Look no further than The Weather Channel’s winter 2024 outlook to discover how the season is shaping up across the country. And as those chilly temperatures arrive, so does something else: spring break weather wanderlust. For marketers, this presents a golden opportunity to showcase exactly what travelers need to turn their daydreams into reality, from short-term packing decisions to long-term destination planning.

Strike while the iron is hot, but the temperatures are not

Nearly half of consumers admit that winter weather fuels their desire to escape to warmer destinations.1 To help travel-related brands deliver real-time, personalized relevance, they can tap into weather’s proven influence on mindsets and behaviors. Bringing weather data together with impactful first and third-party datasets can enable better decisions for consumers, and a competitive edge for brands and businesses. So, when decision-making kicks in for the ultimate spring break travel adventure, we’ll help you reach consumers at the optimal time and place.

%

of millennials say “winter blues” is the most challenging thing about the season1

Weather impacts travelers emotionally and physically, making it a key factor for brands to consider. Because weather intelligence allows brands to reach people during specific conditions and when they are in the right mindset, marketers can use this valuable tool to influence consumer behaviors.

From choosing a beach or ski resort to deciding what to pack, the forecast plays a role throughout the entire travel journey. And let’s not forget the impact of weather on air travel — because nothing says “vacation vibes” like a surprise snowstorm canceling your flight. In fact, a recent Expedia Group report named “weather” as the top influencer of trip destinations for travelers considering multiple destinations. It’s no wonder 67% of people use The Weather Channel, the world’s most accurate forecaster, to research or plan their trips.2

Take it from Mother Nature: Real-time weather drives winning campaigns

Weather doesn’t only come into play when planning the perfect vacation during spring break, it shapes the trip itself. Nearly two-thirds of people say weather and travel conditions impact their enjoyment of a trip while more than half of travelers are open to trying new product brands during their travels.2 This means all brands can benefit from using weather data to reach those travel-savvy consumers at the right moments.

Capturing that moment when consumers are in the right mindset, at the right time, is precisely the use case for Weather Targeting’s predictive and performant capabilities driving relevancy, action, and effective messaging. For instance, when a hotel brand wanted to increase awareness and consideration of its beachfront resorts, they leveraged Weather Targeting to efficiently reach consumers when cold, wintry, and rainy weather was present in their local area. Compared to third-party cookie targeting, using Weather Targeting to engage travelers and loyalty members helped their campaign break through the clouds:

%

lift in brand awareness3

%

lift in purchase intent3

X

higher brand favorability3

Remember, the daily forecast isn’t just a local phenomenon; it’s universal. As the ultimate contextual signal, it influences every aspect and decision of people’s lives – consciously or not. It affects how we feel, what we do, where we go, and what we buy. In this late-winter limbo, kickstart spring travel campaigns by integrating weather targeting solutions and data into marketing plans to drive relevance, awareness, and ultimately, conversion.

Let’s talk

What’s your weather strategy? To learn more about harnessing the power of weather to increase engagement and drive growth, contact our advertising experts today.

Contact us

View footnote details

1 The Weather Company Winter 2022-23 Behavior Survey, Sept. 2022

2 The Weather Company Travel 2022 Behavior Survey, June 2022

3 Lucid

We all know that feeling — the anticipation of winter and the holiday season. Whether it sparks child-like excitement or a hectic whirlwind of activities, one thing is for sure: Emotions run high the last few months of the year. But is it just the calendar stirring those feelings, or could weather be playing a role in influencing holiday consumer behavior?

Weather: the unexpected force behind consumer emotion

Weather influences our everyday decisions in more ways than we realize. In fact, 84% of consumers across all generations admit that weather affects them emotionally.1 It’s why the shift in seasons is often a better gauge of consumer mindset than the date on the calendar. As the seasons change, people feel more optimistic, social, and ready for something new — making it the perfect moment for marketers to connect. According to The Weather Channel appTM users:

%

of Gen Z users are excited about the arrival of winter weather because of creating and enjoying cozy moments2

%

of millennial users are excited about the arrival of winter weather because of decorating their home2

%

of parents are excited about the arrival of winter weather because of holiday rituals and traditions2

But with climate patterns shifting globally, when does the “season” really start?

‘Tis it really the season?

