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Sun bum Proposes "Grom Squad" family Line By Hannah Sellers, Margaret Durling, Maizy Jane Nunes, Nicholas Berry, Savannah Young, and Kathryn Holleb

Company Profile

Founded in Cocoa Beach, Florida in 2010

Built to provide better sun protection to those who “live and love in the sun”

(Crunchbase Editorial Staff, 2010)

Beyond our product line, Sun Bum works to give back to communities through our “Protect the Groms” non-profit campaign to support children, “Bum Rush Tour” surf competitions, and “Sonny’s Porch” performance venue for live music. Our “We Are Not Bananas” campaign spreads sun protection awareness and helps educate communities on the importance of skin and hair care.
Most of Sun Bum’s products are sold online, in surf shops, and in major drug store retailers. In terms of our corporate environment, Sun Bum’s main slogan is: “work less, live more.” We pride ourself in our free-spirited office space and employee accommodations, allowing activities such as surf breaks or bringing kids to work (Sun Bum, "About Us", 2022). In all aspects of our company, we strive to represent “the essence, aesthetic, and socially conscious vibe of their small beach community” (Marmel, 2021).
NEW "GROM SQUAD LINE"

"Grom" is a common term referring to young surfers. This name embodies the coastal, active, and laid back aspects of our brand and target market.

The “Grom Squad,” Sun Bum’s newest line of family beach activities, includes a floaty, boogie board, paddle board, and surfboard.

These sustainably crafted products are intended for everyone in the family, from three year old “groms” who can relax in the ocean floaty, to “grom” dads who are learning to surf on our beginner board.

This product line will use a purpose driven market strategy that will convey the desires of families with young children and capitalize on consumers’ growing eco-conscious.

While Sun Bum currently has a small line of beach accessories, such as towels, footballs, and other beach games, the “Grom Squad” products will expand this to include more ways to have fun in the sun.

Current Marketing Situation and Competitive Environment

Industry Overview

  • Revenue: $648.1 million
  • Predicted revenue annual growth rate 2022-2027: 0.9%
  • Profit: $46 million
  • Profit margin 2017-2022: 7.1%

(Rose, 2022)

Sun Bum’s mainly competes in the sunscreen manufacturing industry, an industry with a total current revenue of $648.1 million and total profit of $46 million (Rose, 2022). It is in the mature state of the life cycle, with steady competition levels and a competitive landscape that is reaching saturation (Rose, 2022). Other industry observations to consider include increasing regulation and policy and a medium-level technology change (Rose, 2022). The top competitors in this industry are manufacturing giants including Edgewell Personal Care Company with a 25.29% market share, Beiersdorf Manufacturing Company with a 22.7% market share, and other companies making up the remaining 52%, such as S.C. Johnson, which owns Sun Bum (Rose, 2022). Within the competitive landscape of individual sunscreen brands, Sun Bum’s top three competitors are Neutrogena, Coppertone, and Banana Boat (Drug Store News, 2019). Though these three brands have products with higher sales than Sun Bum, Sun Bum has seen significant growth in recent years with an especially notable sales growth of 94.7% from 2018 to 2019 (Drug Store News, 2019).

Average Price of Leading US Sunscreen Brands 2019:

(Petruzzi, 2022)

The chart above shows Sun Bum's leading competitors and their products in 2019. It also displays Sun Bum's pricing in context of the market; Sun Bum has the highest price compared to all other leading brands in the study.

SWOT Analysis

Strengths:

  • High quality product that is conscious of the environment
  • Has a strong brand image; successfully set itself apart from competitors with its community engagement and positive vibe
  • Has brand presence in California, an especially sunny region with more outdoor activities than other US states
  • It is a family company, providing big bandwidth and ability to expand

Weaknesses:

  • Sun Bum is a new company
  • Sun Bum is more expensive than the average sun screen product

Opportunities:

  • Return to outdoor gatherings and activities post COVID-19 pandemic is predicted to increase “total recreation expenditure” by 5.2% over next 5 years
  • Consumers growing spending power will increase purchasing of higher-priced and premium products
  • Increasing consumer awareness about sunscreen will increase Sun Bum’s consumer base as a whole
  • Consumers are now willing to pay more for sustainable products

Threats:

