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Social Media Trends to Get Excited About In 2020

The beginning of the new year is the perfect time to reflect on your business’ brand and plan for fresh strategies moving forward. As social media and digital marketing are constantly evolving, the best way to strengthen your overall marketing plan is to be aware of the new year’s groundbreaking trends. Trends help generate new and innovative ideas which in turn can give your company a competitive advantage. Check out our list of popular trends your brand should be familiar with in 2020:

 

TikTok

Industry experts are predicting that TikTok’s rise as a leading social media platform won’t stop in 2020. TikTok was the third most downloaded app in the first quarter of 2019, with 188 million new users and grew 70% from 2018. TikTok is a video sharing app that allows users to create and share 15 to 60 second videos. It was put on the map when users began lip syncing to music. Now, it has evolved into a much broader social media platform with the addition of filters, background effects and advertisements. The app is especially popular among Gen Z audiences; but, even the nation’s biggest brands, influencers and celebrities are using it. For example, the dating-app Bumble does an excellent job of integrating their ads to the platform, making them appear like native content. If your brand’s goals align with the platform’s target audience, TikTok could be incorporated into your next marketing campaign.

 

 

Vertical Video

Prior to smartphones, video footage was captured and viewed in horizontal dimensions. With the consistent rise of smartphone usage, the demand for vertical video is increasing faster than ever. Users now prefer the ability to record and view video vertically. In fact, studies show we hold our mobile phones vertically 94% of the time. So, is it time for creators to make the transition? This trend has even expanded to television when Samsung saw an opportunity to improve viewability and created the Sero TV, a television that pivots between vertical and horizontal orientations, letting you watch Instagram, Snapchat and other social media videos in their natural vertical configurations. As video content continues to dominate, it’s imperative that your video efforts adapt to this trend. 

 

 

Samsung

End of “Likes”

Now that Instagram, and even Facebook, have continued to test the removal of their “like” option, there is pressure for content to be better than ever. It’s been said that removing likes could potentially create a safer, mentally healthier environment for users. However, its removal will likely have a large effect on marketers’ ability to measure the success of influencer marketing. Without likes, influencers and brands will have to rely on the quality of content over the quantity of likes. Rather than quantifying engagements, success will be measured through the actions consumers take, such as completing a purchase. Regardless, if the test is implemented permanently, it’s recommended to keep your efforts focused on the quality of your content.

 

 

Take advantage of new opportunities by keeping up with the latest social media and marketing trends. Want to work with an agency that stays ahead of the curve? Contact us today. We’re just one call, like, follow, retweet and DM away!

 

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Blog

Noisy Trumpet Takes It to the Next LevelUP

Over the past year, Noisy Trumpet has worked diligently to promote the grand opening of LevelUP Code Works, San Antonio’s newest U.S. Air Force software development organization. LevelUP is a startup company that uses agile processes and the latest DevSecOps technology to rapidly deliver capabilities that support a wide range of Air Force and DoD missions. Located in downtown’s booming tech district, this new “software factory” is a 20,000 square foot facility that offers a modern, collaborative workspace for innovation and software solutions. Our team has had the honor of developing an innovative digital marketing and public relations campaign to create awareness and support the launch of LevelUP Code Works. Here’s a closer look into how we executed our campaign.

We developed LevelUP’s brand standards guide to determine how the brand would be represented graphically and stylistically. We found inspiration from the idea of leveling up inside a video game. The concept is best demonstrated in Steven Spielberg’s film, “Ready Player One,” where players compete inside the virtual reality software ‘The Oasis’ to escape the desolation of the real world. At LevelUP Code Works, their team is in a real world race to change the game of software and code for the U.S. Air Force.

Once the branding identity was established, we then kicked it into high-gear. Within a few months, our team developed a landing page, comprehensive public relations campaign and social media strategy. To prepare for the grand opening, we developed print collateral, swag and a wide variety of signage. In accordance with the “gaming theme”, we designed conference room and building signs utilizing popular gaming terms which further brought the theme to life.  Names included: ‘The Oasis’ (a nod to Ready Player One), ‘The Tower,’ ‘The Danger Room,’ ‘The Gauntlet,’ ‘Choco Island’ and ‘The Collective.’ 

