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).

Marketing Industry/TrendsSetup - marketing matchmakersDecember 3, 2024harness the hypeComment

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.

Marketing Industry/TrendsSetup - marketing matchmakersNovember 26, 2024black friday, marketing dealsComment

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 News/EventsSetup - marketing matchmakersNovember 19, 2024virtual events, marketing relationship surveyComment

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.

Setup News/EventsSetup - marketing matchmakersNovember 19, 2024Happy HourComment

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.

CMO SpotlightSetup - marketing matchmakersOctober 24, 2024Chobani, CMO SpotlightComment

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.

Setup Pulse ReportSetup - marketing matchmakersOctober 21, 2024pulse reportComment

‘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?

Marketing Industry/TrendsSetup - marketing matchmakersOctober 15, 2024industry blog, brand loyaltyComment

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.

Industry BlogsSetup - marketing matchmakersSeptember 24, 2024travel industry, hospitality industryComment

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.

Marketing Industry/TrendsSetup - marketing matchmakersSeptember 17, 2024Budgets, MARKETING budgetComment