Acceleration Community of Companies (ACC)’s Post

Exciting news from our agency network! The inaugural USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism X Acceleration Community of Companies (ACC) Gen Z report is LIVE! This in-depth study represents the culmination of a months-long collaborative research program between industry experts at ACC and public relations graduate students at USC Annenberg. Curious about what Gen Z expects from your next brand experience? Head to the link below to explore the full report!

Driving trends, defining culture and shaping conversation – that’s #GenZ. Not only do they have the highest spending power in the market and contributed to the demise of the traditional marketing funnel but aren’t afraid to break barriers and redraw the boundaries of today’s social norms. That’s a whole lot of power. So, brands, if you’re looking to remain relevant and forge stronger connections with the mighty Gen Z (or if you’re just a curious marketer like myself), look no further than our new study "Unveiling Gen Z: What They Want You to Know in Their Own Words." Proud of the Advisory team at Acceleration Community of Companies (ACC) for embarking on a directed research study in collaboration with USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism to uncover valuable insights to help us better understand the new social dynamics that shape Gen Z consumer behavior, common misconceptions and the latest trends that are on the forefront of their minds. See the attached.

Traditional marketing may not be dead, but it's been accelerated in the last 3 years whether you like it or not. So how can you keep up? Content Marketing has become more than just transfer of information, it has become about connection, engagement, trust and loyalty. Here's 8 types of content you can post about that aren't promotion or regular content, that will help your audience to feel part of your brand's community: 🌎 CSR initiatives 👊 Your brand's purpose/mission 🗞️ Industry news/current affairs - what does your brand care about? 🏆 Upcoming events/shows/awards you're attending 💜 Your team and what they're up to 💲 Policy/fiscal updates - show how your brand is developing/growing 🤝 New and potential partnerships and collaborations 📸 Behind the scenes of operations and product development/creation At Veritas are working with STEM brands to create online communities that engage and empower diverse talent in STEM, and consulting with leadership teams to create DEI strategies that put diversity and inclusivity at the heart of their culture. Want to hear more? Get in touch for a chat! #STEM #WomeninSTEM #genz #femaleleaders #DEI #inclusivitymatters #futuregenerations

This article (link in comments below) explores how sociocracy, emphasizing equality, participatory decision-making, and continuous improvement, can revolutionize marketing strategies in businesses striving for a competitive edge. Organizations can achieve higher engagement, responsiveness, and innovation in their marketing efforts by adopting sociocratic techniques such as forming marketing circles, engaging in consent-based decision-making, and measuring success through actionable KPIs. These practices align marketing strategies more closely with organizational goals and foster a culture of inclusivity and adaptability that is vital in today’s fast-paced market environments.

📢 Crafting a Sustainable Social Media Strategy Sustainability in social media strategy is key to long term success. At Take Over Socialz, we develop comprehensive strategies that evolve with trends and technology, ensuring your institution remains relevant and impactful. #sustainability #socialmediastrategy #education

🌟 Excited to share a thought-provoking article by our very own Chief Strategy Officer, Phil Cowdell, on a topic close to my heart! 💭 As someone deeply committed to fostering inclusivity and combating unconscious bias in media, Phil's insights couldn't be more timely. Dive into the discussion about the unintended consequences of keyword blocklists and why being unconsciously unconscious is no longer an option. Let's spark meaningful conversations and drive positive change together! 🚀 #Inclusivity #MediaEfficiency #UnconsciousBias #diversity Channel Factory Source: https://lnkd.in/esgi5a4Y

Research from Deloitte, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), the Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and more all show the same thing: more diverse and inclusive companies are more innovative and, therefore, more profitable. Put another way: Diversity and inclusion drives innovation; innovation drives profitability. It’s divergent thinking that sparks innovation. 'That kind of thinking can increase profits by 33%. Yet .08% of Fortune 500 CEOs are Black and we continue to hire for “cultural fit,” a practice that only ever amounts to uniformity. Capitalism rewards ideas that generate higher profitability. And research proves that diversity does just that.' Source Forbes: https://lnkd.in/dvd7XrJb I appreciate Walter T Geer III highlighting in this article with Bloomberg Media the importance of diversity as the successful ingredient to creativity. Equally, successful technology will have diversity and inclusivity at its heart. “We are in a time where Black and brown individuals make up nearly $4 trillion in spending power,” Walt says. “That’s a lot of power. So when we talk about creating opportunity and how we engage individuals, you have to have the right people in the room. Facts show that it’s clear as day that when the team or your leadership team is more diverse, revenue outcomes are through the roof.” #DiversityAndInclusionInitiatives #InclusiveTech #DiversityAndInnovation #DiversityInTech #DiversityInLeadership https://lnkd.in/dXnH6Vh4

Marketing is too often spun as some form of dark art. It's not. It requires a dollop of creativity, a jug full of understanding and more than a large tablespoon of hard work. There isn't exactly a recipe to follow but there is a structure: ✔ Know who you are and the value you add ✔ Consider it from your audience's perspective ✔ Review your competitors and either benchmark or differentiate ✔ Develop a brand identity that connects visually and tonally ✔ Produce a regular flow of targeted content that adds true value ✔ Monitor and learn from everything you do We've supported the inspiring 🥊 Nic “Inclusion Revolution” Ponsford FRSA at the Global Equality Collective for over a year now. The sheer volume and consistent quality of content that we collaborate on is hard to comprehend. It's made possible through regular conversations, honesty and transparency from both sides, and an ever-growing knowledge of what works and what doesn't. We never stand still, we try, we learn, we pivot, we try again. That's the key to good marketing. No dark arts, just simple hard work. In our experience it's what facilitates the production, distribution and promotion of assets that are as relevant and responsive as can be. #marketingagency #socialmediamarketing #marketing #digitalmarketing

Cultural theorist Dr. Dr. Anastasia Kārkliņa Gabriel, PhD's new book, 'Cultural Intelligence for Marketers', introduces us to inclusive marketing that goes beyond skin-deep diversity. 📚🧠 Let's learn to build brands that truly understand and embrace culture for a better society. #InclusiveMarketing #CulturalIntelligence🌍💡 Wieden + Kennedy

🌟 Embracing the Power of Real Marketing: A Call for Responsibility 🌍 In the realm of marketing, we hold a profound power - the power to shape societal thought, influence perceptions, and drive change. Real marketing is not merely about selling products; it's about directing the very fabric of society itself. However, with this power comes great responsibility. Real marketing has the potential to create ideas, spark movements, and inspire change. It can captivate audiences, create heroes, and shape cultural narratives. Yet, if wielded irresponsibly, this power can lead us down a dark path from which it is challenging to emerge. We must recognize that marketing is more than just a tool for promotion; it is a force that can shape attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs on a global scale. It is crucial that we approach this power with a sense of duty, integrity, and ethical consideration. As marketers, we have a responsibility to use our influence wisely, to promote authenticity, transparency, and respect in all our endeavors. We must strive to create campaigns that uplift and empower, rather than manipulate or deceive. Let us harness the incredible potential of real marketing to drive positive change, foster inclusivity, and build a better future for all. Together, we can ensure that this powerful weapon is wielded with care, empathy, and a commitment to creating a brighter and more equitable world. #RealMarketing #Responsibility #EthicalMarketing #PositiveChange #Empowerment #LinkedInPost 🚀