Kate Woodruffe APR, FPRINZ’s Post

In addition to improving representation in advertising, people would like to see marketers strive to make the creative itself more inclusive and accessible. Top of the list is ensuring messaging is simple (38%), followed by clearer layouts (36%) https://lnkd.in/eWRT_3X8

What's written on this billboard and why is such obscure advertising needed? An organization dedicated to supporting education for the underserved has launched this campaign to raise awareness about illiteracy. Worldwide, 800 million people cannot read or write, including 250 million school-aged children who lack access to schooling. For many, the texts around us appear exactly like this—unclear and inaccessible. By scanning QR codes on these billboards, you can "decode" the messages and make a donation to give someone a chance to learn to read and write. This example is an excellent case for using creative QR codes in social advertising. They not only attract attention but also engage the audience, prompting action. Modern brands can employ similar techniques to enhance recognition and build a strong emotional connection with their audience. QR codes open up new opportunities for interaction, transforming ordinary advertising spaces into interactive and useful tools. Such advertising not only grabs attention but also strengthens brand connection with a goal to improve the world. It reminds us of the importance of social responsibility in business and how branding can be a powerful tool for positive societal change. 👀 If you want your brand to stand out and engage your audience in a similar way, reach out for services in creative QR code development and branding. Create not just advertisements, but memorable and impactful projects that change the world for the better! #Branding #QRcodes #SocialCampaign #EducationForAll #LiteracyMatters #InteractiveAds #SocialImpact #CreativeDesign #DigitalInnovation #SupportEducation #BrandIdentity #VisualStorytelling #CommunitySupport #Empowerment #DesignThinking #DigitalMarketing #CharityCampaign #ChangeTheWorld #GraphicDesign #TechForGood

How Google's gAccessibility is joining the effort to make advertising more accessible. https://buff.ly/3BFyjZ1 #Marketing #Advertising #DigitalAccessibility #Accessibility #A11y

Your website should be accessible to everyone, regardless of the device they're using. Invest in responsive design to ensure inclusivity and reach a wider audience. https://lnkd.in/dxfAK8np #Inclusivity

I know, I know! Advertising is a business. I gives no copulation. We're art for commerce sake. So many of us need to take the stick out of our asses and invest in bringing fun into what we do. No advertising is not perfect, but it doesn't need you to make it more miserable. I walked the halls of White agencies as the only Black creative for years. Endured insults/slights/aggressions simply because I was Black. The things I've been called. I still love the making of ads. Being a creative Your punk asses have nothing to be so miserable about. It pisses me off to see folks who got to have careers free of the racism and prejudice, now bitch and moan about advertising, like it was so hard for them. I was given the worse assignments, judge harsher, promoted slower, and rejected more. And still had fun. Stop your whining. Advertising ain't perfect or even fun anymore. It will never be perfect but there's no reason it can't be fun, even in the storms. Invest in fun. I am not saying ignore the issues and problems, but don't make them your entire focus. Revel in the joy of creating. Invest in fun.

During the Covid era I suggested we might see a rise in humour and surrealism in advertising as a means of escapism. It's only now that brands appear to be embracing these ideas and shedding off purposeful, “here to help” platitudes. It is too late. Far too late. You missed the opportunity to add value during a period when culturally people craved feeling anything other than what they were feeling. Humour will always have its place in advertising, mainly because most normal people enjoy being entertained by brands. But you have to strike while the iron is hot and add value within today's cultural context. Doing so can turn a funny ad into an "ad for the ages". Cultural context is a magnifying glass for creative ideas. Put simply, a well-executed idea becomes a cultural icon when released at the right time. When I look at the cultural context today, escapism isn't necessarily the answer people crave. Or at least, it isn't what they need. It's something entirely different - the idea that Hope Is Growing. The stories I'd aim for within today's cultural context are "Things we rely upon are strengthening, becoming more dependable, more structured". Core themes: Building. Growing. Creating safer foundations. This is all familiar territory for heritage brands and first positions in many categories. The trouble is most of these brands are easily distracted and forget the stories that built their positions. They forget their roots. They fragment around temporary sponsorships, partnerships, promotions and so on. It's a good time to rediscover old ad narratives, iconic moments and associations and reimagine them for today's cultural context. Give people hope that things are getting better. Humour and escapism can still play a role for many brands, but in my opinion, the overarching themes of the cultural context of today leave an open playground for stories about hope and growth.

