Paul Miser

As the tension rises for the launch of the iPhone 5, I am overwhelmed with the outward pouring of expectations. In a recent blog post I wrote awhile back, I discussed the “religious” effect that the Apple brand has upon the minds of its consumers. It’s a scary world, when high flying expectations are met with any kind of religious expectations. Pretty soon, we’ll see consumers expecting the physically impossible, with a Divinity app to solve world issues. The probability of success is effectively low; compounded with the hysteria that the media is portraying what the iPhone 5 will be like.

I imagine Tim Cook is shaking in his new role, looking at the sustainability of any of the Apple product launches. If the expectations aren’t met for the masses, the position that Apple has developed in the mind of their consumers can quickly falter. With the rise and consistent wins of Microsoft, Google, and even Facebook, Apple needs to continue to find a way to exceed consumer expectations to continue their expanding growth.

I admit, I am reborn Apple follower and want to see a great success of the iPhone 5 and the future of what Apple will produce. But looking at the continuously evolving and growing mass hysteria for their product launches, I see an uphill battle for the realization for their success. Expectations are getting out of control. But if any single company can succeed in innovating success around these expectations, it’s Apple.

This uphill battle starts today. When religious expectations are met with mediocrity, we will see a shift in perception;we will see a drop in Faith; we may even see a revolt against the brand. Imagine if you heard the Divine stories of Jesus only to see that he was a mere mortal with no healing powers whatsoever… a strong let down that would make you reconsider your Faith in His word.

But we will see what happens.

As brands become more involved on platforms and begin the “lifestyle integration” phase of their maturity, it’s necessary that the correct channels are mapped accordingly to the appropriate user journey. What this means is that we get to turn back time and play a big game of “Connect the Dots.” As advertisers and marketers, we have an ever growing list of channels or touch points that we reach, connect with, and engage with our consumers; some of which live in disparate silos from others, which is why “Connecting the Dots” is so crucial.

What this means is that we get to turn back time and play a big game of “Connect the Dots.”

By understanding the various touch points and mapping out where they live in the lifecycle of purchase funnel, we can begin to track and develop user journeys that not only provide a positive decision, but also add value along the way, furthering the strength and engagement with our brand. This exercise also allows us to better understand where these touch points live within the daily lifestyle of the consumer and their cultural implications towards different communications within their life. This power has the potential to open doors of opportunity through effective messaging, through the proper channels at the most opportune time within the purchase journey.

Once identified, we take out our pen and start “Connecting the Dots.” Align the different platforms with the particular messaging and calls to action to ensure activity and sustainability throughout the process. A dead end or unfulfilled promise may lead to defection or confusion. Ensure the communication leads closer towards an objective or end goal. Working in silos will likely develop these dead ends or confused messages. To provide a holistic experience that is sustainable throughout a long-term relationship, the playing field has to be identified; which is why the aforementioned identification of the various touch points is critical.

A dead end or unfulfilled promise may lead to defection or confusion.

A successful game of connecting the dots allows us, as marketers, to see the entire picture vividly while the user is experiencing our brand the best way for their particular life, needs, and cultural implications. Along the way, delight your consumer, give them something exciting to engage with, fulfill promises, and over deliver. The best “connect the dots” from my child hood were the ones that rewarded with an amazing picture; the ones that delighted me when I could start seeing the holistic experience. This is what we strive for as brand advocates… The excitement for the integration of the holistic experience.

This is what we strive for as brand advocates… The excitement for the integration of the holistic experience.

Originally posted @ blackwhalegroup.com

Ever since business school, I have heard of this new thing called “Integrated Marketing” where all messages, brand attributes, and channels will all work together in joyous harmony and delight the consumer to a purchase-minded bliss. But the deeper I’ve evolved in my career and having my blissful visions completely crashed by the cold hard facts I’ve found that there is no such thing as “Integrated Marketing” as we sit today; just a bunch of silos working independently from other touch points. Why?

