Continental Marketing Inc

?? March Madness: A Slam Dunk for Sales & Local Economies! ?? March Madness isn’t just about bracket-busting upsets—it’s a goldmine for businesses and host cities. From eCommerce spikes to packed sports bars and hotels, the economic impact of the tournament is undeniable. ?? By the Numbers: ? $1 Billion+ in Annual Revenue – The NCAA generates over $1 billion each year from March Madness, showcasing the tournament's financial power. ? $250 Million Economic Boost – Host cities can see up to $250 million in economic impact, benefiting local hotels, restaurants, and retailers. ? $3.1 Billion in Legal Betting – Americans are projected to place over $3 billion in legal bets, increasing engagement and consumer spending. ?? How Brands Can Win Big: ? Ecommerce Surge – Fans stock up on team gear, TVs, and game-day essentials. ? Hospitality Boom – Hotels, bars, and restaurants in host cities experience major foot traffic. ? Travel & Tourism Spike – Thousands of fans flock to tournament locations, boosting local economies. ? Brand Engagement Skyrockets – Smart marketing campaigns tap into the energy and drive conversions. For businesses, March Madness is the ultimate time to capitalize on the excitement. Whether it's limited-time offers, interactive social campaigns, or in-person activations, now’s the time to get in the game. #MarchMadness #MarketingStrategy #Ecommerce https://lnkd.in/ey3dNJxS

??? Wishing You a Joyful Holiday Season! ??? The Adopt a Family program has become a tradition that brings us together each holiday season. This year, our team once again joined forces to fill a suburban with gifts, hoping to spread a little extra joy. We’re grateful to be part of a tradition that reminds us of the true spirit of the season: giving, kindness, and community. From all of us at CMI, we wish you a happy and peaceful holiday season filled with joy and togetherness.

We don’t get together enough, but when we do, it’s always an epic time! As 2024 wraps up, we’re filled with gratitude for what’s been an incredible year for Continental Marketing. None of this would be possible without the hard work, creativity, and dedication of our amazing team—or the trust and collaboration of our incredible clients. Thank you to everyone who played a part in making this year such a success. ?? Here’s to an even bigger and brighter 2025. Happy holidays from all of us at Continental Marketing! ???

The Retail Media Landscape A recent report from eMarketer highlights the growing competition in retail media. Amazon continues to dominate the space, commanding an impressive 77.3% of U.S. retail media digital ad spend. Walmart follows with 6.9%, leaving the remaining 15.8% to dozens of players ranging from Kroger to Best Buy and CVS. What does this mean for brands, advertisers, and agencies? 1?. Amazon is a cornerstone: With its overwhelming share, Amazon remains the go-to platform for driving scale and ROI. Mastering this channel is critical for success in retail media. 2?. Fragmented opportunities abound: The smaller players, while competing for a smaller piece of the pie, represent significant opportunities for innovation and diversification. Platforms like Kroger, Instacart, and CVS offer unique ways to target niche audiences and drive engagement. As retail media networks evolve, brands and advertisers need to develop strategies that strike a balance between dominating on Amazon and carving out a presence across emerging platforms.

???? Gratitude Across Channels and Borders ???? As we gather around the table this Thanksgiving, we at Continental Marketing want to express our heartfelt thanks to those who make our journey meaningful: our clients, partners, and dedicated team. This year, we’ve had the privilege of helping brands thrive across diverse marketplaces and retail landscapes—from Costco to Amazon, Canadian Brick & Mortar, Fred Meyer/Kroger, and beyond. ?? Whether it’s scaling success in online marketplaces, building seamless strategies for brick-and-mortar retailers, or bridging the gap between digital and physical commerce, we’re grateful to be a part of your growth story. Every campaign we create and every initiative we drive is rooted in partnership, trust, and the shared goal of delivering results that matter. ?? This Thanksgiving, we celebrate you—our clients and partners—who inspire us to innovate and push boundaries every day. Here’s to a season of gratitude, growth, and endless opportunity. From all of us at Continental Marketing, Happy Thanksgiving!

Jamie Baker and Collin Bickel attended Amazon's unBoxed event in Austin, TX last month! ? Amazon's unBoxed 2024 introduced powerful tools and features for advertisers, including Multi-Touch Attribution for better insights into ad performance across channels, Conversion Path Reporting to reveal top customer journeys, and new metrics for long-term sales impact. The AI Creative Studio now allows brands to quickly create custom video and audio content, while a revamped DSP streamlines campaign setup and offers frequency cap controls. Amazon is also expanding Prime Video ads to more global markets and launched a managed service for new product campaigns, providing comprehensive support for brands entering the market.

