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How to Up Your Graphic Design Game in 3 Easy Steps

How to Up Your Graphic Design Game in 3 Easy Steps

Graphics are one of the best ways to grab your audience’s attention. Used in essentially all forms of marketing, it has been proven time and again to be a surefire way to boost your business.

Perhaps you clicked on this article curious about improving your graphic design skills. Well, we completely understand. To help you, we’ve compiled some steps you could take on your journey to become a better graphic designer.

1. JOIN A DESIGN COURSE

Branding Services Singapore | Graphic Designer in Singapore

Plenty of schools in Singapore offer design courses that you could take to help you hone your design skills. There are various courses that focus on different areas of design, depending on what you’re looking for. Here are some of the best design courses in Singapore we recommend:

With plenty of design-related courses at their arsenal, including branding and animation, First Media Design School might be the institution you want to look at if you’re considering getting a diploma in media and graphic design. This course lasts a duration of 18 months (1½ years), so it may be more suited for students pursuing design as a serious career.

Maybe a full-time course might not be what you’re searching for. Or you might already have a diploma and am still looking for minor ways to refine your designing skills. At $540 a unit, Laselle offers more than 30 different design courses across a range of design disciplines. If you have a strong interest in graphic design, you may want to consider Laselle.

Feeling the hefty price tag on the previous two courses? There’s another alternative. Nanyang Polytechnic is providing a simple yet all-rounded design course under SkillsFuture. If you have some leftover SkillsFuture credits, now is the time to use it! At only $300, this is the perfect course for casual students dipping their toes into the world of design.

2. STUDY THE WORK OF GRAPHIC DESIGN COMPANIES

The 21 Best Graphic Design Companies in Singapore [2020]

In order to apply the skills you’ve picked up, it’s important to be able to look at the works of others and distinguish the good and the bad. With a vast amount of design companies in Singapore, there are definitely plenty of examples for one to study.

From web design to desktop computing and, of course, graphics design and branding, Hipster offers cost-effective digital solutions for your marketing needs. Their speciality lies in their augmented and virtual reality services. Just by entering their website do you see their portfolio of clean and aesthetic designs on display. Look through their case studies and you can see why Hipster is such a successful graphic design company.

Positioning themselves as a one-stop solution for creative advertising, branding and packaging label designs, Artnexus certainly strives to cover all aspects of graphic design — and come out on top as well. Under the creative umbrella, the company covers publication design, digital display advertisement, not to mention graphic designing. Take a look at their website to understand why their designs are so popular amongst marketers.

Having established themselves in the industry, Graphic Masters’s clientele consists of government agencies, public organisations and private corporations around the globe. These include the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, SAF Yacht Club, and many others. Their services range from publications, advertising and promotions, corporate branding, infographics, and even corporate gifts — to list a few! With a strong understanding of the current graphic design trends, Graphic Masters’s professionalism shines through.

3. UNDERSTAND THE LATEST GRAPHIC DESIGN TRENDS

13 Graphic Design Trends To Expect In 2020 - Webgyaani

Besides upgrading your design skills and studying the portfolio of other designers, it is also important to be aware of the latest design trends. Some of the design trends that surfaced in 2020 and are likely to continue in 2021 include but are not limited to the following:

  • Muted Colour Palettes

Perhaps one reason why muted colours have been so in trend lately is because of their ability to evoke comfort and warm feelings. They also often feel natural and organic, which may why plenty of health and wellness companies are implementing the use of muted colour palettes in their design and marketing efforts.

  • Flat Icons and Illustrations

Flat icons have become somewhat of a popular trend, particularly when used as a social media graphic. With a simple icon, brands can communicate more by using less. Indeed, they are a powerful tool for communication. This trend is taking over companies by storm, including BMW, Volkswagen, and even Google, all of whom have adopted a flatter, more minimalistic logo for their brand.

