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FGF: 3D ads, Make your Mall Pop!, pollution to designer tiles, and more!

Developing a Content Marketing Competitive Analysis in Three Simple Steps

As you look to create unique, differentiated content, start with analyzing what’s out and looking at what your competitors are publishing. After that, follow these three steps:

  • inventory of your competitors’ content. This includes all types of content such as blogs, podcasts and audio recordings, webinars, e-books and white papers, videos, presentations, e-newsletters, etc.
  • Evaluate content quantity and quality. Understand what type of content your competitors are prioritizing, how the audience receives it, how many types of media and channels they are leveraging, the engagement of each, as well as how frequently they are publishing.
  • Tag and analyze content topics. For each content piece, tag it with topic(s), then look at the coverage by topic – its quantity and quality – to uncover those to stay away from and gaps to fill.

Need help with a content marketing strategy or content development? Contact us

#verycool

Ads Poised to take on New Dimensions

Omnicom Media Group is predicting that flat objects showcased on TV, out-of-home and in online promotions will become three-dimensional ‘touchpoints’ that can be interacted with, such as rotated. This will present numerous creative opportunities and require new best practices and metrics. In preparation for these new age ad opportunities, Omnicom suggests that brands begin experimenting with 3D technologies via AR initiatives or product integrations in virtual worlds.

“The dimensionalization of media will also afford new creative opportunities by ignoring the real-world rules.” Phil Rowley, head of futures, Omnicom Media Group

What We’re Reading, Listening to + Watching

  • [Video] These 8 sustainable designs are fighting climate change
  • Hottest Toys May Be Sold Out by Black Friday Due to Bottlenecks

  • New ‘smoothie sour’ beer trend takes off

  • [Podcast] All In On Malls

  • [Video] What drives the CEO of McDonald’s

  • Empathy Is The Most Important Leadership Skill According To Research

#FGFStory: How India’s Air Pollution is Being Turned into Stylish Floor Tiles

In an effort to spare his generation from the choking air pollution in cities like Delhi, Angad Daryani invented a filterless outdoor air purifier that collects air particulate matter that is being used for many things including custom tiles! Carbon Craft Design uses the powered air particulate like a dye to make stylish tiles for floors and walls that clean sometimes as much as 5 kilograms of CO2 per tile, and draw carbon emissions from the transport, tanning, paper, and lubricants industries.

Make Your Mall Pop! Program

Micro events, such as pop-ups, can offer a curated approach to marketing properties. They are designed to attract customers, increase foot traffic, strengthen brand loyalty and offer unique experiences that will make your mall a must visit!

Pop-ups offer proven benefits. They…

  • Distinguish your center from the competition
  • Enhance brand awareness
  • Drive new and existing consumers to your center
  • Broaden social media engagement
  • And often lead to permanent tenants!

#FunFact

85% of consumers said that they are more likely to buy products after participating in an event or activation, and 70% said that they are more likely to become a repeat customer. Source

#SpacesWanted

+ MISSISSAUGA – Specialty gift store/high quality office accessories company seeking kiosk or approx. 400 sq. ft. of inline space.
BOCA RATON, DELRAY BEACH + PALM BEACH – Popular women’s fashion company seeking 400-1,000 sq. ft. of street front or shopping center space.
VANCOUVER – Digitally native apparel company seeking 800 sq. ft. of street-front space in Kitsilano, Gastown or Robson Street.

Interested in hosting a pop-up? CONTACT US

pop-up go Partners with The Pop Up Retail Expert to Amplify Programs

pop-up go has entered into a partnership with Chicago-based The Pop Up Retail Expert to amplify and support our turnkey solution with the introduction of educational tools such as webinars, videos, and other materials for both landlords and brands, as well as access to competitive insurance for all pop-up needs.

New services include:

  • A series of webinars to ensure that your pop-up is a success.
  • Curated webinars and consulting to drive interest in your property and in turn increase foot traffic.
  • Full circle brand consulting services for your next pop-up.
  • Landlord consulting to help turn your vacancies into revenue generators with the hottest pop-ups.
  • Competitive insurance for all your pop-up needs.

LEARN MORE!

#BrandsWanted

TORONTO – 400 sq. ft. corner gallery/retail opportunity in Dovercourt Park.

TORONTO – Shopping center in GTA seeking pet product retailers, bookstores, or gift and wrapping services for pop-up activations.

CALGARY – Retail center seeking women’s fashion, home goods, and health & wellness brands for holiday kiosk pop-up.

Interested in launching a pop-up? CONTACT US

projeX by pop-up go

The latest offering from pop-up go, projeX by pop-up go is a virtual pop-up marketplace and online shopping destination that connects consumers to a diverse variety of small businesses, boutiques, and local retailers, allowing them to discover high-quality, exclusive, and interesting finds. Brands can sell directly to consumers, create virtual pop-up stores, or host digital experiences – all in one place. It’s a great way to launch a new product, test a new concept, or build an online presence.

Pop-Ups and Pop-Ins in Action

  • Read about recent and upcoming pop-ups and pop-ins that we love.
  • Madewell expands resale experiment to include a physical pop-up store collab with ThreadUp
  • Eminem launching Mom’s Spaghetti pop-up in Detroit
  • Nordstrom, Levi’s collaborate for pop-in shops
  • DHL Express Invests $430K CDN to Launch Four Mobile Pop-Up Stores Across Canada
  • Grammy-nominated artist Gunna launches free pop-up shop at former middle school
  • Music Label Artist Ego Dead Launches Pop-Up Shops in Detroit and Oakland

Eucalyptus regnans, the Australian Mountain Ash, is the tallest of all flowering plants. The tallest measured specimen, named Centurion, is 99.6 meters (327 feet) tall.

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MALLS: WHERE TO GO FROM HERE

While bricks and mortar retail has been struggling for some time, COVID has accelerated the issue by expediting consumer appetite for online shopping. Enclosed malls have been amongst those most impacted. With online shopping conveniently satisfying the retail needs of consumers, coupled with their overall hesitancy to return to post pandemic in-person shopping, mall operators have been forced to come up with unique and strategic ways to drive foot traffic.

