Sales doesn’t need more tools. It needs better systems.
The Real Sales Struggle? It’s Not the Pitch. It’s Everything Before It. If you’ve led a media sales team, you know the pain. Hours wasted researching basic business info Inconsistent media plans that don’t match customer goals Reps are stuck navigating CRMs instead of closing deals Creative briefs that leave designers guessing Ramp times that […]
Top trends in digital marketing and advertising heading into 2024
As we approach 2024 amid fast-paced changes in ad technology and evolving consumer behaviors, staying up-to-date with the latest trends is crucial for an effective marketing strategy. According to a report from VidenGlobe, “2024 is a time filled with opportunities and challenges like we have never seen before.” Let’s look at the top trends shaping the […]
Maximizing digital advertising for 2024 elections: A guide for advertising agencies and media companies
With the 2024 election season fast approaching, local, county, governor, and state elections are gaining significant visibility. In this blog, we will focus on the power of digital advertising for local candidates, providing strategic insights and best practices to help maximize advertising campaign performance. The Power Of Digital Advertising For Local Candidates Digital advertising has […]
Leveraging content creation AI for enhanced business efficiency
At AffinityX, we are thrilled to announce the successful implementation of AI into our content programs and processes. This cutting-edge technology has transformed how we generate content, significantly enhancing our ability to deliver high-quality outputs with streamlined workflows and improved productivity. Key Learnings Of AI Implementation One of the key learnings from this implementation has […]
Digital advertising tips for 2023 political candidates
In today’s fast-paced world, the significance of effective digital advertising cannot be overstated, especially for political campaigns aiming to connect with their target audience. AffinityX’s digital marketing professionals are well-versed in political advertising and dedicated to helping businesses achieve their marketing goals. Read on to review our team’s top tips for 2023 political ad campaigns! […]
Should your agency outsource creative and campaign fulfillment?
Outsourcing Ad Campaign And Creative Fulfillment: A Guide For Agencies Suppose your agency is looking for ways to streamline marketing operations to better focus on core competencies. In that case, it should be no surprise that outsourcing creative and advertising campaign fulfillment has become increasingly popular. Advancements in communication technology have proven outsourcing as a […]
Leading newspaper group achieves 7x surge in average order value after switching digital vendors
In today’s competitive business landscape, media companies often face numerous challenges to thrive and grow. However, publishers can achieve remarkable success with the right strategies and a strong vision. In this article, we will delve into the journey of a prominent newspaper group that successfully navigated obstacles to achieve impressive growth and transformation. By implementing […]
Make a bang with these top marketing tips for fireworks businesses
As summer draws near, consumers are finalizing their plans for the warmer months, such as organizing family vacations, preparing meals for outdoor barbecues, and gearing up for Fourth of July fireworks. If you own a local fireworks business, it is essential to prepare for the upcoming weeks, which will be the busiest and most fiercely […]
Top 5 real estate marketing strategies to implement this spring
As the real estate industry becomes increasingly competitive, it is more important than ever for real estate professionals – including builders, real estate agents, and real estate brokers – to stand out in the digital space, making an impression on their most valuable audiences. This blog post will explore five effective digital marketing strategies for […]
The importance of marketing performance measurement
When it comes to marketing, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Every business has unique goals and must develop a tailored strategy to meet those needs. However, there is one key factor that is essential for any marketing campaign to be successful: MEASUREMENT. Measuring your marketing efforts is critical in understanding your campaigns’ effectiveness and identifying […]
Which social platforms are right for your business?