  • Social Media Slide Decks

Slide decks are a great way to break up chunks of information. If you want to convey a lengthy message to your audience but are unsure how to keep their attention focused on you, try having various image slides rather than one single image. This habit has been employed by many brands on virtually almost all social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook and Linkedin. Furthermore, the algorithm actually seems to favour posts with multiple slides rather than those with a single image!

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If you find these tips helpful, or have a friend in mind who is looking to hone their design skills, why not share this article with them?

As a creative agency, MIU strives to constantly improve itself. Providing digital solutions such as package design, logo identity and brand styling, the list of design services MIU offers runs on. Interested to find out more? Book a free consultation with us today!

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Businesses in the Face of Covid-19

Businesses in the Face of Covid-19

Covid-19 and the ‘New Normal’

In the face of the Covid-19 era, many businesses and individuals have had to adapt to the new normal. From social distancing rules to travel restrictions, these measures to combat Covid-19 have affected the modus operandi of many businesses. The introduction of circuit breaker has seen many defaulting to having their employees work from home as a consequence. On the other hand, consumers have begun shopping online more voraciously.

With phase 3 of Singapore’s circuit breaker on the horizon, here are some things that one can expect.

Phase 3: The New Normal

Business in the of covid 19.jpg

Social, cultural, religious and business gatherings or events will be allowed to resume during this phase. However, gathering sizes would still have to be limited so as to prevent large clusters from arising. Individuals would also have to be aware to avoid close contact with each other.

ESG’s Enterprise Infoline, as it has done in the previous two phases, will continue to assist businesses in the last part of the three-phased approach to resume activities in a safe manner during this post-pandemic period.

“With advisories and guidelines that were applicable to different sectors as the COVID-19 situation evolved, the Enterprise Infoline provided business owners with help to navigate the compliance requirements; procedures that can be complex particularly for small and micro SMEs. ”

Ms Chew Mok Lee, Assistant Chief Executive

One phrase which has gained momentum in the past few weeks is the ‘new normal’. Despite the fact that things are looking up, it is important to note that the impact of Covid-19 will still be felt far beyond 2020. Remote work will most likely be retained in the ‘new normal’, so don’t expect the current situation to change too drastically. Until a vaccine is uncovered, it will be a fixed aspect of our lives.

What this means for businesses and their employees

Working remotely with kids during the Coronavirus outbreak | eXo

Singapore’s phased approach to open the economy could mean that the ‘new normal’ may involve a cautious approach of alternating between remote work and the office. However, working life as we know it might never return to the normal we all remember.

This is not an indicator that productivity, creativity and profitability levels pre-Covid will not return for businesses. In fact, the changes that arose due to this pandemic may as well have presented more business opportunities in Singapore. Human beings, after all, tend to resist change and the ‘new normal’ allows businesses across the world to reimagine the impossible and shift to new ways of working and collaboration.

Leaders are redesigning their business operations to navigate this significant change and evolve the business for it to continue thriving. This has seen the acceleration of some non-traditional workforces. For instance, flexible working arrangements are expected to be the ‘new normal’ in some industries. Take Twitter as an example — CEO Jack Dorsey announced that employees can keep working from home ‘forever’ if they wish.

As everyone transitions through this period, the best way to ensure businesses’ survival in a post-Covid era would be to adopt a blended approach. Take the most efficient working methods from pre-Covid and combine it with the best methods mid-Covid, and we will see a strategy fit for commercial success.

When we look back at 2020 from hindsight, there’ll certainly be questions raised around company conduct. Organizations will be judged not only on how they managed the financial crisis, but how they supported their employees as well.

“People will remember how leadership and businesses dealt with the Covid-19 pandemic. They understand that it’s a difficult time for businesses and in most cases acknowledge that changes may be required due to changing business pressures. If these conversations are managed and handled in a human and authentic way, reputation and employer brand will be maintained and amplified.”

Robert Stone, Chief Talent Officer at McCANN

What this means for businesses and their consumers

Premium Vector | Woman using mobile app for online shopping cartoon

As the Singapore government eases the country back into normalcy, many Singaporeans are remaining cautious and playing it safe. They intend to adopt a wait-and-see approach when it comes to resuming activities. Only 1 in 4 Singaporeans, for example, say they would be comfortable to visit restaurants if the option is made available. 30% say they will not join a cultural event or gathering in 2020; 28% say they will not visit a gym or take a sports membership; and 53% do not intend to travel this year even if it is allowed.