  • Cosmetics and skincare starting to incorporate sun protection
  • Strong supply power of two leading manufacturing companies, Edgewell Personal Care Company and Beiersdorf Manufacturing Company, keeps competition high
  • Many sustainable materials are more expensive than conventional alternatives

Like any brand, Sun Bum has both strengths and weaknesses it needs to identify. Fortunately, we have many strengths regarding the quality of our existing products and a strong brand image despite our recent foundation as a company. We have also successfully infiltrated the California sunscreen market, an especially sunny region with more opportunity for outdoor activity than other states, through office establishment (Rose, 2022). However, Sun Bum’s recent foundation can also be seen as our weakness, as we are still an up and coming company that is facing competition from well-established brands such as Neutrogena. Furthermore, Sun Bum’s slightly higher price point than the general sunscreen market put it at a disadvantage in certain consumer demographics.

In the sunscreen manufacturing industry, there are many trends for competitors in this industry to consider as they race to keep up in this mature life cycle stage and avoid decline in the future. Looking first at opportunities, there is predicted growth in consumer spending power because of rising incomes, predicted growth in time spent outdoors post COVID-19 pandemic, and an increasing awareness of skin cancer (Rose, 2022). Consumers are also now willing to pay more for sustainable products (Hiroshima University, 2021), and in California specifically, the environmental impact of businesses is very important to the average consumer (Vivant Solar, 2018). These factors will combine to ideally increase demand for higher-priced and premium products, both of which favor Sun Bum. However, we face threats from the increasing number of cosmetics incorporating sun screen into their everyday products as well as the strong supply power of Edgewell Personal Care Company and Beiersdorf, which keep competition high (Rose, 2022). Finally, sustainable materials are generally more expensive than conventional alternatives, so Sun Bum will face especially high production expenses if prioritizing sustainability in future product development (Ivanova, 2019).

PEST Analysis

Political:

  • Regulation and policy in the industry is medium and increasing
  • US FDA imposed stricter safety testing and product formulation rules in 2019
  • Current labeling and testing regulations on SPF claims have limited growth in recent years; but, Sunscreen Innovation Act of 2014 will hopefully help this by facilitating new sunscreen research
  • Industry globalization in the industry is predicted to rise, as US products are being increasingly exported
  • Conflicts over oil are increasing price which, in turn, may harm profitability (14.6% increase in price of oil 2017-2022); crude oil is the most common base for consumer products like sunscreen

Economic:

  • Consumer spending power is increasing; per capita disposable income grew 1.7% yearly from 2017-2022
  • Yearly profit grew 5.3% from 2017-2022
  • Yearly revenue spiked from 2020 to 2021 ($480 to $574 million) and has continued to increase

Social:

  • Predicted increase in outdoor activities post COVID-19 pandemic
  • Increasing consumer awareness of importance of sunscreen use
  • Increasing consumer preference for natural and eco-friendly products

Technological:

  • Technology change level in the industry is medium; manufacturers are continuously working to enhance product formulation
  • Major technological disruption to the industry is not likely
  • Industry players are increasingly switching to automated production; this minimizes labor costs

A PEST analysis of Sun Bum involves assessing the political, economic, social, and technological aspects of the surrounding environment. To begin, growth in product formulation has been limited in recent years by labeling and testing regulations regarding SPF claims (Rose, 2022). However, the Sunscreen Innovation Act of 2014 was intended to encourage and regulate new sunscreen research, giving hope for continued product enhancement (F.D.A., 2014). In general, regulation and policy in the sunscreen industry is medium and increasing (Rose, 2022). In 2019, the FDA imposed stricter safety testing and requirements for formulation with concern for consumer health protection. On a larger scale, industry globalization is expected to rise as the exportation of products from the United States increases. Finally, conflicts over oil resources directly correlate to production costs, so when oil prices increase, profitability is threatened (Rose, 2022). Next, there are economic factors to assess. Annually from 2017 to 2022, per capita disposable income of consumers grew 1.7% and total industry profit grew 5.3% (Rose, 2022). As a result, total industry revenue increased as well. This was especially visible from 2020 to 2021 when revenue rose from $480 to $574 million, calculating to a 19.6% increase in just one year (Rose, 2022).

