Marketing strategies to consider for 2017

Personalized & segmented content

Looking at your existing clients and potential clients as one and lumping them together in one advertising strategy will soon to be ill advised… brands are beginning to realise that breaking their audience down into segments and targeting as such will reap better rewards by delivering content that will resonate better. Research and use of data will aid this segmentation and ultimately find the content that each audience will find most engaging.
Targeted messaging can be achieved through different email lists, in-app messaging, different content for different social networks i.e. Facebook, LinkedIn.
Traditional advertising mediums can utilize different messages aimed to separate audiences, changing the copy and content to engage the correct audience.

Increasing multimedia content

Content has become increasingly visual over the years. The power of video has been evident on Facebook in the last two years, with 500 million people now watching a Facebook video every day.

Pokemon Go showed us the possibilities with augmented reality. Several virtual reality sets have gone on sale this year. Facebook has rolled out 360-degree photo publishing and more recently Facebook Live.  Brands will be early adopters and experiment with these new forms of getting their message heard.

The rise of paid promotion and the decline of organic reach

The change over from Facebook and Instagram publishing chronologically to algorithm based feeds means that they control more of what you see…this has led to brands being seen less organically from 15% to 2 %,  and forcing them to start investing. Ultimately 2017 is likely to see social media advertising options increase and the advertising spend with it.

Mobile first, second and third

Mobile traffic now outstrips desktop.

Google has introduced Accelerated Mobile Pages, a light version of a web page that will load ultra-fast on mobile.

Brands will need to continue to put mobile first and think about the handheld experience when creating content and advertising.

The changing face of influencers

Brands are starting to realize that their budgets might be better spent recruiting 20 micro-influencers who have a genuine relevance to the brand, rather than using one mega-influencer. These individuals allow brands to get in front of a relevant audience that is likely to be more engaged. As a bonus, the influence comes across as more authentic.

Influencer marketing will continue to mature, as the struggles with reaching people organically, and the rise of adblockers means brands will need to use influencers as part of their distribution strategy.

If you need help ensuring your marketing budget is invested into the right media platforms so you STAND OUT and get results contact our award winning team for impartial media planning and buying expertise on  [email protected] or call us on 02921 320200.

Cinema Advertising Spend Increases

Cinema advertising spend appears to be increasing due to its audience targeting, technology investments and blockbuster hits.

· 2015 saw 20.8% growth in advertising revenue to 238 million driven by blockbusters including Star wars and James Bond.

· 2016 predicts further 4% growth.

· 1st quarter 2016 saw 26% increase yr on yr.

Cinema recommends advertisers build brands to provide a long term value and a sustainable growth in return. By utilising the 90-second slot with cinema specific creatives and understanding cinema audiences provides the first step to brand building where advertisers can tell a great story around the brand, entertaining the audience who have come to watch a storytelling film.

For example,  Airbnb launched a split-screen experience in the, UK for its ‘Don’t go there. Live there’ campaign. It gave cinema audiences the ability to see two alternative travel experiences simultaneously by using specialised bifocal glasses that employ adapted 3D technology. http://www.sawa.com/

Cinematic innovation also allows advertisers to use 4D screenings that use mechanics in seats to move viewers, pump smells and spray water to reflect the action on the screen, it’s all about the audience experiencing things together socially and then sharing this o social media.

The English National Opera (ENO) found that targeting also increases effectiveness of cinema. They focused it’s cinema activity on one region enabling it to run activity for 11 weeks in premium releases, it showcased it’s Madam Butterfly opera highlighting the visual appeal of the production and increased it’s sales targets by 6% . By appearing in cinema it positions itself as a blockbuster production whilst allowing it to showcase the visually appealing aspects of the opera.

As this year sees many sequels to Blockbuster films such as Star Wars, Fifty Shades Darker, Pitch Perfect 3 and Bridget Jones Baby alongside new releases cinema ad spend is expected to continue to grow.

The effort put into the cinema experience, into using technology to create great content and as filmmakers continue to appeal to film fans means the value of cinema for advertisers should continue to grow.

Our team are here to help you benefit from the power of Cinema as an advertising platform. Get in touch with us on 02921 320 200 or email [email protected] for award winning media planning and buying advice.

Help your business STAND OUT from the crowd

Everyday it is estimated that we are exposed to nearly 400 marketing messages, of which only 150 are actually noticed and a lot less are recalled or make enough impact to prompt action. So how can you ensure you make yourself easily found?

1. Have a marketing strategy and review it.
Have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and a focused strategy to help drive your business forward. Is retaining and winning new customers key or is increasing sales your goal? Don’t forget to review and tweak that strategy.

2. Know your customer.
Who are they? Where are they? How can you target them?
Knowing your customer helps target them at the right place at the right time and at the right cots; ultimately leading to a return in investment.

3. Know your competitors.
What are your competitor’s strengths and weaknesses? How and where are they advertising? what can you do differently?

4. USP’s.
Be clear of your unique selling point(s); make these part of your marketing strategy. Why should somebody choose you over your competitors? Let people know why you are the best company to come to.

5. Be consistent.
Be consistent with your messages, reiteration is key. You want your clients to recognise you instantly. Less is more.

6.Be clear.
What do you want your clients to do? Buy a ticket or product? Log on to your website? Find out more information? Call you? Tell them what to do and how to do it. Make it easy to be found.

7.Be social.
No business can afford to ignore social media; it’s good for developing a two way conversation between yourself and your customer. Having social portals and an up to date website helps build credibility, brand and SEO too.

8.Take a risk.
Don’t be afraid to try something different. Think outside the box. Don’t assume advertising is too expensive, TV and Radio can be targeted and cost effective if used well.

9. Cost.
Don’t buy an advert just because it’s cheap. If your target audience does not consume that media it’s a waste of money.

10. Explore.
Look at the new platforms where you can be really targeted; Video on Demand for example. You can target by area, age, demographic etc.

Contact our award winning team to ensure your marketing plans are crafted to perfection and deliver results.

Call: 02921 320 300  email: [email protected]  tweet: @themediaangel.