<p>Background</p><p>Promotional techniques are used to make prospective customers aware of products, to</p><p>whet their appetites, and stimulate demand; they also provide information to help</p><p>customers decide. In the promotional process the selection and the use of the tools is</p><p>crucial. Nowadays the tourism industry is extremely challenging. Tourism has evolved</p><p>during the latter half of the 20th century from a marginal and locally significant activity to</p><p>a widely dispersed economic giant. Many aspects of tourism promotion have been</p><p>developed these last years to attract new customers.</p><p>Purpose</p><p>The purpose of this study is to outline and analyse the use and the construction of three</p><p>promotional tools (advertising, Public Relations, printed materials), and find out their goals. These three promotional tools are represented by TV commercials, press releases and brochure.</p><p>Method</p><p>This study was conducted using the case study method. It is based on primary data. These data are coming from a questionnaire, from the internet and from one printed material. The applied theoretical frames of references are about the use and goals of the three promotional tools and also about models for the analysis of the construction of the latter.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>By answering the research questions this thesis presents first the comparison results</p><p>between the frames and the data concerning the use of the three promotional tools. Then</p><p>the main aspects of the construction of the tools are showed. And finally their goals</p><p>coming from the frames and the data are presented and compared.</p>

Background Promotional techniques are used to make prospective customers aware of products, to whet their appetites, and stimulate demand; they also provide information to help customers decide. In the promotional process the selection and the use of the tools is crucial. Nowadays the tourism industry is extremely challenging. Tourism has evolved during the latter half of the 20th century from a marginal and locally significant activity to a widely dispersed economic giant. Many aspects of tourism promotion have been developed these last years to attract new customers. Purpose The purpose of this study is to outline and analyse the use and the construction of three promotional tools (advertising, Public Relations, printed materials), and find out their goals. These three promotional tools are represented by TV commercials, press releases and brochure. Method This study was conducted using the case study method. It is based on primary data. These data are coming from a questionnaire, from the internet and from one printed material. The applied theoretical frames of references are about the use and goals of the three promotional tools and also about models for the analysis of the construction of the latter. Conclusion By answering the research questions this thesis presents first the comparison results between the frames and the data concerning the use of the three promotional tools. Then the main aspects of the construction of the tools are showed. And finally their goals coming from the frames and the data are presented and compared.

The rapid increase in the expenditure on below-the-line promotions (consumer and trade promotions, direct marketing, sponsorship and public relations) relative to above-the-line advertising (television, radio, print, outdoor and cinema) in South Africa has earmarked a new era of integrated marketing communication strategies across all sectors. Ultimately, this strategic shift has brought about a need to better understand the relationship between above-the-line advertising and below-the-line promotions and to measure the impact of such changes on company sales/profits over the long-term. In the research undertaken amongst 250 senior marketing, brand and product managers of South African brand-owned companies, the relationship between above-the-line advertising and below-the-line promotions in the marketing of South African products and services was investigated across six different economic sectors. It was evident from the findings that most brand-owned companies currently integrate above-the-line advertising and below-the-line promotion activities. The study shows that most brand-owned companies in South Africa combine press, radio and television (above-the-line) with consumer promotions (below-the-line). The most frequently used above-the-line advertising medium is television, which is also seen as the most important mode to support long-term brand building amongst consumers. In turn, print is regarded as the most important above-the-line mode to support trade franchise building. Most frequently used below-the-line modes include direct marketing and public relations. Direct mail and cooperative advertising are seen as the most important below-the-line consumer and trade franchise building modes respectively. Although marketing communication expenditure is positively skewed towards above-the-line adverstising, most recent trends show a gradual increase in the use of below-the-line promotions. To prevent a brand's sales/profits from decreasing over the long-term due to too high below-the-line promotional expenditure, the study encourages a sound balance between above-the-line advertising and below-the-line promotions. Although the ideal ratio of above-the-line advertising to below-the-line promotions is related to the nature of the product and service being marketed, the extent of competitive activity in the market and the frequency of purchase, amongst many other salient factors, the study regards a 60/40 ratio as the most ideal for building long-term brands. On the other hand, a ratio of 35/65 is regarded as the critical point at which company sales/profits may deteriorate because of too high below-the-line promotional spending. In conclusion it can be said that the marketing communication industry of South Africa has entered a period of integrated marketing communication practices which requires sound marketing communication budget strategies conducive to the long-term survival of South African products and services. / Business Management / D. Com. (Marketing Communication)

The rapid increase in the expenditure on below-the-line promotions (consumer and trade promotions, direct marketing, sponsorship and public relations) relative to above-the-line advertising (television, radio, print, outdoor and cinema) in South Africa has earmarked a new era of integrated marketing communication strategies across all sectors. Ultimately, this strategic shift has brought about a need to better understand the relationship between above-the-line advertising and below-the-line promotions and to measure the impact of such changes on company sales/profits over the long-term. In the research undertaken amongst 250 senior marketing, brand and product managers of South African brand-owned companies, the relationship between above-the-line advertising and below-the-line promotions in the marketing of South African products and services was investigated across six different economic sectors. It was evident from the findings that most brand-owned companies currently integrate above-the-line advertising and below-the-line promotion activities. The study shows that most brand-owned companies in South Africa combine press, radio and television (above-the-line) with consumer promotions (below-the-line). The most frequently used above-the-line advertising medium is television, which is also seen as the most important mode to support long-term brand building amongst consumers. In turn, print is regarded as the most important above-the-line mode to support trade franchise building. Most frequently used below-the-line modes include direct marketing and public relations. Direct mail and cooperative advertising are seen as the most important below-the-line consumer and trade franchise building modes respectively. Although marketing communication expenditure is positively skewed towards above-the-line adverstising, most recent trends show a gradual increase in the use of below-the-line promotions. To prevent a brand's sales/profits from decreasing over the long-term due to too high below-the-line promotional expenditure, the study encourages a sound balance between above-the-line advertising and below-the-line promotions. Although the ideal ratio of above-the-line advertising to below-the-line promotions is related to the nature of the product and service being marketed, the extent of competitive activity in the market and the frequency of purchase, amongst many other salient factors, the study regards a 60/40 ratio as the most ideal for building long-term brands. On the other hand, a ratio of 35/65 is regarded as the critical point at which company sales/profits may deteriorate because of too high below-the-line promotional spending. In conclusion it can be said that the marketing communication industry of South Africa has entered a period of integrated marketing communication practices which requires sound marketing communication budget strategies conducive to the long-term survival of South African products and services. / Business Management / D. Com. (Marketing Communication)