Marketer’s New Superpowers That Are Killing It

2024 is about to say goodbye in just 3 months.

A lot has happened in the marketing world this year that changed things forever—like AI.

And many new strategies have evolved, but not all of them will last.

Not everything new and exciting is a hit.

But there are a few strategies that have proven themselves, winning over customers and showing they’re here to stay.

I’m going to talk about three of these strategies in edition #21 of Vik’s MIX (Marketing Insights Exchange) newsletter.

• Play, connect, convert?
• Boring to Making it Stick
• Generic to Hyper Personalized??

Let’s go.

Play, connect, convert?

In 2024, the race to capture customer attention is fiercer than ever, and small businesses are getting smarter with how they stand out.?

And interactive experiences have emerged as the new powerhouse in marketing.?

Why? Because instead of just showing people ads, they invite them to engage. Let’s break down why this works so well and why it's leaving old-school methods in the dust.

Engagement: Active vs. Passive

Think about your typical ad. A YouTube ad or a Facebook ad pops up, and you sit there, watching.?

You don’t have to do anything. But interactive experiences are different—they pull you in.?

For example, instead of watching a static ad, imagine taking a quick quiz or playing a game related to the product. This gets people to participate.

A great example of this is Ikea’s app, which uses AR (augmented reality) to let customers see how furniture would look in their homes.?

This isn't just watching an ad; it’s actively engaging with the brand.?

Research shows that people are more likely to remember and respond to brands when they interact with them this way. The key takeaway? The more involved people are, the more connected they feel.

Personalization: Relevant and Real

Interactive experiences can be tailored to individuals. Unlike traditional ads, which send the same message to everyone, interactive content often uses data to speak directly to each person.

Spotify does this brilliantly. They create personalized playlists for users, and through their interactive features, listeners can explore new music that fits their unique taste.?

This kind of personalized experience builds loyalty because customers feel understood, and the messaging resonates more deeply than any generic ad ever could.

Memorable and Fun

Creating memorable experiences is where interactive ads truly shine.?

People remember moments that spark emotions, and traditional ads don’t often do that. But interactive experiences can, especially when they’re fun.

Take Nike, for example. They gamify their app experience by encouraging users to take on fitness challenges. As users participate, they connect emotionally with the brand, and it drives sales. It's not just an ad anymore—it's an experience.

Real-Time Feedback

One thing traditional ads don’t do well is give real-time feedback. Sure, you can run post-campaign analysis, but it takes time.?

On the other hand, interactive content delivers instant data. You can see how many people clicked, engaged, or spent time on it. This allows brands to tweak their approach immediately and get better results faster.

The Challenges of Interactive Ads

Of course, nothing's perfect. Creating these types of experiences is more complex and can be more expensive.?

You need creativity, tech resources, and a solid strategy. And while more interaction is great, there’s a fine line between engaging users and overwhelming them with too many interactive elements.

So, if you're looking to stay competitive in 2024, consider adding interactive experiences to your marketing toolbox. Start simple—maybe with a poll, quiz, or referral program.

?The goal is to make your audience feel involved and connected. The more they participate, the more likely they are to trust your brand and convert.?

And that’s how you leave traditional ads behind and create lasting relationships with your customers.

Boring to Making it Stick

What bores and what sticks?

Companies are turning their marketing and customer engagement strategies into something far more exciting than the usual boring stuff.?

Many companies have turned to gamification—yep, making things feel like a game.?

Imagine getting hooked on learning, feeling like a champ for making eco-friendly choices, or racking up points just for being a loyal customer.?

Sound fun? Well, it is! And it’s working like crazy.?

Let’s dive into how these companies are using gamification to stand out, grab attention, and build loyal tribes.

1. Making Onboarding Fun

Onboarding can be a snooze fest, right? Not if you’re Duolingo! They’ve nailed it by gamifying the entire process.?

Forget boring instructions—Duolingo gives you points, levels, and rewards every time you knock out a lesson.?

You’re not just learning a language, you’re chasing that next badge. It’s addictive, and you’ll keep coming back just to "win" at learning. Who knew learning Spanish could feel like a video game?

2. Loyalty Programs that Don’t Suck

Starbucks isn’t just brewing coffee; they’re brewing loyalty.?

Their Rewards program lets you collect stars with every sip, and here’s the kicker: those stars lead to personalized rewards.?

