The Digital Beat Brief: Articles of the Month (July 2024)

Hey there hip marketing cats! With July behind us, it’s time to dive into some of the most intriguing and insightful articles from the digital marketing realm this past month. This month's articles feature some of the biggest breaking news from July (Google's cookie back-tracking), SEO tips, ominchannel marketing strategies, customer care hacks, marketing ads/trends we've seen from the Paris Olympics, balancing AI and the human touch in marketing, and more.

Please feel free to comment on the articles you found most interesting below and give the authors their props. So, without further ado, I present to you, my favourite few.

1. 6 Campaigns That Signaled a Creative Resurgence in H1 2024

TLDR: It’s like watching "Avengers: Endgame" – all the heavy hitters in one place.

Author: By Peter Adams and Jessica Deyo

This comprehensive review of the top marketing campaigns from the first half of 2024 highlights the strategies and creative executions that stood out. From innovative uses of social media to clever cross-channel campaigns, these examples showcase the power of integrated marketing efforts.

These are some unique and successful campaigns that offered me some valuable insights into consumer engagement and highlighted the importance of adapting to current trends.

Read more: Marketing Dive

2. How Startups Build an Effective Marketing Strategy from Day One

TLDR: Start strong or go home.

Author: Mario Peshev

Forbes outlines the essential steps for startups to develop a robust marketing strategy from the ground up. It emphasises the importance of understanding the target audience, leveraging digital tools effectively, and maintaining flexibility to adapt to market changes.

This article provides practical advice on creating a brand identity, utilising social media, and measuring the success of marketing efforts. By focusing on these foundational elements, startups can build a solid marketing framework that supports long-term growth and sustainability.

Read more: Forbes

3. Google Abandons Plan to Remove Cookies from Chrome Browser

TLDR: Google backs down from eliminating third-party cookies after Marketers/Advertisers riot.

Author: Stephen Morris

Google's unexpected reversal of its decision to eliminate third-party cookies from its Chrome web browser has been only a slight shock to us Marketers. Originally, Google had pledged to phase out cookies by 2022 to enhance user privacy, similar to Apple's policy on Safari. However, after pushback from advertisers, regulators, and the digital advertising industry, Google has opted to retain cookies, offering users the option to turn them on or off instead.

This decision marks a significant change in Google's approach to privacy and has implications for all of us using Google Ads, which relies heavily on cookies for tracking user behaviour and targeting ads. The reversal follows delays, regulatory investigations, and criticism of Google's proposed alternatives to cookies.

Read more: Financial Times

4. 7 Brands Who Mastered Omnichannel Marketing Campaigns

TLDR: Think "Inception" – layers upon layers of marketing genius.

Author: Ankita Kaushik

This article showcases seven brands excelling in omnichannel marketing, offering insights into their strategies for creating a seamless and cohesive customer experience across multiple platforms. Examples include personalised email campaigns, social media integration, and in-store digital experiences.

By studying these brands, you can learn how to better create a unified customer journey that enhances engagement and drives sales. The case studies illustrate the importance of consistency and personalisation in modern marketing.

Read more: MoEngage

5. The Evolution of Customer Care: AI and the Gen Z Effect

TLDR: AI + Gen Z = Customer care revolution/new kids with their loud music.

Author: Daphne Luchtenberg , Eric Buesing , Brian Blackader

Exploring how AI and Gen Z are reshaping customer care, this article highlights the need for businesses to adapt to these changes to meet evolving customer expectations effectively.

It discusses how AI technologies like chatbots and predictive analytics can enhance customer service, while also emphasising the importance of understanding Gen Z's unique preferences. The insights provided can help you develop strategies that cater to a tech-savvy and highly engaged demographic.

Read more: McKinsey & Company

6. The Power of Personalisation: Crafting Tailored Marketing Campaigns for Maximum Impact

TLDR: Get personal brah or get left behind.

Author: Tony Hovsepian

Forbes delves into the importance of personalised marketing and how it drives customer engagement and loyalty. The article offers practical tips for implementing effective personalised campaigns, such as utilising customer data to create targeted messages and offers.

It also highlights the benefits of personalisation, including increased customer satisfaction and higher conversion rates. This piece is a valuable resource for marketers looking to enhance their strategies with tailored content.

Read more: Forbes

7. Seven Technical Issues That Kill SEO and How to Spot Them

TLDR: Avoid these SEO killers like you would a handsome, homicidal, investment banker who loves Huey Lewis and the News.

