Just when we were starting to get our heads around websites and emails, the naughties came along and challenged marketers to reach customers on previously unimaginable levels.

Who would have thought that terms search engine optimisation, blogging and social networking would take priority in marketing planning sessions that previously debated the combined merits of advertising, direct mail, PR and telesales?

Time to run with the beast…

If the past decade has taught us anything, it’s that marketing is an ever changing beast that should be embraced and not tamed.

Yes there will always be a time and a place for advertising and print, but the clever kids are staying ahead of the game by looking at the trends and getting there before their competitors.

So with this in mind, here are 5 things to embrace in 2010…

Social Media

Social Media got an old song to Christmas number one this year and maybe (just maybe…) marketers will finally now begin to build Social Networking into their communications plans.

In 2010 Social Networking will continue to dominate as the Facebooks, Twitters and Bebos up their games in a bid to fend off increasing competition from the emerging sites and the profile raising opportunities resulting from such exposure.

So how can you have a strategy for something so spontaneous you may ask? The answer lies in the ability to create time, budgets and topics that will resonate with the customer and drive positive outcomes – in fact the very reasons we have enjoyed so much success this year!

To discuss a social media strategy for your business, contact Tony on (0)161 214 5214


Microsites

If the question of the early naughties was “Does you company have a website?” the question of next decade will surely be “How many?”

The recession has challenged businesses to demonstrate their value, relevance and relative competitive advantage to the customer and a ‘catch all’ website simply doesn’t do it.

Let’s take a catch all IFA website offering services around Ethical Investments, General Investments, Retirement Planning, and Property Management against a company who appears to be focussed on Ethical Investments.

If I (the customer) am searching for Ethical Investments, who am I going to find first/contact first/choose to do business with first?

In summary if you have 3 or 4 key products for 3 or 4 key markets, then why not give yourself 3 or 4 bites at the cherry by exploring one or more microsites in 2010?


Mobile Marketing

The mobile phone has become our media companion of choice.

Mass, unsolicited and untargeted text messaging is likely to annoy and offend so marketers must be clever about how they interact and engage with their audience.

For the past 24 months, Gencia has harnessed the very best Bluetooth technology and married it with clever, engaging marketing campaigns designed to grip and tease recipients into wanting to request content.

Forget the hard sell with this media…It’s very much a value exchange… turn your Bluetooth on and receive 25% off or ‘who’s your perfect match?’ Download your free game now.

At Gencia we’re pushing the boundaries with Bluetooth and other types of mobile marketing campaigns and our clients are reaping the rewards!

To find out how mobile marketing could work for you, contact Gary on (0)161 214 5214

Mobile Apps

Apple’s line “there’s an App' for that” is now up there with the very best of them.

The rise of the app' and importantly, the sophistication of android technology and its ability to receive apps, presents a real marketing opportunity that should not be overlooked.

Gencia has itself become a specialist App' builder and experienced first hand the power of this media in the marketplace.

So if you looking to do something different in 2010 Gencia may well have an app' for that.


Social Norms

Social Norms is increasingly becoming the chosen way to educate, inform and challenge perceptions around young people and key subject matters, with the primary aim to positively and verifiably affect behaviours by revealing key facts from survey findings.

In simple terms, marketing messages will increasingly demonstrate relevant statistics to positively (or negatively) shatter misconceptions or alter perceptions, depending on the situation or intended purpose.

An alcohol awareness campaign that previously said:-

“Drinking under 16 can seriously damage your health” may now read

“77% of under 16’s don’t drink…stay in the majority. 

At Gencia we’re passionate about Social Norms to the extent that we’re even developing our own website to help our clients to collate, analyse and promote their findings on higher reaching levels in 2010.

For more information about how we can help you with your campaigns, please contact gary@gencia.co.uk