The culmination of months of hard work was put on display at LevelUP’s official grand opening. The ground-breaking event took place on December 10, in the heart of San Antonio’s tech community. 

 

The success of our campaign was measured by the following results:

  • LevelUP’s official grand opening drew attendance from top military and city dignitaries as well as securing quotes from local notable organizations such as the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation. 
  • In one month, Noisy Trumpet garnered 18 hits (print, online and broadcast) which resulted in over 1M impressions, as a result of outreach to local media outlets.  
  • We garnered noteworthy coverage in the San Antonio Express-News, San Antonio Business Journal and KENS 5 (CBS).

Digitally, Noisy Trumpet:

  • Grew a social following to over 1,100 followers within four months. 
  • Garnered 123K impressions and 3K engagements across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. 

Noisy Trumpet is honored to have worked on a campaign not only from ideation to launch, but also with a military entity. Our team was able to utilize each division of our integrated agency and offer a full scope of services. We look forward to working on more holistic and integrated campaigns. Ready to level up your business? Contact us today! 

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Blog

Noisy Trumpet Elevates Austin

Noisy Trumpet had the privilege of working with Philanthropist and Attorney Thomas J. Henry this past October to develop a strategic digital and public relations strategy to promote “Austin Elevates,” a new immersive art and music experience in Austin, Texas. 

In an effort to raise funds for Austin nonprofits, this two-day event kicked off with a mural unveiling by contemporary street artist ‘Alec Monopoly,’ followed by a private performance with rapper ‘G-Eazy.’ The event concluded with a special benefit concert with renowned performers ‘Kygo’ and ‘Daddy Yankee.’ All donated proceeds directly benefited The SAFE Alliance, St. David’s Foundation and Superhero Kids.

Henry chose the “live music capital of the world” to bring awareness to numerous nonprofit organizations in the area by appealing to the city’s love for art and culture. Through local media outreach and digital advertising, our team helped leave a lasting, brand-focused impression on thousands of people by utilizing effective event marketing efforts. Here’s a look at the work it takes to develop an effective event marketing campaign with measurable results.

 

Our Plan

A successful event depends on a team’s ability to generate substantial buzz, attendance and coverage. When the opportunity to maximize event marketing strategies through promotional events rises, focus on professionalism, presentability and true captivation of the target audience. However, behind rewarding results comes extensive planning. In order to efficiently position “Austin Elevates” as the top art and music event in Austin that weekend, Noisy Trumpet developed an integrated digital and public relations plan. Our team was responsible for delivering key messages to the public, supplying media materials, coordinating media outreach, arranging visitations to benefitting local nonprofits, developing a digital advertising campaign and providing on-site event support.

 

Our Results

The outcome of any event marketing campaign is measured when the curtains close. This requires ample research that dives deep into total coverage, impressions, mentions and other insights the event received. Capturing data and qualifying results is key when presenting to the client after the event. Here are some of the results Noisy Trumpet used to measure our success:

 

  • After the official event announcement on Friday, November 1, “Austin Elevates” sold out in just four days. The venue was at max capacity with 6,700 paid seats in addition to the 14,000 general admission seating in Austin360’s outdoor amphitheater. 
  • As a result of outreach to national, regional and local outlets, Noisy Trumpet garnered 36 hits and over 26M impressions within a three-week time span.
  • The national coverage included two promotional displays in Times Square.
  • Noisy Trumpet facilitated pre-event and on-site celebrity interviews with stars like Evan Ross and Ashlee Simpson.
  • Our notable event coverage included features in the Austin-American Statesman, Austin360 Radio, EDM.com and U.S. Weekly Magazine. 

Digitally, Noisy Trumpet managed a pre-roll campaign to raise awareness for the event in two markets, San Antonio and Austin. The campaign targeted audiences’ specifically interested in art, music and culture. This resulted in 663,041 impressions and 384,962 unique viewers.

If you’re looking to hold a successful event, contact us today. We are just one call, like, follow, retweet and DM away! 

 

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Blog Web

ADA Compliance: Why Your Website Needs to Be an Inclusive Experience

guy on phone

Communication has revolutionized with the rise of the internet. Websites created before 2000 – or even 10 years ago – have changed drastically. Over the years, the evolution of websites has transformed the way we do everyday tasks. In a previous blog, we discussed the importance of keeping your website updated as more users utilize their mobile devices to do things like order pizza, send pictures or buy furniture. Most businesses benefit from having a mobile-friendly website in today’s competitive digital market, but is your site mobile-friendly for everyone?

