The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has released findings that confirm loyalty-priced promotions at major supermarkets offer genuine savings to shoppers, providing reassurance amidst ongoing cost-of-living pressures. After conducting a comprehensive investigation into the pricing practices of five leading UK supermarkets—Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Co-op, and Morrisons—the CMA found little evidence of inflated ‘usual’ prices used to exaggerate loyalty discounts.

Genuine Savings Backed by Rigorous Analysis

The CMA analysed approximately 50,000 grocery products featured in loyalty price promotions and concluded that 92% of these items offered a legitimate saving against their usual prices within the same store. On average, shoppers can benefit from a 17-25% discount when purchasing loyalty-priced products.

George Lusty, Interim Executive Director of Consumer Protection at the CMA, said:

“We know many people don’t trust loyalty card prices, which is why we did a deep dive to get to the bottom of whether supermarkets were treating shoppers fairly. After analysing tens of thousands of products, we found that almost all the loyalty prices reviewed offered genuine savings against the usual price – a fact we hope reassures shoppers throughout the UK.”

However, Lusty highlighted that loyalty prices aren’t always the cheapest option available, stressing the importance of shopping around to maximise savings:

“While these discounts are legitimate, our review has shown that loyalty prices aren’t always the cheapest option, so shopping around is still key. By checking a few shops, you can continue to stretch your hard-earned cash.”

Key Findings from the CMA Review

The CMA’s investigation aimed to address shopper concerns about loyalty pricing, transparency, and accessibility. Key takeaways include:

• Genuine savings: 92% of products analysed offered true discounts against their usual prices.
  
• Average savings: Loyalty-priced products provided savings of 17-25% across the five supermarkets.
  
• Comparison shopping matters: Loyalty prices, while competitive, are not always the lowest available.
  
• Limited impact on shopping habits: While 76% of shoppers said loyalty pricing has not changed where they shop, 24% now compare prices more actively.
  
• Mixed perceptions of fairness: 43% of surveyed consumers felt it was unfair that loyalty members benefit from lower prices, while 55% suspect non-member prices are inflated.
  
• Data concerns minimal: Only 7% of shoppers cited personal data usage as a reason for not joining loyalty schemes.

Accessibility Challenges: Room for Improvement

The CMA also examined the accessibility of loyalty schemes, particularly for groups who may struggle to participate, such as elderly shoppers or those without smartphones. While no breaches of consumer law were identified, the review found that some supermarkets could improve inclusivity by offering offline sign-up options, such as in-store or telephone registration, and by reconsidering age restrictions for membership.

Trust and Transparency: A Positive Step Forward

Importantly, the CMA’s review alleviates concerns around the use of customer data, confirming that supermarkets’ loyalty schemes meet consumer protection standards. Despite lingering perceptions around fairness and pricing strategies, the findings provide much-needed clarity for shoppers, reinforcing that loyalty prices are, for the most part, genuine deals.

What This Means for Shoppers

For consumers, the message is clear: loyalty schemes can deliver meaningful savings, but smart shopping remains essential. By comparing prices across stores and remaining vigilant, shoppers can make the most of their loyalty memberships and stretch their budgets further.

Next Steps for Supermarkets

The CMA’s findings call on supermarkets to:

• Improve accessibility for shoppers without smartphones or under-18s.
  
• Offer alternative sign-up methods, such as offline registration.
  
• Ensure transparency around loyalty pricing and data usage to build greater trust.

As the cost-of-living crisis continues to impact households across the UK, the CMA’s findings serve as a reminder that while loyalty schemes offer real benefits, shoppers must remain proactive in seeking the best value for their money.

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The IPM is thrilled to spotlight Wall’s latest campaign, “Sing It to Win It!“—a fantastic demonstration of how brands can blend creativity, interactivity, and digital marketing to engage consumers.

This campaign builds on creative agency Activation’s earlier work, which first cooked up the “When Hunger Calls, Grab a Wall’s“ tagline. From tradespeople taking on the Wall’s Street Challenge to sausage rolls flying off shelves thanks to freebie giveaways, the tagline has already left its mark. Now, Wall’s is turning up the volume. Now, with ‘Sing It to Win It!’, the UK public is invited to perform their take on this catchy line. Participants can submit their renditions online for a chance to win £5,000, collaborate with a music producer, and have their jingle professionally recorded for a national radio ad airing next spring.

