These marketing trends may affect your bottom line in 2017 and beyond. Being proactive in addressing these trends will help keep you ahead of the pack.

Expert or Order Taker?
Who is the king of order takers? We would say Amazon. With this online giant, finding what you need is easy, orders are shipped right to your home or business, the selection seems endless. The process is simple, fast and can be completed from the comfort of your couch. Amazon is expert in giving you options and processing your choices. But that's it. Amazon doesn't know your business or your customer, doesn't analyze current trends or seasonal sales. Amazon isn't familiar with your local business climate or your target market. In 2017, the successful business will promote their expertise. Rather than focusing exclusively on product, these businesses will promote knowledge. Something Amazon can never match.

Content Marketing
More and more, sales are driven by on-line content. You can now research a car, schedule a test drive and complete the purchase without leaving your kitchen table. Every business must have an online component and that component must provide real content to your customer. It's not enough to display your product. You must market your product on-line. Because more and more, that will be the only opportunity you have to connect with your customer.

Segment Marketing
Today's consumers are accustomed to marketing that is tailored to their needs.  Promoting one message to all markets is becoming a thing of the past.

• Major brands develop targeted TV and radio ads tied to specific programming (sports, music, awards shows, etc.)
• Warehouse stores curate their offerings based on the needs of their most desired customer
• Online stores offer "selected for you" options based on your recent activity
• Even the ads you see when online are shown to you based on the sites you visit

Finding ways to promote distinct, relevant messages to different segments of your audience is important and will become more important throughout 2017.

Admarc has the experience and expertise to guide you through changing trends and new marketing avenues. Contact us to learn more about how we can help grow your business.

Apple is the king of clean design - elegant, simple, uncluttered. No bells and whistles - simple sophistication. Clean design is definitely having a moment.  Check out the shelves on your next shopping trip. Logic would have it that the loudest, brightest packaging would draw the most attention. But you will notice that the simple, subdued design draws you in as well. It can feel like a moment of calm in the midst of your crazy day.

You might think that "simple" means "easy". But you'd be wrong. Simple design is exponentially more difficult than "in your face" advertising. With clean design, each element carries more weight. No hiding behind loud colors, crazy graphics or weird fonts - "simple" demands real talent. Clean design requires each detail to be considered, thoughtful and exact. Simple is definitely not easy.

Radmir Volk's portfolio is a great example of clean package design. His packaging (unlike R.E.M.) doesn't say too much or not say enough.  Give Admarc a call if your design could use a little simplification. We have the know-how to say exactly what needs to be said - no more, no less.

Artists have always attempted to alter images to shock, surprise - or simply to make the image more visually pleasing. These are some great examples of pre-digital photo alteration.  Admarc has experienced artists that can make your images look their best.  We can also create 6' tall chickens or headless soldiers if that's your thing! 
Photos courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.   The Met