A few different social factors are currently influencing the sunscreen industry, starting with an increase in engagement with the outdoors after the COVID-19 pandemic (Rose, 2022). A removal of travel bans and lockdown rules has allowed for more outdoor gatherings and activities, increasing demand for sun protection. Further, sunscreen demand is increasing with the rising awareness of skin cancer due to unprotected sun exposure (Rose, 2022). Finally, as more people become educated on the threat of chemicals to skin health and the planet, there is increasing demand for consumer goods that are more natural and environmentally conscious (Rose, 2022). To wrap up by assessing technological factors, this section of the PEST analysis is probably least relevant for the sunscreen industry. Manufacturers are continuously seeking to improve product formulation, but there are not many technological advancements that will make sunscreen more effective than it already is (Rose, 2022). For this reason, technological disruption to the sunscreen industry is not likely a threat (Rose, 2022).

OBJECTIVES

The introduction of the “Grom Squad” product line will achieve three main objectives for the company:

1. Within a year of launching, expand the target market from teenagers and young adults, to children and adults in their 30’s.

2. Establish a partnership with professional surfer, Filipe Toledo - an extremely environmentally conscious and family-oriented individual. Sponsor him with our surfboard at the “Bum Rush Tour” surf competitions.

3. Sell 10% of our boards to surf and paddle board schools so instructors can market the product to beginners taking lessons.

Gap Statement

The Grom Squad product line fills a gap in the beach and ocean activities market by introducing sustainable beach boards and toys for every member of the family looking to join in on the fun. In the line, there will be products for all ages, making Sun Bum a one-stop shop for everyone to gear up for beach days. The Grom Squad line intends to fill the market need for sustainable boards and beach toys at a price point that can compete with non-sustainable alternatives. Following our tradition of sustainability we continue to create environmentally friendly products, starting with our innovative new technology that is seen in all of our boards.

Click graphic to view full screen

Competition

Currently, no industry leaders produce lines of sustainable beach boards, paddle boards, or floaties. Many of these companies are newer and up-and-coming, working to make a name for themselves. Further, no one brand has created all of these products or marketed them together in a line, let alone specifically for families. However, a potential competitor to Sun Bum’s new surfboard is Firewire - a brand that has been one of the few manufacturers of mass-produced surfboards in the industry to prioritize sustainability. Expanded polystyrene foam and bio-resin epoxies are used in typical surfboards’ construction. Firewire’s efforts are focused on not using epoxy in abundance. Their boards are meticulously prepared, metered, and applied in-house (Plummer, 2019), selling for upwards of $1,225 per board (Firewire, n.d.). Given Sun Bum’s manufacturing and supply chain network, however, our new boards can produce boards at a cost significantly lower than Firewire.

Collection of Firewire boards

Target Market Summary

Click graphic to view full screen

Our target market is “environmentally-friendly grom families.” The term “grom” is used to describe young surfers, which Sun Bum incorporated into its non-profit event: “Protect the Groms.” The “active grom family” consumer category refers to families in warm regions where outdoor activity is very popular, particularly in coastal cities. The floatie is designed for younger infants and toddlers while middle-aged children can use the boogie board, and older children and parents can use the paddle and surfboards.

When considering who would use the Grom Squad family beach line products, it is essential to consider demographics, geographic location, psychographics, and product usage. The geographic location where we will market to customers upon launching this new product line is coastal California. Specifically, we will target younger families with parents ages 24 to 34 and kids ranging from 3 to 10 years old. The Sun Bum “You’re a Good Mom” campaign showcased a simplistic child-friendly advertisement to promote our mission of helping kids stay protected while in the sun (Sun Bum “You’re a good mom”, n.d). Aligning with the advertisement, the Grom Squad family beach line promotes the same mission of having fun in the sun with family while continuing to promote positive habits and values like sustainability.

