When we talk about attention, we're actually talking about engagement - Interview with Walter Flaat of dentsu Canada
Oct 3, 2023
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Walter Flaat, Chief Data Officer at dentsu Canada, discusses the Attention Economy in advertising and the importance of empathy, inclusivity, and engagement. They explore attention triggers, ethical implications of personalization, consequences of attention in AI, and end with a positive news story about Canada.
Customer attention is a form of generosity, and brands should strive to resonate with customers by providing value and meaningful experiences.
The intersection of algorithms and attention in the digital age highlights the importance of understanding how algorithms influence attention and the ethical considerations surrounding AI in customer experience.
Deep dives
The Importance of Attention in Customer Experience
The podcast episode discusses the role of attention in customer experience (CX) and highlights the need for brands to effectively capture and maintain customers' attention. Attention is seen as a form of generosity given by customers, and brands should strive to resonate with them by providing value and meaningful experiences. The episode emphasizes the need for brands to be compassionate, inclusive, and relevant, considering the diverse needs and backgrounds of their customers. It also explores the ethical dimension of CX, highlighting the responsibility of brands to balance commercial interests with ethical considerations. The episode suggests that brands focus on scaling the personal touch and building deep relationships with consumers by adding value and ensuring inclusivity.
The Transformative Power of Generative AI and Chat GPT
The podcast mentions a transformative e-book and video created by CGS, authored by their Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, John Samuel. The resource explores the power of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and chat GPT in delivering insights, summarizing research, and inspiring creative problem-solving. It discusses the intersection of algorithms and attention, underscoring the importance of understanding how algorithms influence attention in the digital age. The e-book and video delve into ethical considerations surrounding AI and the responsibility of brands and individuals in leveraging AI effectively. It emphasizes the need for user awareness regarding biases and the role of prompt engineering in shaping AI outcomes.
Attention, Engagement, and Compassion in Customer Experience
This part of the podcast centers around the white paper titled 'Attracting Attention and the Power of Compassion, Attention Economy: A Dentsu Study for Canada.' The white paper highlights the critical role of attention and engagement in customer experience and aims to understand the triggers and drivers of attention. It challenges the notion that humans have decreasing attention spans, instead focusing on the factors that positively or negatively influence attention. The study explores the connection between attention and compassion, emphasizing the need for brands to provide value and resonate with consumers. It raises ethical considerations regarding attention manipulation and the responsibility of brands to balance commercial interests with consumer well-being. The podcast conversation also touches on the importance of inclusivity and diversity in creating engaging and resonant experiences.
Building Meaningful Customer Experiences and Lessons for Brands
The podcast episode concludes with a discussion on building meaningful customer experiences and lessons for brands. It emphasizes the importance of scaling the personal touch in customer experience, leveraging technology to deliver personalized experiences that resonate with consumers. The conversation highlights the need for brands to add value and focus on compassion and relevance. It stresses the significance of inclusion, diversity, and harm reduction in designing effective experiences. The podcast mentions examples of companies like Spotify, Muji, and Loblaws that excel in crafting meaningful experiences and building strong consumer relationships. Finally, it encourages brands to adopt a layered approach to customer experience, focusing on effective moments, cohesive experiences, and meaningful relationships.
Today’s interview is with Walter Flaat, dentsu Canada’s Chief Data Officer. We talk about a new whitepaper that they’ve just published on the Attention Economy, what drives attention (engagement), what brands should be doing in order to be able to deliver a more thoughtful, empathetic and inclusive experience and what are the implications for experience and digital professionals and leaders.
NOTE: A big thank you goes out to the folks at CGS for sponsoring my podcast for the coming month.
Now, CGS is a company you might not have heard of.
But, they have been delivering brand-building and customer experiences for 40 years for global brands that you will definitely have heard of.
Over that time, they have developed deep expertise in both outsourcing and technology, so you should definitely pay attention to what they have to say.
They’ve recently put together a free ebook and video that I’d like to point you to. It’s called The Transformative Power of Generative AI and ChatGPT and has been authored by CGS’ Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, John Samuel (one of our interviewees today). It’s a really comprehensive guide and is designed to deliver insights, summarize research, and inspire creative problem-solving.
Follow this link to check out the free ebook and video.
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