News → Dadvertising is trend: Daddy & me

Men’s involvement in childrearing has been increasing in the last years. Specifically, they are spending more time playing with their children than ever. Companies are realizing the interesting opportunity that this means for their marketing strategies. This article will give some facts and present examples of companies creating and advertising their toys successfully to children and dads. Dads are playing with their children As various reports are pointing out, fathers are more present than before in all aspects of their children’s upbringing, but mainly in activities related to play. For example, Procter & Gamble diaper’s brand Dodot carried out a study in 2017 with Spanish dads, highlighting that the activity most of them do with their children is play (83%). Parents would much rather go for a walk or go to the park with their children (46%), than to do other tasks such as bathing them (15%), putting them to bed (13%), or feeding them (5%). In a survey by the Pew Research Center, American dads reported that parenting is central to their identity. Actually, the report specifies that dads are just as likely as moms to say that parenting is extremely important to their identity. It is a fact, supported by data, the parity among dads and moms is improving, but it is still far from being really egalitarian. Can toys play a relevant role in this process? Well, they can, and they should. It will not only help society, but the toy business as well. Dads will respond very well to companies giving them tools and resources to enjoy all of the activities they do with their children. Some companies are already targeting dads In the last couple of years, there is an increase in communication strategies targeting dads. For instance, the ad showing a father holding and reading to his baby by Suavinex, or the display of Like Father Like Son, a new clothing brand to dress dads and sons the same way. No doubt, these kinds of campaigns have become more common in the childcare and even in the fashion industry, but there are great examples in the toy industry as well. Dads in the focus of attention Toy manufacturers are well-advised to have dads in mind when creating new products and strategies. This is a wonderful opportunity for the industry, as a target group fathers are really eager to find resources that support and improve the moments they share with their little ones. Think about developing toys and products that make daily chores more appealing for both dads and kids. Moments such as bath time, putting children to bed or feeding them can become a fun father-child experience. And be aware, fathers being more involved make mothers happier too!!