2. Which promotional mix elements does Red Bull use? What grade would you give Red Bull on integrating these elements into a core marketing communications campaign?
Red Bull uses advertising, public relations and sales promotions among the promotional mix elements. If I had to explain how I perceive Red Bull’s way to promote its brand, I would say through its sports events and athletes sponsorship. I think traditional advertisement comes later. Red Bull mainly focuses on Public Relations (PR). Besides the traditional TV commercials and printed ads promoting for the product itself, Red Bull has used its YouTube channel to broadcast videos from the athletes the company sponsors as well as special events such as Felix Baumgartner’s space jump. Red Bull advertises for its product but also advertises for it public relation events. Those events are sponsored by Red Bull or can be directly created by the company. The Red Bull logo mainly appears on athletes’ outfits and on banners during those events. The third step of Red Bull’s promotion goes through sales promotion. Red Bull does not offer discounts on its products but gives away free cans in special areas where its main target audience is. Those free cans first remind customers to buy the product but also bring new customers who had never tried it before.
I would give Red Bull an A+ for its integrated marketing communication. I think the company’s marketing strategy is more than coherent and each element of its promotional mix matches the message other elements provide. The slogan “Red Bull gives you wings” that we hear in the traditional commercials is emphasized by the events the company organizes when we see Red Bull’s Diving contests or extreme sports athletes performing with the Red Bull logo on them. As the case study says, the taste does not matter; Red Bull is all about marketing and brand image.