Seasonal Marketing Strategy: Is It Too Soon?
Revised June 2025
A couple weeks ago, we wrote a post about how marketers who start pushing the back-to-school season in early July are really grating our nerves. We get it, people like to prepare, and yes, a lot of schools start early now. But we’ve been wondering: are marketers pushing the next big thing way too soon?
It made us take a step back and question how a seasonal marketing strategy can either connect, or backfire, based on timing alone.
We already mentioned how back-to-school commercials start right after the 4th of July. But by the time late August rolls around, when school is actually starting, those shelves are wiped clean and replaced with Halloween decorations (some stores even start displaying them in July).
Now it’s early September, and among the racks of leather jackets and scarves (very appealing when it’s still 95 degrees), guess what we’ve already seen? Yep, Christmas junk.
NOOOOOO.
You might be thinking, “You’re marketers. Isn’t that your job?”
Sure, it’s our job to help clients plan ahead but preparing for the future and launching seasonal campaigns months early are two very different things. And honestly? It’s getting a little out of hand.
Not to get too philosophical, but can’t we all just enjoy the moment instead of rushing to the next big thing?
Right now, it’s early September. The weather is gorgeous. It’s peak patio season. But soon it’ll be cold, gray, and full of regret that we didn’t soak up the now.
Pumpkin beer in July?
Wool sweaters in August?
Holiday wrapping paper in September?
We’re not ready.
Last year, Nordstrom earned our respect with a sign saying they wouldn’t decorate for the holidays until after Thanksgiving. How refreshing! When you’re bombarded with Christmas decor for four straight months, it’s a relief to see a brand press pause.
So we’re saying it: let’s slow down a bit. Enjoy where we are. There’s enough stress in the world—we don’t need to rush the calendar too.
Feel like your brand is stuck in fast-forward? At YellowDog, we believe the right timing matters just as much as the right message. Let’s build a seasonal marketing strategy that actually fits your audience, your brand, and the moment they’re living in.