Rolling Out Big Laughs and Bigger Connections!

Wall’s expertly blends user-generated content with influencer partnerships, teaming up with On the Tools for a second year to strengthen its connection to the tradesperson community. By creating relatable, laugh-out-loud content that resonates with this audience, the campaign ensures its messaging hits home where it matters most. Key to driving the campaign’s success are sausage roll-loving influencers, who leverage their platforms to spread the word far and wide. This is further bolstered by Wall’s own social media presence and a targeted digital push on Meta and YouTube.

The campaign flips the script by inviting fans to join the action, turning a tagline into a national singalong. By encouraging people to get creative and have fun, Wall’s isn’t just selling sausage rolls—they’re turning consumers into co-creators and giving them a chance to shape the brand’s story. It’s a bold and playful move that brings Wall’s closer to its audience, turning everyday fans into the stars of the show.

This campaign stands out as a feel-good moment during challenging times. By offering a chance to win a tasty £5,000 prize, Wall’s serves up a tasty treat that will bring smiles and shares along the way. This approach brings the audience closer to the brand, creating a shared experience that’s fun, uplifting, and unifying. Think you’ve got what it takes to be Wall’s next star? Visit grabawalls.co.uk and let your voice be heard!

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The UK government has recently opened a consultation on the future of zero-hour contracts, a decision with potentially far-reaching consequences for many sectors, especially the promotional marketing industry. Many IPM members rely on zero-hour contracts to staff fluctuating campaign demands, providing essential flexibility. For workers—including students, part-timers, and freelancers—these contracts offer the freedom to work across multiple agencies. During this period, it’s crucial to consider how these contracts can meet the needs of both businesses and workers. This article explores the potential implications, offers critical insights, and encourages active participation to collectively shape how these changes are implemented, ensuring they work for everyone—businesses, agencies, and the workers who make our campaigns possible.

What is a Zero-Hour Contract?

Zero-hour contracts are agreements where employers are not obligated to offer a minimum number of working hours, and workers, in turn, are not required to accept the work offered. These contracts provide critical flexibility, particularly for students, parents, freelancers, and those balancing other commitments to work around their schedules, accommodating studies, family responsibilities, or other part-time work. For employers, it provides the ability to quickly adapt to fluctuating business needs without the burden of fixed staffing costs. This type of contract first entered the public debate in 2013, when industries needed a workforce that could adapt quickly to changing demands—particularly in sectors like hospitality, retail, and promotional marketing.

Flexibility vs. Fairness: The Debate

A pro-worker, pro-business economy demands genuine, two-sided flexibility for both employers and employees. The problem to date has been that this flexibility has too often gone one way. Through the Employment Rights Bill, the government aims to fulfil its pledge to end exploitative zero-hour contracts. It is proposed that this type of contract does not offer the worker any form of certainty as to their earnings, making it difficult to apply for credit or a mortgage, to rent a flat, to plan for major events like weddings or holidays. Flexible hours of work can benefit both workers and employers, but without proper safeguards, this flexibility can be one-sided.

A pro-worker, pro-business economy demands genuine, two-sided flexibility for both employers and employees. The problem to date has been that this flexibility has too often gone one way.

Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business and Trade

Too many people are drawn into a race to the bottom, denied the security they need to raise a family while businesses are unable to retain the workers they need to grow. We’re raising the floor on rights at work to deliver a stronger, fairer and brighter future of work for Britain.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner

The Impact on Promotional Marketing

Promotional marketing—especially experiential campaigns and live activations—relies heavily on the ability to quickly scale staffing up or down based on client demands, campaign types, and specific locations. Zero-hour contracts have been instrumental in providing the workforce flexibility needed for these unpredictable scenarios, enabling agencies to meet diverse client needs efficiently. The flexibility of zero-hour contracts benefits not only businesses but also workers—many of whom are students, freelancers, or part-time professionals looking for dynamic and short-term opportunities.

