The Allergy Tracker will provide a three-day outlook showing how the forecast may influence consumers? allergies. With this tool, consumers that are prone to experience allergies throughout the year are more likely to make extra visits to the app to check these updates.

The inspiration for this online and in-app tool came from the prominence of U.S. consumers suffering from allergies. Since the weather can play a significant role in the extremity of seasonal allergies, the Allergy Tracker will allow users to monitor and prepare for high levels of allergy-causing elements while also promoting Flonase as an allergy solution.

A recent survey commissioned by the makers of Flonase revealed that respondents believe the weather can affect allergies more than ever before. 

Nearly all respondents (88 percent) suggest that the weather affects their allergy symptoms, and six out of 10 (59 percent) cited weather-related influences as the main cause of their allergies. 

In addition, three-quarters (76 percent) of respondents said that they are interested in new tools to help them manage their allergies.

While many allergy sufferers are familiar with pollen as a frequent allergy trigger, the new Allergy Tracker goes beyond pollen data to help allergy sufferers access weather analysis. 

Users can go to Weather.com/allergy or to The Weather Channel app to reference the Allergy tracker, which includes an outdoor allergy tracker that shows levels and maps for mold, various types of pollen, and a breathing index. 

An indoor allergy meter also measures conditions that can trigger or increase allergens in the air, such as current temperature, thermostat temperature, outdoor humidity, and whether an air conditioner is on, resulting in conditions that are too wet or too dry.

The Allergy Tracker combines proprietary weather data, which is forecasted and reported, as well as information from public and private agencies and medical experts to measure and rate conditions. 

The Weather Channel has bumped up its efforts with other brands to boost engagement.

A recent partnership between Columbia Records and The Weather Channel promoted a new album by rock band AC-DC by leveraging a custom native ad across mobile, tablet and Web platforms that played off the bad weather title of a song on the album.

The Weather Channel leveraged local data from users to determine who received the ad for the album, ?Rock or Bust,? which includes the song, ?Got Some Rock & Roll Thunder,? based on current weather conditions. The campaign was another example of a traditional music company turning to mobile to engage customers and of Weather Channel?s efforts to make its weather information more personal (see story).

Earlier in 2014, Volvo teamed up with The Weather Channel to promote its XC60 crossover and reach consumers with its first iPad application use of branded creative that appeared in the background of content on the channel's iPad app. 

The Swedish automaker and the cable and satellite TV weather forecast and news channel worked with agencies Grey Advertising (creative) and Mindshare (media) on the campaign. Taking the Branded Backgrounds TWC has used previously in its mobile app, it featured full-screen images of the XC60 displayed under translucent weather content, with the images changing to match weather conditions in the user?s location. The campaign reflected how mobile is helping automakers personalize their advertising pitches in a crowded marketplace (see story).

The founders of Flonase agree that partnering with The Weather Channel will be beneficial.