PROBLEM
In January 2021 with more employers becoming open to remote working, the demand amongst buyers for larger spaces increased. Property was a priority for many, and competition in the mortgage market ramped up.
SOLUTIONS
Insight
Our research showed that the market frenzy was worrying first-time-buyers. Many report being uncertain of the buying process and its financial implications. We saw an increase of nearly 80% in the hiring of estate agents in the last year, and the same can be said for the use of solicitors.
Strategy
To address these uncertainties we decided to try to reassure the consumer via educational pieces. In order to ensure we gained the attention of the right audience – buyers – and to benefit from the time invested in providing them with the tools they would need during this complex journey, we developed, with our partners, a new made-to-measure environment of entertainment
Execution
As well as sponsoring the project, Desjardins actively took part in the development of content for the webseries with the participation of Marie-Soleil Larose, one of their consultants. In the episodes Marie-Soleil accompanies Julien and Karolina in their finance journey, explaining each step they need to take and how the process works. Five additional mini-episodes were also created and added to the show’s web page, in which Julien discusses in more depth with Marie-Soleil, the complete offer that Desjardins has, and the two help demystify certain topics such as financing a self-build, down payments, and home insurance. The series was promoted via co-branded formats on Radio-Canada and Go-Van platforms, video, banner ads, social media and blog posts, and takeovers.
Methodologies and Synergy
With a view to equipping buyers with confidence throughout a process which can seem intimidating, we developed various different content partnerships. We created a podcast with QUB radio to help explain mortgage protection insurance, an informative infographic in the Journal de Montreal, a special edition piece in the LaPresse+ property portfolio, and BIS content with Le Devoir to highlight the best finance and renovation strategies. We also embedded the Desjardins mortgage calculator on property sites such as Via Capitale, Purple Bricks and Remax. Users who visited these sites to learn more were effectively retargeted with banner ads and social posts to help brand message retention.