Via Bryan Kramer Quite honestly, we’ll see more of the same patterns we’ve seen in previous predictions…new platforms, new ways to engage, new data sources and tools to improve accuracy, metrics, frequency and reach. My prediction is more of a clarion call for marketers to take a step back and learn more about the role marketing can play in shaping the customer experience in every moment of truth. There’s marketing as we know it (broadcasting, a lot of talking, shiny…

With tech startups rapidly eating into traditional sectors, large organizations face an increased pressure to innovate. The challenge is that traditional innovation approaches are broken. A recent study revealed that only 5% of R&D staff feel highly motivated to innovate. In certain sectors, more than 85% of new products fail and an overwhelming 90% of companies consider they are too slow in launching new products and services.

via Christopher Graves, global chairman, Ogilvy Public Relations (PRWeek) Excerpt Marketers rate brand newsrooms as the most overhyped initiative. So what should PR be focusing on? “This is the key difference between advertising and PR,” said Brian Solis at Altimeter Group, a Prophet company. “Advertising will find a few top celebs, some of them being internet-famous, to become part of a campaign. [But] PR will find said influencers and nurture longer-term relationships that keep the brand relevant now and in…

  By Marty Swant – This story first appeared in the Nov. 30 issue of Adweek magazine. Excerpt, featuring thoughts from Brian Solis The battle over breaking news escalated this fall with a trio of mobile products from major tech companies. In November, Facebook announced its stand-alone app called Notify on the heels of Twitter launching Moments the month prior. When Apple released the iPhone 6s and iOS 9 in September, it came preloaded with Apple News, which takes a…

  via Lionel Valdellon [excerpt] As the world of marketing continues to expand and the user experience becomes an increasingly critical focus for businesses everywhere, marketing operations and marketing technology (a.k.a., MarTech) become crucial areas to focus on. What better way to stay on top of this subject than by reading the thought leadership of the bloggers in the space? http://www.briansolis.com Brian Solis, futurist and digital analyst at Altimeter Group, studies the effects of disruptive technology on business and even society in…

via Jason Miller, LinkedIn B2B marketing has come a long way since the days of bland whitepapers and personality-free reports. Marketers have finally realized that “professional” doesn’t have to mean “dull.” We’re starting to see innovative B2B marketing efforts that borrow from B2C’s creativity and authenticity, energizing the content while still keeping the informative approach B2B audiences expect. Bringing personality to marketing is a subject close to my heart. I believe that injecting entertainment and inspiration into information is the…