Tag Archives: marketing

Headstart – The Evolution of Local Store Marketing to Black Consumers

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If you, your company or brand want to develop an authentic connection with African-American Consumers, start with African-American Women. 

To those who know my marketing philosophy, this will not come as a revelation…

According to a Neilsen Consumer Report+,

Black Women represent —

  • 54% of the adult Black population
  • and control 43% of the annual spending power for the Black population
  • 29% of Black Head of Households  (vs 20% for the overall population)

It holds true that understanding how, when, and where African-Americans shop and what drives their purchase and purchase intent is key to every successful marketing campaign.

All one has to do is start a relevant conversation with the consumer.

With that in mind, I am always intrigued to see how we local store marketing specifically targeting African-Americans has evolved.

While the example is specific to the hair and beauty category, I applaud the simple yet effective point of sale “kit” that supports Derek J’s “Weave & Wig Styler.”

The “kit” includes

  • Free-standing kiosk (with shelves to hold the product)
  • 2 sided door cling
  • Register Topper

Okay, so there is a “built in” based on Derek J’s popularity as a hair stylist on the Bravo show, “Real Housewives of Atlanta,” but isn’t that the point?

In this case, a general market hair care product has been “rebranded” with “messaging” that addresses the unique hair concerns for Black women.

And the beauty  – (no pun intended) – is that income level is not a barrier when it comes to specific purchases.

Hair is chief among these…

Let’s keep the conversation going and evolving.

 

+ Reslient, Recepetive and Relevant – The African Consumer 2013 Report, Copyright ©2013 The Neilsen Company

 

 

 

Good Hair

On February 25, 2009 I sent an email that contained the following text to friends, clients and co-workers.

It also included the link below.

A co-worker recently asked me,
“What is with your obsession with hair, barber shops and beauty parlors?”

Obsession? No.
Fascination? Yes!

The answer is steeped in both African-American cultural and marketing identity.
Did any of you, outside of Carol Sagers, know that the Black-hair industry is a $9 billion business?

That is $9 billion with a “b!”

I recently had the opportunity to view a new (not-yet-released) documentary from Chris Rock called “Good Hair.”

This term is all too familiar to African-Americans and, in the hands of Rock, one can well imagine what he reveals on the subject…with both humor, informative insight and candid style.

From frank discussions about relaxer (“creamy crack”), the Bronner Brothers Hair Show and their “Hair Battle Royale,” weaves, jheri curls, wigs and finger waves, “Good Hair” explores the financial ramifications of an industry that is fueled by African-Americans.

I walked away from the film further convinced that, even in the midst of economic challenges, (and in some cases, hardship), African-Americans buy what they want…all marketers have to do is provide them with compelling reasons to select their brand and/or product.

On February 23 “Good Hair” was released on DVD.
…and the Black Hair care industry is still a $9 billion (and growing!!) business.