Author: Zenergy

Leverage QR Codes to Connect with Customers

The pandemic made QR codes more essential and ever-present. They have become an attractive tool for marketers, thanks to their ease of use and higher adoption rates.

• It’s projected that 83.4 million US adult smartphone users (37.5%) will scan a QR code this year and 42.6% by 2025.

#ProTip: Marketing and advertising strategists should focus on creating QR codes that enable more innovative, enjoyable, and useful customer interactions. This can be achieved through gamification (including games to obtain discounts), access to promotions and deals, and information about product origin history and traceability, capabilities, or reviews.

Here are some easy ways to integrate QR codes:

• Adding a QR code to business cards, product packaging, brochures, print advertising, and direct mail can create additional marketing touchpoints.
• QR codes on packages or labels can give consumers more product information.
• In-store QR codes on purchase receipts, price tags, shelves, buildings, and even staff can wear them to enhance the shopping experience.

Need help developing a strategy that includes the use of a QR code? DM us!

TikTok Made Me Buy it

The #tiktokmademebuyit hashtag has 8.8 billion views on TikTok to date.

Here’s a quick break down of the viral hashtag:

• According to research firm Luth, 83% of TikTok users report going to the platform for product reviews, and 67% said they were inspired by the community to shop even when they weren’t looking to do so.
• 52% of TikTok users worldwide said they search for products or shop on the platform. Even more interesting, 60%, said they follow brands on TikTok, and 68% said they find advertising content specifically to be unique or different from any competitive platform.
• This year, 45.7% of US marketers from companies with 100 or more employees will use TikTok for influencer marketing.
• Beauty products that went viral on TikTok saw an average of 85.3% sales growth month-over-month on Amazon, per Similarweb.
• Last holiday season, TikTok released the ‘TikTok made me buy it’ gift guide, featuring an assortment of products that went viral on the platform during the year. Products spanned beauty, home, tech, food, and apparel categories.

Want to integrate TikTok into your social media strategy? DM us!

#TeamTips: B2B Media Planning

Part 1: The Brief

There is a lot more to B2B media planning than finding the most appropriate trade publication/site and targeting on LinkedIn. The first fallacy of this process typically happens when, perhaps subconsciously, we assume the only way to reach a B2B target audience is when they are at work or doing work.

The world has changed significantly over the last few years. Many magazines have ceased publication or significantly reduced frequency, in favor of online. With the COVID pandemic, more and more professionals are working remotely from home. This is unlikely to go back to where it was pre-pandemic. Leading industry events and conferences have also gone through a major overhaul and are now being watered-down by online events/conferences and webcasts.

So, what does this mean for B2B marketers? Well, there is both good and bad news that comes out of this. The bad news is that we can’t rely on old fashioned means of face-to-face networking, necessitating a much more strategic and disciplined approach to reaching your B2B target. The good news is that there is a lot more data available through measurement and tracking of new marketing efforts. With this comes more informed analysis and strategies.

The Brief

A detailed and accurate campaign brief can make the difference between a successful, disciplined B2B strategy, and one that is just a combination of unrelated tactics. The brief should contain all the information about what the advertiser wants to get out of the marketing campaign. This includes company vision, marketing objectives, media objectives, KPIs/sales goals, target audiences, customer insights, among other things. This should be a collaborative effort between all stakeholders, to ensure everyone is on the same track, and working towards the same goals.

Matan Ahlfeld is a Media Planning Strategist at Zenergy Communications/

Next week Matan will provide insights into audience targeting.

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What We’re Reading

• 3 technologies that will shape the future of the metaverse – and the human experience
• How to Create Instagram Reels Like a Pro: A Guide for Marketers
• Hasbro and Mattel have very different visions for the future of the toy industry
• 4 investment opportunities for a net-zero future
• Spotlight on total global retail: Brick-and-mortar returns with a vengeance

Please share what you’re reading by tweeting #FGFreads or DM us.

#FGFStory: India’s Mass Tree Planting Success: Forest Grows by Half-Million Acres

A report from the Forest Survey of India (FSI) found that recent tree planting activities have taken root in terms of the overall forest coverage in the nation. The country’s forests have grown by 870 square miles of forest, more than half a million acres, over the last three years.

Over the past few years, there have been some monumental tree planting efforts undertaken, by Indians. In 2016, Indians planted 50 million trees in a single day in the state of Uttar Pradesh. And one year later, volunteers in Madhya Pradesh planted 66 million trees, a world record.

#FunFacts: Content Marketing

Content marketing continues to be the heart of digital marketing. Here are some relevant stats to boost your knowledge!

• There are over 500 million blogs on the Internet and 50,000 people search how to start a blog every month on Google.
• According to 65% of marketers, SEO is the most effective tactic to drive more traffic.
• Blogs are among the top three forms of media used in content strategies, and 69.6% businesses actively invest in content marketing.
• The top three content mediums for most B2B marketers are email newsletter, blogs, and social media content.
• 75% of people, who incorporate visuals in content, drive better ROI.
• The majority of B2B content marketers have increased their use of audio/visual content as compared to one year ago.
• Videos are becoming a more popular form of media within content strategy compared to blogs and infographics. The most common videos being created are promotional and brand storytelling.
• Most marketers are creating content for multiple audience segments, three on average.
• Marketers report that the most challenging part of content marketing is generating quality leads.
• Successful blogs are a blend of four content types: guides, How-Tos, Q&As, and lists.

Need help with your content marketing strategy? DM us.

Teamwork Makes the Dreamwork: Meet Shehla Shahid

The Zenergy team is a dedicated force of talent, with a passionate desire to serve. We’d like you to meet our team members. Today we introduce you to Shehla Shahid, our Art Director.