In early 2020, CNBC predicted that 25% of US malls would be forced to close within 5 years if they remained in a single-purpose retail format – a trend that extends far beyond the US. With the growing strength of e-commerce providing users with a safe and convenient alternative to enclosed in-person retail, North American consumer shopping habits are shifting in an unfavourable way for mall owners. In Canada for example, as stores continue to reopen, in-person retail for apparel alone remains down nearly 20%, while online numbers continue to rise (Deloitte). This has led to a 42% decrease in foot traffic in Canadian malls since 2018 (Deloitte). With consumers’ functional needs being met close to home, they fail to see the appeal of taking the time and effort to return to in-person shopping. However, all hope is not lost. In order to return patrons to these spaces, mall managers need to find ways to appeal to consumers by taking a progressive mindset that employs a combination of outside of the box initiatives and the use of updated, new age technology.

Provide a Unique Consumer Experience

One of the primary tactics that mall managers can utilize to engage consumers and entice them back to mall retail is offering a consumer experience that they cannot find online. While online shopping offers many benefits to users, it is limited in a way that malls are not. For one, it cannot satisfy the social interaction and experience cravings that consumers are charged with. As presented in a report by Deloitte, consumers are drawn to uniquely used spaces that offer more than just retail, claiming to be more likely to attend and spend within this environment. In 2021, 85% of consumers say that they are more likely to buy products after participating in an event or experience, and 70% say that they are more likely to become a repeat customer (Big Eye). By creating an environment that brings together retail, entertainment, leisure, health and wellness, and other novel experiences, malls can successfully transition into a new realm where they are not just a shopping destination but rather a center for experience. One way to achieve this is through the implementation of unique micro events. These events can include product launch activations, art or music installations, interactive activities, pop-up markets, and so much more. Through incorporating experiences of this variety, malls can not only draw foot traffic, but these events will also extend visits that generate more sales.

Play to Local Interests

While micro events cater to consumers desire for unique social interaction and experience, this is not the only consumer trend that can be intelligently utilized to increase mall foot traffic. Across North America, consumers are increasingly demonstrating their interest in shopping locally. In 2020, from a group of North American respondents, 57% placed emphasis on shopping locally with the hope of supporting local economies and 38% of consumers find that by doing this, they feel more connected with their community (Intuit). Moreover, more than 82% of consumers say that they are willing to spend more on goods when they are produced locally. In recognition of this trend, malls should cater towards a local emphasis to increase foot traffic. This can be achieved through creating pop-up opportunities for local vendors. These pop-ups can include, but are not limited to, retail pop-ups for local brands or dining pop-ups for local chefs or suppliers. Through becoming a space for local vendors, malls can become a community hub for locals looking to support each other, which will drive foot traffic, raise impulse purchases, and increase time spent for consumers in your space. Moreover, through employing the pop-up format malls can fill vacant spaces, bring in a new demographic of customers, and experiment with potential permanent tenants.

Connect with Consumers Digitally

In addition to driving foot traffic through new and unique additions, mall managers can also utilize society’s digital focus to enhance what already exists. While consumer’s investment in digital mediums poses as a threat to the mall retail format, it can also be a great opportunity. The omnichannel approach, the strategy of using multiple mediums to deliver the best consumer experience, is the future of retail. It’s time for retailers to take a page from digital-first companies as, according to Deloitte, it’s never been more important to build a seamless omnichannel brand presence. Digital technology is going to influence consumer behaviour for the foreseeable future making it integral to any company’s business model, including malls. There are many ways that mall managers can employ digital strategies from virtual or augmented reality installations to powerful digital marketing campaigns. Through integrating marketing and technology into the mall format, you can curate your space, offerings, and interactions in a modernized and sustainable manner.

While the future of malls may seem uncertain, exploring progressive and unique strategies will help them reinvent themselves and provide the experience that consumers have been waiting for. Zenergy Communications’ Make Your Mall Pop! Program can help make this happen. Zenergy’s program reflects on today’s realities and utilizes decades of experience to help mall operators transform their space and drive foot traffic. With the help of Zenergy, malls can become more than a shopping center, it can become a hub for consumers to shop, relax, and experience.

Contact us to learn more about how the Make Your Mall Pop! program can benefit you.

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Make Your Mall Pop!

Combined with our pop-up go division, a trusted space connector for landlords and brands, we’ll make your center a destination envied by all. Today’s shopping centers are open for business, but shoppers are hesitant to return to enclosed spaces. Zenergy Communications has the solution, with the Make Your Mall Pop! Program. Offering a way to drive foot traffic and attract customers with today’s realities in mind.

Zenergy delivers integrated marketing and communications solutions through content and creative storytelling. Combined with our pop-up go division, a trusted space connector for landlords and brands, we’ll make your center a destination envied by all.

 

 

SERVICES:


EVENT SOURCING AND MANAGEMENT

By making your mall a center for experience, consumers are more likely to return to stores, with 85% claiming to be more likely to buy products after participating in an event or activation and 70% saying that they’re more likely to become repeat customers (Bigeye).

Zenergy can help create unique experiences for your mall, making it the ultimate destination. We do so by:

  • Identifying opportunities
  • Securing unique experiences
  • Planning and executing engaging micro-events
  • Providing marketing and ongoing support

LOCAL POP-UP EXECUTION

To enhance foot traffic in a mall environment, catering to consumer’s interest in locally-produced merchandise is key. Consider thematic pop-ups and make your mall a hotspot for community support and gatherings.

Zenergy will help make your mall #LoveLocal:

  • Conduct a proactive outreach program
  • Provide a curated pipeline of local tenants
  • Assist in planning and execution
  • Provide marketing and ongoing support

DIGITAL OUTREACH AND STRATEGY CREATION

The future of consumer engagement for malls is real-time, individualized, and omnichannel. With 90.3% of North Americans online in 2020, malls must integrate digital marketing and technology into their strategy to engage consumers online and increase foot traffic (Internet World Stats).

