Simply Social presented an episode of the podcast which primarily focused on the rise of live videos and how brands are using them to increase exposure and keep their consumers updated on their product news. Gordan Ramsay signed a contract with Facebook live video launch to exclusively post live content on the updates of his shows and personal brand. This strategy both benefits Facebook largely as a media platform and the famous chef; by promoting more quality content on live video Facebook is pushes for it to be a trusted platform for consumers to remain in touch with their favorite brands and explore more through that platform.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIyKCGBIslQ

While Facebook was the first of the social media platforms to push the live video campaign other sites such as Tumblr, Instagram, and Twitter have also begin adapting the format each with their own unique twist. Tumblr’s live video campaign focused on really high quality content rather than total user freedom where Twitter made their approach more universal to each user but set a time limit of 140 seconds per video keeping the videos at a set length to match their brand style.

The style of Simply Social is very conversation and at times debate oriented between the two hosts, Kevin and Lucy. This style approach to a podcast helps the listener stay focused and interested in what the hosts are saying and also prompts an open dialogue about the hot topic in digital marketing and debate on how to best capitalize on new opportunities. With all of the clutter online and quick trends that do not seem to last it can be hard to determine which platforms will break through and effectively reach people. Open debate in the form of a podcast is an effective format in raising awareness of the newest media opportunities for marketers and also presenting insights to why one might be best for your brand.

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The ability for social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram to use big data and cookies to track your recent searches and purchases and then sell the ability to brands to use that to retarget certain ads to you. Facebook launched a large travel dynamic ad campaign where they could track if you had bought a hotel or flight or searched for one recently an then lead you to other things you would want to purchase along with that trip within a matter of seconds. This changes advertising because ads become custom to exactly what the customer needs and desires at that moment. Social media marketing allows brands to get the right ads to the right people (target market) with incredible efficiency.

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Example of brands who have taken advantage of personalized advertising; it is proven that brands who use data driven campaigns to tailor content to their interests are seeing the results (19% increase in sales)

1. Amazon: Amazon’s complex customer profile algorithm has allowed them a large advantage in personalized advertising. By tracking customer’s past purchases, Amazon has been able to create a platform which prompts impulse buying and creating new product desires.
2. Cadbury’s Chocolate: Cadbury’s Chocolate launched an advertisement campaign in Australia which matched personal chocolate flavors to people based on their Facebook profiles. The personalization of customer’s chocolate experience was a success and lead to a 33.6% conversation rate.
3. Netflix: Netflix is another example of a company who has hide wide success with the personalization of content advertising. By using an algorithm which guesses hat people most prefer to watch customers are constantly receiving a personal experience on the site which has consistently allowed the company’s profits to steadily grow at a rate of 30% per year.

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Simply Social explores the many ways typical marketing strategies can be transformed using social media. The use of user generated content has proved to be an incredibly effective method of gaining brand awareness and loyalty. An example of this is Starbucks’ white cup contest where consumers were promoted to decorate their cups and post them online. Simply Social revealed that 93% of consumers find user generated content helpful in deciding what to buy and that 85% of consumers are more action responsive to organic advertising than official brand placements.

Discovering which platform is best for your brand and how to use it!

The podcast focused on teaching listeners what trends were popular in the moments and what current media trends needed attention for marketers due to their ability to reach consumers effectively. A key point the podcast touches on was the importance of organic marketing and user generated content online. People trust influencers online when they support or feature a brand because their reputations depend on recommending quality products. User generated content also creates an organic marketing strategy and if marketers can encourage their consumers to post and spread their thoughts on the brand awareness rises without people feeling that they are being advertised to. Another large topic touched on throughout the podcast was how social media is changing from just being a place to increase awareness but thanks to dynamic advertising it also can directly prompt the purchase phase in the customer life cycle. The podcast discusses in detail throughout the episodes the best way marketers can use each social media platform for their brand. For example snapchat is a very specific type of social media  only fits one format so if a brand wants to have a presence there they have to cater to that specific platform. Facebook is a great platform for sharing videos and creating a long lasting digital presence for your brand because unlike snapchat it can stay around and be lengthy (unlike twitter). An example of this was the producers of the show Parenthood created a popular and well followed Facebook page for the show. When the show ended the page was still incredibly active and allowed them to use it tog gain a fan base for their new show This is Us. Facebook allowed the producers to not have to abandon their audience when the show ended and reestablish that brand loyalty back into their new production.

