CTRL/ART/D’s Post

Let’s talk about ugly ads. We’ve all seen them: ads so visually jarring, you think, “My 10-year-old niece could do a better job with Paint.” 🥴 But believe it or not, these so-called "ugly ads" are a growing trend. As we see 2000s fashion making a comeback (hello, Crocs and socks), ugly ads are taking center stage too! So, what’s driving this trend? Authenticity Matters: Ugly ads give off a raw, DIY vibe that feels more human and relatable. It’s unpolished, which makes the message appear more honest and trustworthy. 👐 Attention-Grabbing: In a sea of perfectly designed content, an amateur-looking ad stops the scroll. This disruption is exactly what brands need to get noticed in today’s saturated market. 🚨 Connecting with Younger Audiences: Ugly ads tap into meme culture and irony that resonates with Gen Z. It’s less about perfection and more about being in on the joke. 😏 Edgy by Design: Just like “ugly” fashion trends push boundaries, these ads challenge conventional design norms. Think of ugly ads as the marketing equivalent of pairing sandals with socks—and people are loving it. 😎 So, yes, ugly ads are trending, and audiences are responding. But here’s the catch: they need to be done right. Behind every ugly ad, there’s likely a team of skilled marketers and designers pulling the strings. What do you think—are ugly ads here to stay, or is this just a passing trend?

This is going to trigger a lot of folks on here, but I’ll say it anyway: spying on your competitors’ Meta ads libraries is mostly a waste of time. This is especially true for fashion brands. Here are 3 reasons why: 1. Just because you see it, doesn’t mean it’s working. Brands launch dozens (sometimes hundreds) of ads each week. 1-5% of those ads will go on to be scalable. Just because you see something that “looks cool” in an ad library, doesn’t mean it’s working. You can use a tool like [foreplay] to save ads and see if the brand is still running them a week to a month later. You can also search all the ads saved to the platform and sort by “still running” and longest duration. That will get you closer. But that still won’t tell you the whole story because… 2. Big brands and bootstrapped brands have wildly different objectives. Trust me: I’ve worked in and with companies that range from one-man startups to globally recognized, publicly traded mega-brands. The bigger the brand, the longer they’ve been around, the more physical distribution, the greater the awareness…the less they need to lean on Meta to drive a specific ROI within one to seven days. Big brands spend more on testing. They spend more on awareness campaigns. And they can drive conversions based on brand recognition/status alone. If you’re a bootstrapped brand, STOP looking at big brands’ ad libraries. These brands are not really your competition, even if you happen to sit on the same floor in a department store. Keep your eyes in your own lane if you want to win. 3. Product adoption is the #1 success factor for fashion brands’ Meta ads. This is something that SO FEW marketers acknowledge. Product adoption is going to influence conversion rate more than account structure, creative, web experience, or anything else. Your best ads will always feature your best sellers. A crappy ad creative featuring a best seller will almost always outperform the best “ugly ad” featuring an unpopular style. Unless you know your competitors’ sales stats, you have no idea if their ads are winning on the merits of creative strategy or the style featured. Competitive research can help get the creative juices flowing. But, if you’re selling fashion, breaking the following rules = a waste of time in most cases: 1. Feature your top 5-10 best-selling styles 2. Make it really obvious what product you’re selling. Ex: shooting models head to toe is a bad way to sell footwear on Meta 3. Provide as much visual information as possible: how it fits, proportions, how it looks from different angles, how the material feels, etc. I share actionable eCom advice for fashion brands (like this post) in my weekly newsletter. You can sign up via the link in the comments.

FUEL predicts what's ahead for brands in 2024, starting with our CEO + Head of Creative, Mary Cornette: "Many Adweekers, including my husband John Cornette, predict that humor and emotion will be central ingredients in traditional advertising in 2024. Going into an election year and surrounded by devastating wars, I certainly hope so. I’m also hoping to see more work like Collin’s clever Figma brand campaign the Fast Company's 2023 Innovation by Design Award Branding category winner. It’s fresh, oh-so-smart, AND dynamic… a beautiful combination." Read on for more predictions. #2024predictions #humantouch #creativitymatters #aiandcreativity https://lnkd.in/eeWkTtHC

