DIGITAL MARKETING

How the pandemic has upped the digital capability of brands worldwide

By our News Team | 2022

The Metaverse, Web3, AI and increased multi-screening by consumers will be among the key factors in future digital marketing strategies.

The pandemic resulted in improved digital marketing capabilities for most businesses, according to research by global marketing insights firm WARC and the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA), which has over 800 member companies globally.

Their joint study is a snapshot of how the industry is driving growth and offers takeaways for marketers, agencies and media owners for the challenges arising from current trends. It also highlights future opportunities.

Digital Marketing

Photo by Mikael Blomkvist from Pexels

The State of the Industry 2022: Modern Marketing in EMEA report is based on input from more than 700 marketing professionals – a mix of client-side, agency, media owner and technology vendor marketers and was conducted across Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) in May and June this year.

Among the highlights of the report:

  • The pandemic has resulted in improved digital marketing capabilities for a majority (70%) of businesses.
  • Data is a key building block in digital marketing strategies and is being leveraged widely to drive improvements in marketing. Nearly three-quarters (73%) of respondents say their marketing strategy is now driven by insights derived from consumer data.
  • Over a third (38%) of marketing professionals are preparing for the advancement of Web3, while nearly half (44%) expect the Metaverse to impact marketing within five years.
  • Despite brand awareness and generating sales being two key priorities in digital marketing, marketers are not always using metrics that enable them to measure brand and business outcomes. Metrics mostly used include engagement (68%), business (54%) and attitudinal (30%). 
  • Audio and gaming are untapped opportunities for marketers, receiving a fraction of the overall marketing budget compared to other channels. Audio receives just 4% of digital advertising budgets and gaming a mere 3%, despite both being highlighted as consumer behaviours expected to significantly impact marketing.
  • Multi-screening (cited by 53% of respondents) and watching video (50%) are recognised as the most significant consumer behaviours for marketing.
  • Driving personalisation, AI and machine learning is the technology expected to have the most impact on marketing over the next five years, cited by 53% of the survey respondents, up from 49% in 2021.
  • Skills (41%) and measurement (39%) are recognised as key barriers to growth in marketing across the EMEA region.

Paul Stringer, Managing Editor, WARC, said: “As a result of the pandemic, we observe a general improvement in organisations’ digital capabilities. However, measurement and skills’ gaps are clear areas of concern for the industry.

“It is also interesting to observe marketing professionals say they are preparing for the advancement of Web3, which promises to open up new creative and commercial opportunities for brands.”

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    Dr Kin Kariisa

    Group CEO - Next Media

    Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
    With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
    Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

    Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

    Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

    • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
    • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
    • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
    • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.