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Deinfluencing, authenticity and the future of creator partnerships

A decline in consumers’ trust in and respect for influencer content has created a huge opportunity for marketers willing to risk potential criticism by embracing greater authenticity and ‘editorial balance’ from creator channels.

How marketers can better streamline their advertising supply chain

Marketers who want to do more than merely survive the current high-pressure advertising battleground must think strategically.

Is Snapchat having a creator comeback?

Ex-Meta head explains why Snapchat is more ‘fulfilling’ for creators and its monetization opportunities. But does a shift towards creators mean that it will finally compete with the big dogs?

“At this point it’s too hard to put the genie back in the bottle”: the time is now for marketers to embrace AI

In the wake of Sitecore adding generative AI to its suite of composable software solutions, Chief Product Officer Dave O’Flanagan offers insight as to why the technology is beneficial to performance marketing.

Media inflation and Meta: what are your adspend alternatives?

Advertisers need to stay agile as they seek alternatives to Facebook and to optimise their digital media buying as audience behaviour and media prices constantly change.

More measurement, fewer cowboys: CTV must learn from past ad tech eras

Consumer privacy, transparency and accurate measurement must be at the heart of any personalised, programmatic CTV activity as the technology advances further.

The ABC of brand advocacy: A is for Acquisition

Acquiring high-value customers isn’t easy, but in times of cutbacks, loyalty and brand advocacy is more valuable than ever.

“Creators are completely essential to brand marketing strategies” but, there’s a measurement gap

Influencer marketing is taking up an increasing portion of the marketing spend, but much of its influence still remains immeasurable.

Are you a performance marketer… or a ‘Chief Dot Connector’?

Last week, an 800-strong audience at PM Unlocked welcomed a new type of event for London – with a rallying cry that performance marketing is breaking out from the bottom of the funnel.

Is AI like ChatGPT ultimately detrimental to the future of marketing?

Marketers need to understand how to work with generative AI to derive the greatest possible value from it while retaining the all-important human element

“Customers are no longer following a linear path through a funnel”: EssenceMediacomX CEO on merging giants, ethical AI and hidden data gems

Nearly a month on from the merger between agency behemoths MediaCom and Essence, Ryan Storrar celebrates the end of the beginning… and why he doesn’t want to see another upside down triangle on a slide ever again.

Why Hilton’s 10 minute TikTok went viral

‘10 minutes on TikTok is like three years in the real world’. What made this trend-bucking ad hit marketing gold?

How programmatic audio advertising is enhancing the radio experience

New technology is enhancing the radio experience and transforming the way brands reach their target audience through audio channels.

Super Bowl LVII review: Disney dominates, co-branding needs tinkering and M&M’s recovers a near disastrous fumble

One for the animal lovers and the nostalgia-seekers, Super Bowl LVII saw a seemingly endless stream of adverts and PMW has put together a recap of everything you need to know.

Super Bowl LVII predictions: crypto sacked, big tech fumbles and brand partnership power plays

The potential end of crypto adverts, tech falling a yard short and brands partnering to split crazy costs - get all the expert analysis of the state of play ahead the Super Bowl’s famous advertising frenzy.

“Staying safe isn’t going to cut the recessionary mustard”: 15 marketers on the latest AA/WARC 2023 adspend projections

The experts’ take on real-term decline for adspend this year amid some optimism, the pursuit of digital channels to optimise budgets and why privacy needs to be front and centre of 2023 plans.

Six things performance marketers need to know about India

Set to become the world’s most populated country in 2023, India has a growing middle class and strong smartphone and CTV adoption. Read PMW’s bluffer’s guide to the region from our experts inside the country.

“Media efficiency will be a greater topic of conversation”: 50 marketers’ IPA reactions on first-party forward, optimising and the move to ‘brandformance’

With reported optimism for marketing spend playing out against downbeat views of prospects across UK industry, we ask our panel of marketing experts for their insights behind IPA’s latest figures.