There is no doubt that social media is a powerful tool for businesses to reach customers, network with other businesses, and showcase their products and services. When it comes to effective social media marketing for your business, it’s important to choose the right networks to achieve the best results. Which social platform best suits your […]
Developing a new revenue stream to support your existing solutions
Digital transformation is top of mind for many agencies and media publishers as consumer trends continue to shift and digital advertising technologies expand. Over the past few years, publishers across the globe have been under increasing pressure to find ways to grow subscriptions and audiences, increase adverting spending, and diversify their solution suite to build […]
Get hiring! Recruitment marketing strategies that work
Recruitment marketing is a vital part of any successful company’s hiring process. It enables employers to attract and engage talented candidates while building their employer brand. In today’s competitive job market, organizations are increasingly turning to recruitment marketing to identify and attract top talent. By leveraging the tools and techniques available with targeted digital marketing […]
Top marketing trends you need to prepare for 2023
The Evolution of “Marketing” The definition of what we consider “marketing” seems to be constantly evolving. In today’s terms, marketing has moved beyond just branding and advertising to encompass nearly everything a business does in the public eye, the most important of which takes place throughout the customer’s journey, or “the customer experience”. Creating an […]
Shatter your automotive sales ceiling with dynamic inventory advertising
Meet the New Automotive Shopper If you’re an automotive marketer or dealership, you’ve likely experienced the ups and downs of the automotive industry over the past few years and wondered what the future might hold. According to a recent article from eMarketer, automotive digital ad spending has increased by 13.7% in 2022 and is currently operating […]
‘Sleigh’ the holidays with digital marketing solutions
Gear up for the busiest shopping season of the year. According to eMarketer, US Holiday retail sales are expected to reach $1.3 Trillion in 2022. As consumers shift their shopping habits, omnichannel marketing strategies are crucial to ensure holiday advertising plans are successful. Early planning is KEY to reach shoppers ahead of the peak holiday shopping […]
Boost holiday success with location-targeted advertising
US holiday retail sales are forecasted to reach $1.3 trillion in 2022 Despite the rise in online shopping, in-store shopping is still incredibly popular and builds targetable online data points Location-based targeting can help businesses reach consumers at specific moments in their shopping journey Layering demographic, behavioral, and 1st-party data with location-targeted ad placements enhances […]
Helping agencies thrive in 2021: Q&A with AffinityX
Last year, businesses of all sizes and across industries, from bespoke shops and start-ups to international holding companies, were stretched thin. Then sweeping changes were implemented when COVID hit, especially at SMBs and agencies. As a result, their clients and customers reacted out of impulse and fear and halted spending to stop the bleeding. While […]
Local media companies are running out of time
By Adam Burnham, Senior Vice President, Interactive Sales and Services at AffinityX. Local media companies are running out of time. Please don’t take that as a death knell (despite their well-reported struggles). What I mean is their employees actually need more time in their day, their week, their year to succeed in a highly competitive […]
The fight to save local news
New Jersey’s Governor also recently took the unprecedented step of allocating state funds to support community journalism, and at the federal level, lawmakers are debating whether to make it easier for news organizations to gain tax-exempt status. In other words, legislators are waking up to the fact that local news is in danger of extinction […]
SaaS advertising solutions for SMBs — not as turnkey as they’d hope, but you can help
The Chief Marketing Officer of Viant, Jon Schulz, recently wrote an interesting piece in MarTechSeries titled “The Ad Industry’s Focus on Scale Has Ignored Small Businesses.” Schulz makes the point that small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) — which make up 99% of all private sector businesses in the US — are largely neglected by the […]
Google’s new algorithm change rightly recognizes original reporting and local journalism
Google recently announced that its search results for news articles will now highlight those that it identifies as “original reporting” and keep them in a “highly visible position” for longer — as well as enlist more than 10,000 human raters to identify and reward such articles. Traditionally, when someone searches for a news story on […]
Digital advertising trends to watch in 2019 and beyond
A recent article we came across in Forbes titled “Digital Advertising Trends To Watch In 2019 And Beyond” summarized predictions by expert speakers at the Interactive Advertising Bureau’s Annual Leadership Conference in February. We think the piece really nailed it — and are thrilled to report that AffinityX is a great resource to our clients […]
In news industry, a stark divide between haves and have-nots — AffinityX can help
Last week, The Wall Street Journal ran an interesting and relevant piece titled “In News Industry, a Stark Divide Between Haves and Have-Nots.” It is behind a WSJ paywall, but if you have a subscription, you can click to the article here. The premise is that local newspapers failed to make the digital transition that larger […]
Humanizing programmatic with AffinityX
Earlier this month, Matt Sweeney, CEO of Xaxis, published a thought-piece in AdExchanger called Humanizing Programmatic which is worth a read. It’s reflective of our philosophy here at AffinityX and very relevant to local media and marketers who are challenged with harnessing the power of programmatic. Sweeney’s premise is that “despite prevalent misconceptions, programmatic advertising requires deep […]
Rev Up Your Digital Advertising with Dynamic Ads for Auto Dealers
According to eMarketer, 12.9 percent of auto industry ad budgets in 2017 went to digital. Spending is expected to increase by 17.6 percent in 2018 and continue to grow by double digits through 2021. In fact, the percent of ad budgets spent on digital versus traditional campaigns is higher than in any other category except […]
Programmatic recruitment advertising is a game-changer
Recruitment advertising (or “job ads”) has been around as long as, well — jobs. From “help wanted” signs in store windows to newspaper classifieds, job listings have always been essential to employers to attract the right talent. Then along came the Internet, which radically turned recruiting on its head. Sites like Monster.com, CareerBuilder, Craigslist, SimplyHired […]
Ads.Txt is gaining momentum: Are you on board, publishers?
