Picture a marketing funnel. The process goes from attracting to nurturing and then converting your collected leads.

But what if you flipped that funnel on its head? First, identifying leads that have a higher interest – and a higher likelihood of closing on your product – and then sharing engaging and personal information that applies to their need(s). This is account-based marketing (ABM).

By now, you’ve probably seen the statistics. Minorities have $3.9 trillion worth of buying power. 44% of millennials are minorities. According to a Pew Research Report, Gen Z (post-millennials)  is the most racially and ethnically diverse group. Many businesses that once viewed minorities as an emerging segment are starting to ensure that they are a core part of their strategy. In order to reach them, businesses are implementing digital advertising tactics. That definitely falls in line with their consumption habits, but they should be careful with how they target them.  

Creating a solid marketing strategy is no easy feat. But as someone who has led successful marketing campaigns for a number of well-known clients (like Warner Brothers and TD Ameritrade), Jackie Miller, Bozell’s CMO, shares some helpful insights in this month’s episode of Marketing Then & Now. From putting the client at the center of your planning to redefining the word “stakeholder,” Jackie offers insightful thought-starters on how to better understand your audience and put together a marketing strategy that is as efficient as it is effective. Take a listen. And prepare to learn. 

I love logo projects. As a non-designer, seeing the team dream up relatively simple visuals, from seemingly nothing, that can translate a complex brand is exciting. So when we recently got the opportunity to create a whole suite of event logos for a long-time partner, I couldn’t wait to see the results. Here’s how it went.

In 2019, Wellness Council of the Midlands (WELLCOM) and Live Well Omaha merged to form a new nonprofit – The Wellbeing Partners. Primary branding for The Wellbeing Partners was completed and launched on January 1, 2020.

Imagine the Statue of Liberty. She’s a little over 300 feet tall. Crazy enough, that just happens to be the average number of feet of content a person scrolls through their phone each day.

Say whaaat? 

So, in a world where there is more content on your phone than ever before, how do you stand out? I can’t give you a magical secret recipe, but I can offer the three Ts that I go by, that’ll also give your business’ social strategy a fighting chance.  

The 1960s are seen as a hinge point in American history from both those who welcomed the change and those who feared it. But that decade proved to be a tectonic shift socially, culturally and politically – tackling issues from civil rights, immigration, feminism, the Vietnam War and environmentalism.

Similar to the 60s, as we ushered in 2020, we began seeing fundamental shifts and a call to arms on many fronts. From sustainability, gun control, feminism (#MeToo), immigration, gay rights, an international pandemic, race relations (Black Lives Matter) and criminal justice reform. While these two eras are different, they are forever linked in the magnitude of change they impose.

All it takes is a pandemic to identify which companies have smart, nimble PR and social teams in place. As Kelsey Pritchard, Head of PR and Social, explains in this month’s episode, it’s imperative for brands to balance preparation with flexibility. Because, while it’s important to have a plan and communication objectives in place, it’s equally as important to be ready and willing to react to current events and conversations happening in the world around you. Especially now. So tune in as she shares tips, insights and examples of dos and don’ts, as well as some of the most memorable PR blunders throughout history. 

King Arthur Flour recently showed up on AdAge’s list of “America’s Hottest Brands 2020” which highlights brands that are thriving during tough times.

This got me thinking. It’s just flour, right? Isn’t all flour the same? How brand loyal to a commodity can consumers really be? Well, after further investigation, King Arthur makes it hard for you to turn a blind eye. King Arthur has a consistent, authentic voice. One that represents its employee-owned heritage. Every communication from King Arthur comes across as it would at the dinner table. It’s not salesy and full of marketing fluff. It’s honest, sometimes humorous and informative. 

Now might be the time to launch that podcast you’ve been daydreaming about. After taking a sharp nosedive in March and April thanks to COVID-19, podcast growth appears to be on the rise. While many are still working from home and practicing some social distancing, the fact that more people are hopping in their cars now has increased downloads and subscribers. Plus, there are all those new listeners who tuned in to podcasts for the first time when the pandemic began and they had more downtime. Assuming we’ll all be able to return to normal life someday, many of those new fans will keep tuning in to their favorite shows.

Most businesses found themselves in reactionary mode amid the pandemic – we need to increase production, update our digital capabilities, start advertising about how we’re here for you and our contactless options … the list goes on and on. Chances are, you’re still in reactionary mode or just trying to catch up on all the projects that were put on the backburner. But, what if, instead of trying to catch up you took a moment to stop and think about the future. And consider what business looks like after the pandemic.