The campaign combined target-group know-how, creativity, data and modern technology in a new creative way to tailor German Rail’s message to each media channel – giving it relevance and attention across all platforms. And to each individual person which lead to an actual change in thinking. Plus, a 24% increase in revenue.

THE TASK:

German Rail wanted to promote their super saver tickets for fast, inexpensive travel within Germany.

THE PROBLEM:

72% of Germans prefer to spend their holidays abroad – because they find Germany boring.

THE SOLUTION:

Instead of simply promoting a ticket-offer, we had to go one step further: first, we needed to promote Germany.

How do we get the 72% of Germans who prefer international destinations to consider traveling within Germany using German Rail?

By showing travellers that they don’t have to buy an expensive flight. They could experience exactly the same thing – by taking the train for just 19 Euros. In Germany.

The campaign idea is strikingly simple: a side-by-side comparison. One side shows a beautiful international travel destination, the other a look-alike destination in Germany.

With only one difference: the price.

Our target audience for this product is basically everyone.

So, instead of a general one-fits-all messaging strategy we used consumer insights and data to develop a campaign tailored specifically to each individual channel.

An out-of-home and online display campaign at strategically chosen touchpoints. Using influencer marketing on Instagram. And creating the first real-time social media price comparison on Facebook, in which every video-ad addressed each person’s current location and their travel interests in real time.

Based on a unique visual idea we developed a campaign to each channel, from traditional out-of-home to innovative social-media communication.

On Instagram we asked Germany’s most well-known outdoor-instagrammers, German Roamers, and 63 other influencers to actually road-test our offer. They accepted the challenge and showed their followers that the most beautiful locations worldwide can be found right here in Germany. And communicated that all it takes to get there are 19 Euros. With German Rail.

On Facebook we created the first real-time social media price comparison: Using an algorithm, we found look-alike photographs of travel destinations worldwide and in Germany. Facebook-data identified relevant target groups. Geo-targeting pinpoints the closest airport for each person. Another algorithm finds each destination airport and determines the cheapest flight price. Combining this data, real-time video-ads made an unbeatable counteroffer: A train ride for 19 Euros. Completely automated. In infinite variations.

CTR 850% higher than usual German Rail campaigns

Conversion: 6.61%

24% increase in revenue

Ad Impressions: 23.5 Mio

83% positive comments – German Rail’s most positive social media campaign