Setup Pulse - 9.11.23

Welcome to Setup Pulse for Brands and 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!

New + Noteworthy

Pumpkin Spice Has Returned!

Many consumer product categories have jumped on utilizing pumpkin flavored products this year: Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice latte’s 20th year anniversary, Krispy Kreme pumpkin dog donuts, Dude Wipes’ pumpkin scent, and even Hefty's trash bags.

Ad Of The Week

Silk & Spice, a premium Portuguese wine brand, launched a new billboard on a deserted island. Whoever is lucky enough to find it will discover a box built into it containing a real bottle of Silk & Spice wine, a corkscrew, and a wine glass.

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

Blog

10 CMO Secrets for Your 2025 Marketing Strategy

The marketing world is always changing, but the core principles of great leadership stay the same. To help you navigate this evolving landscape, we’ve gathered insights from some of the top CMOs in the business from our featured 2024 CMO Spotlight interviews. These ten lessons are just as relevant now as they’ll be in 2025, offering practical advice on leading with impact and staying adaptable in a fast-moving marketplace.

From Spotify Wrapped to Cow Appreciation Day - How Marketers Leverage Consumer Anticipation

Harness the Hype: Wicked Melted Audiences With Marketing Magic

When Wicked debuted in theaters in 2024, it didn’t just break records—it created a cultural moment (some would say it defied expectations). With a jaw-dropping $164 million opening weekend surpassing other notable Broadway film adaptations like Les Miserable and Mean Girls, the beloved story featuring some of the world’s biggest stars was immediately a box office triumph and a marketing masterpiece. Behind its success was a multifaceted strategy picking out the perfect partnerships that not only thrilled fans of the original, but also reached entirely new audiences of all ages and preferences (even the musical haters).

Navigating the New Black Friday

Black Friday has undergone a dramatic transformation since its chaotic in-store origins in the 1960s. Once synonymous with one-day-only doorbuster deals and frenzied shopping, the event is now a weeks-long digital phenomenon, shaped by evolving consumer behavior, economic pressures, and innovative retailer strategies, not to mention some potential trust issues with consumers. Here’s a comprehensive look at how Brands and consumers are navigating Black Friday 2024.

Insights from the 2024 Setup Marketing Relationship Survey: What Marketers and Agencies Need to Know Event Recap

Last week, Setup hosted a LinkedIn Live event led by Setup Founder & CEO, Joe Koufman, that featured Courtney Lewis, the CMO of The Variable, and Elicia Azali, the CMO of Beazer Homes, to unveil the 2024 Setup Marketing Relationship Survey – an annual report that delves into the dynamics between marketing Agencies and Clients. This year’s results, drawn from over 400 responses across industries, spotlight the evolving priorities, challenges, and opportunities in these relationships.

Setup Happy Hour - Connecting + Celebrating in 2024

In support of our vision to connect marketers with the best people and resources, we’ve hosted a Happy Hour for the Atlanta marketing community at our office for the last two years. Partners, community members, and Clients all join together to laugh, chat, and learn more about one another.

Why Valuing Clients + Your Team Pays Off Big

Whether you’re an Agency or Brand marketing leader, or the point person (Account Services/Project Manager) in an Agency-Client relationship, it’s important to make people feel valued. We’ve compiled notes from countless conversations on what makes a relationship sustainable, and what can ruin it. Check it out!

CMO Spotlight | Ben Boyd - Chobani

Setup CEO + Founder, Joe Koufman, spoke with Ben Boyd, the Chief Communications Officer at Chobani, about designing your own career path, the importance of empathy and understanding as a leader, and more.

Pulse Report 10.21.24

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. This week we talk about tech-savvy Brands, Heinz's misstep, the Marketing Relationship Survey results, and more.

‘Tis the Holiday Season to Gather... and Build Brand Loyalty

The holiday season means show time for a number of industries, meaning Brands need to be on their A-game. With fierce competition and distractions abound, how can your company leave a lasting impression during the holidays to maintain Brand loyalty during the holidays and beyond?

How Data-Driven Decision Making Transforms Agency-Client Partnerships

At Setup, we regularly conduct Agency Assessments where we interview Agencies and their past and current Clients about an Agency's performance, strengths, and weaknesses. Surprisingly, when the results are presented, Clients tend to comment about a lack of data-driven practices, or a need for more.

If data-driven decision making is so impactful, then why are some companies lacking in data usage?

The Case of “Dark Socials” - Tracking the Untraceable

The user's ability to share content privately (or otherwise known as "Dark Social") creates a blind spot for most digital marketers, almost embodying the same effectiveness as a TV spot or a billboard on the street. So how can marketers track the clues to measure what is behind closed doors or hidden in the shadows?

Travel and Hospitality Marketing: Prioritizing the Customer Experience

The fluctuating economy leading to job and spending uncertainty, shifts consumer preferences in ways that significantly impact marketing strategies - especially in Travel and Hospitality. To stay ahead, Brands need to rethink how to engage with customers to maintain their loyalty and their business. Here are some strategies to keep in mind as marketers prepare for the holiday season and approach 2025.

6 Tips to Maximize Your Marketing Budget

With economic uncertainty, shifting consumer expectations, and evolving digital trends (AI, anyone?), it has become more of a challenge to sort budgets. Last year’s numbers may not be a great indicator of future success. One thing is certain, however: demonstrating the ROI from marketing efforts is crucial for brands to stay competitive.

