DIGITAL TRENDS 2014

Digital trends for 2014 include Mail on the Move, Mobile Real Time Bidding and more social media

Digital trends for 2014 include Mail on the Move, Mobile Real Time Bidding and more social media

Says Chris Wilson, General Manager at AddSwitch, a division of Ole! Media Group

 

The AdTech* conference in New York City at the end of last year was abuzz with a whole host of trends that are going to affect digital advertising in a big way in 2014. While Real Time Bidding has been around for some time, it has been mostly confined to Desktop advertising platforms.  But with Twitter’s acquisition of Mopub in 2013, mobile RTB has suddenly gone mainstream.  This is something that will continue, with mobile ad buys being predicted at 45% of total spend for 2014.

Real Time Bidding (RTB) was designed to provide transparency for inventory buyers and publishers alike and delivers inventory in split second timing; this then ensures that a publisher’s site is well stocked with appropriate advertising.  Stress on the word ‘appropriate’.  Aside from filling inventory, another core benefit of deploying RTB, is the security factor and what kind of adverts are being pulled from exchanges and how it contributes to protecting publishers from serving compromising advertising on their sites – this is what differentiates RTB now and was demonstrated during the recent passing of former Nelson Mandela, where publishers pulled inappropriate advertising.

 

The other big notable trend that will dominate in 2014 is the growing tendency for email as a mobile-first channel.  In fact, statistics reveal that currently over 50% of email correspondence is already being opened ‘on the move’ and this is set to increase in the year ahead. This provides an excellent opportunity for advertisers to target mobile consumers and South Africa can expect some innovation in this regard.  Mind you, although Video on Demand (VOD), which is entrenched in the US (more Than 75% Of Americans watch online video each week), it will not yet be a key driver in Africa. At least not until broadband covers more territory and data charges drop.

 

Digital technology has transformed advertising and communication in South Africa, although it is still not being realised to the same extent as it is in the US or Europe.  Attending AdTech and conferences of this nature provide invaluable insight into what is happening beyond our borders.  It now provides the Group and other savvy marketers with the ability at everything in terms of how we can take the best of successful overseas strategies and adapt them for the African continent.  This is becoming increasingly important as more and more people enter the web-connected market.

 

Mobile loyalty – a double edged sword

 

Brand loyalty is mobile and transient – But, as the smartphone population increases and choice becomes greater, brands will need to keep in touch with their audiences more regularly to know what consumers crave most.  If they are receiving customised content or feel valued for example, consumers are more likely to engage, ergo consider being loyal to particular a brand.

 

In this regard, brands need to be au fait with what drives advocacy in social media.  Brand advocacy drives higher purchase rates and significantly increases the reach of marketing spend – and, what’s important here, is brand advocacy helps to control and manage brand reputation, which is literally in the hands of consumers.  This is a lesson learnt by Nestlé which Global Head of Digital and Social Media, Peter Blackshaw, shared with delegates at the conference.

Whether it’s an increase in web enabled mobile devices or accessing online through desktop, the single biggest overriding trend is that business has moved to the digital realm and, while SA companies are not far behind, this is where the real opportunity for local advertisers and publishers lies.

*Adtech is considered to be the world’s largest advertising technology fair

 

ENDS

 

AddSwitch is the exclusive licensed marketing and implementation partner in Africa for ‘Switch Concepts’.  Switch Concepts is a leading Ad-serving platform, providing comprehensive solutions to digital publishers including a highly advanced RTB (real-time bidding) engine. Already serving 50 billion Ad impressions per month, it enables digital publishers to drive revenue within the real-time market for online advertising. AddSwitch provides South African and African publishers with direct local contact and support, personally assisting publishers through the process of implementation.  It can also supply campaign management services if required.

 

 

AddSwitch is part of Ole! Media Group, a new media communications hub rooted in Africa, which specialises in digital publishing, strategic digital and mobile marketing & business solutions as well as holistic digital advertising platforms. The Ole! Media Group has a global publishing network and international client base which it services from its Cape Town, Johannesburg, Nairobi and London offices and its representatives in Germany and New Zealand.

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For more information, please contact Networx PR on 021 461 6764.

Alternatively contact Elize Engle on 074 132 3255 or email her on elize@networxpr.co.za

 

PUBLISHED BY DK EXPRESSIONS™

DIGITAL TRENDS 2014