Launched by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) last spring, ads.txt is growing in importance. The concept is that publishers host a file on their servers which lists all the companies that are authorized to sell their inventory. Buyers can then validate the sellers they are purchasing from to avoid spoofed domains and arbitraged inventory. Sounds […]
Takeaways from borrell associates’ local online advertising conference
Borrell Associates held its Local Online Advertising Conference at The Grand Hyatt in New York City recently and focused on hot-button themes such as local programmatic advertising, video advertising, SEM/SEO, packaging digital services, the best OTT strategy for “local,” Facebook‘s latest plan for local news and much more. AffinityX’s Carolyn Baird, vice president of business […]
An effective facebook strategy requires paid media
Advertisers of all sizes know that Facebook is an easy way to reach and engage consumers. In the past, this has been particularly helpful for small and mid-sized businesses (SMB), as well as brands marketing on a local level. These businesses could start their own pages, gain followers and then message target audiences to stay […]
“Style automation” isn’t synonymous with sophisticated advertising
Perhaps the biggest impact that technology has made on the advertising space in the past five years is automation. Media planning and buying are no longer the laborious processes they once were, as advertisers large and small can use software to help them find their audiences online, buy ads and deliver messages to consumers in […]
Reality check: Facebook’s algorithm change isn’t a death blow to local businesses
Recently announced algorithm changes at Facebook have thrown many businesses and publishers into a tizzy. And understandably so. On January 11, Facebook confirmed that its news feed would begin deprioritizing their content in favor of posts that users’ friends and family share and comment on. “As we roll this out, you’ll see less public content like […]
It’s still too early for local publishers to give up on display
To many internet users, the first kind of online ads that come to mind are display ads, the familiar units that have historically been placed at the top of page or running along the sides. Yet despite their ubiquity, many publishers are abandoning display ads altogether, instead opting for sponsored sections, branded content and new, alternate revenue […]
The 2018 local advertising opportunity lies in digital
Local ad spending is on the rise, according to the latest forecast from BIA/Kelsey. In 2018, the local ad market will hit $151.2 billion, a 5.2% increase from 2017. That incredible figure is both the largest annual increase in five years and approximately 70 percent of the total $214.94 billion that eMarketer expects will be spent on […]
The ways marketing vendors fail to deliver to SMBs and how to avoid them
The shift to digital media has created a bit of an obstacle for SMB advertisers. Rather than buy ads in newspapers, on TV or on radio stations, these businesses must now figure out how to get their ads visible to consumers across a mix of local and national websites and apps. As a result, SMBs […]
Agencies big and small working smarter in the pay for performance era
P&G’s Marc Pritchard kicked off a season’s worth of headlines with a speech at IAB’s annual leadership meeting in early 2017 when he “put his agencies on notice,” in a public demand for transparency from the entire digital advertising infrastructure. “The days of giving digital a pass are over,” he said. By now Mr. Pritchard’s […]
Will virtual assistants cause a seismic shift in seo strategy?
