Mobile phone carriers will not be able to deploy network-level ad blocking to their services after the EU published it’s long-awaited net neutrality guidelines. The purpose of this report is to clarify how the data is handled and passed from service providers to their networks. Carriers have been testing their ad blocking techniques on customer apps and the internet through their data centers. As pointed out by The Financial Times, this outlaw will essentially prevent Internet Service Providers from doing this. However, this does not prevent customers from downloading adblocking software themselves, it’s just the local carriers who will not be able to implement it on behalf of customers. An Israel-based tech company called Shine argues that ads eat into as much as 50% of the users’ data plans and that “European citizens have a right to protect themselves from being tracked, profiled and targeted by ad tech”. As Business Insider points out, the UK will have to wait post Brexit from the EU to progress further with mobile adblocking. As always, please share anything you find interesting with #OMDFWD
HEADLINES
- EU has moved to block mobile networks ad-blocking ambitions
- All out of Nerf? Amazon launches Dash, the press-to-order product buttons in Europe
- Samsung recalls its latest smartphone due to concerns about the Lithium battery explosions
- Taking on Snapchat? How instant video messaging is now open to Facebook Messenger users
INSIGHTS
- Google will find the insights for you after injecting machine learning into their app analytics
- How to make the most of Instagram’s new zoom feature
- What to speculatively expect from Apple’s conference this Wednesday
COOL
- Nintendo aims to tap into gaming nostalgia by bringing back the cartridge for its new console
- Image recognition software Deepmask and Sharpmask (owned by Facebook) are being opened sourced
- Take yourself off Facebook? You can only find Snapchat on Snapchat moving forward
DEEP READS
Arab Luxury World, the region’s largest conference on the business of luxury, took place on 1-2 June, 2016. OMD was present throughout the event with speakers participating in numerous panels and seminars. Here, we bring you all the insights and driving themes from this year’s edition.
Luxury across generations in the Arab world
What are Arab Millennials looking for when it comes to luxury and how do they differ from Generation X? This was the focus of a private break-out session hosted by OMD, featuring key insights from our research study on the subject. Maya Bou Ajram, OMD’s Senior Director-Planning on the LVMH portfolio, presented the findings and then introduced a panel discussion with marketing leads from Infiniti and Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons. “We wanted to understand key differences across generations – how they differ in terms of consumption, motivation, influence and media triggers – and ultimately learn how we can better influence desire for luxury,” said Ajram about the study. “Millennials do make more emotional purchases while Gen X is driven by a need to replenish or enhance their existing collection. Millennials are about aspiring to be who they are while Gen X are validating who they are.”
Effective data management
The conference featured a panel discussion on the effective use of CRM and omni-channel planning to develop smooth customer journeys. OMD’s Head of Analytics, Walid Hadid, was one of the speakers and he opened the discussion by describing the transformation of data across the decades, from slow-moving data collected in a notebook in the ’60s to the rapidly changing data we collect from digital platforms today. “Social engagement with content changes massively and rapidly. The role of us as marketers today is to decipher that data and link it together in order to allow brands, and particularly luxury brands, to compete more effectively in a crowded marketplace,” said Hadid.
Digital trends for luxury
This year’s digital strategy panel featured Stanislas Brunais, OMD’s Head of Performance Marketing, who explained how digital now acts as the first touch point in the purchase journey for luxury consumers. Francesca Ciaudano, Deputy General Manager Marketing & Public Relations at Infiniti Middle East, further emphasised that 96% of consumers start their search online, hence the importance of adopting a multi-channel approach in today’s environment. Jean-Pierre La Calvez, Head of Global Alliances, Partnerships and Customer Marketing at HP Inc. added to this, stating that technology impacts the whole value chain today, including product creation, supply chain management and consumer engagement. “Luxury brands have prided themselves on personal relationships and technology enables that personalization on digital,” audiences heard.
The rise of influencers in the region
Given the massive rise of influencers in this region, the conference featured a dedicated panel to discuss the value and ROI generated from this channel as well as best practices. OMD’s Senior Director, Maya Bou Ajram, was one of the panellists and shared key insights from regional campaigns she has executed for brands such as Sephora. “It’s not about the number of followers an influencer has but rather, it’s about marrying brand values with that of the influencer,” stated Ajram. “The influencer should reflect exactly who I am as a brand. Authenticity is key and brands should not force content on influencers; this is something we struggle with in luxury. Instead, we need to share our DNA and co-create content with them.”
Originally posted at http://uaeblog.omd-mena.com/omd-insights/omd-arab-luxury-world-2016/