3 Trends To Watch In Data-led Marketing

That’s not to say change isn’t happening; rather, it comes gradually and starts when industry innovators latch onto a popular idea or technology and the rest of the market tries to understand what the change means for them before they decide to take the plunge and invest in the new advance.

Viewing it through that lens, the future of data-led marketing is more of a spectrum from innovators to mainstream adopters — companies more prepared to make technological and strategic changes versus organizations that like to wait a bit to see how new tech may apply to them. There are always going to be organizations, whether they’re quick-moving startups or large organizations with significant resources, whose ethos drives them to be more willing to take that early leap, while others stay the course longer.

There are three key areas where you can expect the innovators of the marketing space to really push forward in the coming years, while the more mainstream adopters trail a bit behind.

1. From A Data Warehouse-First Marketing Approach To Streaming

While mainstream adopters are just starting to turn the corner on the warehouse-first approach to data and marketing, innovators will likely start utilizing more streaming and 1:1 data-driven methods of communication.

Although the idea of the warehouse-first approach may seem like the newest craze, many leading organizations have been adopting these types of marketing efforts over the last five years. Snowflake’s record-breaking IPO doesn’t happen in a world where a warehouse-first approach is some overnight sensation or passing fad; Snowflake’s massive opening is indicative of the current popularity and progress brands have been making in consolidating data for some time now.

As larger institutions in banking, finance and healthcare begin adopting many of these ideas and centralizing to a performant data warehouse, industry innovators are beginning to see the friction in applying that approach to all their workflows and seeking to become more stream-first than warehouse-first.

The rise of Databricks is a good indication — built on top of the Apache Spark streaming platform, the product can be seen almost as a transition, incorporating warehouse-first principles with the ability to stream. Innovators will begin to drive more of their marketing programs from dedicated stream- and event-based services and look for marketing vendors to take advantage of these new data sources for better messaging.

2. From Cross-Channel Messaging Workflows To AMP & RCS

Innovators will begin to utilize new interactive channels like AMP, email and rich communication services (RCS) messaging, while mainstream adopters will truly adopt cross-channel messaging workflows.

AMP Email allows senders to include AMP components inside rich engaging emails, making modern app functionality available within email,” according to its website. Like many innovations, AMP Email made a splash a few years ago, but adoption has been slow because practical application of its offering needed to be developed. More email providers now offer AMP functionality, and innovative marketers will start utilizing it to deliver rich experiences.

Similarly, RCS protocol is Google’s take on mobile messaging that offers up popular features from other messaging apps like Facebook Messenger, iMessage and WhatsApp into one platform. For both AMP and RCS early adopters, now is the right time to lead and deliver interesting new avenues to stand out to customers, as both of these channels are early enough where there’s opportunity to make an impact — and the ability to capitalize on them is easier than it was when they were first introduced.

Mainstream adopters are finally at the point where they’re essentially forced to get cross-channel messaging right. The “omnichannel” concept is no longer theoretical; consumers now simply expect a seamless experience regardless of where the interaction takes place. Brands, particularly in the retail, hospitality and financial sectors, will work to get it right.

3. From Dabbling In AI To Making AI A Core Brand Component

Innovators will make AI a core element of their brand while mainstream adopters will begin to experiment with AI and adopt conversational messaging. AI has been around forever and is talked about every year but is just now to the point of being approachable for the average marketing department. Tools are available that make it easy to leverage AI, and consumers enjoy experiences where earlier adopters have utilized it well.

So, what does it mean to make AI a core part of a brand? For many, it’s subtle usage in website or headline copy, recommendations or other situations where the functionality makes the customer experience better. Retailers will use it to help customers make important buying decisions, travel brands will use it to help customers plan the perfect vacation and financial brands will help customers make sound decisions with their money. AI will help marketers connect consumers with the brand in new and meaningful ways.

Jeff Haws is a Senior Content Marketing Manager at MessageGears. His specialties include editorial writing, planning, editing/proofreading, content marketing strategy, audience identification and deadline writing. Prior to MessageGears, he was a Sports Content Creator and Social Media Specialist at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.