If you spent any time around the holidays camped out in front of a TV set, you likely saw commercials for virtual assistants. This new device segment is exploding, thanks in large part to the competition between Amazon’s Echo and Google’s Home products. Of course, as products grow in popularity with consumers, they grow in […]
For local media to thrive, it must identify new customers and products in 2017
The widely-perceived story on local media is that it’s hurting, with organizations that once dominated local markets having ceded much of their ad revenue to digital companies such as Facebook and Google. But that’s an easy take on a more complicated story — one that actually provides ample opportunity for many local media players. In the […]
Digital publishers are feeling the revenue pressure, but help is on the way
Online publishing is a tricky industry, especially for legacy print publications that long relied on subscriptions and pages of ad revenue. Today, these publications are trying to determine how to maximize their revenue while continuing to publish high-quality content and deliver a positive user experience so that they maintain readership. While those core top-level goals […]
For SMBs, DIFM & DIWM are the best ways to spend on social
Social media has changed the way that brands and businesses communicate with consumers. Whereas marketers historically directed a conversation toward the consumers, social media has given consumers the ability to speak directly back to the brands, as well as to each other about brands. This has also created a democratized landscape, where every brand stands […]
With new tv viewing habits, SMBs must explore online video
TV is often the first channel many advertisers turn to, especially in local markets. But changes in TV consumption have forced many advertisers, large and small, to think differently about how they approach TV advertising. One growing trend is the “cord nevers,” a subset of viewers who have never paid for a cable or satellite subscription. This […]
Preparing for Google’s mobile-first index for SMBs and service providers
Over the past few years, Google has constantly made ripples in the online media world by adjusting how its search algorithm weighs mobile websites. In the past, mobile sites were given preferential treatment, but now Google is testing a mobile-first index that looks at the mobile version of websites before moving onto desktop sites. This is, of course, […]
Fake news, brand safety and SMBs
The media failed to predict the election of Donald Trump, placing him way behind in all their models until the actual election results came in. And since November 9th, the media have been wondering went wrong. Astute observers pointed to a number of legitimate explanations, from inaccurate polling data that skewed prediction models, to the fracturing of […]
Pay attention: Vertical marketers are rewriting local advertising
When you think of local businesses that advertise heavily, a few specific industries are likely to spring to mind. There’s automotive, retail and real estate, which are all traditionally big spenders that work very closely with local media partners to reach regional audiences. Lately, these verticals have altered the way that they identify and target […]
How SMBs can stand out this holiday season
The internet has revolutionized holiday shopping. No longer are consumers confined by their nearest physical retail stores; nor are they restricted to items that are in stock. Now consumers can research and buy items without leaving their homes, which is a great relief to those who hate long lines and in-store madness during the holiday […]
Franchises: The sophisticated and loyal SMB client
Many SMBs understand the value of advertising on Facebook, as it provides them access to a massive audience and targeting tools to ensure they reach desirable, qualified customers. But the recent revelation that Facebook was inaccurately measuring the average time users spent watching videos is sure to raise an eyebrow among advertisers. If Facebook failed to provide […]
Is it finally time for SMBs to worry about the rise of Ad blocking?
Ever since our last blog post on ad blocking in November 2015, the practice has continued to bedevil digital marketers and publishers and today shows no signs of stopping. According to a recent report from eMarketer, the number of people using ad blockers in the U.S. will climb from 69.8 million in 2016 to 86.6 million next year, […]
Facebook is huge, but not SMBs’ only choice
Facebook’s latest earnings — more than $2 billion in the second quarter — show that it’s a dominant player in online advertising. The size and scale of Facebook make the channel a natural destination for advertisers of all sizes and, indeed, Facebook is actively courting SMBs who may not already advertise online. It’s great that online advertising is getting easier […]
It’s time to start planning holiday marketing efforts
Back-to-school season is just about over, with parents finishing up purchases of new clothes and supplies for their classroom-bound kids. While consumers are looking at the present, smart marketers know that success comes from planning ahead. If SMBs’ main selling season is back-to-school, then unfortunately they missed it. Now marketers of all sizes, from the […]
Cannes takeaway: Digital is fueling Ad creativity evolution
The annual Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity was held June 18-25, drawing global advertisers, agencies, celebrities and tech companies to honor the very best in advertising, creativity and media. A total of 26 Grand Prix awards were presented to winners, highlighting eye-catching and engaging creative across several media. One big story from this year’s festival was […]
Is cost-of-sale too costly for ad tech?
How many VC-backed companies can sustain growth at such a high cost of sales? That’s the question recently posed in an interesting MediaPost commentary by Kelly Wenzel, the CMO of Centro, a digital advertising software provider and DSP. As Wenzel points out, it’s quite difficult for the advertising technology industry to continue to scale. This illustrates a need […]
Churn remains a problem, but solutions arise for SMB service providers
Advertising service providers face a huge challenge when it comes to recruiting new SMB customers in a highly competitive market. But new customers represent only part of the revenue challenge. In truth, advertiser retention is a major issue for all who serve SMBs. The good news is that while this churn can not be prevented, […]
Now is the time for newspapers to lead smbs into digital advertising
Newspapers have struggled for years with declining ad sales, but expectations of continued growth at the local level, coupled with the ability to easily offer digital advertising services, represent a clear path to turn around those losses. In a recent speech at the Key Executives Mega-Conference, media analyst Gordon Borrell called newspapers “marketing powerhouses,” noting that his […]
How SMBs can tap into tent-pole events through social media
Advertisers often focus on the major tent-pole events throughout the year, devising campaigns and TV spots for moments that capture the public’s attention. The Oscars are the latest example of a major water-cooler conversation-worthy event, a list that also includes March Madness and this summer’s Olympics.While these events are prime targets for major advertisers, there’s […]
How concerned should the SMB market be about Ad fraud?