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Apps like snapchat have taken the next step in media advertising and are increasing brand’s abilities to reach customers across new platforms, increasing purchase intent and exposure.

FRIENDS VS. INFLUENCERS … WHO SHOULD WE TRUST?

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The key principles discussed throughout the podcast were the latest trending news segments throughout the social media world. The main focus is exploring how best to use the latest developments in social media and which ones to use for your brand. In the episode “Do you trust your influencers more than you friends?” the podcast explored the importance of influencers in digital marketing and how consumers tend to trust their favorite online influencer’s opinions more than that of a friend’s recommendation. In another episode the two hosts focused on the expansive introduction of live videos across Facebook, Tumblr, twitter, and Instagram; marketers need to learn how to establish a format for advertising that can fit with these live video formats since they are expanding at such a rapid pace in popularity. Both these examples coincide with the key principles and theme of Simply Social- showing marketers what to look out for and how to best adapt to the changing media world around them.

The podcast being a product of Simply Measure Inc. gives it the backing of a successful company with the purpose of helping marketers connect better with their target markets using social media. The company’s success is based on their client’s success with establishing an effective digital marketing brand and the Simply Social is an effective method at both giving client’s an Simply Measured Inc stronger ideas and understanding of the current potential in the digital marketing industry.

Simply Social was a production launched by two of the content and marketing managers for Simply Measured. The podcast does not contain any advertisements or sponsorship acknowledgements outside of Simply Measured and therefore does not make any direct income. However the purpose of Simply Social was to target marketers who needed to learn more about the expanding potential and trends in digital marketing and create a need for marketers to use a company like Simply Measured to help their brand be successful in digital marketing. The podcast helps Simply measured gain an awareness in their target market of customers.

Simply Social begins and ends every podcast episode with a few seconds of smooth jazz in order to get the creative idea flowing and establish the casual and conversation style of the episode. So click and listen to enjoy simply social’s jazz style as you read this post about our podcast’s identity and character.

The speaking style between the two Simply Social hosts is very conversational and informal. The podcast typically begins with casual introductory jazz music and personal updates and jokes between the two. Then they typically introduce the topics they will be covering in the episode and dive right into the first piece of news they have to present. During a few of the episodes the hosts would get side tracked or casually pause to gather what they wanted to talk about next only increasing the informality. The disorganization took away from the flow of news and connection of overall theme for each news update at times but also allowed the content to be more natural and for the hosts to spontaneously explore ideas and trends that came up throughout the dialogue. Having two main co-hosts added greatly to the quality of each episode because they were able to establish strong debate regarding some of the topics and what new trending platforms on social media were going to be the most effective for certain marketing strategies.

Simply Social was produced and sponsored by Simply Measured Inc in 2016 which was then acquired by Sprout Social in 2017. Simply Measured Inc was a company focused on providing social and content marketers with social analytic solutions. The podcast Simply Social was inspired by their company goal to create a discussion and debate related to brand social analytics and how to expand and improve social media presence across the larger popular platforms. The hosts of the show, Kevin Shively and Lucy Hitts, are both managers of content and marketing at the company giving the podcast the credibility of the company’s best credibility and resources. After being bought by Sprout Social the company became part of a larger more accredited company which has won various awards in the marketing industry such as Linden’s Top Companies Startups and Top 50 Products for Marketing 2019. The value statement of the company is bringing brands and companies together through more efficient digital marketing.

The problem Simply Social attempts to tackle is the lack of understanding in marketing of the rapid and constant evolving trends in social media and how marketers can best use social media to raise brand awareness and reach their target audience through a digital marketing strategy. Throughout the podcast led hosts Kevin Shivley and Lucy Hitz discuss the latest news across the top social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Tumblr, Snapchat, and Instagram. Unfolding the newest features and user analytics Simply Social advises listeners on how marketers should be using certain features of social media to their advantage, what they should and should not be doing, and what could be the next big thing to adapt their marketing campaigns to.