Gone are the days when marketers could rely on a universal ‘start of winter’ to kickoff holiday campaigns. Today’s fluctuating seasons demand a more nuanced approach. For those aiming for timely, relevant campaigns, forward-thinking brands are embracing dynamic Weather Targeting, a powerful tool that allows brands to sync their messaging with the specific climatic cues that catalyze holiday shopping moods, regardless of the calendar date.

A beloved coffee chain leveraged The Weather Company’s expertise to tap into the holiday spirit and winter weather cravings. By combining Weather Targeting and high-impact dynamic creative on the homescreen, they aligned their limited-time offer messaging with real-time local weather conditions on The Weather Channel app. This strategy capitalized on the fact that 66% of people say winter weather impacts their beverage choices,2 and nearly half are excited about seasonal drinks.2 The result? An impressive 94,400 incremental store visits and a 12.2% lift in foot traffic, proving that understanding weather’s influence on consumer behavior can brew up significant success.3

The purchasing power of seasonal shifts

Winter weather doesn’t just mark a change in temperature; it signals a shift in seasonal buying trends, as evidenced by The Weather Channel app survey data:

%

of all users say they plan their holiday shopping and travel based on the weather4

%

of millennial users say they add seasonal foods and drinks to their menus once winter sets in4

%

of Gen Z users say winter weather prompts them to plan their weekend further in advance4

Let it snow, let them shop

Seasonal spending habits may seem tied to the holiday calendar, but it’s the weather that really dictates how consumers feel — and when they’re ready to spend.

Marketers can tap into this powerful insight by using proven, accurate weather data5 to target consumers at the right moment, with the right message. Weather Targeting is a privacy-friendly approach to contextual marketing that can predict consumer needs, helping brands future-proof their strategies with scalability across the advertising ecosystem.

Holiday marketing strategies will always be about timing, and with Weather Targeting, you’ll be ready when that seasonal excitement strikes. As the temperature falls, let the deals drop. That’s when the real holiday magic happens.

Let’s talk

What’s your weather strategy? To learn more about harnessing the power of weather to increase engagement and drive growth, contact our advertising experts today.

Contact us

View footnote details

1 The Weather Company Spring 2022 Behavior Survey, December 2021

2 The Weather Company Winter 2022-23 Behavior Survey, September 2022

3 InMarket Q4 2023

4 The Weather Company Holiday Loyalty survey, June 2021

5 ForecastWatch, Global and Regional Weather Forecast Accuracy Overview, 2017-2022, commissioned by The Weather Company

Editor’s note: All data sourced from The Weather Company Entertainment Behavior Survey, January 2024

The entertainment industry is buzzing with anticipation this time of year, as cinema blockbusters and binge-worthy series hit the big screens and streaming platforms. But while studios and networks are busy promoting their latest and greatest, there’s an influential director getting rave reviews from marketers: Mother Nature.

Weather plays a starring role in our content consumption, from sunny days that lure us to the theater to stormy nights streaming a nostalgic film at home. This show-stopping link between weather and how we engage with media presents a unique opportunity for marketers seeking the spotlight.

The Weather Company helps brands tap into weather-driven strategies, so your campaigns are as irresistible as the aroma of fresh popcorn.

So grab your snacks, take your seat, and enjoy the show…

Download infographic

Infographic showing the relationship between weather and movie/tv watching habits

How to leverage weather data during “peak binge” season

Just as a director uses many techniques to create a cinematic masterpiece, savvy marketers can harness the power of accurate weather data1 to craft a seat-filling campaign full of offers consumers can’t refuse. Script your brand’s success story with Weather Targeting, which allows you to:

  • Increase awareness through highly relevant, dynamic messaging
  • Deepen the connection with content viewers by promoting brand products or services using Weather Targeting for OTT/CTV platforms
  • Engage entertainment enthusiasts with contextual targeting solutions
  • Foster brand loyalty in daily weather-influenced decision moments

Ready for your brand’s big break? With The Weather Company’s tailored solutions, your marketing may go from box-office snub to award-season darling.

Let’s talk

What’s your weather strategy? To learn more about harnessing the power of weather to increase engagement and drive growth, contact our advertising experts today.

Contact us

View footnote details

1 ForecastWatch, Global and Regional Weather Forecast Accuracy Overview, 2017-2022, commissioned by The Weather Company

When it comes to Halloween — the preparation and the main event — there’s one thing consumers experience collectively, and universally rely upon throughout their journey: the weather.

Pre-event: Connect with consumers using weather information to plan and make event decisions.

