Top-rated Agencies Operate with a Brand-Like Editorial Mindset
Stale Suits, or How to Be a Boring Agency
Are you tired of sifting through cookie-cutter agency portfolios? Wish there was a way to distinguish the scrappy, passionate creators from the mediocre middlemen? This guide offers insightful strategies for agencies to emulate their media counterparts, capturing hearts and minds by crafting a razor-sharp identity, nurturing genuine communities, and delivering robust work that leaves a lasting impact:
Kick Boredom to the Curb: Emulating Media Brands' Magic
1. Damn, AI, You're Good
- Deep Thought, Quick Results: Equip your arsenal with AI-powered research tools that help you navigate the fickle waters of industry trends and consumer insights, producing more captivating content. Kiss those manual research days goodbye, thanks to platforms like OpenAI, Anthropic, and more[1].
- AI, Put Me Down Some Golden Nuggets: With AI at your side, creating content has never been easier-generate ideas like a pro and optimize copy like a savant, leaving your competition in the dust.
2. Immerse Me, Baby!
- Virtual and Augmented Reality, Let's Get Tangible: Dazzle clients with immersive experiences thanks to augmented, virtual, and AI technologies. Captivating audiences and lengthening the lifespan of brand interactions has never been easier[2].
3. Own Your Identity
- Stay True, Stay Bold: Develop a distinctive voice by maintaining that all-important consistency across your platforms. Don't be afraid to let your brand values shine through-relatability and memorability depend on it[3].
- Meet the Faces Behind the Name: Put a face to your brand by creating compelling mascots or characters-just ask Duolingo, whose beloved Owl is the epitome of brand personality[4].
4. Got a Mic? Good, Let's Talk
- Engage and Amplify: Encourage interactive content that sparks dialogues with your audience. Keep the conversation going by responding thoughtfully and proactively, building trust and loyalty[4].
- Team Up with Influencers: Join forces with personalities whose values align with your brand, expanding your reach and credibility within specific communities[3].
5. Risk and Reward
- Boldly Go: Foster a culture that encourages calculated risks-take a page from Liquid Death's book and own your edge[4].
- Quirk Power: Create innovative campaigns that not only resonate with audiences but also contribute to societal conversations or causes, imbuing your brand's message with depth and gravitas.
6. Balance Act
- Channels Galore: Strike a balance between digital and traditional media channels, maximizing ROI and engagement. Choose your channels wisely-a little goes a long way[5].
7. Young the Heart, Mind, and Wallet
- Student-Run Agencies, They're Not Just Mascots: Partner with student-run agencies for fresh perspectives and new energy, ensuring you stay on top of trends and better connect with younger audiences[3].
By mastering these strategies, advertising agencies can snag their spot among the champions of the creative world, wowing audiences with their unique voice, meaningful work, and genuine connections. So, are you ready to shake up the status quo? Your audience is waiting.
[1] https://www.fastcompany.com/90549827/can-ai-inform-effective-market-research[2] https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisaburden/2021/08/26/why-digital-transformation-must-include-immersive-experiences/?sh=5da12f9745be[3] https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/416301[4] https://www.inc.com/amphtml/quick-read/these-7-cult-like-companies-are-dominating-their-industries-8-things-we-can-learn[5] https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/marketing-resources/campaign-planning/media-mix-modelling-guide-for-brands/
- To set your agency apart from the pack, consider investing in AI-powered research tools to merge industry trends and consumer insights, essential for creating captivating content, as seen with platforms like OpenAI and Anthropic.
- Embrace cutting-edge technology to engage clients more deeply, such as augmented and virtual reality, establishing your agency as a forward-thinking business.
- Develop a unique and consistent voice for your brand that resonates with your audience and avoid becoming indistinguishable from other agencies, like Duolingo did with their memorable brand mascot.
- Foster open dialogue with your audience by encouraging interactive content and respond thoughtfully to their feedback, building trust and loyalty among your customers.
- Embrace risks to stand out in the competitive advertising landscape, taking cues from brands like Liquid Death, who found success by embracing their edgy image.
- Achieve a harmonious balance between traditional and digital advertising to maximize engagement and return on investment (ROI).
- Cultivate partnerships with student-run agencies to harness their fresh ideas and perspectives, enabling your agency to better connect with younger audiences and stay on top of trends.