Target #1 - Surfing Customers

When deciphering the target market, we will primarily consider how frequently families visit the beach and are physically active. Since the pandemic, surfing and many other outdoor activities have gained popularity. Specifically, many of these new surfers are children and teenagers. 62% of people visit the beach with 3 or more people, compared to only 18.9% with one other person or 17.9% alone. Further, 31% of people’s primary reason for visiting the beach is so “children can play” (UCLA, 2016). Above all, 96% of parents with children between the ages of 4 and 14 years old think it is important for their children to connect with nature for their development (Guardian, 2016). Not only do the Sun Bum products support the importance of being outdoors, but so do our sponsored events including year-round surf competitions (Sun Bum Events, n.d.). In 2011, Sun Bum began scouring the shoreline for the best locals who were shredding every day and started conducting casual surf competitions. With no admission fees, paperwork, or trials, surfers are able to compete and gain publicity, all in hopes of winning the $1,000 prize and a champagne shower (Surfer, 2018). 90% of surfers, compared to 70% of general Americans, believe in climate change (Stab Magazine, 2018). Additionally, 87% of readers of Stab Magazine, a surfing magazine, believed the government should play a role in the climate issue, which entails regulating individuals’ and businesses’ use of climate-harming products (Stab Magazine, 2018). Given that these competitions attract sustainable surfers, our new, sustainability designed and manufactured Gnarly Grom Surfboard will be advertised at these events.

Target #2 - Sustainable Customers:

We want our products “to teach our kids about life and love and caring for the planet, and the animals, and each other” (Sun Bum “Trust the Bum”, n.d.). Although our most well-known product is sunscreen, we are a brand that is serious about making a sustainable impact. Because most of our products are vegan, Sun Bum won the 2020 NACD Silver Award from the National Association of Container Distributors for their Baby Bum line of plant-based skin care in sustainable containers (Kaufman Container, 2020). Nearly 34% of global consumers are willing to pay more for environmentally-friendly alternatives and 85% of consumers have become ‘greener’ in their recent purchases (Business Wire, 2021). According to a 2022 survey, more than half (51%) of respondents say environmental sustainability is more important to them today than it was 12 months ago (Smith, 2022). These statistics suggest that customers are more likely to buy sustainable beach equipment today than in previous years. Further, a nationwide survey across all generations in 2019 and 2020, found that those between the ages of 18 and 30 were far more likely to value and practice sustainable behaviors, such as paying more for sustainably developed products (Hiroshima University, 2021). Parents in this age range are most likely to demonstrate consumer preferences for sustainable products, so Sun Bum must target young families who align with their mission of enjoying the sun while also being mindful of their planet.

The quiet environmental catastrophe of single-use boards is becoming increasingly pronounced (Surf Today, n.d.). Around 14,500 low-cost boogie boards are abandoned on beaches each summer. These cheap boards, typically imported from Asia, consist of a two-inch sheet of polystyrene covered in a thin layer of nylon. As this hazard continues to heighten, states like Hawaii have started to ban disposable polystyrene bodyboards (Yamanaka, 2022). This action promotes the use of "durable bodyboards'' with high-density polyethylene or polypropylene cores that are both rider-responsive and safer for the environment. Surfboards also have incredibly detrimental environmental consequences. The “blank” portion of the majority of boards on the market is traditionally made of inexpensive, but highly poisonous, polyurethane foam. There is a substantial quantity of waste produced during the shaping of the blank, whether done manually or mechanically, in the form of foam pieces and dust. After covering it with sheets of fiberglass, the whole blank is covered in a thick, pungent polyester glue that has been mixed with acetone (Plummer, 2019). “Many of the materials used and processes involved in board building are not environmentally friendly,” Sean Smith, executive director of the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association, a nonprofit trade group, said. “The good news, however, is that the surf industry … is made up of die-hard surfers who really do care about the environment. Because of that, the board building community is actively seeking and pursuing new materials and processes to protect the environment” (Plummer, 2019). Whether it is with surfboards, paddle boards, or boogie boards, the market for sustainable products is expanding tremendously and Sum Bum is the industry’s newest competitor with their Grom Squad product line targeting communities with sustainably-centered mindsets.

Target #3 - High-Income Customers:

Surfers are often wealthier than the average American with 44 percent of them making more than $100,000 in annual income (Bauer, 2018). The average annual income of a surfer is $75,000 a year (Wagner, 2011). Beach-going can be expensive between transportation costs, parking, and equipment. On average, U.S. surfers make 100 visits to the beach per year, typically spending about $66 per visit (Wagner, 2011). This high-income demographic fits Sun Bum's target market as the sunscreen and beach accessories are priced significantly higher than many other drugstore brands. Because the sustainable surfboards are more expensive to manufacture than typical boards, we have to pass the higher supply costs to the consumer; thus, increasing the board's price altogether. This logic not only holds true for surfboards, but also for all the products in the Grom Squad line, given their sustainable production element.

