From “Tomato Girl Summer” to “Office Siren Fall,” it’s easy to feel like you’re chasing a trend train with no brakes. That’s why the Brandience team created Mastering Social for Your Brand, a downloadable one-pager packed with real insights from social strategists who’ve built award-winning campaigns and learned what actually drives engagement. If you’re ready to stop guessing and start connecting, this guide is your shortcut to smarter social.

As of late 2025, the retail and Quick-Service Restaurant (QSR) industries are at a pivotal moment. They aren’t just dabbling in AI anymore; They’re rewiring how discovery, ordering, service, and loyalty work.

With customer expectations rising and competition fierce, brands are searching for new ways to connect with their audience. Generative AI (GenAI) lets brands personalize at scale, compress creative cycles, and turn fragmented data into real-time, one-to-one experiences.

In today’s fast-paced, multi-sensory world, brands are constantly seeking ways to stand out and connect with audiences. While visual branding (logos, colors, fonts) has long been a cornerstone of identity, there’s another powerful tool that’s often overlooked: audio branding.

Consumer dining habits aren’t standing still, they’re shifting under the weight of economic pressures, evolving digital behaviors, and changing expectations around convenience. Quick service and sit-down restaurants are at the heart of these changes, serving customers who crave both speed and experience.

Get access to our FREE 2025 Ohio Market Heavy QSR & Sit-Down User Report that breaks down demographics, media usage, restaurant preferences, and market-specific insights across Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, Cleveland, and Toledo.

The 2025 holiday season is certainly going to be a challenging one for retailers. With slower growth and shifting behaviors, it will be critical to adapt quickly and be strategic with marketing dollars. Holiday shopping timelines are starting earlier than ever, so brands must be ready to engage consumers well before Black Friday. Focusing on mobile, embracing social commerce, and using AI to personalize every interaction will help increase your relevance for a successful holiday season.

In fast-growing companies, misalignment between Sales, Finance, and Marketing isn’t just common, it’s costly. True growth happens when these teams move in sync, not in silos. It comes when teams, especially Sales, Finance, and Marketing, work in sync.

But too often, these teams operate in silos. Each has its own goals, language, and tools. And while everyone might be doing good work on their own, they’re not necessarily rowing in the same direction.

After decades leading finance and operations and partnering with businesses navigating rapid growth, I’ve seen how these silos hold these organizations back. More importantly, I’ve seen what it takes to break them down.

AI is evolving at lightning speed. From generative models with enhanced reasoning capabilities to hyper-real video generation, it’s easy to feel like you or your team are falling behind. By creating space for testing and exploration, you and your team can build confidence, ask better questions, and think critically about how to use AI responsibly.

Download our FREE workshop template to guide your team through hands-on AI image generation and discover how prompt crafting shapes results.

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This may be the least self-serving blog post you’ll read all year. You see, I’m a Creative Director at an Ad Agency who’s here to tell you that it may be in your best interest to stick with your current campaign a little longer!

Turns out, we marketers get tired of our own work long before consumers do. More often than not, brands move on from successful campaigns long before their effectiveness wanes. Sometimes, even before their customers begin to take notice and respond.

In today's visually driven world, curating the right imagery for your brand can make all the difference in capturing attention from the right audience, conveying your brand story and driving sales.

Whether you're launching a fresh marketing campaign or revamping your website, your brand photography should be authentic, relevant and consistent with your brand style.

Let's explore some engaging options for sourcing brand photography that will elevate your brand's image.

When people hear audio branding, they most often think of jingles – those magical musical earworms that burrow into your brain and never leave. It’s no wonder. Brand jingles have been around since the early days of advertising. One of the earliest on record was created in 1926 when a barbershop quartet sang the praises of Wheaties cereal on the radio.

In today's digital age, healthcare marketing has evolved beyond traditional methods to establish trust and engage new audiences. Community engagement is an essential strategy to foster this.

Given that good health is a universal priority, community engagement is highly relevant to healthcare marketing plans. For healthcare systems, building strong community ties not only builds patient trust but also drives better health outcomes.

Discover how brands can authentically engage with soccer fans ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Insights from Brandience media experts Bill Brassine and Ryan Grant reveal why soccer is a marketing opportunity you can’t afford to miss.

From grassroots tactics to digital targeting, they break down what it takes to show up in the soccer space with credibility, creativity, and cultural relevance.

Soccer’s explosive rise in U.S. popularity is reshaping the marketing landscape. No longer just a global pastime, the sport has become a cultural force uniting communities, igniting passion, and offering brands a rare chance to connect authentically with fans at every level.

With the 2026 World Cup in the U.S. approaching fast, now is the time for marketers to step onto the pitch and craft strategies that resonate deeply and last well beyond the final whistle.

As we hit the halfway point of the year, we’re revisiting our original 2025 social media trend predictions. What’s still trending? What’s now a must-do? And what’s just breaking through?

From AI behind the scenes to long-form video making a comeback, here’s your mid-year pulse check on what’s hot.

In an era dominated by streaming services and podcasts, surprisingly 79% of consumers aged 18 and up tune in to traditional radio and spend an average of 1 hour and 41 minutes a day listening. This enduring love for radio blends nostalgia and adaptability, proving that some classics never fade away. In fact, there are approximately 15,445 radio stations in the U.S.

With nearly three decades in media and advertising, including local radio, I've witnessed the evolution of audio media. From live broadcasts to digital audio, I’ve seen and heard it all. My passion for radio dates back many years. When I'm not jamming with my band, you can bet I'm immersed in music. It was radio that sparked my love for music in the first place.

So, how has radio managed to keep up with the times and engage such a large percentage of consumers?

As we kick off 2025, it is exciting to imagine how social media will change throughout the year—will AI take over our feeds or will brands take a huge step towards more authentic and less calculated content? Now that our social media team has wrapped up the final touches on this year's social strategy for us and our clients, we couldn't resist sharing our top 5 social media 2025 predictions with you.

Balancing work and family life isn’t always simple, especially for dads who care deeply about both. Juggling the demands of a busy job while staying present at home can be a real challenge, particularly in industries like advertising where the pace is fast and the expectations are high.

Jess Poe, Account Director at Brandience, talks about his experience as a working dad in the ad world. With over a decade of experience in client service and strategic leadership, Jess shares how he manages the demands of agency life while being a present and involved father.

During the Great Recession, I kept returning to one belief: in every downturn, there’s opportunity. I called it the “upside of down.” Brands that leaned in, while others pulled back, came out stronger.

Here we are in 2025, facing a new set of economic uncertainties. Whether or not you're seeing direct effects today, it's smart to ask, “How will my brand respond when budgets tighten or consumer behaviors shift?” Because downturns will come. How you respond could define your brand’s next era of growth.

Balancing work and family life is no walk in the park, especially for moms who juggle multiple responsibilities every day. The demands of a career and the needs of a family can often feel overwhelming, making it essential to find strategies to manage both.

Danyelle, VP of Digital and Programmatic Media at Brandience, shares her journey as a parent in the ad industry and her life as a mom to two energetic kids. With nearly 15 years in the digital media space, she offers valuable insights on balancing a demanding career with family responsibilities, emphasizing the important role companies play in making this balance more manageable.

Have you heard of StrengthsFinder 2.0? Psychologist Don Clifton and his team interviewed 100,000 people to develop a concise list of talents, or strengths, that can help people understand what they’re naturally good at. Instead of focusing on improving on your weaknesses, his focus was on bringing to light your natural-born talents.

Here’s why utilizing strengths benefits the entire team, each individual and, most importantly, the client.

Moving from Hyderabad, India, to the U.S. to pursue my master's degree in computer science was a leap of faith fueled by dreams and determination. Leaving behind my family, friends, and the familiarity of home, I embraced a new culture and environment. Adapting was not easy, but the journey was made smoother by the inclusive and supportive culture at Brandience.

From an early age, I loved advertisements more than movies, fascinated by their logic and creativity. This passion, combined with my curiosity about how advertising works, led me to explore the integration of AI into marketing. Joining Brandience allowed me to merge these interests, making it the perfect choice for my career.

Video streaming services have become a major force in digital marketing, with the average household subscribing to at least three different platforms according to Basis  2025 Media Trends Report. It's almost impossible to picture our video consumption habits without them. Whether you're binge-watching a new series, enjoying a favorite film, or discovering the latest releases, the landscape for reaching viewers is increasingly fragmented and competitive.

As a result, marketers must innovate and think outside the box to capture and maintain viewer attention.

Ensuring that you are getting your message in front of the right consumer at the right time, is always the goal as marketers. Programmatic digital marketing is very effective because it allows you to reach your desired consumer on essentially all of the digital screens that they interact with on a daily basis. Additionally, as programmatic campaigns generally run through the same DSP, you’re ensuring that you’re reaching that same consumer through the continuity in the targeting.

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In sports, success hinges on strategic planning, teamwork, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Coaches meticulously draw up plays, analyze opponents, and make real-time decisions to lead their teams to victory. Sound familiar? Crafting the next great campaign for your brand requires a similar approach filled with thoughtful planning, strategic alignment, and a deep understanding of your target audience.

As sports seasons are in full swing, let’s explore if a sports partnership is right for your brand and how to maximize on these opportunities.

In today’s competitive restaurant industry, franchises are always looking for innovative ways to stand out, increase brand awareness, drive traffic to stores and engage customers. A strategy that has gained traction in recent years is collaborating with local brands through cross-promotion. By partnering with complementary local businesses, franchise restaurants can tap into new customer bases, enhance their marketing efforts, and create mutually beneficial partnerships. In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of collaborations and cross-promotion with local brands, how it enhances marketing efforts, and the best methods for measuring the success of these campaigns.

With more than 800,000 franchise establishments in the U.S. competing for customer attention, standing out in local markets is more crucial than ever. While a national marketing strategy builds brand recognition, it often fails to address the unique needs of individual franchise locations. That’s where geo-targeted advertising comes in. By honing in on specific geographic areas, these ads help franchises deliver tailored messaging to the right audience, in the right place, at the right time.

In this blog, we’ll explore why geo-targeted advertising is a must for franchises and how you can use it to drive success.

The digital content landscape is undergoing one of its biggest shifts yet with AI-driven search reshaping how users find and consume information. If you're a content creator, this change isn't just a trend; it's a game changer for your visibility and revenue. I recently had the opportunity to present about this topic at FoodFluence 2025 in Berlin where the majority of attendees were influential food communicators/content creators/influencers and this topic struck a chord.

Do you think content is just for the marketing team? Think again. Instead of viewing each piece as a one-time effort, the goal is to repurpose it across various channels and teams, tailoring it for different audiences and extending its lifespan. This holistic approach not only enhances marketing efforts but also supports sales and client relations initiatives, building credibility, trust, and authority. Plus, it saves your entire team from having to start from scratch for each goal.

Covid-19 significantly transformed healthcare, leading to the growth of several key areas including home healthcare, mental health services, digital health technologies, and telehealth. The pandemic accelerated the adoption of these services as healthcare systems adapted to new challenges and patient needs. This shift not only improved access to care but also highlighted the importance of flexible and resilient healthcare delivery models.

In today's digital landscape, video content dominates, and YouTube is at the forefront. With over 2 billion active users, YouTube isn't just a platform for entertainment; it's a powerful search engine and advertising tool that enables brands to connect with engaged audiences and communities. In a recent study by Adweek, agency respondents predicted they will use YouTube for full-funnel almost as much as they’ll use it for awareness in 2025 (47% vs. 55%).

Do you post on your brand's social platforms, exit the app, and call it done? You may be missing out on a key step to taking your brand to the next level: monitoring and community engagement.

Community management and engagement is essential for building strong relationships with your customers. Simply posting on your brand's social platforms is not enough. Actively engaging with your audience and interacting with other brands is vital to establishing a strong brand presence. Why?: Because engaging with your audience builds trust and loyalty with your customers and enhances your brand authenticity.

Bathroom breaks can wait! The commercials are on!

With a big early lead in the game for the Eagles, all eyes were on the commercials last night. The ads were star-studded, went for laughs, and tugged at the heart. Animals once again played a huge role in memorable moments, there will be songs stuck in our heads for the next week, and a few brands made big returns to the Super Bowl spotlight.

Gen Z, or Zoomers, are the teens and 20-something’s that have grown up in a digital-first world. As a mom of two Zoomers, I’ve had a front row seat to what makes them tick, their behaviors, and their priorities. For better or worse, their phone seems like an extension of their hand, and they have evolving opinions about the brands and businesses they engage with. As they come of age, their influence on various industries, including healthcare, is becoming increasingly significant.

To successfully market healthcare to Gen Z, it’s important to understand their values, top health concerns, and communication habits. Understanding these factors will help effectively reach and engage this dynamic generation.

At Brandience, we believe in the power of community and the importance of giving back. As a marketing agency, we are proud to work with companies that share our values and are committed to making a positive impact. Today, we want to highlight the incredible charity work done by some of our partners: TriHealth, Skyline Chili, and CABVI.

Google's latest decision in July of 2024 has thrown the ad industry a curveball—again. Just when it seemed third-party cookies were gone for good, Google decided to give them a second (or third?) chance. Initially set to phase them out in Chrome back in 2020, the deadline has been postponed, and brought back, and postponed again as Google tries to come up with an alternative solution. Now, the plan is to introduce new experiences that let users choose data tracking preferences across their entire web experience, offering a choice between third-party cookies and other tech in their browser. In other words, third-party cookies aren’t entirely gone just yet. For advertisers, this “will they or won’t they” has been frustrating when it comes to strategic planning for ad efforts, leaving marketers and advertisers searching for ways to diversify targeting strategies.

Hello readers! Did you know this? The AI market is projected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 42.2% from 2020 to 2027. We are a company that always keeps these four pillars in consideration: Brand, Science, Audience, and Experience and are conscious of this growth and continually strive to integrate AI into our processes and skills to enhance our operations and deliver value.

Growth is not the only motivating factor; staying ahead with updated technology trends in everyday operations is crucial for maintaining our competitive edge and ensuring long-term success.

While the current economy is tough, many people still eat outside of the home 4+ times per week. Some restaurant visits may be determined by cost, while others are considered a “must visit” based on the chain's delicious food.

In the competitive world of restaurants, marketing strategies play a crucial role in attracting and retaining customers. Two popular approaches are value-based marketing and deal marketing. Each has its unique advantages and disadvantages, and understanding these can help restaurant owners make informed decisions about their marketing strategies.

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I love to spin a good story. Been that way all my life. That trait has come in handy in my line of work. As a Creative Director and writer by trade, I’ve had the good fortune to share stories of many great brands throughout my career.

A compelling story draws you in and makes a deeper emotional impression that than any rational argument can. That’s why so many brands focus on storytelling to reach their audience.

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We have spent quite a few weeks discussing programmatic media, what it is, how it works, the technical ‘behind the scenes’ aspects. Putting the technical aside, as a strategic marketer, what are the true advantages of focusing your digital media spend into one DSP? Below we will chat about those advantages - particularly as it relates to measuring lift, delivering on the correct frequency levels and creating targeting advantages across screens.

It's no secret 2024 is a big year for politics and it will affect all parts of media with an estimated 30% increase in spending compared to 2020 ($9 billion to at least $11 billion). We need to be ready to adapt on the fly for our clients. There are many different strategies we use to plan our media that help our clients stay visible, even when political campaigns take over popular media outlets. We need to maintain a presence, while being careful not to overspend for those impressions.

As the world gears up for the Paris Olympics, marketers and retailers are sprinting to create winning strategies. In this blog post, we’ll dissect the pre-store, in-store, and post-store phases, uncovering what customers seek, what dazzles their eyes, and how your brand can clinch gold in the shopper marketing arena.

