Find out how PEMCO tuned in to their customers wants and needs to build relationships and a buzzable hyper-local position in their market. Presented on 12/16/09 at Gaspedal\'s Word of Mouth Supergenius conference.
9. Our Situation in 2007 Share of advertising voice was less than 3% in the prior 2 years Nationally, GEICO Insurance will spend approximately $1 Billion 2009 PEMCO 3% $55 Million 2005-2006 9
17. <?xml version="1.0"?><AllQuestions /> <?xml version="1.0"?><AllAnswers /> <?xml version="1.0"?><AllResponses /> <?xml version="1.0"?><Settings><answerBulletFormat>Numeric</answerBulletFormat><answerNowAutoInsert>No</answerNowAutoInsert><answerNowStyle>Explosion</answerNowStyle><answerNowText>Answer Now</answerNowText><chartColors>Use PowerPoint Color Scheme</chartColors><chartType>Horizontal</chartType><correctAnswerIndicator>Checkmark</correctAnswerIndicator><countdownAutoInsert>No</countdownAutoInsert><countdownSeconds>10</countdownSeconds><countdownSound>TicToc.wav</countdownSound><countdownStyle>Box</countdownStyle><gridAutoInsert>No</gridAutoInsert><gridFillStyle>Answered</gridFillStyle><gridFillColor>255,255,0</gridFillColor><gridOpacity>50%</gridOpacity><gridTextStyle>Keypad #</gridTextStyle><inputSource>Response Devices</inputSource><multipleResponseDivisor># of Responses</multipleResponseDivisor><participantsLeaderBoard>5</participantsLeaderBoard><percentageDecimalPlaces>0</percentageDecimalPlaces><responseCounterAutoInsert>No</responseCounterAutoInsert><responseCounterStyle>Oval</responseCounterStyle><responseCounterDisplayValue># of Votes Received</responseCounterDisplayValue><insertObjectUsingColor>Red</insertObjectUsingColor><showResults>Yes</showResults><teamColors>Use PowerPoint Color Scheme</teamColors><teamIdentificationType>None</teamIdentificationType><teamScoringType>Voting pads only</teamScoringType><teamScoringDecimalPlaces>1</teamScoringDecimalPlaces><teamIdentificationItem></teamIdentificationItem><teamsLeaderBoard>5</teamsLeaderBoard><teamName1></teamName1><teamName2></teamName2><teamName3></teamName3><teamName4></teamName4><teamName5></teamName5><teamName6></teamName6><teamName7></teamName7><teamName8></teamName8><teamName9></teamName9><teamName10></teamName10><showControlBar>All Slides</showControlBar><defaultCorrectPointValue>0</defaultCorrectPointValue><defaultIncorrectPointValue>0</defaultIncorrectPointValue><chartColor1>187,224,227</chartColor1><chartColor2>51,51,153</chartColor2><chartColor3>0,153,153</chartColor3><chartColor4>153,204,0</chartColor4><chartColor5>128,128,128</chartColor5><chartColor6>0,0,0</chartColor6><chartColor7>0,102,204</chartColor7><chartColor8>204,204,255</chartColor8><chartColor9>255,0,0</chartColor9><chartColor10>255,255,0</chartColor10><teamColor1>187,224,227</teamColor1><teamColor2>51,51,153</teamColor2><teamColor3>0,153,153</teamColor3><teamColor4>153,204,0</teamColor4><teamColor5>128,128,128</teamColor5><teamColor6>0,0,0</teamColor6><teamColor7>0,102,204</teamColor7><teamColor8>204,204,255</teamColor8><teamColor9>255,0,0</teamColor9><teamColor10>255,255,0</teamColor10><displayAnswerImagesDuringVote>Yes</displayAnswerImagesDuringVote><displayAnswerImagesWithResponses>Yes</displayAnswerImagesWithResponses><displayAnswerTextDuringVote>Yes</displayAnswerTextDuringVote><displayAnswerTextWithResponses>Yes</displayAnswerTextWithResponses><questionSlideID></questionSlideID><controlBarState>Expanded</controlBarState><isGridColorKnownColor>True</isGridColorKnownColor><gridColorName>Yellow</gridColorName></Settings> Some of the people we talked to! 15
