🎮 How to Meaningfully Market to Gamers 🎮
In-game advertising is on the rise, with 62% of UK consumers encountering it, according to Kantar. Yet, it has the lowest ad equity among all channels. Why? Because intrusive ads disrupt the immersive experience gamers value, especially in premium console and desktop environments.
💡 How to Get It Right:
1️⃣ Be Authentic and have a purpose
Ads should align with your brand and enhance the user experience. Aim for compelling content that doesn’t feel forced or out of place, minimising disruption.
2️⃣ Know Your Audience
Go beyond stereotypes. Understand why gamers play and tailor your approach accordingly, creating campaigns that resonate with their passions.
🔍 Context Matters: Success lies in understanding the player’s mindset when the ad appears, ensuring it feels natural and relevant.
🚫 Avoid This: Disruptive banners and irrelevant videos won’t just be ignored, they could damage your brand by frustrating players.
✨ In Summary: Effective in-game ads fit seamlessly into the gaming world, offer value, and respect the environment. Ready to level up your strategy? Forward & Thinking is here to help. 🚀
#GamingMarketing #InGameAdvertising #DigitalMarketing #BrandStrategy #ForwardAndThinking #AdvertisingTips #MarketingInsights #Gamers #Authenticity #AdEquity #UKMarketing
🚀 8 Hot Trends in TV You Need to Know 🚀
Television advertising is rapidly evolving, and staying up-to-date with the latest trends is crucial for delivering impactful campaigns. From omnichannel strategies to the power of AI, these insights are shaping the future of TV advertising.
1️⃣ Omnichannel Wins: Research from The Trade Desk proves omnichannel strategies are a win-win for brands and viewers, enhancing both reach and experience.
2️⃣ Measuring Attention: Sky Media’s Adsorption Index shows how different genres and platforms impact attention and ad effectiveness. We eagerly await Lantern, a multi-outcome TV measurement initiative launching in 2025 to help brands cross-measure TV success.
3️⃣ Maximising Investment: Advertisers want to see outcomes, using geo-testing and ROI metrics to make the most of TV spend. TV still delivers incredible cost-effective reach and strong ROI.
4️⃣ Ad-Supported Free TV: Gaining popularity due to subscription fatigue, cost-of-living pressures, and the pull of nostalgic content, BVOD provides a landscape to connect with engaged consumers.
5️⃣ Smart Creativity: The ‘big idea’ is evolving into ‘smart creative’ concepts that enhance campaigns and enrich viewer experience.
6️⃣ Streaming and The Long Tail: TV’s impact extends beyond traditional moments to streaming content, with huge potential.
7️⃣ Data-Driven Future: Broadcasters and agencies are evolving and leveraging internet-based search data to target the right audience, improving efficiency and impact.
8️⃣ AI & Creativity: From concept to execution in seconds, AI is transforming the creative landscape, bringing speed but can it create the human emotion that makes a powerful ad? We believe that comes from brand and creative partnerships.
👉 At Forward & Thinking, we specialise in expertly crafted campaigns that deliver results. Stay ahead of the curve with us!
✨ From concept to screen! ✨
Our team had an incredible time collaborating with PCSpecialist. With a two-day, multi-location shoot, we captured the power and versatility of PCs and laptops, not only for gamers but for creators, professionals, students, and anyone ready to push boundaries. 💻🌟
🎬 Catch it on Channel 4 (E4, E4 Extra, U&Dave), C4 streaming (VOD), and Talksport! Our crafted audio advert ensures the PCSpecialist brand shines across both screen and audio platforms, enhancing recognition and reach.
#PCSpecialist #AudioVisual #BrandRecognition #CampaignLaunch #Channel4 #Talksport
🎄✨ It’s almost that magical time of year when our screens are filled with Christmas TV ads! There is still time to take advantage of TV, so let's ensure your ad sparkles for all the right reasons and stays compliant.