We’ve taken a deep dive into the world of programmatic, touching on the landscape, the technology, tactics and targeting. Now, we’re going to dig into campaign objectives and Key Performance Indicators, or KPIs. Objectives and KPIs go hand in hand. An objective is what you’re looking to measure as the success of a campaign, and a KPI is a quantifiable measurement used to measure if that campaign objective has been met or not.

Eight months ago, I began my professional journey as a Media/Client Relationship Coordinator here at Brandience. Continue reading to gain valuable insight and practical tips through my experience during my job search after college.

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Previously in our Power of Programmatic series, we dived into the what, the where, the why, and now…drumroll please…. We’re jumping into the how.

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Shhh! The commercials are back on!

Although the Super Bowl showcased the close match between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs, the real showdown happened when the commercials came back on. Each year, advertisers spend millions of dollars and put together their most creative work in hopes of catching the eyes of all the viewers tuning in. Hear from a few of our team members as we tell you our favorite 2024 Super Bowl commercials:

Generative AI continues to be an area of investment for many businesses and the ad industry is no exception.

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We’ve talked about WHY programmatic is essential to your marketing strategy, but now let’s talk about what exactly it is.

Ever since Elon Musk acquired the company in October 2022 for $44 billion, he has been implementing his vision for the future of social media. But what does this mean for advertisers and marketing teams that use Twitter as part of their strategy?

In today's fast-paced world of digital marketing, as professionals, we are all constantly seeking ways to maximize the impact of our advertising efforts.

In this final installment of a three-part series focused on how we safely and responsibly integrate Gen AI into our business, we get down to initial execution.

Overwhelming. This one word adequately describes the feeling many people have when they start looking into generative AI (gen AI) for the first time. Then the questions start. How do I integrate this into my company? What can I do to train my people? Which Gen AI tools are right for us?

The first pillar is Best Practice which focuses on what is needed to ensure we are approaching and using Gen AI in a responsible and ethical way.

Gen Z is not a monolithic group that can be easily categorized or stereotyped. That’s part of their charm, right? But one thing that’s consistent about this group as a whole – they deeply value authenticity and creativity. And it may surprise you to know that some are seemingly unbothered being retargeted by digital ads - as long as it speaks to them on their terms.

As we approach 2024, the advertising media landscape is poised for significant change. Several key factors are reshaping the industry.

Every year there seems to be new and innovative media trends that can be utilized to carry out your clients advertising initiatives. The one asset that has stood the test of time almost since Al Gore created the internet is banner ads. These are embedded advertisements that are displayed within another’s website.

The number of social media conversations happening at any given moment is massive, and it’s only increasing every day. In fact, Statista estimates that by 2027, 74% of the global population will be social media users. With the amount of conversations taking place, many brands find it overwhelming to sort through all of the chatter and clutter taking place on social media. Social listening provides the ability to take all of these conversations and turn them into meaningful insights and data for your brand.

Being a “creative” is more than being a designer or copywriter or creative director. We’re strategic thinkers. And the more information you feed us, the stronger our campaigns will be. Fill our plates with these things, and we can cook up effective, strategic creative.

A franchise restaurant owner wears many hats: operator, HR recruiter, accountant, and marketer – to name a few. All are important and all take time. This blog is to help make one of those areas easier, while producing business-building results for your restaurant.

Owning a franchise of a national chain comes with some strong benefits like brand awareness, training and operational support. And maybe most important – not needing to start from scratch. The added benefits of national marketing budgets and materials are also significant.

A great idea driven by research data is hardly new to advertising. In fact, it’s been the foundation of great marketing and creative for decades. So why all the talk nowadays about “Data-Driven Creative?”

If you had asked me 5 years ago if I would ever eat charcoal, I surely would have said no. So why am I so excited now, walking down the street, spoon in hand, with a bowl of charcoal ice cream? It seems like every time I hop on YouTube or Instagram, I see someone using this solid black substance in the most unexpected of ways – mixing it in their water, their face masks, even brushing their teeth with it.