During the holiday: Build strong customer relationships through the transformative and enduring power of weather.

Don’t get caught in the cobwebs this year — check out our “Fright Forecast” to learn how consumers use weather information to stay informed, make predictions, and prepare to celebrate under the moon.

Download infographic if you dare

Infographic about the impact of weather on consumer decisions at Halloween.

With ad solutions from The Weather Company (and a wee bit of wizardry), you can reach consumers planning for Halloween at more than twice the scale of major weather and news competitors.3 When weather wields its magic wand this spooky season, The Weather Company can help you spellbind audiences.

Let’s talk

What’s your weather strategy? To learn more about harnessing the power of weather to increase engagement and drive growth, contact our advertising experts today.

Contact us

View footnote details

1 Source: TWC Entertainment Behavior Survey, Jan 2024
2 Source:  ForecastWatch)
3 MRI-Simmons Catalyst 2024 Q3 Trending Topics Study
4 Source: Mintel Report Customs & Traditions US 2023
5 Source: Qlik, daily visits, average, 2000, 2021,2023
6 Lift(+27%) is Oct. 29th vs. average visits in the month of October
7 TWC Fall Outlook 2022
8 Source: MRI-Simmons Fall 2023 Doublebase / MRI-Summons Spring 2024 Doublebase
9 Mintel Reports Foodservice Alcohol Trends 2023
10 Source: GAM, 10/31/23

 

As football season kicks off, it’s not just fans gearing up in team colors – brands are also entering a high-stakes game of brand visibility and consumer engagement. In a crowded advertising landscape, how can your brand stand out? The answer lies in an often-underestimated factor: the weather.

Weather is the MVP in the consumer journey. It influences every aspect of the football experience, from pre-game planning to post-game memories, making it an invaluable asset in your marketing toolkit.

But weather doesn’t just make outdoor entertainment events more enjoyable, it makes them more memorable. And better weather isn’t always…better.

 

 

%

of Gen Z as well as men say that more extreme weather conditions make outdoor events more memorable1

%

of Gen Z sometimes actually hopes for rainy or stormy weather at a concert or outdoor entertainment event because it can make the show even better1

%

of both men and multicultural audiences are also most likely to believe that inclement, cold, or snowy weather gives their sports team(s) an advantage1

Here’s the real winning insight for brands: One-third of people are more likely to remember weather-aligned advertising at outdoor events, a figure that rises significantly among multicultural, millennial and parent audiences.1

How to leverage weather data this season

  1. Pre-event targeting: Influence decisions on attendance, attire, and transportation on The Weather Channel app.
  2. During the event: Tailor messaging to current conditions, enhancing enjoyment and creating memorable moments across the digital ecosystem.
  3. Post-event: Analyze weather and performance data to uncover customer insights and strengthen brand loyalty even after the campaign ends.

Integrating weather into your marketing playbook this fall allows you to proactively shape the consumer journey, transforming weather from a mere backdrop into a strategic advantage. With Weather Targeting and data, you can:

  • Increase awareness through highly relevant, dynamic messaging
  • Engage sports enthusiasts with privacy-compliant targeting solutions
  • Foster brand loyalty in daily weather-influenced decision moments

Weather isn’t just a condition to be endured. It’s a unifying element that ties together every fan’s experience, from the die-hard tailgater to the casual at-home viewer.

To ensure your brand remains a significant part of the football experience, The Weather Company offers tailored solutions designed to make every campaign a winning one with weather-driven strategies.

Let’s talk

What’s your weather strategy? To learn more about harnessing the power of weather to increase engagement and drive growth, contact our advertising experts today.

Contact us

View footnote details

1 TWC Entertainment Behavior Survey, Jan 2024

2 The Weather Company Winter 2022-23 Behavior Survey, Sep 2022

3 The Weather Channel social poll, September 2023

The connection between weather and wellness is only becoming stronger. What does this mean for health marketers? Brands have the opportunity to leverage the power and influence of The Weather Channel digital platforms and weather signals across the advertising ecosystem to enhance engagement with health-conscious consumers.

Take a closer look at our “weather-to-wellness” infographic to learn how consumers use weather information to make proactive decisions that impact personal health decisions and purchases.

View and download infographic

Your customers realize weather’s impact, so meet them where they are. A weather strategy with The Weather Company places your brand in the direct path of qualified audiences and their health decisions. Learn more about how to drive better engagement and campaign performance with advertising solutions that meet the unique needs of healthcare marketers.