18. <?xml version="1.0"?><AllQuestions /> <?xml version="1.0"?><AllAnswers /> <?xml version="1.0"?><AllResponses /> <?xml version="1.0"?><Settings><answerBulletFormat>Numeric</answerBulletFormat><answerNowAutoInsert>No</answerNowAutoInsert><answerNowStyle>Explosion</answerNowStyle><answerNowText>Answer Now</answerNowText><chartColors>Use PowerPoint Color Scheme</chartColors><chartType>Horizontal</chartType><correctAnswerIndicator>Checkmark</correctAnswerIndicator><countdownAutoInsert>No</countdownAutoInsert><countdownSeconds>10</countdownSeconds><countdownSound>TicToc.wav</countdownSound><countdownStyle>Box</countdownStyle><gridAutoInsert>No</gridAutoInsert><gridFillStyle>Answered</gridFillStyle><gridFillColor>255,255,0</gridFillColor><gridOpacity>50%</gridOpacity><gridTextStyle>Keypad #</gridTextStyle><inputSource>Response Devices</inputSource><multipleResponseDivisor># of Responses</multipleResponseDivisor><participantsLeaderBoard>5</participantsLeaderBoard><percentageDecimalPlaces>0</percentageDecimalPlaces><responseCounterAutoInsert>No</responseCounterAutoInsert><responseCounterStyle>Oval</responseCounterStyle><responseCounterDisplayValue># of Votes Received</responseCounterDisplayValue><insertObjectUsingColor>Red</insertObjectUsingColor><showResults>Yes</showResults><teamColors>Use PowerPoint Color Scheme</teamColors><teamIdentificationType>None</teamIdentificationType><teamScoringType>Voting pads only</teamScoringType><teamScoringDecimalPlaces>1</teamScoringDecimalPlaces><teamIdentificationItem></teamIdentificationItem><teamsLeaderBoard>5</teamsLeaderBoard><teamName1></teamName1><teamName2></teamName2><teamName3></teamName3><teamName4></teamName4><teamName5></teamName5><teamName6></teamName6><teamName7></teamName7><teamName8></teamName8><teamName9></teamName9><teamName10></teamName10><showControlBar>All Slides</showControlBar><defaultCorrectPointValue>0</defaultCorrectPointValue><defaultIncorrectPointValue>0</defaultIncorrectPointValue><chartColor1>187,224,227</chartColor1><chartColor2>51,51,153</chartColor2><chartColor3>0,153,153</chartColor3><chartColor4>153,204,0</chartColor4><chartColor5>128,128,128</chartColor5><chartColor6>0,0,0</chartColor6><chartColor7>0,102,204</chartColor7><chartColor8>204,204,255</chartColor8><chartColor9>255,0,0</chartColor9><chartColor10>255,255,0</chartColor10><teamColor1>187,224,227</teamColor1><teamColor2>51,51,153</teamColor2><teamColor3>0,153,153</teamColor3><teamColor4>153,204,0</teamColor4><teamColor5>128,128,128</teamColor5><teamColor6>0,0,0</teamColor6><teamColor7>0,102,204</teamColor7><teamColor8>204,204,255</teamColor8><teamColor9>255,0,0</teamColor9><teamColor10>255,255,0</teamColor10><displayAnswerImagesDuringVote>Yes</displayAnswerImagesDuringVote><displayAnswerImagesWithResponses>Yes</displayAnswerImagesWithResponses><displayAnswerTextDuringVote>Yes</displayAnswerTextDuringVote><displayAnswerTextWithResponses>Yes</displayAnswerTextWithResponses><questionSlideID></questionSlideID><controlBarState>Expanded</controlBarState><isGridColorKnownColor>True</isGridColorKnownColor><gridColorName>Yellow</gridColorName></Settings> Some of the people we talked to! 16
27. The Perfect Storm – Convergence of Forces BHAG: Never have to pay for a lead again Culture: Lead with relationship VOC: Listen, organize, engage and measure 25
28. PEMCO’s success depends on the positive opinion of people like me. They listen, participate, encourage and enable me to share with others. + 26
36. Incite event attendees to engage PEMCO Brand Ambassadors in conversations offline and onlineLove the way PEMCO does this local stuff. Keep it up! 32
Self introduction:Rod BrooksVice President and Chief Marketing Officer, PEMCO Insurance, Seattle, WashingtonBoard Member and President-elect of Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA)
This short video was produced by the NBC affiliate in Seattle for Evening Magazine as a result of the buzz that the PEMCO campaign had created over the prior 18 months.This was to document the “making of” a PEMCO Profile Commercial.PEMCO aired it live at a Space Needle Tweet-up. That event created a new wave of buzz locally, regionally, and even nationally.
