Most Contagious Live: rethinking creative bravery, DEI and Gen Z trends
Dec 12, 2024
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In this insightful discussion, Alex Jenkins, Editorial Director at Contagious, delves into AI's transformative role in creativity and marketing, exploring the balance between automation and human touch. Ali Hanan, CEO of Creative Equals, tackles the pressing challenges of DEI in marketing amidst activism, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity. Kian Bakhtiari, founder of The People, shares compelling insights into Gen Z's nostalgic tendencies and their impact on consumer behavior, revealing how brands can connect meaningfully with this unique generation.
AI is reshaping creativity in marketing by automating production processes, but it risks diminishing the essential human element in impactful campaigns.
Emphasizing DEI in marketing strategies is crucial for growth, as brands neglecting this aspect could alienate significant consumer demographics and harm performance.
Deep dives
The Transformative Impact of AI on Creativity
AI has emerged as a dominant force shaping creativity and marketing strategies, fundamentally altering how services are produced and perceived. It enables creators to automate tasks such as writing, video creation, and even music production, as seen in examples like Timberland using AI to complete musical tracks. The growing reliance on AI tools raises critical questions about which creative tasks can be automated and whether such automation will impact job security within the industry. Experts suggest that while AI's efficiency can enhance creative processes, it can also risk overshadowing the human touch that is pivotal in truly impactful marketing.
The Importance of Creative Bravery
Creative bravery has become a crucial theme for brands navigating the complexities of modern marketing, pushing them to take calculated risks in their campaigns. A notable example is the campaign by the French ride-hailing service EACH during the Paris Olympics, which playfully encouraged consumers to choose Uber, showcasing creative thinking that resonated with a large audience. Companies like Adam and Eve DDB have also demonstrated this principle through provocative ads that sparked debate yet resulted in a significant sales spike for their clients. Such strategies highlight the need for brands to balance perceived risk with the potential for innovative, effective marketing that resonates with consumers.
The Business Case for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
Inclusive marketing strategies are proving essential for driving growth and relevance in today's diverse marketplace, as reported by industry leaders. Brands that deprioritize DEI, such as Ford and Walmart, in response to activist pressures could risk sidelining a substantial and lucrative consumer demographic. Research shows a strong correlation between effective DEI initiatives and improved business performance, highlighting that teams focusing on inclusion yield a more significant return on investment. The commitment to DEI not only fosters a progressive brand image but also ensures that companies remain connected to the evolving expectations of consumers across various demographics.
WARC's Anna Hamill talks to Ali Hanan (Creative Equals) about the DEI backlash and Kian Bakhtiari (The People) about Gen Z trends. Contagious's Alex Jenkins joins to discuss AI and whether we need to rethink what creative bravery means. Recorded live at Most Contagious 2024 in London.
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