Shehla is a design specialist with 16-year experience in providing imaginative and creative communication and design solutions for businesses, companies, brands, and individuals. She has worked internationally in the advertising world for McCann Erickson and Dentsu, before moving to Canada and joining Zenergy Communications. She has helped shape the communication of quite a few multinational brands like Mondelez, Nokia, Suzuki and Shell with her creative and innovative design skills.

As Art Director at Zenergy Communications, Shehla is responsible for the execution of concept plans for all our clients, visualizing hard-hitting ideas, and designing creative and innovative layouts for all communication materials in print and digital.

Some #FunFacts about Shehla

• She has two beautiful Labrador babies – Betsie and Sheroo
• Her favorite pastime is cooking – the best way to release stress
• She dreams of traveling a lot one day, exploring new cultures, traditions, and food
• She was a voice-over artist (IVR) for a big telecom company

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Liezen, Austria hosts the ‘Internationaler Wettbewerb für Violincello’ a music competition attracting top performing artists from all over the world.

How to Create Content for Retention

When developing content for retention, it is imperative to customize content accordingly. Here are three ways:

• Use storytelling: Customer-focused stories and case studies get the highest engagement.
• Publish quality content consistently: Creating a blog is crucial as it helps you rank higher on search engines, enables you to build trust with your ideal customers, and provides a platform for a unique voice for your brand.
• Continue to educate your audience: Have a separate section for research studies and articles. Try different platforms like podcasts, vlogs, whitepapers, and guides.

Need help developing content? DM us!

The Top Social Networks for B2B

Although LinkedIn is the most used social network by B2B firms, according to recent research from Sagefrog, Twitter delivers the most engagement. The report was based on data from a survey of marketers who work for B2B firms across a range of industries including technology, healthcare, industrial, and business services.

Here are some of the reports top B2B marketer insights:

• Twitter delivers the highest B2B engagement, on average, for posts/content, followed by LinkedIn and Facebook.
• Social media is now their second-biggest source of leads, after referrals.
• 41% say they plan to invest more in social media marketing in 2022.

Need help with your B2B social media strategy? DM us!

#BeOurGuest: Livestream Marketing

Livestream selling has taken China by storm, generating $60 billion in annual revenues last year. The US market is poised to follow suit with livestream selling now available on major social platforms like Facebook and Instagram but the technology can go beyond direct selling to include livestream events, learning and more, especially with the introduction of new disrupters in the space, most notably, MARKET.

MARKET is a new livestream destination that offers the perfect combination of technology, entertainment, and selling. Created by VERB (Nasdaq: VERB), a leader in the livestream space, MARKET has elevated the livestream genre in a feature-rich site, including:

• Easy-to-use TV quality platform
• Live, in-show shoppable links
• Multiple camera and host capabilities from anywhere in the world
• Record and replay videos across all your platforms
• One cart purchase from multiple vendors
• Robust data and analytics
• Sales performance tracking

Livestream bridges the gap between physical and digital sales, training and events. It allows vendors to create real relationships with real people, in real time, using the power of demonstration and interaction. Designed for mega brands and small businesses alike, MARKET paves the way for new branding and selling opportunities that are destined to become the next big opportunity!

This edition’s #BeOurGuest is

Angel Cicerone
President
Tenant Mentorship

Learn more about livestreaming. DM us!

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What We’re Reading

• ‘Health and wellness culture has evolved’: How cereal brand Kashi modernized its marketing to stay relevant
• News outlets ride TikTok engagement wave
• Twitter Shares New Insights into What Users Want to See from Brands via Tweet [Infographic]
• Inside Folgers’ plan to swap its fusty reputation for punk-rock rebelliousness
• Truly cracks open love with contest to encourage Valentine’s Day first dates

Please share what you’re reading by tweeting #FGFreads or DM us!

#FGFStory: SIGNify: Virtual Sign Language Translation

Project SIGNify is a web plugin that uses motion recognition technology to accurately identify and translate sign language in video calls. Once identified, the signs are translated into the recipient’s chosen language and displayed as subtitles.

SIGNify highlights the potential of technology in the corporate world for a diverse workforce. Conversations about inclusive workspaces, in the last few years, have been centralized around physical places and this project highlights how there’s still much work to be done (and opportunities to be had) in the world of remote work.

Instagram: No Longer Just a Photo-Sharing App

Near the end of last year Instagram announced that its 2022 plans were to focus primarily on growing Reels, ultimately consolidating video content around short-form formats.

Here are some tips to take advantage of Instagram’s shift:

• Focus on short-form video
• Find the ideal video length (now available up to 60 seconds but predictions are that this will increase to 3 minutes to challenge TikTok)
• Identify and address limitations in your strategy
• Make time to jump on brand-appropriate trends
• Perfect your text overlays
• Embrace remixes
• Increase reach by sharing to Instagram Stories
• Expand audiences with collaborators
• Use Reels visual replies
• Drive revenue with shoppable Reels
• Make memorable Reels content
• Know when to publish
• Create exclusive content
• Optimize ads for Reels

#ProTip: Optimizing short-form video content, maximizing collaborations, and being prepared to experiment with new Reels features will better position you to increase visibility and grow your brand on Instagram.

Need help with your short-form video content? DM us!

Personalization Strategy: Five Content Types

Marketing personalization means more than just addressing a customer by name in an email or signaling that they’ve browsed a particular item on a website by showing it to them again in a digital ad somewhere else on the internet.

Here are five types of helpful content to include in your marketing personalization content strategy:

• Recommend
• Teach
• Support
• Confidence-Build
• Reward

Let our content development team help you with your copywriting needs. DM us!