“Many marketers had hoped that once the Circuit Breaker restrictions are eased, life would get back to the way it was. Singaporeans, at present, do not feel that way as seen from their reduced spend intention at dining out or disinclination towards going on holidays or attending large events or gatherings.”

Prasad Shinde, Senior Client Officer at Ipsos in Singapore

Due to the circuit breaker, online shopping has seen a tremendous boom in activity. With digital shopping becoming increasingly pervasive in our everyday lives, it would be a smart move for businesses to grab this opportunity to go digital in order to expand their customer base. It is where most consumers’ attention have turned in the face of the lockdown.

In a survey conducted, 88% of Singaporeans said that they have bought something online during this period, of whom, 2 in 3 say that they had shopped for a new product category for the first time. While the bulk of online purchases are on groceries and food products, other categories saw some first-time online shoppers as well.

“There are clear shifts in the adoption of e-commerce for the purchase of items that were typically purchased in brick and mortar stores — groceries and fresh produce for example –- as well as an introduction to different omni-channel purchase options. It has become quite common for example for a purchase to be made via WhatsApp and for collection to be made at a curbside pick-up. The awareness and familiarity with such possibilities, as well as the perceived greater convenience to shoppers, may mean that demand for these options remains long after life goes back to normal, so it will be interesting to see whether any retail sectors look to make some of these permanent.”

Nick Hunter, Director of Market Strategy and Understanding at Ipsos in Singapore

This could very well signal to businesses the type of change they need to undergo in order to adapt to this ‘new normal’. Covid-19 has proven across all industries that it is possible to maintain high quality outputs and relationships even with remote work at the core of their strategy.

For digital advertising and branding, contact us.

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Large Marketing Firms versus Boutique Agencies

Large Marketing Firms versus Boutique Agencies

All about boutique marketing agencies

When looking for a digital marketing agency, it may be easy to just pick one amongst the list of well-known companies out there. After all, with the number of projects they have undertaken, this seems like the obvious choice. It’s easy to be wowed by the big brands they have worked with and the testimonials they have gotten.

Oh yes, we know all about the psychology of choice.

Can you make informed decisions? | Construction Leaders Club

So why give boutique agencies a chance? Many have the misconception that businesses turn to these smaller agencies when they can’t afford the expertise of a larger company. Let me ask you this: if that’s the case, why are there still so many marketing firms sprouting up?

Betting your all on a boutique marketing agency that is barely established just doesn’t seem worth it when you have the budget to go big. But size doesn’t always matter, and neither does money.

Big brands have worked with smaller names just as well — and have been quite successful in their marketing strategy too! This only proves that boutique agencies aren’t just all bark and no bite. In fact, boutique agencies can just as well come up with the most creative digital marketing strategy for your company.

Still not convinced? We’ve laid down the pros and cons of large marketing firms against that of boutique agencies. The rest is up to you.

Why you should give boutique agencies a chance

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  • Large agencies

Pro: Renowned for what they do

Established companies of course have plenty of testimonials behind their business. It’s easy to develop a sense of security knowing that these companies are reputable and have handled all sorts of projects. After all, if they have the marketing skills to make it, they certainly have the skills to write about it.

Con: Heavy politics and bureaucracy

One weakness that bugs large companies is the bureaucratic process that they so often adhere by. But remember, all big businesses were once small businesses, after all. It’s possible to get the job done without first waiting for the green light from the head of the department, who is also waiting for feedback from a higher committee. It’s always easier to add processes than to remove them. The larger a company gets, the slower the decision-making becomes.

Pro: More resources

Since large companies tend to have more resources to work with, it’s easier for them to stay competitive — and offer you the same resources as well. With a large agency, the many resources act as a security net that can allow clients to feel assured leaving their marketing plan in the care of these big firms.

