Happy New Year!
 
The tree is down, the decorations have been put away and all that’s left of the holidays is your list of New Year’s resolutions. Is one of those resolutions “staying on top of the latest marketing practices”?
 
If so, I have you covered with a list of the key trends that will keep you competitive in 2017.
 

Live platforms put the broadcast in your hands

Half of executives would rather watch a video than read text. Over 35 million people live streamed the 2016 presidential debates. Live platforms such as Periscope and Facebook Live and are the hottest new ways to reach diverse audiences. B2B applications include broadcasting from an industry conference, sharing executive perspectives, offering insight about your products and services or interviewing industry experts.
 

Interactivity helps people “touch” your brand

Call it the Pokémon GO effect, but just staring at a screen isn’t the same anymore. Interactive experiences are no longer a “nice-to-have”; they’re a must. On one end of the spectrum, you have tools like calculators and 360-degree video tours. From there, we move into things like sightseeing apps that overlay local information to full multisensory experiences. In 2017, we predict marketers will use interactive tools and even virtual reality to bring their products to life.
 

Data visualization makes sense of big data

Big data is just getting bigger – and it’s having a huge impact on how we live and work. Across industries, companies are using data to drive execution and decision-making. Data visualization is key to helping us process and use vast amounts of raw data. As data sources and system integrations become increasingly complex, visualization tools can mean the difference between success and failure.

 
Native advertising reaches your consumers in a natural way

Native advertising follows the form and function of the platform on which it appears. These disguised ads are often called the “gateway drug” to content marketing. While this technique is not new, its importance is on the rise, as increasingly savvy consumers ignore traditional ads. Native advertising is a friendly and effective way to draw potential customers in. And that helps your content get the promotion it needs.
 

Great writing sets you apart in a world of overload

We used to email. Then, we switched to texting. Now, some of us don’t even have time for pesky nouns and verbs – we just use emojis! In a world where our attention spans have fallen to just eight seconds, every word counts. As consumers skip, skim and filter, good writing counts now more than ever. Professional writers help you tell the best story.

Jim Ellis has over 20 years of experience in marketing strategy and implementation throughout a variety of industry sectors. Since 1999 he has been with Signal, a digital agency based in Wilmington and Raleigh, North Carolina. Signal has proven strengths serving as the “local agency” for global companies, generating solid results in web design, brand identity, mobile app development, digital strategy and more. Jim provides counsel to many of the agency’s largest clients with an eye toward integrated communications and a vast knowledge of both traditional and modern practices. As a songwriter and musician with a business degree, he believes his artistic/corporate “dual personality” gives him added perspective to be an effective liaison between clients and Signal’s talented creative team. Originally from Ohio, Jim graduated from the University of Richmond with a B.S. in Business Administration.