Let’s talk

What’s your weather strategy? To learn more about harnessing the power of weather to increase engagement and drive growth, contact our advertising experts today.

Contact us

Health and wellness marketers have no shortage of challenges. Staying relevant with health-conscious consumers. Navigating strict compliance regulations. Finding ways to stand out and connect with the right consumer in a stacked marketplace – to name a few.

The rewards are there, though, for brands who can break through. The $1.8 trillion global health and wellness market1 only continues to grow. And many of those consumers are turning to the powerful influence of weather to make their health and wellness decisions. That’s one reason why we recently modernized and enhanced The Weather Channel app user experience as well as our AI-powered ad tech and back-end data modeling with an extra emphasis on health and well-being. Which brings health and wellness marketers a unique and relevant set of advertising solutions to fuel brand relevance and growth.

Unpacking the weather-wellness connection

The connection is clear: Habitually checking the weather informs more than how to dress for the elements. Recent research shows that weather inspires action to minimize illness, manage symptoms, and maximize time outside; offers a sense of control on quality of life; and guides purchases to maintain a healthy lifestyle. According to consumers in the study:

%

are focusing more on health and wellness in recent years2

%

use weather information to manage their health, up 33% since 20202

%

are more concerned this year than previous years about at least one health condition2

The go-to health and wellness marketing partner

Your customers realize weather’s impact, so meet them where they are. Trusted, accurate data, innovative AI in weather prediction, and brand-safe, contextually relevant content from The Weather Company, place your brand in the direct path of qualified audiences and their health decisions. Additionally, by understanding the effect of weather on consumer spending, we can better tailor our advertising strategies to influence purchasing decisions that are directly related to health and wellness.

Better accuracy, better engagement, better performance

A constant companion, weather influences daily habits and decisions, sunrise to sunset. But not all weather forecasts are equal. Or accurate. Not only are we the most accurate forecaster3 and one of America’s most trusted brands,4 The Weather Channel is the preferred weather source used by health-conscious consumers to manage health across all conditions.

%

choose The Weather Channel over a competitor2

Since launching new wellness features in The Weather Channel app, we’ve seen 3x higher clicks into our wellness forecast experiences.5 In fact, compared to the legacy app experience, we’re already seeing:

  • 11% more stickiness5
  • 10% more page views per visit5
  • 8% increase in time spent per daily active user5

This preference for, and engagement with, our digital channels means more reach and a higher likelihood of campaign success. But beyond the lure of our new features, the instability and volatility of Mother Nature herself means more eyeballs, more often, on the forecast.

IQVIA-validated health audiences

IQVIA, a leader in healthcare intelligence, utilizes rich prescription data to provide insights into the types of visitors on digital platforms. Our new IQVIA partnership has validated that The Weather Channel’s platforms effectively reach qualified health audiences across over 60 health conditions. Notably, we connect with 47% of U.S. psoriasis patients, which over indexes the general population by 32%.6 This collaboration validates our ability to deliver health content to audiences most likely to be treating health conditions and wanting to learn about weather’s impact on their symptoms. 

Brand-safe sponsorships

Get your brand seen in the well-placed context of weather information and health resources through sponsorships on our digital properties.

Content sponsorships: With the latest enhancements to The Weather Channel app, we’ve re-imagined the experience to emphasize the weather-to-wellness connection. New editorial sponsorship opportunities help you align your brand with premium, health-related articles and video content created by award-winning journalists and verified by medical reviewers. Trusted advice and resources cover psoriasis, eczema, weight loss, type 2 diabetes, asthma, COPD, arthritis, stress management, aches and pains, and migraines.

Forecast sponsorships: Health-conscious consumers have access to a range of customized forecasts and tools designed for allergies, skin care, colds and flu, headaches and migraines, body aches, and respiratory health. These forecasts use weather data, AI, and insights to help predict how symptoms might change in the coming days and week.

%

check weather proactively for preventative health measures2

We put weather into action to give your audience information and insights that help them ultimately live healthier, happier, safer, and smarter.

CVS_BW

CVS reaches 42 million consumers in moments that matter with the Flu Insights Tracker

Read the case study

Anticipate consumer needs with actionable data signals

By using weather data to inform when and where consumers’ health will be impacted, health marketers can tap into unified, scaled, and predictive signals to help to find and connect with qualified audiences and influence health outcomes.

