Will you ever forget March 2020? I remember vividly my family was going on vacation for Spring Break until the news broke of the Coronavirus. Airports shut down. Hotels closed. Freeways were empty. Offices were quiet. We spent the next several days, weeks, months, and years fearing the unknown and adjusting to our new life at home.

It’s no secret the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Americans were profound. Conversate Labs knows the importance of continuing the conversation when an unprecedented event like this has had such a significant impact on our lives and work.

Avery, a brand manager for a large company, sat down and reflected on the past year. Her team just completed a 2-year marketing campaign and the business is growing with core customers. But as 2025 begins, she wonders what’s next. She remembered a few troubling data points from their last campaign that weren’t quite hitting the mark with younger consumers. She pulls some data and starts to investigate. Then a meeting pops up on her calendar with her boss asking for more analysis on campaign performance and ideas for the year ahead.

Do you find yourself in Avery’s shoes kicking off 2025 wondering what’s next? With our ear constantly to the ground, Conversate Labs is staying curious and announcing our top branding trends for 2025. Yes, we know AI is here to stay and purpose is passion, but something else is nagging us to push the boundaries of branding like never before. Introducing the Three A’s of Branding:

In a world of AI and modern technology, we are producing more goods faster than ever before, but have we forgotten to bring the customer along with us in our journey? Today’s customers have high expectations. From quality to delivery, people expect an exceptional experience with your brand and want a two-way interaction with your product or service in real-time. As innovations soar and technology investments are made to improve the supply chain, companies today are struggling to tell their story and reach the next generation of customers. Without a clear focus on customer touchpoints that greatly improve the experience, companies are missing opportunities to build trust and long-term loyalty. That’s why we recommend going back to the basics of connecting with your customers in 2025.

You have approval to launch a new brand campaign and everyone on your team is so excited. But now you ask, “What should we say?” So many of us get captivated by fancy designs, new ads, and empty promises. But the real work of great marketers and communicators today lies in their ability to connect and care, or what we are advising our clients to focus on the 5 Cs of great communications. What makes someone stop endless scrolling? Why does one ad make you laugh or cry and the other to take a bathroom break? How can we figure out what makes us purchase that product a month later after several online campaigns? I’m going to give you a sneak peek into the art and science of great branding and explore why focusing on the Top 5 Cs will help you create a winning strategy.

Whether you're stepping behind the glass for the first time or revisiting the experience, the benefits of being in a research venue with your team are extensive. There's a ritual to conducting research in-person, a commitment that transcends observation. If you're a road warrior, you know the feeling. Your body is almost programmed to these moments. When you’re sitting on the airplane with your own thoughts, there's a profound connection between the researcher and the journey of discovery. These moments can lead to unique ideas and directions. When you’re in-person, your attention is dialed in, focused on what's happening on the other side of the glass – fewer distractions, more clarity – something that only being in an environment designed for insights can allow for. Discover how to maximize your in-person research.

Ever wonder how a company gets started, why a consumer chooses to spend their money or where a store chooses to first open its doors? Figuring out the motivation behind your actions can be a powerful exercise. Purpose isn’t driven by a company, it starts with passionate employees, managers and leaders. Coming together to serve each other, a mission, values, and common goals can’t happen without each other. So how to you reach the next generation when it comes to talking about your core purpose and workplace culture?

When the leaves fall and winter weather sets in, we are reminded of a new year and new beginning ahead of us. If you are like us, we don’t like to go into something unprepared! We decided to take the time to reflect on all we accomplished and learned in 2023 so we can help our clients go into the new year with the confidence they need to achieve their goals. How can you create a winning brand strategy in 2024? Drum roll, please…

October 13, 2023 - Conversate Labs is pleased to announce its owner, Abbey Eisenlauer, has been elected to the Board of Directors at Turning Point. A non-profit organization providing comprehensive domestic violence services to women, families, and children for more than 40 years, Turning Point has experienced growth in McHenry County and was looking for Board expertise to help tell their story.

With a crowded marketplace, younger generations gaining purchasing power, and the rise of direct-to-consumer sales online, many brands are asking the question - Is brand loyalty lost today? The need to understand brand value and beliefs is where marketers can focus to unlock future loyalty. But what makes someone loyal? I have spent the last 20 years helping companies understand the value their brand has with customers and employees before they make a major change. As mergers and acquisitions happen more frequently, entrepreneurs start their businesses, and old brands look to transform for the future, understanding brand value is an important part of your strategy. How will you stand out while strengthening your brand value?