Founded in 1987, South by Southwest is the world’s largest gathering of creative professionals. The event includes both a conference on up-and-coming innovative tech and festivals that celebrate the convergence of the interactive, film, and music.
Emerging trends that can impact your Shopper Marketing Strategy:
1. Retro Trust
The world is rediscovering it’s love for all that is old, from analogue watches to record players, old arcade games, bygone experiences and food.
Takeaway – Explore opportunities to turn up the nostalgia for your shoppers.
2. Empathy
Amongst the seemingly endless volumes of digital content, the world is looking for meaningful content that truly resonates with them. No longer passively consuming content rather seeing out value in relevance.
Takeaway – Truly put yourself in your shopper’s shoes, it’s more than just understanding them, it’s about connecting with them.
3. Brand Purpose
The idea isn’t a new one but is still relevant in today’s world with shoppers more likely to boycott a brand than ever before. By not taking a stand you are putting your brands values in the hands of the consumer.
Takeaway – Don’t be opportunistic for the sake of marketing but find your purpose and cultivate your tribe.
4. Wellness
Shoppers are emphasizing the ‘self’ in ‘self-care’ are aware that wellness isn’t one size fits all, its personalized and products should be too. This is a space that is constantly evolving with the market hungry for anything that can make them live better.
Takeaway – Take a critical look at how your brand can add value to your shopper’s lives.
5. Sustainability
A hot topic on everyone’s minds with plastic bans cascading across the world, today’s shoppers are increasingly attuned to associate with brands that are good for the planet.
Takeaway – You can be a leader or a follower but this trend is one you cannot ignore.
6. Humanizing Technology
Technology continues to blend and seamlessly integrate into our everyday lives. It is increasingly important for information and tech design language to resonate with consumers in an unobtrusive and familiar way.
Takeaway – Consider how you can make your technology look, sound and feel human and ditch gimmicky innovation.
3 Trend reports from SXSW
2019 Tech Trends Report – Amy Webb
The 12th Edition of the Tech Trends Report by Future Today Institute breaks up 315 different technology trends across 26 industries. Ranging from Predictive Machine Vision to Solar Highways to Smart dust and Artificial trees to name a few, this report is a fascinating deconstruction of the world today and where it is headed.
Design in Tech Report – John Maeda
The report by the Silicon Valley design evangelist is a view of the design industry as seen through a technology lens and what he sees as big plays for the coming year. “Design is experiencing its awkward moment” – unlike his previous reports where he has advocated for the value of design, this report looks the changing roles of designers and their constant self-reinvention.
Non-Obvious Trends – Rohit Bhargava
The Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the ‘Non-Obvious Trends’ book series, presented his 8th edition of Non-Obvious Trends. Seven key takeaways curated out of thousands of articles, books, social media and academic journals that he reads every year is fascinating and keeps you at the edge of your seat.
