Can We Trust AI to Power Customer Communications?

Ready or not, here it comes. Artificial intelligence is quickly changing the ways we interact with the world. That includes how businesses connect with people.

But how do your customers feel about AI? What are your expectations for how AI will transform customer experiences?

How Martech Platforms Can Avoid BFCM Nightmares

There’s a lot of pressure during Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM). All too often, the pressure finds its way back to the platforms helping brands deliver important messages.

Shoppers are under pressure to snatch up the best deals before time or inventory runs out. Retailers are under pressure to earn attention and drive sales. But the people at Martechs might feel more pressure than anyone else.

Customer Communication and the Generations: Does Age Matter?

People love boxing the world up into neat little packages and so do businesses. It helps everyone make sense of this unpredictable thing called life – or consumer behavior – whatever the case may be.

An easy and often useful way to categorize others is by their age group or generation. Discussing what baby boomers, millennials, Gen-Z, and now Gen Alpha want is always a hot topic. (Sorry, Gen Xers. Forgotten again. You too, of course.) So, how much does the age of a customer impact the way your business communicates with them? Does choosing the right channel matter at all? Let’s look at some findings from Sinch’s new report, The state of customer communications.

Why Email Marketing Wins in a Struggling Global Economy

When the economy takes a turn for the worse, uncertainty abounds. Yet, although the world seems to be heading for difficult and uncertain times, we’re certain about one thing: Even a global recession won’t kill email marketing.

Honestly, we’d probably say that no matter what. This time, however, we’ve also got some research to back us up.

Key Takeaways from The Path to Email Engagement 2024

Increasing engagement is like the holy grail of email marketing. How many times have you launched a campaign you thought would generate tons of clicks and conversions only to have it fall flat?

Maybe you’ve even said to yourself, “What is it these people want from us?” Here at Sinch Mailjet, we decided to ask consumers how they use email as well as what gets them to opt-in, open, and engage with what’s delivered to their inboxes.

Transactional Emails: The Unsung Heroes of the Customer Experience

Some heroes have songs written about them. Folk heroes of the railroad like Casey Jones and John Henry get ballads. Princess Diana and Marilyn Monroe share an Elton John song. The world, however, is also full of those who fail to get the credit they deserve. We’re here today to tell the true story of some unsung heroes.

Why We’re Investing in the Future of Transportation and Fuel Efficiency

Client: Breakthrough
Original article

Changes in the way we drive and the way we transport goods are on the road to becoming a reality.

Interactive Content: The Road to Industry 4.0

I’ve been really impressed with the interactive articles that the NY Times in-house agency, T Brand Studios, creates. I wanted to try to develop something similar for OneNeck IT Solutions around the idea of preparing for the “fourth Indsutrial Revolution” — aka Industry 4.0.

eBook: The Inside Story of a Food Safety Breakthrough

Birko Corp launched it’s Elite 360 system in 2019 and needed to spread the word about how a new method (electrostatic intervention technology) would make beef, poultry, and produce safer for consumers to eat.

Help employees understand HDHPs with an HSA in five simple steps

Client: Security Health Plan (HR Playbook)
Original article

Any time you introduce change in a company, employees are going to have questions and concerns. That’s especially true when it comes to changes in health insurance coverage.

Webinar: Traffic Control – How to Find and Grow an Audience

While working as a contracted Content Marketing Consultant for Automattic, I was asked to co-host a webinar on SEO for customers of WordPress.com.

Webinar: How Top Brewers can Gain an Edge in a Competitive Market

Let's check out Birko's new Craft Brewery Cleaner for CIP systems

One of my final projects with digital marketing agency, Element, was producing and co-hosting a webinar targeting larger breweries for Birko Corp. — a company that provides sanitation products and equipment to the food and beverage industry.

How Reclosable Flexible Packaging Supports a Circular Economy

Client: Fresh-Lock
Original article

As brands continue to pursue ways to achieve improved sustainability by changing their manufacturing processes, making environmentally-conscious packaging decisions, and taking a closer look at the entire supply chain, questions start to arise.

Electrostatic Intervention Technology: An Effective and Efficient Future for Food Safety

Publication: Food Safety Tech
Client: Birko Corp
Original article

This ghostwritten contributed article highlighted an important, groundbreaking innovation for the client. It was meant to help raise awareness about new food safety technology, yet because it was not an advertorial, we also had to avoid being promotional, focusing instead on research behind the technology.