Check out key budgeting challenges that marketers often face and practical solutions to help marketing leaders craft a stronger, more agile budget.

Pulse Report 9.16.24

Welcome to the Setup Pulse for Brands and Agency marketers alike! We provide three trending topics in the Marketing industry, as well as a new story that you will want to get your eyes on. This week we talk about Client team layoffs + increased budgets for Agencies, sprint models, football season + more...

It’s Giving… Marketing to Gen Z

Gen Z is expected to have $2.7 trillion in global spending power, and its influence will only grow, projected to reach $12 trillion by 2030. They currently make up about 25% of the worldwide population. While Millennials have more established careers and spend more, Gen Z has the power to shape trends and is increasing its purchasing power as it continues to take over the workforce.

Gen Z is a big deal, and marketers need to pay attention.

What Marketers Need to Know About the Next Generation: Gen Alpha

Although Generation Alpha is not yet old enough to be purchasing leaders, this tech-savvy generation was the first born into a digitally established world, and their influence may cause marketers to change priorities and adapt to new tactics.

Is Your Agency Missing the B2B Boom While Chasing the B2C Bust?

Many Agencies focus on B2C tactics but could be missing out on untapped B2B opportunities. Learn how you can apply the same powerful B2B strategies you use for Clients to fuel your Agency’s growth.

Pulse Report 8.26.24

Welcome to the Setup Pulse for Brands and Agency marketers alike! We provide three trending topics in the Marketing industry, as well as a new story that you will want to get your eyes on. This week we talk about being ~demure~, Heinz's standout ads, the DNC branding + more...

#MarketersBreakfast - Unlock Your Team’s Potential Recap

Connection in a post-Covid world is different. Most teams are remote and trying to rebuild the remnants of culture’s past. Our August #MarketersBreakfast was aimed to cure this slump by focusing on the tools leaders need to build better and more healthy communication practices to unite their teams and improve their organizations.

The Expert’s Irony: Are Agencies Losing Their Own Game?

Agencies excel at helping businesses grow, but many fail to apply their own successful strategies internally. Explore why Agencies often struggle with their own growth and how to change that.

CMO Spotlight | Trish Nettleship - NCR Voyix

Setup CEO + Founder, Joe Koufman, spoke with Trish Nettleship, the Chief Marketing Officer at NCR Voyix, about understanding your “why,” the power of relationships and listening, passion, and more.

Talk the Talk: Mastering Workplace Communication + Collaboration

People overall are not feeling heard or understood. When that happens, team members don’t feel valued, and they usually leave a place of employment or end a partnership. We provide suggestions to improve culture, collaboration, and communication for marketing leaders, including our Team Building service.

Silver Linings Social Media Playbook: Ad Campaign Do's and Don'ts

Wendy’s paved the way for social media Brand voices and campaigns everywhere. What other Brands are rising to the occasion and what are they doing to stand out?

The Good, The Bad, and The Mediocre: 2024 Cannes Lions

Setup’s Manager of Strategic Partnerships listed his favorite Cannes Lions campaigns from Coca-Cola to Pop-Tarts and more, and the takeaways for marketers.

CMO Spotlight | Dan Csont - Corpay

Setup CEO + Founder, Joe Koufman, spoke with Dan Csont, the EVP & Chief Marketing Officer at Corpay, about leveraging every opportunity to gain experience in your career, the evolution of U2, the power of understanding people as a leader, and more.

5 Ad Campaigns that Inspire Change

Being purpose-driven leads to stronger relationships with consumers rooted in trust, a positive perception of the Brand, excited employees and stakeholders who feel like their work has meaning, and more. By leaning into cause-driven marketing, Brands make a stronger impact, and gain more traction. Past studies show that consumers want Brands to care, especially when it comes to values that align with their own.

Through our research and discussions, we were inspired to point out a few ad campaigns that use their influence for good.

Here are five of our favorite marketing campaigns that amplify what it means to be purpose-driven:

Setup Pulse 7.8.24

Welcome to the Setup Pulse for Brands and 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. This week we talk about TikTok influencer marketing, AI + humans team up, the strength of paid media, and more…

In This Dame and Age - Marketing For Good Event Recap

Our latest virtual Women’s event was themed “Marketing for Good - Turning Passions into Action,” where marketing leaders discussed the internal and external benefits of cause-driven marketing. Attendees included Setup Agency partners as well as members from established Brands at Cox, FIS, FedEx, Great Clips, Kimberly-Clark, The Home Depot, and more.

A Marketer’s Career Journey: Transitioning from Agency to Client-Side Marketing

Navigating the marketing industry often leads professionals to stick to either the Agency or Brand side, potentially limiting their growth opportunities. In our series, we delve into the experiences of marketers who have made the jump from one side to the other. Building on our previous exploration of transitioning from Client to Agency-side marketing, this time we interviewed Allison Turner, who has transitioned from Agency roles to becoming the Marketing Copy Manager at Floor & Decor on the Client side.

This journey highlights how working on both sides can enhance a marketer's skills and adaptability, making them more equipped to handle diverse tasks and challenges.

Setup Pulse ReportSetup - marketing matchmakersSeptember 11, 2023Comment

Setup Pulse - 9.11.23

Trending Topics

Healthcare Needs Agencies

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New + Noteworthy

Pumpkin Spice Has Returned!

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