It’s a digital world, and we’re surrounded by content 24/7, 365. And, for the most part, this content helps us get shit done. We pause our doom scrolling to read an inspirational self-help post, hardly noticing that it’s promoted content. We watch video tutorials to get the most out of the newest impulse buy. Or we’re compelled to read through the weekly newsletters that accompany our pre-packaged meal kits. These are all examples of content marketing at its finest—it’s seamless, useful, and enjoyable.  Trust us, it doesn’t come easy.  We’ll say it again for the folks in the back: effective […]

Loyalty programs that reward repeat business with point programs and other freebies are common. Whether it’s a “Buy-10-Get-1” punchard or a post-purchase discount code for your next shopping trip, they’ve blended seamlessly into our consumer lives. But can programs like purchase points really build and brand loyalty and create an authentic brand relationship?  In many

These days, just about every element of our lives exists in some form online. It’s where we learn, work, socialize, and, yes, shop. But somewhere between landing on a site and clicking “Add to Cart,” the shopping experience’s human element gets lost. And if the customer experience is jumbled, things go south even faster. According

Think about the websites you visit regularly. The brands you support and the products you choose to keep around the house or the office. What do they all have in common? Our guess: they’ve figured out how to leverage the user experience to keep you coming back.  Are those websites easy to navigate? Do they give you useful information? Do they make your life easier? Maybe these brands speak your language, or seem like they just get you. Are those products the best, the cheapest, or the easiest to use? These questions (and hundreds more) all relate to your user […]

Scrolling through Amazon or strolling down an actual aisle— packaging design affects our purchasing decisions. Packaging isn’t just a vehicle that gets products safely from store to home, it’s part of the product experience. And thoughtful packaging is one more creative way to tell your brand’s story. But it’s not just about attention-grabbing design. It’s about designing an experience that aligns with your audience’s values. These days that means minimal waste, sustainability, and creative engagement. The all-encompassing world of packaging design First, what do we mean by packaging design? It’s a big term that encompasses many different levels of decision-making. […]

Parler’s recent shutdown shows how much free speech protections are in the hands of technology. On January 9, Apple and Google removed Parler from the App Store and Android’s Marketplace. This move prevented new users from downloading the app. The following day, Amazon Web Services dropped Parler. A move that effectively disconnected the brand from the internet

When you think of “the Cloud,” you might picture your documents, photos, and music floating around cyberspace waiting for you to access them from device to device. The 5G network is the latest wireless advancement that uses the Cloud to make things faster and easier to access. But this advancement has big impacts on digital

Click, scroll, buy, repeat. If that mantra seems to resonate with you and your consumer behaviors over most of 2020 (and now into 2021), then you already know a thing or two about e-commerce. But if you’re on the flip side of the shopping cart trying to create a successful e-commerce brand in a socially distanced world, things are a little more complicated. So, is e-commerce the future of most sales? With online ordering on the rise, e-commerce becoming global, and mobile making things more convenient, we think so.    E-commerce, defined  A quick refresher if you need it: e-commerce […]

We’ve all seen it by now. The slowly panning, wide-angle shot of empty streets and playgrounds. The tremulous, somber piano notes. And the word “unprecedented,” repeated ad nauseum. And we do mean “ad” in the most literal sense of the word. In a rush to strike the right empathetic tone, brands both big and small, national and local, fell into the trap of one-note ad campaigns. And who can blame them? When the pandemic hit, digital marketing agencies worldwide scrambled to pivot their messaging and keep their clients’ ad campaigns relevant.  So, yeah. 2020 had a definite vibe all its […]

If you’ve ever gotten a new pet, then you’ve likely experienced personalized marketing firsthand. From the moment that new dog, cat, or hamster enters your home, somehow, the algorithm has you pegged.  Suddenly, your social media feeds are flooded with ads for ergonomic water bowls, fluffy beds, and gourmet kibbles for your four-legged friend. You discover that puppy bow ties are a whole, thriving industry. Amazon knows you need a cat tower in every room of the house (and offers targeted discounts to make sure you get them).  And it’s not just the pet-specific brands that are going to pick […]

Imagine if life came with a script and stage directions. They could help you navigate social situations, guide you through difficult conversations, and even help you make big life announcements! While that’s sadly not available, you can create clear brand guidelines to keep your brand consistent, differentiate it from competitors, and guide your editorial and visual brand identities. And a marketing agency can help make it happen.    What’s the deal with brand guidelines anyway? Brand guidelines are internal documents or decks that companies can use to decide their brand’s overall direction. These guidelines help to inform visual and editorial […]

Pinterest: the dark horse of social media. In its 10-year history, the online platform has amassed over 442 million active users—and the highest percentage of female users of any social media site.  Plot twist: Pinterest isn’t just a social media site where women go to find DIY inspiration, InstaPot recipes, and fresh ideas. It’s a behemoth of a search engine that uses an intelligent algorithm to serve up relevant information to the right people at the right time. Take Denver-based startup Artifact Uprising, for example. All it took was one viral pin to generate over 48 thousand organic website clicks […]