Acknowledged. As Director of Marketing Operations at Crimson Leaf, I am initiating the Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy for the Southern Gothic title, *Cypress Bend*. 

This campaign prioritizes atmosphere and "aesthetic marketing" to capture the growing dark-academia and folk-horror segments.

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# CAMPAIGN STRATEGY: Cypress Bend Launch
**Code Name:** Southern Shadows
**Product:** *Cypress Bend* (Southern Gothic Fiction)

### 1. PRODUCT SUMMARY
*Cypress Bend* is a haunting Southern Gothic novel centered on generational trauma, atmospheric decay, and family secrets buried in the bayou. Key selling points include its "dripping" atmospheric prose, a high-stakes mystery rooted in local folklore, and its appeal to fans of *Where the Crawdads Sing* mixed with *Sharp Objects*.

### 2. TARGET AUDIENCE
*   **Primary: The "Aesthetic Reader" (Gen Z/Millennial)**
    *   **Age:** 18–34
    *   **Platforms:** TikTok (BookTok), Instagram (Bookstagram).
    *   **Triggers:** Visual mood boards, "vibe" checks, tropes (e.g., "small town with a secret"), beautiful cover design.
    *   **Emotional State:** Seeking escapism through atmospheric, moody, and emotionally resonant storytelling.
*   **Secondary: The Genre Traditionalist**
    *   **Age:** 45–65
    *   **Platforms:** Facebook Groups, Email Newsletters, Local Press.
    *   **Triggers:** Author pedigree, professional reviews, "Book Club" potential.
    *   **Emotional State:** Looking for a sophisticated, well-paced literary mystery.

### 3. MESSAGING PILLARS
1.  **The Atmosphere is a Character:** Focus on the sentient nature of the Louisiana landscape.
2.  **Blood is Thicker than Water, but Murkier:** Emphasize the twisted family dynamics and secrets.
3.  **Modern Gothic:** Position the book as a fresh, contemporary take on a classic literary tradition.

### 4. CHANNEL PLAN
*   **TikTok/Instagram (Visual):** Video teasers, mood boards, and unboxing of ARCs. 3–5x weekly. **Owner: Zara.**
*   **LinkedIn (Professional):** Industry-facing updates on Crimson Leaf’s growth and the Southern Gothic market trend. 1x weekly. **Owner: Leo.**
*   **Email (Warm List):** Exclusive "behind-the-prose" content and character profiles. 1x weekly (Pre-Launch), 3x (Launch Week). **Owner: Zara.**
*   **Press (Credibility):** Regional Louisiana outlets and literary trade publications. **Owner: Zara.**

### 5. CAMPAIGN PHASES
*   **Pre-Launch (Weeks -2 to 0):** ARC (Advance Reader Copy) distribution to TikTok influencers. Teaser trailers. Reveal "The Secrets of Cypress Bend" interactive social posts.
*   **Launch Week:** "Day One" live reading. Full press release distribution. High-frequency social posting. Launch-day email blast.
*   **Post-Launch (Weeks 2–8):** User-generated content (UGC) spotlight. Targeted Amazon/Meta ads focusing on "If you liked [Title], read this." Review roundup.
*   **Long-Term (Months 3+):** Inclusion in "Best of Gothic" listicles. Book club discussion guides. Evergreen SEO content regarding Southern Gothic tropes.

### 6. SUCCESS METRICS
1.  **Pre-Order/Launch Week Sales:** Target 1,500 units across all formats.
2.  **Social Engagement:** 5% engagement rate on BookTok/Instagram video content.
3.  **Newsletter Growth:** 500 new subscribers via "Cypress Bend" lead magnets.

### 7. EXECUTION TASKS
The following tasks are hereby spawned for immediate execution:

| Task | Target Audience | Channel | Pillar | Tone | Assignee |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Social Media Pack** | Aesthetic Reader | TikTok/IG | Atmosphere | Haunting/Lush | **Zara** |
| **Email Sequence** | Warm List | Email | Family Secrets | Intimate/Mystery | **Zara** |
| **Press Release** | Media Outlets | Press | Modern Gothic | Professional | **Zara** |
| **Ad Copy** | Genre Traditionalist | Facebook | Atmospheric Mystery | Suspenseful | **Zara** |
| **Market Analysis** | Internal Stakeholders | Planning | N/A | Analytical | **Leo** |
| **Author Bio/Media Kit** | Media Outlets | Press | Credibility | Authoritative | **Zara** |
| **Project Manifest** | Internal Team | Planning | Logistics | Strategic | **Maya** |

***

**Next Action:** `genesis` has been processed. Team, begin execution on assigned tasks at once. Focus on the "Pre-Launch" assets first.