# Prepaid Support Brands candidly ask for financial support from consumers amid COVID-19. By [Grace Mahas](https://www.trendhunter.com/Grace.Mahas), VP of Content & Insights | Published May 5, 2020 | Category: [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/marketing-strategy) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/prepaid-support ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.3/10 - Evidence articles: 4 ## What is the Prepaid Support trend? **Prepaid Support:** The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted businesses spanning all industries and many are struggling to remain afloat with current social distancing regulations. As a result, smaller brands are reaching out to consumers to ask for financial support during these uncertain times with initiatives like discounted travel vouchers to use post-pandemic and prepaid products without fixed delivery dates. ## The consumer insight behind the Prepaid Support trend Both consumers and brands are preparing for a different world after the COVID-19 pandemic and the reality that many small-to-medium-sized businesses may not survive is not lost to consumers. Due to a sense of community and compassion, many consumers are looking for ways to support these small businesses through this hardship and are willing to sacrifice the instant gratification of receiving a product or service for the greater good of the local economy. This empowers consumers to feel like they are giving back during and helping their community—a sentiment many lean into during uncertain times. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 4 featured examples - Articles from: Apr 13 to Apr 30, 2020 - Published: May 5, 2020 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence) - Megatrends: [Authenticity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/authenticity) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Prepaid Support trend ### Pre-Paid Products Smaller brands are offering pre-paid products without fixed delivery dates to ask for financial support from consumers amid COVID-19 ### Discounted Travel Vouchers Travel agencies are offering discounted travel vouchers to use post-pandemic to help support the tourism sector ### Newspaper-Branded Customer Support Ads Newspapers are creating branded ads to ask customers for financial support during the COVID-19 pandemic ## What the Prepaid Support trend means for industry ### For Hospitality Industry The hospitality industry can offer discounted travel vouchers to customers to help sustain tourism during the pandemic ### For Retail Industry The retail industry can offer pre-paid products to ask for financial support amidst the COVID-19 pandemic ### For Media Industry The media industry can create branded ads to ask for customer support during the pandemic ## Workshop question How can your brand use authenticity to reach consumers during times of chaos? ## Trend signals for Prepaid Support Trend score 3.3 out of 10, from popularity 54%, activity 37%, freshness 9%. - Popularity: 54% - Activity: 37% - Freshness: 9% ## Examples of the Prepaid Support trend 4 featured examples from Apr 13 to Apr 30, 2020. - [Vacation Travel Vouchers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/travel-vouchers): Pointers Travel is Offering Discounted Travel Vouchers Amid COVID-19 (Category: World) Implication: Hotels and vacation rental agencies can introduce travel vouchers that support caterers, hoteliers, private renters, and other tourism participants, offering consumers a chance to… - [Pre-Paid Consumer Support Inniatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/east-fork): East Fork is Asking Fans to Purchase Future Products (Category: Business) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Pottery brands can launch initiatives like selling imperfect items at a discount and offering delayed delivery as a means to generate income and… - [Pre-Paid Restaurant Gift Cards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/prepaid-restaurant-gift-card): Restaurante 040 is Boasting a Special Voucher on Its Socials (Category: Luxury) Implication: Restaurants have the potential to utilize pre-paid gift cards to sustain their business during challenging times. - [Newspaper-Branded Customer Support Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-big-issue): The Big Issue's New Ad Asks Customers for Financial Support (Category: Marketing) Implication: Opportunity for publishers to rethink their revenue models and involve their community in supporting their publications. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) - [Source Signatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/oak-finish-whiskey) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Marketing - [Mystery Packaging Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cow-not-laughing) - [Creator-Led Learning Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/learning-series) - [Nostalgic Beauty Mascots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bliss-girl-series) - [Athlete Beauty Ambassadorships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/athlete-beauty-ambassadorships) All articles: [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing)