Digital Advertising for the Digital Age
Between billboards, television commercials, digital advertising, celebrity endorsements, and newly implemented Instagram ads, advertisements have become so embedded into our modern lives that we hardly even notice them anymore. Most of us have no idea exactly how bombarded we are with advertisements, and we sometimes are not able to differentiate between an advertisement and a cultural product.
“Apps” are a perfect example of a cultural product/advertisement hybrid. Most apps today sell something; they are products that advertise for their own products. This is especially true when a clothing company produces a downloadable app. Consumers may download this app for easy access, but they will then see the app every day and potentially even get push notifications from the app. This is a brilliant strategy that is beginning to become the norm in digital advertising.
Logos, as displayed on bumper stickers, t-shirts, and even laptops, are another interesting example of a gray line between cultural products and advertisements. If someone places a trendy sticker representing a cool music artist on a laptop, for example, is that an advertisement? It may be tempting to say no at first, but if we remember that this laptop will now display the musical artist’s brand in every coffee shop and classroom the laptop owner enters, we can see how this sticker serves as an advertisement. In fact, this is the best and most subtle kind of marketing – the kind that makes people want to identify with the product brand and advertise on the brand’s behalf.
Digital Advertising and Our Cultural Age
The cultural age we live in is progressively digital. Toddlers beg their parents to watch YouTube on their cell phones, and they know how to send Snap Chats and text messages (even if they can’t spell anything coherent).
Thus, though television and magazine ads used to be common marketing platforms, the most successful companies implement digital advertising strategies to promote their brand name. Whether it comes in the form of an app, a hyperlink, or a sponsored post on a social media platform depends on the clientele. One thing is certain, however: those who do not understand the necessity of digital advertising today will have a difficult time keeping up with the current of modern culture and will struggle to facilitate a connection between their potential customers and their product.
Searching for Answers
If you are excited about the new trends in cultural advertising, you likely understand the value of getting advice from a marketing expert. If you are intimidated about all of this, it is probably wise you seek out help that will boost your knowledge and confidence. In either case, Serch Marketing is a great place to start in your search for answers and marketing strategies in this exciting cultural moment.