The Power of Colors in Psychology and Advertising The Psychology of Colors Colors have the ability to evoke emotions, shape perceptions, and influence behavior. Understanding the psychology behind each hue allows marketers to create a compelling narrative that resonates with their target audience. Red: Passion and Urgency ❤️ Red is synonymous with passion, energy, and urgency. It grabs attention and creates a sense of excitement. Brands often use red to convey a sense of urgency or to evoke strong emotions. Blue: Trust and Stability 💙 Blue exudes trust, reliability, and stability. It is commonly employed by brands seeking to establish a sense of professionalism and credibility. Financial institutions often leverage blue to instill confidence in their services. Green: Freshness and Growth 🌿 Green symbolizes nature, freshness, and growth. Brands associated with health, sustainability, and organic products often use green to communicate their commitment to well-being and environmental consciousness. Yellow: Optimism and Clarity ☀️ Yellow radiates positivity, optimism, and clarity. It is attention-grabbing and can be effective in promoting feelings of happiness and warmth. Brands looking to convey a friendly and approachable image often incorporate yellow. Using Colors in Advertising In the competitive landscape of advertising, colors serve as a silent persuader, influencing consumers' perceptions and choices. Call to Action (CTA): The Power of Red 🚨 When crafting a compelling call to action, incorporating red can stimulate a sense of urgency and drive immediate action. Whether it's a limited-time offer or a must-not-miss opportunity, red can be the key to boosting conversion rates. Building Trust with Blue 🤝 Establishing trust is crucial in any business. Utilizing blue in branding and advertising materials can instill a sense of reliability, professionalism, and trustworthiness. This is particularly effective for industries where credibility is paramount. Highlighting Innovation with Technological Tones 🚀 In the tech industry, futuristic colors like silver, chrome, and sleek metallic tones can convey innovation and cutting-edge advancements. These colors appeal to the audience's desire for progress and modernity. Effective Advertising It's not just about what we see; it's about how colors make us feel, and that feeling can be the catalyst for a successful advertising journey.

BREAKING NEWS: METAJIVE AND PXLP JOIN TOGETHER GROUP I am excited to announce the acquisition of Metajive (metajive.com), a San Diego based agency specialized in digital transformation, websites, e-commerce, apps and digital- product design, and its subsidiary Pixel Perfect Development (PXLP) (www.pxlp.dev), a high-end development studio. Since its inception in 2004, Metajive has created over 400 projects for Fortune 100 companies and aspirational challenger brands. The team has designed digital solutions for luxury and lifestyle agencies and brands, including Nike, Porsche and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). They have also developed innovative solutions and products for enterprise clients in the technology and financial services sector, trusted by clients such as Google, HP and T- Mobile. Metajive has received numerous industry awards, most recently three Webby Awards for their AI-powered digital creativity testFX, in collaboration with Google Creative Lab. Metajive has also been acknowledged on the INC 5000 list three times(!) and ranked in 2024 by the Financial Times as one of America’s fastest-growing companies. Digital transformation, apps and experiences are essential for luxury and lifestyle brands that have the ambition to deliver bespoke services to both discerning and aspirational consumers, and Metajive and PXLP further strengthen our Group’s digital capabilities. Their teams deliver meticulously-creafted solutions, envisioning and building the right experiences that truly make a difference for our clients and their audiences. “This is the next step in our teams’ journey of growth. We are excited about the collaboration opportunities with both brands, destinations and our fellow Group Agencies” says Dave Benton, founder and CEO of Metajive. “While luxury and lifestyle brands have certainly caught up in the digital world, we still see substantial room for improving consumer experiences, and for designing high-quality products that connect, engage and build brand loyalty.” “Whether launching a new product, a campaign or an entirely new business and brand, we have the creative and technological capabilities to envision and deliver the digital solutions for it” adds April Benton, COO of Metajive & Pixel Perfect. “We are thrilled to combine our technological expertise with the best branding and activation agencies in the luxury world.” This announcement follows the recent acquisition of Frame Publicity, a luxury communications agency based in the Middle East. The Group has plans for further acquisitions across all its pillars, including strategy and branding, digital, marketing, content creation and data services, strengthening its positioning as the leading full-service network for the luxury and lifestyle sectors. A warm welcome to Dave, April and the Metajive and PXLP teams! #agency #luxury #lifestyle #digital #transformation #experiences #design #technology #apps #websites #ecommerce #digitalsolutions

