Greetings!

Welcome to the June 2023 issue of Key Notes - Marketing Keys' monthly newsletter! As we head into warmer temperatures, we hope your business is heating up too! Key Notes is an informative, quick-read newsletter to get you caught up on all things media and marketing. Our goal is for you to be informed and entertained with the latest media and marketing happenings quickly and efficiently. 
Should your brand go on vacation?
Did you realize 1 in 10 advertisers stop their advertising campaigns in the summer? Is that the smart thing to do?
One thing you may want to consider. Summer TV viewing is only 2% lower than the other seasons. And, by advertising in the summer, summer ads could increase your share of voice by 36%.

Specifically, political, travel and event marketing do really well in the summer months. The reason for many marketers not advertising in the summer may be due to them thinking networks mainly run reruns. However, that is not the case anymore with game shows and "America's Got Talent" coming out in the summer. Also, some people think that many are away on vacation. Yet, there are plenty of tourists that come to Chicago during the summer months so that may be an untapped market for you.

If you ever think it may be wise to stop advertising during the summer months, you may want to give it a hard thought.
Why brands are no longer bursting with 'Pride'
The month of June is called "Pride Month" to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Many brands embrace this annual celebration with a variety of products. Recently, Target has come out with a Pride collection that has resulted in huge backlash.

Target has moved their collection to the back of the store and stated employees were receiving threats from customers. A Target spokesperson said they will be removing items from the collection, but still stand with the LGBTQ+ community as they have sold Pride merchandise for the past decade.

Many believe Target removing their Pride collection, and Bud Light's recent controversy, will isolate the LGBTQ+ community even more. It could also empower the people boycotting these brands to continue to attack other companies who partake in Pride Month.

Brands participating in Pride Month that receive backlash isn't new. However, this year is different. This year, Republican-led states have passed laws restricting rights for the transgender community. The LGBTQ advocacy group, GLAAD, is starting to try and help brands push back against this controversy.
Why you'll see more ads with MLB players
Major League Baseball has made it easier to market its players by taking over the group player rights from the Players Association. This will allow marketers to make all deals through the MLB. Previously, marketers had to make deals about uniforms and logos through the MLB, and deals about players through the Players Association.

In the past, many companies would just opt for retired players instead of negotiating with the Players Association. Sometimes, companies would make a deal with the MLB but not have enough money to make a deal for players with the Players Association.

Compared to other sports, MLB players make a lot less money off the field. This new agreement will make it much easier to showcase players and make more deals. This in turn will allow players to earn more money. Now you will know why you see more advertisements with your favorite baseball players!
Is Disney's programming being 'written' off?
Last month, Disney held their annual Upfront show in New York. However, this year's show was different than previous shows because it had no scripted programming. This is because of the Writers' Strike.

Sports and reality shows took up most up the presentation's time, with Serena Williams and Damar Hamlin making appearances. The Kardashians showed up as well to promote their new season.

The Writers' Strike is causing delays in production which is making networks turn to unscripted programming. No originals appear on the primetime programming for ABC. Instead, it's filled with two seasons of "The Bachelor" and one season of "Dancing with the Stars".

Disney did not mention the Writers' Strike in their presentation. This despite the impact it is having on their programming. There has been a tentative deal made to the Directors Guild of America. Hopefully, that deal will help end the strike with the Writers Guild of America.
How Gen Z is hard to reach
Generation Z is a very different generation when it comes to values and beliefs. How does this affect the marketing landscape? Gen Z is very non-traditional, which causes issues with companies who are set in their traditional ways.

Gen Z has been surrounded by mobile phones their whole lives. This has influenced the way advertisers reach their audiences. Over half of Gen-Zers and Millennials state they will continue to increase their video viewing time. Because of this, advertisers have had to switch to producing more video campaigns.

Studies have shown Gen Z want to be reached in an authentic way that causes an emotional response. Since Gen Z is having such a huge impact on the media landscape, this is changing how other generations view media as well.