If you’re a frappuccino fiend, guess what’s coming your way? More frappes, on the house!?

It’s not just a loyalty program; it’s Starbucks making you feel like a VIP. They’re not just rewarding you—they’re keeping you coming back for more.

3. Making Employee Training a Game

Training employees can be like watching paint dry. But Salesforce flipped the script by turning their learning programs into a game.?

Quizzes, badges, and leaderboards add some spice, and suddenly, employees are chasing certifications like they’re chasing gold medals.?

It’s competitive, fun, and most importantly, it works. They’re learning faster and actually enjoying it—imagine that!

4. Turning Running into a Community Event

Nike’s Run Club is more than just an app—it’s a whole community of runners challenging each other.?

Track your runs, earn badges, and join challenges with friends. But the best part? You get to show off your achievements on social media like the running legend you are.?

Nike’s turned something as simple as a morning jog into a full-on social experience. And guess what? It makes people want to run more.

5. Gamifying Sustainability (Yes, Really!)

Saving energy sounds like a good idea, but what if you got rewards for it too? Enter?

Centrica, a company that’s turning eco-friendly choices into a game.?

Their app tracks how much energy you save, gives you challenges, and rewards you for hitting green targets. Going green has never felt so rewarding—or fun. It’s like they’re saying, “Save the planet and score points doing it!”

6. Real-Time Feedback That Feels Like a Game

Ever wonder what would happen if your work felt more like a video game? AmplifAI is onto something. They’ve created a system for contact center agents where they get real-time feedback on their performance.?

Imagine dashboards, game-like metrics, and immediate insights that keep people pumped to do their best. It’s the perfect mix of motivation and results—and it actually makes people look forward to work.

7. Learning Through Fun Trivia

Remember trivia night at the bar? Now imagine your favorite brands using that same fun vibe to teach you something.?

That’s exactly what QuizUp does. Brands are making custom trivia games to get customers engaged with their products, and guess what? It works.?

People are playing, learning, and remembering the brand, all while having a blast. It’s like sneaking education into a party—genius.

Bottom line: add some fun, challenge, or rewards to your strategy, and watch your business level up.?

Generic to Hyper Personalized??

In 2024, customer segmentation has become a game-changer for brands. It’s no longer about one-size-fits-all marketing.?

Today, companies are using data to tailor their messages and offers to different groups, driving higher engagement and loyalty. Let’s dive into how some top brands are mastering this strategy.

1. Amazon: Precision with Data

Amazon is a master of segmentation. It uses a mix of demographic, behavioral, and psychographic data to personalize experiences.

Demographic Segmentation: Amazon targets specific groups, like offering deals on baby products to young families or tech gadgets to younger customers.

Behavioral Segmentation: They track buying patterns and browsing history to offer tailored recommendations. Frequent buyers might get early access to sales.

Psychographic Segmentation: By understanding interests, like eco-friendly preferences, Amazon promotes products that fit these values.

2. Netflix: Tailored Viewing

Netflix keeps its subscribers hooked with smart segmentation:

User Profiles: Different profiles under one account mean personalized recommendations for each viewer.

Genre-Based Targeting: Netflix promotes new releases based on viewing habits, keeping content fresh and relevant.

3. Nike: Community and Challenges

Nike uses segmentation to engage users through its Nike Run Club app:

Challenge-Based Segmentation: Users join challenges that fit their fitness levels, receiving customized training plans and motivation.

Social Engagement: Tracking social interactions helps Nike create events that resonate, like local running clubs or virtual races.

4. Sephora: Personalized Beauty

Sephora enhances the shopping experience with detailed segmentation:

Loyalty Program Insights: Data from the Beauty Insider program helps Sephora offer personalized rewards and exclusive promotions based on spending habits.

In-Store Personalization: Online data helps sales associates suggest products tailored to each customer's preferences.

5. Coca-Cola: Targeted Campaigns

Coca-Cola uses segmentation for precise marketing:

Regional Preferences: It tailors campaigns to local tastes, promoting different flavors based on regional popularity.

Event-Based Marketing: Coca-Cola targets consumers involved in events with timely promotions.

As the market evolves, embracing these strategies will keep you ahead of the competition and deeply connected with your customers.

Well, that’s it for the edition #20 of the Vik’s MIX (Marketing Insights Exchange) Newsletter.

Do it share in your community, hit the like and yes drop me comment on what you like most about this edition.