Leading with Relationship…. Actually, Leading with Trust
To consumers… insurance is pretty black and white.The law says they have to have it. It’s not valued at the time of purchase. It’s considered an expense. Insurance providers are scrutinized and often not trusted (industry). And it’s definitely not well understood. (What did I buy?)
And… for PEMCO’s target market (preferred drivers and households)… it’s a zero-sum-game.The people we want, by definition, are our competitors best customers. For the most part, they are already insured and we need to take lure them away.
Our target customers shop. Some more than others, but there is always shopping going on.And what they see looks like a commodity. There is very little product or coverage differentiation.
Let’s look back a couple years.In 2007 PEMCO found that it’s share of traditional advertising voice (specifically measured broadcast) was deteriorating and had reached a low point of just 3% within the Seattle DMA. PEMCO had not reduced it’s advertising spend. But the competition was increasing exponetially.Note: See GEICO, Progressive, AllstateGEICO would outspend Coca-Cola nationally in 2007-08 ($500,000,000) and would approach $1 BILLION in 2009.This was not a hill that PEMCO was equipped to go to battle on.
At the same time… market share was eroding. Coinciding with a growing market generally, PEMCO share had slipped from 8.3% to 6.4% over an eight year time period.
PEMCO Mutual Insurance Company is just one of two Washington-based insurers after the sale of once-local SAFECO Insurance among other industry consolidations.Founded 60 years ago, it offers auto, home, boat, life and umbrella policies. PEMCO sells a highly regulated, commoditized product in a product category with very low customer involvement – all the while outspent by national competitors eight-to-one. PEMCO’s business model leads with relationship and keeps the customer “out front” and “in focus” in our decision making.We strive to provide a truly “world class customer experience” regardless of industry.We are governed by our core values of “Integrity, Responsibility, and Courage”
PEMCO is positioned as a Challenger Brand.We compete with the big boys (and girls) who are all national players and have far greater resources.As a challenger, PEMCO - Lacks economies of scale - Must have well-defined strategies - Be highly creative, innovative, resourceful and nimble - Be willing to challenge the establishment… starting with the internal sacred cows that graze inside the organization. - And, relevant to all of us, must capitalize on Word of Mouth from loyal customers and advocates.
Here’s what some of those customers looked like. A lot like you. A little different.Conducted ethnographic research inside homes of people like these. Blind at first. Identified PEMCO at end.Observed their life style. Heard their stories. What they worried about. What they celebrated. What they honored. And what they were proud of.
Northwest residents… Since Lewis & Clark days… have been a fiercely independent group.They blaze their own trails, rail at the east coast establishment, and don’t have a lot of love lost for Californian’s to the south (even though many used to be one themselves).
We consider ourselves innovative… and proud leaders in all things good.In fact… if it’s really good, it probably was invented here. And even though most of us had nothing to do with the creation of these companies, we proudly claim them as if they were our own.
We are incredibly green (but not with envy) and we might even claim to have invented recycling.
We love the local guy.When all things are equal… and often even when price is a bit higher…- Local trumps Large- Personal trumps price.
Oh… and did I mention that we can be a bit unusual…Odd.QuirkyProud
Oh… and did I mention that we can be a bit unusual…Odd.QuirkyProudAnd Colorful
So what does that information do for a local insurance company that wants to compete with the big guys.It guides us.It helped us understand how best to differentiate ourselves from the rest of the insurance providers.We would look for opportunities to connect ourselves to those unique values that the people of the NW hold so dear.The big guys can spend more, but no one can be “more local” in the northwest than PEMCO.
