Walk the virtual catwalk… and other digital stories

Ready to delve into the latest news from the marketing sphere? Grab a brew, and let’s uncover the latest digital trends, social news and groundbreaking tech discoveries together…

Google announces new AI-powered ad options and virtual try-on tools for clothes!

We recently reported on Google introducing generative AI, and they’re determined to show their power in the AI arena by announcing ad campaign options and virtual try-on experiences via Google Demand Gen that promises more accurate clothing visualisations based on body types.

Google’s Demand Gen campaigns allow brands to repurpose their video and image assets into various ad formats. But the fundamental game-changing feature is the Virtual try on for Apparel.

Whilst fashion houses have been trying to improve shopping experiences for consumers by allowing shoppers to input sizing and measurements and using tech to help customers find their ideal fit, Google is going one step further.

Google’s generative AI process for trying on clothes aims to improve the online shopping experience. This means consumers can see what a style could look like on their bodies before purchasing.

The benefits of this shopping experience could transform the fashion industry. Shoppers will be able to invest in items they’ll love, reducing the environmental impact of online shopping, resulting in fewer returns, reductions in Co2 emissions and less fashion waste!

Almost half of consumers are not currently loyal to brands…

In a world where we have greater access to more brands, there are still ways to improve consumer loyalty. According to a new study by Ello Group, nearly one in five consumers would bestow their trust upon retailers if offered discounts to ease the burden of the ever-increasing cost of living.

Only 8% of shoppers have faith in the brands they frequently purchase from, and a staggering 41% admit disloyalty. This is due to factors such as poor customer service, data breaches, privacy concerns, pricing practices and competition.

Almost half of consumers today are abandoning brand loyalty due to the cost of living crisis. Seeking cost-effective deals and more value for their money, they prioritise affordability over loyalty. Constant exposure to advertising and social influencers has heightened the desire for the latest and greatest products but at lower prices. As a result, brand loyalty takes a backseat in the quest for better bargains.

This is fantastic for brands of all sizes as long as they invest in their marketing! Exploring different channels, such as email marketing, advertising, and social media can become lucrative for businesses with low brand awareness. If you’re aiming to reach new customers and capture their attention, it’s crucial to devise strategies that attract and engage new audiences effectively.

LinkedIn removes native carousels, profile videos and in-image links!

In a quiet move, LinkedIn has bid farewell to a couple of creator features, leaving users with some adjustments to make. Say goodbye to carousel posts, profile videos, and in-image linking.

While LinkedIn introduced native carousel posting last year, it seems users didn’t quite warm up to it. As of June 26th, the native posting tool will be removed, pushing users to resort to sharing PDFs and utilising each page as a frame for their quasi-carousel posts.

LinkedIn is shelving the option to add clickable links to images and videos. Although it provided a way to drive referral traffic, this feature didn’t quite catch on. While these changes may not have a monumental impact, they alter the LinkedIn process for some individuals.

This means creators will have to get more creative to build lasting connections with their followers.

Unmasking influencer armies!

In the ever-evolving marketing realm, influencers have become the go-to choice for brands to boost engagement and reach on social media platforms. But let’s face it, many of these influencers are simply mercenaries driven solely by financial gains.
Is this the right approach for your brand? Perhaps there’s another way to invest your cash.

When brands partner with influencers, they expect loyalty and authenticity in promoting their products or services. However, the reality is that financial incentives often overshadow genuine endorsement, eroding consumer trust.
Today’s savvy consumers see through the facade and demand a more transparent and authentic experience.

While influencers may boast large follower numbers, their impact and reach can fall short of expectations. Merely having a massive following doesn’t guarantee meaningful engagement or conversions.

Brands need to critically assess whether the reach provided by influencers justifies the associated costs and time investments.

Marketers need to reevaluate their investments in influencers in times of tighter budgets. Instead of blindly relying on key opinion leaders, they should seek more cost-effective methods of gaining visibility and driving tangible results.

Performance-driven pay models with affiliation mechanics offer a game-changing alternative. By incentivising influencers to actively promote products and generate sales, brands foster enduring relationships based on mutual benefit.

Striking the right balance is crucial, avoiding an overly aggressive and sales-oriented approach. By embracing new strategies, brands can navigate the influencer landscape with transparency, accountability and, ultimately, achieve long-term customer loyalty!

Get emotional…

We’re all about positive vibes, so when something good happens, we want to shout about it.

Here’s what’s got us feeling a little emosh this week…

EQ Reflects!

This week we have spent some time as an agency reflecting. Every month the whole team comes together and takes a look at what it is we’ve been up to, what we’re doing well and what we can improve on.

Usually, our backdrop for this is the office, but we decided to change things up a bit this week. Instead of being stuck in a hot, stuffy room, we thought we’d give our legs a stretch and head out into the great outdoors for a little EQ-adventure!

We started off our morning with an hour-long walk as a team in the beautiful countryside of Costa del Bolton. After our walk, we sat down to enjoy a delicious brunch in the glorious sunshine at Rivi Barn.

Whilst these sessions are always insightful, today’s change of scenery created a new dynamic where we were able to switch off from our emails, talk openly about our agency and culture, and enjoy each other’s company. We even had some magical sparks of inspiration for new campaigns and project developments.

It was an awesome way to start the day!