Founded back in 1978, today RDS is the major Italian music radio station. The program is composed mainly by music shows -conducted by classical radio voices always up to date with the latest news. RDS style embedded in the slogan “100% greatest successes” is the most recognizable & popular out of all other Italian radio stations.
The playlist entries are carefully selected from the greatest hits of the 80’s, 90’s and today’s music. Moreover radio plays an essential role in the most important Italian and international musical events.
The only entertainment act in our program is our morning show “Tutti pazzi per RDS – All crazy for RDS” conducted by Max Pagani, Rossella Brescia, Barty directed by Claudio Cannizzaro. On a daily basis (except Sundays), the show delights our listeners caught in traffic, with radio jokes and sketch imitations.
WHAT IS IT ?
In this step you will find information about the Brand Builder, who is asking you to propose a Solution for the challenge. He introduces himself (as a Brand of course :) The more you understand about the Brand, the more chances you have to create what is wanted.
IMPORTANT: There is a possibility that the Brand Builder prefers not to disclose who he is, usually for confidentiality reasons. Such Briefs will be published in an anonymous way. In this case the Brand Builder will say as much as he feels comfortable saying.
Here are two EXAMPLES
In case there is no problem with disclosing the identity (VISIBLE):
“NMN -No More Nicotine- is a Brand that promises to counteract the damages to the skin that can be caused by smoking. NMN is distributed in pharmacies and drugstores and its price positioning is middle-high; it is mainly promoted through professional endorsement and is not massively advertised.”
In case the Brand doesn’t want to disclose his identity (ANONYMOUS):
“Brand counteracting the damages to skin caused by smoking. Its products are distributed in pharmacies and drugstores with a middle-high price positioning; they are mainly promoted through professional endorsement and are not massively advertised.”
In summary: Who is your client (in a visible or “anonymous” way :)
RDS is asking for a campaign ideation aiming at dazzling the male audience by means of a contest introduced through “Tutti pazzi per RDS – All Crazy for RDS” radio show on air Monday to Saturday from 6 to 9. The central character and the main attraction is Rossella Brescia. More specifically listeners have the opportunity to win a Special Dinner Party with her and the rest of the “Tutti pazzi per RDS” staff.
The objective is to attract new radio listeners, in a key radio time slot – when people are getting ready to leave or have already left their houses heading for work.
WHAT IS IT ?
This is the task the Brand Builder asks you to accomplish. If you don’t understand it, you are completely out of luck !
EXAMPLE
“We ask the Creators to develop a print advertising campaign in order to increase Brand’s visibility. It will be used in national magazines this spring.”
In summary: It’s the objective of the client, therefore your objective too !
We are speaking to men radio listeners, aging from 18 to 48, passionate about music, young and young at heart, curious and positive, entertaining but not extreme. Although the campaign is mainly addressing men, the sensitivity of our women listeners should not be harmed.
WHAT IS IT?
People that the Brand Builder wants you to entertain and persuade to think, feel or do something using your creation. Usually you will read about their age, sex, social level and behaviors. You should always keep that information in mind while creating, as the target audience is the final recipient of what you create.
EXAMPLE
“Smoking girls and women who would like to quit smoking but can’t. Usually health-conscious adults who care about their looks. They feel guilty about smoking because they know it is harmful. They read books about it. This is a real problem for them: it’s like “My brain wants something, but my body acts of its own accord”. They don’t relate to my brand, they are just waiting for a trustworthy “helping hand”.
In summary: Get under their skin !
The communication should engage the male target, get them to listen and interact with RDS through the attractive, entertaining and cool image of Rossella Brescia. While fans of others radio stations should start listening to this particular show, our current listeners should become loyal ”Tutti pazzi per RDS” audience.
WHAT IS IT?
The thing that the Brand Builder wants to make the target audience think/feel/do because of your creation.
Here are some very concrete examples:
∞ Some things people can think/feel:
- There is a new Brand (or product or idea or...) out there
- This Brand is better than the alternatives or than it used to be
- This Brand is worth paying more for
∞ Some things people can do:
- Start buying the Brand’s products
- Buy the Brand more often
- Stock more products of the Brand in their outlets
The above written examples are very concrete whilst often the proposition of the Brief is emotional. That’s even better as it can be more inspiring!
EXAMPLE
“We’d like to encourage smokers to use NMN in order to minimize the damage to their health while they are keeping giving up smoking (especially if they’ve already tried and failed before).”
In summary: Get inside their brain !
The contest brings the unique opportunity to participate to an unforgettable cocktail party together with Rosella Brescia – famous radio-TV character.
WHAT IS IT?
This is the key to achieving the objective. It is what supports the proposition and makes it believable. Usually it is a rational statement.
EXAMPLE
“Every cigarette you smoke is causing damage to your appearance. A recent study took several pairs of identical twins where one twin was a lifelong smoker and the other had never smoked. The smokers’ skin was a quarter thinner than that of non-smokers, and in some cases there were differences of up to 40%. NMN contains thinning-blocking anti-oxidants which counteract the effect of nicotine on the skin.”
In summary: You are looking for arguments? You’ll find them here!
RDS values are:
- 1. Up-to-dateness: always in the know, giving an “RDS” interpretation to the latest trends.
- 2. Energy: necessary to uniquely convey the emotional power generated by music.
- 3. Charm: is a RDS historical value, a continuously renewed understanding of elegance.
- 4. Empathy: RDS speaks the language of its listeners, uses a friendly approach while maintaining its validity.
- 5. Delightfulness: both the speakers and the whole “Tutti pazzi per RDS” radio show have a very nice, likable and pleasant style.
WHAT IS IT?
It’s who the Brand is. Yes... who!
Treat the Brand as a human being, as it has its own personality. To know the personality of the “client” is fundamental in order to provide a tailor-made job. So, read carefully the listed adjectives...
EXAMPLE
“Scientific, trustworthy, result-oriented, ‘a party’ to achieve your goals.”
In summary: Imagine the live person !
First Priority: Outdoor advertising: billboards and transport (e.g. bus side)
Second Priority: Web and viral (e.g. web videos and videos for www.rds.it)
Third priority: guerilla marketing, focusing on the NE of Italy (Milano)
WHAT IS IT?
A list of places (or media, or things) where the target audience will see the outcome of your creation. In this step sometimes the Brand will also acknowledge you how much he plans to invest into production. This information will give you an insight whether to create a BIG project or make it small... :)
EXAMPLE
“This campaign is going to appear in lifestyle- and health-focused women magazines of New Zealand, during the spring of 2009. We plan to invest 500,000 USD, which means approximately buying 100 single pages.”
In summary: Consider the medium !
If the Brand has preferences or technical requirements that your Solution has to match, you will find them here.
Here are some items that you may find in this section:
∞ Guidelines or mandatory inclusions (do’s and/or don’ts)
∞ Business objectives
∞ Market and competitors overview
∞ Good and bad samples
Depending on the Brief, you may also find some files attached with a logo, pictures of product(s), a template that you should use in order to submit your ideas, or any other file that the Brand wants to share with you. So, study the attachments before starting creating.
In summary: Anything else you need to know (not written in the 7 steps before) !
