Insights

The definition of augmented is “having been made greater in size or value,” and augmented reality (AR) marketing does just that: adding value to a user’s experience. Instead of providing a virtual experience, the user is shown something “extra” within the view they already have. Once something only considered “science fiction,” AR has represented a real advance for businesses, giving consumers a little something extra when discovering their brand, their products, or their services.

Transparency. In today’s digital world, businesses and individuals, governments and consumers, all want to KNOW information; and in our paperless society, a society where too much data can be simply deleted, we are all looking for ways to maintain information, including the path of revision. This is where blockchain comes in, recording anything of value, creating a permanent file of what has happened in the past (even if it is only 5 minutes ago).

Artificial Intelligence is changing the way in which organizations innovate and communicate their processes, products and services and drives change in how businesses and governments interact with customers and constituents. This technological has led to a radical revolution of how companies market to customers (both B2C and B2B), causing a disruption in marketing as a way of business.

You may feel that your marketing team IS your public relations team. And although they can perform similarly in theory, the reality is that they have two distinct goals. Marketing works to increase sales (and income), while public relations has a simpler goal: to improve and expand your brand image. So outside of the sales you bring in, your PR team helps your company look its best to the public. With much more pressing tasks than creating press releases, PR departments perform a wide range of tasks, from presenting your brand name as a veritable expert in your industry to defending your brand against social media scandals, carrying a heavy weight for your company.

Marketing is a challenging industry, as customer expectations and technological tool availability has risen to new levels. In the struggle to keep up with a changing world, companies are looking at artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool which can not only improve their efficiency, but also provide consumers with a more satisfying experience.

Being bombarded by technological innovations could make it difficult for marketing companies to keep up. It will be crucial to remain calm and tackle implementation methodically, biting off no more than can be chewed. Content still reigns supreme for 2018, and 28% of many B2B marketers’ budgets are focused on creating content that engages and delights customers. However, there are new tools in successful marketing teams’ bags, and there is no reason you cannot add these to your arsenal as well! Here are a few of the top marketing trends to watch for 2018!

In a step to make online donating easier for both givers and their favorite nonprofits, Google has announced the addition of a DONATE button to their Google for Nonprofits slate of management tools. Capitalizing on the giving culture found during the holiday season, when nearly 30% of all donations are given, Google has introduced this new tool to facilitate the influx of searches performed via Google by charity-minded internet visitors.

Charitable organizations are typically considered experts in raising money.  So, if you found $10,000 available to you—at no cost—wouldn’t you jump on it? That’s exactly what you can receive with the Google Ad Grant program: $10,000 each month in free Google advertising. So, what’s the catch?

Social media could be considered the heart of the #GivingTuesday drive. You already have a social media presence, so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel to create unique and effective social campaigns. So, before you throw your hands up in defeat, thinking that it’s too late to come up with something clever (or easy), here are some ideas which are both!