Which user data works best for marketing? A consensus has never been reached, so advertisers have always had to keep multiple plates spinning, from behavioural data and location data to IP addresses, cookies and beyond.

However, since GDPR came into force, it is no longer a question of whether advertisers have enough data points, but whether they are using them correctly. The Europe-wide legislation has suddenly made everyone conscious of the fact that companies are collecting and using their personal data...

Augmented reality is not a new phenomenon, the concept has been bandied about for the past five years as ‘the next big thing in marketing’ with varying degrees of promise. What is now changing, that could be the difference between buzzword and buzzkill, is the advances in technology that are making AR more user friendly, accessible and realistic as a legitimate marketing and communications tool for brands.

2020...

Over the last two decades, technology has changed the face of retail, from the in-store experience and the payment process, to the advent of ecommerce and omnichannel retailers. But much as technology has revolutionised the shopping experience, it has also had a significant impact on jobs in the retail sector.

As far back as 2016, Deloitte predicted that 60% of retail jobs would be automated within the next 20 years. While this estimate is not...

Black Friday is right around the corner, with adverts everywhere reminding shoppers to grab a great deal on everything from gym wear to vacuum cleaners. As one of retail’s biggest spending milestones, it provides a significant opportunity for advertisers to engage with shoppers when they’re in the mood to splash some cash.

So, what can advertisers do to make the most of the “retail festival” that Black Friday has become?

Despite their best intentions, knowing how to use all the insights about customers available to them to build a better understanding of what they interact with and are interested in is a crucial step brands often miss — resulting all too often in a poor user experience filled with misinformed content.

By analysing data like their ‘add to cart’ rate, page views, product views, or...

2019 has been another important year for influencer marketing, as more and more brands wake up to the advantages of using influencer marketing to connect with their customers and drive business.

According to a recent study, the spend on influencer marketing is expected to reach $15 billion by 2022. The combination of an increasingly sophisticated consumer pool, massive upsurge in social media consumption and the rise in ad blockers that has made traditional advertising progressively difficult. Step forward...

There are three major hurdles in marketing innovation: risk-aversion, limited talent, and an inability to measure impact, according to Gartner's latest ‘Brand Strategy and Innovation Survey 2019’ report.

According to the report, the field of marketing still lags behind in terms of innovation despite commanding 16% of marketing budgets and maturing as a core discipline. It points out measurement as the major issue to new innovation.

Gartner for Marketers Practice senior research...

Personalisation has long been a ‘fantasy’ most marketers indulge in where they’re able to directly interact with individual consumers, whilst controlling the context and timing of the content that’s delivered.

But as technology has improved – and data has become easier to generate – what might’ve been somewhat of an illusion before, is in fact now more real for marketers.

Shoppers going to brick-and-mortar stores have clear signals that the environment they’re in is safe and secure: manicured storefronts, security guards or cameras, helpful employees, well-ordered check out stations and other intuitive cues all create a sense of comfort and safety, helping put shoppers at ease. 

But when shopping online, these physical cues don’t come into play....

Starbucks has been making noise about its artificial intelligence (AI) projects of late – and specifically how they can be applied into marketing and customer experience activities.

Speaking to analysts following the company’s Q4 2019 earnings release at the end of last month, Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson noted how Deep Brew, an initiative focused on the coffee house’s AI investments, is taking shape.