IMANI LANERS’ Post

As a strategist I often say a great insight is hard to get to, but seems obvious in hindsight. The idea that brands should be connecting with audiences in ways that land them in culture, and agencies should have teams that are reflective of the world we live in is obvious. This is one insight I'm proud to bring to the world and continue to prove out by making great creative work with an amazing team of people.

Wow... Well, Thanks and Gracias Ad Age and Arvelisse Bonilla Ramos! Looking back at ’23, I’m incredibly proud of the results we delivered for our partners and the growth we achieved as an agency.  Couldn’t be happier to walk the talk every day with the ridiculously talented crew at the community. In our industry, successful agency + brand partnerships require true community;  from search consultants to CMO’s, from junior copywriters to CCO, and everyone in between the pitch brief and the annual wrap report. It’s all about the people and the creativity! Thank you to our partners for entrusting us to build their businesses and brands through a more progressive approach to today’s market. It’s not mass market. It’s not the multicultural market. It’s the new mainstream and it’s the key to growth. And to win this award in the same year that we were also recognized as ADWEEK Multicultural Agency of the Year is extra special. (I think that’s equivalent to a professional boxer “unifying the belts”) Joaquin Molla Luis Montero Marci Miller Lee Maicon Julieta Rey Laurie Malaga Lucas Bongioanni Ricky Vior Jacqueline Hernandez Stefani Chambers Cora Pérez Fernández Richard Garcia Ramiro Raposo Kara Stockton Chris Parke Danielle Amaral Rosa Ana Foreman Khristy Nguyen, MA, SHRM-SCP Dominick Concepcion, MBA Natalie Greenman Fernando Reis Lucas Rojas and TODOS #creativity #advertising #marketing #brandbuilding #growth #newmainstream

It's not every week that some of the world's most acclaimed creative leaders get together in one room, much less speak on a dedicated panel to talk about creativity and its growth-driving power in business... But that's what happened last Wednesday, when Goodby Silverstein & Partners's jeff Goodby, Orchard's David Kolbusz, Accenture Song's Nick Law, VMLY&R's Kim Pick and Australian actor, writer and director #MirrahFoulkes, gathered for a #GrowthAgenda event at Advertising Council Australia's #ThisWayUp festival. It's clear that in an information-saturated world, brands can't afford to settle for creative "mediocrity", which the rise of #generativeAI will only further accellerate, according to some panellists. For those who weren't in the room at the MCA in Sydney, catch up on insights from the evening here: https://lnkd.in/gUJXPhM3 In other marketing news.... The Matildas have won the hearts and minds of audiences the world over. And those brands that were clever enough to back them through sponsorships and collaborations are reaping the rewards of record World Cup attendance and TV viewership. Football Australia's Peter Filopoulos, M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment, Australia's Krystyna Frassetto and other marketing experts explain the growth-driving opportunity for brands taking part in this monumental cultural moment: https://lnkd.in/gusfDq44 Plus, an opinion editorial authored by the brilliant Dave Bowman, who penned his first piece for #TheGrowthAgenda as Publicis Groupe ANZ's newly-appointed chief creative officer. He offers a compelling call to arms to infuse the marketing and advertising with a more collaborative, playful spirit; and why it often yields better business results. https://lnkd.in/gFKz3Q7J More to follow: https://lnkd.in/gAaD9rTU

Here are some key takeaways from Procter & Gamble's annual Signal conference:

2023: The year that creative agencies became leaner and asked a lot of people to do three roles in one. That meant gaps started to show. 2024: Well, Omnicom are predicting 4% growth, and they are not alone with the big plans. Meaning, those ‘gaps’, covered. Unlocking inspiring leadership, and incredible, UNIQUE work being made. Almost everyone I have spoken to this year, has felt the squeeze. Whether you are an Account Director/Client Services director out of a job. Or a junior/mid-weight with limited people to look up to. Or.. an MD left to pick up the pieces. Costs have been cut and the impact has been massive. And it’s taken a while for it to be seen… BUT  It seems this is being addressed in next years plans and the benefits will be huge: ⭐ Amazingly talented people, back to doing what they are great at. ⭐ People not being stretched, no more Account Managers doing the job of an Account Director. ⭐Focus on the future generation of creative talent, they will have peoples time and trust to succeed. ⭐ The work, the relationships, the fun, the reason we are all joined this industry in the first place 🌈 And its not all been doom and gloom… but if you have been affected by this, this is a reminder: Firstly, You are not alone. Good times.  Good work.  Good leadership.  Are soon to be back.

