by Quinton Capretta | Feb 17, 2021 | Advertising, Marketing
Apple’s upcoming iOS 14 privacy update has many advertisers and app developers scrambling. In summer of 2020, Apple announced the rollout of their new operating system, iOS 14, which included new privacy features. As part of the new operating system, mobile users will be empowered to decide whether or not they want their data tracked as they peruse different apps and the internet. These new changes, scheduled to take place sometime in Spring 2021, will have a noticeable impact on the marketing landscape for platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Google, and many more. In preparation for these changes, platforms and advertisers alike have to rethink how they do business, including implementing new strategies and tactics designed to minimize impact.
One major change involves Identifiers for Advertisers (IDFA) – Apple’s mobile ID that allows advertisers to target and track users within apps on iOS devices and shares user information with ad platforms, app developers, and mobile measurement providers. With the release of iOS14, users will be required to opt in in order to be tracked across apps and websites. As fewer users are expected to opt in, advertisers will have much less data to work with, thereby reducing the accuracy of their marketing abilities and the personalization of their ads.
As one of the most prominent social media platforms, Facebook has been challenged with the adoption of the new iOS 14 policy, as Facebook utilizes their user’s web data to monitor off-platform user traffic via Facebook Pixel and use this information to calibrate targeted advertising demographics, build retargeting audiences, and match users with programmed content. It is important to note that while Apple iOS 14 mobile users will be required opt in/opt out of data tracking, Android and other mobile users will continue reporting third-party data to sites, such as Facebook and Google. Nonetheless, Facebook has been forced to pivot by making changes to their advertising platform in order to mitigate the potential changes that can adversely affect ad campaigns.
Facebook has been quite vocal about the coming changes to their platform, and they urge advertisers to understand these updates which will undoubtedly impact their marketing practices. The big changes for Facebook’s advertising model include strict limiting of Facebook Pixel reporting capabilities from several reportable events down to just one, as well as capping the number of supported events for each domain down to only 8 prioritized events. Facebook will also require that advertisers on the platform verify their website domain and will reduce the accuracy and timeliness of conversion reporting as 28-day attribution windows are scaled down to default 7-day windows.
Google will also be adversely impacted by the changes in Apple user privacy settings, however their approach to the reduction of IDFA access seems to flow better among advertisers and developers. According to Adexchanger, although Facebook has indicated that it will stop entirely collecting IDFA information from its Apple users, Google will implement an AppTrackingTransparency (ATT) Framework, which will allow continued tracking information from Apple users who decide to opt in with minor changes to reporting tools such as Google Analytics.
As we progress into the era of enhanced security, user privacy and transparency, first-party data will be especially important. Actively capturing user information (email, phone, address), will be even more valuable, since their utility will likely increase over time as IDFA privacy protocols become stricter in the advertising space. More than ever, it is essential to develop a viable strategy for maximizing advertising spend and optimizing a results-driven multichannel approach. Perhaps the most viable way to stay ahead of the curve is to stay informed of privacy changes and policy updates for platforms that you advertise on and to be proactive instead of reactive.
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Sources:
https://www.wpromote.com/blog/analytics/ios14-digital-marketing
https://www.searchenginejournal.com/facebook-advertisers-brace-for-ios-14-tracking-prompt-fallout/392012/#close
https://www.facebook.com/business/help/331612538028890https://www.adexchanger.com/mobile/googles-quiet-preparations-for-apples-idfa-change-offers-hints-on-the-future-of-its-own-mobile-ad-id/
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by Quinton Capretta | Jan 11, 2021 | Advertising, Marketing, Retail
2020 was a difficult year for virtually every industry, including traditional advertising. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel as we begin the New Year, as advertising spending in 2021 is projected to bounce back and show positive gains that lead the way for years to come.
A recent report from Magna shows that the U.S advertising market was one of the most resilient sectors from the downfall of COVID 19-related closures and budget decreases, showing just an average 1.5% decline in spend for 2020. Overall, spending is expected to rapidly increase in 2021 as many companies shift their focus to online commerce and retail efforts. According to Morningstar, online ad spending is expected to grow 20% in 2021 and a 14% average rate for 2022-24, outpacing the annual growth rates of 2017-19.
Looking at advertising trends by medium, the digital advertising outlook for 2021 is also quite optimistic. Magna forecasts an 8% year-on-year growth for digital spends of over $336 billion, bringing the medium’s share to 59% of total ad spending. In particular, increases in social media spending will be fueling this trend, as platforms gain more users and increase the lifetime value of each user. A study from eMarketer forecasts U.S. social media ad spending for 2021 to increase by 21.3%, reaching nearly $49 billion in overall spend.
These sizeable gains in online spending are in large attributed to online retailers increasing their advertising efforts to attract and retain long term customers and build brand reputation. According to research by Criteo, in recent months, 53% of consumers have discovered at least one form of online shopping that they plan to continue purchasing from.
Direct-response and digital advertising campaigns will remain at the forefront of marketing growth for 2021 and onwards, as first-party data gives brands useful insights into their customer’s behavior, identifying the path to maximize sales and recurring subscriptions. Social media platforms are also becoming much more efficient at targeted marketing and helping businesses integrate digital communications and robust payment systems that streamline purchases and customer experiences.
2021 will be the first year in history that digital advertising attracts more than 50% of global ad spend, a trend which is likely to only increase over time. Right now, it is more relevant than ever to ensure your business has an omnichannel marketing strategy that diversifies advertising spend to reach new customers and amplify sales. Contact us and see how we can positively impact your business for the New Year.
