So, you want to stay on top of the latest news and trends in Marketing Automation, but you’re barely keeping up with your Slack notifications (especially since someone added the #dogsiwanttopet channel). We get it. That’s why the Look Listen team has compiled a brief rundown of MA updates from around the web. Read on to stay informed, do big things at work and still have time to pet all the dogs…
Obsess much?
A recent study by Forrester Research highlights the correlation between effective email marketing and increased customer intimacy. In this Forbes article, a discussion with the study’s author uncovers the larger idea of customer obsession and how marketers can and should deploy email with better customer relationships — not just promotion — in mind. Email is a relatively efficient, low-cost way for an organization to begin shifting its focus to a customer-centric model, leading to increased overall business performance.
Rise of the machines
Irony of the day: if you want to better understand a human, ask a machine. The use of AI and machine learning in marketing automation is on the rise and the news so far is all good. Able to assist across a variety of tasks, from better A/B testing and send time optimization, to smart personalization, segmentation and predictive analytics, AI and machine learning make the business of human connection through digital communication easier, better — and most important — scalable.
Datorama!
If you need more convincing about the value of AI in the marketing automation space, look no further than the recent $800 million acquisition of Israel-based Datorama by Salesforce. The young startup has created a unique analytics platform, powered by artificial intelligence, that pulls insights from large sets of data, pointing out optimization opportunities as it works. Though it remains to be seen whether this signals a new industry era of integrated CRM and analytics providers, it’s worth keeping an eye on.
Chatbots for one and all
As marketers continue to understand and take advantage of machine learning, chatbots are getting a brainy makeover and getting put to work. Chatbots of the past operated on scripting and were often clunky customer service mechanisms. Today, chatbots can be put to use in retargeting efforts, social media management, personalized customer engagement, and more. Taking it to the next level, Google has created Duplex, a chatbot that acts as a personal assistant through your phone or smart home device. Yeah, but can it make me a drink?
Rock around the blockchain
Chances are you’ve heard of blockchain, but likely only in the context of your neighbor, Jim, who’s yelling excitedly at you about this great Bitcoin opportunity he wants to share. Hard pass. The good news is, blockchain has real MA benefits that early adopters are just beginning to understand and put into action. This explainer lays out the five ways blockchain will make life easier for digital marketers, sketchy cryptocurrency notwithstanding.
Stock photo funtime
Stumbling across bizzarro stock photos is one of the hidden joys of a career in marketing. Just for fun, check out this Twitter thread documenting one woman’s journey into the wild world of ThinkStock.
Learned something new and interesting, or just want to show us the weirdest stock photo you’ve found? Hit us up!