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The first ski jumping competition took place in 1872 in Norway. The world record for farthest ski jump is currently held by Austria’s Stefan Kraft, whose 831 ft. jump at the 2017 FIS Ski Jumping World Cup currently sits as the longest in history.

Media Training + Refresh

Traditional media outlets, 24-hour news sites, Twitter, and a plethora of other social networks all competing for viewer attention. It’s therefore more crucial than ever to know what to communicate and how to do so in order to garner media attention and yield the best results.

That’s where media preparedness and training comes in to help you:

• Understand journalists’ expectations
• Learn how to stay on message, even under pressure
• Know the differences in preparation and delivery between various media formats including print, radio, TV, and online.
• Learn the difference between proactive vs. reactive responses
• Gain insights into what to expect in expert interviews
• Managing and leading Q&A sessions

Need a media how-to refresh or full training for your company’s spokes people? DM us!

Acts of Kindness: Random Acts of Kindness Day is February 17!

Here are five stories of kindness that you may have missed:

• Cinémas Guzzo has pledged discounted pricing everyday for healthcare workers as theaters re-open across Quebec on February 8.
• Valley Smokehouse restaurant in Petawawa, ON started collecting donations and pledged a portion of sales from February to help send a local family to Boston for cancer treatment for their nine-year old son.
• Ogilvie Pizza in Ottawa, ON was called by a loyal customer suffering from COVID-19 asking if someone could deliver a can of ginger ale while she was in isolation. The owner delivered not only the drink but a bag full of medicine and called in daily to check up on her.
• A surprise birthday party was hosted for a Second World War veteran Ernest Allen, now 100 years old, whereby he received over 100 birthday cards from Stittsville, ON local residents and veterans from across Canada.
• Strangers are buying each other groceries across the US, most recently a woman in Texas bought $300 worth of groceries at Dollar Tree as a surprise for a neighbor.

Share your stories with us for our next feature. DM us!

#TeamTips: Connected TV

As screen time has continued to increase one of the most prominent opportunities that has emerged is the ability to maximize the benefits of advertising efforts and reach larger audiences. While there are many tactics to increase viewership there is one leading the pack: Connected TV advertising or CTV.

CTV delivers opportunities for brands and businesses regarding alternative yet effective advertising. Television ads have always been a successful form of advertising, yet CTV takes this to an elevated level as it takes a shorter yet more immersive approach with proven effectiveness. Available in a variety of forms, these advertisements suit the needs of any advertising pursuit.

• There are in-stream video ads that are unskippable and run for 15 to 30 seconds before (pre-roll) or during (mid-roll) the program.
• There are also interactive pre-roll ads which run at the beginning of an online video for those looking to have their ads lead viewers to a landing page.
• For those seeking to have their ad displayed in a more central location, there are home screen placement ads that are typically a short video or image that feature a call-to-action.

“Instead of advertising during an event with the hope of reaching a projected demographic, CTV lets marketers target specific households as precise as by postal/zip code and IP level, so budgets are effectively directed.”

Ed Weiss
Senior Consultant, Media Buy
Zenergy Communications

Learn more about CTV advertising opportunities. DM us!

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Showcase your ideas and discuss what’s on your mind by being a guest columnist in our #FGF newsletter! With a reach of 20,000 weekly readers and an average open rate of 20%, you’ll get the attention of industry leaders directly.

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What We’re Reading

• 18 Major Retailers Celebrating Black History Month
• Spotlight on total global retail: Brick-and-mortar returns with a vengeance
• Here’s How To Encourage High Team Morale During A Slow Business Season
• [Podcast] eMarketer’s Behind the Numbers daily podcast
• Collabs and creative pairings open up new doors
• What Is The Future Of Air Travel?

Please share what you’re reading by tweeting #FGFreads or DM us!

#FGFStory: Dog ‘Wins’ Internet ‘Drop Challenge’ With Viral Dancing Video

Videos have been flooding the internet of people completing the “Drop Challenge” on TikTok, but one dog has seemingly blown the competition away with its version.

The “Drop Challenge” sees people going about their normal daily activities to the tune of “Yoncé” by Beyoncé— at work, in the home, out shopping and more—only to suddenly squat down while staring at the camera. Often, those around them are left shocked at the move.

Watch Huston’s video

Five B2B Social Media Trends to Watch in 2022

While social media has been around for some time, the changes since March 2020 have been phenomenal. Social media isn’t just pictures for cat videos. While that type of content is uploaded by the thousands every minute, the opportunities to leverage them for B2B engagement will continue to grow.

Here are a few trends to set your sights on this year:

• Brief, bite-sized video content has proven effective for message and delivery by providing engaging, digestible pieces of content that could be cross-posted across social channels. Remember that you can repackaged in short-form pieces into short video content.
• Storytelling has the greatest impact on engagement, and there’s no better platform for stories than on social media. Even B2B users follow concepts, causes and content that connect them to their desires and goals. Make relatable videos and content that perpetuates the identity and story of the individual in the industry you’re trying to reach.
• If you get good organic reach or engagement on any video, reel or post – boost it! This will extend your reach to even more people, especially new ones.
• Embrace the “smaller” platforms such as Pinterest, LinkedIn and TikTok.
• Create and maintain your B2B social community, which can help strengthen your connection and your impact.

Need help with your B2B social media strategy? DM us!

B2B Explainer Videos

B2B companies are flocking towards explainer videos to get other businesses to buy and use their product or services. B2B businesses will always need video marketing to break down what they do and how they differ from anything else on the market. What’s more, explainer videos aren’t just for lead generation; B2B companies can use them throughout the customer lifecycle.

Here are five ways to use explainer videos:

• Sales Pitches
• Customer Onboarding
• Email Marketing
• Virtual Events and Tradeshows
• Advertising

#FunFact: Videos encourage buyers to make a decision: a full 85% are more likely to purchase something after seeing an explainer video about it. (Source: Yans)

Let our creative team help you with your video needs. DM us!