Con: The Innovator’s Dilemma

Following the work of Harvard professor and businessman Clayton Christensen, the Innovator’s Dilemma argues that large companies default to a status quo once they have reached a certain level of success. Rather than breaking the mold to disrupt the equilibrium, they stick to what they know and only innovate within that certain area.

  • Boutique agencies

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Pro: Budget stretches further

With lower overhead costs and agency fees, the money that you pump in for the campaign will be used to its full potential in the hands of a boutique agency. They are able to find ways to stretch your budget to its maximum, so you receive more bang for your buck.

Con: Inadequate management

Oftentimes in a small agency, there are only one or two people in the management team overseeing the whole process. This might mean that they do not have time to check-in thoroughly with each employee and the work they do. Without a dedicated management team, there is a greater risk of mismanaging occurring.

Pro: More control and flexibility

With fewer processes for each step, boutique agencies often have more control and flexibility over their work. This means that you do too since you have the final say. The small size of the team you are working with means that there is a lot more transparency — and thus accountability — that a boutique agency can offer you.

Pro: Niched and specialised

The only way boutique agencies are able to stand out in their field is if they find a niche that they are good at and position themselves as the leader in that niche. This way, they are able to compete with larger firms in the same industry.

Having a niche also helps them develop a stronger understanding of the work they do and thus allows them to hone their expertise in it, which may be something that a large firm is unable to offer. With their specialised knowledge, boutique agencies can then give advise on the best marketing strategies to undertake, leading to effective results.

What this means for you

MIU LLP | LinkedIn

Boutique agencies might not have many testimonials to go on, it’s true. However, this means that they rely a lot more on the outcome to prove their worth.

When it comes to a marketing agency, you need to discern which is the best partner to hire for your company.

Let us tell you — for a marketing plan to really succeed, you need to stick with it through and through. Long-term engagement is important, and if you don’t visualise yourself staying with the agency for a few years at least, then it is not the right one for you.

MIU offers a wide variety of services with comprehensive strategies to go along with it. As a client-oriented creative agency, we place a strong importance on the customer journey. Saying that we understand the importance of long-term engagement is not enough — this manifests in our policy of staying with our clients even after the work is done. With our diverse portfolio of work, we firmly believe that we can provide for you the service your company is looking for.

You can contact us by clicking here

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5 Creative Lessons We Can Learn from the Best Advertisements in Singapore

5 Creative Lessons We Can Learn from the Best Advertisements in Singapore

Advertising. Such a key component in marketing. Did you know that in 2018, the most watched ads on YouTube, by Singaporeans, were made in Singapore?

That’s right. According to the YouTube Ads Leaderboard itself, six of the top 10 ads in the first half of the year came from Singapore. In fact, the top 4 places were dominated by ads with a compelling and emotional story. What these ads do well in is portray a heartfelt story driven by a goal to connect, rather than to sell. And that’s the key to truly engage your consumers.

Evolve your advertising strategy with the times

In 1984, a psychologist by the name of Walter Fisher developed a communication theory that we can put to use when we talk about ads. Known as the narrative paradigm, it posits that humans, at our core, are storytellers, and thus we thrive on narrative communication.

This is perhaps one of the reasons why emotional content performed so well in the YouTube Ads Leaderboard. Since storytelling is one of the oldest modes of communication, humans today still make decisions and act within this narrative framework, approaching the social world in such a mindset.

With this knowledge, we can confidently construct effective ads that will capture the heart and minds of Singaporeans alone. Today, there are so many advertisements floating around in the digital space that it can be hard to stand out amidst the clutter sometimes. Here’s some lessons on how to better stand out that we can learn from the top ads themselves.

1. Disrupt the conventional

Singapore Airlines – The Briefcase: You’re never far from those you love

The Briefcase is an advertisement that balances the fine line between heartwarming and bittersweet. Inspired by the experiences of many travellers, The Briefcase captures this universal feeling of homesickness to bring us on a journey — even when we’re not flying.

