Marketing Strategies of Dove

Verified

Added on  2022/04/22

|17
|3354
|37
AI Summary
The promotional strategy in the marketing mix of Dove is young & aspirational for women. Its 'Campaign for real beauty' focuses on women self-esteem. The brand successfully communicated that people of all ages and all colours are equally beautiful. It celebrates diversity in each individual.

Contribute Materials

Your contribution can guide someone’s learning journey. Share your documents today.
Document Page
Individual Final Marketing Project
Marketing Principle

Secure Best Marks with AI Grader

Need help grading? Try our AI Grader for instant feedback on your assignments.
Document Page
TABLE OF CONTENT
1. Introduction: ............................................................................................................................ 2
2. SWOT and TOWS matrix: ......................................................................................................... 3
3. Target customer: ...................................................................................................................... 4
4. Differentiation and Positioning:................................................................................................ 4
5. Current Marketing Mix performance:....................................................................................... 6
6. Marketing objective:.................................................................................................................10
7. Recommendation:.....................................................................................................................11
8. Appendix:..................................................................................................................................12
9. References:................................................................................................................................13
1
Document Page
1. Introduction
Unilever is a multinational business that sells consumer goods such as foods, beverages,
cleaning products, and personal care items. Unilever owns more than 400 brands and operates
in 100 countries, including Vietnam. The company held the largest market share in Beauty and
Personal Care in Vietnam with 23.9% ( Passport, 2021 )
DOVE is a specific brand of Unilever, contributing a significant part to Unilever's reputation. Up
to now, Dove has become a prestigious global brand with more than 50 years of experience in
the cosmetic chemical industry. Dove is in the top 10 of Beauty and Personal Care with a 2.6%
market share in 2020 ( Passport,2021 ). Since its birth, Dove has set a mission of pure beauty
care, constantly attaching importance to “real beauty” with the philosophy: “Only natural
beauty lasts forever”. In 2001, the brand entered the hair care field with shampoos and
conditioners.
One of their shampoos products is Damage Recovery (340ml ), which is Vietnam’s consumers’
go-to choice ( Figure 1). Dove's shampoos are among the most popular for women on the
market, ranking in the top three spots (Q&Me n.d.)
2
Document Page
Figure 1: Dove’s shampoo damage recovery ( Dove n.d. )
3