From where I see it, as advertisers and agencies both work in these disparate silos the internal communication between groups is very little or almost nonexistent.  So how can we expect an integrated messaging output to come from that?

This is what I currently see happening:

As new channels and communication disciplines come about, both the advertiser and agency mindset is to create a new division or build a new agency to handle that particular channel. Done.

We don’t have to worry about it. We’ll build a “Social Media Task Force” and a hire a Social Media agency and everything will be perfect. We can keep doing what we’re doing while the social people (whatever that is anyway) will give us the presence we need to tap into that discipline. Now I’ll go back to my TV advertising.

I’m sure you have all been a part of a similar thought or have seen a similar thought happen in your organization (advertiser or agency). Huge disconnect here. No strategy, no communication, no thought of elaboration, or collaboration, or collective brainstorming… no integration.

So what have we learned about integrated marketing communications? Companies and agencies work in silos; HOWEVER, consumers do not. These silos don’t produce optimized results because of inconsistent messaging, false promises not held up by another touch point, confusion in action steps; frankly a disconnect between the needs of the consumer and what we’re providing as value through communication.

We all know this is a major issue facing everyone in the industry, so I guess the question becomes, “Why do we still act this way?” Just because it “worked” in the past doesn’t necessarily mean it will work in the future. Adding divisions and new roster agencies every time a new communication channel comes around will continue the siloed effect and quickly tear the beauty of expert messaging apart. Why not break down walls and focus on core messaging and definitive objectives for that messaging (regardless of the platform)? Why not start with a strategic view to satisfy consumer needs and strive to reach those needs.

Being completely platform agnostic and starting with the objectives and consumer needs in mind will allow for a literal strategic mapping of sorts of how communication and engagement should unfold for the consumer, not the other way around; not from the brand. Then, with this map to guide us, we can begin to develop a robust messaging strategy that is consistent across the touch points that are the most relevant to each consumer, effectively breaking down the silos and putting up a unified, dare I say it, Integrated front, continuously supporting the consumer to produce the blissful, purchase-minded results we all want.

All in all, consumers are constantly changing; their messaging platforms are constantly changing; their needs, desires, and behaviors are constantly changing… Why are we so reluctant to change?

Today launched the awesome incubator TechCrunch Disrupt here in NYC. I, however, was unable to attend, but was glued to my monitor like it was March Madness or the Tour de France. Some great things are happening in the world of technology. Apps connecting the dots of individual user behavior, location, customizable offers, gamification, and shiny new technologies on smartphones and other mobile devices. And as a Physical / Digital Convergence nerd, I’m excited to see what comes from each of these new startups as well as some of the others coming out of TechStars and Y Combinator.

As an advocate for transparency, efficacy and consumerism in today’s business environment, I am, however left wanting a bit… I mean we have these great technologies, we have some “fun” things happening, but what are we really doing? Are we solving anything, or are we just showing off our geek-ness and ability to make a mobile device do something cool? With the speed to market being in an increasingly quick turnaround with agile iterations happening on an almost daily basis, the rush to ship is daunting.

Are we solving anything, or are we just showing off our geek-ness and ability to make a mobile device do something cool?

What if we take a step back and start with a real problem? What if use our collective genius to collaborate and create a technological advancement to solve these real issues? We have the power to completely change the way we live, the way we educate, the way we govern, the way we support one another as human beings. I see a huge need for a new type of incubator… one that starts with a problem and the solution is in the brainstorming and innovation.

Solve First… Then Ship.

What do you think? How would you use collaboration to solve real issues?

They help us get from Point A to Point B in the most efficient way manageable. They make it easy to plan a course of action. They allow us to see the terrain on which we have to work with. They give us perspective when we get lost.

So, why don’t we map our conversations with our customers?

By mapping out all touchpoints, all messages, and all interactions, we can begin to identify where our customers will be, what mind set they’ll be in, what content they may need, and what channels they will be using to communicate. With that information, we can devise a strategy to best engage each and every customer the best way possible, whether online, offline, or converged.

Interesting.