Joanna Montgomery

Not (yet) a fan of broad #AI generated ads and content, this article shook something in my mind and heart 🤔 It shows how AI-generated ads will enable #SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) to access a still-huge comms channel and audience that was unaffordable for them: TV 📺 The insight: “Too often the cost of making an ad is a barrier for brands looking to breakthrough and test TV” 💡 The facilitator (ITV): “By expanding our existing creative production services to include making ads with gen AI, we can democratise this further, and make the power of TV advertising accessible to all. We are constantly innovating to find better ways to help brands grow” 👏 The beneficiary (brands and products of SME): “We thought a TV ad of this quality was far out of our reach” 💪 https://lnkd.in/dn9jNhxu

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https://lnkd.in/eqbSYC8Q Would AI-generated Ad's make you reconsider TV ad spend?... For me that isn't the biggest barrier - the general cost and confusion of 'what you get for your money' with a lot of businesses needs addressing rather than jumping on AI as the solution. Why not offer AI as a solution to optimising your ad spend with channels/airtime/programming schedule? That way both the broadcaster and the customer wins... 😅

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We're UK Digital Growth Awards finalists 🎉✨ Our CRO team has been shortlisted for the Best use of Conversion Optimisation with @ageasuk! Fingers crossed for the results later this month 😁 Read more about our nomination and the impactful project https://hubs.li/Q02zqpkW0 #UKDGAwards #performance #conversionoptimisation #digitalmarketingagency #marketing #digitalmarketing

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Reading ITV's latest press release the following phrase struck me: 'It (Planet V) is now the exclusive entry point for ITVX advertising, and handles over 99% of ITV’s digital ad bookings.' I have always championed self-serve ad platforms, having cut my teeth in the #Native space where self-serve was the norm, I then encountered the beast that is Meta’s ad platform. Both allowed #SME’s to flourish in the digital world where their smaller budgets often go unnoticed. There is a reason why some of the biggest #advertising businesses in the world offer self-serve and #ITV has tapped into that with an incredible £1bn in ad booking revenue in its first 4 years. Well done ITV! https://lnkd.in/eZAPvxqC.

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As Q4 kicks off, it's great to see a write up our festive insights in Performance Marketing World. If you'd like to access the full report, you can download it here: https://hubs.li/Q02NmRxd0

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Currys plc, a leading British electronics retailer, is setting an example for marketers by expertly leveraging Gen Z and millennial #socialmedia trends. This recent example, with over 8 million views and more than 600,000 likes, demonstrates that aligning your strategy and content with what resonates with your target audience—while ensuring relevance to your products—is not only achievable but impactful. By embracing humor, relatability, and a deep understanding of the cultural moments driving engagement on Gen Z-dominated platforms, Currys has successfully transformed its brand identity. It's no longer just a tech retailer but a cultural participant that connects with younger audiences on a personal level, building both loyalty and brand affinity. #currys #retail #marketing #advertising

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Please join me for this webinar - I doubt you could ask for insights from two better placed, market-leading, award-winning B2B Editors, who have driven the success of their subscription-led businesses. Catrin Griffiths Alastair McLellan

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A few days ago, I published the post below here on LinkedIn and on other social networks about my blog being in Vuelio's listing of the Top 10 UK PR blogs 2024. Some nice reactions here (thanks!) and there. On LinkedIn, though, within a few hours, I'd received email pitches and DMs from people wanting me to publish guest posts, with the promise that they'd promote the posts and "amplify my SEO presence," to quote one. All in exchange for "just a few carefully selected links," to quote another. It’s clear that LinkedIn is fast becoming a breeding ground for inauthentic, spammy, approaches. But the real question is: How do we maintain trust and authenticity in a space that’s increasingly being exploited?

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Get ready for an exciting revelation! Do you want to know what British consumers are planning for their 2024 holiday? The wait is over as we bring you the latest trends and insights that will revolutionize the way marketers approach their holiday marketing strategies. Brace yourself for exhilarating insights by downloading the report from the link below!