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Many brands rely on social teams to capture organic images for posts on their platforms. Audience expectations and the nature of the social media have made less polished photography more acceptable, but that doesn’t diminish the value of capturing the right image.

As a copywriter, I collaborate with lots of folks, from designers to account managers, partners to clients, and it always makes the work better. When different people with different ways of thinking put their heads together, ideas suddenly get bigger (and better) than any one person could make them. That’s the beauty of collaborating, and it’s not limited to the ad biz.

Brands have personalities. Like the friends you choose, you want to hang out with brands that are fun and share similar interests. You want to spend time with them and, more importantly, share them with other friends.

As a lover of forensic science, I know how the smallest clue can help solve the biggest puzzle. And that’s why I’m excited about how we work with data at Brandience. Data and science are inseparable. The definition of science is turning knowledge into the form of testable predictions. But where do you start?

Through the entirety of the COVID-19 global pandemic, companies have stressed what they’re doing in order to combat the spread of the virus and showcase what they’re doing as a brand to help out. But what about the consumer? Surely by the end of all this, the average consumer will have come out the other side with a different perspective on this situation and/or the buying experiences they go through.

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If you aren’t thinking about your audio brand, you may be missing a great opportunity to make your brand more memorable and meaningful.

A significant factor in the success of voice search heroes such as Amazon and Google is their realization to make their product relatable as opposed to robotic.

All brands understand the importance of visual identity. Brand guidelines often dedicate multiple pages for the logo alone. But there is an equally important brand asset that is often overlooked or ignored. It’s sound.

Influencers. It’s a buzz word we’ve all been hearing. Many well-known brands, from H&M to Sprint to Naked Juice, are incorporating it into their marketing strategy. According to a recent study, 79% of brands plan to assign a budget to influencer marketing this year.

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I was recently in a media presentation where they showed an image of “Baby Boomers” as two older, very gray adults. The only positive point of the image was at least the Boomers were smiling. I immediately thought this is the problem – media companies and some brands are portraying this very lucrative group as old and behind the times. Couldn’t be further from the truth.

We have had the distinct pleasure of working with many established brands over the 15 years we have been in business. Personally, I have had the opportunity to partner with many more established brands over the course of my marketing career.

Growing up, a shopping trip to the mall was a much-anticipated event! It meant hanging out with friends, trying on the latest fashions, and eating at the food court. But well before COVID- 19 reared its ugly head, shopping trends changed and much of that had to do with consumers’ need to connect with brands, purchase products that have been personalized for us, and the ability to get our purchases quickly and conveniently.

Show me a brand that hasn’t at least started to embrace the power of video, B2C or B2B, and I’ll show you a brand that is struggling to effectively reach its customer. Whether it’s through social media channels, on websites or as part of online and mobile ads, people are streaming videos at an all-time high. But just because people are watching, it doesn’t mean the videos are doing their job.

Mention online shopping and the first name that comes to mind for most is Amazon. What started as an unassuming online bookstore has morphed into the world’s largest Internet-based retailer. A millennial mall of sorts. In 2015, Amazon even surpassed Walmart as the most valuable retailer in the United States.

With everyone’s attention focused on the latest social media trends, many have all but forgotten about the original social network: email. Email marketing is an essential part of any integrated marketing campaign. It’s inexpensive and effective, allowing any size business to reach a large number of consumers at a rate of pennies.

Millennials have over $1 trillion in student loan debt. Surprisingly they are also the generation that travels more than any other, spending about $200 billion per year. And they approach traveling in unique ways. Brands that understand how to take advantage of this can see a tremendous upside in revenue.

Wait, what kind of file is this? We’ve all been there. Someone asks for a certain type of file, or sends you something you can’t open. Not anymore. Find out what the differences are and when to use what (and when not to). If it seems like a lot, don’t worry. Just print our Glossary of File Types for easy reference.

Why do we love our apps? Millions of us use apps daily to connect with friends, listen to our favorite songs, order food/groceries, play games, get us to our destination, and overall make our lives easier. And the popularity of apps continues to increase at an exponential rate.