Marketing anti-predictions: What not to expect from 2023

Given the year ahead is currently shrouded in a cloud of uncertainty, and hard to forecast, what are the trends that won't happen in 2023?

The tech stack massacre, programmatic posters and 18 other marketing predictions for 2023

PMW’s panel of experts delve into what will happen in this year’s primary channels, and the tech and data moves marketers need to make to stay ahead of the curve.

Building a travel marketing strategy for a turbulent 2023

Despite rising living costs and a looming recession, UK consumers are still showing an appetite for travel. But travel brands must now appeal to a new type of consumer: one who’s more conscious about their holiday spend.

Streaming video advertisers beware - not all subscribers want ads

As Netflix rolls out its pricing tiers, different attitudes and behaviours to ads on SVOD of people across countries and generations should give advertisers pause for thought.

Unlocking performance techniques in broadcast media – without being creepy

The biggest opportunities for media planners and buyers comes from borrowing techniques that performance experts have been using for years – and cross over into broadcast, video on demand or digital out-of-home.

Four ways to beat blanket B2B comms

Customers expect sleek digital experiences and customer-centric buying journeys and B2B brands must find relevant and meaningful ways to connect with buyers. To propel growth, they need to harness the latest expertise to attract, engage and convert business audiences.

Some brands are spending less on performance… isn’t that the whole point?

From eBay to Airbnb, a clutch of household names are heralding a branding renaissance as they cut back on performance channels. Should other brands follow suit?

Why digital out-of-home is an essential force in today's media mix

As posters go programmatic, it’s brands’ time to shine in this undervalued yet constantly overdelivering channel.

Digital advertising’s carbon truth is out, what should we do next?

The by-product of revenue growth needs and adtech innovation is inefficient supply chains venting carbon waste. In one of the fastest growing movements since the adoption of programmatic ads, the industry, driven by publishers, is now uncovering this and looking to act.

Beautiful, functional or hands-on? CMO James Gordon on why Karcher is powering up performance marketing

As house-trapped nesters turn into cash-strapped consumers, Karcher is combining modern first-party targeting with smart brand storytelling to clean up any wasted ad spend.

“This isn’t the time for business as usual”: 50 marketers and their insights on the latest outlook for marketing spend and direction

After the Bellwether report confirms a slowdown in marketing budget growth and a stagnant forecast for next year, marketers name possible green shoots still available and advise on how to make every bit of your spend count.

What do you meme? Monetising the creator economy

"Almost half of all Millennials and Gen Z's use memes on a daily basis". Funcorp's Group CEO talks to PMW about monetising memes, growing the creator economy and how marketers can use the humorous images.

As collaborative marketing grows, creative control remains key

Collaborating with creators is a powerful tool for brands, but giving over creative control comes with its own risks. How can brands continue to create home-grown content that connects with audiences, while keeping their hands on the wheel?

Why moving budgets away from Meta and Google will be more complicated than you think

As ad platform dominance fragments in a privacy-centric world, advertisers should not shy away from the new, but there will be complications along the way.

Six things performance marketers need to know about China

China will generate over one quarter of all global consumption growth during the next decade. But access to this lucrative audience doesn’t come cheap. Read PMW’s bluffer’s guide to the region from our experts inside the country.

Why ad podding will star in the next season of TV advertising

With both Netflix and Disney Plus going ad-funded, a new type of media buying is bringing the AVOD experience closer to its linear counterpart. Storytelling on CTV just got simpler…

Sustainability, cookies and recession: a time of challenge and change reflected at DMEXCO

There were noticeable differences at the two day expo conference this year. With some big names missing and less exhibitors, what were people really talking about?

‘The internet is worse for the environment than airlines’

This Ozone Day, digital marketers need to understand the impact of advertising on the environment, and what they can do to help.

The devil wears Prada: an influencer’s story

“This is an industry dominated by women and essentially created by women yet women are still massively disrespected and underpaid, compared to men.”