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The Pale di San Martino mountain group belongs to the Paneveggio – Pale di San Martino Nature Park and is the most southern mountain range of the Dolomites.

Three Things to Know About the Metaverse

The “new” world: A metaverse primer: Companies should see the metaverse as the evolution of the internet or smartphones, but instead of interacting with keyboards or touchscreens, users are immersed in interactive environments, making them captive and active participants in cyberspace.

What the metaverse means for retail today, and what’s in store for tomorrow: While the promise of the metaverse for retail holds great appeal (shopping experiences integrated seamlessly throughout immersive digital worlds), the development of the technology to support it is still in the very early stages.

At the National Retail Federation’s Big Show, all eyes were on the metaverse: Retailers are getting excited about the metaverse, seeing it as an opportunity to deepen customer relationships.

#ProQuote

“85% of consumers feel that for brands to be successful in the future, digital presences will be essential.”

Emma Chiu, Global Director, Wunderman Thompson Intelligence

Enterprising Leaders Sharing their Journey to Success

Need to light a fire under your team? Let us inspire them with guest speakers (in-person and virtual) that will help you realign, reset, and refocus.

Topics can include:

• Integration strategies.
• Sales realignment.
• Insights for entrepreneurs who face business uncertainties.
• Media training and refreshes (i.e. Zoom interview tips).
• How to identify opportunities, emerging trends and develop creative solutions.

DM us!

Have an Interesting Perspective on Your Industry That You’d Like to Share?

#BeOurGuest
Showcase your ideas and discuss what’s on your mind by being a guest columnist in our #FGF newsletter! With a reach of 20,000 weekly readers and an average open rate of 20%, you’ll get the attention of industry leaders directly.

DM us!

What We’re Reading

• Why Brand Storytelling is Crucial for Your Business
• Dreamvertising could be the next big thing
• 4 ways to build career-advancing connections in a hybrid era
• 9 trends that will steer marketing in 2022
• How you can become more resilient this year

Please share what you’re reading by tweeting #FGFreads or DM us.

#FGFStory: Turning Non-Recyclable Plastic into Building Blocks

An LA-based startup is proving that we don’t need more landfills for non-recyclable plastics, rather they can be turned into building blocks. ByFusion’s patented machines, known as Blockers, shred plastic and then apply mass multiplied by acceleration repeatedly until it fuses. Called “ByBlocks,” they are a simple 16″ x 8″ x 8″ blocks that can be used to build bus stops, fences, retaining walls, curtain walls, public terraces, and more.

Watch a durability comparison between the ByBlocks and classic, hollow cement blocks.

Four Principles to Managing a Crisis

The more you understand the strengths and weaknesses of your business, the more you can maintain control when a crisis hits. Here are four managing principles to consider during a crisis:

• Focus on what you can control.
• Create your own trajectory.
• Be in constant communication.
• Instill pride in your mission.

#ProTip: Clear and constant communication with stakeholders is the hallmark of great leadership.

Need help with a crisis management plan? DM us.

#GraphicDesign

10 Ways Infographics Benefit Your Content Strategy

Are you using infographics as part of your content strategy? You may be missing out on valuable digital marketing opportunities if not. Infographics are an aesthetically pleasing way to summarize data and share information in a more compelling, engaging way with content consumers.

Here are 10 reasons why you should be using infographics:

• Improve decision-making as visuals have been proven to speed up the rate at which information is processed.
• Increase your content’s exposure.
• Enhance content shareability.
• Build brand credibility. Creating interesting and informative graphics can help people learn more about your business and be seen as a voice of authority.
• Complement your branding strategy. When done right, your target audience will be able to discern your brand’s infographics from others.
• Build high-quality backlinks enabling higher organic rankings in search engines.
• Drive more traffic to your site, improving your ROI, and increasing conversion rates.
• Tell a story by using visual aids such as charts, graphs, or diagrams to communicate complex concepts.
• Track results as long as the proper codes are put in place.
• Helps readers easily digest text-heavy content through understand for visual depiction.

Let our creative team help you design an infographic, DM us.

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Monte Rosa is a mountain massif in the eastern part of the Pennine Alps, between Italy and Switzerland. It is the second highest mountain in the Alps and western Europe, after Mont Blanc.

#CES2022 Ad Buys on Cars?

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) took place earlier this month and the most attention-grabbing news was the ‘color-changing car’. BMW unveiled its E Ink-powered iX Flow tech that allows the exterior of the car to shift through shades of black and white. BMW said: “The innovative E Ink technology opens completely new ways of changing the vehicle’s appearance in line with the driver’s aesthetic preferences, the environmental conditions or even functional requirements. The technology thus offers unprecedented potential for personalisation in the area of exterior design.”

Check out a video of the car.

#ProInsight: While it’s early days for this sort of tech on vehicles it’s a sure bet that it will eventually be used to sell advertising space on the sides of vans, cars, and trucks.

#FunFact: The Metaverse Movement

Consumers are embracing immersive, 3D digital services, and 37% took part in online video gaming at least once per week last year, vs. 29% in 2015. #ProInsight: Innovative brands must invest in their AR/VR capabilities. For example, brands can host virtual events to meet consumers in-platform.

Source: Euromonitor International, Top 10 Global Consumer Trends.

Zenergy Communications together with Radio Connects

Radio Facts in a Digital World: How to Deliver SCALE

eMarketer recently released a report which portrayed an inaccurate picture of Radio with the headline “Canadians spent more time listening to digital audio than radio for the first time in 2021.” It’s statements like this, supported by data claims without context, that perpetuate misinformation and influences where clients are spending their audio dollars.

