Spark Market Research

Some interesting findings from a recent Marketing Week report on the impact of customer reviews on consideration and purchase. Data from Trustpilot shows a trust gap emerging, as 90% of business leaders believe they're trusted, but only 30% of consumers agree. Data also shows that the use of reviews can boost sales by 89% when integrated into marketing campaigns. At Spark our research often uncovers the importance of using real life customer experiences and testimonials to increase trust and purchase consideration. Consumers like to hear from 'people like them', and seek / use social proof when making decisions, preferring to hear both the real truth and what the brand tells them in their sales messages before making a decision. If you'd like to better understand and influence your path to purchase, get in touch at hello@sparkmr.com

Tune into episode 5 of Swim Against the Tide to hear Dom Dwight talk to Steve Henry about his career and learnings Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate. Lots of food for thought to listen to over a cuppa of Yorkshire Tea. Tune in via the links below ⬇️

*Case Study* - Advertising Development In today’s ‘Spark knows Finance’ case study we’ve outlined our approach to creative development, working closely with various financial services companies to strengthen their creative with customers. This example showcases a switching campaign, aligning the creative and CTA to customer core needs; ultimately delivering a high volume of new customers into the bank.  

*Case Study* - Business Rebrand Next up in our ‘Spark knows Finance’ case study series we're sharing the research we did into a comprehensive bank rebrand, working closely with our client and their agencies to create a fresh, modern identity for the bank.

*Giveaway* – get your hands on our pants For a bit of Friday fun, we’re giving away a pair of our much sought-after briefs to one lucky winner. Here’s our Head of Data Dominic Laoutaris-Brown proudly modelling a purple pair. We’ve had our thinking caps on about how these pants could be used and we’ve come up with some of the following ideas: - Use them as a screen cleaning cloth - Mop up beverage spills with them - Twist and use as a small draft excluder - Roll and position for light lumbar support - Handy in cold and flu season when tissues run out …or just wear them as actual briefs. To win your very own pair, comment below with a suggestion for what else they could be used for and we’ll pick out a winner… 👇

*Case Study* - First Time Buyer Proposition The next case study in our ‘Spark knows Finance’ series covers how we supported a bank to develop a strong First Time Buyer proposition, providing cut-through, but more importantly a volume of applications… A reminder that this quarter we’re focussing on Finance in Spark, in particular our extensive experience across financial services research, covering all manner of products, channels, services and customer types. We’ve worked both client side within various banks, as well as working as a research partner to many international banks, building societies, credit unions, post offices and insurers. Our extensive experience means we speak ‘fluent finance’ and our expertise and What3 framework means we deliver insight that powers better decisions; making sure that finance both fits for customers and provides solid commercial returns too.  

*Case Study* - Segmentation in Financial Services This quarter in Spark, we’re focussing on ‘Finance’. In particular our extensive experience across financial services research, covering all manner of products, channels, services and customer types. We’ve worked both client side within various banks, as well as working as a research partner to many international banks, building societies, credit unions, post offices and insurers. Our extensive experience means we speak ‘fluent finance’ and our expertise and What3 framework means we deliver insight that powers better decisions; making sure that finance both fits for customers and provides solid commercial returns too. See below for our first case study in our ‘Spark knows Finance’ series sharing how we helped a bank to develop and embed their customer segmentation model…

Want to get your hands on our pants? Well... it seems our pants are in high demand! Lots of our clients have been asking how they can get their ‘hands on our pants’, after they have heard about them in our newsletter. And some have even already been a lucky recipient of them in the post. And now you can get your hands on a pair too. But here’s the deal…. You send us a research brief, then ask us nicely and we’ll send you some briefs in return. Who wouldn’t want your very own pair of our limited edition, oversized, snazzy 70’s style briefs? Even better, tag us in a picture of you modelling them in your offices and we’ll send you a box of Jelly Babies for you and your workmates. Deal? 

At Spark we're saying goodbye to a busy but rewarding summer and getting the winter jumpers out of storage - ready to say Hello to Autumn 👋 Here's a round up of what we've been up to, and be sure to read through to the last page where you'll see a fun pic of the team modelling some snazzy briefs ;-) We're busy planning for Q4 - if you have research plans for the coming months, get in touch or, even better, send us your briefs! hello@sparkmr.com

Exciting news! We’re hiring a new quallie to join the Leeds team. Check out the full details below ⬇️ and feel free to get in touch with any questions at joinus@sparkmr.com.