 

The web provides access to millions of written, audio and video content, but not everyone is able to view it in the same way. Your website needs to accommodate people with disabilities of all kinds. If your business’ objectives promote inclusiveness, it’s best your website reflects that corporate value. Having an ADA compliant site not only generates higher traffic, but also establishes credibility and integrity – not to mention, it can avoid a potential lawsuit. A study by Georgia Tech’s Wireless Engineering Rehabilitation Research Center found that 92% of people with disabilities use a wireless device such as a cell phone or tablet. Having an inaccessible site is likely to turn users away and potentially send them to your competitors. 

After reading this, are you wondering if your website is accessible? Our team has put together a quick overview of what you need to know to ensure you are erring on the side of caution, so you don’t miss out on potential business.

 

What is ADA Compliance?

The Americans with Disability Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design states that all electronic and information technology must be accessible to people with disabilities. ADA compliance ensures that your website falls within these standards. Not only does an ADA compliant website allow your business to cater to a larger audience, it is also necessary for internal employees who may be disabled. 

 

How Do I Make My Website ADA Compliant?

First and foremost, evaluate your current website. There are programs you can use that rate the accessibility of your website. Another alternative is to manually test the site with screen reader software. An ADA compliant website must meet the criteria within the four categories outlined in the Website Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0).

 

Here are a couple of tips to keep in mind:

  • Images should have descriptive alt tags. These allow site readers to describe images audibly.
  • Fonts should be easy to read. This includes color and size.
  • The site should operate in a predictable way, using helpful labels where applicable. This includes styles and elements such as buttons, headers etc.
  • Videos should have an option for closed captions and allow users to pause or slow down content (with a keyboard function as well).

Creating a website that’s ADA compliant is certainly not a one-time fix. It is a process that takes time and does not happen in one day. Finding a partner that can help your company develop a checklist to figure out what you can do now and what you need to work on is crucial to staying digitally inclusive. Noisy Trumpet can help make your website ADA compliant and ensure that all users are able to navigate your site and find the information they are looking for. It’s a win-win situation for everyone!

 

Are you looking to update or refresh your website? Contact us today. We’re just one call, like, follow, retweet and DM away!

 

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Blog Social Media

What is Social Listening & How to Use It

bunny and kid screaming

What is Social Listening?

Social listening goes beyond numbers and gains insight into the mood and tone in users’ posts about your brand. Do you know what people are saying about your brand? You may be monitoring social media channels by tracking key metrics, collecting data and following trends, but what about going beyond the data and putting that information to use? That’s where social listening comes in. Social listening is taking the data you’ve gathered from social media monitoring, analyzing it, and utilizing information gained to better your brand. Think of it this way – while social monitoring is about looking back at the data you’ve already collected, social listening is about moving forward. 

Social listening applies to your brand, industry, and competitors. Noisy Trumpet stays cognizant of how the public engages with our clients, who their brand advocates are, and what is happening in the industry. This ultimately improves and maintains our relationship with audiences.

In addition to using social media management tools to help you discover information necessary for social listening, our team is here to explain how to apply this information.

How to Use Social Listening

  • Engagement- Identify opportunities to engage in conversations about your brand by learning more about your audience. Tune into the likes and dislikes of your followers. What do they want? What do they care about? How do they feel about your brand? Can you help them? Look for opportunities to respond to your audience. If there are positive responses, look into why and how you can continue to meet their needs. If there are negative responses, find out why and make changes. People appreciate authentic brands that listen and stay engaged. 
  • Differentiation– Staying updated with what strategies and tactics your competitors are using can help differentiate your brand. Search for keywords and hashtags that your organization associates itself with and monitor what others in your industry are up to. The conversations people have about your competitors can give insight to what works and doesn’t work. Never copy other strategies but rather study them to learn from your research and stand out from your competition. Originality is key to building a positive reputation.
  • Influencer Marketing- Utilize the insights gathered through social listening to guide your strategy for influencer marketing. Through social listening, you will get a sense for who your natural brand advocates are, and who are the important influencers in the space. Noisy Trumpet can connect clients with influencer marketing opportunities to increase brand presence and reach. Researching key influencers and utilizing their online presence can help build your brand’s story. Whether you are targeting a niche audience or seeking a large following, social listening will determine what is best for your brand.  