Our initial conversations with members have shown that these changes could significantly impact how some businesses operate. Without the option for zero-hour contracts, the promotional marketing industry may struggle to meet client demands and maintain the high level of agility required to succeed in an environment where staffing needs shift rapidly. The banning of such contracts could place significant strain on the workforce and the industry as a whole, potentially leading to decreased employment opportunities and a reduction in the industry’s economic contribution.

IPM General Manager Emma Kirk

Challenges in Implementing Reforms

Agency work is inherently unpredictable, with workers frequently choosing this type of employment precisely for the flexibility it offers, allowing them to fit work around other commitments. However, the proposed reforms—such as guaranteed hours—would not only limit workers’ freedom to choose when to work but also hinder agencies’ ability to respond swiftly to campaign demands. Striking a balance between flexibility and stability is crucial for ensuring the industry can continue to flourish while offering fair conditions for all involved.

A key complexity in the promotional marketing sector is the tripartite relationship between agencies, workers, and end clients. With the proposed reforms, questions arise about who should be responsible for offering guaranteed hours or providing reasonable notice of shifts—should it be the agency, the end hirer, or both?

Why Industry Voices Matter

The Employment Rights Bill presents a pivotal moment for sectors like ours that depend on agile staffing solutions. Now is the time for us to collectively shape how these changes are implemented, ensuring they work for everyone—businesses, agencies, and the workers who make our campaigns possible.

The IPM is actively gathering vital input from across the industry to present a well-rounded response to the government consultation. We need real-life examples, data on economic impact, and ideas for how to protect workers without losing the adaptability that our work demands. Your insights could be the key to ensuring the new measures support our industry.

Join the conversation and help shape the future of work in our industry by completing the feedback form via the link below. The deadline for submissions is Friday, 15th November 2024, at 4 pm.

Click Here To Find Out More and Submit Your Feedback!

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Experience12, the UK’s leading pop culture brand experience agency, has appointed industry veteran Nick Swift as Client Services Director in a newly created role.

Swift brings his 20 years of events, experiential and content marketing experience to Experience12. He has worked at some of the industry’s leading agencies, most recently from Circle Agency, where he was Group Account Director, following his role as Director of Brand Experience at Retail Marketing Group (RMG). Nick has led numerous prestige campaigns over the years that have won industry awards, including IPM and FMBE golds.

Swift has worked with leading gaming, toy and entertainment brands including PlayStation, Electronic Arts, Activision, Hasbro, Capcom and Team17 that perfectly align with Experience12’s specialised focus on pop culture marketing, making him well-positioned to understand and serve the agency’s client base.

Working as a part of the senior management team with Business Director George Bateman, Head of Production Nick Parker and Founder Chris Whittle, Swift will focus on consolidating the agency’s best in class client servicing in addition to supporting the agency’s growth plans. His appointment comes, as Experience12 expands its work within the gaming and entertainment sectors in the UK and Internationally.

Swift will take up his position with immediate effect.

“I’m extremely excited to be joining the team at Experience12, an agency I have long admired.  I’m passionate about brand showmanship and building fan love – and I’m looking forward to working with Experience12 clients old and new to create campaigns that both dazzle and deliver.” 

Nick Swift, Client Services Director at Experience12

“Given the extraordinary year for the agency it’s a great time for Nick to be joining the team. We were looking for someone with a strong track record in our core pop culture sectors with a demonstrated experience in securing campaigns and successfully delivering them for clients. It was clear even from our initial conversations that Nick understood the board’s vision for Experience12’s future. We’re looking forward to working with him on developing that future and the many exciting adventures ahead.”

Chris Whittle, Founder and Managing Director at Experience12

About Experience12

Experience12 is an independent, award-winning agency specialising in experiential marketing and events across the Film, TV and video game sectors. With unrivalled insight into the fan audience through years of research, we utilise data, trends and the demands of this powerful pop culture audience to deliver events with stand-out results for the biggest entertainment brands in the world. Based in London but operating globally, our services include creative, experiential events, exhibition stand design and build, PR stunts, press and influencer engagement and national and worldwide tours.