As brands try to figure out how to navigate what’s before us, I can’t help but think about how differently brands need to act today versus what they’ve done during past struggles. People who worked with me through the Great Recession heard me refer often to the “upside of down.” At that time, much of what we thought of as the “upside” had to do with pricing strategy.

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Restaurant owners estimate they are losing between 20-50% in revenue due to missed opportunities with phone orders. Combine that with competitive labor markets, increased customer demand and the pandemic, and you have the “perfect storm” for brands to adopt advanced digital technology, including power assistants, to handle phone orders.

The television landscape has changed dramatically over the past few years. New terms are being used to describe the many ways we consume video these days. Streaming, Binge-Watching, On-Demand, Connected TV and OTT to name just a few. While the options are liberating, they can also be very confusing. You may be wondering, “What’s the difference?” and “Why does it matter?” Well it’s my job to know, so I’ll shed a little light on the subject.

If your restaurant hasn’t jumped on the digital train, what’s holding you back? Let me guess – you’re leery of losing control of the dining experience. Ordering by app, third party delivery, eating away from the restaurant. What are your touchpoints? Will your customer’s experience be compromised or diminished in some way? It’s easy to see the cause for concern. But fear not. Consumers are embracing the digital experience. And if you’re not, you are missing out on a growing segment.

Out of Home Media (OOH) is one of the oldest, most trusted, and most highly productive forms of advertising. But many marketers now see it as a second-class citizen when compared to “New Media” that is trackable, targetable and capable of on-the-fly adjustments. However, the rapid growth of Digital Out of Home (DOOH) networks and the rise of Programmatic Digital Out of Home (PDOOH) is changing those impressions.

Do your customers trust you? Do you understand their ever-changing wants and needs? These are tough questions. And, if you’re not sure, is it time to re-evaluate your brand strategy? We live in a time where the customer has more power than ever, and in a time when their lives are changing rapidly, even impacting their daily routines.

There are many different types of digital ads, each designed to help advertisers achieve specific goals. Some lead users to a website, others encourage immediate purchases, and most are strategically served based on a user’s profile, interests, or demographics. Digital advertising is highly valued because it enables brands to precisely target customers and influence purchase decisions when it matters most. According to Basis Technologies' media trends report released January 2025, digital advertising will account for over 80% of total ad spend in the U.S. in 2025, making it the dominant force in marketing strategies.

What was the last restaurant you visited? Think about the experience… your initial impressions and feelings. What made you go there? Maybe it was the atmosphere, the menu selection or that first big bite. What comes immediately to mind… good, bad, or maybe just… meh? How do those impressions fit with what you think of the BRAND? Or, did you think about the brand at all?

Creative people sometimes cringe at the “data” word. All we hear in marketing circles these days is data this, data that. But it’s much more than just a trendy marketing buzzword. It’s the foundational building block we use to create bigger, bolder, more effective ideas.

Technology continues to introduce more and more ways for us to communicate and stay connected and Discord is just another example of that. Discord is a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) and instant messaging social platform where users have the ability to send private messages to friends or join “servers”.

From AI bots to AI generated menu items…restaurants are racing to incorporate AI into their operations to improve their bottom line and create a more enjoyable and memorable dining experience for their guests. More than just a buzzword, AI is shaping up to make big changes in the restaurant space…today, and in the future.

While the oldest Gen Z member may only be about twenty-five, this young group is wise beyond their years and a force to be reckoned with. They are determined not to repeat the mistakes of older generations, even in the face of Covid.

Like many brands, you might be wondering if you should establish a presence on TikTok. After all, the video app has 100 million monthly active users in the U.S., and over 1 billion worldwide. But starting an account on a new platform requires time, resources, and money. Fortunately, TikTok has an advertising format that doesn’t require an organic profile!

As far as full-service marketing agency owners go, I know my path has not been a typical one. Most agency owners tend to come from the creative or account service disciplines. I came into this industry through the media side. Pouring over research, creating media plans, negotiating buys, arguing over audience statistics.