Author: Jill Kocher Brown

This piece highlights common technical issues that can sabotage your SEO efforts and offers solutions to identify and fix them. Topics covered include slow page speeds, broken links, and poor mobile optimisation.

The article provides a checklist for ensuring your website remains search-engine-friendly, helping marketers maintain their online visibility and drive organic traffic. Addressing these technical challenges is essential for optimising website performance and improving search rankings.

I highlight some SEO hacks as well as how to improve your overall landing page in my previous article, so feel free to peruse that as well.

Read more: JumpFly

8. Buyer Beware: When to Pump the Brakes on Your Digital Marketing

TLDR: Riding the waves of digital media begins by recognising when it’s time to smoothly change directions.

Author: Anna Covert

This article advises you on recognising when a digital marketing strategy might be overextending its reach or not delivering desired results, and the steps to recalibrate effectively. It emphasises the importance of monitoring performance, setting realistic goals, and being agile in strategy adjustments.

By understanding when to pivot, you can avoid wasting resources and ensure your digital marketing campaigns remain effective and aligned with business objectives.

Read more: Forbes

9. Marketing Trends to Watch for the 2024 Paris Olympics

TLDR: Gear up for a marketing marathon.

Author: William Bradley Jason Notte Ethan Alter Brittaney Kiefer & Rebecca Stewart

Adweek explores the anticipated marketing trends for the upcoming Paris Olympics, offering insights into how brands can capitalise on this global event to maximise their reach and impact.

The article discusses the importance of timely and relevant content, leveraging social media, and creating immersive experiences for audiences. You can gain valuable insights into how to plan and execute campaigns that resonate with the excitement and spirit of the Olympics.

Read more: Adweek

10. CMOs Must Balance AI in Marketing and Emotional Skills in 2025

TLDR: AI is great, but robots can't feel!

Author: Rebecca Lombardo

This article discusses the critical balance between leveraging AI in marketing and maintaining the emotional intelligence needed to connect with customers on a personal level. It stresses the importance of human touch in the age of automation and data-driven marketing. By integrating AI with emotional skills, you can create more effective and relatable campaigns that build stronger relationships with their audiences.

If you're looking to learn more on the impact AI and machine learning has had on marketing I welcome you to read through this previous edition of the Digital Beat Brief.

Read more: CMSWire

11. How Marketing Fuels the Shift from Problem-Market Fit to Product-Market Fit

TLDR: From problems to products—marketing’s vital role.

Author: Tim Hillison

MarTech examines the transition from identifying market problems to achieving a perfect product-market fit, emphasising the role of strategic marketing in this evolution.

The article provides insights into how you can identify and address customer needs, refine product offerings, and position their products effectively in the market.

Read more: MarTech

12. Is Your Digital Marketing Strategy Outdated?

TLDR: Time for a marketing makeover?

Author: Richard Gerrettson-Cornell

Richard Gerrettson-Cornell offers a reflective piece urging marketers to assess and update their digital marketing strategies to stay competitive in an ever-evolving landscape. It highlights the importance of staying current with trends, embracing new technologies, and continuously optimising campaigns. By regularly evaluating and refreshing your marketing strategies, you can ensure they remain relevant and effective in a dynamic market.

I also highlight this topic in some of my earlier editions of the Digital Beat Brief if you'd like to read more:

• Four Key Factors of a Successful Startup Marketing Strategy
• How Lead Gen and Demand Gen Impacts Your Marketing Strategy

Read more: Forbes

13. Apple’s AI Partnership with OpenAI and ChatGPT: A New Era

TLDR: Apple + OpenAI = The World is Being Taken Over.

Author: Jessica Deyo

This article covers the groundbreaking partnership between Apple and OpenAI, focusing on how integrating AI like ChatGPT can revolutionise marketing strategies and customer interactions.

And if you're using ChatGPT already and looking to optimise your prompts this article can help get you on the path to getting better results from more clarified prompts.

Read more: Marketing Dive

These articles truly sparked my interest this month, offering a blend of innovation, strategy, and practical advice. I encourage you all to delve into them and extract the insights that could transform your marketing efforts.

Big thank you to all the brilliant minds that shared their insights with the community over the last month. Let's keep it coming, folks! Feel free to explore these articles for more in-depth knowledge and insights. ??

Cheers, Stefan Kesi?