I was 26 years old and living in Toledo, Ohio. I had just landed my first big job, running two of the biggest accounts at an interactive agency. I was on my first business trip to visit one of these clients in North Carolina (a strategic planning session for an overhaul of its website), and I couldn’t have been more excited to share all of my thoughts and ideas.
It’s Women’s History Month, an annual recognition of the many women who have made contributions to history, culture and society, and I find myself thinking about the impact women have had in the marketing space, particularly in recent years with the rise of influencer marketing.
As brands are increasingly turning to influencer-created content to highlight their products and services, it’s easy to see how certain verticals are particularly well-suited for this type of marketing. Beauty, food, crafts, decor and fashion are just a few. These categories are often aspirational in nature, highly visual and offer broad appeal. Bloggers, Instagrammers and other social media stars have become incredibly skilled at seamlessly working sponsorships into their carefully curated content by using their signature style to showcase brand messaging.
Opinion: Agencies have plenty of resources to apply against this growing issue
Great influencer marketing content can sway opinions, spark conversations, increase brand loyalty and boost sales. It’s the critical difference between a potential customer tuning out your message or embracing it wholeheartedly.
Advertising agencies generated a generous $48.3 billion in revenue in 2016, according to a report by AdAge, revenue that was up by 4.4% from the previous year. While these revenue growth numbers sound good, the numbers represent the slowest amount of growth since 2013, according to the report. This means that start-up agencies may find themselves facing increased competition, which can impact growth.
The FCC’s recent vote to eliminate net neutrality stands to impact some of the country’s most enterprising innovators. It’s a shortsighted action likely to result in unintended consequences for many individuals and businesses.
Whether you don’t have the necessary resources or expertise, or you just need extra help to improve your organization’s sales and overall performance, hiring the right agency is vital for the growth of your business.
If you’ve been thinking of Pinterest as a social platform similar to Instagram or Facebook, it’s probably time to adjust your influencer marketing strategy. Influencer marketing on Pinterest is a whole different ballgame than other social networks, because— surprise!—Pinterest is not a social network.
Influencer marketing is having a moment. The tactic has become so popular — and, presumably, effective — even the Clinton campaign used it for a final voter push this election.
Sway Group is widening its sphere of influence. The content marketing agency has acquired iFabbo, a network of beauty, fashion and lifestyle influencers, to deepen its pool of digital talent and forge relationships with beauty and fashion brands.
For years, Danielle Wiley’s business idea stared her in the face–until one day when she just had to act.