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Poundland has launched its nationwide loyalty program, Poundland Perks, across 850 stores and online platforms, marking a significant advancement in high-street retail engagement. The app has rapidly gained popularity, topping UK app charts and amassing over 500,000 downloads shortly after its release.

More Points, More Perks – Just in Time for Christmas

The timing couldn’t be better. As we approach the festive season, Poundland is giving customers the chance to accumulate points on every purchase until December 24. By earning 1 point for every penny spent, shoppers can quickly collect perks – with 5,000 points translating to a £1 voucher. This fast-track savings strategy turns every purchase into a reward, positioning Poundland as a savings destination that doesn’t compromise on choice or convenience.

Spin to Winsday

The app introduces ‘Spin to Winsday,’ a gamified feature available every Wednesday, allowing users to win prizes, points, and exclusive perks. Additionally, Poundland Perks offers over 100 deals on popular brands such as Domestos, TRESemmé, Lynx, and Pot Noodle, ensuring substantial savings on everyday essentials.

£20 Million Tech Transformation

“This investment in our digital ecosystem is about giving customers more ways to save. We want to make Poundland a go-to for everyday savings and exceptional experiences alike.”

Tom Hill, Director of Digital at Poundland

This ambitious launch is part of Poundland’s £20 million investment in a digital overhaul, including faster self-checkouts and seamless in-store technology to enhance the customer experience. The new technology enables smooth integration with the app, so customers can easily track rewards and redeem offers with each visit. It’s a clear sign Poundland is serious about creating a streamlined, tech-driven shopping journey.

Perks On The Move

Extending beyond digital engagement, Poundland has introduced the Perks Caravan, a mobile unit touring the UK to promote the loyalty program. Offering free coffees and facilitating on-the-spot app sign-ups, this initiative blends digital convenience with community interaction, enhancing brand engagement nationwide.

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Checkout.com’s latest research on Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) trends reveals shifting consumer interests in the UK. Drawing from the broader Digital Economy: Peak Season Trends 2024 study, the data shows that bargain-hunting Brits are looking beyond traditional categories like clothing, beauty, and electronics, with new interests in air travel and health products, especially among younger generations. As British consumers gear up for peak season sales, this report offers valuable insights for marketers looking to capture attention in an ever-evolving digital marketplace.

• Air travel is forecast to see increased sales during BFCM this year, with 14% of the population intending to buy during peak season in 2024, up from just 8% saying they have purchased in peak season in the past (a 75% increase compared to previous years). Younger generations are driving this trend, with nearly a third (28%) of Gen Z (an 87% increase compared to previous years) and a quarter (24%) of Millennials intending to buy air travel during BFCM this year. 
  
• A third (32%) of Millennials are looking to buy streaming services during BFCM deals – nearly double the UK average (17%). In fact, streaming is the most popular category for Millennials ahead of usual favourites clothing (31%), Beauty (30%) and electronics (29%). 
  
• Healthcare and wellbeing is also high on UK consumers’ BFCM shopping lists, with 16% intending to buy products in this category, rising to nearly a third (29%) of Gen Z consumers. 
  
• Clothing remains the most popular category, with a fifth (21%) UK adults planning to make a clothing purchase during BFCM, almost doubling to 40% of Gen Z adults intending to buy clothes during the peak sales.  

“Traditionally Black Friday Cyber Monday deals have been focused on clothing, beauty and electronics. However, with a growing digital economy, we’re seeing this evolve. The increase in planned flight spend is fascinating – particularly when it comes to the younger generations, even in an era of conscious consumerism. Travel experiences rate high in priority and they are explored, discovered and made using social platforms. This reflects a growing cultural trend when it comes to travel – and how Gen Z takes a social-first approach to planning trips abroad.  
 
It’s incredibly positive to see how British consumers are planning to spend around health – from private medical, to investing in their own wellbeing.” 

Rory O’Neill, CMO at Checkout.com

Half of Brits Buy Gifts During Sales 

• When it comes to buying for others, UK consumers are also looking to sales to purchase gifts. Half (50%) of Brits are now buying presents for their partner when they see a bargain. 
  