Here are the facts: Digital audio is largely non-commercial private music libraries, regardless of how they are curated – either by outright ownership or subscription. This is not new. Personal music has been around since Eldridge Johnson introduced the Victrola in 1906 and by 1921 Americans were buying over 106 million records every year. Today, time spent with personal music is now being measured by streams and included in the audio universe because Canadians are choosing to ‘rent’ vs. own their music libraries. Listening to personal music is not new, technology has changed how we do it.

The problem with the conclusion being drawn by eMarketer’s report is that it serves as confirmation bias for those in media who, as Collin Kinsella of Havas US so succinctly indicated: “The biggest risk for AM/FM radio is the 26-year-old [media] planner who lives in New York or Chicago and does not commute by car and does not listen to AM/FM radio and thus does not think anyone does either.”

Unfortunately, many working in media may not have enough background in audio to understand the facts behind the headline and will think digital audio is where they should spend their client’s dollars. The facts are, according to Numeris and other third party research, Over-The-Air (OTA) Radio (including broadcast signals delivered via a digital device) has the largest share of audio consumption in an expanding audio landscape that includes satellite radio, podcasts, ad-supported digital pureplays (i.e. Spotify and YouTube for Music), and audio books1. Across all key advertising demos, AM/FM Radio reaches more consumers than YouTube for Music or ad supported Spotify, and has the largest share of buyable audio impressions. In fact, AM/FM Radio reached over six times more adults aged 25-54 in the past seven days than ad supported Spotify. AM/FM Radio delivered more individual exposures captured “in front of the screen” vs. reports of device usage captured “behind the screen” detailing data collection based on devices connected to servers, and doesn’t always represent exposure to real listeners.

And while the audio landscape continues to expand, it’s important to understand that only AM/FM Radio can deliver the scale advertisers need to reach and influence their consumers, whether they are listening in the car, on a smart speaker, or a mobile phone app. It shouldn’t be an ‘either, or’ audio strategy between AM/FM Radio and digital audio players, but an additive one, built on a solid foundation of AM/FM Radio with digital audio like podcasts, layered for added benefit.

Read the Adnation study conducted by Ipsos.

This week’s #BeOurGuest is: Caroline Gianias, President of Radio Connects

Have an interesting perspective on your industry that you’d like to share?

DM us.

#Results: Crypto Acceptance

Following data stating that 24% of US adults said that they were planning to invest in cryptocurrencies we asked our #FGF readers if they have or planned to add cryptos to their portfolio this year. The results are in and our readers are on the fence with 53% saying No and 47% responding Yes.

What We’re Reading

• Influencer marketing sees steady adoption and room for growth
• Pandemic Hankering: How Consumers Have Changed their Desires and Behaviors
• M&M’s Unveils Changes to Candy Mascots
• Anheuser-Busch updates logo to match forward-looking brand purpose
• High School Athletes Shovel Snow For Their Neighbors as Special Weightlifting Assignment for Football Team
• Facebook Meta patents would fill the metaverse with ads
• Looking ahead: 9 trends that will steer marketing in 2022

Please share what you’re reading by tweeting #FGFreads or DM us.

#FGFStory: Watch the Path of a Raindrop From Anywhere in the World

A new study suggests dog’s brains can tell languages apart

Have you ever wondered how far raindrops travel after they fall upon the heights of Kilimanjaro? Now you can follow a raindrop thanks to some curious cartographers who have created a mapping tool (in beta version) that visualizes their path to the sea from anywhere on Earth.

River Runner Global is a free, open-source tool for visualizing how interconnected we are, and can be used for rough-draft water management planning, or for educational purposes.

#FunFact: All the water that feeds Washington D.C. comes from rainfall and upwelling springs on the western-side of the Appalachians.

Working With B2B Influencers

The recent study entitled ‘The Trust Barometer’ recently found that 63% of people trust influencer insights more than what an organization says about itself. Given this, B2B marketers are quickly catching on to the value of influencers. If you are considering engaging influencers, here are five key strategic factors to assess whether an influencer is a good fit.

• Influencer prowess is more than a number. B2B influencers are not simply about how many followers they have but rather you should focus on the quality of their content.
• Consider the long-term relationship. You get more bang for your buck when you develop long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with your influencers.
• Monitor and engage on a human level. Monitor influencers who serve your industry and topic clusters to find content that’s a match. Then engage them via your brand’s or an executive’s social media account to reference their work and pursue the relationship over time.
• Think micro, not macro. Pursue micro influencers who specialize in a particular topic area or who model your target audience but have smaller followings.
• Measure results. There are a number of different ways to measure the success of a B2B influencer, depending on your particular marketing goals so make sure to define your metrics for success.

Twelve Design Trends to Watch in 2022

Adobe Stock has revealed its latest trends forecast and there are a few surprises. This past year has been quite the rollercoaster, but graphic design has kept on moving with original and innovative designs being created every day. See all the trends in this video.

Took a photo that you are proud of?

Send it along and our team will select amongst those submitted to be featured in our next FGF.

Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America at about 1,644 feet deep. To put that into perspective, you could submerge the Empire State Building in it.

Zenergy Communications together with Radio Connects

eMarketer recently released a report which portrayed an inaccurate picture of Radio with the headline “Canadians spent more time listening to digital audio than radio for the first time in 2021.” It’s statements like this, supported by data claims without context, that perpetuate misinformation and influences where clients are spending their audio dollars.

Here are the facts: Digital audio is largely non-commercial private music libraries, regardless of how they are curated – either by outright ownership or subscription. This is not new. Personal music has been around since Eldridge Johnson introduced the Victrola in 1906 and by 1921 Americans were buying over 106 million records every year. Today, time spent with personal music is now being measured by streams and included in the audio universe because Canadians are choosing to ‘rent’ vs. own their music libraries. Listening to personal music is not new, technology has changed how we do it.