Weather Targeting

Deliver hyperlocal, targeted, personalized health ads by leveraging an intelligent mix of weather data and health data, including:

  • OTC/prescription sales from IQVIA
  • anonymized patient reports and aggregated insurance claims reports from Merative
  • weather science to identify the optimal mix of environmental elements most likely to exacerbate health conditions at a ZIP code level

Audience Targeting

In healthcare marketing, privacy is paramount. Find and connect with your audience using demographic look-alikes with a propensity for specific conditions. These representative audience models are based on:

  • behaviors and insights from The Weather Channel digital properties, including site interests and frequent locations viewed
  • anonymized health claims data
  • CDC and other third-party sources
M+

monthly global The Weather Channel app users6

Beyond the marketing department

Make weather your business. The Weather Company can help you improve strategies, operations, and profitability across the enterprise. Yes, the same company that uses meteorological expertise and technology to help keep millions of people safe and informed about the weather also helps thousands of businesses increase the bottom line.

Weather Engine™

Help your business adapt quickly and make informed decisions that account for weather impacts. Powered by proprietary AI and machine learning, our Weather Engine helps you take advantage of large, analytics-driven insights across internal processes and consumer-facing touchpoints.

Weather Data APIs

Integrate reliable weather data directly into your enterprise applications, business processes, or own custom models. Both weather data and insights are available via APIs with flexible integration services.

Competitive advantage is in the forecast

The influence of weather on daily health and wellness choices isn’t slowing down. Marketers need ways to stand out in a crowded, challenging market. Fortunately, as weather, data, and health continue to intersect, you can trust The Weather Company’s advertising solutions to help you create purposeful, relevant connections and better outcomes for both consumers and your business.

Let’s talk

What’s your weather strategy? To learn more about harnessing the power of weather to increase engagement and drive growth, contact our advertising experts today.

Contact us

View footnote details

1 The trends defining the $1.8 trillion global wellness market in 2024, McKinsey, January 16, 2024 Article

2 Weather and Health Impact Study, Sago for The Weather Company, health-affected consumers, March 2024

3 ForecastWatch, Global and Regional Weather Forecast Accuracy Overview, 2017-2022, commissioned by The Weather Company

4 According to a Morning Consult Q1 2024 survey: The Weather Channel brand was the #13 most trusted brand in the US. The surveys were conducted from 1/1/2024 through 3/31/2024, among a nationally representative sample of 1,158 and 35,280 U.S. adults

5 Amplitude, April-July 2024

6 According to Comscore, The Weather Channel was the largest provider of weather forecasts worldwide (web and app) in 2022 based on the average of the total monthly unique visitors. Comscore Media Metrix®, Worldwide Rollup Media Trend, News/Information – Weather category incl. The [M] Weather Channel, The, Jan-Dec. 2022 avg.

Look no further than the 8 million #sweaterweather posts on Instagram or the staggering 239.6 million posts on TikTok. “Sweater weather” is more than just a seasonal change; it’s a cultural phenomenon that rivals the PSL for fall fame.

Social proof, combined with recent survey data, suggests that most industries offering seasonal products could benefit by timing their campaigns based on actual weather rather than a calendar date. When asked what prompts them to make fall-related changes, consumers overwhelmingly cited weather — 65% mentioned how it feels, and 64% noted the actual forecast1. This means that understanding subtle weather shifts presents a major opportunity to tap into seasonal consumer habits.

In other words, to truly connect with your audience, you need to know precisely when they’ll be pulling out their sweaters — or even buying new seasonal products.

The relativity of weather

Pinpointing when sweater weather starts in specific markets requires more than just knowing when temperatures will dip below a certain point. Weather is a relative experience. What consumers qualify as sweater weather can span a 10 degree difference depending on where they live. For example, when it’s 45°F in Minneapolis, people are out in shorts, enjoying the brisk air. But when it’s 45°F in Georgia, people are bundled up on the couch, texting friends to make sure they’re staying warm.

We asked consumers what temperature makes them reach for their sweaters. The results? They provide a guide to when people across U.S. regions will start feeling like it’s fall.

Map of the United States

Median temps at which The Weather Channel users say fall weather becomes cool enough to put on a sweater are highest in the West at 60 degrees and lowest in the Upper Midwest at 50 degrees.

Here’s the thing about fall weather: More than any other season, people anticipate sweater weather, and when it arrives, they’re ready to make changes.

