That’s it, module three is done and dusted; although no dust would have time to accumulate as it’s just complete, weird expression that. Simply ‘done’, then. But enough about semantics, let me tell you about module three of Squared Online.
This part of the course set out to enable us to think creatively and effectively about integrated campaigns comprising traditional and new media. And it certainly did just that.
To kick off the module we learned about the customer journey, and what Brian Solis discusses in his book, What’s the Future of Business (WTF): Changing the Way Businesses Create Experiences, the MOTs (The Moments of Truth). He neatly sums up MOTs in this blog post, but i’ll summarise the moments here:
- Stimulus: when someone becomes aware of a product (eg from advertising).
- The First Moment of Truth (FMOT) is when someone is about to make a purchase.
- The second moment of truth (SMOT) is the experience someone has when they become a customer.
- The Ultimate Moment of Truth (UMOT) is that moment when someone shares their experience.
- UMOT is the next person’s, and what Google terms, Zero Moment of Truth (ZMOT).
The Four Moments of Truth by Brian Solis (CC BY 2.0)
We also had a look at the digital marketing mix and the role that various channels play.
Since being introduced to this terminology I have been intrigued by the way brands use integrated campaigns, how they complement traditional above the line media (eg telly ads, mag ads) with digital (websites, social). I’ve noticed the brands that get it right, and the ones who get it wrong.
Later in the module we looked at content marketing and how the advertising landscape is changing. Before the digital revolution brands used to essentially shout their messages, now they’ve become their own media, in a way, producing (sometimes) useful content that people want to actively engage in and share.
We also learned about the importance of storytelling in advertising (and for humans in general: it’s how we interpret the world). We were signposted to some interesting resources on the subject. I found the following video from Nathan Guerra very useful in understanding how YouTube can be leveraged in intriguing ways by brands:
Other highlights this month included classes on search and display advertising and AdWords bidding; Eric Shimoda, search solution specialist at Google, showing us some unusual ways brands use search; and Ciara Byrne and Jessica Robinson, display specialists at Google, introducing us to DSP (demand-side platforms).
We had a couple of inspirational speakers, too. Sir John Hegarty gave a talk on why it’s the best time to be in advertising and how we shouldn’t let letting clichéd crap get in the way. Rory Sutherland, UK vice chairman of Ogilvy Group, was another speaker who provided his take on what influences consumer behaviour
In this module we also undertook another group project called ‘Think like a brand”. We were tasked with bringing a fictional hair colour brand into the 21st Century by developing a digital marketing strategy that complimented their above the line activity. Hopefully our group successfully created a presentation that shows our understanding of what was taught in this module.
Roll on module four…
illuminate the needle 