Marketing and Advertising Firm CastleCS Lists Top 7 Integrated Marketing Trends for 2012

Jan. 30, 2012 - PRLog -- CastleCS, a leading Vancouver Advertising and Marketing firm has launched its much-anticipated list of the top 7 Integrated Marketing Trends for 2012. These influential trends represent the concepts, themes, strategies, tactics and ideas that will shape the year ahead, and determine who wins the Integrated Marketing game – and who loses.

“Anticipating tomorrow’s trends is critical to today’s success,” commented Roger W. Graham PhD, CastleCS’s founder and CEO. “And one of the ways we take our clients to the next level in their business is by spotting these trends early, and then implementing our propriety mix of strategies, systems and solutions to exploit the opportunities, and avoid the pitfalls. And based on our track record, we’re extremely good prognosticators – and we don’t even have a crystal ball.”

CastleCS’s (http://www.castlecs.com) Integrated Marketing trends for 2012 are:

Trend #1: In 2011 Brand Matters MORE than Ever: Businesses may offer the most value to their customers. They may have the most talented workforce. They may even have a desirable location, a web address, products or services. But all of that isn’t enough if in 2012 without a focused, high-impact brand at the core of a business driving that drives it ahead – and apart from the competition. Because in 2012, brand matters more than ever.

Trend #2: Social Media Continues to Take CHARGE: As 2012 unfolds, social media will increase its primary role in the strategic marketing plan. This means businesses need to use it to target and connect with current and future customers, drive referral marketing goals, boost subscriber networks, accelerate your email marketing, and new “soak up” search engine space, so that the brand can be seen by the right people, at the right time, in the right places.  

Trend #3: Behold the Rise of ENGAGING Video Marketing and Video SEO-  In 2012, as everyone unwraps the shiny ultra-cool digital camera they received over the holidays, a new standard will emerge that will separate engaging rich videos from the rest. The former will be focused, compelling, interesting, influential, aligned with a strategic and well-defined marketing goal, and designed to build trust. And of course, they’ll be optimized for SEO. The latter will be ignored or counter-productive.

Trend #4: Internet and Conventional Marketing Methods make PEACE: For years, the conundrum facing business owners has read like something from Shakespeare: “To choose the Internet for my marketing, or stay the conventional route, that is the question…” Well, with apologies to the Bard: thanks for coming out, but we don’t need this soliloquy in 2012. That’s because this is the year that Internet and conventional marketing (i.e. broadcast, display, event, and so on) make peace and start working together and create synergies for businesses

Trend #5: Welcome to SPECIALITY marketing: This year, we’re going to see more integrated speciality storefronts for key products and services. These will include microsites, video, email marketing, PPC and other targeted outreach methods. And just as importantly, these integrated specality storefronts will be promoted accordingly. They will, in effect, be businesses within a business.  

Trend #6: Mobile Marketing Makes its MOVE: The iPad has reinvented the definition of mobile marketing. It’s not longer about just checking emails or instant messages; it’s a rich experience that rivals some desktops. Except it’s not a desktop, it’s in a customers’ hands as they sit in the Starbucks around the corner, looking for a solution to their problem.  

Trend #7: You win the marketing game by taking an INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO approach: In 2012, smart businesses are going to take an investment portfolio approach to their marketing mix. They will have a solid base, an established and proven advisor, and focus on strategies, tactics and solutions that turn $1 into $5.  

To read CastleCS’s feature article on its 2012 Integrated Marketing Trends, visit http://www.castlecs.com/faq/knowledge-center/top-7-integr...

For more information or for media inquiries, contact Roger W. Graham PhD of Castle Communication Systems at 604-734-2627 or at media@CastleCS.com.

About Castle Communication Systems (CastleCS)

Vancouver marketing and communications firm Castle Communication Systems designs, executes and manages results-focused advertising campaigns and creates digital marketing platforms on behalf of clients who want to take their business to the next level. Castle helps clients achieve a high performance environment – one where plans, strategies, programs and staff all work together to create ongoing, elite-level excellence and profitability. To learn more visit http://www.castlecs.com/about-us/