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Omar Oakes in The Media Leader UK touching on one of the biggest issues of our age. Network Media Agencies are having to turn to 'products' (many non-transparent) to find additional margin as pressure mounts on them to replace lost margins in creative, production and other disciplines within the Holding Companies. Selling products for a mark-up shouldn't be a core feature of a service industry. Adding value through strategic insights, sophisticated media planning and effective (not just efficient) execution should be the way that agencies demonstrate value and drive margin. Charging properly for this has to be the solution rather than today's race for the bottom of faster, better, cheaper. Hopefully this will be discussed at the Future of Media conference happening today and tomorrow from Adwanted UK events.

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The Comms Dart Podcast is out, and I'm interviewed by its host Stephen Davies. We cover: 💻 Changes in PR 📘 Global CommTech Report 📈 CommTerch trends 💷 Budget challenges 🤖 How comms is (or isn't) using AI 🗳️ Digital and comms in the UK election 💡 I am Stuart Bruce. I can help you: 🚀 Modernise your PR and comms 🤖 Use AI for PR and comms 🔥 Protect your reputation in a crisis 📈 Improve your insight and measure your comms 🔔 You can ring the bell on my profile to see more posts like this. #publicrelations #communications #pr #aiinpr

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What makes branded content “good”? And how can brands ensure the effectiveness of their content marketing strategy? See Raconteur | B Corp™'s latest guide to gain insights on engaging branded content and learn from industry experts how to find the perfect blend of art and science to elevate your content marketing. Get your guide ➡ https://lnkd.in/eBNynDyi #ContentMarketing #ContentMarketingStrategy #MarketingInsights #BrandStrategy #BrandedContent #ContentCreation

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In London this Wednesday morning? Will you join us for breakfast? The Marketing Society invites you to join us with our friends Publicis Groupe for a thought-provoking discussion around the ‘Uncomfortable Conversation’ on the evolving landscape of diversity in communications and advertising. 28% of UK adults say they actively avoid brands that don’t embrace diversity but it’s hard to authentically represent diverse communities. Here’s the question for discussion: 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗧𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻? 💭 ◽ Is diversity in comms as critical for product-led sectors vs service-led? Or are there more important elements to communicate about? ◽ Is diversity in advertising now genuine or is it still just a token gesture in some sectors?  ◽ Do diverse ads boost sales or risk alienating customers? JOIN US - in a lovely comfortable setting with breakfast and great company… as well as and some expert food-for-thought from great panellists (now including extra Emma Harris). A time-efficient and enjoyable way to learn and pause to think together. Thought-provoking, useful and a brilliant way to start your day! Date: Wednesday 22 May Time: 8.30 - 10.30am Venue: London WC2A 1JA JOIN US - book your place here - https://lnkd.in/eG7yE672 #uncomfortableconversation #diversity #advertising

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For this month's Problems Worth Solving podcast, I spoke to Rochelle Gold, Head of User Research and User-Centred Design at NHS England. She has been working quietly behind the scenes to build up a user centred focus across the NHS's digital work. We framed the discussion around how to make the digital side of the NHS more human. I loved this example that she shared when we were discussing the value of integrating research with technology investments: “One example I give is observing someone using a hospital system. They asked for a ‘print’ button on a screen, but by watching their behaviour, we realised the real issue wasn’t printing—it was integrating that information into another system. User research isn’t about what people say they need; it’s about understanding the outcomes they’re trying to achieve.” We also talked about how NHS England is tackling one of the biggest challenges in research—breaking down silos. They have over 130 user researchers now in their team and have developed an AI-powered tool to organise and surface insights across the organisation. “We want to allow anyone in the NHS to query what we already know about a topic. It’s transforming how we manage and share research knowledge.” We discussed the importance of collaboration between policy and service delivery and how transformative this was during the the pandemic, when teams from digital, policy, and operations came together under intense pressure. “The pandemic showed how collaboration could deliver faster, more effective solutions. That’s how we should be working across the NHS—not just in emergencies, but every day.” Rochelle talked about a her vision for the future where barriers to excluded groups are removed to ensure health services are truly inclusive. “If we address the barriers faced by the most excluded, we make services better for everyone.” Link to listen to the podcast in the first comment below. #servicedesign #ai #ucd #userresearch #nhs #healthtech #healthcare

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Did you know 45% of people say they are more likely to notice a catalogue sent in the post than a marketing email? If you're in the planning phase for your Christmas activity take a moment, grab a cup of tea and discover more fascinating more stats and benefits for catalogues in our blog. ➡️

