Why are you here? Purpose is not peripheral. It engages and motivates employees, customers, partners, and shareholders. Heather Simmons explains how to find yours.

Marketing Strategy, CSR StrategyHeather SimmonsOctober 29, 2019strategy, corporate social responsibilityComment

Does Micro-Influencer Marketing Really Work?

We were approached by a large Canadian bank over the summer with a familiar problem – their sources of new leads for their wealth advisors had fallen because mobile banking had reduced the need to for their customers to visit their local branches.

They had a broad question for us –could digital channels drive leads for specific target groups?

We didn’t know the answer. So we did what we usually do – which is to roll up our sleeves and do some digging.

Social Media, Marketing StrategyBill SharpeOctober 16, 2018Comment

There's a Hole in the Fintech Market

There is a gaping hole in the Canadian fintech market, and a digital challenger is coming to fill it. They’ll spend less on ads and more on a great, holistic digital experience. Who is this bank? The future is sooner than we think.

Nike Just Did It

Nike just bet the company on diversity and inclusion, even as it seeks to align its own internal culture with the values in its ads. Nike for the win.

Marketing StrategyHeather SimmonsSeptember 6, 2018strategy, nike, kaepernickComment

Engaging Customers with Ease of Use

Remember when life was simpler? When you could go online and buy something without getting frustrated or confused? We’re bringing ecommerce ease of use back, and with it customer engagement and repeat purchase.

Ready Player One

Andrew Opala holds the high score in fixed-shooter game Galaga. He’s also a real rocket scientist. And he’s Simmons Sharpe’s new CTO.

Marketing StrategyHeather SimmonsJuly 16, 2018Andrew OpalaComment

Why Did Dell Go Public Again?

Why did Dell go public again? Liquidity. But for whom? Heather reveals the answer, and explains why gratitude is a damn good business strategy.

Marketing StrategyHeather SimmonsJuly 4, 2018Dell, strategyComment

Facebook Raises Their Game in Influencer Marketing

Influencer marketing is all the rage - Gartner says that over 42% of influencers tagged in brand posts increase engagement. A forthcoming tool from Facebook can help you choose the right influencer for your brand - but authenticity and resonance with your audience are key. Choose wisely.

Marketing Strategy, Social MediaHeather SimmonsMay 25, 2018influencer marketing

Esports Got (Monetization) Game

The average gamer fan is 26, male, and watches 2.5 hours of esports every day. And there are 385 million of them around the globe. We break down why marketers in pursuit of the Millennial and younger demographic need to be experimenting in this space now.

Marketing StrategyHeather SimmonsMay 10, 2018esports, gaming, entertainmentComment

Ad Agencies Are Not in the Creativity Business

Wendy Clark, new CEO of DDB, would just like to be clear: she is not running an art gallery. Read on to learn what she (and we) think the implications are for the agency of the future, today.

Marketing StrategyHeather SimmonsMay 4, 2018ad agencies, DDBComment

A New Way to Analyze What's Next in Startups

Predicting the next hot startup sector(s) is a blood sport. But the folks at Startup Genome have a new analytical metric that will help. And some of the answers may surprise you.

Marketing StrategyHeather SimmonsApril 26, 2018startups, artificial intelligence, AI, Games, gaming

Rebooting Facebook

Facebook's stock plummeted 17%, knocking nearly $100 billion off their market cap. It wasn't the data misuse that did it - it was Facebook's communications in response.

Marketing Strategy, Social Customer Care, Social MediaHeather SimmonsApril 5, 2018Facebook, Cambridge AnalyticaComment

Care is the New Marketing

In a world of fake news, alternative facts, and unbridled content creation, who do you trust? You trust your friends, colleagues, and other people you know. A brand that taps into this can show it cares, to the power of n.

Social Customer Care, Marketing StrategyHeather SimmonsMarch 12, 2018Comment

Why 9 out of 10 Millennials Will Switch Brands

Nine in ten millennials say they would switch brands to one associated with a cause, and brands like Patagonia are really walking the walk. Are you?

Marketing StrategyBill SharpeFebruary 23, 2018Comment

How Wendy's and Budweiser Won The Super Bowl

Engagement is the holy grail: why Wendy's attack on the frozen arches and Budweiser's watered down ad were two of our Super Bowl favourites.

Marketing Strategy, Social MediaHeather SimmonsFebruary 5, 2018 Comment

Are You Paying a Tax of 18-23% Before Your Agency Lifts a Finger?

In late 2017, Bill was asked to host a dinner that brought together senior marketing clients, CEOs, and creative directors from prominent ad agencies. The dinner exposed an even larger rift between agencies and clients than he had previously imagined. Find out why!

Digital Transformation, Marketing StrategyBill SharpeJanuary 19, 2018Comment

10 Digital Transformation Predictions for 2018

The team at Simmons Sharpe makes 10 digital transformation predictions for 2018, including the latest on augmented reality, voice assisted shopping, connected cars, customer care, edge computing, and even marijuana!

Striking the Right Tone on Social Media

Your brand voice and tone on social media is critical to unify your content and customer care teams and create deeper relationships with your customers. See how McDonald's, Spotify, Atlantic Lottery & more are winning customers over on social.

Social Customer Care, Social Media, Marketing StrategyMitchell HunterDecember 19, 2017Comment

6 Ways Brands Can Become More Trustworthy

Trustworthy is something YOU are or are not, as a brand. It's not some belief you try to CREATE in your customers. 6 proven ways to earn trust, and why Jann Arden was oh, so right.

Digital Transformation, Marketing StrategyHeather SimmonsDecember 14, 2017Comment