Freehand Advertising: Free notepaper for students

American company Freehand Advertising have found a way to make young people want to digest advertising. As mentioned in a previous entry, consumer attitudes to advertising have changed since the arrival of the internet and developments in modern technology. Studies suggest that where we once found advertising useful in helping us make decisions we have come to find it a nuisance and it has become too intrusive in many instances. For example there is now a constant battle between developments that help us avoid advertising and new ways forcing us to consume it, such as Spotify's volume sensitive advertising.

This is why many advertisers are trying to find new ways to advertise without inconveniencing the the target and Freehand advertising do just this. They provide notepads to students of college and university age free of charge for them to use inside lessons and lectures. This is something useful that most students would be appreciative because it is one less expense. Where Freehand Advertising make their money is from the advertising that is places inside the notepads.

"Each page is branded with the same type of horizontal ad you see on websites, only these are visible for at least the duration of a college lecture, and longer if students refer back to their notes (as they should).

FreeHand agents operate at 90 of the biggest college campuses in the United States, reaching up to 3,500,000 students in 32 states, including all major cities. Businesses can select which campuses they want to market to, for local or nationwide campaigns, or to a targeted demographic. Thorough post-campaign reports detail how many sheets were distributed and even include pictures of agents handing them out to students.

Ads can be used to gain visibility, offer coupons, or promote sales, grand openings or other events. Colored and recycled papers are also available, and larger images can be displayed as watermarks. With so many brands and marketers reaching out to this market, note paper is an innovative low-tech solution for grabbing their attention."



One of the reasons I feel this could be an idea that is easily exported is that it is something that the consumer is likely to appreciate because it is free and likely to be useful. The advertising does not inconvenience them in any way which is likely to make them more responsive to the advertising. It also guarantees targets will be looking at the advert for the entire duration on a lecture.

I do not think the idea is limited to just places of education, instead I could see this being distributed to office buildings as free stationary for the staff. Companies would be likely to be happy with this because of the money it saves them, while their staff are exposed to advertising. I think this is a great idea and is an example of how advertising may need to change in the future if we become more savvy to disruptive internet advertising.

http://www.freehandads.com/
http://www.springwise.com/marketing_advertising/free_notepaper_for_students/