Secure Best Marks with AI Grader

Need help grading? Try our AI Grader for instant feedback on your assignments.
Document Page
2. SWOT and TOWS matrix
SWOT analysis
Micro Environment:
Marketing intermediaries:
Dove’s products are sold through the indirect marketing channel and intensively
distributed in retailers: supermarkets and convenience stores such as Vinmart, Lottemart, Coop
Mart… Additionally, Dove shampoos can be found in smaller marketplaces such as Sovina
Company Limited, Sunrise Foodstuff Joint Stock Company, and other smaller retailers. With a
well-known brand name like Dove, buyers are more inclined to buy their products because of
the extensive availability of those things. The most popular places for women to buy shampoo,
according to a 2016 survey, were supermarkets, convenience stores, and small local markets
( Appendix 1). Additionally, as part of Covid, Dove also delivers their goods via online channels
to assure both safety and convenience. For instance, their shampoos are available on the
Unilever booth, which has over a million followers. Customers can shop through their official
stall without worrying about fake products.
Promotion:
Dove creates a strong bond with them through promotion; Dove uses everyday people in its
advertisements rather than celebrities. Moreover, to improve women’s viewpoint about
themself, the company has spent decades doing research and worldwide campaigns. The Dove
Campaign for Real Beauty launched in 2004 is one example that proves the company’s
dedication. As a result, Dove gained massive support from the female consumers since they felt
like the company was speaking for them. Using this approach, Dove has successfully
differentiated itself from competitors.
Customer:
Consumers and are paying more attention to ethics and moral principles. This translates
into decisions framed by environmental and sustainability. Ecological concerns are influencing
more conscientious purchasing behaviour. In a poll for Vietnamese people, 43% of respondents
say buying eco- or ethically-conscious products makes them feel good, and 39% say they buy
items made in a sustainable manner ( Passport, 2021 ). As Dove’s marketing strategies are
always focused on their customer, developing their product in this way can definitely raise the
brand’s awareness and dominance in the Vietnamese market.
Macro Environment:
Technology:
Vietnam's e-commerce market value is expected to be approximately 12 billion US
dollars in 2020, making it one of the region's fastest-growing digital economies. It is potential
for E-commerce in Vietnam to thrive because of the rising internet connectivity. In the FMGC
sector, online stores have grown faster (Statista, 2021). In 2020, beauty and hygiene products
4
Document Page
are the most frequently purchased online by respondents in Vietnam during COVID-19.
(Appendix 2). Therefore, Dove can use this trend and boost its sales with appropriate strategies
Strength Opportunity
Marketing intermediaries
Promotion
Customers trends of sustainability
Technology
SO strategy:
Dove can take advantage of its promotion and marketing intermediaries and serve a
wider range of customers by delivering them a sustainable shampoo product and widely
distributing them on supermarkets as well as on E-commerce platforms.
3. Target customer: Differentiated marketing
Papulova ( 2014 ) stated that its mission statement could clearly illustrate its main focus
and activities to meet targeted customers’ needs. As for Dove, they have had their mission
statement ever since the start of the business, focusing on natural beauty. It includes providing
high-quality shampoo products at an affordable price for Vietnamese women, improving their
hair situations and their self-esteem.
Differentiated marketing acknowledges that people are unique, and as a result, we all have
different motivations and needs. Therefore, marketing experts must evaluate where their
product(s) belong to each market group and how to best use product diversity to boost sales
across multiple sectors where possible. Dove understood their market target in Vietnam and
offered a wide range of products to meet their specific needs. This product is targeted at
women and children of all age groups, especially those who attach special importance to quality
and pursue natural beauty. Dove aimed this product to be familiar with all geographic
segmentation since it is an essential hygienic product. Specifically, the Dove Damage Recovery
shampoo is especially for one with weak, split ends, damaged hair.
4. Differentiation and Positioning
Differentiation: Image differentiation
Additionally, Dove differentiates itself from opponents by regularly conveying and
promoting natural features, self-confidence, and self-acceptance across all platforms
(commercials, print advertisements, the internet, and social media) through pictures of real
everyday women. Moreover, it is the only brand that makes a true commitment to neither
distort nor aesthetically improve any of its female pictures. ( Figure 2 ). This builds a sense of
connection among consumers, increases brand engagement, and allows consumers to form a
relationship with the brand.
5
Document Page
Figure 2: ( Dove’s Facebook, 2017 )
Their logo also helps to differentiate the company's image. It is one of the most popular and
widely recognized logos in the cosmetics industry. After four design modifications, Dove's
current logo is a blend of the dove symbol and the company name. The yellow colour in the
Dove logo indicates happiness and fortune, while the blue colour represents the quality and
reliability of Dove products ( Famous Logo n.d. ). This method of doing it silently builds a link
between the logo and the brand personality ( Figure 3 ).
Figure 3: Dove 4 logos ( 1000 Logos, 2021 )
6

