Good Marketer, Marketers, and was last week busy?

For those of us celebrating Martin Luther King Day, and paying attention to arguably one of the most consequential Presidential (and Vice-Presidential) inaugurations in recent history, it was all about packing a full working week into the remaining time available.

For better or worse, I see the news cycle as a feature rather than a bug of working life going forwards. Many of us are at home; most of us are compelled to be online; and for some of us, at least, being aware of what’s happening in the world is part of the job. The ever-present availability of digital information isn’t new, but hasn’t it been intensified by the remote work environment, with its weird hours, and the constant peering into a digital window on the world?

Of course, there’s not going to be an inauguration (or insurrection) every week. But here’s a thought: if digital information overload is something you’re experiencing, how does it affect how you engage with your customers? Because you can be sure they’re experiencing the same thing.

Kim Davis
Editorial Director

 
 
 
CDP
 

What is broken that a CDP will fix?

The debate about CDPs — how to define them, whether they’re must-haves, and what they would replace in your existing stack — came roaring out of 2020 and will rage through 2021.

In last Friday’s newsletter, we commented on the LinkedIn discussion sparked by a Treasure Data/eTail report that many retail brands were considering building their own ‘custom’ CDP. The discussion recalled some heartfelt remarks by Williams-Sonoma marketing strategy and operations manager Pat Maigler in an episode of MarTech Live. Said Maigler, marketers generally already have “their own purpose-built endpoint systems. I’m not sure that a lot of CDPs will replace the email engines that are being used. If you’re already using somebody like LiveRamp as an onboarder, and they’re syndicating to Google, Facebook, Pinterest and other partners, well — what do I really need?”

A CDP, Maigler says, needs to be web-based, non-technical, user-friendly and have pre-built connections to syndicate your data. “So if you have an onboarder, and you have existing pipes through Salesforce Marketing Cloud or Cheetah Digital, or any of these other providers, you don’t need to duplicate that functionality. Solve for your pain point or your opportunity.”

Watch Maigler’s full remarks here.

 

How to Avoid the Digital Transformation Trap

Digital transformation promises productivity, profitability, customer satisfaction and increased speed-to-market. So why do more than 70% of digital transformation efforts fail, according to IDC? Successful transformation efforts start with a strong foundation: people, processes and then technology. Join this webinar and learn about the four pillars of the Marketing Technology Transformation journey.

RSVP now »

 
2021
 

100 trend predictions for 2021

Global agency Wunderman Thompson has released “The Future 100: Trends and Change to Watch in 2021,” featuring 100 predictions for the coming 12 months. “Cautious optimism,” the agency says, is setting the pace so far.

Here are some of the trends:

  • Brands will favor collaboration over competition to promote positive change;
  • Expect live commerce, as digital entertainment is paired with tailored digital shopping experiences;
  • In beauty, women-led brands are setting new standards for diversity and inclusion;
  • In tech, the volume of data stored at data-centers will mean big data discussions will become climate change discussions too.

Why we care. The report is a substantial (and well-illustrated) piece of work. Also, we can stand some positive energy right now.

Download the full report here.

 

Maximize your analytics strategies

Discover actionable tactics to effectively measure and demonstrate search marketing success at SMX Report. Join us online, February 23, for just $99!

See the agenda »

 
 
 
Quote of the day
 

“Amid the devastation of COVID-19, it’s worth pausing to reflect on what this future portends. Reduced commute times. Asynchronous communication. Less carbon in the atmosphere and more livable cities. A world in which employees are more productive, organizations are more resilient, and workplaces are more equitable.” Jared Lindzon, technology journalist.