
AI won’t replace market research. But it will expose weak strategy
Much of the broader conversation around AI in market research assumes conditions that do not consistently exist across many African markets, writes Soyinka Witness.
EVENT INDUSTRY
By our News Team | 2021
What once worked to make an event successful may no longer work. Even what first worked early on in the pandemic often doesn’t work now.
“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”
Covid-19 has changed the world, and the events industry has suffered enormously. Large crowds (or even small crowds) have regularly been restricted or even banned when it comes to events.
What once worked to make an event successful may no longer work. What once worked early on in the pandemic often doesn’t work now.
While the industry has shifted to online events, even that is starting to wear thin with online fatigue a recurring theme. A recent article stated that one in four bosses reported having to fire an employee for inappropriate behaviour during an online meeting.
The world is moving towards opening up again. This means marketers have to change the way they do things or risk becoming redundant in this new model of events.
In an interview, marketing news website Marketing-Interactive spoke to marketing expert, Cathy Song Novelli, Senior Vice-President for Marketing and Communications at event platform Hubilo. She comments on what the future might bring.
The problem of Zoom fatigue
Novelli says: “One thing we have noticed is how many people are experiencing Zoom fatigue. But everyone is pushing their emojis. Emojis are a huge thing that is a relatively new feature for us. Who knew that this is the most coveted feature that attendees want! People don’t want to chat; they want to respond to the emojis.
It is about being in touch with what is going to engage attendees, and what is going to get them to lean-in more, download more content, and visit more booths.
“It’s a totally different formula than in-person. What is great with virtual is that you get that behavioural data about what your attendees loved, what they didn’t and what got them to be engaged. Then you can take that data and see what worked well and make each event better and better.”
Source: Hubilo

Much of the broader conversation around AI in market research assumes conditions that do not consistently exist across many African markets, writes Soyinka Witness.

Consumers are asking AI which retailer offers the best deal, comparing products or researching brands before visiting a website or store.

Kenya Ports Authority is working to improve cargo flow and efficiency to support growing trade volumes at vital import-export gateway.

African consumers want ethical, responsible choices. Therefore, brand growth hinges on making sustainable choices affordable and relevant.

Examining the tech-hype trap and why human judgement, not technology, will pave the way to competitive advantage in Africa.

Strategic senior appointment comes at a time when the local advertising-intelligence landscape is entering a period of significant change.

Ghana has shifted decisively into consumer-led recovery, with Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon following more gradually.

AMC President discusses the upcoming conference’s ‘full circle’ and the gathering’s role in navigating marketing’s paradigm shift.

Africa’s retail future may be led not by size, but by those who most effectively remove the friction between customer intent and transaction.

Out-of-home brand activation above Sunset Boulevard draws attention to a new science-fiction thriller film about a family stuck in a house.

She comes to Havas as a business leader with more than 20 years of expertise across marketing, advertising, transformation and growth.