For updates on new market trends and industry insights, follow our River Direct Facebook & Instagram pages, and subscribe to our newsletter.
Sources:
https://www.emarketer.com/content/us-social-media-advertising-in-2021
https://www.forbes.com/sites/bradadgate/2020/12/14/ad-agency-forecast-expect-the-advertising-market-to-rebound-in-2021/?sh=5d98a9806adb
https://www.morningstar.com/articles/1014195/digital-ad-spending-poised-for-exceptional-growth
by Quinton Capretta | Nov 6, 2020 | Advertising, Marketing
Traditional television advertising continues to dominate, and in fact, has been shown to substantially improve the performance of digital advertisements by forming lasting impressions among viewers and building trust with your target audience. According to a report from Mediascience, television ads running concurrently with digital ads increases the average viewership time by 300% compared to running digital alone and leads to an increased brand recall from audiences by over 200%. The combination of TV and digital advertising also boosts purchase intent by an average of 15% among viewers.
The main reason television advertisements pair so well with digital is because TV ads produce a halo effect which validates and solidifies a brand’s reputation. This phenomenon causes digital ads to also be perceived as more desirable compared to without a TV presence, which makes digital seem more exciting and less intrusive than TV ads alone. From a strategic perspective, incorporating both digital and traditional TV advertising into your business is likely to increase performance by a larger percentage than either medium alone.
TV ads also bring a higher level of attention to branding, as a recent study from EffecTv shows that 94% of audiences watch the full length of TV ads, compared to only 78% of viewers watching full length digital ads. We also know that lesser known brands benefit more from TV ads than established ones, as well-known brands such as Target or Coca-Cola experience a diminishing return from a saturated market of television brand awareness, making it the perfect opportunity for smaller businesses to start casting a wider net with their marketing budgets.
According to a study conducted by TVSquared, television advertisements drive an additional 23% average weekly increase in website traffic while TV ads air. Conversely, when a TV advertiser goes off-air, they see a weekly reduction of website traffic by an average of 20%. Pausing TV airings can also reduce a brand’s visibility and awareness, which leads to lost opportunities of converting leads into potential sales.
Consumer’s trust in television as a credible source of new information makes it an essential factor in your direct marketing plan, as a solely digital strategy does not create the same level of brand reputation as combining the two. Mediascience also reports that TV ads are viewed on average more than twice as often as digital ads, so it makes sense that seeing an ad on both TV and digital will yield a higher level of audience interest and engagement.
It is essential for brands to develop a consistent TV schedule to reach their target audiences and attract new customers by running a wide range of different airings and channels. Building trust with customers has never been more important at a time such as this, utilizing the halo effect of TV paired with digital advertising will position your business to take full advantage of an omni-channel marketing strategy.
For updates on new market trends and industry insights, follow our River Direct Facebook & Instagram pages, and subscribe to our newsletter.
Sources:
https://www.facebook.com/business/news/insights/what-do-marketing-leaders-say-about-combining-tv-and-facebook
https://yousenditcc.s3.amazonaws.com/user7/The-Halo-Effect_TV-Drives-Digital.pdf
https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/356159/ad-effectiveness-tv-plus-digital-significantly-ou.html
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by Quinton Capretta | Oct 1, 2020 | Marketing, Retail
At the beginning of September 2020, retail space vacancy rates hit a historic high of 9.8%, which is largely fueled by Covid-19 shutdowns and safety concerns across the nation. The demand for commercial retail space has been slowly decreasing over the past few years as retail transitions to digital, but now with Covid-19, there is a surplus of availability without enough customers to lease out this vacant space.
In response to this change in demand, mall operators are forced to roll up their sleeves and focus on actively finding new tenants, and developers are beginning to repurpose mall space for a number of businesses, including schools, doctor’s offices, long term storage facilities, and even residential housing. While some businesses are feeling the impact of reduced physical retail space, large direct to consumer sellers such as Amazon are racing to secure vacant mall spaces in proximity to urban areas and adjacent neighborhoods to meet the increasing demand of online order deliveries.
Currently, Amazon is aiming to convert several former JC Penny and Sears department store locations in micro-fulfillment warehouses, strategically located close to urban communities which will allow orders to be delivered quicker and at lower shipping costs. Some retail business owners speculate that the introduction of micro-fulfillment centers in conventional mall spaces will increase the rent for struggling businesses, yet many property managers are even negotiating discounted rates to find long-term tenants that can reliably cover overhead costs.
Amazon recently reported that it doubled its net profit to $5.2 billion in its 2020 Q2 earnings statement, which indicates that the ecommerce giant is not going anywhere. The future of vacant mall space may seem uncertain as many businesses and consumers alike are cautious about the upcoming holiday shopping season, however the bigger picture of retail is much brighter than it may appear. Overall, Amazon retail sales still only account for roughly 5% of all retail spend across the country, which goes to show that no single force is dominating the entire retail marketplace.
With the new changes in physical retail and online ecommerce, it’s more important than ever to establish a sound marketing plan and take advantage of an omni-channel advertising strategy to reach new customers. At River Direct, we offer a number of performance driven marketing solutions to help your retail business grow through linear television, Amazon listings, over-the-top/connected-tv, and social media marketing.
For updates on new market trends and industry insights, follow our River Direct Facebook & Instagram pages, and subscribe to our newsletter.
Sources:
www.bigcommerce.com/blog/amazon-statistics
https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/9/21361004/amazon-simon-mall-fulfillment-warehouse-retail-ecommerce
https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/18/business/malls-repurpose-empty-stores/index.htmlhttps://www.cnn.com/2020/09/18/business/malls-repurpose-empty-stores/index.html
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