Use of traditional and social media as marketing instruments to accelerate awareness rais-ing and resource mobilization
The crowdfunding campaign maintained a strong presence on traditional and social media. Daily posts were tailored to strengthen the business case for donations, highlighting key events such as the Tamaraw Month, the death of the last captive-bred tamaraw, Kalibasib, and a tamaraw killed by poachers. By leveraging a mix of media platforms, the campaign reached both national and international audiences and engaged diverse age groups.
Social media posts were reposted and shared by BIOFIN Global and Philippines, UNDP Philippines, and various accounts of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Moreover, a national Tamaraw Ambassadors program was launched on social media, engaging public figures to promote the campaign. These communication strategies effectively reached the general public within and beyond the Philippines.
Traditional media also supported the campaign, with coverage from reputable news networks like Stand for Truth and GMA Digital Specials.
Lastly, a promotion email was sent to over 2,000 individuals through the BIOFIN global mailing list, targeting a specialized audience of professionals and partners in the biodiversity sector.
A key enabling factor was the established presence and reputation of UNDP in the Philippines, along with its partnership with relevant actors such as the DENR. This contributed to the rapid promotion of the campaign across social media, quick engagement of public figures, and the public's trust in the initiative. The donation of USD 4,400 from Congresswomen Josephine Ramirez Sato to kick start the campaign, being the highest contribution, was important for the momentum of the campaign.
A key lesson learned is that an effective marketing campaign should leverage multiple media platforms and tailor its messages to engage diverse audiences. While the Tamaraw Ambassadors program likely helped reach younger audiences and social media users, the campaign advertisements in printed media may have been more effective with older audiences.
The main challenge in the marketing strategy was the inability to produce new on-site photos and videos, given travel restrictions and budget constraints for hiring specialized personnel. This was addressed by creatively using existing materials, such as video clips from the 2019 documentary film Suwag o Suko and photos from the 2018 Biodiversity Camp—an initiative from UNDP-BIOFIN and the TCP that gathered journalists and influencers in the natural habitat of tamaraws to raise awareness about the need to mobilize funds for their protection.