Maureen Estep

You see it everywhere: SWAG, products branded with a slogan or logo distributed free or at a cost to build consumer awareness and loyalty. By the way, SWAG is just another name for a promotional product that becomes a gift when given away. The value of gifts like this goes beyond what you pay for them. Below are a few stats to show you what I mean. #brandmarketing #promotionalproducts #statistics #brandawareness

6

Best-selling author, marketer and entrepreneur Tina Wells has already inspired generations of business leaders, and her new podcast, “Shelf Help,” is about to inspire even more. In this episode, we chat about how the most successful brands combine creativity, technology and data science to get their products on shelves—and keep them there. Check out the full conversation to learn how to take your brand to the next level: https://shorturl.at/3u67d

5

I had the pleasure of hosting a webinar explaining how brands can take advantage of the most powerful tool for analytics and audience creation: AMC. To make it useful for every brand, we divided the webinar into three sections: crawl, walk and run. In the "crawl" section, Katie Eldredge Brown shared easy ways brands can utilize AMC for the first time. Take a look!

46

3 Comments

We are expanding the SoCal Digital Studio LinkedIn Company Page to provide organizational business and marketing insights to arm you with resources to more effectively compete in our increasingly fluid business environment. Follow us! #linkedincompanypage #businessinsights #marketinginsights SoCal Digital Studio #businessmastermind

2

The revenge of brand. The most important thing you’ll read this year. 1. Competition is everywhere. 2. DTC can be a trap (I just mentioned this to Joanne Tombrakos as we recorded her podcast today). 3. Brands aren’t built off performance marketing. Thank you for researching and writing Brian Morrissey “… invested a material amount of dollars (billions) into something that was less effective but easier to be measured vs something that was more effective but less easy to be measured. In conclusion: an impressive waste of money.” The issue in business? We have skipped over a whole generation of vision which understands how to do this without giving into “dashboard pressure.” https://lnkd.in/gJ9RmkYM

50

17 Comments

Marketing is constantly evolving, but there are some interesting and surprising properties that may surprise you. One of these could be the use of artificial intelligence to personalize advertising to the extent that consumers can feel as if they are being offered something made just for them. Another possibility is the use of augmented reality to create unique interactive advertising campaigns. Experimenting with such technologies can lead to exciting marketing results.

1

Interesting difference in the dominant reason for marketing spending being impacted for CMO's of B2B vs. B2C, especially as it relates to corporate performance being the primary driver. What do you think might be missing from this list?

5

2 Comments

When we redefine what a 'lead' actually means, we open the door to having more productive conversations about marketing's true impact on pipeline and the ROI of both short-term activation and long-term brand building.

5

"Reviving Nike: How Core Values Can Lead the Way Forward" Attending a learning event with Meridith Elliott, author of "Thrive: Strategies to Turn Uncertainty into Competitive Advantage," was a great reminder about the power of Core Values. Her insights on making decisions based on core values resonated deeply, especially when I reflect on Nike's recent challenges under former CEO John Donahoe. Nike's core values—**innovation, authenticity, inspiration, inclusivity, connectedness, and distinctiveness**—are the bedrock of its global success. Yet, during Donahoe's tenure, it seems these guiding principles were overshadowed by a tech-centric approach that prioritized digital transformation over the company's cultural roots. The pivot to a direct-to-consumer model and heavy investment in digital platforms alienated key wholesale partners and neglected community-driven experiences. This shift led to declining sales and a significant drop in market capitalization. Meridith's lesson on core values is a timely reminder of what makes a brand truly resonate. Nike's original principles, outlined by Rob Strasser in 1977, emphasized change, innovation, and a results-oriented mindset. These principles helped Nike become a leader in sportswear by fostering a culture of creativity and authenticity. With Elliott Hill stepping in as the new CEO (cheers from the staff on campus echoed throughout campus upon hearing the news of Elliot’s return), there's hope for a return to these foundational values. Hill's extensive experience with Nike and his understanding of the brand's heritage position him well to steer the company back on track. By focusing on innovation and rebuilding relationships with athletes and influencers, Hill can reignite Nike's cultural edge and reconnect with its audience. The path forward involves not just technological advancements but also reviving the emotional connection that once made Nike products aspirational and unique. By embracing its core values, Nike can navigate the competitive landscape and regain its position as an industry leader. What do you think is the most crucial step for Nike to reconnect with its core values and regain its competitive edge? Are they too far gone and never able to recover as the global brand they once were? #Leadership #Innovation #CoreValues #Nike #BusinessStrategy #MeridithElliott

77

4 Comments

Are you a procrastinator? Then, this is your nudge 🦶 to take action before it's too late. 😉 The deadline for holiday orders is quickly approaching, so hurry and call me about yours. . .TODAY! #holidaygifts #corporategifts #promotionalmarketing

6

1 Comment

As the allure of RMNs grows, marketers will need to exercise caution given the numerous challenges ranging from the lack of transparency to regulatory risks, and the growing acceptance of conquest marketing and the leverage that provides retailers.

