WARC, the global authority on effective marketing, has released an insights report examining effective marketing trends following an analysis of the winning case studies from the 2022 IPA Effectiveness Awards, an international biennial competition rewarding campaigns that link marketing effectiveness to business success.
The key insights from the winning campaigns of the 2022 IPA Effectiveness Awards uncovered by WARC are:
- Against a backdrop of uncertainty, brands like KFC, Cadbury, McDonald’s and Tesco were able to rediscover their voice and their role in culture, by going back to their core values, drawing strength from their heritage and replaying exising associations, leading to renewed growth.
- Distinctive brand assets, which anchor brands firmly in consumers’ memory and trigger faster, more emotional decision-making, are back in vogue. Whether it’s in a refresh of brand assets, or continued investment in assets or characters, this approach has been successful for a wide range of brands, including Aldi, Schmackos and Sick Kids.
- In the context of COVID-19, several brands such as Barclays and The British Beer and Pub Association, invested in initiatives that supported consumers, communities or small businesses, growing their brand reputation and bottom line.
- Brands are moving from words to action when it comes to marketing for societal impact, which in turn is driving brand equity. Brands including Tesco stepped up and delivered.
- Identify new usage occasions to drive relevance and growth beyond established sales periods. Baileys, Boursin and Cherries from Chile found ways to incorporate new moments that unlocked a fresh period of growth.
- With many of these campaigns running during the COVID-19 pandemic it is perhaps unsurprising that WARC data shows a decline in the use of humour as a creative strategy. While sensitivity is required, research shows that people look to adverts for fun and escapism in difficult times.