PEMCO PersonasHere’s a helpful guide to the people of the northwest. We call thismicrosite WALLY… an acronym for Were A Lot Like YouOur initial objective was to show people that we really knew them. And of course…make people smile. While social media is NOT a campaign, it can be a launch platform for making your brand “talkable” on the social web.How? Starting with the PEMCO We’re A Lot Like You. A Little Different ad campaign.Campaign highlights the quirky, yet identifiable characteristics of Northwest residents. Resulted in hundreds of organic blog mentions.Introduce these characters …. In order…First Snowflake Freak-out LadySuper Long Coffee Orderer50 Degrees Shirts Off GuyPonytailed Software GeekGoat Renter GuyRoadside Chainsaw WoodcarverDesperately Seeking SasquatchOff Leash Dog Lady
Let’s talk for a minute about the climate at PEMCO….I like to think of it as a Perfect Storm. A time with there is a convergence of forces that can truly change the landscape.BHAG. Instead of focusing on the newest tools or channels, PEMCO started with our big hairy audacious goal in mind. “Never have to pay for a lead again”. As such, we’ve found social engagements and channels that have helped us organize and engage the customer in meaningful conversations. Culture For more than 60 years PEMCO has “lead with relationship” putting customer wants and needs first. We start all of our executive meetings and board meetings with a customer story. We lead with trust when settling a claim. Our mantra… “Our customers came to us voluntarily one at a time. And they can leave the same way if we break their trust” and “There’s no right way to do the wrong thing” Voice of the Customer: We have two ears and one mouth. We should listen twice as much as we talk. Over the past two years PEMCO has embarked on an aggressive approach to integrate the voice of the customer into the PEMCO corporate culture and business practices. We measure all of our customertouchpoints, and report findings with actions identified to improve. We have recently improved our ability to segment our customers and will endevor to improve our products and services depending on their unique wants and needs. We are even preparing to reorganize the company around the voice of the customer.
Our vision for WOM and social media is simple and aligns with PEMCO’s world class customer experience objectives: Our Social Media Mantra…“PEMCO’s success depends on the opinion of people like me. They listen, participate, encourage and enable me to share with others.”Listen.ParticipateEncourageEnable
Campaign Artifacts:Relevant… Hyper local identification… Smile makers.In 2009, PEMCO decided to capitalize on the ad campaign’s popularity and adopted an integrated marketing and events program that:Celebrates Pacific Northwest values Demonstrates our dedication to community involvement and engagement through sponsorships, partnerships and user-generated activities.
In 2009, PEMCO decided to capitalize on the ad campaign’s popularity and adopted an integrated marketing and events program that:Celebrates Pacific Northwest values Demonstrates our dedication to community involvement and engagement through sponsorships, partnerships and user-generated activities.
Reportedly, 90% of all WOM is face to face… or at least, NOT digitally driven.PEMCO made sure we walked the talk and showed up in the communities where our customers and prospects live, work, learn and play.This integrated program capitalized on a set of opportunities that best reinforce PEMCO’s brand position including:1. An array of local grassroots-level events – Fremont Fair, Seafair, Issaquah Salmon Days, Taste Washington, etc.2. The creation of a fully-modular, branded, motorized vehicle (WALLY1)3. A set of activities that foster meaningful interaction and Brand Ambassadors to serve as the face of the company within the community. The program’s goal is to increase positive touchpoints – both online and offline – between PEMCO and the local Northwest community.
In all our endeavors, PEMCO has worked to lead on relationships. We look forward to building a relationship with you and encourage you to return back to www.werealotlikeyou.com for new updates coming soon. Next steps. Stop: Learn and listen. But don’t be afraid to learn while doing too! We walked away with a lot of to-do’s as a result of what we learned from having our Tweet-up.Invest further in social mediaCreate listening out postsEngage & train PEMCO employees about social mediaCreate corporate Twitter handles @PEMCO & @PEMCO_NWBe attentive to new opportunities to create additional buzzImprove / expand the WALLY micro-website to allow for more participation / engagement
All new website about to launch in January.Will improve brand presense, but even more importantly will better incorporate the Voice of the CustomerTestimonials and responses to lettersTwitter feedCustomer reviews….. (more)