Mediaboss Marketing

Want to know the key product trends that are set to gain significant traction this holiday season?

Google has today published its annual Holiday 100 list, which highlights product searches that are predicted to trend the most on Google in the US during the holiday season, based on rising search activity over recent months.

As explained by Google:

This years Holiday 100 reflects the realities many of us are still living in. Home equipment like coffee makers and fitness gear continue to make the list. But were also seeing more items that suggest people are getting out more, like fragrances and beauty products.

As you can see here, the listing is fairly basic, but it outlines the key info that you need, based on rising search interest, which could help you both find the best gifts for your family and friends, while also better aligning your own marketing approach.

As Google notes perfumes and colognes are trending higher than in years past, while tech products will also be a popular inclusion beneath the Christmas tree.

And unsurprisingly, gaming has also seen a big surge in interest as a result of the pandemic.

The added social dynamics of gaming will also play a role in the coming metaverse shift, with younger users, in particular, now much more aligned to engaging with friends in virtual environments, like Roblox and Fortnite, and via avatars that represent them in these spaces.

If you want a real vision of what a broader metaverse might be like, this is it, building on these applications with more utility and engagement options, and as younger consumers grow-up increasingly accustomed to connecting in this way, thats likely where developers will build from, in order to tie into these behaviors, and enhance appeal to the next generation of consumers.

Its definitely worth taking a look at Googles full Holiday 100 list, which, again, is a fairly basic overview, but may help you formulate a better idea of the key consumer trends, and inform your process.

You can check out the Google Holiday 100 list here.

Read this article:
Google Shares Key Product Trends for the Holidays, Based on Google Search Volume - Social Media Today

Facebook is taking more steps to align with evolving privacy regulations by removing a swathe of detailed ad targeting options that relate to potentially problematic issues and causes.

As explained by Facebook:

Starting January 19, 2022 we will remove Detailed Targeting options that relate to topics people may perceive as sensitive, such as options referencing causes, organizations, or public figures that relate to health, race or ethnicity, political affiliation, religion, or sexual orientation.

In other words, you wont be able to target your ads based on topics like World Diabetes Day or other health causes, nor will you be able to hone in on elements related to sexual orientation, political beliefs, etc.

Which incorporates a wide range of targeting qualifiers, with Facebook noting that thousands of options will be removed.

For example, right now, when you look to target an audience interested in, say, politics, you have various affiliation-based topics to choose from.

Soon, many of those will be no more, which could have a big impact on cause-based marketers, political parties, healthcare brands, and many more.

It could also cause businesses that have made certain issues part of their brand messaging to change their approach. Various studies have shown that young consumers, in particular, are more likely to buy from brands that support causes and movements that they align with, and as such, those businesses have also been able to use this as a marketing angle to connect with these communities. The removal of these targeting elements could change things in this respect.

Though you will still have some capacity to target audiences based on similar parameters. Facebook says that brands will still be able to use Engagement Custom Audiences in order to reach people whove liked their Page, or Facebook users whove watched their videos, while youll also be able to use the same as the basis for Lookalike targeting, along with your own email lists.

So, really, targeting based on a lot of these categories will essentially still be available, just not in such a specific form, which will alleviate Facebook of any responsibility for any misuse of such targeting for unintended purpose.

So why the change?

Under the EUs more stringent consumer data protection laws (GDPR), Facebook technically cant legally target users based on these parameters without explicit consent from each individual. That law came into effect in 2018, and Facebook has been battling it ever since, but with the broader, global shift towards more privacy, and more data control for users, it seems Facebook has now opted to concede the point, and align with the more specific regulations on such.

Which makes sense, on various fronts, but its yet another gradual reduction in the platforms ad targeting options, which have already been reduced based on other potentially discriminatory factors.

There are still ways around such, and there are still other ways that Facebooks ads can be used in what would be considered discriminatory ways. But the removal of these specific ad qualifiers will ensure that the company meets its legal requirements, and avoids potential penalties.

Its essentially another reminder to build up your own first-party data, and gather info on your audience where you can, in order to establish your own focus lists, which you can then segment and target with more control, outside of the apps themselves.

Facebook says that existing ad sets with impacted targeting options will continue to run until Mar 17, 2022, though you may need to update your targeting selections at some stage. Facebook also says that it will provide alternative targeting recommendations within Ads Manager where possible.

See the article here:
Facebook Announces the Removal of Thousands of Ad Targeting Categories Relating to Sensitive Topics - Social Media Today

Googles looking to help businesses make the most of their Google listings for the holidays, with new, streamlined claiming options for your Google My Business profile, and additional insight on how Google search is driving people to your business.

First off, Googles looking to make it easier for businesses to claim and customize their Google listings, with a new option to update and verify your brand profile direct from Search and Maps.

As explained by Google:

Starting this week, you can easily claim and verify your Business Profile directly on Google Search or the Google Maps app. Search for your business by name and youll see an option to claim and verify the associated Business Profile. Once your business is verified, you can edit your business information, including the address, store hours, photos and more.

Which you absolutely should do your Google My Business profile is key digital real estate that you should claim, providing various options to influence how your brand appears in Google Search results, and even where it appears to some degree.

That doesnt mean that by filling in your details youll automatically hit the top spot on related searches, but more contextual info in your Google display listings can play a significant role in driving more traffic for your business.

