Data-Driven Thinking Archives

In-Person Data Collection Annoys Customers – And It’s Ineffective

I pity the fool that gets between me and my lunch – but that’s precisely what the server behind the counter did last time I was at my favorite burger joint. As I placed my order, he asked for my phone number “to look me up in the system.” I said I’d rather just buy […]

From

Data-Driven Thinking

Embracing Accountability: Best Practices For A More Responsible Era Of Digital Media

The old saying “may you live in interesting times” has never felt more true. Signal deprecation remains in play, privacy considerations are part of every conversation, consumers are increasingly sensitive to brand values and everything has become politicized. This new reality means that where and how brands choose to advertise is perceived as a reflection […]

From

Data-Driven Thinking

Maryland Is The New State To Watch When It Comes To Data Privacy

There are now 19 states that have enacted comprehensive consumer data privacy laws, eight of which are currently in effect. When talk turns to the most impactful of these state privacy laws, the conversation usually starts and stops with California. However, recent developments should alter that conclusion. The Maryland Online Data Privacy Act (MODPA) takes […]

From

Data-Driven Thinking

The Efficiency Trap: Rethinking Value And Cost In Media Buys

In today’s fiercely competitive advertising landscape, brand procurement teams are under incredible pressure to demonstrate value for every media dollar spent. Too often, they conflate efficiency and value. The push for tighter margins is not without impact, especially as it extends across the entire advertising supply chain. Agencies feel the pinch as brands demand more […]

From

Data-Driven Thinking

Why Publicis Is Winning

It’s no secret that Publicis Groupe has outperformed both on an absolute basis as well as in comparison to its ad holding company (“HoldCo”) brethren. In the last five years, Publicis’ market cap has more than doubled (+160%) from $10.5 billion to $28 billion as the firm has racked up big client wins, largely at […]

From

Data-Driven Thinking

AI Won’t Replace Human Creative, But It Can Save Hours In Research

I’m the creative and user experience director for a marketing agency that works with hundreds of CPG and ecommerce brands. I love using AI in my day-to-day job. Before you start wondering about the likelihood of a creative guy embracing AI, know this: It’s not for producing the actual work. Rather, I use it as […]

From

Data-Driven Thinking

12 Tips For Optimizing Retail Media Investments

As the advertising landscape evolves, retail media has emerged as a powerful beast that marketers must harness. ANA’s recent Retail Media Networks Fair brought together advertisers, retail media networks, a Wall Street advisor and measurement experts to discuss today’s hottest medium. The main takeaway? There is an urgent need for brands to adapt and thrive […]

From

Data-Driven Thinking

The Race To The Bottom Is Over. Advertisers Care About Quality Again

Digital advertising has long promised precision and efficiency. But our obsession with “following the audience” has allowed low-quality sites and vanity metrics to thrive while brand integrity suffers. This singular focus on targeting audiences and measuring their impact through typically non-incremental attribution, rather than evaluating media quality, has steered us off course. The digital landscape […]

From

Data-Driven Thinking

Politics Have Changed. Here’s How Political Advertisers Can Adapt

Reflection a couple of weeks after election day is inevitable. But planning for what’s next is where the real impact lies. Political ad strategies evolved quickly this year, as campaigns moved beyond exclusivity, focusing on flexibility and reach. Here’s what this cycle taught us and how it will guide our business in the medium term.

From

Data-Driven Thinking

Marketing Has Made Great Progress, But Media Is Still A Minimum Viable Product

This December, Sequent Partners will say farewell to the advertising and media industries. After 21 years of devising innovative ways to improve the effectiveness of advertising investments, we’ve decided it’s time. Freedom and the open road beckon. We will be retiring from media consulting. And while we will continue to provide assistance to the industry […]

From