?? What the UK Budget Means for Brands & Ad Spend & Isn't the "Winter Arc" just good branding for going to the gym in winter?

This week, I’m looking at the budget specifically, but also into a few key topics—from health trends turned viral to the new web analytics software available to you from Microsoft (for free).

If you've been scrolling TikTok or Instagram lately, you've likely seen posts about the ‘Winter Arc,’ a trend that’s taken the idea of winter self-improvement to new heights. On the surface, it’s about committing to fitness and health through the winter months.

But isn’t this just… going to the gym in winter?

While it might feel overplayed, ‘Winter Arc’ is a good example of how a simple idea can evolve into a collective health movement through clever branding and social momentum.

For brands looking to leverage similar trends, there’s potential here—just minus the overhype! Let’s chat if you’d like to see ways your brand can tap into seasonal messaging with subtlety.

The new UK budget landed with a bit of a sting for businesses, with National Insurance contributions and other costs rising. However, there are ways to approach ad spend strategically to keep your brand growing, even in tighter financial times.

I put an entire blog together covering the impact it will have on brands and ad spend but here’s what I recommend for tackling the changes in brief:

• Embrace Long-Term Brand Building: While budget constraints can tempt short-termism, maintaining some focus on long-term brand-building will help ensure you’re creating sustainable growth that lasts beyond the immediate sales period. Think in terms of storytelling and consistency rather than just quick conversions.

• Diversify with Cross-Channel Marketing: Instead of focusing all ad spend on a single platform, a cross-channel strategy lets you reach different segments with tailored content on each platform, boosting brand consistency and ROI.

If you’re rethinking your ad budget or need support in making the most of this climate, let’s talk strategy.

Recently, we’ve been testing Microsoft Clarity as an alternative to Hotjar. Both are solid tools, but Clarity comes with a clear price advantage, being completely free for now.

While Hotjar offers in-depth feedback options, Clarity excels in session recordings and heatmaps, which can be ideal for quick, actionable insights on user behaviour. If you’re looking to balance effectiveness with budget, Clarity might be the right choice for you.

If you want to discuss any of these topics in more depth, feel free to get in touch or click below to learn about them more

• What the 2024 UK Budget Means for Brands & Ad Spend
• Microsoft Clarity vs HotJar for Insights
• The Power of Branding - The Winter Arc is Just Going to the Gym in Winter

We’re here to help you navigate these changes and keep your brand performing better, faster.

Speak soon, Dom Carter