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A new UK case study is out with Sweaty Betty! 🌟 Sweaty Betty collaborates with Shook Digital to enhance online sales for their crucial end-of-season campaign. By tapping into TikTok's vast user base, two creators crafted 40 engaging videos, each customized to resonate with Sweaty Betty's target audience. These videos featured multiple variations to boost performance and gather valuable insights for future campaigns. Key Results: +83% Click-through-rate +82% Conversion-rate Check out the full case study here: https://lnkd.in/eg-CXaAj 📈 #CaseStudy #DigitalMarketing #SuccessStory #TikTokMarketing

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Our #Digital2024 Global July Statshot Report is now live! As always, it’s packed with the latest digital and social data. Here are some of the highlights: 📱5.68 billion unique individuals were using mobile phones at the end of June 2024, meaning that 70% of the world’s population now qualifies as a mobile user. 📈 TikTok’s ad reach may already have overtaken Instagram, with TikTok ads now reaching 1.604 billion adults aged 18 and above. 🎮 Around the world, the total time that people spend using the Roblox mobile app exceeds the total time that people spend using some of the world’s top social media apps. 💰Global spend on social media advertising has increased by 13% in the past twelve months. ⚙️ ChatGPT is the most used standalone AI tool, with more than 300 million unique monthly visitors in June 2024. 💸 TikTok earned the greatest share of app store revenues with worldwide users spending an average of more than USD $340 million each month over the latest three-month period. You can ready the full report here 👇🏼https://lnkd.in/gEawcURF If you brand/business needs professional opinion on how best to utilise certain data points for certain marketing objectives, feel free to hit me up for a drink!

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#FullCircleMoment ... From #1994 a day's typing as a temp on Marketing Week and discovering the 'invisible' marketing industry, to being named as a #2024 #Changemaker by Marketing Week. 30 years ago, I moved to London, with multiple overdrawn bank accounts, no access to more funds, sleeping on a friend's floor. I could type, fry chips, clean and serve drinks. I had no plan because no one in my family had graduated before. I had no idea publishing, advertising or marketing existed - at my socially mobile school 'secretary' was a very lofty vocation (Air Hostess if you were pretty and blonde). Early one morning I arrived at Office Angels and sat on a little wooden bench eating my free croissant (I thought I was so sophisticated and continental), waiting for a secretary in the west end to call in sick so I could get a day's work and a day's pay (which I needed as I had A FIVER and no one would lend me any more cash (true story)). The P.A. of Marketing Week was sick. I was sent in. It was a revelation, a publishing office, selling adverts - a different world. Unlike anything I thought existed. The publisher was A WOMAN. She wore a scarf thing that she threw over her shoulder as she walked through the desks being A BOSS. (This scarf thing, I later learnt, was a 'pashmina'). (Annie Swift I thought you were amazing and still do). Two things happened: 1. I realised this was what I wanted to do and I'd find a way to break in (and I did, joining the company a couple of weeks later as a P.A. on Design Week as I'd been so efficient on my temping day) (Top Tip: always smash every opportunity you are given, whether you like it or not). 2. This Boss was what I wanted to be. My horizon shifted completely. I had a north star and I had the representation of a female doing it. I also had to eat my first #avocado, which did not go well, but that's another story. And it wasn't easy, I worked 3 jobs for the first 2 years (9-530pm in the office, 6-9pm telemarketing and weekends 6pm -5am). So thirty years later, having built Brixton Finishing School, designed partly as a balm for my lived experiences as a socially mobile talent it is BIZARRE that I am featured as a #2024 #Changemaker in the title that started my journey. The programmes BFS has built work to ensure that ALL of the best talents are aware of our industry (through www.careeradventures.org for 14-19 year olds), The ADcademy (18-30) and our flagship Summer School (18-25). Our mentorship programme works on representation so you can see what you what to be. I am so grateful that I had my shot (and I had the hustle to take it). Social mobility is a it's worst for 50 years. I couldn't have broken through now. That's why BFS is so important and The Finishing School Foundation to close the practical financial gaps. #Brixton Family - THANK YOU - it's all of you that are changemakers!!! and congrats to all named Dino Myers-Lamptey Genna Osler Ben Major Frank Starling Caroline Forbes

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