In the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics, staying up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies is crucial. This is why we attended a recent webinar hosted by Meltwater, a global provider of media intelligence and social analytics. 

This exclusive webinar explored cutting-edge advancements in AI and shared tips on achieving success using new innovations. We learned valuable insights to transform our approach and discover how Generative AI revolutionizes marketing.

By automating content creation, optimizing customer targeting, and delivering personalized campaigns, AI can almost be seen as a silver bullet. We advise you to proceed with caution and take extra steps to ensure accuracy, originality, and ethical reliability. AI can be used for writing, data analytics, and other practical applications. 

The webinar was led by Lindsay Herbert, Author of Digital Transformation and Global Chief Innovation Officer at IBM Garage, and Guillaume Decugis, Meltwater's VP of Consumer Insights. 

Keep reading to learn how to integrate AI into your workspace seamlessly.

Meltwater, an online media monitoring company, recently launched a report that shared current trends in social media for 2023. 

The report offered findings from over 1,700 marketing and communications professionals globally. The short: paid and organic social media are expected to increase in 2023. Garden businesses must stay at the top of their game and adapt while also increasing their skillset. 

In the report, social media platforms were ranked by usage and popularity. Facebook is still holding the top ranking, followed by LinkedIn and Instagram. YouTube, Twitter, and TikTok remain relevant while being slightly less popular than the top three. Short-form video is hot right now on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. 

Read on to learn more about how social media has maintained and even gained importance during the current economic development. 

I recently had the pleasure of co-presenting with Sam Kirkland of Epicor and Jennifer Hatalski of Calloway's about Customer Loyalty. What is it? How do you get it? And what the trends today are (my section... obviously.) 

We learned that with so many competitors, it is tough for small garden brands to get ahead of the curve. Small brands often double up efforts to get recognized against more established brands. Why?

• 82% stopped dealing with businesses with poor customer service.
• It costs 5% more to acquire a new customer than to keep an existing one satisfied and happy.
• Loyal repetitive customers spend 33% more than new ones.
• 50% of millennials and Gen Zers believe earning rewards is more hassle than it’s worth.

Sam, Jennifer and I described how “Earn and burn,” or pure discount-based programs, are no longer enough. Consumers are looking for something more.

When it comes to loyalty rewards, it’s no longer just about the transaction at point of purchase; it’s about additional experiences and services that create new touchpoints. 

Read more to learn the 5 Trends in Customer Loyalty sure to keep customers coming back.

Professionals striving for relevance in the world of public relations constantly need to stay up to date with all industry trends as well as current events – it’s practically in the job description.

The news cycle is now moving faster than ever before, mostly thanks to various digital platforms. Aside from regular news stories, a great way for public relations professionals to keep up with the happenings around them is to listen to podcasts that are relevant to the job. 

Gardening is a growing hobby, touted as #5 most popular on many lists.

Below are some recent public relations trends we’ve seen that can impact how brands engage with consumers and stay competitive in the green space.

Those familiar with HBO know that there are no commercials during their shows.

It’s also less than likely a modern product will show up in an episode, especially in Game of Thrones. But this past Sunday, somebody left a coffee cup in a major scene. And it did NOT go unnoticed.

If this was a normal product placement deal, Starbucks would pay for the ad and then pay more to promote the ad.

But since HBO does not pay for product placement or ads during their show, this is now considered earned media. Lucky for them.

Read more to learn what the value of this accidental mention is to Starbucks in terms of PR.

If you run or manage a garden business, you want to be continuously thinking of new ideas and staying competitive. So, we believe it is imperative to stay on top of trends most relevant to you.

It’s ideal to find trends in their beginning stages before they reach the mainstream news and the general public. As soon as the mainstream public starts calling something a trend, it may be too late.

The key to effectively jumping on trend is preparation. You might not know exactly what is going to happen, but you need to have the tools in place so that you can recognize opportunity when it arises. 

The perfect, enduring example of this is Oreo’s dunk in the dark moment.

When you capitalize early on emerging trends, you put yourself at the front of the line to receive the monetary benefits from the burgeoning market that a new trend could bring. 

Read more to learn how to be prepared to capitalize on trends.

As the end of the year approaches, many brands have already begun preparing their social media strategies for the new year. 

Social media continues to evolve and if your brand doesn't follow the trends and changes, your efforts may fall flat. 

Thankfully, there are a few social media trends coming to light that brands should consider as they prepare for the new year. 

Read on to learn about 7 social media trends that can help boost engagement. 

While they didn't take our color advice from our 2019 Garden Trend Report this year, the Pantone Color Institute has announced that 2019 will be all about Living Coral.

The color represents “playful expression,” and our “innate need for optimism.” (After this year, we can use all the innate optimism we can get.)

Living Coral is technically a “coral hue with a golden undertone”—a few shades louder than pink, but softer than red.

Read more to learn about how to apply Living Coral to your garden this year.

When I first started working in public relations, I had no idea that relationships were going to be such an important part of my career. After the first year of handling PR for a high-tech company, I quickly learned that earning media coverage requires strong working relationships with journalists.

Even after more than twenty years, I still keep in touch with many of the journalists I met early on in my career.

Now with even more platforms to cultivate media relationships, making these connections has become easier than ever.

Continue reading to learn how you can build strong relationships with journalists.