In this engaging discussion, Sarah Mansfield, former VP of Global Media at Unilever, and Gerry D’Angelo, former VP of Global Media at Procter & Gamble, delve into the shifting landscape of media effectiveness. They tackle the evolving perception of paid media from a cost to a strategic investment, the challenges of measuring effectiveness, and the nuanced differences between traditional and D2C brands. They also address the complexities of attention measurement and the pressing need for standardized metrics to enhance trust in media strategies.
The perception of paid media has transformed from a cost center to a vital investment, directly influencing brand growth discussions at board levels.
Marketers face the challenge of navigating complex metrics to effectively measure media effectiveness, emphasizing the need to focus on those directly driving business outcomes.
Deep dives
The Evolving Role of Paid Media in Brand Strategy
The perception of paid media within brand organizations has significantly evolved, transitioning from being viewed merely as a cost center to being recognized as a critical investment. Executives now understand that the amount invested in media directly affects brand growth, health, and saliency, leading to ongoing discussions at board levels. As brand leaders like Sarah Mansfield emphasize, this correlation has made media investment an integral part of strategic conversations in companies. This change is partly attributed to the growing accountability in marketing, making it essential for media specialists to present clear metrics demonstrating media’s value to the business.
Metrics: A Double-Edged Sword
The increasing complexity of available metrics poses both opportunities and challenges for marketers seeking to measure media effectiveness. While digital channels provide numerous data points, this abundance can lead to confusion, with many marketers struggling to identify which metrics genuinely drive business outcomes. Experienced professionals advocate for a focused approach where only the most impactful media metrics are tracked relative to revenue and profitability. Stripping away extraneous measures allows marketers to concentrate on metrics that create real value and link directly to enhancing brand performance.
The Balance Between Brand Building and Performance Marketing
There is an ongoing debate about the balance between brand building and performance marketing, with opinions divided on how much emphasis should be placed on each. Traditional brand owners tend to prioritize long-term brand health, while newer direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands often focus on immediate conversion and performance. Experts highlight the necessity of integrating both strategies, as building awareness at the top of the funnel is essential for sustained sales growth. Successful marketers recognize the importance of adapting to both approaches, ensuring that performance metrics do not overshadow the significance of brand investment.
The Future of Media Effectiveness
The relevance of media effectiveness is expected to continue growing among brand executives, particularly as the market dynamics evolve with new technologies and due diligence. Leading brands like Unilever and Procter & Gamble have set standards in industry practices, emphasizing the need for independent verification and accountability in media investments. Looking ahead, there is confidence that current and future industry leaders will remain engaged and assertive in managing media resources effectively. The interest in media’s role is likely to persist as companies seek to operationalize successful outcomes while navigating the complexities of an ever-changing landscape.
WARC’s Alex Brownsell speaks to Sarah Mansfield, former VP of Global Media at Unilever and Gerry D’Angelo, former Vice President, Global Media at Procter & Gamble.
Discourse about the future of media and the evolution of media effectiveness is - I think it’s fair to say - alive and well. On any given week, WARC will highlight the latest thinking on, say, the changing role of reach and frequency, or the latest research on attention measurement. But how is that new thinking being received at a brand level? To what extent do in-house marketing teams review and respond to new media effectiveness studies?
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