Is the Entire Trump Campaign Just a Revenue-Generating Marketing Ploy?

From 2011 to 2015, Trump’s social media presence gains momentum and realizes that if he “gives people what they want” he gets more “likes.” His brand continues to build momentum.

The, in June 16, 2015, The Donald formally announces his candidacy for president.

• A week later, NBC dumps two of his income-producing TV shows — The Apprentice and Miss USA.

As November 8^th looms ever closer, Trump is heavily leveraging his new-found brand status with 12.7 million Twitter and 4.4 million Facebook followers. Plus, he now knows he’s a proven ratings magnet as he can boast that 2 out of 3 of his presidential debates were the most-watched debates ever.

So naturally, this week TrumpTV launched, with “Live From Trump Tower” — attracting 8.7 million cumulative views. Pretty attractive numbers for many advertisers … or are they?

With all of his controversial remarks during the election cycle, is Trump a brand that other brands want to be associated with? While Trump may be a calculated brand marketer, and he ended up with millions of brand evangelists, will he be able to parlay that into a large revenue stream? Has his brand awareness campaign backfired?

The travel booking site Hipmunk, reported that stays for Trump properties are down 60 percent for the first half of 2016, and the new Trump International Hotel has cut its room rates.

Ultimately, only time will tell. One thing is for sure: His presidential run netted him millions of dollars of free media coverage which in turn boosted his brand awareness globally, and cemented his relationship with his loyalists. If he can find the right product to take advantage of that achievement with those supporters, he’ll, once again, be a billionaire.

Author: Carolyn Goodman

A blog that challenges B-to-B marketers to learn, share, question, and focus on getting it right—the first time. Carolyn Goodman is President/Creative Director of Goodman Marketing Partners. An award-winning creative director, writer and in-demand speaker, Carolyn has spent her 30-year career helping both B-to-B and B-to-C clients cut through business challenges in order to deliver strategically sound, creatively brilliant marketing solutions that deliver on program objectives. To keep her mind sharp, Carolyn can be found most evenings in the boxing ring, practicing various combinations. You can find her at the Goodman Marketing website, on LinkedIn, or on Twitter @CarolynGoodman.

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