Ready to strengthen your brand’s social listening efforts? Contact us today. We’re just one call, like, follow, retweet and DM away!  

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Blog Industry Trends Web

Web Design: An Evolving Medium

evolving image

Every year we adopt new design trends and leave some behind in order to keep our website updated and relevant. We’ve gone from simple HTML websites to dynamic pages that are accessible on desktops, tablets and mobile phones. A website is a reflection of your organization and needs to have great design and structure to look professional while containing useful information for readers. Keeping your website updated strengthens your site’s SEO and Google rankings, encouraging continued traffic growth. Heading into a new year, let’s discuss some emerging trends that we can start implementing ahead of the curve.

Mobile Responsiveness

This isn’t exactly a new trend, but it is increasingly critical that your site be easily viewable on a desktop, tablet and mobile phone. As of 2018, 52.2% of internet users browse on a mobile device rather than on a desktop. This was a 222% increase from 2013. For many businesses, designing and building the website with mobile-first mentality is key to a successful site. Ignoring the mobile market is a big mistake many companies make that can drive away potential customers. 

Custom Illustrations

Unique, hand-drawn illustrations are having a moment right now. This personal touch has the potential to turn your average website into something powerful and unique that communicates your brand’s message. Custom icons and images give the site a more personable feeling, allowing you to connect with people, including potential customers.

Inclusive Design

Like mobile responsiveness, this isn’t necessarily new, but it has become increasingly important in recent  years. You should caption and transcribe any video content, add alternative text to photos, choose legible fonts and color schemes. Treating these modifications as mandatory will help make your website more accessible for everyone, including people with disabilities.

Minimalism

We’re moving away from the sometimes-busy appearance of banners and carousels and opting for minimal “above the fold” look, where information is delivered simply and directly. Apple™ is a prime example of minimalist design with their utilization of balanced whitespace, engaging fonts and animation.

Keeping these trends in mind and following the changing styles of web design will help maintain the relevance of your brand and content. First impressions are just as important on the web as they are in the real world, make sure yours is the best it can be.

Looking to launch your next campaign? Contact us today. We’re just one call, like, follow, retweet and DM away!

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Blog Public Relations

Noisy Trumpet Brings Home National “Activism Campaign” Award

New York sign with Lady Liberty

PRSA Award

Our team is proud to announce that we are officially Platinum PR award winners! On September 17, 2019 in the middle of the hustle and bustle of New York City, Noisy Trumpet was named winner of PRNEWS’ Platinum PR Awards in the ‘Activism Campaign’ category for our work with the Devils River Conservancy’s “Don’t Blow It” campaign. While Noisy Trumpet was the only Texas-based public relations firm to be nationally recognized in our category, other “Activism Campaign” nominees included major national firms like Johnson & Johnson and American Medical Association!

“Our dedicated team of communication specialists have demonstrated their unwavering commitment to promote the Devils River Conservancy’s mission to protect what is left of wild Texas,” said Noisy Trumpet CEO Fran Yanity. “To be recognized on a national platform amongst the best of the best in our industry is truly humbling and we are proud to bring this award back to San Antonio.”

The awards ceremony drew over 500 nominees and guests of the nation’s top brands and we are completely humbled to be acknowledged for our efforts on this campaign.

Looking to launch your next campaign? Contact us today. We’re just one call, like, follow, retweet and DM away!

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Blog

Kings & Queens of Good Hearts Fun-Raiser

two cards and a pair of red dice

The annual Kings & Queens of Good Hearts Fun-Raiser hosted by our sister agency, The PM Group, was held on Saturday, September 14 at the La Cantera Resort & Spa and Noisy Trumpet had the pleasure of attending the gala as a sponsor. This event continues to bring together our community of supporters and has grown into one of the largest nonprofit “fun-raisers” in San Antonio!

This year, the 11 outstanding local nonprofits selected as the benefiting organizations included:

The royal event included dinner, live music by a Queen tribute band, silent and live auctions, a Royal Flush Raffle and casino games with the grand prize being a 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 SUV! Our team looks forward to this event every year and we are honored to stand beside these charitable hearts who value giving back to our community.

