Below-the-line
En fallstudie av små företags tillämpning av marknadskommunikation med fokus på below-the-line metoder
This study aims to research how small companies that operate on the Swedish home electronic-market utilize marketing communications to communicate their message. The focus of this study has been to research these companies use of below-the-line activities in their marketing communications. Interviews have been conducted with representatives from each of the three companies Neonode, Jens of Sweden and Tonium, that compose the selection from the population in this study. The use of below-the-line activities in small companies is mainly motivated by lower cost, which suit small company budgets. Below-the-line activities are also used for branding and the creation of credibility among the consumers when the target audience does not yet know the brand. On the other hand, above-the-line activities are used when you wish to remind the consumers of a certain product or brand once the brand already exists. The result that this study has generated is supported by previous studies that claim that companies first build their brand by the use below-the-line activities, and subsequently communicate the brand by using above-the-line activities within their marketing communications.