Expansion Strategy

When looking for “environmentally-friendly grom families,” Sun Bum should focus on neighborhoods near the ocean with younger families who enjoy outdoor activities. Sun Bum’s West Coast, “Moonlight Beach office”, is located in Encinitas, California (Sun Bum “About Us,” n.d.). Targeting a region reasonably close to Sun Bum's Encinitas office would be advantageous because the company has successfully established itself as a community-focused business. Encinitas is in San Diego County, the second-largest county in California. (Google, n.d.). Over 2 in 5 Californians (42%) consider the environment before every purchase, making them the most likely residents of any state to do so (Vivant Solar, 2018). Locating a target market in California makes the most sense for the Grom Squad line because residents are more likely to consider the environmental impact of their consumer habits than residents in any other state. Within San Diego, Sun Bum should seek to target the neighborhood of Leucadia, a community about 25 miles north of San Diego known for its relatively secluded beaches and surf culture (Home in Carlsbad, n.d). More sequestered beaches are suitable for families as kids can roam around freely. Beyond general human-liking for time in the sun, the beach has been proven to bring families together. Qualitative research revealed that children preferred family outings to the beach in contrast to other semi-natural settings (Haaland, 2019). Leucadia is a quaint, seaside neighborhood, safe for families and accessible to larger cities by driving less than 30 minutes (Home in Carlsbad, n.d). It is known for its charming, picturesque, and casual culture, with easy access to Los Angeles and San Diego. This is perfect for parents commuting to work in larger cities but prefer living close to the ocean. Leucadia is situated on the Pacific Ocean, and most homes are either directly on the beach or within walking distance (Home in Carlsbad, n.d.). Sun Bum is not targeting parents who want to relax every day at the beach but rather want to engage with their kids through fun, active experiences. As Leucadia residents frequent beach often, this neighborhood is the perfect region to target our products.

% Age 25 to 34 Encinitas, California

Compared to greater Encinitas and San Diego, Leucadia comprises 17.5 to 96% of individuals between the ages of 25 to 34 (SimplyAnalytics). This is an excellent primary targeting environment as one can see that even though Encinitas and Leucadia are not only directly on the coast, the people of this age range live specifically on the ocean.

% Married couples with children under 6 years old

We are explicitly targeting younger parents who will be actively engaged in activities with their children. Leucadia is close to the ocean and has a high concentration of married couples with children under 6 (SimplyAnalytics).

% Family: Married couple with children under 18 years

According to Simply Analytics, Leucadia demonstrates a high percentage of married couples with children under the age of 18 shown below (SimplyAnalytics, 2021). Sun Bum can capitalize on the high rates of beach product needs for “grom families” raising children who are likely engaging in surfing and other outdoor activities. The average age for families in California to have their first child is about 25.4 years old compared to 31 in New York City (Bui, 2018). According to the New York Times, unmarried women have their first child even younger at an average age of 23.3 (Bui, 2018). Sun Bum is targeting families where all beach products in the beach line will be utilized. Leucadia’s high percentage of married couples with children all the way up to 18 years old is a prime demographic for Sun Bum to target because there is a product for each member of the family and children do not have to fight over products if they have a wider variety of age.