Want to learn more about Noisy Trumpet? Contact us today. We’re just one call, like, follow, retweet and DM away!

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Blog

Make the Call 4 Kids

Make the Call 4 Kids

“Make the Call 4 Kids” has officially launched and our team has worked diligently on the campaign website, public relations and digital advertising efforts. Sponsored by Thomas J. Henry, this initiative aims to raise financial support for nonprofits across Texas by seeking $800 to $1,000 donations. In return, each donor will receive the choice of an Apple iPhone along with a FREE pair of Beats X wireless earphones for their donation. Learn how you can receive an iPhone and a pair of Beats with your donation today.

Organizations in San Antonio, Austin and Corpus benefiting from this campaign are:

Brighton Center – San Antonio

Brighton Center provides a strong foundation for children of all abilities by being the preferred developmental and educational service provider for early childhood across Bexar County. Brighton Center works to provide superior preschool childcare for those with and without disabilities, early childhood intervention and therapy services as well as parent education and support.

CASA of Coastal Bend – Corpus Christi

CASA’s mission is to advocate for and find permanent homes for foster children in crisis throughout Nueces and Aransas counties. With a solid foundation and a culture of collaboration, they strengthen their programs’ ability to serve volunteers – and ultimately children in need.

SAFE – Austin 

The SAFE Alliance is a merger of Austin Children’s Shelter and SafePlace. SAFE is dedicated to assisting and protecting women and children who have suffered from domestic abuse. Check out their commercial below:

 

 

Want to learn more about Noisy Trumpet? Contact us today. We’re just one call, like, follow, retweet and DM away!

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Advertising Blog

Press Play to Start: Gaming’s Role in Digital Marketing

Goal-oriented, challenging and visually-captivating, the gaming industry is slated to be one of the next big marketing channels. The monumental success of games like Fortnite, Pokemon Go and even the virally-addictive Candy Crush, prove that the industry is ripe for advertisers to take advantage.

A New Level for Marketing

According to Statista, the number of active video gamers worldwide will reach 2.6 billion by the year 2020. Console, mobile and social media games have continually diversified the industry and infiltrated almost every touch point of a consumer’s day. For brands looking to invest ad dollars into an unsaturated medium, businesses should start with gaming.

In addition, gaming bridges the gap to connect brands with Millennials and Gen Z. These generations grew up with online gaming, more so than social media, and are highly engaged with the content making it a great medium to target messaging. This rings true especially on platforms like Twitch, an online gaming streaming platform with approximately 15 million daily active users who can broadcast, watch and chat with other players all day, every day.

Rewarding your Consumers

Another avenue of opportunity for marketers is value exchange or reward advertising. Simply put, value exchange advertising incentivizes users to engage with an ad in exchange for some type of in-game value. For instance, a mobile game could have an option for a player to watch an ad in exchange for extra points or to unlock an extra level.

For example, Noisy Trumpet ran a Value Exchange Traffic Display (VETD) campaign for a client looking to drive traffic to their website to take a survey. By the end of our campaign, we saw a CTR above 95%, resulting in over 100,000 users visiting the website. The numbers towered other traffic sources, giving us more quantity for our buck.

Ads in Disguise

Another new toolkit for advertisers are ads disguised as games themselves. This particular format veers far from the impression-frequency prism of traditional marketing, focusing on the less quantifiable experience of an ad. Where product-attributes focus on the sale, an experience focuses on the emotional connection with a brand, leading to a stronger brand affinity.

Moreover, with emerging AR and VR capabilities coming to advertisers in the near future, gamified ads will become more prevalent. Some brands are already taking advantage of Snapchats Snappables – branded lenses with built-in games.

All of these capabilities provide advertisers with a better way to engage their audience with the pleasure of gaming. Assimilating a combination of the gaming channels should no longer be a possibility but rather a certainty for brands looking to build their awareness and connect with consumers.

Keeping your brand ahead of changing technologies can be a tough task. Our duty as marketers is to provide our clients with every resource available. Let our expertise keep your business at the forefront of innovation and change. Contact or stay social with us! We’re just one call, like, follow, retweet, and DM away.