But there’s one statistic that underscores why marketers should engage with consumers at the first hint of sweater weather: 66% of people say fall weather makes them want to try something new. For Gen Z, that number jumps to 79%1.

The power of relativity

Brands across industries should take note: If the majority of consumers base their fall-related behavior on the feeling of autumn, knowing exactly when those feelings will arise is crucial.

Is it nuanced? Absolutely. But it’s not complicated if you have the right tools. With Weather Targeting, we’ve combined the world’s most accurate weather data2 with third-party data sources and industry-leading AI technology. This allows you to understand how precise, hyperlocal conditions impact consumer mindsets and behaviors, enabling you to automate messaging at the exact moment sweater weather arrives.

So, as the season shifts and the air gets crisp, remember: Sweater Weather isn’t just a time to stay warm — it’s a moment to connect with your audience in a way that resonates deeply. And with the right strategy, your brand can be as eagerly anticipated as that first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season.

Let’s talk

What’s your weather strategy? To learn more about harnessing the power of weather to increase engagement and drive growth, contact our advertising experts today.

Contact us

View footnote details

1 The Weather Company Fall 2022 Behavior Survey, July 2022

2 ForecastWatch, Global and Regional Weather Forecast Accuracy Overview 2017-2020, https://www.forecastwatch.com/AccuracyOverview2017-2020, commissioned by IBM. The Weather Company is the world’s most accurate forecaster, according to a 2017-2020 study, which is the most recent, most comprehensive study available from ForecastWatch.

As the wellness movement swept through society four years ago, it sparked discussions far beyond the headlines. Everyone from investors to business leaders to consumers debated whether this was just a fleeting trend, or the dawn of a new cultural era that would shape consumer behavior for years.

That question has long since been answered. The $1.8 trillion global wellness market1 is showing no signs of slowing down. Rather, its growth is not only reenergizing consumer focus on health, it’s reenergizing competition between brands who are trying to solidify their spot in shopping carts of health-minded people across generations.

A growing wellness market also means growing expectations. According to a recent report by Accenture, nearly two-thirds (64%) of consumers wish that companies would respond faster with new offerings to meet their changing needs. As health brands and businesses in a competitive space face an ongoing challenge to balance personalization with privacy, finding the right contextual data, strategy, and message to meet in-the-moment needs is a top priority.

Easier said than done. But, one of the most overlooked — yet impactful — forces influencing people’s health is the weather. And that signal is becoming one of the biggest strategic opportunities for health marketers today.

The weather-to-wellness connection

A strong advantage for health marketers, weather already plays such a significant role as people manage their daily health and wellness choices. Research shows 76% of health-minded consumers use weather forecasts and information to manage their health condition(s) — a 33% increase since 20202 — weather drives actions like making plans (or changing them), optimizing the right medicine dosages, and of course, purchases we make. With seasonal weather norms shifting, people need to be constantly monitoring those changes so they can take steps to prevent or minimize adverse symptoms while maximizing the potential of living well.

Health research statistics

It only makes sense, then, for marketers to integrate weather data into marketing and media strategies. Weather data is a privacy-forward signal that offers businesses a predictive view of consumer behavior that can power the most holistic, contextual relevance.

Driving market share among qualified audiences

Weather Targeting equips and empowers healthcare marketers with trusted and synthesized weather and anonymized health data, placing brands in the direct path of qualified audiences and health decisions across the digital ecosystem.

Because we are The World’s Most Accurate Forecaster,3 brands and businesses trust The Weather Company as a valued partner. And since weather is pivotal for people’s daily health, so is accurate, comprehensive data in weather forecasting. We examine historical trends, current conditions, and future projections to provide accurate, relevant insights, and seasonal benchmarks. This information proves valuable for learning how weather impacts people’s activities, health, and purchasing decisions. But, it also helps us deliver cookie-less, hyperlocal ads that resonate with audiences, based around current and predicted weather effects on both symptoms and behaviors.

While the signals on their own can supercharge advertising and media targeting strategies, weather data is more powerful together with other synergistic data sources.

Take, for example, first-party audiences. By combining weather data with your first-party audience data and other diverse datasets, marketers can unlock a richer audience understanding that transcends the boundaries of individual data sources. This collaborative approach reveals insights that neither data source could discern alone, enabling marketers to connect with their audience across digital, physical, and emotional contexts with unparalleled relevance. In fact, according to Salesforce,4 only 31% of marketers are fully satisfied with their ability to unify customer data sources, limiting their ability to glean insights, plan campaigns, and sustain relevance across the customer journey.