You don't need to eat fast-food to think this marketing campaign is brilliant. Have you ever wondered what your favorite fictional characters order at McDonald’s? Well, wonder no more, because the fast-food giant Mcdonald's has just released a new campaign that showcases its influence in the worlds of film and TV. The campaign, titled "As Featured In", smartly illustrates how McDonald’s has been a part of pop culture for decades, with clips from iconic movies and shows such as Clueless, The Office, Friends, and even the upcoming season of Marvel Studio’s Loki. The campaign also offers As Featured In meals that reference some of the most memorable McDonald’s orders from these fictional worlds. What makes this campaign brilliant? This is a brilliant marketing strategy for McDonald’s, as it leverages its brand recognition and cultural relevance to create a connection with its customers. By featuring characters that people love and relate to, McDonald’s shows that it understands its audience and their preferences. It also creates a sense of nostalgia and fun, as customers can enjoy the same meals as their favorite characters, and remember characters from their favorite movies. Moreover, the campaign demonstrates McDonald’s global reach and diversity, as it includes clips from different countries and genres. From the American comedy of The Office to the Hong Kong arthouse film Fallen Angels, McDonald’s shows that it has something for everyone, no matter where they are or what they like. As Featured In is a great example of how McDonald’s uses its fame and influence to create engaging and relevant content for its customers. It also shows how McDonald’s is not just a fast-food chain, but a part of popular culture that transcends time and space. As Morgan Flatley, global chief marketing officer and head of new business ventures at McDonald’s, says: “It’s not only our real-life fans who have a go-to order, for decades our favorite movie and TV characters have too.” And you, what do you think of this campaign? Congrats Wieden + Kennedy for this great video 👏🏼 Credit video: As Featured In Meal | McDonald's #mcdonalds #marketingcampaign #marketinganalysis #WiedenKennedy #mcdonaldsmarketingcampaign #marketingagency #MadameVision

Diversity Marketing: 7 Proven Strategies for Your Brand's Success 🚀 Discover the potential of diversity marketing! From inclusive packaging to diverse leadership and cause-driven campaigns, learn how embracing diversity can enhance your brand's reputation and appeal to a wider audience. Explore the concept of diversity marketing through successful case studies of Crayola, Accenture, Fisher-Price, Inc., Ben & Jerry's, Netflix, Starbucks, and PROCTOR & GAMBLE PHC. Read the blog here to know more 👉 https://bit.ly/3tia6Uz #DiversityMarketing #BrandSuccess #InclusivityInMarketing #successstories #marketingcampaigns

I came across this Job description from McDonald's, and oh boy it felt like a game changer. Here is why I think it's a game-changer 1. Branding and culture - The JD says upfront that McDonald's is not just offering a job but also a chance to be a part of a global legacy. 2. The engaging language - "Can I get uhhhhh.....?" seems and feels more relatable to the organization and I never have seen this type of language before in any other job description. 3. Inclusivity and diversity - Unlike the conventional JD's which says "Apply only if you match the above skills", this encourages you to apply even if you don't tick all the boxes. 4. Storytelling - It weaves stories of iconic meals and campaigns, making the job more than the normal 9-to-5. 5. Humor & Personality - "No, you cannot be paid in nuggets." Well played, McDonald's. Well played. I will tell you why this will work For Modern Minds: Appeals to the authenticity-loving Millennials and Gen Z.  Culture Reflection: Mirrors McDonald's inclusive, fun, and innovative company culture.  Memorability: It's not just a job post; it's an experience, making it unforgettable. This isn't just a job description; it's a glimpse into the future of engaging, creative job posts. Organizations should do more like this, do you agree? https://lnkd.in/dhSD4jfk

Reflecting on my journey, there was a time when the mere thought of handling brands shoots left me feeling nervous and uncertain. However, through dedication, perseverance, and a relentless pursuit of growth, I've transformed that initial apprehension into confidence and capability. Today, I embark on shoots with a sense of assurance, no longer needing approvals to execute my vision because brands always love my ideations and trust the executions. This journey has been marked by challenges overcome, skills honed, and self-belief strengthened. I am immensely grateful for the opportunities that have allowed me to grow professionally and personally. Here's to embracing challenges, pushing boundaries, and continuously evolving. #brandstories #brands #celebrities #management #pr

Want to shoutout my wife, Carly Zipp Garbis who constantly amazes me. She has the capacity to be a strategic whiz kid, all while raising our own too-clever children and their mischief. Being honored in the Adweek 50 is the ultimate compliment. Paywall, but I saved you the anguish (pasted below). For those who might happen to pay Adweek, scroll to Z! https://lnkd.in/eY5K7f5k "Amazon Ads' "Ads That Work as Hard as You Do" campaign earlier this year positioned it as a go-to platform for brands. Led by Carly Zipp, the global director of brand marketing, the campaign aimed to celebrate the industry's hard work and highlight how Amazon Ads addresses customer needs while delivering effective results. "We call it our love letter to the industry," Zipp told Adweek. Zipp's accomplishments also include Amazon Ads' annual product launch event, unBoxed, which showcases new products and services to agencies, partners and publishers. "Having a customized moment in time annually galvanizes our product and sales leaders and allows us to build our road map," said Zipp. In the third quarter of 2023, Amazon's ad services brought $12.06 billion in revenue, a 26.3% surge versus the same period in 2022. Looking ahead, Zipp sees more focus on live sports and opportunities in CTV. "I also want to focus on talking to brands who don't sell in our store—think travel or insurance companies," she said. "We are just scratching the surface in ads, and I feel lucky to be a part of this growth." —Trishla Ostwal"