IRVINE, Calif. – California avocado harvesting is ramping up and the California Avocado Commission (CAC) has kicked off its 2019 California advertising campaign focusing on CAC’s defined target of “premium Californians” and super avocado users. The Commission’s media plan is expected to run from now through beyond the peak Fourth of July avocado consumption period.
“Customers are chomping at the bit and we are excited that our marketing campaign is starting,” said Jan DeLyser, CAC vice president marketing. “With California avocado distribution focused in California and the West this year, it is critical that CAC targets our advertising geographically and we are using partners who have fine-tuned location targeting tactics to serve our retail messages.”
CAC’s advertising plan uses highly targetable media, including audio, outdoor, digital, social, and digital streaming videos. Targeted audio advertising via Spotify communicates that California avocados are in season. CAC’s digital content partners weave together recipe usage ideas and California avocado-specific messaging.
The Commission’s “Made of California” campaign graphics are extended for use in California outdoor ads, digital and social advertising. Newly created videos on popular streaming platforms, including television-like Hulu, feature California avocado growers and California avocado groves. Last year’s marketing program research showed that a video shot by drone camera over a California avocado grove was the campaign’s most well-liked video. This season CAC is building on a long history of featuring growers by creating more grower and grove videos.
Research conducted by Nielsen during California avocado season last year from April 4 through September 4 compared opinions of consumers exposed to CAC digital advertising (tracked via ad tags) to those in the same markets who were not, and
showed the approach is working. After campaign exposure, unaided brand awareness increased, and the percent of consumers who said they would recommend California avocados rose significantly to 93 percent. The Commission also learned that adults with household incomes over $75,000 were directionally more likely to say they preferred avocados grown in California after ad exposure.
“We are confident that our media plan reaches our “Premium Californians” target, which includes male and female avocado shoppers as well as more specific demographic and mindset criteria,” said DeLyser.
CAC also is using social media and retailer-specific programs, including targeted digital throughout the California avocado season. These tactics supported early season harvesting, mid-season peak volume availability and will do the same for late-season supply.
About the California Avocado Commission
Created in 1978, the California Avocado Commission strives to enhance the premium positioning of California avocados through advertising, promotion and public relations, and engages in related industry activities. California avocados are cultivated with uncompromising dedication to quality and freshness, by more than 3,000 growers in the Golden State. The California Avocado Commission serves as the official information source for California avocados and the California avocado industry. Visit CaliforniaAvocado.com, or join us on Facebook at Facebook.com/CaliforniaAvocados and @CA_Avocados on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for updates.