Enhancing targeting through weather and data integrations

Health marketers are already starting to see the power of weather when combined with other targeting layers. For example, a leading pharmaceutical company wanted to increase awareness of, and prescriptions for, a specific diabetes prescription brand. Leveraging the insight that cold weather can exacerbate symptoms and drive a need for diabetes medications, CMI Media Group chose to harness real-time weather data from The Weather Company within Pulsepoint to anchor their campaign. Layering weather data onto an existing HCP target list, the brand was able to message the right HCPs when they’re most likely to consider appropriate pharmacologic therapy. This campaign showed significant impact, driving up the total number of prescriptions written in the impacted ZIP Codes. Results included:

%

greater CTR

%

lower cost per HCP reached

%

increase in HCPs for target areas who prescribed the brand

%

increase in total prescriptions written for the brand

Another recent data partnership that proved successful involved a type 2 diabetes prescription brand utilizing The Weather Company’s diabetes signals in The Trade Desk for programmatic advertising across various media platforms. The campaign was primarily measured through Crossix’s “Cost Per Unique Patient Reach,” which analyzed media exposure and its impact on diagnosed audiences, new prescriptions, and total prescriptions. The partnership proved so successful that the parent company launched a second type 2 diabetes brand using the same targeting strategy. A few results:

%

more efficient unique reach of qualified audiences on display compared vs. the brand’s average

%

more efficient unique reach of qualified audiences on video vs. the brand’s average

%

more efficient unique reach of qualified audiences on CTV vs. the brand’s average

Creating purposeful connections and better health outcomes

Weather’s impact on our day-to-day health and wellness decisions isn’t changing and successful marketers are taking notice. Weather signals are a trustworthy, innovative, and meaningful way to meet the needs of a healthcare marketing industry where personalization and privacy are paramount. Through Weather Targeting solutions from The Weather Company, you can connect contextually across physical, digital, and emotional realms to influence purchase decisions that support health and wellness goals. What’s your weather strategy?

Let’s talk

What’s your weather strategy? To learn more about harnessing the power of weather to increase engagement and drive growth, contact our advertising experts today.

Contact us

View footnote details

1 The trends defining the $1.8 trillion global wellness market in 2024, McKinsey, January 16, 2024 Article

2 Weather & Health Impact Study, March 2024

3 ForecastWatch, Global and Regional Weather Forecast Accuracy Overview, 2017-2022, commissioned by The Weather Company

4 AI is Marketers’ Top Priority – And Biggest Headache, Salesforce, March 20, 2024 Article

While the 71st year of the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity is officially in the rearview, the excitement and inspiration are still very much alive at The Weather Company. And right now, it’s clear the industry sits at a pivotal moment, with weather data and insights as key elements to its great potential.

From driving creative momentum, to bringing a renewed vigor and commitment to innovation and positive change, weather was a topic of many conversations, meetings, and thought leadership sessions. Our single takeaway: Weather data is no longer “nice to have” but a “must have” for understanding consumer behaviors and motivations, making more informed business decisions, and delivering action against our changing climate, for the back half of the year and beyond.

For some brands and businesses, a weather strategy may already be part of your broader marketing strategy; for others, it may be a new, innovative approach. Regardless of where you stand, here are three need-to-knows from this year’s Festival, brought to you by your Chief Weather Officer.

1) No cookies, no problem…for these brands

Randi Stipes, Chief Marketing Officer, at Little Black Book & Friends Beach and The Marketing Academy Villa stages Randi Stipes, Chief Marketing Officer, at Little Black Book & Friends Beach and The Marketing Academy Villa stages

Randi Stipes, Chief Marketing Officer, at Little Black Book & Friends Beach and The Marketing Academy Villa stages

Data signal loss with cookies eventually going away has been an on-going topic in many Ad Tech circles and programming, and this year was no different. While the industry waits for cookies to fully deprecate, many brands and marketers are focused on defining their first party data and audience strategies, understanding clean room solutions, and adopting alternative privacy-forward data signals. Regardless of Google’s timeline, weather data has long served marketers in driving business growth while protecting consumer privacy.