Why Walmart Marketplace is Becoming a Must for Sellers, Alongside Amazon ? While Amazon Marketplace is often a first choice for sellers due to its vast reach and robust infrastructure, Walmart Marketplace is quickly proving to be a critical platform with unique advantages that shouldn’t be overlooked. ? Amazon’s benefits—such as its established global audience, powerful advertising options, and extensive seller tools—are undeniable. However, with over 2 million sellers, the competition is steep, and it can be challenging for new or smaller brands to stand out. ? Here’s why Walmart Marketplace deserves serious attention: Growing Customer Base with Lower Competition: Walmart Marketplace attracts millions of loyal shoppers each month, and with far fewer sellers than Amazon, brands have a better chance to capture attention in their categories. High Purchase Intent: Walmart’s customers are often ready to make a purchase, particularly in categories like household goods and essentials. This leads to high conversion rates and often lower ad costs for sellers. Omnichannel Integration: Walmart’s unique approach allows customers to shop online and pick up in-store, enhancing convenience and reinforcing brand trust. Sellers on Walmart Marketplace benefit from Walmart’s massive retail footprint and commitment to a seamless shopping experience. Enhanced Visibility: Walmart is investing heavily in marketplace advertising, providing tools and resources that help sellers increase visibility and effectively target Walmart’s diverse customer base. Reduced Dependency on Amazon: By establishing a presence on Walmart Marketplace, brands can diversify their reach, building a strong omnichannel approach while reducing reliance on a single platform for sales. ? In today’s e-commerce landscape, Walmart’s marketplace is no longer just an alternative to Amazon; it’s an essential channel with its own unique benefits and expanding customer reach. Sellers who make the move to Walmart Marketplace position themselves for greater growth and stability in an increasingly competitive market.?

Spotlight on @CostcoDeals: A Must-Follow for Costco Brands! For those navigating Costco’s competitive marketplace, @costcodeals has become an incredible ally, offering impressive visibility on Instagram (1.5M+ followers!) and FB (250k+ followers)?TikTok + 15,000 newsletter subscribers! This influential page excels at showcasing new and trending Costco products, driving high engagement from a community eager for exclusive deals and new finds. ? Though not directly affiliated with Costco, @costcodeals connects brands with an enthusiastic audience in a way that traditional advertising can’t always achieve. For sellers, it’s an ideal influencer partner to expand reach, build excitement, and bring products front and center with engaged Costco fans. Let them be your social media arm to showcase your brand and product?their large Costco fanatic fanbase! ? #InfluencerMarketing #CostcoDeals #ProductVisibility #SocialMediaReach

Walmart Pet Care Expands with New Pawp Partnership: What This Means for Shoppers and Sellers Exciting news for Walmart shoppers and sellers! Walmart is enhancing its Pet Care offerings through a new partnership with Pawp, a membership-based pet telehealth service. This integration brings even more value to Walmart+ members, allowing them to access 24/7 veterinary advice and up to $3,000 in emergency coverage for pets, ensuring peace of mind for pet owners. For shoppers, this means more comprehensive care options and a seamless experience for keeping their furry friends healthy. And for sellers in Walmart's ecosystem, this partnership opens doors to capture the attention of the growing pet care market, with Walmart expanding into high-demand services. As Walmart continues to innovate and add value to its memberships, the potential for pet-related products to thrive in this space increases. With the pet care industry booming, now is the perfect time to explore opportunities in this expanding category! #Ecommerce #WalmartMarketplace #PetCare #RetailInnovation #Pawp #WalmartPlus #PetWellness #DigitalCommerce

?? Understanding the Union Shipping Strike: What’s at Stake for E-commerce Sellers ?? United States dock workers have gone on strike, bringing the East and Gulf Coast shipping industry to a halt, and putting the U.S. economy at risk. The strike is driven by workers demanding a 77% pay increase (currently making $39/hr after 6 years), improved working conditions, job security, and a total ban on automation at ports, which would impact cranes, gates, and container handling. This disruption couldn’t come at a worse time, especially with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene causing further delays and complicating logistics. What Does This Mean for E-commerce Sellers? Potential Delays: Shipping delays will impact inventory levels, order fulfillment, and ultimately, customer satisfaction. Increased Costs: With fewer shipping options available, expect costs to rise, affecting profit margins and pricing strategies. Supply Chain Disruptions: Delays and shortages could lead to product scarcity, causing a ripple effect across businesses and consumers. How Can E-commerce Sellers Prepare? Diversify Suppliers: Sourcing from multiple suppliers or regions can reduce reliance on affected ports. Optimize Inventory: Forecast demand and stock up on best-selling items to avoid running out of stock. Communicate with Customers: Be transparent about potential delays and set realistic expectations to maintain trust. Explore Alternative Shipping Options: Consider air freight or other logistics providers that can bypass impacted ports. Stay Informed: Monitor industry news and developments to quickly adapt strategies as necessary. In times of uncertainty, agility and proactive planning are your best assets. By preparing now, you can mitigate risks and continue thriving despite the challenges. ???? #Ecommerce #SupplyChain #UnionStrike #BusinessStrategy #CustomerSatisfaction