Powerful yet emotive, this ad pulls on the heartstrings of its viewers and leaves them with a bittersweet feeling. By inspiring viewers to think about their families during the festive season, The Briefcase successfully manages to connect with its audience on a topic that all of us can relate to — family — driving home the tagline, You’re never far from those you love.

Produced by TBWA Singapore, the ad by the Paris-based agency taps into their core philosophy, “disruption”. Taking notes from Todorov’s narrative structure theory, TBWA Singapore seeks to “disrupt the peace” with the unconventional. Using this system, they identify recent changes or action in culture to develop their advertising strategy.

Todorov’s theory states that there are five stages of narration and that all stories begin in a state of equilibrium. Disruption – the second stage in the narrative cycle – refers to an event that disrupts the peaceful state of equilibrium. By using this theory to their advantage, TBWA manages to stand out amongst competitors and implement their own unique flavour in each of their ads.

2. Animation is key

GoBear

Not convinced with this advertisement? Animated videos are all the rage right now, particularly when it comes to explainer videos, and here’s why. 75% of adults turn to YouTube for nostalgia rather than tutorials or current events. With animation, your imagination is the limit.

In a way that live-action videos might be unable to, animation videos bring concepts to life and simplify them for viewers to easily digest. Just look at TED-Ed. Knowing how helpful animations can be in engaging their audience, they have begun incorporating it as part of their content.

Not only that, animation suits just about any marketing need imaginable. Be it explainer videos or other forms of content, marketers recognise this great trend and are all adopting it as part of their strategy. This might explain why more than 60% of the best explainer videos collected by Hubspot, Video Brewery and Switch Video are animated.

In fact, did you know that 92% of consumers watch videos with the sound off? And only 50% of them rely on captions to understand the video content!

You could be potentially losing 50% of your consumers just because your content is not reaching them. To rectify this, you need to make sure your video is able to portray whatever message you want to bring across. In this scenario, a live-action video might present some restraints where an animated video does not.

The ad by Invisible Artists does just that — it explains the brand perfectly while remaining concise and engaging. The adorable animation is what draws the audience in at first, where the topic of finance is then presented. Everyone needs money — so this is a perfect point to focus on since viewers can relate to it.

Invisible Artists is an award-winning company that has worked with famous brands like Coca-Cola, Facebook, and The Body Shop. In 2014, they were titled the Investment Into The UK Award, just three years after their establishment. This advertising agency has definitely proven its potential, to say the least.

3. Gamification

If you want to go above and beyond, the best way to capture your audience’s attention is to involve them in an activity. Sticking a video in front of their noses might work, but do you know what’s even better? Games!

The amount of information absorbed by a viewer cannot be calculated or determined even if they have watched your video — but you can be sure that your brand is going to leave an impression in their mind when you present them with an activity to engage in.

This is what Hashmeta does well. They understand how pivotal a game can be in propelling an advertising strategy to success, and capitalise on it to generate leads and engagement for their clients. Even a simple quiz can be quite entertaining, as you can see for yourself!

The advertisement for NTUC LearningHub in fact reached more than 8000 players. Better yet, the average number of times a user played was 2.09. That means that players were actually hooked onto the quiz itself that they decided to replay it once more! Talk about engagement. Certainly, games might be the future of online advertising, so why not jump into it now?

4. Use the environment to your advantage

What can we say? These creative environmental ads just blow our mind. By taking an ordinary space into something funny.

Billboarders are here to help — by going against the norm. Despite the soar in the popularity of digital marketing, they recognise the potential in physical space. Instead of going with the flow, they decided to think out-of-the-box and offer a multimedia solution instead.

By creating the idea of human billboards, Billboarders give business a chance to build interpersonal relationships with their consumers while at the same time seeming witty. Comprising professionals who interact with audiences, they are able to deliver advantages that no other medium can match.

Such an innovative way of advertising not only grabs immediate attention, but is also interactive and fun. Not to mention, these human billboards can go anywhere and anytime, based on your preferences!