San Diego County: Median Household Income, 2021

Sun Bum products are generally more expensive than general sunscreen, hair care, and beach toys. Our popular beach towel is sold for $30 while Target sells beach towels for $4.00 a piece. A can of SPF 50 6 OZ sunscreen is priced at $18.49 (Sun Bum, n.d.). Meanwhile, a 6 OZ can of Coppertone or Banana Boat is priced around $13.00 (RiteAid, n.d.). Many of Sun Bum’s products have our well-known “Sonny” the monkey which distinguishes us from others and allows Sun Bum to have more of an elusive brand image. The allure of Sonny is its “fun in the sun” laid-back vibes that the character brings out in people. Sun Bum has capitalized on its unique, minimalistic packaging and brand identity. Sun Bum sells a 16’ Sonny online for an astounding $200 and yet, people buy it. All of this can come together to explain that Sun Bum is not the average sun care brand. We are unique and our use of organic, raw, and recycled materials is one of their primary cost drivers as well as distinguishing features. The Grom Squad beach line fits perfectly into the already curated Sun Bum brand and its customers will generally be the same as Sun Bum’s current customers but more directed toward families instead of millennials or kids specifically. In San Diego County surrounding Leucadia, the median household income is $89,417 to $250,000 (Simply Analytics, 2021). Leucadia's average income is $175,000 well above the national average, allowing residents to afford products that are more expensive compared to generic drugstore brands (Leucadia Demogrpahics, n.d.). Half of U.S. consumers say they have paid a premium—an average of 59% more—for products branded as sustainable or socially responsible in the last 12 months (IBM, 2022). The market is there, and Sun Bum’s family line is filling the gap of a sustainable beach activity lines, even if they are expensive. The wealthier demographic of Leucadia is perfect for Sun Bum financially. These Leucadia families are also willing to pay for the simple, sustainable Sun Bum products because they see the effects of climate change right where they live as sea levels rise and have the income to make a difference by intentionally choosing Sun Bum beach products.

% Attained Bachelor’s degree

Sun Bum should attempt to target families with parents who have attained bachelor’s degrees as they are likely to have a wider knowledge of climate change and feel more compelled to monetarily support environmentally conscious brands like Sun Bum than the average citizen. Nearly 60% of people learn about sustainable development through college (SOS, 2022). Gen Z, comprising of individuals born from 1997 to 2012, has proven to be the most sustainable generation yet and according to research, are willing to make significant changes in lifestyles and spending to be eco-friendly and make a difference (Petro, n.d). Many millennials are even willing to take a pay cut in their income to work at a sustainably conscious company than one that is not. Additionally, 59% of Gen Zers have enrolled in college compared to 53% of millennials (Pearson, 2022). These findings showcase that the younger generation of people going to college and then starting families will be more environmentally conscious. Sun Bum should target Leucadia residents as 48% to 100% of its residents have attained a bachelor’s degree and can understand, firsthand, the effects of climate change.

Marketing Strategy

Product Descriptions

The “Baby Grom Beach Floaty” is designed for infants, one to three years old, who will be able to relax and float in the water, while staying protected from the sun. One of Sun Bum’s priorities is skin protection and because young children are most susceptible to skin damage from the sun, our floaty will include a roof to protect the child from immediate sun exposure (Skin Cancer Foundation, 2016).

The “Young Grom Boogie Board” is best fit for children aging four to sixteen years old. This product bridges the gap between baby groms who are not capable of participating in such active beach activities and older groms who are looking for more adventure.

The “Gnarly Grom Surfboard” targets older teenagers, young adults, and parents who are ready for an advanced beach day activity. This surfboard will be geared towards beginners who are learning how to surf.

The “Adventure Grom Paddle Board” will target older teenagers, young adults, and parents who are looking for an ocean activity that introduces them to working with a board.

Purpose and Mission

In order to include the whole family while spending time at the beach, we created a user-friendly line with all members of a family in mind.

Pricing

Our most affordable option is the “Baby Grom Beach Floaty” priced at $44.99. Kids pool floaties and water toys are typically sold between $15 and $30. However, these alternative pool toys are typically constructed of cheap, unsustainable materials and will contribute to plastic waste, going against the Sun Bum brand image. To offset this, the kids pool floatie will be priced at $44.99 to account for the sustainable materials cost.

Our next product, the “Young Grom Boogie Board”, is priced at $99.99. This boogie board is our cheapest water toy because of its low material cost and psychological impact. Consumers will be more willing to buy at this price point compared to if it was priced at $100 because of the digit-left effect.

Next, we offer the “Gnarly Grom Surfboard” at a price of $350. Beginner boards start between $250 and $400. Yet, none of these are made with sustainable materials. Our boards will be sold for $350, a higher price than most beginner boards but a price that fits within the brand as well as the surfer demographic budget. The expected materials and manufacturing cost is about $150, leaving profit at $200 per board.