• Two thirds (34%) of this group buy gifts for their partner all year round when they see a bargain, with the remaining third (16%) specifically waiting for BFCM to buy gifts for their partner.  

“While BFCM is still a significant shopping period, we’re also starting to see a trend towards always-on retail sales. By understanding consumer shopping habits based on spending data, merchants can tailor deals to reach specific consumers at the right time and encourage conversions. In short, every day is a peak season sale opportunity – and retailers need to remember that during this peak season.”

Rory O’Neill, CMO at Checkout.com

BFCM subscription deals emerge as a strong customer acquisition tool for merchants 

• Subscriptions are a good acquisition tool during BFCM, with half (49%) of Brits remaining subscribed after the deal ends because they wanted to keep the service.
  
• Gen Zs are the most forgetful at cancelling subscriptions, with 38% intending to but forgetting, compared to just 19% of Baby Boomers. 

Generational split on deal discovery, with TV ads losing their impact with younger generations 

• UK consumers are still fairly traditional in how they discover BFCM deals, with a third (32%) finding out about deals via TV ads, followed by browsing marketplaces (31%) and using a search engine (29%).  
  
• However, looking at younger generations, 40% of Gen Z and 43% of Millennials find out about deals via social platforms (compared to 24% across all UK adults).  

“This data speaks to the need to ensure marketing strategies are always built in mind with the right audiences in mind. Given Gen Z and Millennials are the most likely to buy during BFCM, it’s important to make sure marketing piques the attention of this group, in terms of both the message – and the channels. A tailored, not broad brush approach is always needed, as is remembering the critical role that social platforms play in engaging this community. This research is a stark reminder that merchants need to constantly review and refine their selling channels to avoid missing out on sales when targeting specific demographics with the deals that will appeal to them.”

Rory O’Neill, CMO at Checkout.com

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UK supermarket Sainsbury’s has debuted their exciting new Christmas advertisement today, featuring Roald Dahl’s universally beloved character the BFG.

Set to premier on ITV1 at 8:15pm on Friday 1^st November during Coronation Street, the ad follows the 24-foot friendly giant as he embarks on a new adventure with Sainsbury’s employee Sophie. In a TV first, real-life Sainsbury’s colleague ‘Sophie’ embarks on a journey with the Big Friendly Giant (the BFG), showcasing the delicious flavours of Sainsbury’s festive Taste the Difference range.

The deal was negotiated and managed by Born Licensing, licensing agent for Roald Dahl Story Company. RDSC engaged Born Licensing to bring to life their global partnership and licensing strategy, facilitating ATL campaigns which truly harness the unique storytelling qualities of their IP in an authentic way.

Born Licensing, in collaboration with the Roald Dahl Story Company, worked with Sainsbury’s creative agency, NCA, to ensure this new iteration of the BFG came to life with authenticity. Fans of the beloved book will be delighted to see famous references from the story including snozzcumbers, Frobscottle, and dream jars feature in this magical Christmas campaign. 

The extensive partnership will see the BFG appear across TV, print, outdoor, social media, direct mail, and PR.

“Christmas is the most competitive period for British advertisers and licensing a generationally adored character like the BFG is a sure fire way to capture attention. This is a brilliant example of how powerful advertising can be when combining cherished IP with brilliant creative.”

David Born, Founder and CEO of Born Licensing

“At the Roald Dahl Story Company storytelling is at the heart of what we do and we’re always on the lookout for opportunities to bring our beloved characters and stories to life in new ways, through bespoke and authentic partnerships and marketing campaigns. The BFG is the perfect fit for Sainsbury’s in creating a big Christmas.

Alice O’Brien, Head of Global Commercial Partnerships at the Roald Dahl Story Company

The power of Roald Dahl’s unique stories and characters is evidenced in Sainsbury’s desire to collaborate on the biggest marketing moment of the year. The partnership provided the opportunity to tell their story in a new and innovative way, harnessing the nostalgic love that the BFG brings to generations of audiences.

