Marketing trends are constantly changing and CMO.com examined the newest developments and trends taking place in late 2014.

Below are nine major trends in marketing as summarized by Cyber Alert:

  1. Attention on the middle class. During the recession, marketers targeted the lower and luxury markets. As the recession ends, however, there is a greater focus on the resurgent middle class. The economy continues to grow and the middle class is growing with it.
  2. Content marketing that focuses on educating rather than selling. With so many businesses employing content marketing it is increasingly difficult to sell using this strategy. Many content marketing articles are low quality so it is important to create quality content that educates consumers.
  3. Fewer real-time marketing tactics. Because of the number of real-time marketing bloopers, marketers are refraining from using this strategy.
  4. Crack down on waste and fraud online. Marketers and other trade groups are eliminating waste and fraud in online advertising.
  5. Avoiding hyperbolic content. Google is focused on eliminating spam and fake webpages, and therefore brands are straying away from pranks as advertisements. With so many fake memes, products, and news stories online, this use of hyperbolic messaging is not ideal.
  6. Increase in long term video storytelling. Online videos have proven to be very successful at engaging consumers. Video content is quickly becoming a go-to marketing  tactic.
  7. Short videos are on the decline. Videos under fifteen seconds are not delivering return on investment. They are proving to be less interesting to consumers than longer content.
  8. Constant Internet connectivity. The Internet is now integrated into our daily lives. We can access the Internet through mobile phones, watches, cars, and home appliances as we go about our day.
  9. Regulators are stepping in. This constant connectivity sometimes threatens our privacy. Because of this, brands are making privacy and security a top priority.

These prominent marketing trends have taken off in the second half of 2014 and will likely continue into 2015 as well. Marketing professionals must stay on top of the current trends if they are to be successful in a constantly changing age of digital and online marketing.

Which trends do you feel will take off in the upcoming year? Which of these current trends do you think is most relevant today?

If you’re in healthcare, insurance, technology or other professional services industries, and need help with a PR, marketing or social media campaign, contact Scott Public Relations.

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