How to 'be more Aldi' – and ride out the recession on social

Since Cuthbert the caterpillar cake made his triumphant return to UK supermarkets in June, more brands have become wise to the power of entertaining content. But how can marketers ensure engagement leads to a purchase?

The prescription for subscription growth

With subscription models talk of the town, brands need to be thinking about creating a positive user experience, where short term priorities focus on reducing involuntary churn.

Standing out from the crowd: what makes a winning performance marketing awards entry?

With just two weeks until the entry deadline for the PMW Awards UK 2022, judges from Samsung, Tails.com, RNLI and Reddit reveal what they’ll be looking for in a winning entry, and how the industry’s needs are evolving.

“Companies are going to have to be progressive with working practices”

The pandemic has obviously changed how we work, but what do performance marketers – and the industry’s leaders think about the shift? We find out what’s here to stay and what’s around the corner.

“We've woven learning and development into the performance management process”

More than four in ten marketers in PMW’s Workforce survey are considering a new job because they want better training and development. Investment in learning is clearly pivotal to employers’ retention armour – but how are employers approaching it?

The role and the company: the main reasons marketers aren’t looking for a new job right now

Despite many of our respondents feeling happy where they work, their heads could be turned as fewer cite salary satisfaction and a good work/life balance as reasons to stay.

Pay v culture: Is there really a contest?

What’s really important to you as a performance marketer when it comes to your job, and indeed your career? Find out what our respondents think – and if this chimes with your thinking.

Where is performance marketing falling through the skills – and experience – gap?

The skills shortage in the industry – exacerbated by the level of digital and data expertise the world needs now – has been long recognised. But which disciplines are proving the most difficult to source talent for?

Salary tops the reasons for wanting to jump jobs, but only goes so far

Higher pay may seem an obvious reason to think about making a move, but many marketers are searching for a better work/life balance and training and development.

The video era of social media: how influencer marketing is shaping the landscape

Watch episode two of our IG live series on influencer marketing with LTK’s India Sehmi and business influencer Emily Valentine. We talk invisible influence, creators in the metaverse, and why Instagram is fan-girling TikTok.

“Tough conversations in the boardroom as CMOs fight to hang on to their marketing budgets”: 25 marketers on the state of the industry ahead

From concerns about slowing consumer spend, marketing budget cuts, and confidence in first-party data strategies and attention seeking to weather the storm, we speak to industry leaders about the latest IPA Bellwether findings.

Affiliate programmes must not be a game of chance for gambling companies

Where ads appear can cause some major (and expensive) compliance issues, as regulators seek to get their industries into line.

Affiliate marketing and its retail revolution – with Rakuten Advertising's Rakhee Jogia

In conversation with Rakuten Advertising’s International MD, Rakhee Jogia, we talk about the revolutionary shifts in marketing, from ‘The Great Resignation’ and sustainability to what Amazon got right.

Why privacy-first programmatic requires end-to-end expertise

The adtech industry is witnessing a seismic shift as more and more advertisers enter the fray, but with an ever-growing expectation of privacy.

The open web strikes back: why brands need to nurture first-party audiences

Walled gardens have gained an unmerited ad-spend advantage on the back of privacy concerns – but now it’s time for brands to take action

Attention! Attention! It’s what you need to maximise engagement

Why bigger is not always better, and viewability could actually stop your ad being seen.

Find the right people at the right time: 3 steps to engaging with your intended audience online

The good news is there are more spaces than ever where advertisers can get in front of consumers; but the big question is, how do you find your particular audience and engage with it?

How loyalty schemes can help during the cost of living crisis

Consumers want to feel good when they make purchases, but rarely more so than in the challenging times ahead.

Why are publishers shifting away from AMP?

Announced with a big fanfare in 2015, Accelerated Mobile Pages [AMP] looked like the golden ticket to faster loading times and a better user experience. So what happened next?