Paraphrase This Document

Need a fresh take? Get an instant paraphrase of this document with our AI Paraphraser
Document Page
Positioning:
According to the positioning map, Dove has a highly qualified product line at a reasonable
price. Tresemme, on the other hand, is regarded as high quality but has a much higher price
than Dove. According to the Q&Me survey, Dove's popularity among female clients is barely
15%. Mid-priced but high-quality shampoos like Clear and Sunsilk, on the other hand,
accounted for 22% and 18% of the market, respectively (Appendix 3). Dove needs to develop
even more to compete with these competitors in the long run because their competitors know
how to please their clients by offering low-cost, high-quality products.
5. Current Marketing Mix performance
a) Product
3 levels of product
7
Core benefit : A
hygiene product
for women with
damaged hair
Actual product: A
340 ml plastic
bottle of high-
quality shampoo
Augmented
product: Hotline
and email for
enquiry
Document Page
Product classification
Dove's products are convenient products because they are in the personal care
category, which is used by people regularly. As a result, it is bought with little planning
and comparison. The distribution of these products is intensive with mass promotion by
the producer.
Individual product and service decisions
Product attribute: Dove has always placed a premium on product qualities. They
established a strong position for themselves through the distinctive characteristics of
their products. Dove always claims that their product is moisturizing, milky cream, with
soft lather, less fragrance, and no side effects. All of the goods are made with a benign
and gentle emphasis in mind. The product's name, tagline, and design all emphasize
feminine simplicity, which enables Dove to readily attract women's attention.
Branding: DOVE is an expression for doves, a type of bird that is considered a symbol of
peace, happiness, and pure beauty. It has a simple, easy-to-remember name that
appeals to ladies who value beauty and femininity. Furthermore, "DOVE" is a one-of-a-
kind name that reflects the essence of the product and brand identity.
Product line:
Besides the Damage Repair shampoo, Dove has 5 other types of shampoos custom-
made for different hair problems (Figure 4)
Product mix:
Dove has 5 categories of products include body washes, shampoos, conditioners,
deodorants, and facial cleansers (Figure 5)
8
Document Page
Figure 4: Dove product line (Dove n.d.)
Figure 5: Dove product mix ( Dove n.d. )
9

Secure Best Marks with AI Grader

Need help grading? Try our AI Grader for instant feedback on your assignments.
Document Page
b) Place: Vertical marketing system, multi-channel distribution
Vertical marketing system
Since Unilever is dominant in the Vietnamese market, it used its power to influence
retailers in the display and promotion of products or pricing policies. Using Administer Vertical
Marketing System, Dove products are often displayed by retailers in areas that are easy to see,
easy to get to attract customers' eyes (Figure 6)
Figure 6: Shampoo and conditioners in a health and beauty aisle of a grocery store (Joni
Hanebutt, 2020)
Multi-channel distribution
Dove began adopting a multi-channel distribution system as a tactic to connect as many
clients as possible as their market share expanded. Dove promotes its products to older
customers through TV advertisements, banners, or distribution through supermarkets, grocery
stores. Dove, on the other hand, uses emerging technology to reach younger clients through
commercials on social networking sites or listing their items on online e-commerce sites such as
Shopee, Tiki...
Channel design decision
Dove also employs an extensive distribution plan to provide its product to people. This
method entails stocking the goods in as many locations as possible. They are promoted across
multiple platforms, practically all supermarkets, grocery stores, and e-commerce sites.
c) Evaluation
Overall, Dove’s shampoos understand the Vietnamese market. They offer Vietnamese
consumers high-quality hygiene products with a variety of scents and types to fit each hair’s
10
Document Page
problems. As a result, Dove is one of the most associated shampoo brands for Vietnamese
citizens (Q&Me, 2016). The augmented service that came along with the products is also done
well. Besides the hotline or customer service email, Dove has a FAQs section on their website to
provide information about the products or which hairstyles are fit to use their shampoos. This
demonstrates that Dove not only successfully implements this strategy based on Vietnamese
purchasing habits, but also takes advantage of establishing favourable conditions for people to
buy their products.
On the other hand, due to Covid-19, the shopping habit of people have changed online.
Businesses like Dove have to change the customer approach on E-commerce platforms. On
Unilever’s official stall on Shopee, the biggest E-commerce platform in Vietnam, Dove’s
shampoos are only sold in 640ml size and are constantly out of stock ( Figure 7). Therefore,
appropriate solutions have to take into action to tackle the problem.
Figure 7: Dove products on Unilever Shopee’s stall (Shopee, 2022)
6. Marketing objective
Revenue in the Hair Care segment amounts to US$202.2m in 2021. The market is expected
to grow annually by 1.81% (CAGR 2021-2026). (Statista, 2021).The shampoo Retail Value RSP is
expected to have a 7.2% growth in the 2020-2025 period (Passport, 2021)
Therefore, the marketing objective of Dove in Vietnam for the next 6 months (Jan 2022 to Jun
2022) is to increase the brand share to 7.3% (7.1% in 2020). The company’s brand share in 2019
was 7.3% (Appendix 4), and with the foresee growth of this product in the near future, this
marketing objective is achievable.
11
Document Page
7. Recommendation
a) Product
As mentioned earlier, due to the consumer’s upcoming trend of using sustainable
products, Dove could develop a plant-based shampoo product line or use recyclable
packaging bottles. According to a lifestyle survey in 2021, 58% of correspondents said that
they felt that they could make a difference to the world through their choice and actions,
including shopping habits (Passport, 2021). Therefore, developing Dove’s products in this
way can attract potential customers and raise more brand awareness. Offering samples and
using a product bundles strategy is a good way to get the customers to try new products.
The strategy can both be used in conventional shopping (supermarkets, convenience stores)
as well as online shopping on Shopee, Tiki, Lazada.
b) Place
In the Covid-19 context, shifting the market online is crucial to every business, including
Dove. To serve a wider range of customers on online platforms, specifically Shopee, Dove’s
shampoos should have the same variety of sizes as distributed in supermarkets (6g, 170g,
340g, 880g). Moreover, they should regularly stay updated with the data so when the goods
are low in stocks, refill them to avoid the “out of stock” situation. Taking advantage of their
wide appearance in supermarkets, free-trial stalls could be implemented to gain customers’
curiosity to try out and test their new products.
12

