
More than 60% of global marketers optimistic about business in 2024
While marketers in many countries are worried about a recession, there is also optimism regarding the business climate and marketing budgets.
FUTURE OF MARKETING
By our News Team | 2022
Reduced social media adspend, fewer users than expected, and data-tracking problems have hit Meta hard. So has massive Metaverse spending.
It wasn’t supposed to be like this. As 2019 turned into 2020 and Covid-weary people around the world shopped online, were entertained in the digital realm, interacted with friends and family on social media – and essentially lived their lives in a whole new digital way – the giant social media companies looked to be impregnable. The future was theirs.
But in just a few short weeks there has been a massive reality check. First Twitter. Now Meta – home to Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and the upcoming mystical Metaverse.
The entrance sign at Meta’s headquarters complex in Menlo Park, California. Photo credit: Nokia621 via Wikimedia Commons
Yesterday (Wednesday), Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg confirmed the trend-setting social media titan is laying off 11 000 workers, around an eighth (check) of its workforce.
The key reason is a massive drop in revenue. It has been called a “disastrous collapse” by some analysts and this website reported last Friday (4 November 2022) that some investors, if they could, would do the near-unthinkable and fire the visionary Zuckerberg from his job as head of Meta Platforms.
Fewer users, less adspend and consumer privacy issues
The bottom line is that people are spending less time on social media in the post-Covid world than originally expected, consumer privacy issues are making it harder to get the kind of user-data that was previously available to advertisers and marketers, and brands are spending less on social media advertising.
In Meta’s case, it has also lost users of its platforms to upstart rivals like TikTok and there has been huge – some say excessive – spending on developing the Metaverse as the ‘next big thing’.
Meta’s announcement comes in the wake of the very messy firing of around one in two employees at Twitter following its takeover by billionaire Elon Musk. The basic reason: Too many workers and too little revenue due to a drop in advertising spending on the Twitter platform.
In his note to staff sent out on Wednesday, Zuckerberg said Meta had overinvested at the start of Covid, banking that the increase in online activity would continue and accelerate even after the coronavirus pandemic ended.
“Unfortunately, this did not play out the way I expected,” he explained. “Not only has online commerce returned to prior trends but the macro-economic downturn, increased competition, and ads signal loss have caused our revenue to be much lower than I’d expected. I got this wrong, and I take responsibility for that.”
According to the London-based Guardian newspaper, the reference to “ads signal loss” is thought to relate to Zuckerberg’s long-running dispute with Apple, which in 2021 limited the amount of data (or ‘signals’) Facebook could gather about the behaviour of iPhone users. That loss, Zuckerberg has regularly said, made it harder for small businesses to use Facebook adverts to profitably acquire new customers.
Summarising the surprise announcement by Meta, the Guardian noted: “[The] company thought [the] rise in online activity would last, rivals stole its users, and Metaverse was too uncertain for shareholders.”
Read Mark Zuckerberg’s full message here.
While marketers in many countries are worried about a recession, there is also optimism regarding the business climate and marketing budgets.
US industry body warns marketers to be vigilant as programmatic media is ‘complex’ and ‘can be non-transparent’.
Dentsu says big events like the Euro 2024 soccer finals and US presidential election will help to push up spending.
Look for transparency, check results of previous projects, and request an air-tight scope of partnership, advises industry expert.
AMC’s range of Short Courses is designed to complement the study and career-growth initiatives offered by our member countries.
More people also took advantage of deals to buy everyday items, rather than spending on big-ticket luxury goods.
Bath and body well-being brand creates a 3m-high candle and lights it in a busy Christmas shopping precinct to encourage people to ‘reset’.
Data from 2008 recession indicates that, in another recession, the amount spent on higher-priced Fair Trade goods may actually increase.
Interbrand study says lack of growth mindset, weaker brand leadership and poor forecasting are among the key reasons.
Tlali Taoana has experience in strategy, marketing and executive roles, and will expand the capabilities of the business.
AMC President flies the flag at the World Marketing Forum in Thailand, then welcomes Tunisia as the confederation’s 11th member.
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.