the end, the results of VAB’s research underline a crucial point: measuring website traffic in relation to TV advertising is incredibly valuable. It gives advertisers a clear picture of how well their campaigns are performing in terms of consumer interest and sales. Sean Cunningham summed it up perfectly when he stated, “This is hard data around web visits and Google search. These are specific customer actions that had to be performed.”
As the landscape of advertising continues to evolve, it looks like television might still have a special place in the hearts (and wallets) of advertisers who aim to make a lasting impression. So, the next time you see a TV ad, remember that it might just be the spark that ignites a brand’s journey toward success!
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
