Insights Blog

Embracing AI for Consumer Engagement
Commentary, Announcements, Strategy PJ Santoro Commentary, Announcements, Strategy PJ Santoro

Embracing AI for Consumer Engagement

Today’s post is an announcement; not because of any carefully laid marketing or business development strategy, but by virtue of finding ourselves immersed in something proving to be too important, too pivotal, and enormously powerful in creating durable consumer engagement and business growth for our client's brands. So, today it's time to share that C[IQ] Strategies is all-in on artificial intelligence applications for a new level of infinitely scalable consumer engagement…

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Evolving to Hyper-Relevant Engagement
Strategy, CRM PJ Santoro Strategy, CRM PJ Santoro

Evolving to Hyper-Relevant Engagement

Clearly, generic mass marketing is no longer sufficient. Personalization has become standard practice for marketers today. However, the next horizon is individualization—treating each customer as an individual with unique interests, needs, and preferences…

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Stumbling Good in the Neighborhood?
Commentary, Strategy, Brand Engagement PJ Santoro Commentary, Strategy, Brand Engagement PJ Santoro

Stumbling Good in the Neighborhood?

Sure, there was press, traffic, adds to cart, but there were also lots of disappointed consumers, who may choose another restaurant experience for their next date-night. Applebee’s needs swift action to make things right with a promotion that’s not so exclusive because date nights at Applebee’s are supposed to be “more accessible and flexible”...

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It’s 2024 – Time to Reset & Optimize
Commentary, Customer Engagement PJ Santoro Commentary, Customer Engagement PJ Santoro

It’s 2024 – Time to Reset & Optimize

The new year brings an opportunity to reset marketing campaigns and optimize the customer experience. It’s the perfect time to review automated eMail workflows and mapped customer journeys to ensure they are aligned with business objectives for the months ahead, because there’s nothing like accidentally outdated campaigns to leave your consumer-recipients dazed and confused…

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The Point of No Return
Commentary, Strategy PJ Santoro Commentary, Strategy PJ Santoro

The Point of No Return

The holiday season is passing (it’s now the returns-mania day after) — and more retailers charged fees to make returns this year than ever. Yet, consumers have been conditioned on free returns. And as we close this year and look ahead, that has me thinking about where this goes from here…

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Influencing Purchasing Choices in Your Favor
Strategy, strategic planning PJ Santoro Strategy, strategic planning PJ Santoro

Influencing Purchasing Choices in Your Favor

The consumer decides. Always. If they purchase, when they purchase, where they purchase, how much they purchase, and how frequently they purchase - no matter how you look at it, the consumer always decides. So what can you do as a brand to ensure the consumer is always choosing you? Do five things well, and you can tilt the scales in your favor when that purchasing decision is being made…

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Crafting Consumer-Centric Strategies: Profits, Priorities and People
Strategy, strategic planning PJ Santoro Strategy, strategic planning PJ Santoro

Crafting Consumer-Centric Strategies: Profits, Priorities and People

Companies seeking to become truly consumer-centric must align three key elements – profits, priorities, and people. In a recent post, I discussed how financial realities, strategic goals, and customer needs interact dynamically in shaping efforts to put the consumer first. Navigating this interplay requires understanding both the numbers and the humans behind them...

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Successful Consumer-Centricity is About Dollars and Sense
Strategy, strategic planning PJ Santoro Strategy, strategic planning PJ Santoro

Successful Consumer-Centricity is About Dollars and Sense

When C[IQ] engages with a client to help accelerate their consumer-centricity, one of our first asks will typically be for copies of the client’s financial statements and long term strategic plans. Why? That’s because companies seeking to accelerate their consumer-centricity need accurate alignment with financial realities, corporate strategy, and consumer-focused marketing…

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Customer Loyalty: Your Competitive Advantage
PJ Santoro PJ Santoro

Customer Loyalty: Your Competitive Advantage

In the dynamic world of business, one factor stands out as a game-changer: customer loyalty. A loyal customer-base can be the driving force behind long-term success and profitability. Let's delve into the advantages of customer loyalty…

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