Our most expensive product, the “Adventure Grom Paddle Board”, is priced at $525. Most stand-up paddle boards (SUP) are priced between $400 and $600 and boogie boards are between $60 and $120. Given this, the SUP will be priced at $525, with a manufacturing cost of $300, mostly used on materials in the bigger board.

Place: Leucadia, CA.

When our product line initially launches, it will be distributed through Sun Bum’s online website, as well as through Sun Bum retailers in California and Florida. Specifically, we will target higher income populated cities across coastal California. Additionally, due to the increasing demand for e-commerce among consumers, we will also sell our products online to reach all desired consumers. Encinitas, California is home to our Moonlight Beach office. Thus, we will be expanding into nearby cities to promote our community-focused business. By leveraging our brand awareness and loyal consumer base in specific areas where the greatest concentration of our target market exists, it will be the most effective way to launch our product line.

Promotion

Our purpose driven marketing strategy centers our communication efforts around eco-consciousness. The goal of our marketing strategy is to facilitate deeper connections with our consumer base through shared values. As a brand for individuals passionate about the outdoors, we understand the importance of environmental sustainability to our consumers.

Social media: We will engage with consumers to communicate our environmental messages directly. Out social media presence spans across Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube.

Influencers: We will form a partnership with professional surfer Filipe Toledo in order to introduce our board to the World Surf League community. Filipe Toledo is an accomplished Brazilian surfer who has competed on the World Surf League’s World Tour since 2013. He has made a name for himself in the surfing community after numerous wins in the world series. Filipe will be a great resource in our promotion strategy as he will promote his passion for the sport and love for the ocean through our sustainable line. In efforts to make a real change, promoting sustainable beach toys must not only stem from our own advertisements, but will also be reinforced by our current brand ambassadors. Renowned activists and accomplished surfers will advertise our products and mission. As influencers educate their followers on the challenges our planet is facing, they will enhance our customers' ability to connect with the company's environmental values, activities, and advertising messages.

Initiatives: We want to give back to local and national communities through funding events and providing educational resources. As we introduce our new product line, we will showcase our various products at our annual surf competitions, music performances, and influencer meet and greets. Through our partnership with Filipe Toledo, we will promote our product line at our annual surf competitions, the Bum Rush Tour. At each event on our Bum Rush Tour, we will donate 5% of our proceeds towards ocean conservation. This campaign will create a significant impact, gaining local and national media attention. Sun Bum will now have the opportunity to leverage our 100% recyclable products and build our brand reputation. The Bum Rush Tour is a great reflection of our company’s values and will create a tangible difference across our oceans. Ultimately, our marketing strategy will cause consumers to feel that their purchase is making a difference.

Credits:

Created with images by Lea - "Young woman applying sun cream or sunscreen on her tanned shoulder to protect her skin from the sun. Shot on a sunny day with blurry sand in the background" • svetlichniy_igor - "Concept information search. Magnifying glass with international map on blue background. World community and Neural network. New minimal creative concept. Searching information data on internet" • jdoms - "aged and worn surf shop sign with palm trees" • John Neff - "Children having fun surfing on waves at Myrtle Beach" • EpicStockMedia - "Family Fun, Stand Up Paddling" • Lori - "Cute pug dog floating in a pool on a pineapple floaty wearing a panama hat and sunglasses" • marina_larina - "A happy boy in sunglasses in swimming trunks stands on the beach on golden sand and holds a swimming board, boogie board of yellow color against the blue sky and the sea with small waves in sunny sun" • tomas del amo - "teenage girl in a yellow bikini surfing in Hawaii" • EpicStockMedia - "Family Fun, Stand Up Paddling" • watman - "Surfer on the crest of the wave, top view" • tatyanasuyarova - "Set of colorful surfboard for rent on the beach. Multicolored surf boards different sizes and colors surfing boards on stand, surfboards rental place" • lazyllama - "Hand of surfer making shaka (hang loose) sign in tropical blue waters" • nadezhda1906 - "little girl enjoy travel in nature, kid hiking" • Song_about_summer - "businessman working with computer on the beach" • Rawpixel.com - "Black family having fun on the beach" • boykovi1991 - "bus with a surfboard on the roof is a parked near the beach" • marcel - "Ponto Jetty" • ikostudio - "This summer we gonna surf"