By : Matt Jacobs, Director, Strategic Marketing Group
Last weekend I joined hundreds of internet nerds at MIT for ROFLCon III, a two-day convention celebrating internet culture and all things meme. Now a few days out from the numerous panels, lectures and social-outings, I’m left pondering the key theme of the "mainstreaming of the internet" and associated takeaways from the event.
By : Adriann Fonstein, Director, Brand Strategy
Every year at Back to School time, parents head out in droves with armfuls of children attached to themselves in search of the latest and greatest fashion and gadgets. Some spend a lot and some spend a little, but in 2011 parents said they spent about $606, down from $612 in 2010. So, what does that mean? It means Mrs. Smith bought one less three-ring binder than she did the year before. It’s a change that researchers and retailers are extremely mindful of because when you think about all those un-bought binders, you realize just how much they can add up to. But it’s not just important to think about how much money parents spent during this time, it is also important to think about why they spent it.
By : Leah Thiffault, Brand Planner, Brand Strategy
For teens, the ritual of back-to-school shopping is born from necessity. Growth spurts mean new kicks are a must and advanced math class requires a graphing calculator this year. But the BTS ritual satisfies needs beyond practical considerations. What teens wear, the electronics they use, the backpacks they carry are all means of defining their identities – both to themselves and to their peers. BTS shopping provides teens with a unique, once-a-year, opportunity for self-expression and reinvention.
By : Jason Rivera, Director, Consumer Insights
AMP's Director of Brand Strategy, Jason Rivera, shares some insight on college students' purchase intent and shopping behavior. He discusses how brands can leverage these insights to reach this demographic during the Back-to-School shopping season.
By : Jamie Pappas, Vice President, Social Media & Public Relations
As you’ve likely heard by now, Facebook will be switching all brand pages over to the new Facebook Timeline layout as of March 30th, though you can preview the functionality now. While the jury is still out among some social media professionals as to whether or not this shift is beneficial to brands, I’m not having any trouble seeing the value this shift brings to the table for brands seeking real relationships with their consumers. This shift in functionality is one that finally, and for the first real time in the social media space, enables brands to tell their story, share their history, share the milestones that matter, and engage with consumers in an authentic conversation and relationship.
