New Product Launch

SITUATION

A 30-year-old international manufacturer of industrial pumps, based in Germany, had developed a new consumer product and desired to introduce it in the U.S. The product, a recirculating pump with timer and thermostat, was designed to provide instant hot water at every tap. The product offered new technology to solve an age-old problem in an entirely new way. There were no comparable products on the market, so customers had no basis for familiarity with the operation or benefits. Not being previously familiar with consumer advertising, the corporation engaged FabCom to conduct a market test in Phoenix, Arizona.

GOALS/OBJECTIVES

Goals

 
• Generate projectable sales results in order to secure venture capital funding for a national product rollout.
 
• Increase inquiries from consumers regarding retail availability of the product.

Objectives

 
• Test ability of point-of-purchase displays to enhance consumer response to advertising.

STRATEGY/TACTICS

FabCom researched the product and the local outlets (major home improvement chains) and then developed radio advertising, a new identity and positioning and point-of-purchase displays. The radio spots used “theater of the mind” to clearly and forcefully present the many benefits of the product (convenience, conversation and savings on utility bills.) A flight of spots on two radio stations targeting homeowners was scheduled, although two weeks of airtime was all the budget allowed. The positioning was updated to reflect a more direct point of connection to the product’s benefits. The new point-of-purchase displays replaced old, low-impact, P-O-P which took a technical approach to the product that didn’t help consumers understand its true benefits.