Experts at Millward Brown predict that programmatic marketing—data-driven marketing based on algorithms—in particular will continue to gain importance. While the focus has primarily been on costs and the accuracy of targeting specific audiences, marketing professionals will place greater emphasis on the creative aspect in 2015.
«The discussion surrounding programmatic marketing still revolves heavily around pricing models such as cost-per-click. Marketing decision-makers» expectations of algorithms and targeting models will change in 2015. In the future, programmatic marketing will have to make a greater contribution to building and expanding strong brands. Dynamic targeting will increase. Creative elements will be more highly personalized than before, but at the same time, brand messages must be communicated consistently,” said Duncan Southgate, Global Brand Director for Digital at Millward Brown. Millward Brown has identified the following additional trends for 2015:
Synchronizing the second screen enhances multiscreen control
Sync technology offers numerous possibilities: It can extend TV commercials or add value through complementary storytelling approaches. The technology also enables the targeting of complementary products. The benefits of second-screen synchronization will become increasingly apparent throughout 2015. As the technology becomes more widely adopted, its positive impact on brands and consumer behavior will become clearly evident.
Strategies for various social and mobile media platforms will be more closely integrated
Consumer media behavior is becoming increasingly complex: While the TV is on, consumers today often simultaneously browse the Internet and social media on their smartphones or tablets. To develop effective strategies and make the right decisions regarding media investments, brand managers must thoroughly understand the added value of this synchronous media behavior. In the past, strategies for social media and mobile media were usually developed independently of one another. Millward Brown expects a more coordinated approach in 2015 that will more efficiently link strategies across different devices, platforms, and media.
From Big Data to Intelligent Data
The importance of «big data» for marketing will continue to grow in 2015. This includes both the detailed analysis of complex data sets and investments in personnel and applications. Predictive analytics tools, in particular, can be helpful in identifying the key drivers for brand expansion or revenue growth. Statistically significant patterns in complex datasets can provide important insights into the relevance of certain products or topics to consumers. These insights serve as a guide for marketing teams in determining the focus and investment levels of planned activities.
Micro-video formats are becoming mainstream thanks to paid advertising
Micro-video platforms remain very popular in 2015. However, the advertising formats on these platforms must immediately captivate viewers, because consumers expect one thing above all else from these services: creative entertainment. For the sharing service Vine, videos should be simple and authentic—and have a certain viral potential. Videos for Instagram should be entertaining and emotional, while also subtly conveying brand value. Creative agencies are therefore challenged to develop stories that work across various micro-video platforms. And media agencies face the challenge of integrating micro-video formats into larger campaigns and optimizing targeting.
Cross-generational multi-screen marketing is getting better
Recent multiscreen studies by Millward Brown in the U.S. show that two factors in particular play a key role in the choice of preferred screen: first, the generation to which the audience belongs, and second, the time and concentration required to engage with the content. To optimize campaigns, multiscreen marketing should take these findings into account. Millward Brown anticipates that the importance of screen preference will continue to grow. Marketing decision-makers will therefore invest in gaining a better understanding of consumption habits in 2015.
Programmatic Marketing Gets Creative
In 2015, programmatic marketing will become more efficient and easier to understand. Creative agencies will therefore seek out suitable partners or build their own programming capabilities. This will enable them not only to produce intelligent advertising formats with flexible creative elements, but also to implement them. Millward Brown therefore anticipates a new, dynamic form of storytelling. The best providers will stand out with a mix of creativity and in-depth knowledge in the areas of technology, media, and research.
Programmatic marketing will go beyond direct-response approaches
The quality of automated digital ad buying depends largely on the data used for this purpose. Algorithms currently still rely heavily on metrics from the field of interactive marketing, such as click-through rates or interactions. This year will see a shift in this area, and programmatic marketing will increasingly emphasize factors such as brand building, conveying key brand messages, and changing brand attributes. Algorithms and data systems will also undergo more significant changes in 2015 in terms of cost efficiency. With the goal of further improving automated buying, new methods will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of automated campaigns.
Location-based and consumer-oriented marketing sets the tone
Thanks to mobile and fixed-location tracking services, Google, Facebook, and Apple can now create comprehensive movement profiles of consumers. Marketing experts are just beginning to capitalize on this data. With the help of this location data, advertisers can better understand shopping behavior and dwell times, service providers can enhance the shopping experience, and retailers can personalize shopping trips even further. Brands that want to build an even closer relationship with their customers must, in 2015 more than ever, offer the right product at the right time and in the right place.
Native advertising is getting better and better
Native advertising will be a major trend in 2015. While a poor ad is, at worst, perceived as boring marketing propaganda, good advertising evokes positive feelings that resonate with consumers and thus increase brand influence. To this end, advertisers should partner with publishing companies. Publishers stand out thanks to a balanced mix of editorial and advertising content. Even when they clearly label sponsored content, the content matches the language and style of the respective website. Studies on brand impact in 2015 will show whether the promise of native advertising is ultimately being consistently fulfilled.
Analog Becomes Digital
Mobile devices are transforming traditional media formats into interactive, digital touchpoints. Smartphone ownership and the various ways brands engage with consumers make interactivity easy to achieve. Every brand touchpoint, no matter how analog it may be, is simultaneously being digitized—something consumers now increasingly expect. While the reinvention of analog channels was unveiled in 2014 and thought leaders outlined the first promising results, modern and analog design continues to take shape in 2015 thanks to further refinements.
Winning in the Digital Age
To thrive in the digital age, companies in 2015 are increasingly seeking out innovative trailblazers with fresh and adaptable ideas. Existing teams are therefore being restructured and supplemented with external experts. The goal is to better manage the distribution of touchpoints and respond to market developments at an early stage. To achieve this, successful marketing experts are taking a step back to examine the impact of digital campaigns on consumers. Meaningful engagement with consumers therefore remains essential.
«Various technologies, such as native advertising, microvideos, and location-based marketing, enable marketing decision-makers to engage more deeply with customers and communicate with them,» said Southgate. «For marketers, 2015 will therefore be crucial for optimizing the use of these strategies and successfully integrating them into the overall media mix.»
A detailed overview of digital trends for 2015 is available at the Website from Millward Brown is available for download.