If you have been searching for a clever and extremely unique concept for your next advertising campaign, consider Billboarders’ direct media solution of limitless opportunities and remarkable results.

5. Let others do it for you

Ahh, yes. Social media advertising is yet another at the height of the marketing industry. With 3.5 billion social media users worldwide, it is no wonder businesses are turning to such platforms to drive their advertising campaigns. Of these users, 1 billion of them are active monthly on Instagram.

We’ve talked about how sponsored videos get thrice more comments than sponsored photos. But we have not yet talked about the potential of Instagram Stories, and how you can tap into it to bring about the best benefits for your brand. So let us.

Just based on statistics alone, there are 500 million daily active stories users, of which one-third of the most viewed Instagram Stories stem from businesses. In fact, Socialbakers found that brands can generate over four times more interactions on Instagram compared to Facebook!

What does this mean? Well, perhaps it’s time to look beyond Instagram Ads and Instagram posts for marketing — and dive deep into the world of Instagram Stories. Your consumers are already using it, why shouldn’t you?

In fact, Stories stickers can increase video viewership 83% of the time. This means that there is a huge potential in grabbing consumers’ attention via Instagram stories, by creating your own branded stickers and filters.

Introducing the Spark AR Studio, Facebook now lets anyone create their own augmented reality filters, which means that businesses can use this tool to further their marketing needs. Filters can even be used while streaming on Instagram Live, which gives you even more reason to use it!

Here’s a little fun fact: the heart love sticker is the most popular Giphy sticker in Instagram Stories, and the most used face filter is the one with the heart eyes. With this interesting tidbit, perhaps you now have an idea of what sort of stickers and filters you want to create for your brand?

The Secret Little Agency partnered up with Circles Life to address one issue brought about by the pandemic. Targeting working adults who are now working from home, they adeptly created an Instagram filter for those who are too lazy to put on proper clothes when answering a work-related video call.

Comprising a few different “outfits”, these filters are not only available on Instagram but also on Snapchat, Zoom, and Google Hangouts. Talk about being handy! Indeed, this tongue-in-cheek advertising stunt brought about many laughs for consumers who had an amusing time playing around with the filters.

Is your brand in need of a clever advertising and marketing strategy?

If you thought the list above ended at the fifth point, you’re in for a treat. There are so many ways to creatively express yourself through different marketing stunts, the possibilities are endless. Why not let MIU think of one for you?

So if you’re looking for a professional company to kickstart your digital marketing campaigns, consider contacting us today. Get ready to go on the wildest journey with our crazy ideas and innovative experiences — for both you and your consumers.

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Top Media Agencies in Singapore You’ve Never Heard of

Top Media Agencies in Singapore You’ve Never Heard of

With millions of media agencies out there, it can be difficult to find a market segment for potential customers. Having a defined marketing angle is but the key to thriving in the business of media planning and buying. While the basic responsibility of a media agency is to advise companies on how they can better advertise and present themselves to the public, there are plenty of ways one may do so. Here are some local media agencies that have carved out a niche for themselves based on their creative marketing.

5 best media agencies and their niche areas

Singsys Pte Ltd Profile, Reviews, Contact, Services | Singsys is a one stop source for all your custom website design, iPhone, iPad and Android and e-commerce application development.

1. Singsys – mobile app development

Many media agencies may boast of their web development services, but Singsys takes it a step further. Not only do they offer web design and web development services, but they also specialise in mobile web design and development as well. An increasing digital penetration rate means that there are plenty of internet users to market to. According to this study, 58% of site visits come from mobile devices. It is therefore important to put a focus on mobile development to attract the consumers there, and Singsys knows that. With expertise in iOS and Android app development, they are confident of providing a top-notch service that few other media agencies claim to have.

Hashmeta Pte Ltd

2. Hashmeta – gamification

Now that we all know that 58% of web visits stem from mobile devices alone, what better way to capture your audience’s attention than with online marketing? Hashmeta capitalises on their strong coding experience to up your digital marketing game… literally. With skills in gamification, Hashmeta creates more than an ad — they create an experience. From mini-games like spot the difference, catching games, and quizzes, audiences are hooked into the ad from the very start. To top it all off, Hashmeta ends their mini-games with vouchers that players can redeem. This allows them to generate leads and results in a win-win situation for both the consumer and the client!

