Mardi Gras Marketing

Mardi Gras is a festive occasion rooted in culture, community, and good Creole food. In this special edition of her Marketing Insights podcast series,  Marketing Maven Shanita Akintonde invites listeners to grab some beads, bite some beignets, and listen in as she shares innovative ideas from this New Orleans tradition. #MardiGras  #MGH #Marketing #McGrawHill

Marketing Maven Shanita Akintonde personifies passion and purpose. With over two decades of strategically-honed leadership experience as a professor and marketing executive, Shanita has transitioned over 10,000 students from her classroom to the boardroom. She is an author, newspaper columnist, and certified professional speaker who serves as President of ShanitaSpeaks, LLC, a company that energizes clients to predict marketing trends, identify niche audiences and effectively communicate measurable outcomes, all of which she spotlights as host of the #1-ranked Marketing Insights podcast series.

Podcast Transcript

Transcript

Shanita Akintonde:

Hi, this is Shanita Akintonde, educator, author, career coach, and marketing Shero. I invite you to join me for this very special edition of my Marketing Insights podcast series entitled Mardi Gras Marketing. [Foreign language 00:00:39], dear listeners. It's that time of the year when the vibrant and colorful celebration of Mardi Gras takes center stage. But do you know what's even more exciting than the parades and beads? I know it's hard to think that there's something else, but it's how brands cleverly tap into the Mardi Gras space and spirit to spice up their marketing game.

In today's episode of my Marketing Insights podcast series entitled Mardi Gras Marketing, we'll explore the brands that truly know how to let the good times roll. Let's start with the power of themed campaigns. Picture this, you're scrolling through your social media feed and suddenly out of nowhere, you come across a campaign that bursts with purple, green, and gold. That's the magic of themed campaigns during Mardi Gras season. Brands like Zatarain's and King Crab Hub have mastered the art of infusing the Mardi Gras colors and flavors into their marketing, making us all crave, you guessed it, a slice of king cake.

Next, we're going to look at embracing local culture. Mardi Gras is deeply rooted in the culture of New Orleans, and some brands embrace this local heritage wholeheartedly. Take a look for example at how Tabasco and Abita Brewing Company celebrate Mardi Gras by not only incorporating Louisiana flavors, but also by being very active participants in those festivities. It's not just about selling hot sauce, as Beyonce carries in her bag, or selling beer, it's about being a part of the community's traditions. We've talked about that in previous podcasts.

Number three is the art of experiential marketing. Mardi Gras is all about immersive experiences, and some brands take it, what? To the next level with experiential marketing wholeheartedly embraced. Brands like Airbnb offer unique Mardi Gras-themed stays while restaurants like Galatoire's create unforgettable dining experiences. It's a reminder that marketing isn't just about what you see or hear. It's about what you feel and experience. Go back and take a listen to my podcast entitled Dr. Feel Good Brands to get more of that.

Number four is create a social media engagement, and that should be creatively. Mardi Gras wouldn't be complete without the dazzling floats and costumes in their parades. Brands like Popeye's Chicken and Krispy Kreme get in on the fun by launching creative social media campaigns that not only challenge their followers, but invites them to get into the Mardi Gras spirit. From dressing up as many floats to creating colorful masks, these brands know how to engage their audiences in a playful way. Hey, hey, hey.

Last but not least, allow me to elaborate on the final segment of this podcast, which is giving back to the community. In the spirit of Mardi Gras, marketing Maestros some brands use this festive season as an opportunity to give back to the community. Organizations like the Krewe of Red Beans collaborate with brands to fund social impact projects and initiatives. It's just a reminder that Mardi Gras isn't just about celebration, it's also about making a positive difference.

As we wrap up this special edition of my Marketing Insights podcast series, this one entitled Mardi Gras Marketing, I hope you're inspired by how brands infuse the spirit of Mardi Gras into their marketing strategies. It's a testament to the power of culture, creativity, and community. Whether you're tossing beads from a float or enjoying a slice of king cake at home, remember that Mardi Gras is a celebration that brings people together just like I seek to do with you, and each and every one of these podcasts, like the brands that we celebrate also do to bring their audiences closer to the festivities. Until next time, let's let the good times roll.

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If you enjoy listening to these podcasts, be sure to subscribe on Stitcher, iTunes, or Google Play and like them wherever you hear them. Connect with me on LinkedIn at Professor Shanita Akintonde or follow me on Twitter at _ShanitaSpeaks.