The Setup Pulse:

Trends CMOs Need to Know Right Now

Welcome to the Setup Pulse for Brands + Agency marketers alike! Every other week, we’ll provide three trending topics in the Marketing industry, as well as a new story that you will want to get your eyes on.

Read about what’s being talked about this week!

68% of Clients want to Review their Partners

The results of the Setup 2024 Marketing Relationship Survey are out! For six years, we’ve surveyed marketers on both the Agency + Client side to gauge what makes Agency-Client relationships fail + how to improve them. You can download the results today to learn more!

AI is on the Rise

AI is creeping into SaaS products + making them more expensive. According to Melissa Minihan, the VP of Digital Commerce + Marketing for Veritiv, SaaS companies will be charging extra for AI tools to be bolted onto the core product. Here at Setup, our CRM provider already sold us an AI tool that costs more than 10% of what we pay in a year for the core product.

Do you have enough “Rizz” for Gen Z?

We recently attended an AMA event about Gen Z with speakers from Spotify, Papa Johns, Overtime + PrizePicks. Gen Z wants to be a part of + share everything. How can you include them, give them ownership + help them in their mission to stand for something? Read more from our blog about marketing to Gen Z. 

New + Noteworthy

Tech-Savvy Brands Chick-fil-A + Heineken are Redefining Consumer Experiences

Brands are increasingly integrating advanced technology to elevate consumer experiences. For example, Chick-fil-A’s latest app update includes a new content hub called "Moments," which offers everything from recipe inspiration to behind-the-scenes content, combining customer engagement with personalized interactions. Their goal is to entertain + engage families wherever they are. Similarly, Heineken has launched a tech initiative that disables smartphone usage during concerts, encouraging attendees to be more present + engaged. These advancements illustrate how Brands are getting tech-savvy, using innovative solutions to foster authentic consumer connections both digitally + in real-life experiences.

Ad Of The Week | Heinz

The controversy surrounding Heinz's Halloween campaign, which featured "tomato blood" costumes + backlash over its portrayal of a Black father in one ad, has reignited discussions around Brands' commitment to DEI (Diversity, Equity + Inclusion). Critics argue that many companies have allowed their DEI efforts to fade, + this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of consistent, thoughtful representation in marketing. The question now is whether this controversy will push Brands to refocus on authentic + sustained DEI initiatives.

Come back soon for the next “Setup Pulse” where we give you quick trend + campaign reports! If you want more in-depth industry content, including interviews by CMOs + Marketing Executives, subscribe to our Newsletter below!