Brands Are Urged To Embrace AI Technology During Bloomberg Session At Cannes (mediapost.com)

How do we take a brand that sells home furnishings and give them a more compelling reason to be considered? First, we created a new brand positioning and tagline “Celebrate Every Season” which gave the brand a reason for being and became their rallying cry. We used powerful images and emotive copy to connect with the audience, inviting them to imagine a delightful scenario, evocative of the season. Finally, we created conceptual design to show how the campaign would play out across every touchpoint, ensuring the message is consistently strong, regardless of channel. We then repeated this process for each season throughout the year. Read the Case Study at: https://www.jschmid.com/blog/portfolio/grandin-road-fall-campaign/

Rising postal rates pose a significant challenge for industries that rely heavily on direct mail. However, increased costs don’t have to spell the end of your direct mail strategy. With a few strategic adjustments and considerations, brands can offset these higher rates while continuing to achieve their marketing goals. Here are some strategies to consider: 1. Optimize Mail Specifications - Postal rates often vary based on the size, weight, and format of your mail. By designing your mail pieces to fit cost-effective dimensions, you can reduce postage expenses. 2. Purchase Paper Directly from Midland - Paper costs can make up a significant portion of your direct mail budget. One effective way to manage these costs is by purchasing paper directly from Midland. 3. Utilize Postal Discounts and Programs - Take advantage of postal discounts and incentive programs offered by postal services. For example, USPS often has promotions that can help reduce costs. 4. Test and Analyze Campaigns - Regularly test various aspects of your direct mail campaigns—such as design, copy, offers, and targeting criteria. Use the results from these tests to refine and optimize future campaigns. 5. Invest in High-Quality Creative - Eye-catching, high-quality designs can significantly boost response rates. Unlike website or email designs, direct mail benefits from professional, compelling visuals and copy.

The U.S. ad market expanded for its 11th consecutive month in March -- rising 4.3% over March 2023 -- according to the latest monthly installment of Guideline's U.S. Ad Market Tracker. Smaller ad categories outpaced the growth of the top categories by a margin of nearly four-to-one. While the top 10 increased spending only 1.9% over March 2023, all other categories expanded 7.9%. March's growth was also due to a massive increase in digital vs. traditional media ad spending.