Zenergy will help support your digital initiatives:

  • Work with you to establish goals
  • Leverage our extensive digital marketing experience
  • Cultivate an individualized omnichannel strategy
  • Assist in creative development
  • Offer ongoing assistance

Find out how we can make your mall pop.

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FGF: AR lenses, content mistakes and solutions, Queen pop-up and more!

Are you Making these Four Content Mistakes?

Don’t worry we have you covered!

Here are four common mistakes often made when planning and executing content marketing along with proposed solutions.

Mistake: Creating content without knowing your who, what, or why / Solution: Create a content marketing strategy

Mistake: Your content is narcissistic and lacks empathy / Solution: Make your audience the star of your content experience

Mistake: You’ve let your content experience grow stale and stagnant / Solution: Audit, evaluate, and act

Mistake: You’re pushing team resources to the breaking point / Solution: Educate, prioritize, outsource, or partner on content

Need help with a content marketing strategy or content development? Contact us

#FunFact: A B2B decision maker is most likely to provide their email address in exchange for a webinar (79%), white paper (76%), an analytical report (66%), or an e-book (63%). Source: Demand Gen Report

What We’re Reading

Ad-Supported Viewing Makes up Half of Digital Video Viewers

eMarketer has estimated that nearly 128 million people in the US will watch advertising-based video-on-demand (AVOD) this year, a growth of 17.6%, over 2020. This means over 50% of all digital video viewers in the US are watching AVOD.

Looking ahead: Digital video viewership growth remains high and it is anticipated that by 2023, 259.8 million US adults will watch digital video content at least once per month, and those individuals will increasingly consist of AVOD viewers and subscribers.

#FGFStory: Stories Can Synchronize the Heartbeats of Everyone Listening

It turns out those thousands of years of storytelling tradition may have actually altered our very biology. According to a new paper published in Cell, narrative stimuli (i.e. ‘Once upon a time’) synchronizes the fluctuations of heart rates between the individuals listening.

This isn’t the first time this incredible connection with stories has been demonstrated to have a biological impact on humans. It’s been shown that the brains of people watching films together tend to ‘tick collectively,’ suggesting why films can be so enjoyable as a group activity.

Snapchat Dedicates AR Lenses to Fashion Week

Snapchat is rolling out nine new augmented reality (AR) lenses linked to upcoming Fashion Weeks throughout the month, starting with New York City. The social media company will offer three lenses for New York, with two for each of the other cities of London, Milan and Paris, launched at the start of each of the respective events. The visuals will include the distinct fashion trends in each location.

#SpacesWanted

MIAMI, FORT LAUDERDALE + PALM BEACH: Popular women’s fashion company seeking 400 – 1,000 sq. ft.

VANCOUVER: Digitally native apparel company seeking 800 sq. ft. of street front space in Kitsilano, Gastown or Robson Street.

WASHINGTON, DC: Seeking 700 sq. ft. in Washington, DC and surrounding area for youth and teen clothing company.

OAKVILLE: Seeking 500 – 1,000 sq. ft. in downtown Oakville for bath, body, and accessory brand activation.

Interested in hosting a pop-up? CONTACT US!

#BrandsWanted

Retail center seeking women’s fashion, home goods, and health & wellness brands for holiday kiosk pop-up.

Interested in launching a pop-up? CONTACT US!

projeX by pop-up go

The latest offering from pop-up go, projeX by pop-up go is a virtual pop-up marketplace and online shopping destination that connects consumers to a diverse variety of small businesses, boutiques, and local retailers, allowing them to discover high-quality, exclusive, and interesting finds. Brands can sell directly to consumers, create virtual pop-up stores, or host digital experiences – all in one place. It’s a great way to launch a new product, test a new concept, or build an online presence.

Pop-Ups and Pop-Ins in Action

Read about recent and upcoming pop-ups and pop-ins that we love.

There are approximately 3.04 trillion trees on the planet today. Deciduous trees, those that shed their leaves, are very similar to people and begin to get ready for the winter in September.

Source: Crowther

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FGF: Coffee physics, “Curious” new brand, Pantone predictions, and more!

Pantone’s Spring/Summer 2022 Color Trend Report

Comfort and Optimism in Uncertainty

Released earlier this week, the Pantone Fashion Color Trend Report Spring/Summer 2022 edition for New York Fashion Week highlights the key hues that are anticipated to be used by designers from the runway to the corporate world. Pantone said that the selected colors reflect an “aspiration for balance as we move into a different landscape.”

Shehla’s Picks: Zenergy’s Art Director, Shehla, has fallen in love with Gossamer Pink and Innuendo colors, so expect to see those colors in our creative designs in 2022.

Integrate these trending colors into your marketing materials. Contact us for design solutions.

#FunFact: A B2B decision maker is most likely to provide their email address in exchange for a webinar (79%), white paper (76%), an analytical report (66%), or an e-book (63%). Source: Demand Gen Report

#FunFact: 1,867 is the number of solid (spot) Pantone Matching System Colors for printing ink on paper.

Curious Scarlet Launching Soon!

Curious Scarlet, an innovative new luxury smoking accessories brand, is set to launch this Fall and Zenergy’s team of content developers and designers are putting the final touches in preparation. Stay tuned for the unveiling of the most exciting product line up to hit the market this year!

Curious? Sign up for their newsletter or follow the brand on Instagram.

What We’re Reading + Listening To

#FGFStory: Walking with Coffee is a Little-Understood Feat of Physics

General Mills cereal brand Lucky Charms released an eight-song album on Aug. 31 entitled “Magically Delicious.” Each song represents a different genre, including EDM, country, K-Pop and hip-Walking with coffee is something most of us do every day without considering the balancing act it requires. In fact, there’s a lot of physics preventing the coffee from spilling over. A new paper published in Physical Review Applied, “Synchronous Transition in Complex Object Control” uses a coffee-cup and a rolling ball to examine how humans manipulate a complex object. Read about the study here.

