The concept of authenticity is one that has long been debated, from water coolers to chatrooms. In a world where deep fakes are an ever-growing presence, and people believe reality and truth often exist independent of one another, how consumers value authenticity is a matter of increasing importance. In fact, an overwhelming 90% of millennials say brand authenticity is important, with nearly three-quarters of that group suggesting family and friends are the most authentic – that is, trustworthy – sources of social content.
Marc Paulenich has spent his career crafting strategies that influence campaigns and shift business planning in favor of critical thinking. Over the past few months Marc has toured the country speaking at conferences and with clients about preparedness and strategic planning in the year ahead. While every new year brings the usual doses of optimism, excitement and trepidation, 2020 seems a little different. As one meme states: we're closer to 2050 than we are to 1990.
For many prospective and current clients, the idea of having that big moment over social media can be extremely intoxicating. We all want to think we’re the ones creating the “viral moment.” But what happens when there’s a viral moment and you weren’t the one to start it? More so, what if the moment is happening and it doesn’t align with your company’s values?
Tomorrow, I’ll be participating in the Columbus Chamber of Commerce Retail Summit 2019. So, why does a marketer care about supply chain and logistics? Because your battle to provide great customer experience is either won or lost in the trenches of supply chain and logistics. A recent Harris Poll indicated that 48% of U.S. marketers believe brands have an excellent ability to provide an exceptional customer experience. However, only 22% of customers believe brands and retailers provide an exceptional customer experience.
If people could see only your social feed, how would they perceive your brand? What would they think or feel about it? Would they buy from you versus your competitors?
According to an Association of National Advertisers study released in October 2018, advertisers are using in-house agencies more, with 78% of ANA members reporting having some form of in-house agency in 2018, compared to 58% in 2013 and 42% in 2008. Still, many advertisers understand the various benefits of engaging an agency to help with their marketing efforts and pursue a relationship that fits the bill.
A recent report shows millennials are on the verge of surpassing baby boomers as the nation’s largest generation, and the change is already playing a critical role in the fate of the American economy. The home products category is beginning to realize the impact of the new generation’s consumer-first mindset as it catalyzes great change in the way people think and shop for their homes. Technology brands are entering the category at an astounding pace while direct-to-consumer businesses disrupt traditional retail models by cutting out the middlemen. Transformations like these have given rise to a new level of competition as brands old and new vie for a share of consumers’ minds and wallets.
A September Saturday in a college town has an undeniable energy. It’s hard to walk down a sidewalk without being greeted by the smell of cheeseburgers grilling at a tailgate party. Or the fight song signaling a touchdown.
Video games. They’ve been with us since the late 1950s, believe it or not, although the first video game to gain widespread popularity was the tennis game, Pong, in the 1970s. Flash forward to today and video games are a $109 billion industry with more than 2 billion gamers across the globe. To put that in perspective, the movie industry makes just over $36 billion in yearly revenues. Games are big. And they’re not just for teenage boys anymore, as anyone with a mother hooked on Candy Crush will tell you.
As marketers, we always talk about the importance of content, and you probably see the words “content marketing” everywhere you look. A recent study from MarketingProfs shows that 86% of marketers use content marketing in their organization, and it’s no surprise that social media is the leading channel. The study shows that 96% of marketers use social media posts for their content marketing, with the most successful marketers noting Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as the top three platforms.