MRC Strips Accreditation from Nielsen’s National and Local TV Measurement Services

It’s finally official: Nielsen’s national TV service, which has long served as a crucial measurement backbone for the television media industry, will no longer be third-party accredited by the independent Media Rating Council effective later this month, the organization said today. The decision from the MRC, which evaluates and accredits measurement tools to ensure figure…

Can the Wisdom of Crowds Help Fix Social Media’s Trust Issue?

A new study finds that small groups of laypeople can match or surpass the work of professional fact checkers—and they can do it at scale.

Ben Affleck, Melvin Gregg and Shaq Consider the Odds in Funny Online Sports Betting Ad

When it comes to team sports, working alongside a hand-picked crew isn’t just part of the fun; it’s how you win. By allowing players to build their own betting team, WynnBET from Wynn Resorts Inc. is aiming to stand out among a new surge in online betting apps. In a new spot written and produced…

How to own the new wireless path to purchase

Scott Falzone, managing director US telecom, Google
Chris Valle, industry director, consumer electronics, Google

The telecom industry has seen explosive acceleration in both consumer and business digital transformation over the past several years. 5G is making access to business, education and entertainment faster, cheaper and more ubiquitous. This has enabled brands to stay more connected to consumers than ever before. 

At the same time, people are consuming more content than ever, with digital experiences playing an integral role in the path to purchase. As the following sections highlight, businesses can embrace this ongoing digital transformation with five winning strategies for the new wireless journey. 

  1. Show up across the consumer journey to engage wireless switchers

    In a Deloitte marketing effectiveness report surveying 660 respondents in the wireless and wireline categories, customers who received touchpoints across channels were 10.5 times more likely to shop a brand than customers who received only traditional touchpoints. Planning comprehensively across traditional and digital channels will be more critical than ever as launch season approaches and brand loyalty is tested. 

    Interest across all phone devices rises during launch season showing there is a halo effect for all phone models and switchers are up for grabs. To capitalize on this halo effect and a complementary go-to-market strategy, advertisers should leverage a comprehensive approach across search, video and display formats with proven tactics. 

  2. Lean into the power of digital for launch season 

    Shoppers have embraced digital on the path to purchase, with 73% of post-paid subscribers interacting with online touchpoints on the path to purchase according to a recent Google/BCG study in January 2021

    This is particularly important for new customer acquisition, which is pivotal for all successful product launches. According to the same study, 80% of new customers engaging with a digital touchpoint showed engagement with video three times higher than existing customers. The takeaway: Use tools and platforms to create a comprehensive video plan to reach potential new consumers, increase brand consideration and conversions to drive impact at each stage of the purchase journey for new customers. 

  3. Leverage creators to drive impactful engagement

    The January 2021 Google/BCG study also revealed that new customers are five times more likely than existing customers to engage with influencer recommendations. 

    Services such as YouTube Brand Connect feature passionate creators and loyal fan bases that offer the ability to drive strong engagement. With new customers showing that they are three times more likely than existing customers to be prompted to buy something they saw, watched, read or talked to someone about, this can be a game changer to differentiate from the competition. 

  4. Offer seamless, flexible transactions and pickup to adapt to new consumer expectations

    The Google/BCG study also found that on average one-third of consumers are shopping online for categories they have never purchased online before, so e-commerce shopping is likely to continue to be a trend impacting product launches.

    Businesses can inspire sales by leveraging shopping ads to share product images and details for seamless online purchase and delivery to customer’s homes. 

    Enabling local inventory ads and contactless pickup options will also push sales and further benefit companies. Following the pandemic, more than 1 in 3 consumers expect to visit stores less often, so offering curbside pickup for contactless transactions can help close the sale for those who cannot wait to get their new phones.
     

  5. Address consumers’ needs in real-time 

    According to the Google/BCG study, 80% of new subscribers who have mobile wireless services in their bundle believe it is very important for companies to personalize messaging by knowing their priorities. Furthermore, brands can leverage tools that help to optimize store visits, remaining agile and adaptable to consumer needs should they want to go to a store to try out a phone firsthand or speak with a sales associate about services before completing their purchase. 

    In order for businesses to own the mobile path to purchase, it’s crucial to embrace new strategies such as leaning into the power of digital, leveraging influencers and creators to drive engagement, offering flexible transaction and pickup options for new consumer expectations and addressing consumer needs in real-time. Businesses that are able to pivot and implement these strategies, embracing the digital transformation, will be more connected to their consumers than ever before.

The post How to own the new wireless path to purchase appeared first on Digiday.

MRC Suspends Accreditation For Both Nielsen’s National And Local Ratings Services

The MRC cited “continuing issues” for both local and national services, as well as plans to add broadband-only households to its local panels, as part of the basis for the board’s decisions,

Instagram Kicks Off 10+ Days of Live Shopping

Livestreaming platform Instagram Live is accelerating its promotion of live shopping as a vehicle to reach consumers with a three-week event in September curiously named 10+ Days of Live Shopping. Featuring brands in fashion (Outdoor Voices), beauty (Aveda), sports (Hologear) and lifestyle (Peloton), the event will include goods from the likes of Selena Gomez’s Rare…

These $100 Lunchables at FAO Schwarz Are ‘The Toy You Can Eat’

Just days after department store Macy’s and on-again, off-again toy retailer Toys “R” Us announced they are teaming up for a new toy experience, there’s a new contender in the experiential toy space: Lunchables and venerable toy retailer FAO Schwarz. The Oscar Mayer brand, which was released nationwide in 1989, is leaning hard into its…

What Marketers Should Consider as They Gear Up for the Holiday Season

Editor’s note: This piece is part of our Columnist Network series, which explores the tactical thoughts and actions from Adweek’s community of high-level experts. Today, Roku’s Kristina Shepard thinks ahead to another challenging holiday season. Below, in her own words, she interprets the data on the role of streaming and its unique advantage for marketers….

From Elite to Street: How the USTA Is Making Tennis More Accessible

It’s hard to see yourself in the culture of a sport if you’re observing it from behind a fence. Tennis knows it has an image problem in the United States: that it’s viewed as a cloistered refuge of the wealthy. Its largest domestic event, the U.S. Open, counts American Express, JPMorgan Chase, Emirates Airlines, Rolex,…