#FunFact

The average person drinks just over 86,000 cups of coffee and takes 216,262,500 steps in their lifetime. That’s a lot of balancing!

Retail’s Need for Speed

Retail has experienced more change over the past five years than in the prior 50. As a result, retailers have had to adapt to changes in consumption, channel shifts, and rising customer expectations around speed and convenience. The race to shorten click-to-customer cycle time is one of the single-greatest influence on the future of omnichannel supply chains.

Consumer expectations vary by retail segment:

  • Food and grocery: less than one day
  • Beauty: less than one day
  • Apparel: less than two days
  • Home décor: less than two days
  • Electronics: less than two days
  • General merchandise: two days or less

Next Steps: Many retailers and DTC brands are turning to pop-ups in secondary markets as fulfillment centers and a way of reaching customers closer to home.

Launch or host a pop-up in a secondary market. CONTACT US!

#SpacesWanted: Pop-Up Perfection

MIAMI + PALM BEACH: Popular women’s fashion company seeking 400 – 1,000 sq. ft.

EDMONTON: DTC clothing and accessories company seeking 500 – 800 sq. ft. for a brand activation.

TORONTO: Seeking banquet hall/country club/cocktail bar/restaurant + office and boardroom spaces for short-film production.

BRAMPTON: Seeking 100 – 200 sq. ft. for artisanal jewelry pop-up.

Interested in hosting a pop-up? CONTACT US!

#FunFact: 54% of brands recognize customer experience as the most important priority. (Source: Review42)

projeX by pop-up go

The latest offering from pop-up go, projeX by pop-up go is a virtual pop-up marketplace and online shopping destination that connects consumers to a diverse variety of small businesses, boutiques, and local retailers, allowing them to discover high-quality, exclusive, and interesting finds. Brands can sell directly to consumers, create virtual pop-up stores, or host digital experiences – all in one place. It’s a great way to launch a new product, test a new concept, or build an online presence.

Pop-Ups and Pop-Ins in Action

Read about recent and upcoming pop-ups and pop-ins that we love.

There are over 7.4 million hectares of vineyards across the globe, with consumers sipping on over 234 million hectoliters!

Sources: OIV and Statista

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FGF: Gourmet frozen food, Lucky Charms, B2B e-ads, puffer jackets, and more!

Ten Impactful Ways to Repurpose your Brand Video

With the importance of video growing every day, early-stage startups are adding marketing videos to their budget. And for good reason: an Animoto study showed that 93% of brands acquired a new customer due to a video on social media. Their research also showed that including the word “video” in your email subject line can increase open rates by 19%.

Here are 10 ways to turn your one brand video into many reusable pieces of content.

  • Splice into shorter niche videos.
  • Add video to a blog post.
  • Turn the video into an audio podcast.
  • Make a presentation out of the video.
  • Use video in social media.
  • Add your video to an email blast.
  • Turn the video into an online course.
  • Create a landing page for a product or service.
  • Don’t forget the blooper reel!
  • Repurpose testimonials and reviews.

Want to get started with a brand video? Contact us for turnkey video solutions.

#FunFact: YouTube Shorts, the video platform’s answer to TikTok, gives businesses access to YouTube’s more than 2 billion users, including younger audiences!

B2B’s Share of US Digital Ad Spending Jumped in 2020, But Will it Keep Climbing?

In 2020, B2B digital ad spending went from 4.9% of the US digital ad market to 5.7%, marking a sizable growth in share for the industry. B2Bs are continuing to increase their digital ad investments, which is forecast to reach $10.84 billion this year. It is expected that B2B’s share of total digital ad spending will hold steady for the next couple of years.

What We’re Reading + Listening To

#FGFStory: Lucky Charms Drops Album

General Mills cereal brand Lucky Charms released an eight-song album on Aug. 31 entitled “Magically Delicious.” Each song represents a different genre, including EDM, country, K-Pop and hip-hop, and is dedicated to one of the cereal’s eight marshmallow charms. With the release of the “Magically Delicious” album, General Mills is tapping into a digital channel that has become increasingly central to consumers’ lives, especially during the pandemic.

#FunFact:

The average time spent listening to digital audio in the US is expected to hit 1 hour and 37 minutes a day in 2022, up from 1 hour and 14 minutes in 2018. (Source: eMarketer)

Four Key Trends Every Brand and Retailer Must Consider

According to Radicati Group’s estimate, more than 4 billion people use email worldwide. Recent studies found penetration to be about 85% in Canada and a calculated user base to be nearly 29

Purpose-driven brands, livestream shopping, and grocery ecommerce all gained momentum in 2020 and 2021. These are also all examples of one of four megatrends that will affect the industry going forward.

To stay ahead of the curve, brands and retailers must develop strategies to address the following areas:

  • Understanding innovation from China.
  • Tapping into social commerce.
  • Evaluating a retail media strategy.
  • Becoming more sustainable.

#TrendAlert: The Puffer Vest

Sometimes, a winter coat is far too heavy, but a long-sleeve shirt leaves you open to a chill. Enter the puffer vest. A standout on the Fall/Winter 2021 runways, the puffer vest is proving to be the versatile staple of the season. There are 7.2K average weekly searches for puffer vests, +28% to last year. Brands and retailers are stocking up to meet demand; products in the market are +19% in the last 30 days.

Take advantage of this trend and plan a pop-up! CONTACT US!

Freezer Fabulous! Let us match you with the perfect pop-up space!

About 6.4 billion pounds of ice cream and frozen yogurt were produced in the US in 2019 (most recent data). The ice cream industry has a $13.1 billion economic impact in the US, according to IDFA’s Dairy Delivers®, so why not ride the wave and pop-up with your frozen treats or flavorful and healthier frozen options like gourmet meals? We have many perfect locations available for a brands like ice cream, frozen foods, and gourmet ready-to-eat options! All you need to do is bring your freezers and we’ll set you up.