6

We posted 3 “verified purchase” book reviews on Amazon during our Southern California heatwave weekend. What did you do to stay cool? We highly recommend these 3 books: 1. Love #MementoMorrie - Images of Love and Loss” by World-Renowned Photographer Heather Pillar. @heatherpillarimages 2. This Award-Winning Book, “ #WheninDoubtMakeApplesauce ! - Core Habits of the Masterful Public Relations Professional”, by Marc Whitt is filled with refreshing reminders for public relations professionals about what really matters. 3. Loved Renee MacGregor’s #FeelGoodAgain book that is filled with practical health tips to recharge your body, mind and spirit. @reneejmacgregor What are you reading? Do you post reviews? They mean so much to the authors! And PS - please post reviews with a photo & buy the authors book so it’s a “verified review” - both make your review rank higher by Amazon’s algorithm. #writebookreviews #bookreview #authorlife

7

2 Comments

Great read, Danny Goodwin! Thanks for sharing. A valuable practice in our fast-paced world! As leaders, we can get caught up in the hustle, believing that constant action equals productivity. However, the most effective decisions often come from taking a step back and allowing ourselves time to think and reflect before taking action. Throughout my career, these spontaneous bursts of creativity have led to impactful work. My portfolio showcases a range of projects that have benefited from this approach, demonstrating how unstructured thinking time can lead to structured, innovative outcomes. Each endeavor is a testament to the power of giving ideas the space they need to grow. Let's create environments for our teams that value mental space, fostering innovation and thoughtful decision-making. After all, productive work might sometimes look lazy, but it's in those quiet moments that the BEST ideas are born! "Judge people by their outcomes, not by the visibility of their process, which is often hidden inside their head."

6

1 Comment

WHAT IF we integrated new product samples into the products consumers already buy? Thank you Retail TouchPoints for publishing my thoughts on the idea. And apologies once again for using the term win-win... Cliff Notes: In a market where new products struggle to catch on, the advertising campaign can't be expected to do it all (no matter how well it scored in testing). CPG brand leaders, your existing portfolio is an untapped Media Vehicle that can generate trial and awareness in support of your latest new product launch simply by inserting samples into your most popular brands (specifically those with the same growth consumer). It's not complicated, it's just different. Retailers & Merchandising Directors, what if this was a prerequisite for incremental shelf space? It’d speed things up for everyone. Sales Leaders, need something new to unlock an endcap or stand-alone display? Marketers, your existing brands can be your most reliable media vehicles to generate awareness and trial. Strategists & Researchers, think about the unlimited engagement opportunities enabled by the QR Code and the amount of consumer learning and product feedback this opens up. (*this part will make much more sense after seeing a prototype*) Packaging Engineers, rest assured Insight Pack's custom automation equipment (and expertise) has been on just about every manufacturing line in the country. Another quick shout out to all the past clients and agency friends who’ve supported the idea and this entrepreneurial journey, especially Andreas Aristides, Sarah Hofstetter, Jason Lonsdale, Ben Feeney, Richard McDonald, Ted Roumanis, Ryan Marek, Greg Batton, Chris Roark, Matt Newton, Kristine Kobe, Anup Shah, John Fraser, Clive Sirkin, Claudine Patel, Mike T., Tiffany B., Pamela Erlichman, Tom Coburn, Matt Fischvogt, Todd Feitlin, Bryan Gray, Alicia Esposito, Marisa Armand, Razi Imam, Anupam Singh, Nora DiNuzzo, Eric Brown, John Grad, Danae McDuffee Downing, Maggie Wright, Matthew Wehrman, Hari Nair, Jared Drinkwater, Russ Muth, Todd Wetmore and Brett Berry #retailinnovation #shelfspace #insightpack #rapidproductmovement #media #newproductlaunch #walmart #kroger #entrepreneur #manufacturing #sampling #packagingengineer

59

14 Comments

I think both the design and the marketing messaging is greatly improved on the right. Good design is about communication and the way something looks, what are your thoughts?

7

If you are an outdoor or active lifestyle brand (or adjacent - I'm looking at you apparel, footwear, omni-retailers and more) - this is a MUST read. I am tooting our own horn with this, but the information is FAR too valuable to miss, especially as you are planning for 2025. What's highlighted below will for sure give you qualitative insight into your media mix, the trends to lean into (or out of), and the opportunities you are likely missing RIGHT NOW. Reach out if you've got questions! 📊 Macro trends & consumer spending insights 🏔️ Outdoor & active lifestyle market analysis 🌟 Trends driving the outdoor space in Q4 💡 Opportunities for brands right now 🎯 Pillars for success in 2024 & beyond

10

Can you afford to optimize your health?

15

2 Comments

In today’s market, consumer responsibility is crucial. The latest research, "The New Rules of Engagement," explores how brands can better serve a more responsibly minded consumer base. True customer-centricity—putting consumers first—requires bold strategies, yet many brands struggle to meet this standard. There is a huge opportunity in helping consumers waste less through smart use of technology. Imagine products tagged with QR codes, enabling efficient replenishment and minimizing waste by ensuring items are used before more are purchased. Unconditional customer-centricity means understanding consumer needs so deeply that, even if your product is unavailable, you suggest a competitor’s product that meets their needs. This kind of commitment fosters brand loyalty. Looking ahead, marketing must evolve beyond just selling; it should focus on education, communication, and facilitation. By leveraging data from smart devices, we can help consumers make better choices and live more sustainably. Let’s push the boundaries of customer-centricity and lead the way in a new era of responsible marketing. #DigitalTransformation #CustomerExperience #Multichannel #Omnichannel #Martech #Adtech #Ecommerce #Data #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #PredictiveAI #GenAI #Riyadh #KSA #Saudi #Expo2030 #SaudiArabia #Vision2030 #GigaProjects #GlobalMetropolis #RiyadhExpo2030 #Dubai #AbuDhabi #UAE #Emirates #Automotive

15