Why Brands are Embracing Multichannel AmplificationTM
How PR and Comms Can Measurably Increase Their Return on Investment
When was the last time someone asked you if you saw a particular video or meme online and you had no idea what they were referring to? With an endless supply of sources for online content and algorithmic-driven feeds supplying it, no two people have the same online viewing experience.
Because there’s a glut of content online, even the biggest brands aren’t getting the organic visibility they once did. Leveraging paid partnerships is a way that many brands are cutting through the online noise to successfully get their story seen and heard by those who matter most. The most fruitful comms strategies include a holistic, Multichannel AmplificationTM approach wherein brands expand the reach of their message using multiple channels. More and more brands are embracing this method as an effective way to improve the return on investment (ROI) for their comms.
What is Multichannel AmplificationTM?
While the term “Multichannel AmplificationTM” is proprietary to PR Newswire, the concept is not new to seasoned PR and comms professionals. As mentioned, Multichannel AmplificationTM is the practice of leveraging multiple channels to widen the distribution of a message. Savvy PR and comms practitioners know that the most impactful comms strategies don’t simply duplicate tactics across many channels to achieve a desired result. Each promotional channel is unique and requires a tailored approach that optimises its effectiveness in promoting a story.
The most important component of a Multichannel AmplificationTM strategy is the connection a brand seeks to foster with its customers. Each member of a brand’s target audience has a unique relationship with various communication channels. Therefore, when developing a Multichannel AmplificationTM campaign, it’s crucial to leverage the strengths of each channel to fortify the relationship with each customer or prospect. To do so effectively, comms teams need to rethink the idea that earned media is the primary benchmark for success.
Moving Beyond Earned Media
In PR and comms, earned media is the gold standard for any successful campaign. However, because audiences for traditional news are shrinking, media is becoming more consolidated and journalists are increasingly stretched thin, PR and comms pros can’t rely solely on earned media to give their story legs and get it in front of their targeted audience. Effectively leveraging owned, shared and paid media is essential for maximising viewership for your brand’s story.
With all the challenges PR pros face in getting attention for their news, they need to generate creative ways to get noticed. Creating multimedia assets that help tell your story can increase engagement with your message and enable better recall of it. Therefore, when leveraging owned, shared and paid media, having multimedia assets as part of your story will increase the success of your comms campaign. Let’s explore how a U.S. brand saw success with this approach.