Award Winning Digital Agency in Glasgow and London - Dog

3. Dog Digital – content management systems

Dog Digital places importance on its transparency with its clients. Right from the get-go, they do not shy away from revealing their digital marketing strategies. Content management systems such as Umbraco and Sitecore are a huge part of the tools they use — but these are not the secret to Dog’s success. The key ingredient is Dog Digital’s team of dedicated professionals that make sure consumers get the most personalised and seamless experience no matter where the content may be. Although Dog has a strong base in content marketing, they also offer other services (of which they also specialise in!) such as search engine optimisation, web and content architecture, as well as public relations and social media marketing.

Mother partners with The Secret Little Agency in Asia expansion | Campaign US

4. The Secret Little Agency – immersive ads

If you’ve ever seen a Secret Little Agency ad, you will understand why they are so good at their job. By combining various elements to create a powerful multimedia ad, they easily and successfully intrigue any viewers that chance upon their advertisements, no matter the product or service being promoted. Just take a look at their portfolio! Hopping on the Animal Crossing bandwagon — whose popularity skyrocketed due to quarantine — The Secret Little Agency uses this adorable game to promote Deliveroo’s services. Another ad that they did for Grab saw them handing out water bottles to passengers across the island. After such an incredible stunt, customers’ had positive reinforcements towards the brand, and Grab’s user engagement on their social media actually doubled. Talk about impressive!

Wavemaker - IAB Southeast Asia & India

5. Wavemaker – positive provocation

Another agency that comes up with extremely creative ads is Wavemaker. You’d be surprised that their advertisements are even considered as one — because of how ingenious it is. What Wavemaker does differently is that they always make sure to include a positive provocation in all their ads. They did just that for Netflix, challenging the brand to take over the local television channel as their positive provocation. In order to promote Netflix’s original show Stranger Things, they broadcasted 80s movies back to back with fake throwback commercials weaved between. Indeed, with a heavy focus on user experience, their advertising solutions know no bound.

We’ve joined the club

Top media agencies in singapore blog image 2.jpg

MIU is another agency that goes beyond expectations by bringing you the best in their work. With plenty of media planning services offered, one thing MIU does right is having a client-focused digital marketing plan. As a creative agency, they’ve done their marketing research and know what’s up-and-coming in the industry. What they boast is their commitment to giving clients their 100%. Their unlimited design and epic SEO packages are created to serve their clients’ needs from start to finish — never stopping until results are seen. In fact, MIU strives to continue the communication between them and their clients even after the service has been rendered. After all, everyone wants long-lasting results — and that is what we’re here for.

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Top 10 Creative Advertising Companies in Singapore

Top 10 Creative Advertising Companies in Singapore

With hundreds of creative marketing agencies out there, it’s not about finding one, but finding the right one. Marketing is so vital for businesses because it is ultimately what drives sales. Guess what — companies that blog get 55% more traffic and 57% of businesses get more customers through their company blog.

Still not convinced? Here’s some more numbers to munch on. 49% of users find a new product through Google, which is probably why 64% of marketers invest time and effort into developing their search engine optimisation (SEO) plan.

With the increasing digital consumption, it is more important than ever to work out a good digital marketing plan for success. To do that, you need a powerful creative agency behind you to generate leads and sales for your business. So what’s considered a great marketing agency? We present to you our list of the top 10 creative marketing agencies in Singapore.

1. Dentsu Aegis Network

We are Dentsu Aegis Network
Dentsu Aegis Network

Dentsu Aegis Network is a global marketing agency that understands how the digital economy has changed the way consumers shop. With constant innovation, Dentsu has worked with big brands including Disney Studios and Coca Cola, amongst others. Using the advancements in technology to their advantage, Dentsu has become a prime example of what a good creative marketing agency should strive to be.