Be set for success from start to finish with pop-up go! We will help you find the right space, prepare your pop-up, reach the right customers, and meet your pop-up expectations!

IF YOU WANT TO POP! CONTACT US!

#SpacesWanted: Pop-Up Perfection

CALGARY: Kiosk spaces wanted by various apparel and jewelry brands!

TORONTO: Seeking 500 – 800 sq. ft. in Toronto’s Queen West or Yorkville neighbourhoods; or downtown Oakville for a hair accessory pop-up.

CALGARY: Bubble and fruit tea company seeking 200 – 400 sq. ft. with kitchen set-up in prime shopping centers.

Interested in hosting a pop-up? CONTACT US!

projeX by pop-up go

The latest offering from pop-up go, projeX by pop-up go is a virtual pop-up marketplace and online shopping destination that connects consumers to a diverse variety of small businesses, boutiques, and local retailers, allowing them to discover high-quality, exclusive, and interesting finds. Brands can sell directly to consumers, create virtual pop-up stores, or host digital experiences – all in one place. It’s a great way to launch a new product, test a new concept, or build an online presence.

Pop-Ups in Action

Read about recent and upcoming pop-ups and pop-ins that we love.

“Though you can love what you do not master, you cannot master what you do not love.”

— Mokokoma Mokhonoana

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FGF: Brew for your pooch, email commerce, holiday countdown, and more!

The A-B-T Method

Storytelling that puts customers at the heart of content is an effective way to engage audiences. Using the A-B-T method (And, But, and Therefore) allows you to create content that builds emotional connections. It makes you focus by using research and empathizing with your audience. By building your content in this manner, you can identify what your audience wants, learn how to articulate it to them clearly and concisely, and establish a deep connection that helps build trust.

The ‘And’ is your statement of agreement with the audience. This first statement helps you validate your audience by letting them know you understand what’s important to them and what’s at stake in their life or business.

The problem statement or the ‘But’ makes sure that your ‘But’ statement is succinct and specific and creates a contradiction. The greater the contrast you can create between the ‘And’ statement and the ‘But’ statement, the more your audience will lean in to listen to your solution.

The solution or ‘Therefore’ showcases how you’re there to help your audience get what they want by helping them overcome whatever is standing in their way.

Once you join each of these pieces together, your completed story looks something like this: You want [what] And [why it’s important], But [problem]. Therefore, you have to get [what] by [how].

What We’re Reading + Listening To

#FGFStory: Pour a Cold One for your Dog

Anheuser-Busch, the makers of Budweiser, Michelob, Busch, and many other beer and alcohol brands, is a market leader of innovation of the future. The company found a new way to put its customers first—by putting their ‘man’s best friend’ first with Dog Brew, an alcohol-free bone broth product made for dogs.

A Renaissance for the Inbox? Email Commerce

According to Radicati Group’s estimate, more than 4 billion people use email worldwide. Recent studies found penetration to be about 85% in Canada and a calculated user base to be nearly 29 million this year, according to Insider Intelligence.

Retailers rely on email the most, and even more so now, due to the ecommerce boom that started in 2020 and continues this year. Collecting email addresses, whether at the physical point-of-sale or during checkout online, creates a digital identifier for customers that complies with domestic privacy regulations.

Next Steps: Retailers looking to personalize email communication must turn to pinpoint targeting and segmenting lists based on purchase history, digital behaviors, stated interests, and demographic data.

Need help with email marketing? CONTACT US!

#ProTip: Say Thank You to your Audience

One good way to bring your audience closer to you is to let them know you appreciate them. For your next post, try offering a quick message expressing your gratitude for their support of your business.

Holiday Pop-Up Countdown: Halloween is 65 days away and Christmas 120 days

Nearly 40% of consumers begin their holiday shopping before Halloween, and the post-pandemic effect has conditioned shoppers to start even earlier (Source: Oracle).
Be set for success from start to finish with pop-up go! We will help you find the right space, prepare your pop-up, reach the right customers, and meet your pop-up expectations! Pop-up to take advantage of the $1.1 trillion US holiday retail season!

IF YOU WANT TO POP! CONTACT US!

#Spaces Available and Wanted: Pop-Up Perfection

SPACE WANTED! VANCOUVER: Digitally native apparel company seeking 800 sq. ft. of mall or street front space with changes rooms.

SPACE AVAILABLE! TORONTO: 800 sq. ft. of clean modern space ready for events/galleries near High Park. Includes access to a private back courtyard.

SPACE WANTED! TORONTO: eCommerce loungewear brand looking for around 300-800 sq. ft. for a pop-up event.

Interested in launching or hosting a pop-up? CONTACT US!

projeX by pop-up go

The latest offering from pop-up go, projeX by pop-up go is a virtual pop-up marketplace and online shopping destination that connects consumers to a diverse variety of small businesses, boutiques, and local retailers, allowing them to discover high-quality, exclusive, and interesting finds. Brands can sell directly to consumers, create virtual pop-up stores, or host digital experiences – all in one place. It’s a great way to launch a new product, test a new concept, or build an online presence.

Pop-Ups in Action

Read about recent and upcoming pop-ups and pop-ins that we love.

“Unity is strength… when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.”

— Mattie Stepanek

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FGF: The Glass House pop-up, Van Gogh, solar cuisine, and more!

10 Smart Approaches to Optimizing Your Facebook Ads

Facebook remains the undisputed leader among social media advertising channels. Globally, billions of people use the platform every day, and the average daily user will spend a few hours on it. To ensure your ideal buyers feel inspired to take action after seeing your ad on Facebook, here are a few tips:

  • Creating a frictiStart with a broad target and narrow it down
  • Retarget consumers who visit your website
  • Use Facebook’s tracking pixel and let their algorithm do the hard work
  • Choose a medium that suits your goals
  • Use your Google Analytics to divide ad sets
  • Break up targets with A/B creative to see what’s working
  • Create a client persona
  • Create ads that cater to specific generations
  • Use audience insights to attract competitors’ fans
  • Target by location first if you’re a small business

Need help with your social media advertising? Contact us! Microinfluencers Give Great ROI

According to MarketingHub’s Influencer Marketing Benchmark 2021 Report, influencers with follower counts under 15,000 have more than three times the engagement of those with audiences of more than a million. These rates plus microinfluencers’ lower prices means they can add great value to for businesses.

