Sit 'n Sleep Case History – Wingman Media Agency

Sit ‘n Sleep: The Sleeping Giant

How Wingman helped a one-off mattress company grow into one of the nation’s largest retailers

Client Overview

The Hardest Considered Purchase Wingman Ever Sold

If Wingman learned anything about the mattress business over the last two decades working with Sit ‘n Sleep, it’s that mattress companies are faced with the same challenges as other businesses that sell big ticket items (a.k.a. considered purchases). At any given time, only a small percentage of the population is in the market for a mattress. Most consumers buy a new mattress once every ten years or following a life event: birth, death, marriage or a new home purchase. The sales cycle for a mattress is typically about three weeks and shopping for a mattress is a tedious process that’s all about comparing the specs.

THE APPROACH

Three Foolproof Strategies

A 20+ year working history with Sit ‘n Sleep has helped Wingman hone in on the key ingredients for successfully selling a considered purchase. We found there are three foolproof marketing strategies that ensure considered purchase advertisers compete successfully in any market conditions.

1: BUILD CREDIBILITY

The Power of Howard

In 1991, the Los Angeles broadcast world was in a frenzy because New York City shock jock Howard Stern was bringing his controversial show to 97.1 FM. Stern was dogged by bad press for his raunchy radio show, but for advertisers he was a sought-after pitchman. His warts-and-all on-air honesty earned him untouchable credibility with his loyal audience and he had enormous success lending it to fledgling brands.

Stern hit the L.A. airwaves and immediately became the number one morning show with the prized male 18 – 49 demographic. The radio show was the perfect vehicle for building Sit ‘n Sleep’s credibility. In live reads, Stern urged his loyal listeners to go to Sit ‘n Sleep and pay a visit to his buddy, CEO Larry Miller. Immediately, Sit ‘n Sleep’s sales went through the roof.

2: BE Memorable

You’re Killing Me, Larry!

By 1995, Sit ‘n Sleep’s business was booming, but it couldn’t ride Stern’s coattails forever. It was time to expand to new audiences with television. Sit ‘n Sleep had built credibility as a considered purchase. To continue on the path of success, Sit ‘n Sleep needed to become memorable. With a consideration cycle lasting just three weeks, it’s crucial for considered purchases to be top of mind. The key was running memorable ads with frequency.

Wingman connected Miller with creative strategist Cary Sacks, who wrote some of the most iconic radio and TV commercials that have ever hit the Southern California market. In one ad, Sacks played Miller’s beleaguered accountant, Irwin. After becoming frustrated with Larry’s inexplicable price-slashing, Irwin screamed,”You’re killing me, Larry!” and the catchphrase stuck. This was a case of lightning striking twice because Miller’s pledge to “Beat anyone’s advertised price or your mattress is freee!” was already deeply woven into the Southern California lexicon. To this day, these two catchphrases appear in just about every Sit ‘n Sleep radio ad.

3: EDUCATE THE CONSUMER

Change the Conversation

The great recession did major damage to the United States housing market. As an industry closely tied to the housing market, the mattress business was in serious trouble. By 2007, Sit ‘n Sleep had reached $100 million in annual sales. But the great recession hit hard. By 2008, Sit ‘n Sleep fell to just $79 million in annual sales. Once people’s property values fell, they stopped using their homes like ATMs and the mattress business suffered. The common retail philosophy was to ‘just have another sale’ but when people don’t have any money or can’t get credit, another sale won’t help.

Miller decided, “We have to change the way we talk to people.”

Changing Sit ‘n Sleep’s message required some intense research. It was one study that changed the conversation completely. “The average mattress will double its weight in ten years as a result of being filled with dust mites and their detritus.” – The Wall Street Journal article revealed.
According to the study highlighted in the article, a mattress can double in weight after eight years due to the accumulation of dead skin cells, body oils, sweat, and dust mites. Miller wanted to change the way Sit ‘n Sleep talked to people and wound up changing the entire conversation.

THE Campaign

Replace Every 8

The Wall Street Journal report became a lynchpin in Sit ‘n Sleep’s new “Replace Every 8” campaign to spread public awareness about the health benefits of a new mattress. The new messaging reversed the downward trend and Sit ‘n Sleep’s sales returned to pre-recession levels. The campaign shortened the sales cycle because people were compelled to replace their mattresses more frequently.

Educate the consumer

Inform the Public

Research showed that a lot of people knew their quality of sleep is linked to their health, success and overall well-being, but they didn’t instinctively connect that to a mattress. They were open to the suggestion but they hadn’t made that connection for themselves. They needed to be told.

This new educational campaign raised the river of the Southern California mattress market, but Wingman then needed to redirect the waters to Sit ‘n Sleep. Consumers needed to be reminded that Sit ‘n Sleep is the mattress expert. They had long-standing employees, and a bed match system to find the perfect mattress for your body type. People knew that a mattress was a huge health decision and they needed to feel comfortable making the right one.

Where previously a mattress was something that consumers had little interest in investigating, now they wanted to know everything. To further the educational messaging, Sit ‘n Sleep aired subsequent broadcast and digital media campaigns informing the public about how sleeping on an old mattress can cause weight gain, sleeping-pill abuse, and trigger allergic reactions.

Be Memorable

Build Relationships

There was one very large pool of customers that had a great feeling about the Sit ‘n Sleep brand – people who had already purchased. Wingman’s Interactive department created a customer retention program and collected data on when their customer’s purchased their last mattress. Those that had recently purchased received emails about sleep health or coupons for money off mattress protectors and sheets. For those nearing their replacement date, Wingman sent coupons for their next mattress purchase.

Build Credibility

Online Ratings Matter

Online reviews have become another way for Wingman to engage with Sit ‘n Sleep customers post-purchase. Sit ‘n Sleep closely monitors reviews and interacts with customers (both satisfied and not). This expanded Sit ‘n Sleep’s customer service reach and vastly improved customer ratings across all locations. A strong online presence with high ratings has helped Sit ‘n Sleep maintain its credibility in the digital age.

Proof Our Strategy Works

Sit ‘n Sleep has transformed its image from a one-off furniture store to an industry giant and a leading expert in sleep health. As the nation’s 5th largest specialty mattress retailer with 40 locations and over $122 million dollars in annual sales, Sit ‘n Sleep’s growth proves the value of executing a considered purchase marketing strategy.

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About Us

Wingman Media is an award winning Media Buying and Media Planning Agency in Los Angeles, California. We plan data-driven media campaigns for companies that sell niche products and services and drive maximum response from all channels - including television, digital, programatic display and video, paid social media, radio and audio streaming.