The problem with the conclusion being drawn by eMarketer’s report is that it serves as confirmation bias for those in media who, as Collin Kinsella of Havas US so succinctly indicated: “The biggest risk for AM/FM radio is the 26-year-old [media] planner who lives in New York or Chicago and does not commute by car and does not listen to AM/FM radio and thus does not think anyone does either.”

Unfortunately, many working in media may not have enough background in audio to understand the facts behind the headline and will think digital audio is where they should spend their client’s dollars. The facts are, according to Numeris and other third party research, Over-The-Air (OTA) Radio (including broadcast signals delivered via a digital device) has the largest share of audio consumption in an expanding audio landscape that includes satellite radio, podcasts, ad-supported digital pureplays (i.e. Spotify and YouTube for Music), and audio books¹. Across all key advertising demos, AM/FM Radio reaches more consumers than YouTube for Music or ad supported Spotify, and has the largest share of buyable audio impressions. In fact, AM/FM Radio reached over six times more adults aged 25-54 in the past seven days than ad supported Spotify. AM/FM Radio delivered more individual exposures captured “in front of the screen” vs. reports of device usage captured “behind the screen” detailing data collection based on devices connected to servers, and doesn’t always represent exposure to real listeners.

And while the audio landscape continues to expand, it’s important to understand that only AM/FM Radio can deliver the scale advertisers need to reach and influence their consumers, whether they are listening in the car, on a smart speaker, or a mobile phone app. It shouldn’t be an ‘either, or’ audio strategy between AM/FM Radio and digital audio players, but an additive one, built on a solid foundation of AM/FM Radio with digital audio like podcasts, layered for added benefit.

Read the Adnation study conducted by Ipsos.

This week’s #BeOurGuest is

Caroline Gianias

President of Radio Connects

#Predictions

Martech 2022

Forbes and Singular polled marketing technologists asking: ‘What are the most important technologies or topics for 2022’ and the responses fell into the following top seven categories:

• Privacy (first-party data)
• Story (video/audio)
• AI
• Metaverse
• Web3
• ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance)
• Marketing fortress

Read the full article.

#ProQuote

“Consumers now spend 1/3 of their media time with audio … audio is now the most accessible medium. And marketers are waking up to the massive potential of audio to deliver highly engaged, targetable audiences at scale.” Gayle Troberman, CMO at iHeartMedia

#AgencyInsights

Team Work that Makes the Dream Work

Gaining new business is critical for any agency to not just survive but THRIVE. And we all know that leveraging successes to attract clients makes the process more efficient…more profitable. But what happens when your deep expertise leads to more business in certain verticals? How do you manage this especially if you’ve signed a non-compete clause? Well, you have two choices:

• Build a firewall team.
  This entails creating a new entity, hiring an entire siloed team that does not interact with your current ones working on competitor projects, along with all of the other checks and balances required to adhere to client commitments. Confidentiality guaranteed but with exorbitant costs.
• Outsource.
  Zenergy Communications has over 18 years of experience in martech, PR and brand building, we can be your firewall team at a fraction of the cost, helping you develop that profit center without compromising your integrity. Confidentiality guaranteed at an affordable price.

Now that’s Team Work that makes the Dream Work! Contact us!

#FunFact

Cryptocurrencies are looking like a better bet to more and more investors. Last month, 24% of US adults said they would invest in cryptos, up from just 10% in June of 2021. Likewise, 76% said in December of last year that they would buy stocks, down from 90% six months prior, as the crypto craze stokes its tempting blaze.

What We’re Reading

• 22 Books We Can’t Wait to Read in 2022
• Campbell’s teams with experiential toy company Camp on candles, activity guides
• Corona introduces world’s first non-alcoholic beer infused with vitamin D
• How to Succeed in 2022? Embrace These Five Mega-Trends
• Insider Intelligence’s Tech Trends to Watch in 2022
• The Tenacious Quest to Find the World’s Best Rice

Please share what you’re reading by tweeting #FGFreads or DM us.

#FGFStory: Is Your Pet Bilingual?

A new study suggests dog’s brains can tell languages apart

Laura Cuaya, a brain researcher at the Neuroethology of Communication Lab at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, set out to determine if pets notice the difference in language. She and her colleagues designed an experiment with 18 volunteer dogs — including her two border collies — to see if they could differentiate between two languages.

The dogs sat still in an MRI machine, while listening to an excerpt from the story The Little Prince. They heard one version in Spanish, and another in Hungarian. Then the scientists analyzed the dogs’ brain activity.

Read more about the findings here.

#ProQuote

“The big significant growth area [in influencer relations this year] will be in B2B. People assume B2B influence can be dry and boring and sits on LinkedIn but in reality, there is more money, big brands and niche audiences.” Rahul Titus, Head of Influence, UK & EMEA at Ogilvy

Titus predicts B2B could grow to account for 40-50% of the influencer sector this year.

Took a photo that you are proud of?
Send it along and our team will select amongst those submitted to be featured in our next FGF.

#FunFact: In 2011, the Atacama Desert in Chile received nearly 32 inches of snow thanks to a rare cold front from Antarctica.

#Report

Social Selling Poised for Rapid Worldwide Growth

Accenture predicts social selling via Facebook, TikTok and other platforms will outpace traditional sales channels by three times to reach $1.2 trillion by 2025. It will primarily be driven by Generation Z and Millennials with influencers also playing a role. The most popular categories are expected to be clothing, consumer electronics, and home décor.