Though this is interesting:

Moving forward, we recommend small businesses manage their profiles directly on Search or Maps. To keep things simple, Google My Business is being renamed Google Business Profile. And in 2022, well retire the Google My Business app so more merchants can take advantage of the upgraded experience on Search and Maps. The existing Google My Business web experience will transition to primarily support larger businesses with multiple locations, and will be renamed Business Profile Manager. Well share more details on these changes in the months ahead.

You should still claim and update your profile now, but its interesting to note that Google will be switching the focus of its business tools next year, with a view to better highlighting exactly what this element is, and how it can be used, while also maximizing take-up by removing the need for a separate app.

Expect, also, that Google will put even more emphasis on this as it broadens access, with additional features and tools that will likely replicate many Facebook business features. Watch this space.

Googles also adding additional options to message customers from Search, while its also providing new metrics on inbound customer calls that came from their Business Profile on Google.

That could be an additional, valuable indicator, highlighting the benefits of your Google listings. Referral traffic data wont reflect these interactions, and while it may only make up a minority of queries, it could be significant, and could alter the way that you look at your future promotions.

Google also recommends that brands sign up for its Pointy POS data linkage tool, which is free and available from your Google Business Profile on Search. That will ensure that your product listings are connected through to Googles display options, while Googles also updated its Performance Planner tool in Google Ads to provide more insight for your strategy.

While social platforms continue to get the most focus from many marketing teams, Google remains the key driver of referral traffic in most cases, and as such, its worth taking the time to understand the available tools and options to optimize your Google display listings.

SEO may not be as sexy as creative promotions, but its effectiveness is likely far more relevant, and these new options provide more ways to maximize your Search performance.

See the article here:
Google Adds New Business Display and Connection Options for the Holiday Push - Social Media Today

It is unusual -- but not unheard of -- for comms leaders to get promoted into high-ranking marketing roles. It happened in November 2020 in the automotive sector when seasoned PR pro Tara Rush was elevated to chief marketing officer at Audi of America, moving up from chief communications officer.

Infiniti is portraying the promotion as an outside-the-box pick meant to capitalize on Orthmans skills as an advocate for diversity and inclusion, lifestyle storytelling and digital media. Such traits are becoming more important inside the automotive sector. Car brands are notorious for big-budgeted TV campaigns, but quick-moving social media campaigns are taking on new relevance as brands adjust to the media habits of younger buyers.

Infiniti is a brand born to defy conventions and Wendy has a flair for big, convention-breaking ideas. With this change, Infiniti is once again making a daring statement by truly integrating marketing, social and communications into one vision, Olga Filippova, divisional general manager for Infinitis global brand, sales and marketing, said in a statement.

Orthman will report to Filippova, as well as Infiniti Chairman and Senior VP Peyman Kargar.

Infinitis global marketing is handled by Publicis Groupe, which won the account in March.

Infiniti, like most auto brands, has seen sales slide due to supply issues stemming from the ongoing microchip shortage. The brands U.S. sales plummeted by 39 percent in the third quarter, according to Automotive News.

Originally posted here:
Why Nissan's Infiniti brand is merging marketing, PR and social media roles - Automotive News

Campaign: ThighstopCompany: WingstopAgency partners: Publicis Groupe (marketing), Leo Burnett (creative), MSL (PR)Duration: June 21 - September 8, 2021

Restaurant chain Wingstop launched its virtual restaurant, Thighstop, which offered a nationwide, delivery-only menu featuring crispy thighs in 11 flavors.

Strategy

Wingstop has been looking to move beyond the wing for a while, part of its whole bird strategy, which isnt just more economically viable but better for the environment.

Thighs were the perfect place to start, according to Megan Sprague, Wingstops senior director of PR. After testing the concept last year, we found that guests loved the juicy crispy flavor of thighs, and that you eat them like a wing, she said. Overall, they were a hit.

So when the pandemic radically altered consumer restaurant behavior, shifting revenue to online ordering, Wingstop decided to launch a digital brand focused on chicken thighs. The rewardintroducing chicken-lovers to the tastiness of thighswas swift, and the risks and costs were relatively low.

Tactics

To make the Thighstop menu, the company used its Wingstop locations as ghost kitchens for the brand.

Thighstops marketing never tried to hide that the brand was associated with Wingstop. Orders were delivered in Wingstop bags with a Thighstop sticker over the logo. The company wanted to show consumers that just like wings, chicken thighs were delicious and easy to eat.

Thighstop launched on June 21 and was announced through an exclusive interview with Bloomberg.

To launch the virtual restaurant, Wingstop partnered with rapper, record producer and Wingstop franchisee Rick Ross. In addition to being featured in digital, TV and social marketing, Ross was available for interviews with reporters.

Press releases, which were sent to journalists in advance of the launch, were tailored to each outlet. For business and trade publications, messaging centred on the companys whole bird strategy as well as the ongoing chicken wing shortage.

Meanwhile, entertainment reporters received an announcement that focused on Ross involvement, while releases to tech journalists highlighted Thighstops all-digital brand launch.

Thighstop orders were available through Doordash and Thighstop.com. The Thighstop items are still available, but on September 8, they were rolled into Wingstops menu.

Results

The campaign generated more than 1,700 media placements, including coverage in CNN, CNBC, Food and Wine, Forbes and Bloomberg. Two of my favorites were Thighstop being included in The Late Show With Stephen Colbert and Late Night With Seth Meyers, Sprague said.

Wingstops central campaign points were covered in 84% of earned media placements, while 99% of earned stories had a positive sentiment.

See the rest here:
Amid a chicken wing shortage, Wingstop turns to thighs - PR Week