Integrated marketing communications

Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) is the application of consistent brand messaging across both traditional and non-traditional marketing channels and using different promotional methods to reinforce each other.

IMC weaves diverse aspects of business and marketing together. These include:

• Organizational culture

The organization's vision and mission

Attitudes and behaviors of employees & partners

Communication within the company

• Four P's

Price, pricing plans, bundled offerings

Product (product design, accessibility, usability)

Promotion

Place (point of purchase, in-store/shopper experience)

• Advertising

Broadcasting/mass advertising: broadcasts, print, internet advertising, radio, television commercials

Outdoor advertising: billboards, street furniture, stadiums, rest areas, subway advertising, taxis, transit

Online advertising: mobile advertising, email ads, banner ads, search engine result pages, blogs, newsletters, online classified ads, media ads

• Direct marketing: direct mail, telemarketing, catalogs, shopping channels, internet sales, emails, text messaging, websites, online display ads, fliers, catalog distribution, promotional letters, outdoor advertising, telemarketing, coupons, direct mail, direct selling, grassroots/community marketing, mobile
• Online/internet marketing

E-commerce

Search engine optimization (SEO)

Search engine marketing (SEM)

Mobile Marketing

Email marketing

Content marketing

Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google +, Foursquare, Pinterest, YouTube, Wikipedia, Instagram)

• Sales & customer service

Sales materials (sell sheets, brochures, presentations)

Installation, customer help, returns & repairs, billing

• Public Relations

Special events, interviews, conference speeches, industry awards, press conferences, testimonials, news releases, publicity stunts, community involvement, charity involvement & events

• Promotions

Contests, coupons, product samples (freebies), premiums, prizes, rebates, special events

• Trade shows

Booths, product demonstrations

• Corporate philanthropy

Donations, volunteering, charitable actions

When these diverse aspects of business and marketing are weaved together properly an effective campaign can be achieved. Effective campaigns are demonstrated on the Integrated Brands showcase which recognizes brands that are innovative, strategic and successfully growing their sales.By effectively leveraging each communication channel greater impact can be achieved together than achieved individually.

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_marketing_communications