Evaluation of integrated marketing communication strategies used for the Fruits & Veggies Campaign in California and Virginia

In 2015, the Partnership for a Healthier America launched the branded Fruits & Veggies (FNV) Campaign to promote fruit and vegetable sales and intake to moms and teens in two California and Virginia pilot markets. The FNV Campaign used a novel, creative approach to promote fruits and vegetables through integrated marketing communication (IMC) strategies. Findings from a mixed-methods process evaluation conducted between 2016 and 2017 were used to explore congruence between stakeholders’ expectations of IMC strategy potential and FNV brand awareness and reach among target audiences. Awareness and recall of IMC strategies were assessed through a cross-sectional survey of target audience respondents (n = 1604) from the pilot markets. Qualitative data regarding IMC strategy potential and influential factors were gathered from stakeholder interviews (n = 22). Approximately 19.6% (n = 315) of respondents were aware of the FNV Campaign. Stakeholders’ perspectives regarding IMC potential aligned with findings that the proportion of aware respondents was significantly (p = 0.008) higher among teens (22%) than moms (17%). Qualitative results also converged with higher proportions of survey respondents recalling brand exposure through social media (46%) and retail settings (30%) than community activities (18%), word of mouth (17.5%), and traditional media advertisements (9.5%). IMC recall did not differ between mom and teen respondents except for significantly (p = 0.02) higher word of mouth recall among teen respondents. Findings support using selected IMC strategies and future involvement of diverse stakeholders. Evaluation results can inform future research and practice to improve IMC strategy reach and influence as the FNV Campaign expands to new markets nationwide.