In 1977, a star was born, and that star is the Star Wars franchise. Throughout the years, the fan base has grown in numbers and broadened its reach to include people of any age, gender, occupation, race, etc. How has the franchise not only survived but thrived through the years? During the month of May, we are going to unpack the Star Wars franchise and how its marketing sets it apart from all others.
Monday, May 12th: Marketing the Original Star Wars Trilogy
In this blog, we will explore how the Star Wars franchise has maintained its popularity for nearly fifty years. We will dive into the initial target audience, the impact of the first trailer, the significance of merchandising (specifically mentioning the “Early Bird Certificate Package” and the first action figures), and the role of fan engagement through the official Star Wars fan club.
Monday, May 19th: Adapting Star Wars Marketing for New Generations
In this blog we will examine the marketing strategies behind the enduring success and multigenerational appeal of the Star Wars franchise. It discusses how Star Wars balances nostalgia for its original fanbase with the introduction of new elements to attract younger audiences. The post highlights the effective use of trailers, online communities, social media, streaming services like Disney+, and the expansion of the Star Wars universe through various media like video games, books, and comics. We also look at the impact of experiential marketing, such as the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge theme parks, in creating deep fan engagement.
Monday, May 26th: May the Force Be With Your Marketing
This blog post explores the evolution of “May the 4th Be With You” from a fan-created pun into a significant global celebration and a powerful marketing tool for the Star Wars franchise. We will discuss how Lucasfilm and Disney strategically embraced this organic phenomenon, transforming it into a key date for official events, merchandise releases, and project announcements. The post emphasizes how May the 4th drives organic fan content creation and fosters community engagement. It also discusses the extended celebration into “Revenge of the Fifth” and the global reach of the event. Finally, it offers marketing insights, highlighting the importance of recognizing organic cultural moments, genuine fan engagement, and creating mutually beneficial scenarios for brands and audiences.
Head over to our website every Monday to learn more about Star Wars and its wonderful marketing efforts!