#ProTip: Clearly define your goals and cultivate ongoing relationships to truly benefit from influencer marketing.

#ClientNews Image Totale©: The Original Concept of Immersion

Zenergy is excited to announce that the company has been selected as the official public relations partner for the US tour of Image Totale’s immersive art exhibitions including Van Gogh, Picasso, and Monet. Working with the original immersive art experience creators, Annabelle Mauger and Julien Baron, Zenergy’s PR gurus will be promoting these pioneers across the US.

What We’re Reading + Listening To

#FGFStory: Europe’s First Solar-powered Restaurant

In southern France, Le Présage is harvesting the sun’s energy for cuisine solaire. The restaurant uses solar ovens and a Scheffler mirror — a large, parabolic dish that reflects and concentrates the sun’s rays to heat a stove to 400 °C. The kitchen’s water is heated by the sun, too.

Le Présage’s current incarnation serves fine food from a shipping container to guests for the time being as the owners will start building a fixed location later this year. The permanent restaurant will include a biogas installation to turn the site’s own organic waste into gas, enabling chefs to cook on cloudy days and after sunset. Biogas residues can then be used to fertilize a garden that’s meant to supply a quarter of the restaurant’s vegetables. #FuturDélicieux

#FunFacts Calgary

With retail sales growing more than 33%* in the last ten years and ranked in the Top 5 “Most Liveable Cities in North America” (The Economist Intelligence Unit, 2019), Calgary has become the hot spot of Canada.Boasted as an inclusive and entrepreneurial city connected through our community spirit, Calgary is a must for any brand wanting to pop-up.

*The Conference Board of Canada, Spring 2021

Featured Space: Vancouver The Glass House

84% of leaders in the marketing industry have adapted digital initiatives to respond to changing consumer expectations. Of those, 91% rely on digital advertising and social media, 90% use video, Brand activations, service launches, event spaces and more opportunities are now available in “The Glass House” at the newly redeveloped, mixed-use project – The Amazing Brentwood in Burnaby, Vancouver. The Glass House offers approximately 5,000 sq. ft. (over two levels) of dedicated pop-up space, available September 15, 2021, and onward. The Amazing Brentwood impressively combines shopping, living and entertainment in 28 acres – with world-class retailers including Nike, Sephora, H&M and more. Connected to Vancouver’s SkyTrain via Brentwood Town Centre.

Holiday Pop-Up Countdown: Halloween + Christmas Pop-Ups Wanted!

The holidays are fast approaching! We want to help you prepare your business for a busy period. Be set for success from start to finish with pop-up go! We will help you find the right space, prepare your pop-up, reach the right customers, and meet your pop-up expectations!

Head over to popupgo.com to check out available spaces!

500 sq. ft. of turnkey clothing store space in Rosedale fronting Yonge St.

IF YOU’RE A MATCH CONTACT US!

#ProTips Benefits of Pop-Ups

Pop-up shops provide brands with the flexibility and opportunity to experiment with less risk. Check out these other benefits of pop-ups:

  • Great way to introduce new products and concepts or demonstrate how to use a product
  • Create a fun experience for shoppers
  • Pique consumer curiosity with elements of surprise and trendiness
  • Create exclusivity and a sense of urgency for the products
  • Allow retailers to target their market better by going directly into places target exists
  • Can generate a buzz, create a memorable visual spectacle, and create a following
  • Educate customers on what makes their product unique to the market

Interested in launching a pop-up? CONTACT US!

projeX by pop-up go

The latest offering from pop-up go, projeX by pop-up go is a virtual pop-up marketplace and online shopping destination that connects consumers to a diverse variety of small businesses, boutiques, and local retailers, allowing them to discover high-quality, exclusive, and interesting finds. Brands can sell directly to consumers, create virtual pop-up stores, or host digital experiences – all in one place. It’s a great way to launch a new product, test a new concept, or simply build an online presence.

Read about recent and upcoming pop-ups and pop-ins that we love.

“Society is unity in diversity”

George Herbert Mead

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Uncategorized

FGF: Willy Wonka hotel, meet Scarlet, reptile TikTok success, and more!

Four Ways to Improve the Quality of your B2B Engagement

Last year’s lockdowns prompted brands to rethink how to improve engagement with customers. Depending on your goals, this could mean:

  • Creating a frictionless pathway for communication.
  • Delivering strong content to customers.
  • Providing a seamless experience from one digital touchpoint to another.

#FunFact: 96% of enterprise leaders agree that the pandemic has increased the need for digital transformation with the common purpose of adding value to the lives of their audiences through products, services, or content. (Source: Econsultancy)

Here are four ways to optimize the quality of your B2B engagement:

  • Elevate your conversational marketing. It’s a mobile-first, fast-moving world, and people want their questions answered in real time. Brands must recognize the importance of seizing the moment and engaging with customers as soon as it happens.
  • Diversify educational content. Integrate live streaming content and videos that can further customers’ knowledge about your respective industry while building and growing your audience.
  • Consider micro-influencers. Use a focused approach through thoughtful, authentic posts with a smaller, more engaged audience, consider a micro-influencer.
  • Humanize your brand. Elevate trust and improve engagement by focusing on putting faces to names.

NFTs Could Go Even More Mainstream with Shopify’s Latest Move

NFTs have shot up in popularity over the past year. NFTs have become popular in industries from sports memorabilia to fashion and art, where their ability to provide authentication and uniqueness is prized. Last week, Shopify started allowing merchants on its platform to sell NFTs directly, betting that there’s demand for an alternative to third-party crypto marketplace. The company aims to win over merchants by giving them more control over the sale and customer relationship.