The online ad industry is in the grips of a fraud crisis. Recent reports indicate that as much as $1 out of every $3 spent on online advertising goes toward fraud – nearly $18.5 billion. That’s an alarming rate, surely, and it has the industry searching for answers and assurances that fraud can be brought under control. […]
What does Ad blocking mean for SMB advertisers and their partners?
Ad blocking has become a very popular topic in online advertising circles. The practice – in which users download technology that prevents display, video, social and search ads from loading on a page – has been part of the advertising landscape for years now. Yet the conversation has grown thanks to Apple’s announcement that its […]
You can be your client’s web partner — but you don’t have to do it yourself
Bob Provost, the Distinguished Executive-In Residence at Rutgers Business School, recently took to the INMA blog to talk about how media companies should consider hosting and developing websites for their advertising clients. There’s a big opportunity for media companies to diversify their offerings by doing so, while helping their clients remain front and center online. […]
Empowering your SMB clients with social media creative
As we discussed earlier this month, the number of social media channels through which brands can interact with their customers and prospects has expanded dramatically. And while the number has increased, the most significant development is not the volume of social networks, but the ways in which each channel works. The hot new social channels, such […]
The emergence of Pinterest and Instagram as must-have SMB Ad tools
At this point in time, every SMB advertiser knows the importance of social media. Facebook has become a crucial part of any company’s web presence, and Twitter is growing in importance. Some may even choose to leverage those platforms’ paid ad models to help expand their audience beyond their existing customers. Marketers have gotten used […]
It’s national small business week
This week, May 4 to 8, is National Small Business Week, an annual event dedicated to celebrating the American entrepreneur. This year’s theme is “Dream big, start small,” and here at AffinityX we know as well as anyone that every revolution starts small. Small and mid-sized businesses are an important part of our local communities and […]
Google’s “Mobilegeddon”: How to help SMBs survive and thrive
This week, Google implemented transformative changes to its algorithm that give preferential treatment to sites it deems mobile-friendly, ranking them higher than sites that are designed for desktop display. Fears of a “mobilegeddon have spread throughout the tech ecosystem, as businesses small to large scramble to comply with the latest change. It’s easy to understand why […]
SXSW interactive 2015 update #2: The hot trends and what they mean for SMBs
Everyone loves tech Ad Age’s big takeaway is that “SXSW is a mishmash, just like the media and marketing industry,” with one of the biggest trends being that “every brand is a tech brand now — or at least wants to be one.” At SXSW, that means big brands like Visa, McDonalds and GE. But […]
SXSW Interactive 2015 update #1: SMB-focused highlights
The annual South by Southwest Interactive conference can feel like a bit of a circus, even if you’re far from the event. But that doesn’t mean that the panels, presentations and promotions in Austin don’t have any impact on the world of SMB marketing. Here’s a brief look at the news from first few days of […]
Facebook’s F8 conference: Key SMB-focused takeaways
Facebook has steadily turned itself into a digital marketing powerhouse, one of the most trusted tools for SMBs and multinational advertisers alike for reaching consumers. That was evident last week at the company’s F8 developer conference, when the social network announced several new advertising and technology products, many of which will impact marketers of all […]
SXSW interactive 2015 wrap-up
The key takeaway from SXSW Interactive 2015 is the story is still what matters. PBS identifies seven takeaways from their time in Austin, but there’s one that acts as a common thread throughout: “Story, story, story.” It’s the perfect reminder that for all the bells and whistles that technology offers, it’s the story — told through the creative […]
Mobile for SMBs
Prospective customers are just around the corner for many small businesses, and mobile can bring them in the front door. During a recent “Digital Front Door” webinar, Borrell and Netserve stressed that the world has changed for retailers. “The Main Street location is no longer the front door to businesses,” according to the webinar. “Rather, the front door […]