At Forward & Thinking, we’ve unwrapped our top six watch-outs for Christmas ads to help you breeze through clearance approvals:
1️⃣ Snowballs: Keep snowball fun safe! A snowball to the face? It could mean an 'ex kids' restriction, especially if the game doesn’t look friendly. ❄️
2️⃣ Father Christmas: Remember, no spoiling the magic! Ads that suggest Santa isn’t real could be kept away from very young viewers. 🎅
3️⃣ Fireplaces: If you’re featuring a crackling fire, be cautious. Decorations above a lit hearth or kids/animals without a fireguard can lead to rejections.
4️⃣ Alcohol: It’s the season for alcohol ads, but keep it classy—no one under 25 or tipsy behaviour allowed. 🍷
5️⃣ Carols: Religious carols are okay, but context matters. Pairing them with gambling or alcohol could offend,
6️⃣ Toys: If a toy costs £30 or more, say so! Make sure your ad represents the product accurately to avoid Christmas morning disappointments. 🎁
Our in-house clearance specialist is just a call away, ready to provide expert guidance. Let's make sure your ad is merry, bright, and compliant! 🌟
🌟 Testimonial Tuesday 🌟
This week, we're proud to share fantastic feedback from our collaboration with Freedom Festival Hull. Their experience highlights the dedication and impact our team brings to every project. 🙌
Campaign Highlights:
- Panels over-delivered by 17,712 plays (free of charge!)
- Spotify campaign achieved a 0.25% CTR, surpassing the industry benchmark of 0.20%
At Forward & Thinking, we’re committed to expertly crafting campaigns that not only meet but exceed expectations, delivering results. If you're ready to elevate your brand, let's chat!
🌟Expert Insight: How Andy crafts impactful OOH panel campaigns 🌟
Navigating the complex world of Out-of-Home advertising can be daunting, but with Andy Sterling's knowledge and experience, our clients are in safe hands. Here's a glimpse into how Andy crafts impactful OOH panel campaigns that resonate target audiences:
📍Strategic Placement: Comparing panel impacts across suppliers and data layering audience segmentation Andy emphasises placing ads in environments that maximise impact.
🎯Audience and Creative Relevancy: Every panel is selected based on its relevance to your specific audience. From rail panels catching commuters’ eyes to choosing locations frequented by students, Andy ensures that every ad reaches its intended demographic.
🔁 Learning from Experience: Leveraging data from past campaigns, Andy continuously refines strategies to enhance performance. Each campaign builds on previous successes, making your current and future campaigns even more effective.
📊 Data-Driven Decisions: Utilising advanced planning tools, Andy pinpoints the perfect locations for your ads, targeting areas with high concentrations of your desired audience, whether it’s regions with high disposable income or student-dense postcodes.
📈 Panel product selection: Depending on your campaign goals, awareness or community focus, Andy selects the most suitable types of panels, from large format 96 sheet billboards for broad reach to community-focused kiosks for localised impact.
With Andy Sterling, expect more than just ad placements. Expect a tailored approach that blends strategic insights, data, and proven methodologies to deliver results that exceed expectations.
🌟 Testimonial Tuesday 🌟
Today, we're excited to share some glowing feedback from our collaboration with South Yorkshire Police on the impactful 'Every Man Can' campaign.
South Yorkshire Police says:
"We're grateful for the opportunity to have partnered with Forward & Thinking on the 'Every Man Can' campaign. Their dedication and professionalism helped us promote positive male role models to address Violence Against Women and Girls. Thanks to their effective media execution, the campaign successfully reached over a million people."
A big thanks to South Yorkshire Police for their feedback!
At Forward & Thinking, we are passionate about developing campaigns that not only meet but exceed expectations, creating a meaningful difference.
🎧 Are You Tuned In? Discover the UK Podcast Market! 🎧
The UK is tuning in more than ever before, with podcasts rapidly becoming a favourite way to consume media. Whether it’s during the morning commute or a leisurely afternoon, podcasts offer something unique for everyone. Here are some fascinating insights from the latest data:
📈 Podcast Popularity:
- 84 million listening hours per week!
