At SLD, part of what we do is trends analysis. And since clients are always asking for our perspective on various emerging innovations and ideas, we thought we would make this part of what we share with you on the podcast. Today I’m joined by podcast producer and Digital Marketing Strategist, Sebastian Maynard – you may recognize his […]
Trends in Online Social Engagement Read More »
Southeast Asian telecommunications company Progresif recently celebrated the opening of their new flagship, Progresif Experience Store, at the Times Square Shopping Centre in Berakas, Brunei. Designed by SLD in collaboration with Maplewave, the new store reflects Progresif’s brand personality while also elevating the overall customer experience through a digitally enabled sales and service model. As
Progresif Opens New SLD Designed Flagship Store Read More »
Generation Z is poised to overtake Millennials as the main demographic brands want to target and understand. However, it’s problematic to lump an entire generation together simply based on their birth date. There is a tendency for media and marketers to make sweeping statements that often don’t go very deep. While trends can help point
Micro Markets and How to Engage Gen Z Consumers Read More »
There are many lessons to be taken from COVID-19 and how consumers have changed their shopping habits. From online versus in-store to big box versus mom and pops, some shifts may have longer-term ramifications than others. One interesting (if not surprising) result of the current pandemic is that brand loyalty is often replaced in favor
The Four Characteristics that Define Indie Brands Read More »
It has been quite telling over the years working with retail brands, whenever you bring up the subject of employee engagement, it’s usually not a top priority. Everybody is so focused on e-commerce and social media that employees are often treated as an afterthought. And while digital is, of course, critical for any brand in
Training Your Staff to Become Better Leaders Read More »
It is no secret that COVID-19 has led to the reallocation of resources into pandemic-related operations/causes, with corporate giants like PepsiCo, Facebook and many others putting millions into their COVID-19 response. In the latest news, Budweiser announced that for the first time in 37 years, it will not be running an in-game Super Bowl ad.
Philanthropic Marketing and How to Stay Authentic Read More »
2020 was a tough year for many, and although 2021 is looking a little more hopeful, the fact remains that our way of life will be very different moving forward. As a result, brands should consider how to best support their customers. A year marked by a global pandemic, widespread social protests, and man-made environmental
Show Me You Care: Building a Social Brand in 2021 Read More »
The distribution of COVID-19 vaccines has begun, and with them come a welcome light at the end of the tunnel for retailers who faced unprecedented challenges in 2020. Even those that did well, such as grocery stores and big boxes, have faced unforeseen challenges – who would ever have imagined that policing hand sanitization or
What Retailers Need to Know About COVID Vaccines Read More »
At the end of every year, it’s tradition to reflect on the things we’ve loved, hated, and what we’re looking forward to for the coming year. 2020 was obviously pretty unusual, and although 2021 promises to be an improvement, it will also certainly be a year to remember. In this episode, some designers and thinkers
Looking Ahead to 2021 With the SLD Team Read More »
Back in 1964, Canadian communication theorist Marshall McLuhan coined the phrase the medium is the message. For McLuhan, he hoped the phrase would help “draw attention to the fact that a medium is not something neutral–it does something to people. It takes hold of them.” Oh, if only he was alive today. Almost 60 years
Digital Marketing Strategies for 2021 Read More »
TikTok and Snapchat, Google’s antitrust lawsuit, AOC versus Zuckerberg, it seems like every day there’s a new factor that could change digital marketing, making it a moving target for brand marketers. With so much to stay up to date on, it can be hard to know where to focus your efforts. Luckily, our guest today
The Ever-Evolving World of Digital Marketing Read More »
Despite COVID-19 and improvements made to online shopping, countless studies have reinforced the fact that consumers still prefer to shop in-store – especially when it comes to groceries. The way in which consumers learn about products and make purchase decisions is changing though, and for retailers and CPG brands a fresh approach is needed to
SLD’s Definitive Guide to In-Store Activation Read More »
We recently highlighted the relationship between behavioral finance, a banks’ brand strategy, and how prospect theory changes our perception of experience design. Now we will continue to explore the topic of brand strategy based on customers’ behavior patterns. Are Your Customers Rational or Irrational? Probably Both. Traditional business analysis assumes that consumers and other market
How Banks Can Appeal to Both Rational and Irrational Customers Read More »
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digital transformation initiatives by financial institutions and retailers, bringing the need for a robust digital ecosystem to the forefront. In a study we recently conducted with over 500 banking and retail executives, we have seen that though many realize a digital transformation is essential, there is still some confusion as
The Shift to Digital Ecosystems Read More »
As disruption from the pandemic rises and falls in waves around the globe, retail brands are pivoting their business to try and make up for related sales losses. Many brands were in good shape to manage this with robust digital and omnichannel ecosystems already in place. Many luxury brands, however, were not as well prepared.
Why Your Sales Staff Need to Be Online Read More »
It has been a rollercoaster couple of weeks for Walmart, who have gone from losing out on a joint bid with Microsoft to take over TikTok’s operations in the United States to now partnering with Oracle and claiming a 7.5 percent stake in the Chinese social media platform. While it may seem bizarre for Walmart
What Walmart’s TikTok Bid Means for Retail Read More »
It’s no secret that the role of packaging has evolved from being strictly focused on practicality to now having a central role in a brand’s identity. These days, packaging serves as an effective marketing tool – especially with augmented and mixed reality innovations – and gives brands an opportunity to use their packaging to creating
How Mixed Reality Can Elevate Your Packaging Design Read More »
To most, shopping means paying a visit to your favorite store or mall to give yourself a feel-good experience that results in instant gratification. You leave the store feeling satisfied and well taken care of. Often, retail associates are there to offer assistance every step of the way, and, most importantly, give a sense of
Online Personalization Strategies for Fashion Retailers Read More »
Over recent years, most financial institutions have embraced mobile apps as a way to provide better service and convenience for their customers. In 2019, over 75 percent of Americans said that they used their mobile device to check their bank account, and as COVID-19 has forced branches to temporarily close, the number is even higher for 2020. However, simply
Super Apps and the Future of Banking Read More »
WHY ARE SOME PEOPLE AGAINST MASKS? The vocal minority of anti-science activists appear to be hogging the spotlight as the pandemic surges on, with anti-mask communities spreading misinformation on social media to the general public. This misinformation ranges from dangerously believable to full conspiracy theories. One approach is spreading “alarmist” statements, for example claiming that
Four Ways That Brands Can Encourage Mask-Wearing Read More »