NCA and Ogilvy were behind the Creative with Rogue Films producing the TVC. The longform” film with cutdowns was directed by award winning Director Sam Brown. Post-production and VFX were done by Electric Theatre Company.

“By collaborating with Sainsbury’s to bring Roald Dahl’s beloved BFG to life in a new story, we hope the nation is as captivated as we are to see two old friends back together this Christmas.”

The BFG is perfect for Sainsbury’s mission to create a Big Christmas for all. Having only snozzcumbers to devour in Giant Country, his curiosity for good food leads to an adventure of discovery and wonderment with Sainsbury’s Sophie in order to bring the magic of Christmas to everyone.”

Natalie Hopkins, Director of Global Product and Partnerships at the Roald Dahl Story Company

This brand-new campaign comes as more and more audiences are enjoying Roald Dahl’s iconic stories being brought to life. Recently, stage adaptations of The Witches and The Enormous Crocodile opened to critical acclaim and sell-out shows, Paul King’s Wonka became an international box-office smash and Wes Anderson’s cinematic adaptation of Roald Dahl’s adult short story The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar received numerous plaudits including an Academy Award. Brand new publishing inspired by Roald Dahl’s The Twits by Greg James and Chris Smith landed in the Top 10 Children’s Hardback charts upon release, and fans the world over continue to devour Roald Dahl products and enjoy partnerships like The Twits and Charlie & The Chocolate Factory Afternoon Teas in London.

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Meateors has landed with a playful brand identity and a powerful digital strategy aimed at revolutionising the meat snacking category. This launch goes beyond a simple product introduction. It represents a strategic campaign designed to cater to health-conscious consumers seeking tasty, convenient alternatives to traditional snacks.

Out-of-This-World Experience

The launch of Meateors is supported by a dynamic marketing strategy developed by Activation. This creative campaign draws from the product’s name to deliver a playful, space-themed brand identity that stands out in a crowded snack aisle, offering an “out-of-this-world” experience.

Digital Discovery and In-Store Visibility

Activation’s strategy combines impactful branding with strong positioning across digital platforms such as Meta and YouTube. With more than 2.4 billion active monthly users, YouTube remains a dominant platform for younger audiences, offering brands unparalleled access to engage this demographic. Meanwhile, Meta reports that 73% of Gen Z users are more likely to discover new products on its platforms, making it a key player in driving awareness and consideration.

“Meateors will appeal to a younger target audience, and we have chosen to launch on digital platforms that will catch their attention in a way that is customised to their interests and habits. This demographic love YouTube and Meta, and these working together has proven to be the ideal recipe for increasing awareness and consideration, resulting in the ideal launch combo for newcomers like Meateors.”

Matt Ramsay, Co-Founder & Managing Director at Activation

The seamless blend of digital discovery and in-store visibility creates a 360-degree experience, enhancing brand awareness and driving impulse purchases. The presence of Meateors in selected Morrisons Daily and SPAR stores further strengthens its visibility, inviting shoppers to grab a pack on-the-go.

“The meat snacking category is continuing to show impressive growth. However, there is a high demand from shoppers for more variety, with chicken being the most common protein, meaning pork is a relatively untapped opportunity. This is where our Meateors come in.”

“We’re proud to fill this gap in the market with a tasty, convenient option that boasts all the functional benefits of being protein-packed, therefore keeping consumers fuller for longer, as well as maintaining a great texture. We’re incredibly excited to be launching these new products under a vibrant new brand, Meateors, which is sure to disrupt the category with its fun and tasty range packed with flavour.”

Yvonne Adam, Chief Marketing Officer at The Compleat Food Group, home of Meateors

Aiming for the Stars

The Meateors campaign highlights a critical strategy in today’s retail environment: winning the battle for attention both outside and inside the store. According to a YouGov study commissioned by Activation, pre-shop digital touchpoints are instrumental in priming shoppers before they even step foot in a store. “If we can’t win in-store, we must create advantages outside,” says Co-Founder Dan Hirons. This philosophy shines for Meateors, as the brand leverages Meta and YouTube to engage its target audience before they even step into a store. By leveraging vibrant visuals and engaging content, Activation has successfully created a captivating brand world that resonates with its audience, ensuring that Meateors stands out in-store and on-screen.