Top Five Social Media Influencers in Nine Industries

Part 3: Health + Fitness, Home + Parenting, Travel

Using a combination of influencer lists and social media platform research, the US Chamber of Commerce has identified the top five individual social media influencers across nine major industries. Here is a selection along with links to their top two channels as of December 2021.

Health + Fitness

• Kayla Itsines: Fitness vlogger and entrepreneur. Facebook Instagram
• Michelle Lewin: Personal trainer and fitness entrepreneur. Instagram Facebook
• Anllela Sagra: Personal trainer and fitness entrepreneur. Instagram Facebook
• Simeon Panda: Fitness vlogger and entrepreneur. Instagram YouTube
• Cassey Ho (blogilates): Fitness vlogger and entrepreneur. YouTube Instagram

Home + Parenting

• Louise Pentland: Parenting and lifestyle blogger and vlogger. Instagram YouTube
• Meg Resnikoff and Elle Walker (WhatsUpMoms): Parenting vloggers. YouTube Instagram
• Jennifer Anderson (Kids Eat in Color): Public health registered dietician and entrepreneur. Instagram Facebook
• Ildiko Ferenczi: Entrepreneur and family and parenting podcaster. Instagram Facebook
• Amber Fillerup Clark: Lifestyle vlogger and entrepreneur. Instagram YouTube

Travel

• Chris Burkard: Photographer and director. Instagram Facebook
• The Bucket List Family: Travel bloggers/vloggers. Instagram YouTube
• Wil Dasovich: Travel and lifestyle vlogger. YouTube Instagram
• Louis Cole (FunForLouis): Travel vlogger. YouTube Instagram
• Jennifer Tuffen (izkiz): Travel and lifestyle blogger. Instagram Facebook

#FunFacts: It’s all About Conversion Rates for Data-Driven Marketers

Conversion rate is by far the top metric among marketers worldwide, with 37.7% tracking this key performance indicator for data-driven marketing. Meanwhile, 17.9% have their eyes on return on investment, and 11.6% keep close watch on customer lifetime value.

Source: eMarketer

Video Marketing Plan

Questions to Ask

Return on investment on video campaigns is also going up. Improved measurement, greater ad formats and automation that makes it possible to personalize ads at scale are making video advertising more effective than ever. There are so many avenues and approaches available in digital video today.

Here are six questions marketers should ask as they work to form an effective strategy:

• What is the message?
• Who is the audience?
• What is the goal?
• Where will the content be shared?
• Will it feature influencers or thought leaders?
• How will it complement other marketing efforts?

#ProQuote: “[YouTube’s] video medium is ideal for building the messages that go beyond awareness to steer a consumer toward ultimate selection of a product and the brand it embodies,” Adit Abhyankar, CEO Ad-Lib.

Need help producing video content? Contact us!

What We’re Reading: Best of 2021 Round Up

• Best of Tweets of 2021
• The Best Podcasts of 2021, According to People Who Make Podcasts
• 9 Campaigns that Struck a Chord in 2021
• The 10 Best Comedy Books of 2021
• 7 Predictions for Marketing Technology in 2022
• The 20 Best Films of 2021
• 2021’s Best Albums were all by Women

Please share what you’re reading by tweeting #FGFreads or DM us.

#FGFStory: The Most Stunning Moments for Animals in 2021

While media outlets frequently report on species and the ‘Age of Extinction’ they never seem to include any good news – and there was a lot of it in 2021! As countries take on conservation as a matter of national pride, wildlife has been recovering. Here are some of our picks for top animal moments from the past year:

• 100-Year-Old Galápagos Giant Tortoise Found on Island is Indeed Member of ‘Extinct’ Species
• A Kitten Lost in the Snow Turns out to be One of The Most Endangered Mammals in Europe
• World’s Tiniest Pig at 10-Inches Tall, Once Thought Extinct, Is Returning to the Wild
• Once Biologically Dead, London’s River Thames Rebounds – With Seahorses and Seals
• Zero Humpbacks Off Seattle Coast 25 Years Ago – Now 500 Return With Record Number of Calves
• Rare Rhino Species Sees Dramatic Population Growth – From Just 100 to 3,700 Today, as Poaching Falls
• Monarch Population Soars 4,900 Percent Since Last Year in Thrilling 2021 Western Migration

#FunFacts

Including a video on your landing page can boost your conversion rate by up to 80%.

Source: Unbounce

The Top Five Activities Conducted via Smart Speaker

Smart speakers are most commonly used for general knowledge inquiries (31.4%). Followed by 26.7% asking for updates on the weather, traffic, travel, or sports. Third place goes to streaming music (24.5%).

Source: Insider Intelligence, eMarketer

Took a photo that you are proud of?

Send italong and our team will select amongst those submitted to be featured in our next FGF.

#FunFact: The Inupiaq of Alaska have 100 names for ice.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and to celebrate, the #FGF team will be taking a break. But don’t fret, we’ll be back with more tips, insights and news on January 7.

Holiday Cocktails

During the holidays, you deserve fun and festive drinks like Christmosas and Jingle Juice. Whether you fancy champagne, vodka, rum, or tequila, we’ve got a drink for you.

Here are festive drink and mocktail recipes from award-winning bartenders around the world!

Top 10 Holiday Movies

• Home Alone
• Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas
• Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
• The Santa Clause
• The Polar Express
• Elf
• The Santa Clause 2
• Disney’s A Christmas Carol
• Four Christmases
• Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas

Share your favorite holiday movie DM us.

Holiday Cookies

They’re not just for Santa! Everybody loves to cuddle up by the fireplace with hot cocoa in one hand and a freshly-baked cookie in the other. Whether you go right to a chocolate cookie or you’re more of a ginger snap fan, there’s a holiday cookie for everyone. It’s all about finding the right recipe.