Paraphrase This Document

Need a fresh take? Get an instant paraphrase of this document with our AI Paraphraser
Document Page
8. Appendix
Appendix 1:
Most favorable places for women to shop for shampoos ( Q&Me, 2016)
Appendix 2:
Main products that were purchased more often online during coronavirus (COVID-19)
compared to before among respondents in Vietnam in 2020 ( Statista, 2021 )
13
Document Page
Appendix 3:
Popular shampoos among men and women( Q&Me n.d. )
Appendix 4:
Dove brand share over the years (Passport, 2020)
9. References
2021, COVID-19 impact on beauty and personal care, Euromonitor International, Passport
database, <https://www-portal-euromonitor-com.ezproxy.lib.rmit.edu.au/portal/Analysis/
Tab>.
2021, DOVE LOGO, 1000logos, viewed 9 January 2022, <https://1000logos.net/dove-logo/>.
2021, MEGATRENDS IN VIETNAM, Euromonitor International, Passport database,
<https://www.euromonitor.com/megatrends-in-vietnam/report>.
Bates, P n.d, Differentiated Marketing in the Current Market Place, Academia, viewed 9 January
2022, <https://www.academia.edu/37575011/Differentiated_Marketing>.
C n.d, Voice of 1000 consumers – Shampoo brand, Q&Me database,
<https://qandme.net/en/report/Popular-shampoos-in-Vietnam-consumer-goods-market.html>.
14
Document Page
C n.d, Voice of 1000 consumers – Shampoo brand, charts, Q&Me, viewed 9 January 2022,
<https://qandme.net/en/report/Popular-shampoos-in-Vietnam-consumer-goods-market.html>.
Appendix 3 : Voice of 1000 consumers – Shampoo brand by Chi, charts.
Papulová, Z 2014, 'The Significance of Vision and Mission Development for Enterprises in Slovak
Republic', January, viewed 9 January 2022,
<https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271293375_The_Significance_of_Vision_and_Miss
ion_Development_for_Enterprises_in_Slovak_Republic>.
n.d, Dove Logo | Design, History and Evolution, FamousLogo, viewed 9 January 2022,
<https://1000logos.net/dove-logo/>.
2016, Khảo sát việc sử dụng dầu gội đầu và các thương hiệu tại Việt Nam, Q&Me, viewed 11
January 2022, <https://qandme.net/vi/baibaocao/Khao-sat-viec-su-dung-dau-goi-dau-va-cac-
thuong-hieu-tai-Viet-Nam.html>.
2020, Beauty and Personal Care: Euromonitor from trade sources/national statistics, tables,
Passport, viewed 11 January 2022, <https://www-portal-euromonitor-
com.ezproxy.lib.rmit.edu.au/portal/StatisticsEvolution/Index>.
Appendix 4 : Beauty and Personal Care: Euromonitor from trade sources/national statistics by ,
2020, tables.
2020, Main products that were purchased more often online during coronavirus (COVID-19)
compared to before among respondents in Vietnam in 2020, charts, Statista, viewed 11 January
2022, <https://www.statista.com/statistics/1128349/vietnam-main-products-purchased-more-
often-online-during-coronavirus/>.
Appendix 2 : Main products that were purchased more often online during coronavirus (COVID-
19) compared to before among respondents in Vietnam in 2020 by , 2020, charts.
2021, DOVE LOGO, illustrations, 1000logos, viewed 11 January 2022,
<https://1000logos.net/dove-logo/>.
Figure 3 : DOVE LOGO by , 2021, illustrations.
2021, E-commerce in Vietnam - statistics & facts, Statista, viewed 11 January 2022,
<https://www.statista.com/topics/5321/e-commerce-in-vietnam/>.
2021, Hair Care in Vietnam, Passport, viewed 11 January 2022, <https://www-portal-
euromonitor-com.ezproxy.lib.rmit.edu.au/portal/Analysis/Tab>.
15

