What don’t people realize about branding? How has branding changed over the years? And what makes a BrandQuest with Brent Niemuth so special? Hear the answers firsthand as J.Schmid President and CCO, Brent Niemuth answers burning questions about branding from VP Account Strategy, Lauren Ackerman. see more at: https://www.jschmid.com/blog/brand-lounge-3-branding-isnt-one-time/

In a time when misinformation is everywhere and consumer skepticism is at an all-time high, trust has become marketing’s most valuable currency. And for all the new tools and platforms marketers have adopted in the digital age, one channel consistently earns that trust more than any other: direct mail. Despite years of predictions about its decline, direct mail has not only survived — it’s thriving. In fact, it’s become the quiet powerhouse in omnichannel marketing strategies. As digital fatigue, privacy concerns, and ad fraud undermine confidence in online media, marketers and consumers alike are rediscovering the value of physical mail. The stats tell the story. Americans are seeing more ads than ever, but believing fewer of them. Social media feeds are crowded with questionable claims, sponsored content is often indistinguishable from organic posts, and AI-generated misinformation is rampant. Inboxes are overrun with scams, phishing attempts, and generic automated messaging.

March came in like a lamb and went out like a roller coaster ride in the U.S. ad marketplace, according to just-refreshed data from Guideline's U.S. Ad Tracker. The index, which decelerated to 2.4% in February -- the worst expansion since the last ad recession ended -- bounced back to a 7.8% gain in March, implying a relatively healthy signal for the U.S. ad marketplace despite continuing concerns about the nation's economy, the macroeconomy, and geopolitical instability that have some economists predicting another looming recession.