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The IPM’s Experiential Community gathers to chart the future of the sector, uniting industry leaders to define and amplify its purpose and value. This collective effort comes at a crucial time, as findings from the IPA Bellwether report reveal a remarkable 23.1% increase in event marketing budgets—up from 15.9% in the previous quarter. This surge in investment signifies a clear shift in marketing strategies, emphasising the critical role of real-world experiences in forging meaningful connections with consumers. So, what drives this investment in marketing spend during challenging economic times? Jon Evans, Chief Commercial Officer at System1, explains:

“The ‘why’ rests in consumers’ increasing demand for human connection. We’re still experiencing the pandemic bounce back, with hybrid working leading to a greater need for in-person interaction. As more work and leisure time is spent in the digital world, the desire for thrilling real-world experiences continues to increase, making it an essential channel for brands looking to build powerful audience connections.”

At Brand Experience 360, Olivia Rayner, Creative Director at Sense Marketing, highlights the loneliness epidemic impacting today’s youth. She paints a portrait of a post-pandemic world that feels increasingly digital, noisy, and overwhelming, which contributes to what she calls “Connected Anxiety.” Olivia argues that by creating immersive and meaningful experiences, brands can effectively address the emotional pain points of younger generations, enabling them to rediscover a sense of belonging and community in a disconnected world.

Engaging Communities & The Rise of Run Clubs

The rise of local run clubs reflects this growing need for community and face-to-face interaction in today’s digital age. Google Trends indicates a steady increase in searches for ‘Run Club‘ in the UK over the past five years while the Hackney Half Marathon has sold out for the first time ever, demonstrating the heightened appetite for community-driven events. In her article, “Is Strava the New Tinder?”, Clara Duval digs deeper into the phenomenon, exploring how platforms like Strava and local run clubs are redefining connections and promoting real-world meetups over traditional dating apps. Nick Tuppen, CEO of Threshold Sports, elaborates:

“The continued growth of wearable tech engaging people with their wellbeing and fitness shows how health is increasingly seen as the new wealth. Coupled with wider cultural trends for ‘athlete CEOs,’ platforms like Strava cultivating active communities, and the crossover of outdoor brands like North Face becoming high street staples, it’s no surprise that consumer appetite for active events is on the rise too.”

Recent research conducted by Bumble Inc. in collaboration with YouGov supports this theory, revealing a significant increase in the participation of active events for 2024. The report highlights a 31% increase in time spent and 17% rise in spending intentions for activities such as marathons and 10K runs. Driven primarily by Millennials and Gen Z, this trend highlights the significance of physical community gatherings, with participants engaging in active events an average of 3.6 times a year. Building on these insights, Bumble recently celebrated its first Run Club Festival, partnering with the five top running clubs in Paris for a week filled with runs, coffee collaborations, and brand experiences. This cultural shift highlights the role brands can play in uniting shared passions, in this case, health and wellbeing, through active experiences.

Bringing Brand Partnerships to Life

Through experiential marketing, brand partnerships come alive. A prime example is Polly Pocket’s recent 35th-anniversary collaboration with Airbnb, which captured widespread attention this summer by offering fans a chance to stay in a life-sized Polly Pocket replica. This collaboration taps into nostalgia, reflecting what Pion describes as “the pursuit of stagnation”—a desire to revisit and celebrate beloved aspects of the past. However, brands must proceed with caution when forming partnerships. Barbie’s ventures into unexpected product categories—such as toothpaste and meat-based snacks—have raised eyebrows. With over 165 brands associated with the recent movie, the sheer volume of these collaborations sparks debates about consumer fatigue, illustrating the delicate balance between cultural relevance and commercial saturation.