It doesn't just stop with Gen Z though; it seems like Gen Z will continue to influence future generations with their consumption patterns. Brands should already be adapting to this shift and planning for it to not go away anytime soon.
BLOG OF THE MONTH
Here is a recent highlight from Marketing Keys' blog page. Please start following our blogs and let us know what you think.


Get the latest insight here!
Get help from 'The Mouse'!
Whether you've been at your marketing position for 1 year or for 20 years, the pressure to produce and come up with the right strategies to reach your target audience is always there.

Did you hear that the average consumer today is exposed to 10,000 plus promotional messages a day?
Recently, Google put out a study that determined to even exist in a consumer’s mind, a brand needs to make
22 impressions a month digitally with that consumer. Therefore, you really need to make sure you have enough
frequency with your campaigns to get through the clutter in your target’s mind.
 
I am a 12 year former Disney executive who has discovered the secret sauce on how brands can cut through the clutter and reach their target. Like Disney, Marketing Keys cultivates, values, and encourages creativity, collaboration, and creativity from everyone. 

By teaming up with us, we make the process enjoyable.

During my years working for various media companies, it seemed that if a company was not represented by a firm or by a media planner/buyer, then that company was at a disadvantage. Marketing Keys was formed in July, 2007 to more than level the negotiation playing field between advertisers and media companies. We enabled advertisers to have a major leg up in the process.

By leveraging our media experience, our relationships along with cutting edge ideas, we have been able to help generate an incremental 30-35% more in leads and/or conversions for our clients through our programs.

We started Marketing Keys with a simple mission. Help Presidents, CEOs, Marketing Directors, CMOs, Regional Managers and others create the most well thought out, efficient and effective media campaigns.

We may not be perfect. But we will listen to you and always be committed to you. We strive to run our business with passion and humility all with the utmost integrity.

We look forward to empowering you to do your best work.

Until next month,

Roger Keys
Founder and CEO
Marketing Keys

P.S. Thank you for your loyalty in reading our newsletters!
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New Hire!
We would like to welcome Cate Bender, our new Project Coordinator, to the Marketing Keys Team!

As a recent University of Missouri graduate, Cate received her degree in Communications. She has experience in the social media and digital marketing field working for a variety of sports companies. This past Fall, Cate also had an opportunity to work for the Chicago Bears!

Outside of making sure all the media runs smoothly while creating analytical recaps of the media campaigns, Cate comes up with the social media strategies and graphics for our clients along with our company. She also is our content creator writing this newsletter in addition to our blogs.

In her free time, she loves to go hiking, play trivia, and bake! She is a huge sports fan too and loves the Cubs.

When you interact with her, please give Cate a warm welcome!
Links & Drinks was a hit!
The 3rd annual Links & Drinks Outing on Friday, June 2nd at Klein Creek in Winfield was a sell out and a huge success! The event was powered by Cumulus Media including Q-101 F, WLS-F and WLS-A. Good food, refreshing drinks, great company and many swings all covered by sunshine 🌞. Make sure to listen or read for details to reserve your spot for next year!
Seen on the streets
Have you seen this Ankin Law wallscape on your way to a Sox game?

Chicago's shortstop and Chicago's Personal Injury Attorney have teamed up!

Click here to learn more about Ankin Law and how they can assist you! You can also call (312) 600-0000 for a free consultation.
Are you Socially Challenged?
During my 15 years as a business owner, I have discovered there are many companies out there that are challenged with the task of managing their social media.

It may be that they are confused over the platforms that they should use, the content they should post, how to boost that content and/or the time or lack thereof that goes into managing their social media platforms. 
 
If that is you, we have Gen Z help on the way!
 
For more information, please contact Marketing Keys at (312) 375-5007 or you can email us HERE!
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Fill up your lead funnel!
In the days of Mad Men, creativity was everything. The goal was for a brand to be the most creative creating a tag line to resonate with the audience. Now, creativity takes a back seat to targeting through data and reaching your target synergistically through multiple mediums with an integrated marketing campaign.

Find out how Marketing Keys can help generate (on average) an incremental 30-35% more in leads and/or conversions through our system.

For more details, Contact us here!
We are Social!