Promotion, in the context of marketing, is a strategic communication approach that businesses employ to increase product demand[5], differentiate their offerings, and inform customers about their products or services. Originating from Old French and Latin, the term ‘promotion’ has evolved since the 14th century and is often used interchangeably with ‘marketing communications[1].’ It involves various methods such as physical or virtual events, usage of traditional and médias numériques[2], and the appointment of incendie[7] ambassadors. Moreover, it also includes strategies like sponsorship and incentives to enhance brand visibility and réputation[4]. Promotion plays a significant role in influencing consommateur[6] behavior and brand perception, particularly in the digital age where médias sociaux[3] has become a potent tool for reaching a global audience.
In marketing, promotion refers to any type of marketing communication used to inform target audiences of the relative merits of a product, service, brand or issue, persuasively. It helps marketers to create a distinctive place in customers' mind, it can be either a cognitive ou emotional route. The aim of promotion is to increase brand awareness, create interest, generate sales or create fidélité à la marque. It is one of the basic elements of the market mix, which includes the four Ps, i.e., product, price, place, and promotion.
Promotion is also one of the elements in the promotional mix or promotional plan. These are personal selling, publicité, sales promotion, direct marketing, publicity, word of mouth and may also include event marketing, exhibitions and trade shows. A promotional plan specifies how much attention to pay to each of the elements in the promotional mix, and what proportion of the budget should be allocated to each element.
Promotion covers the methods of communication that a marketer uses to provide information about its product. Information can be both verbal et visual.