Successful Advertising Campaigns.

1. The Element of Surprise

One of the most powerful aspects of this campaign is the element of surprise. Surprise amplifies the impact of the gesture.
A recent study summarized: "Positively surprising the customer is one way to exceed their expectations, resulting in customer delight."
Other studies also validate the power of surprise.
Do we really need a study to validate the element of surprise? Probably not. Some of life's most memorable moments are products of surprise: a surprise birthday party, marriage proposal, promotion, bonus or an unexpected gift. However, surprise is rarely strategically planned into marketing campaigns. But there are many ways for brands to use the element of surprise and social media to promote "customer delight," build the brand and grow market share.

2. Personalization

This campaign was intensely personal. The focus on the particulars of each gift were unique to each customer in this video. Because banking itself is not a social transaction, a distinct effort had to be made to identify meaningful opportunities to make a difference in the lives of the intended recipients. The personal engagement of employees in executing the campaign was vital to the authenticity of the campaign. One does not feel as though any of the interactions were forced or manipulated. You really do feel as though you are witnessing genuine emotion.

Personal Connections Pay Off
Customers engaged with personalized, emotional messaging are up to 20 percent more likely to purchase at any stage of the purchase decision, according to a study published by the CEB Marketing Leadership Council in partnership with Google.
A personal engagement requires human-to-human contact. It may be tempting to automate various aspects in the management of a relationship. However, a true connection cannot be automated or simulated. A real bond must be established.

3. Social Media Increases Purchase Probability

Note the significantly higher probability of purchase from customers who engaged with video and social media in the graphic above. Campaigns that evoke emotion, personalize and promote social interaction amplify the power of good deeds -- and sales.
In light of this data, the #TDThanksYou campaign can be expected to reinforce relationships with existing customers, possibly attracting disgruntled customers of competing banks.

4. Gratitude

This entire campaign is built upon gratitude. While the ATM, or Automated Thanking Machine, addressed long-time customers by name and thanked them for their loyalty with very personal gifts, an additional 20,000 bank employees distributed $20 bills in green envelopes to customers at exactly 2 p.m. on July 25 in more than 1,100 TD branches across Canada.
Scientific studies on gratitude suggest that employee participation in the gratitude campaign promotes positive feelings and well-being, an added benefit for TD Canada. The campaign appears to have been as much a hit with employees as it was with customers.
Social Leadership
It is no coincidence that the sentiment of this successful campaign came from the top, as illustrated a selfie tweeted out by Ted Hockey, President and CEO of TD Canada Trust, with a customer of 60 years. The socially engaged CEO is an asset to any brand in today's social landscape.

5. Brand Consistency

One successful campaign rarely makes or breaks a brand. In the case of TD Canada Trust, focus on customer delight has earned the bank top honors in the Best Banking awards for Customer Service Excellence over the past nine consecutive years -- revealing a deliberate focus on building customer relationships based on positive customer experiences.
In a highly transparent world, empty promises and promotional stunts can do more harm than good. Yet, brands dedicated to winning and maintaining customer satisfaction (and delight) over time will always win.