
The Saudi market is one of the most important and growing major markets in the Middle East, and is witnessing tremendous transformations within the framework of the great movement driven by the programs and initiatives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on oil. These changes require local and international companies, as well as private, governmental and non-profit entities, to adopt advanced and innovative marketing strategies that are consistent with national goals and achieve success in the market, and overcome the major competitive obstacles witnessed by the market.
In the following lines, we will try to shed light on the reality of the Saudi market, and the various marketing strategies in this regard:
Cultural, economic and social dimensions in the market:
Population and cultural diversity:
The population of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is approximately 35.5 million people, with young people making up 60% of the total population. This indicates that marketing strategy specialists should focus on young people, meet their needs and keep up with their interests. With the presence of approximately 13 million residents of various nationalities around the world, it becomes necessary to direct marketing campaigns that take into account cultural and linguistic diversity, allowing companies to interact with different segments of the population.
Economic changes and technological development:
Vision 2030 aims to increase the contribution of the non-oil sector to the GDP from 16% to 50%, which opens up new areas for companies to explore growth opportunities and expand their operations, while digital penetration in Saudi Arabia is very high, with an internet penetration rate of 98% of the total population. This advanced digital environment, which coincides with massive economic changes, allows companies to reach a wide audience through multiple digital marketing channels.
So how can marketing professionals benefit from general national trends and take their dimensions into account in their marketing campaigns?
Benefiting from digital transformation trends:
Digital transformation initiatives are one of the pillars of Vision 2030, as the Kingdom seeks to enhance digital innovation in all sectors. Companies can benefit from this trend by investing in digital marketing solutions and using advanced analytics (Big Data) to improve their understanding of consumer behavior. For example, companies can use big data to develop customized campaigns that meet customer needs and target different demographic groups accurately.
Marketing based on cultural and religious values:
Vision 2030 is based on strengthening cultural and national identity, which requires companies to direct their marketing strategies in line with the social and religious values of the Kingdom. Companies can create marketing campaigns that reflect the family and religious values prevailing in Saudi society. For example, campaigns that focus on the importance of family and religious occasions such as Ramadan or Hajj can be promoted.
Boosting the local economy and localizing industries:
One of the main goals of Vision 2030 is to strengthen the local economy and localize industries. Here, specialists must keep pace with these trends and support this strategy by providing marketing campaigns that highlight local products and services, and promote the idea of "Made in Saudi Arabia". Companies can also focus on creating local partnerships and contributing to social responsibility programs to support Saudi society.
Influential marketing and supporting national initiatives:
In the context of supporting national initiatives such as the "Green Saudi Arabia" campaign that aims to promote environmental sustainability, companies can integrate sustainability principles into their marketing strategies. For example, the brand can be promoted through marketing campaigns that emphasize the company's commitment to preserving the environment and reducing the carbon footprint, among others.
Marketing through integrated experiences:
Based on the Quality of Life Initiative, which is part of Vision 2030, companies can provide integrated marketing experiences that aim to improve the customer experience. This can be achieved by providing distinguished services in physical stores and digital platforms, and linking these experiences to initiatives that enhance the quality of life in the Kingdom.
Examples of successful marketing strategies in Saudi Arabia
The “Leave an Impact” campaign from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology:
This campaign aims to promote digital transformation in the Kingdom, where social media was used to raise awareness about the importance of digital transformation and the role of individuals in achieving it. This campaign is an example of how marketing strategies can be used to support national targets.
The “Made in Saudi Arabia” initiative:
This initiative represents a national effort to promote local products, as it encouraged companies to market their products under the slogan “Made in Saudi Arabia”. This strategy reflects the national vision to enhance the local economy and localize industries.
Future trends in digital marketing
The above is the general framework that may be used in some marketing and communication campaigns, but what about future trends in digital marketing, as it is one of the effective tools in this field:
1. Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become one of the pivotal tools in digital marketing. These technologies contribute to analyzing big data and providing accurate insights into customer behavior, which helps companies customize their strategies more effectively. The "Gartner" report expected that spending on artificial intelligence in marketing will reach $ 50 billion globally by 2025, an increase of up to 30% annually..
2. E-commerce
E-commerce in Saudi Arabia is witnessing remarkable growth, thanks to the increased use of the Internet and smartphones, and digital platforms provide new opportunities for companies to reach a wider audience and achieve higher sales. The "eMarketer" report expects the value of the e-commerce market in Saudi Arabia to reach $ 15 billion by 2025.
3. Content and video marketing
It is gaining Content and video marketing are increasingly important, and companies are working to provide valuable content that enhances audience engagement and loyalty. Short videos and interactive content have become key tools for attracting attention, as a study from HubSpot showed that 54% of consumers prefer to watch video content from brands. Red Bull was able to build a large fan base and increase engagement by 60% by strategically using video content to promote its brand.
4. Social media and paid advertising
Social media has become a major platform for interacting with customers and promoting brands, and paid advertising on these platforms provides opportunities for precise targeting and increased reach. Global spending on social media advertising will reach $200 billion in 2024, according to Statista reports.
