DeVito/Verdi

Halloween retailers, which opened weeks earlier this year, are expected to sell more than $11B of spooky items. Spirit Halloween, the nationwide popup chain, opened a record 1,525 stores this year. Are pop-ups the future of retail? They may not be for everyone, but they do make sense for many. Check out our thoughts here: https://lnkd.in/es53BFFs #Halloween #Retail #Consumers

Kamala Harris needs to go off script; her consultants need to get out of the way. Check out our latest post on how fear of failure causes consultants to bubble wrap their clients and how great advertising can certainly tip an election. #Election #Vote #Election2024 https://lnkd.in/gaJuuxnH

Find out how AI is transforming brand loyalty as Ellis Verdi, alongside industry experts, shares insights in a recent article from Forbes. At DeVito/Verdi, we're using AI not just to reach customers but to truly connect with them. By leveraging AI tools to create personalized, meaningful interactions, we help brands build lasting relationships with their communities. Shoutout to D/V Chief Digital Officer David Molini for his passionate insights. Check out the article to learn more about how AI is shaping the future of brand engagement: https://lnkd.in/enwgYCMe #AI #BrandLoyalty #CustomerEngagement

Rush University Medical Center keeps raising the bar. More accolades, more achievements. Results like these shouldn't go unnoticed. New outdoor work for RUSH continues to give them the recognition they deserve. View more here: https://lnkd.in/ennbReKJ #Healthcare #Chicago #Advertising #Marketing #Creativity

The greater New York Metro region has one of the lowest organ donor registration rates in the country, with only approximately 20% identified as registered donors, we’re asking New Yorkers to open their minds and hearts to organ donation in a powerful new ad campaign for LiveOnNY, a federally designated organ procurement organization based in New York.   The issue is most concerning in the Black community, as the article below states. It shows that “Black Americans are more likely to need transplants, but are less likely to receive them.” Furthermore, as this report shows, kidneys from Black donors are more likely to be thrown away. So much work has to be done to fix this flawed system.   https://lnkd.in/eMDBSJyD #NewYork #Healthcare #Advertising

Today we reflect on the power of representation and the importance of respect for all cultures. We created this powerful ad more than 20 years ago for the National Congress of American Indians to point a finger at the blatant racism in sports mascots. It took years, but the mascot was eventually retired by the Cleveland baseball team. Today we honor the rich history, contributions, and resilience of Indigenous peoples, as we continue to work to address racial discrimination in all forms. #IndigenousPeoplesDay #History

We are so proud to be featured in many places in this book. This is the 11th marketing book our work has been featured in. Other featured work in this book includes: Mount Sinai - print, radio ACLU - print Daffy's - out of home Legal Sea Foods - tv, radio, out of home, public relations, digital For Eyes - out of home 7-Eleven - out of home  National Thoroughbred Racing Association - Radio Laurel Road - TV New England Aquarium - Save The Waterfront Social Media

Is 2024 the year of the convenience store? 👇 https://lnkd.in/e-M4gBGx As reported this month in The Food Institute C-stores are having a moment. Overall year-over-year visits to C-stores have been up every month since February 2024, and local favorites such as Wawa and Buc-cee’s are expanding well beyond their roots. Ellis Verdi is quoted in the story stating that “What C-stores have really nailed is the science of what consumers need.” Those needs have evolved and exploded to include EV charging stations, sushi, appetizing meals and so much more. Having worked with a few brands in this category (e.g. 7-Eleven, Duane Reade), we’ve observed what makes C-stores unique to begin with, and how they’ve been able to achieve this impressive success lately. First off, the typical high-volume locations of C-Stores is a going-in proposition that beats most retail. The success really boils down to monetizing the huge volume of traffic – increasing the basket size. Here’s how they’re doing it: ✅ Since the service level of C-Stores has always been low, the cost of doing business is really about merchandising. And now that they are no longer perceived as a high-price alternative, people are comfortable actually shopping there. ✅ These stores are getting so good at developing “signature products.” If you don’t have the room to sell so many products, you’re going to work on that one signature product to make it a hit – something to be known for. Not everyone will come up with the next Slurpee, but anything remotely close is a home run. ✅ Increasing basket size is all about introducing improved or desirable product. These items entice people to cross the aisle and spend a few more dollars. That intended visit to buy $1 worth of gum has now turned into a $6 or $16 visit when shoppers see that signature product or appetizing sandwich in the refrigerated case. ✅ More and more C-Stores are working on their brand. They’re looking for more branding to give consumers more top-of-mind awareness rather than just a location. When you get off the highway, you may need to turn right, but if you see the sign for a well-branded C-Store to the left, you’re more likely to take a left. Convenience stores no longer just compete with gas stations, but now they’re taking a bite out of grocery stores and even QSRs. And as popular regional players expand nationally, it’ll be fascinating to see how they upend the retail landscape. #Retail #Omnichannel #Consumers

A mere eight months after announcing a new “permanent” product to its portfolio, Coca-Cola has permanently yanked its much ballyhooed Spiced lineup that fizzled in attracting younger consumers. What are your thoughts? D/V President Ellis Verdi shares his take in the wake of this marketing debacle: 1️⃣ First off, Coca-Cola is a brand built on image, not functionality. Gen Z is suspicious of the marketing B.S. and for them, “A Coke and a smile” just doesn’t do it. Spiced offered no functional benefit to a demographic that seeks this out. It wasn’t caffeine-free or even loaded with caffeine. No probiotics, no cool factor, no “save the environment” commitment. It didn’t have a benefit that Gen Z desires. 2️⃣ A beverage can’t stand on flavor alone to this demo. In fact, functionality trumps taste. Just look at Celsius, a not-so-great-tasting beverage thrives despite that by offering a clear benefit. 3️⃣ Gen Z is not necessarily image driven, but when that image ends up mattering to them, then they’re ok with that. Liquid Death is that image now. It’s not running on taste, it’s running on the fact that it’s a badge – something that you want to casually show off. 4️⃣ Soft drink success is attained by being a badge brand. Successful ones possess a strong image that resonates with this unique demographic, such as Liquid Death, or offer a functional benefit, which is what we see with Celsius. Gen Z wants to be seen drinking that. Not many wanted to be seen drinking Coca-Cola Spiced. Unless you were being paid by Coke as an influencer, you weren’t likely to see many Gen Z’ers enjoying a Spiced on social media. On the flip side, you were seeing Liquid Death being downed by the young guy on Zoom. 5️⃣ What can/could Coke do? Put a functional benefit in its next offering and it’ll win the day. Don’t rely on a focus group that concludes nothing more than “it tastes great.” That doesn’t work with this age group. #CocaCola #Branding #Marketing #GenZ

It’s #NationalCoffeeDay, and we could all use a strong cup of 'New York Bold'. When 7-Eleven wanted to reclaim its spot in the coffee game, we brewed up a campaign that introduced their bold new blend in sleek, redesigned "Stay Hot" cups. With messaging tailored to resonate with busy New Yorkers and commuters, the campaign became a hit. It was soon adapted for key markets across the country, featuring unique cup designs and locally inspired messaging. View more from the campaign: https://ow.ly/gje150TAq5u #7Eleven #CoffeeCulture #Advertising