Consumer Marketing News, Views, and Reviews: August 24, 2021

“Just when you thought it was safe…” After a tough year-and-a-half, life under Covid was looking better. Then came the Delta variant and daily life seemed to reverse course. Yet, even as consumers returned to shopping in person, eating out again at restaurants, and releasing all that pent-up demand, another surge awaited, exacerbated by the unvaccinated. Reality aside, marketers must market and the winners will adapt! And we all must carry on, regardless. So here’s what’s trending in franchise consumer marketing and related news as of late August 2021.

August Report Shows Most Businesses Expect a Slowdown from the Delta Surge

Consumer Sentiment Sinks Amid the Delta Variant Spread

47% of SMBs Fear New Government Shutdowns as Delta Variant Surges

Inspire Brands, Marriott, & GM Financial Share Their Current Obsession: The Customer

Aug. 25 – Webinar with Mastercard CMO: Mastering the New Marketing Mindset for Tomorrow’s Consumers

Study Indicates Ads Placed in News Media – Especially Print – Outperform Social

Data Shows Email Is Highly Effective for SMBs

Consumers Trust User-Generated Content Most

74% of Consumers Expect a Hybrid Customer Buying Experience

54% of Online Shoppers Read Reviews Before Every Purchase

Full-Service Restaurants Tap into Off-Premises Potential

First-Party Data Is Your Future

What Marketers Need To Know About First-, Second-, and Third-Party Data

Zero-Party Data: An Optimal Path to Personalization (White Paper)

Attribution: Catalina, Adquick Launch Service Measuring Lift from OOH

Wendy’s Inks 700-Unit Ghost Kitchen Deal; Will Build Stores in Walmarts

Ghost Kitchen Provider Reef Is Launching Its Own Consumer-Facing App

Bojangles Puts Its First Food Truck on the Road

Restaurant Gift Card Sales Are Surging

National Customer Foot Traffic Report

How To Incorporate Brand Ambassadors Into Your Influencer Marketing Strategy

Beyond Influencers: How To Maximize Your Reach and Brand Loyalty

How Crunch Fitness Stayed in Shape During Covid

Lessons from Domino’s Focus on Digital – Q&A with New Business Book Author

Report: Amazon Plans To Open Its Own Brick & Mortar Department Stores