5. User experience and personalization
Improving the user experience and providing personalized experiences contributes to enhancing customer satisfaction and building strong loyalty, and marketing professionals should use personalization tools to provide content and services that suit the needs of each customer, as 80% of customers prefer to deal with brands that provide personalized experiences. Content Marketing: The Silent Power of Brand Building
In the world of modern marketing, content marketing is one of the most influential methods of building and strengthening a brand, although it is often “silent” in how it impacts. This approach relies on providing valuable and inspiring content to attract an audience, which indirectly but effectively promotes the brand.
1. The Impact of Content Marketing on Brand Awareness
Content marketing is an effective way to increase brand awareness. According to a 2023 HubSpot report, 82% of companies use content marketing as part of their core strategies, and the results show that companies that rely on content marketing record a 30% increase in brand awareness compared to those that do not.
2. Building Trust and Credibility
Content marketing not only builds brand awareness, but also contributes to building trust and credibility. According to a 2023 Content Marketing Institute study, 70% of consumers feel an increase in trust towards brands that provide educational and useful content.
3. Stimulate engagement and loyalty
Content marketing strategies contribute to increasing customer engagement and building brand loyalty. The Demand Metric report for 2023 indicates that valuable content can increase engagement by 67% and enhance brand loyalty.
4. Achieve tangible results
Although content marketing may seem like an indirect method, it can lead to tangible results in the form of increased sales. A study by the Content Marketing Institute for 2023 reveals that companies that use content marketing increase customer conversion rates by 6 times compared to those that do not rely on this strategy.
Here, content marketing shows high efficiency in building and enhancing the brand through an indirect but influential method. By increasing awareness, building trust, and enhancing engagement and loyalty, companies can achieve tangible positive results. There is no doubt that successful content marketing strategies depend on providing valuable and targeted content that meets the needs and expectations of the audience, which ultimately leads to enhancing the brand effectively and sustainably.
The Impact of Exhibitions and Events on Brand Enhancement
Exhibitions and events play a crucial role in brand enhancement and business growth, especially in dynamic markets such as the Saudi market. Organizing events is a unique opportunity for companies to directly interact with their target audience and present their products and services in an interactive way.
The Importance of Events in Brand Enhancement
Direct interaction with customers:
Trade exhibitions are an effective way for companies to communicate directly with customers and target audiences. This interaction provides an opportunity to build strong relationships with customers, understand their needs more deeply, and provide special offers that enhance brand loyalty. According to a study conducted by Global Exhibitions Day, 85% of exhibition participants believe that participating in these events contributes significantly to enhancing the positive image of the brand.
Increasing brand awareness:
By participating in exhibitions, companies can showcase their products and services to a wide audience, which contributes to increasing brand awareness. This awareness is the first step towards strengthening the brand’s position in the market and increasing its market share. Companies that regularly participate in trade shows increase their brand awareness by up to 90%, according to a study by CEIR (Center for Exhibition Industry Research).
New Product Launches:
Trade shows are an ideal platform for launching new products, as different organizations and companies can attract the attention of the public and the media at the same time. This provides a marketing momentum that can lead to a more successful product launch than relying on traditional channels alone.
Business Networking:
Trade shows and events provide an excellent opportunity for companies to expand their networks by meeting potential partners, suppliers and investors. These networks help to enhance cooperation and expand business.
The Impact of Trade Shows and Events on Business Growth
Achieving Tangible Returns on Investment (ROI):
Trade shows are among the events that generate tangible returns on investment for companies. By being able to attract new customers, increase sales and enhance customer loyalty, companies that participate in exhibitions generate financial returns that enhance their growth. For example, a study by Oxford Economics showed that for every dollar invested Trade fair attendance generates $4-$6 in sales.
Build brand confidence:
By being present at well-known and prestigious trade fairs, companies can build brand confidence. Participating in reputable exhibitions reflects the company’s professionalism and the quality of its products, which increases its credibility with customers and investors.
Expand customer base:
Trade fairs give companies the opportunity to reach new customers and expand into new markets. This expansion can lead to increased sales for the company and an increase in its market share.
How government agencies benefit from participating in exhibitions
Achieving strategic goals:
Trade fairs provide an opportunity for government agencies to achieve their strategic goals by showcasing major initiatives and projects that support the national development vision. Through participation, governments can highlight their pioneering projects and initiatives, which increases awareness of them and contributes to achieving the sustainable development goals.
Enhancing cooperation and partnerships:
Government exhibitions provide an opportunity for government agencies to connect with local and international companies and institutions, which contributes to enhancing cooperation and partnerships. These partnerships can lead to the development of joint initiatives and the achievement of development projects more successfully.
Promoting innovation and technology:
By showcasing the latest technologies and innovative solutions at exhibitions, government agencies can promote the advanced technology they adopt in their projects. This promotion can enhance the government’s reputation as an institution that supports innovation and technological development.
Gathering feedback and opinions:
Exhibitions provide an opportunity for government agencies to gather feedback and opinions from the public and businesses on their initiatives and plans. This feedback can be valuable for improving policies and programs in line with the needs and expectations of society.
Enhancing international relations:
Governments participate in international exhibitions to showcase their achievements and develop relations with other countries. Such participation enhances the country’s image on the global stage and contributes to building strong diplomatic and economic relations.
Displaying development projects:
Government agencies can showcase their major development projects at exhibitions, attracting international investment and cooperation. This enhances their ability to achieve economic and social development goals through external support and partnerships.