Color isn't just about aesthetics; it's a powerful tool in display advertising that can influence consumer perception and behavior. Check out our latest blog post for insights into how different colors can impact your advertising campaigns: 🔴 Red: Excitement, Urgency 🔵 Blue: Trust, Reliability 🟡 Yellow: Happiness, Attention-Grabbing 🟢 Green: Nature, Health 🟠 Orange: Energy, Creativity 🟣 Purple: Luxury, Sophistication Understanding the psychology of color can help you create more effective and impactful advertising campaigns that resonate with your target audience. Ready to harness the power of color in your display advertising? Contact 1A Display today to learn how we can help! #DisplayAdvertising #Advertising #MarketingStrategy #1ADisplay

The Rise of QR Code Marketing QR codes have come a long way from their humble beginnings, and today, they are a powerful tool for bridging the physical and digital realms. With the increasing reliance on smartphones, QR codes have become a seamless way to drive engagement and connect with your audience in real time. Why QR Code T-Shirt Prints Matter 1. Memorable Branding: In a sea of marketing messages, it's crucial to be memorable. Our QR Code T-shirt prints not only showcase your brand identity but also provide an interactive experience that lingers in the minds of your audience. 2. Enhanced Engagement: Traditional advertising methods often lack interactivity. With QR codes on T-shirts, you invite your audience to actively engage with your brand. It's not just a T-shirt; it's a conversation starter. 3. Versatility in Marketing: Whether you're promoting your website, social media handles, exclusive offers, or events, QR Code T-shirt Prints offer a versatile and dynamic solution. Adapt your strategy for promotions, product launches, and beyond. How It Works: The Seamless Integration of Fashion and Technology Our process is designed to make the integration of QR codes into your T-shirt designs seamless: Strategic Design: Our creative team ensures your T-shirt design not only aligns with your brand aesthetics but also incorporates a strategically placed QR code that captivates attention. User-Friendly Scanning: Anyone with a smartphone can effortlessly scan the QR code, instantly connecting with your brand online. Performance Analytics: Gain insights into user engagement. Track the success of your QR code campaigns and optimize for maximum impact. Unlock the Potential: Sign Up Today!

DTC companies burn tons of cash on Facebook ads that flop because they forget one crucial thing: People eat with their eyes first. The human brain processes images 60,000 times faster than text. This means the quality of your ad visuals is crucial. Better visuals = better engagement. (It’s how Airbnb grew like a weed — only after they hired professional photographers.) But most companies get this wrong. They do everything right with their ad setup but upload poor-quality visuals that fail to turn people’s eyes on. This costs them money and taints their brand identity in the long run. So, how do you avoid that? Here are three ways to wow your audience’s eyes and get them to act: ⏩ Product videos ↪ Show your product in action, highlight its features, and let customers see what they're missing. This is what GREATS did with their sneakers ad. ⏩ Before/after imagery ↪ People love transformation. Use visuals that prove your product's impact. Havenly advertised their interior design offer with this format. ⏩ Closeup product shots ↪ Highlight textures, details, and quality that people might miss in a standard photo. Daily Harvest provides a great example of this. See these examples in action below. ⬇️

⚡⚡ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗲𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮? ☑ Enhanced Brand Perception: A visually appealing eCommerce product creates a positive impression of your brand, conveying professionalism, quality, and attention to detail. ☑ Increased Engagement: Beautiful product images and videos capture the audience's attention on social media, encouraging likes, shares, and comments, which amplifies brand exposure and interaction. ☑ Improved Conversion Rates: Stunning product visuals evoke desire and interest, motivating users to explore further and make purchasing decisions, ultimately leading to higher conversion rates. ☑ Elevated Brand Visibility: Sharing aesthetically pleasing products across multiple social media platforms extends your brand's reach to a broader audience, increasing brand visibility and recognition. ☑ Strengthened Customer Relationships: Engaging with customers through visually appealing content fosters a sense of connection and loyalty, encouraging repeat purchases and positive word-of-mouth recommendations. ❤️️❤️️ 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝘂𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 #ecommerce #animotion #ecommerceshoesdesign #facebookshoesdesign #instagramhoesdesign #ecommerceproduct #productanimation #googleads #ecommerceproductdesign #facewashdesign