Technology Transforms the Viewing Experience

2024 brings sports and technology closer than ever before. TRO leads the way with the Just Eat Grabber and Pepsi Pulse Challenge, while also offering an exciting opportunity to test-drive a Mini in virtual reality at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. These pioneering campaigns reflect a broader trend in the industry: Lucy Porter, Strategy Partner at PrettyGreen | B Corp, highlights that spending on live sports is set to increase by 10% in time and 15% in overall expenditure. The Paris 2024 Olympic Games exemplify this shift, achieving a record-breaking 34 million livestream viewers and shattering the BBC’s sports streaming records. In response to this growing interest in live viewing, fan zones are on the rise, with Shared Reality Experiences like Cosm at the forefront of this trend, creating hybrid environments that allow fans to experience front-row seats from anywhere in the world.

Scent-sational Marketing

This year, brands like McDonald’s and Lynx have taken a bold step into sensory advertising with their aromatic billboards, transforming traditional marketing into immersive experiences. In a striking move, Doritos even ignited one of their billboards to launch a new spicy hot range, showcasing how brands can push boundaries with creative installations that engage consumers on multiple sensory levels. Aldi UK takes this a step further, winning the IPM Grand Prix with the world’s first rosé-dispensing billboard. Developed in collaboration with Hopper and Clarion Communications, this innovative installation pours rosé once the temperature hits 19.2°C—the ideal temperature for enjoying rosé. As we look to the future, the lines between advertising and experience are clearly blurring. How do you think these blurred lines will impact consumer expectations of advertising?

Brand Experiences for a New Generation

As we look to the next generation of brand experiences, it’s clear that both Gen Alpha and Gen Z are redefining how we interact with brands. In a digital world fraught with existential threats, the demand for real-life connections has never been greater. With many feeling too stressed to enjoy simple pleasures, nostalgia and Kidulting experiences—those that allow adults to embrace their inner child—are thriving.

What trends do you see shaping the future of experiential marketing? How are brands like Pinterest breaking the B2B mould? What role does the “main character” mentality play in light of AI and personalisation? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

In response to these shifts, our Experiential Community is committed to leading the way and shaping the future of our industry. Emma Kirk, our General Manager, summarises:

“The IPM’s Experiential Effectiveness Community is shaping the future of experiential marketing. Together, we tackle critical industry challenges by defining the essence of experiential marketing and developing standardised measurement tools that provide quantifiable value for brands and agencies. By transforming competitors into collaborators, we empower one another to establish and elevate industry standards for the collective benefit. To register your interest and contribute to the progression of this dynamic sector, please reach out to us today.”

The post Run Clubs to Aromatic Billboards: Trends Shaping Experiential Marketing 2024 appeared first on IPM Bitesize.

Branston, renowned for bringing families together around the dinner table, is teaming up with Netflix’s animated film That Christmas to embrace the magic of Christmas. This partnership, brought to life by Activation, brings the holiday spirit directly to supermarket shelves, enhancing visibility and deepening the brand’s connection with families during one of the most important retail periods of the year.

With That Christmas set to premiere on 4 December, Branston’s in-store activations will ensure shoppers are immersed in festive joy from the moment they step in-store. Based on Richard Curtis’s beloved children’s books, the film weaves together tales of love, family, and holiday mishaps, celebrating the timeless spirit of togetherness that makes Christmas so special.

“Bringing That Christmas into the retail space allows us to connect with families in a festive, meaningful way. By integrating the film’s spirit into our promotions, we’re blending Branston’s warmth with the joy of the holiday season.”

Claire Steward, Account Director, Activation

The key objective of this campaign is to boost visibility and drive purchases during this crucial period for Branston. Launching exclusively at Sainsbury’s, the first activation features striking snow-capped point-of-sale displays and strategically placed floor stickers, guiding shoppers directly to Branston’s shelves. Shoppers can also take part in the “Win a Christmas to Remember” promotion through the Nectar loyalty program, encouraging both trial and acquisition with the incentive of a high-value reward.

This collaboration between Branston and That Christmas unites two brands with a shared focus on bringing families together. By aligning their messaging with the warmth and nostalgia of festive celebrations, both reinforce their roles as key ingredients for family gatherings.

As the season progresses, more activations will follow, including the launch of limited-edition jars, designed to elevate the in-store experience and drive excitement. Find out more about Branston and That Christmas on the Branston website.

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