Mango Communications’ Noeline van den Berg takes a look at the importance of impactful real-world experiences during a time of brand clutter.

It was 10 April, 2018. Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook appeared in front of the United States Congress to talk data, privacy and how we should police the internet. 44 senators asked tough questions around privacy policies, business models and consumer protection. Zuckerburg answered honestly and robustly, facing up to criticism, owning up to failures, arguing for net neutrality and outlining plans to “do better”. For a nerd like me, it was fascinating. But what will it actually mean?

Brand Spanking director and creative strategist Mark Pickering and Z Energy creative technologist Spencer Willis wrap up their SXSW experience with what’s on the rise, what was impressive, things that need to stop and things marketers need to do more of.

In the wake of Facebook’s News Feed changes, SMK’s executive director of programming James Fitzgerald shares his advice for marketers.

Is your brand littering the internet? Michael Goldthorpe shares some thoughts on volume, compelling creative and authenticity.

Matt West and the EightyOne team headed to SXSW with some of the Dot Loves Data folk and on return, they’ve put together their top five picks for rising, impressive and debatable trends as well as advice for what New Zealand marketers need to start doing.

Brand Spanking director and creative strategist Mark Pickering shares his experience at SXSW and what he’s learned from sessions and seminars as well as the people he’s met. To round off the week, he and Z Energy creative technologist Spencer Willis share five takeaways.

Whether you’re a suburban travel agent, a plumber or a hairdresser, customers now expect the same convenient and instant service they enjoy and expect from world-famous online stores and more local household brands. Xero executive general manager of customer success Nigel Piper takes a look at how small business owners can keep up.

Dallas Gurney looks at three developments in the next wave of content marketing.

Our love affairs with brands start early, and will forever be tied to key moments in life, but can they endure asks Nick Sampson.

On International Women’s Day, Ngaire Crawford takes on gender parity and the treatment of women in the media.

Colleen Ryan takes on diversity in marketing and communications and effective communication with women as employees, as customers and as shareholders.

Increasingly, experiences that’ll win customers’ favour will be the ones where businesses can reduce their mental load. Kate De Marco, senior CRM Planner at TRACK, takes a look at what brands can do to earn attention in consumers’ busy lives.

Accenture Interactive’s Ben Morgan takes a look at how Kiwis are increasingly using their devices for everyday activities, and how organisations can keep up with the demand for content.

Longevity is the big demographic change ahead and it’s happening now. Clare Hall-Taylor argues that it presents a wealth of opportunities and companies that don’t make small and achievable adjustments now may risk losing their competitive edge.

Hunch managing partner Michael Goldthorpe enters the world of robots to see how fast they are evolving while people remain the same.

Vincent Heeringa takes a look at the state of content marketing and how its management determines its effectiveness.