This year, we partnered with four leading brands — Milk-Bone®, Chloraseptic, EcoFlow, and Tyson Foods — to showcase the value of a weather strategy. We call them the ‘Rainmakers of Marketing,’ smart brands that understand the deep connection between weather and consumer behaviors, moods, and motivations and are winning within their categories, in large part by leveraging weather to supercharge their campaigns. Our partnership with Milk-Bone, Chloraseptic, EcoFlow, and Tyson Foods were on display 24/7 across three digital out-of-home billboards along La Croisette (because Cannes Lions is the greatest opportunity to display OOH, of course). If you missed them, check them out here.

Posters of the Rainmaker brands at Cannes: Milk-Bone, Chloraseptic, EcoFlow, Tyson Foods

Rainmakers of Marketing poster art showcased in The Weather Company meeting suite at MediaLink Beach (L to R): Milk-Bone®, Chloraseptic, EcoFlow, and Tyson Foods

Sheri Bachstein, CEO, at The Haven x HUMAN and MediaLink Beach stages Sheri Bachstein, CEO, at The Haven x HUMAN and MediaLink Beach stages

Sheri Bachstein, CEO, at The Haven x HUMAN and MediaLink Beach stages

2) AI: moving from conversations to commitments

Last year, the conversation around AI took on a very different look. Across the Festival mainstage and along La Croisette, creatives, agencies, brands, publishers, and creators were discussing AI’s advantages and disadvantages, debating how human creativity and thinking would play alongside the latest advancements and detailing how it would improve efficiency, performance, and outcomes across the advertising landscape. This year, those conversations shifted from ideation to application.

For The Weather Company, AI has long been foundational to our business. As the world’s most accurate forecaster,1 we combined AI, advanced weather science, and technology with human expertise to keep consumers informed, whether it’s how to dress for cooler-than-average temps at this year’s Festival or preparing for the most active Atlantic hurricane season (which is happening right now). Our deep expertise in AI doesn’t stop there. This June, we introduced the broader market to The Weather Engine™, a data and insights platform built on AI based multivariate models aimed to deliver deeper insights and visualizations on the impact of weather with zip code level precision. While there’s immediate benefit for advertisers when it comes to media activation and targeting, the real magic happens when we partner to create bespoke insights through the application or Machine Learning and AI against first party, third party, and other actionable data sets, specific for businesses and KPIs across advertising, marketing, and the entire enterprise.

Read how SC Johnson’s Off!® brand, America’s #1 trusted Insect Repellent brand in 2024, is finding success with The Weather Engine.

 

Cannes Lions Mainstage with Randi Stipes, Chief Marketing Officer

Cannes Lions Mainstage with Randi Stipes, Chief Marketing Officer

3) Weather: no longer small talk

From Sustainable Development Goal Lions, to reducing both waste and carbon emissions associated with the event, sustainability and climate continued as a core theme at this year’s event. The advertising industry, and the marketers behind the brands, sit in a unique position to shape public behavior and drive action, and that’s exactly why Cannes Lions was the perfect stage to proclaim the reality of changing weather and influence collective climate action — helping create connections between the weather and all aspects of human well-being.

We were honored to bring ‘Weather Kids,’ our joint campaign in partnership with the United Nations Development Program and the World Meteorological Organization, to the Cannes Lions mainstage. The conversation centered on a projected forecast for 2050, and how it might change depending on the climate actions we take today. Missed this session? If you have a Cannes Lions pass (physical or digital), you can watch it on demand, or read the ungated abridged version in the Cannes Lions Daily. Either way, be sure to take the two minute action of signing the pledge on behalf of the kids in your life to change the future for the next generation.

Cover image of Lions Daily News featuring ‘Weather Kids’ campaign

Cover image of Lions Daily News featuring ‘Weather Kids’ campaign

‘Weather Kids’ campaign banner hanging inside the Palais des festivals

‘Weather Kids’ campaign banner hanging inside the Palais des festivals

Whether you attended the Festival or not, we’ll leave you with one final note, or perhaps action…

You either develop a weather strategy…or a strategy for defending why you didn’t develop a weather strategy. We’re here to help with the former.

Consider us your Chief Weather Officer.

Let’s talk

What’s your weather strategy? To learn more about harnessing the power of weather to increase engagement and drive growth, contact our advertising experts today.

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View footnote details

1 ForecastWatch, Global and Regional Weather Forecast Accuracy Overview, 2017-2022, commissioned by The Weather Company