Sometimes, just having ads for “brand awareness” accomplishes exactly the opposite. It tells the audience how desperate an institution is, affecting its sales. Click here to understand the negative impact that relying solely on paid ads has on your brand:

How do you promote Kenyan creativity to the world? You enter work into internationally recognized awards. This was the conversation at The Loeries Creative Connect Brunch today hosted by their CEO Preetesh Sewraj where I picked up on the following from Kenyan based advertising heavyweights. Emuron Alemu stated that Kenyans have a tradition of winning. Winning is in our DNA. We need to showcase our creativity for the world to know we belong. We have creative leaders who have won on world stages and can show us what it takes to win. So maybe Creative agencies should stop shying off and realize that we belong. Megha Dutta said there's no debate if African creativity exists. To show up on global stages we need to stop taking narrow views on creativity. Creativity is not only for a select group of people from strong economies. There is so much award winning opportunity outside Tv, Radio, Out of Home and viral videos. Great awards come from great solutions which come from asking great questions. Keenan Mulvaney challenged ad agencies to connect more with the creative sector outside agencies and grow a community, so the true creativity of our region can be showcased in ads. This will help us find our voice and unique niche in the same way countries like Thailand are known for their extreme humor. What's Kenya's thing? Max Ngari kept it simple saying that people are not showing up for international awards because they are scared. We need to get over our fear of not being good enough, believe in ourselves and stop letting great ideas die at pitch or presentation level. Svetlana P. reminded agencies that magic happens when you create for the clients customers and not just for the client. When you understand your customers language, aspirations, fears, hopes...therein lie the insights to a great award winning idea. She added that ideas come from everyone and challenged agencies to co-create at all levels not leaving the big award ideas to only senior management levels. Preetesh Sewraj emphasized on the need to change client mindsets from agencies winning, to brands winning. Awards give insights on how work is being done differently on various platforms. Maurice "Rizz" Wangalachi voiced his opinion stating that its a pity the last Kenyan Advertising Awards were held in 2019. Joel Rao joined in and said we are looking out not in and need to start talking more on improving our craft. This is when Kenya's creative colors will burst out. Notable advertising and brand communications hot shots in the room were Joanna Gow, Waithera Kabiru, Prital Patel, Susan Makau MCIM, Bharat Tavares, Eugene Omolo, Teresa Makori, Yash Deb. The Loeries is Africa and the Middle East’s premier award that recognizes, rewards, inspires and fosters creative excellence in the advertising and brand communication industry, This years theme is 'This is tough, So are we'. Is your ad agency or brand fearless and tough enough to enter? #Advertising #Marketing #Brands #Kenya

Accessibility in advertising is crucial for inclusivity and impact. Over the past year, I've been working with Google to conduct a study that demonstrated how small, thoughtful changes in accessibility can help brands reach more people and drive meaningful results. We identified the following key insights for impactful, accessible advertising: · Use clear audible calls to action (e.g., spelling out a URL) to drive engagement—this ensures your message is accessible and actionable for a broad range of audiences, regardless of how they engage with the content. · Ensure brand recognition by verbally mentioning brand and product names—this makes your message accessible to those relying on audio alone. · Include accessibility features like closed captions and audio descriptions wherever possible—this ensures your content is accessible to a wider audience, including but not limited to those with hearing or visual disabilities. A special shoutout to Casey Hendricks for the incredible collaboration on this research! For more insights, check out the full article on Think with Google! https://lnkd.in/gbFWRJa3

"The Children’s Advertising Review Unit (or CARU) recently launched an investigation into the “Vlad and Niki” YouTube channel owned by CMG. The channel is described as a “global preschool phenomenon and highest rated kids channel on YouTube” that stars “the imaginative personalities and antics” of two kids “who are showcased in non-stop fun and crazy adventures.” Change a few nouns and that sentence could describe Ad Law Access. One difference, though, is that we don’t feature sponsored content." CARU reviewed several types of videos on the “Vlad and Niki” YouTube channel and had concerns over whether the videos adequately disclosed the presence of ads or sponsored content. Gonzalo Mon writes, "If you only advertise to adults feel free to skip this post and peruse some of our adult-oriented content. (You know what I mean.) But if you advertise to kids under 13, this decision will be relevant to you." https://lnkd.in/e2fPicW2 #CARU #AdvertisingLaw #AdLaw #ConsumerProtection