Lost in translation: is poor localisation costing you customers?

A quarter of consumers are less likely to purchase from brands with poor localisation practices, says a new report.

Guaranteed performance for long form video – myth or reality?

Five changes you can make to find your audience and keep them engaged for longer.

Brand activism: using technology to deliver inclusive content at scale

Making sure your output is appropriately diverse and relevant is harder and more important than ever, so how can you stay on top of it all?

“One of the most important years in digital marketing”: 30 industry views on the outlook for the year ahead

Following the release of the latest IPA Bellwether findings, PMW gets the views from more than 30 industry commentators on the positives and watch-outs for the year ahead

Rich data = additional revenue: a guide for travel brands

Data is in the DNA of travel companies but its syndication is becoming ever trickier. So could curation be the answer?

Less is more: how does Artfinder maintain its success after 110 percent growth during lockdown?

The online art marketplace saw colourful success during the pandemic as everyone moved their transacting online. As the boom subsided, E-commerce Director Joshna Rughani tells us how they adapted once the high street reopened.

What’s the longer term impact of your TV ad spend, and how does it drive the funnel?

With marketers requiring accountability and accurate insights more than ever, the linear TV ad attribution model is probabilistic, not deterministic – meaning it’s probably not fit for purpose.

Why new technologies and a digital space boom should be good news for customers

As we enter a new digital age in customer experience, how can organisations across a range of sectors get ahead?

Publishers: ‘Quality content and first-party data will offset cookie deprecation’

Media brands seem relatively relaxed about a cookie-less future but need to pay attention to challenges around log-ins, says a new report.

The new era of affiliate marketing: why household-name brands are now choosing it

A greater awareness of brand protection and picking more appropriate collaborations means it could be time to reconsider this often overlooked channel.

How to create effective festive marketing material, as determined by AI

A Christmas to-do list for campaign marketers. The latest AI data reveals the top tips to create the ultimate cracker of a campaign.

Why video won’t reach its full potential until we get our standards straight

A suitable, agreed common framework is needed now to ensure robust, effective brand protection is in place by the time of the anticipated video boom.

Does affiliate marketing have a PR problem?

If all you’re seeing is a conversion tactic at the top of the marketing funnel, your business could be missing a lot of affiliate’s potential value.

The importance of auditing contracts as well as performance

The turbulent times of the last 18 months have muddied the pool when it comes to who is responsible (and paid for) what. So what is the best way forward?

The fusion of PR and marketing: why KPIs are converging

As PR increasingly employs many of the same metrics and tactics as marketing, it’s becoming easier to explain and prove its value.

The return of outdoor ads: is programmatic the future?

Unsurprisingly outdoor advertising was one of the channels hardest hit by the restrictions of the past 18 months, but now it’s starting to bounce back… and it’s more measurable than ever.

How can publishers optimise ad revenues in the ‘privacy-first’ future?

A new survey of senior UK marketers has some important pointers to offer.

What affiliate marketers need to know post-pandemic

Now it's easier than ever to shrink the gap for customers between want and buy.

The 3 pillars behind Tokyo 2020's Olympic TikTok strategy

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games dominated the TikTok platform using a number of simple tactics.

The case for a long-term approach to influencer marketing

Creating great relationships takes a bit of time – but so does demonstrating an increase in ROI.

The renaissance of affiliate marketing is upon us

Affiliate marketing and partnerships need to be perceived differently in order for marketers to truly realise the potential for growth.

Airbnb addresses its $100million cut in performance marketing

The online rental company has said it plans to leverage the strength of its brand to attract customers via direct or unpaid channels.

Integrating paid, owned and earned media

Consistent messaging and taking early strategic discussions is the key to successfully integrating paid, owned and earned media, according to a panel of experts. 

It's time to rip off the "digital attribution plaster"

The changes in digital privacy will create new and innovative ways of thinking, according to the Managing Director of Croud.