Bytes, Bonds, and Remote Work

Experts Weigh In - The impactful social media platforms and trends shaping the EU Bubble's future?

Hugh Annand, linguist, author of Manifestos for the Mid-21st Century, and #EUinfluencer, shared his thoughts on whether alternative social media platforms can match X's significance in the EU Bubble.?

Maria Linkova-Nijs , Communications Director at Cefic and #EUinfluencer, emphasised the importance of adapting to evolving digital trends.

Underscoring the fluid nature of communication platforms, Maria suggests that as audiences shift their preferences, marketers and communicators need to adapt swiftly. Whether it's Mastodon or any other platform, the essential principle remains to be present where the audience congregates.

With the 2024 European elections approaching, social media becomes a primary source for news among young people, she stated:

“I think 20% of young people, don't even go to news websites, they go immediately to social media like TikTok to find out about news and events. So that means that you also have to keep that in mind, the importance of influencers will only grow because now it’s the influencers and not the journalists that people go to or they prefer to get the opinion and information from.”?

More and more people now, especially the younger generation, rely on social media like TikTok for news rather than traditional news websites. As a result, the role of influencers is becoming increasingly vital in communication, especially for organizations seeking credibility and authenticity among younger audiences.?

In this era of uncertainty, having a strong and diversified digital strategy is critical. Download our latest eBook for guidance and practical tips on how to navigate the ever-changing digital landscape.?

#ZN25 highlight: Standout moments with our clients

Craig Winneker , Director of Communications at ePURE: European renewable ethanol association , commended ZN for our agility and focused approach in achieving specific digital goals. He highlighted how our tailored strategies aligned perfectly with their needs.?

His feedback echoes our mission to stay #OneStepAhead, as we consistently strive to keep our clients at the forefront of communication trends especially in the EU Bubble.??

The Tire Industry Project (TIP)?

A division of the WBCSD – World Business Council for Sustainable Development , enlisted ZN's expertise to transform intricate technical data into accessible, comprehensible content for a large and complex value-chain stakeholder. In this specific project, our goal was to engage a broader target demographic and guide them through the complexities of the technical research, presenting it in a clear and logical manner.?

Our guiding theme throughout this project was #ScienceDriven. To enhance the website's functionality as a central repository for pertinent information, we introduced an innovative scrolling animation that literally “drives” a user through key parts of the technical research that was interpreted into manageable and logical information.?

This same approach was utilized to craft visually impactful social media assets. These assets became the cornerstone of an expansive social media campaign, while the 3D animations took center stage in our compelling hero video. ?

The campaign's standout moment? Undoubtedly, the Campaign Hero Video with its striking 3D animations, setting TIP apart and capturing the public's attention.?

Gabija Daug?lait? , a valued #ZNetwork member, shared her memorable experience with ZN, emphasising our collaborative spirit. She recalled how the entire team came together to overcome unexpected challenges for a recent project, illustrating our commitment to teamwork.?

For Gabija, this project, though challenging, illuminated our collaborative ethos, underscoring the tight-knit and supportive nature of the team.?

#ZNLive with Mark Dober?

In the latest #ZNLive episode, Philip Weiss and Mark Dober , a recognised headhunter, an expert in Communication, Public Affairs, and Association Leadership, discussed changing workplace trends in Brussels. Mark stated:?

“I've come across a study from Intel about decreased productivity on Mondays and Fridays, and companies like Tesla are asking employees to return to the office full time. In Europe, it's a different ballgame with each country having its own cultures and rules. From my perspective, productivity can be higher at home because of fewer interruptions. However, the importance of team meetings for cohesion can't be overstated.”?

Phil added his thoughts on the benefits of remote working, and how it helps in staying away from unnecessary and damaging office politics:?

“We work with more than 130 people at ZN, everyone working remotely from different parts of Europe. Success in a remote setting isn’t just about the tools you have. It’s about shifting our focus from monitoring the effort put in, to looking at the actual results produced. Yet, even in this digital age, nothing can replace those periodic physical team meetings for genuine bonding and cohesion.”?

Key takeways:?

• Brussels witnesses a surge in lobbyist engagements amid global turmoil.?

• Remote working is about a paradigm shift from monitoring hours to celebrating outcomes.?
• Freelancers are gaining momentum in Brussels.?

For the recommendations section, Mark suggested "Made to Stick" by Chip Heath and Dan Heath for effective messaging while Phil advised to visit the Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece.?Mark also strongly recommended to refer to BestinBrussels.eu for choosing the best partners in Brussels for advocacy needs.

Did you miss?#ZNLive? last Friday? Check the highlight post on?LinkedIn or rewatch the episode here.?

Insights and Inspirations

Is Your Online Identity Secure?

#EUinfluencer Jon Worth raises a crucial concern about identity verification on evolving social media platforms like Bluesky and Mastodon. With domain verification as a potential solution, he highlights how institutions and individuals alike should consider this vital step to ensure transparency and legitimacy in a fast-changing online environment. Read his full post on LinkedIn for insights into this ongoing issue.

Explore the future of VR and Digital Art! Our COO, Jesús Azogue , dives into an exciting project 'DREAMS' by Grup Lavinia and ALICE PRODUCTION . It's a game-changer for storytelling, bringing an interactive and social dimension to mixed reality. ???? Read his recent LinkedIn post and immerse in to this magical world "where innovation knows no bounds".

Digital Trends & News:??

TikTok: The social media platform is jumping on a monetisation bandwagon and starts testing a new monthly subscription which would get rid of adverts on the video sharing site. The subscription is being tested at $4.99 (￡4.13). Read more here.?

Meta: Meta considers ad-free subscriptions in the EU to comply with advertising rules and face GDPR fines. The move comes as Meta faces more than $1.7 billion in Eurozone fines over violations of the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Read more here.?

The European Commission initiates an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles, responding to pressure from the French government, which is pushing to strengthen Europe’s industrial defences against China’s fast-growing electric vehicle industry. Read more here.??

Meet the #ZNetwork: Unveiling the faces behind our weekly newsletter?

Manjistha Roy , a Marketing Hyperlearner, currently stationed in Rome, Italy, recently celebrated graduating with her second master's in marketing and sales from Rome Business School. While juggling two master's degrees, she's always on a quest for the elusive 'perfect carbonara' recipe, gets engrossed in non-fiction, or daydreams about her next adventure trip, often winding down in her kitchen, stirring up some magic!?

Gabija Daug?lait? , is an Account Manager at ZN. She is an organisational genius, a skill that naturally translated into managing complex projects in her professional life. With a passion for meticulous organisation, from digital files to household items, she is often sought after by friends to create efficient systems for workloads, calendars, wardrobes, kitchens, and even entire apartments. Gabija takes pride in decluttering and optimising both mental and physical spaces, leaving no item without a designated place. Her thoughtful approach includes providing 'how-to' guides to help others maintain a zen-like environment, free from overwhelming clutter.