A perspective from Cannes 2018 By Sharon Love – CEO, TPN Awards for Creativity. Big data. Provocative speakers. Branded beaches. Yachts, parties, concerts, and rose… Some aspects have remained the same over time but the annual Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity has definitely undergone some change—even in the four short years I’ve attended. Beyond…
Why I don’t believe in “The Retail Apocalypse”
So much is being written about a “retail apocalypse” and many spent 2017 talking about the death of brick and mortar. However, despite what pessimists might say, shoppers and data are telling us a slightly different story and the stats just don’t support such a doom and gloom situation… 4,080 net new stores opened in 2017…
CES 2018: More Connected Than Ever
Another successful CES is wrapping up and it did not disappoint. While there were no major announcements this year, the event truly wowed and delivered more of everything: more speed due to 5G, more screens that fit in every space imaginable, more content to view, more ways to capture images, more ways to power devices,…
Move Over Millennials, Gen Z is Here
In the past decade, millennials have become the “most researched generation in history.” They stormed the generational field with their vast knowledge and willingness to adopt an array of new technologies and social media, encouraging marketers to decode the best Gen Y communication tactics. Millennials are trailblazers in new media, but their haughty, technological reign…
Move over millennials. Tech-savvy boomers are here to stay.
Millennials are receiving a lot of attention these days. They’re reportedly self-centered, entitled and can’t survive without technology. And while Facebook usage is waning among the generation thanks to instant-gratification platforms such as Snapchat, what about older generations? Both of my grandmothers – proud baby boomers – are on Facebook, use a computer daily and…
2013: The Year of Deal-Seeking
Google released its top-searched items of 2013, and Kohl’s, JCPenny and Nordstrom graced the top spots on the apparel brands and retailers list. Following the top three included Forever 21, Old Navy and Macy’s. What do these retailers have in common? All were searched along with terms that indicated shoppers were looking for a deal…
Macy’s Gets Active to Draw Millennials to Stores
In an effort to attract a younger audience, Macy’s will introduce a wider array of athletic apparel to its stores this month. Brands will include Nike, Under Armour and the North Face, among others. “We are working with the best brands in the category to bring our customers exciting merchandise that will serve their athletic…
Test Drive for McDonald’s Happy Table
Venturing into new territory, a McDonald’s in Yishun, Singapore is testing driving a new form of in-store entertainment with the Happy Table. With the help of NFC (near field communication) stickers placed on the underside of the table, DDB Group Singapore is bringing a new playing field for games to the restaurant. As shown in…
PHOTOS: TPN Chicago Hosts First Google Glass MeetUp
TPN Chicago’s Manolo Almagro and Brad Kleinman hosted a Google Glass MeetUp on Tuesday, Aug. 20, giving Glass enthusiasts a chance to discuss the technology, and for many, use Glass for the first time. Attendees came from various backgrounds including healthcare, fitness, marketing, retail, technology and media, creating lively discussion about the implications of wearable…
What Does a Yawn Get You These Days?
A cup of coffee. Yes, a yawn can “buy” you a cup of coffee. A campaign from Dutch coffee company Douwe Egberts uses a gussied-up coffee vending machine with facial recognition software to dole out free cups of coffee to weary airport travelers in need of a pick-me-up, all for the cost of a yawn.…