What We’re Reading + Listening To

#ClientNews: Curious Scarlet

Looking to add some excitement to your life? We’re extremely thrilled to be working with Curious Scarlet, a luxury designer cannabis and smoking accessories brand as they launch their unique line of products that are sure to you bring joy, relaxation and hint of zest. Zenergy’s team has been contracted as Agency of Record for all MARCOM activities – including media relations, social media, website design and content development – for the digitally native brand that is set to launch this fall.

Check out and follow Curious Scarlet on their Instagram page, and sign up on their website to be the first to know what’s coming… are you curious?

#PollResults: Split down the center!

Our FGF readers are nearly equally divided amongst their use of either debit or credit. 49.5% opted for credit and 50.5% turned to debit.

#FGFStory: California Zoo a TikTok Hit!

The Reptile Zoo in California has more than 10 million TikTok followers and has produced many viral videos, one of which proved particularly popular with 85 million views and 5.2 million likes. The clip shows one alligator being so eager at feeding time that he escapes his enclosure.

Six Effective Influencer Marketing Strategies

Influencer marketing can have tremendous results for your business, but you should be aware of some proven practices to achieve the highest ROI for your campaigns. It has been found that spending $1 on influencer marketing results in $6.50 in earned media. Here are six tips to run your influencer marketing campaigns:

  • Focus on the right platform
  • Identify the influencers who you want to work with
  • Find the right communication approach
  • Trust the influencer to tell your brand story
  • Make a proper disclosure
  • Launch the product involving the influencer

Take advantage of influencer marketing opportunities. Contact us!

#FunFacts

84% of leaders in the marketing industry have adapted digital initiatives to respond to changing consumer expectations. Of those, 91% rely on digital advertising and social media, 90% use video, and 60% have implemented artificial intelligence strategies. Source: Salesforce

Featured Brands Looking for Spaces

Toronto

2,000-5,000 sq. ft. of unique retail space is needed in trendy downtown Toronto neighbourhoods (Queen, Ossington) for a popular DTC swimwear company.

Seeking 500-1,000 sq. ft. in downtown Oakville for bath, body, and accessory brand activation.

Shopping Centers Across the US

Seeking outdoor and parking lot spaces at shopping centers for clothing donation boxes (+/- 100 sq. ft.).

IF YOU’RE A MATCH CONTACT US!

pop-up go Launches New Website!

We’re excited to introduce you to our new website, designed to make your pop-up needs easier to realize. Here’s what’s new:

  • Effortless navigation
  • Quicker access to information
  • Easier communication

Head over to popupgo.com to check out the new site!

Featured Spaces Looking for Brands

Whether it is for a few hours or a few months, pop-up go connects diverse brands and businesses across North America with a range of available spaces for pop-up activations.

Toronto

GTA space seeking pet product retailers, bookstores, or gift and wrapping services for pop-up activations.

Calgary

Retail center seeking women’s fashion, home goods, and health & wellness brands.

Vancouver (Burnaby)

Mixed-use center seeking unique retail concepts, brand showcasing, service launches, and galleries.

IF YOU’RE A MATCH CONTACT US!

projeX by pop-up go

The latest offering from pop-up go, projeX by pop-up go is a virtual pop-up marketplace and online shopping destination that connects consumers to a diverse variety of small businesses, boutiques, and local retailers, allowing them to discover high-quality, exclusive, and interesting finds. Brands can sell directly to consumers, create virtual pop-up stores, or host digital experiences – all in one place. It’s a great way to launch a new product, test a new concept, or simply build an online presence.

#Featured Pop-Up The Scottish & Irish Store Pop-Up

pop-up go is excited to work with The Scottish and Irish Store to launch a truly unique pop-up in downtown Toronto. From September 1 to December 31, find The Scottish and Irish store located at 501 Queen Street West and shop from their line of Scottish and Irish snacks, clothing, jewellery, and more! While it may be hard to travel right now, this pop-up will make you feel like you are euro bound!

Want to launch a pop-up? CONTACT US!

Pop-Ups in Action

Read about recent and upcoming pop-ups and pop-ins that we love.

Fear of Friday the 13th one of the most popular myths in science is called paraskavedekatriaphobia as well as friggatriskaidekaphobia.

Triskaidekaphobia is fear of the number 13.

Categories
Uncategorized

FGF: Mom jeans, dog gamers, liquid billboards, and more!

B2B Video Marketing Tips

Business-to-business marketers can find success by:

  • Keeping video clips short.
  • Using them to address potential barriers to purchase.
  • Fostering trust with product tutorials and how-to videos.
  • Creating onboarding videos to improve customer retention.

Zenergy offers end-to-end video production services. Contact us!

#FunFact: 70% of viewers tend to engage with videos that are under two minutes long. Videos longer than two minutes have a dramatic drop in engagement rates. (Source: Wistia.com)

A recent study by Wyzowl found that video has a vast range of benefits including:

  • Above-average ROI.
  • Significantly higher engagement rate than that of other content types.
  • Increased website traffic.
  • Improved sales numbers.
  • Additional lead generation.

Adidas Liquid Billboard is Straight Out of The Future

Adidas has caused a splash with their billboard on a beach in Dubai, literally! The billboard is a box full of water – 11,500 gallons of water to be precise – intended to inspire women in Dubai to swim. The billboard showcases actual women swimming and was built to support the launch of Adidas’s range of accessible women’s swimwear.

What We’re Reading + Listening To

Debit or Credit?

More than 42% of US credit card owners prefer using debit cards for most transactions. Credit cards hold only a slim edge, with over 45% favoring that payment method. It’s no surprise that just about 12% like to use cash, because, really, who still carries cash? Source: InsiderIntelligence

#FGFStory: Flavor Confirmer Wanted

Doritos is offering TikTok users the chance to become its first Flavor Confirmer and be paid $100 per day for a month to ensure the flavor consistency of its Nacho Cheese chips. A TikTok starring influencer AdamW explaining the position has attracted more than 8 million views and more than 154,000 likes. Users can help to pick the winner from five finalists by liking their entry videos.