- Comedy remains the top genre with 31% of listeners tuning in for laughs.
- 36% of adults listen to podcasts at least monthly.
⏰ Prime Listening Time:
- Peak listening occurs between 9-9:30 AM
📱 Listening Habits:
- A staggering 94% of listeners enjoy podcasts solo.
- 78% use their smartphones to tune in, mainly at home.
🚀 Trends Over Time:
- Podcast interest has grown significantly, from 1% in 2015 to an estimated 21% in 2024.
- News and Politics, Sports, and True Crime are gaining traction.
🤔 Why Listen?
- 51% listen for entertainment, finding podcasts a refreshing change from their daily routine.
Podcasts cater to a variety of niche topics and communities allowing brands to reach very specific audience demographics or interest groups, ensuring your message is relevant to listeners.
🚂✨ All Aboard the Magical Christmas Journey! ✨🚂
We're thrilled to announce that our latest TV campaign for North York Moors Railway is live. Catch the heartwarming ad on Sky as we bring the festive spirit to your screens.
🎄 The TV campaign aims to spark excitement in both children and parents, making every viewer long for the magical train ride through the scenic North Yorkshire Moors.
📺 Tune into Sky to experience the magic.
Inclusivity in Advertising: A Strategic Advantage
At Forward & Thinking, we've always believed in the power of diversity and inclusivity, not just as ethical imperatives but as key drivers of business success. Recent research from The Unstereotype Alliance underscores this belief with compelling evidence:
📊 Impactful Statistics:
• Brands that embrace inclusivity in their advertising are 62% more likely to be a consumer's first choice.
• Inclusive campaigns can boost short-term sales by 3.5% and deliver a remarkable 16% lift in long-term sales.
• Furthermore, brands committed to inclusivity see 15% higher consumer loyalty.
These findings, derived from analysis of leading global brands and conducted by experts at Oxford University's Saïd Business School, reveal the tangible benefits of inclusive advertising. It's clear that inclusivity not only enhances brand perception but also drives significant market performance.
At Forward & Thinking, we integrate these insights into our strategies, helping brands connect authentically with diverse audiences and realise the full potential of their marketing investments.
🌟 Testimonial Tuesday 🌟
We’re thrilled to share this fantastic feedback from Hanson Electrical & Kitchens. 🙌
A huge thank you to Hanson Electrical for their kind words! 🤝 We take pride in delivering innovative, results-driven campaigns that elevate brands and achieve success. 💡
If you’re looking to take your advertising to the next level, get in touch with us today! 🌟
🎄 The Festive Season Starts Early on Spotify! 🎵
As the leaves start to fall, Spotify users are already hitting play on their favourite festive tracks. With the holiday spirit kicking in as early as September, Spotify becomes the go-to for more than just your daily soundtrack—it's a tool for festive planning and shopping!
🛍️ Key Q4 Insights:
- Black Friday: 56% of Spotify users are gearing up to snag deals.
- Festive Tunes: Streams of festive music see a 48% jump in November.
- New Year Celebrations: Searches for 'New Year' spike by 100% on New Year's Eve.
🎁 Why Advertise Early?
- Early Shoppers: 1 in 4 Spotify users begin their festive shopping in October or earlier.
- Plan Ahead: A quarter of users start plotting their Black Friday purchases 2-3 weeks in advance.
🔊 Maximise Your Reach:
- Audio, Video, & Podcast Ads: 80% of users listen to Spotify while Christmas shopping, and 2 in 3 tune into podcasts.
- Trust & Engagement: 57% of Gen-Z believe brands on Spotify are more trustworthy. Plus, Spotify holds double the attention compared to social media platforms.
🌟 Capitalise on the Festive Momentum: Leverage Spotify’s unique blend of audio, video, and podcast advertising to connect with your audience right at the start of their holiday journey. Be where the attention is—be where the trust is. Let Spotify amplify your brand this festive season!