Here are 90 easy holiday cookie recipes.

Happy Holidays!

Part 2: Fashion, Food + Gaming and Technology

Using a combination of influencer lists and social media platform research, the US Chamber of Commerce has identified the top five individual social media influencers across nine major industries. Here is a selection along with links to their top two channels as of December 2021.

Fashion

• Chiara Ferragni: Fashion blogger and entrepreneur. Instagram Facebook
• Camila Coelho: Fashion designer and entrepreneur. Instagram YouTube
• Olivia Palermo: Fashion entrepreneur. Instagram Facebook
• Negin Mirsalehi: Fashion and lifestyle vlogger and entrepreneur. Instagram YouTube
• Mariano Di Vaio: Fashion blogger and designer. Instagram YouTube

Food

• Jamie Oliver: Chef, restaurateur and TV host. Facebook Instagram
• Rosanna Pansino: Baker and food vlogger. YouTube Instagram
• Andrew Rea (Binging with Babish): Food/cooking vlogger. YouTube Instagram
• Jun Yoshizuki (Juns Kitchen): Food/cooking vlogger. YouTube Instagram
• Laura Vitale (Laura in the Kitchen): Food/cooking vlogger. YouTube Facebook

Gaming and Technology

• Mark Fischbach (Markiplier): Gaming and entertainment vlogger. YouTube Instagram
• Lia Shelesh (SSSniperWolf): Gaming vlogger. YouTube Instagram
• Seán William McLoughlin (Jacksepticeye): Gaming and comedy vlogger. YouTube Instagram
• Evan Fong (VanossGaming): Gaming vlogger. YouTube Instagram
• Daniel Middleton (DanTDM): Professional gamer and gaming vlogger. YouTube Instagram

Stay tuned to next week’s FGF as we reveal the last 3 industries!

Managing Social Media Over the Holidays

It’s easy to get caught up in all the festivities and neglect your social media over the holidays. You don’t have to be always available, but it will pay off to focus on some key strategic aspects during the holiday period.

Here are some tips:

• Keep your audience up to date on current offers, events, and, most importantly, your holiday hours.
• Schedule posts to ensure that your brand keeps a social presence over the holidays.
• Start a holiday competition on social as they can generate a great deal of engagement. Caption contests are a very easy way to engage your followers.
• Include holiday hashtags. Read an article on their importance here.
• Update your social media cover photos to include a festive feel.
• Give your audience offers that can include discounts but keep in mind that you’ll get noticed by your target audience by sharing tips.
• Support charities and highlight the efforts that you and your employees are making to show the human side of your company.

Need help with your social media? Contact us!

Attending NRF in NYC January 16-18, 2022?

Book a meeting with us!
“We have a proven track record – over 18 years of creating powerful PR that resonates with consumers and the media. Our team of PR professionals will work for you curating effective PR executions to support your brand initiatives.”

Linda Farha, President, Zenergy Communications

Book a meeting – Contact us!

What We’re Reading

• Twitter Announces the Best Brand Tweets, Handles and Campaigns of 2021
• Facebook Advertising 2021
• The CEO: Architect of the new operations agenda
• Social Media Demographics for Marketers in 2022
• The digital divide is narrowing at big businesses
• 10 Content Marketing Trends To Watch In 2022

Please share what you’re reading by tweeting #FGFreads or DM us.

#FGFStory: Real-Life Puss in Boots

When it comes to the cutest cat ever, meet Pisco the cat, also known as the real-life Puss in Boots. With his ginger-tinged fur and large saucer eyes, this British Shorthair looks identical to the equally adorable, animated feline from the Shrek 2 movie. Pisco is a dead ringer for the famous character and is guaranteed to melt anyone’s heart.

Pisco has become a celebrity cat in his own right, with his own Instagram account garnering over 627K followers so far.

#FunFacts

84% of marketers are targeting Millennials in their social media strategy, followed by Gen X (52%), then Gen Z (22%). Only 14% of marketers target Baby boomers.

Source: HubSpot Blog Research

#IdeasInAction: Ideas we Love

Jet Flown by United Airlines Entirely Powered by 100% Plant-Based Fuel

A United Airlines flight from Chicago O’Hare to D.C. Reagan National is nothing to write home about, but the 100 people who were aboard the flight were part of aviation history. They were on the first passenger aircraft flight ever to be powered by 100% plant-based jet fuel, designed by Virent, and derived from agricultural waste like corn cobs and stalks.

Known as “synthetic aromatic kerosene,” Virent’s fuel turns plant sugars into an oil through a multistep, patented process that reduces greenhouse gas emissions when burned in flight by around 50%. United Airlines will be partnering with Virent as it hopes to reach carbon-neutrality by 2050, and with the airline’s support Virent hopes to announce commercialization of the fuel in the coming months.

Sustainable Media

New global research from Microsoft Advertising, “The Rise of Sustainable Media”, shows that over the next 12 months, 59% of consumers worldwide intend to start boycotting brands who don’t take action on climate change. There is also almost unanimous support for companies to not only do the right thing for the planet, but to also to ‘show by example’. 91% of people want brands to demonstrate they are making positive choices about the planet and environment more explicitly – in everything they do.

Here are some highlights from the report:

• Within a year, 3 out of 5 people will start to boycott brands who don’t act on climate change
• Almost half of consumers prepared to switch brands and services for greener alternatives
• 3 in 10 people are willing to pay more for greener alternatives of products and services

Read the full report.

Took a photo that you are proud of?

Send it along and our team will select amongst those submitted to be featured in our next FGF.

#FunFact: Snow is not white!

It typically appears white because visible light is white. Frozen water particles are translucent, but the sunlight’s reflection gives snow its white appearance.