Digital

Mobile B2B Ad Spend Poised to be More than Nonmobile

Mobile is expected to overtake nonmobile in spending share by the end of 2023 and generate $7.43 billion in ad outlays. This comes after mobile’s slight loss of share last year, when B2Bs focused on nonmobile ads to target audiences working from home and spent $5.16 billion on those placements.

Take advantage of mobile ad opportunities. Contact us!

New Role for Marketers: Talent Acquisition: Brands Get Social to Recruit Staffers

Companies are employing creative social strategies to stand out amid a highly competitive job market to entice applicants who seek brand purpose and quality of life benefits, in addition to salary. An example is global toymaker Spin Master who launched a meme campaign to boost its game division marketing team. Meanwhile, Chipotle is attracting Generation Z candidates with TikTok resumes and a virtual job fair that yielded 24,000 applications.

Need help with your marcom activities? Consider outsourcing. Contact us!

New Role for Marketers: Talent Acquisition: Brands Get Social to Recruit Staffers

Companies are employing creative social strategies to stand out amid a highly competitive job market to entice applicants who seek brand purpose and quality of life benefits, in addition to salary. An example is global toymaker Spin Master who launched a meme campaign to boost its game division marketing team. Meanwhile, Chipotle is attracting Generation Z candidates with TikTok resumes and a virtual job fair that yielded 24,000 applications.

Need help with your marcom activities? Consider outsourcing. Contact us!

Spaces Wanted!

Montreal

Seeking 1,000 sq. ft. in downtown Montreal with kitchen for an ice cream shop pop-up.

Washington Metro Area

1,000-2,000 sq. ft. in DMV for a fashion brand.

South Florida

A fashion brand is looking for 1,000-2,000 sq. ft. in South Florida for a series of activations.

Toronto

A luxury home goods brand seeking 600-1,000 sq. ft. on Queen St W, College St, Ossington Ave, Dundas St W, or Bloor St W, or in The Junction, Roncesvalles.

Housewares company seeking 3,000 sq. ft. on Dundas St West or near Trinity Bellwoods Park.

A DTC women’s fashion brand seeking 500 sq. ft. on Ossington Ave for a sample sale.

100 sq. ft. in the GTA for a custom art showcase and sale; seeking kiosk or ground floor condo retail space.

350-500 sq. ft. near Union Station for a juice concept.

250 sq. ft. on Bloor St. West near Christie Pits or High Park for an artisanal food brand.

1,000-5,000 sq. ft. of event space in West Toronto neighbourhoods for a cultural event.

IF YOU’RE A MATCH CONTACT US!

Are you Living Up to Consumer Expectations?

American Eagle Outfitters is building on earlier digital efforts for back-to-school with the expansion of its virtual shopping experience on Snapchat and the launch of its ‘Future Together, Jeans Are F

According to new research from Bold Commerce, more than half (58%) of leading retailers admit that they’re not living up to consumer expectations when it comes to bringing together digital and physical experiences.

Highlights from the report include:

  • Retailers cannot innovate as fast as they want to: While 90% of retailers want to continuously innovate and rapidly test new customer experiences, 43% say they lack the resources to do so.
  • Retailers are doubling down on their efforts to improve omnichannel experiences: The top two areas where retailers see opportunities to improve the online shopping experience are having a unified view of inventory availability (49%) and applying the same business rules such as pricing and promotions across all customer touchpoints (44%).
  • Tech investments are mixed: There is a relatively even split among retailers leaning towards investing in existing technologies (40%), or adding additional solutions (31%), versus fully replacing their commerce platform (29%).

Brands Wanted!

Whether it is for a few hours or a few months, pop-up go connects diverse brands and businesses across North America with a range of available spaces for pop-up activations.

Toronto

Mixed space property (residential/commercial) in Liberty Village area is looking to host local businesses for a new pop-up initiative.

2,500 sq. ft. of turnkey space in Toronto’s historic Distillery District. Move-in-ready for events or retail!

Beautiful 3,000 sq. ft. move-in-ready space in the heart of downtown located adjacent to Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas Square at one of the city’s busiest intersections.

Storefront with large windows and exposed brick. 4,400 sq. ft. over two storeys located on Queen and Bathurst Streets.

GTA space seeking pet product retailers, bookstores, or gift and wrapping services for pop-up activations.

Calgary

Retail center seeking women’s fashion, home goods, and health & wellness brands.

New! Vancouver (Burnaby)

Mixed-use center seeking unique retail concepts, brand showcasing, service launches, and galleries.

IF YOU’RE A MATCH CONTACT US!

projeX by pop-up go

The latest offering from pop-up go, projeX by pop-up go is a virtual pop-up marketplace and online shopping destination that connects consumers to a diverse variety of small businesses, boutiques, and local retailers, allowing them to discover high-quality, exclusive, and interesting finds. Brands can sell directly to consumers, create virtual pop-up stores, or host digital experiences – all in one place. It’s a great way to launch a new product, test a new concept, or simply build an online presence.

#TrendAlert Jeans are Staging a Comeback

People are (temporarily) putting down athleisure and picking up hard pants again. According to The State of Denim report by Trendalytics, 2 million people are searching the word ‘jeans’ online on a weekly basis — up 33% year-over-year. Comparatively, there are 940,000 weekly searches for work-from-home (WFH) bottoms, defined as leggings, sweatpants, and joggers. Additionally, about 40% of the population is wearing a different size compared to a year ago, according to Maria Rugolo, Director and industry analyst of apparel at The NPD Group.

What’s next? The data shows that people need new apparel, including new denim options.

Pop-Ups in Action

Read about recent and upcoming pop-ups and pop-ins that we love.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.” – Pablo Picasso