Secure Best Marks with AI Grader

Need help grading? Try our AI Grader for instant feedback on your assignments.
Document Page
2022, Dầu gội thiên nhiên Dove Tự Nhiên với hương liệu thiên nhiên dưỡng tóc hiệu quả tự
nhiên 640g, photographs, Shopee, viewed 11 January 2022,
<https://shopee.vn/unilevervn_beauty>.
Figure 7: Dầu gội thiên nhiên Dove Tự Nhiên với hương liệu thiên nhiên dưỡng tóc hiệu quả tự
nhiên 640g by , 2022, photographs.
Hanebutt, J 2020, Shampoo and Conditioner in the health and beauty aisle of a Publix grocery
storeShampoo and Conditioner in the health and beauty aisle of a Publix grocery store,
photographs, deamstime, viewed 11 January 2022, <https://www.dreamstime.com/shampoo-
conditioner-health-beauty-aisle-publix-grocery-store-orlando-fl-usa-ready-to-be-purchased-
consumers-image176684728>.
Figure 6: Shampoo and Conditioner in the health and beauty aisle of a Publix grocery
storeShampoo and Conditioner in the health and beauty aisle of a Publix grocery store by Joni
Hanebutt, 2020, photographs.
homepage, Dove, viewed 11 January 2022, <https://www.facebook.com/DoveVietnam>.
n.d, Khám phá sản phẩm dầu gội Dove, photographs, Dove, viewed 11 January 2022,
<https://www.dove.com/vn/cham-soc-toc/dau-goi.html>.
Figure 1 : Khám phá sản phẩm dầu gội Dove by , photographs.
n.d, Khám phá sản phẩm dầu gội Dove, photographs, Dove, viewed 11 January 2022,
<https://www.dove.com/vn/cham-soc-toc/dau-goi.html>.
Figure 4 : Khám phá sản phẩm dầu gội Dove by , photographs.
2016, Khảo sát việc sử dụng dầu gội đầu và các thương hiệu tại Việt Nam, infographic, Q&Me,
viewed 12 January 2022, <https://qandme.net/vi/baibaocao/Khao-sat-viec-su-dung-dau-goi-
dau-va-cac-thuong-hieu-tai-Viet-Nam.html>.
Appendix 1 : Khảo sát việc sử dụng dầu gội đầu và các thương hiệu tại Việt Nam by , 2016,
infographic.
16
1 out of 17
circle_padding
hide_on_mobile
zoom_out_icon
[object Object]

Your All-in-One AI-Powered Toolkit for Academic Success.

Available 24*7 on WhatsApp / Email

[object Object]