Meet the Real Hero Who Inspired Apple TV’s “Home Before Dark”

Client: WordPress.com (Automattic)
Original article

Based on a true story — and a real WordPress.com website — the new series Home Before Dark is now streaming on Apple TV. It’s a compelling example of how launching your big idea online often leads to even bigger things.

What The Jetsons Got Right About Technology and Home Automation

jetsons technology vs real life technology

Client: AVE Audio Video Environments
Original article

The classic television cartoon The Jetsons has a permanent place in pop culture history. It centered around a futuristic family with some of the wildest and most luxurious home automation technologies you can imagine.

Can You Balance Screen Time and Family Time Over the Holidays?

Client: TechDen
Original article

Parents tend to have high expectations during the holiday season. It’s a time for making memories, eating and drinking together, and showing the people you love how much you care.

What’s the Connection Between Eczema and Hard Water?

Client: Water-Right Group
Original article

Being a parent of a child suffering from the skin condition eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, can be frustrating and leave you feeling helpless. Not only is it tough to watch a child deal with uncomfortably itchy, dry skin, trying to nail down the reason for eczema symptoms is often a complete mystery.

Empowerment Series: Why Auto Loan Pre-approval Gives You an Advantage

Client: Unison Credit Union
Original article

Does this car shopping story sound familiar?

You visit a car lot to look around and test drive a few vehicles, maybe even “just for fun.” But, before you know it, you’re in love with a new car and find yourself sitting in a waiting room while the dealership’s finance department runs your credit and brings back some options for a loan.

The Magic of Monetizing Website Content with WordPress

Client: WordPress.com (Automattic)
Original article

Creating and managing your own website is a big commitment. Even if you start with a free website, you’re still investing time, energy, and creativity into sharing your art, ideas, or professional insights.

Helicopter Parents vs. Free-Range Parents: Which Type are You?

Client: Child-Guard^TM (a Fresh-Lock/Reynolds brand)
Original article

What’s the best way raise your kids? It’s a question most parents struggle with on a daily basis.

14 Door County Races for Athletes and Adventurers

Client: Sturgeon Bay Visitor Center (sponsored content on WhooNEW.com)
Original article

If you think of Door County as a place to escape and get some rest and relaxation – you’d be right. But if you think that’s all the area has to offer – you’d be sorely mistaken.

Whatever Happened to Mr. Yuk?

Client: Child-Guard^TM (a Fresh-Lock/Reynolds brand)
Original article

He’s mean. He’s green. But where has Mr. Yuk™ been?

Picking the Perfect Wine for Grass Fed Beef Meals

Client: Grass Run Farms (JBS Brand)
Original article

Cooking is an art, and when you know how to pair the ideal wine with your favorite meals, you elevate your game as a home chef.

What You Need to Know About Owning a Home with a Well

Client: Water-Right Group
Original article

A home away from the hustle and bustle of city life is a dream come true for many families. But, if you’re considering a move to the country or have recently purchased a house in a rural area, you could be in for a few surprises.

10 of the Best Motorcycle Rides in Wisconsin

Client: Unison Credit Union
Original article

Can you think of a better way to explore the state of Wisconsin than on a motorcycle?

Can Screen Time Encourage Creativity and Curiosity in Kids?

Client: TechDen
Original article

Nearly every parent gets the same guilty feeling when handing their kid a phone or tablet. You’ve seen the studies and stories in the media about shrinking attention spans, stunted social growth, childhood obesity, and all the other dangers of too much screen time. You can’t help but wonder if you’re making a major parenting mistake.

Squeaky Clean Skin and Hard Water: Exposing the Dirty Truth

Client: Water-Right Group
Original article

The idea of anything being “squeaky clean” sounds pretty good: squeaky clean dishes, squeaky clean kitchen countertops, squeaky clean bathroom tiles, and squeaky clean windows.

What about squeaky clean skin?

How Multi-Room Music Creates a Soundtrack for Your Life

Client: Audio Visual Environments (AVE)
Original article

What if your life was a movie? What kind of music would be in the soundtrack?

Case Study: How a Leading Arts & Crafts Retailer Saved with Fuel Recovery

Client: Breakthrough
Original article

Taking a fresh look at energy management can lead to positive results for companies still relying on outdated methods. Smart shippers, including leading retailers, are discovering a better way to manage fuel costs.