2. Publicis Group

Publicis Singapore - IAB Southeast Asia & India
Publicis Groupe Singapore

Named after the French word for ‘advertising’, Publicis Group has since extended its reach to Asia where its influence can be felt in Singapore. With more than 330 offices in over 110 countries, Publicis definitely deserves its title of the world’s third largest communication group. Well-known agency Saatchi & Saatchi is in fact also part of the Publicis Group!

3. ActMedia Singapore

ActMedia Singapore Pte Ltd | LinkedIn
ActMedia Singapore

ActMedia Singapore won the Asia-Pacific Digital Marketing Awards 2018 for its work with Clinique SG. They are known for their online-to-offline (O2O) strategy, which was created to adapt to the changes in consumer behaviour and retail marketing. With such a revolutionary branding and marketing strategy, ActMedia has solidified their positioning in the industry.

4. Clickr Media

Clickr Media Singapore
Clickr Media

Boasting a client retention rate of 80% and a client satisfaction rate of 96%, Clickr no doubt deserves the success it’s built over the past decade. From a mere startup to working with over 300 clients, which include over 2000 campaigns launched around the world, Clickr stresses the importance of intimately understanding their clients’ businesses and goals before discussing the right strategy to take on.

5. Visibiliti

Visibiliti Pte Ltd - Singapore
Visibiliti Pte Ltd

Sometimes the way an agency markets itself speaks about their business just as much as their portfolio does. With a distinct brand logo that captures the eyes of potential consumers, Visibiliti does just as its name suggests. By helping their clients to gain visibility, Visbiliti has gained a reputation for its marketing strategy that is equal parts creative and equal parts effective.

6. Havas Media

Havas - AM Marketing, Media, Advertising News in MENA
Havas Media

Their works can perhaps be glimpsed in various corners of the internet — and that is what speaks to their success as a creative marketing agency. Seen the KIA ad for their new car model? Or the Puma Holograms advert? Those are the works of Havas Media. Holding a firm belief in creating meaningful connections, Havas Media seeks to improve themselves with every project that they embark on.

7. Amber Creative

Digital Marketing Agency | Web & App Design Singapore
Amber Creative

Largely specialising in web development and design, Amber Creative has helped many companies with their services, targeting a young and savvy demographic with their contemporary and aesthetic design. Although having been around for only a few years, they boast an incredible portfolio and has had their clients praise their work.

8. J. Walter Thompson Singapore

Singapore Media Awards

With 150 years of brand building and marketing history under their belt, J Walter Thompson is not an agency to be overlooked. They aim to create magic everyday through the collision of technology and ideas, which is perhaps what makes them stand out so much amongst numerous other agencies fighting to have their voice heard.

9. Impossible Marketing

Impossible Marketing New Logo
Impossible Marketing

Impossible Marketing has been known to be the best of their line with their track record of bringing clients to the top of the results in the search engine. Getting an increase in traffic volume and lead generation is bound to be a guarantee when working with them. Did you know they also offer courses that can be absorbed by SkillsFuture credits?

10. MIU LLP

MIU Singapore
MIU LLP

Despite being fairly new to the industry, MIU boasts a history of successful campaigns with their clients, who have all seen immense results in their traffic growth, SEO and outreach. With many packages to choose from, including our epic SEO package and unlimited packaging design, MIU offers a plethora of benefits that you would not be able to find in another agency. Thorough and meticulous, we believe in giving our clients the best — whatever that may entail. From digital strategy, to branding, to PR and communications, MIU has got your back. Ready to start your marketing journey? Click here for a free consultation and let our work convince you.

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4 Simple Steps to Run an Effective Content Marketing Campaign

4 Simple Steps to Run an Effective Content Marketing Campaign

Does the perfect content marketing campaign exist?

There are different branches of marketing, all of which are various ways a business can promote themselves. From branding, to advertising, to content marketing, these methods are all valid ways for a business to reach their intended audience.

Different Types of Content for Content Marketing
What exactly is content marketing? (Source: Aspiration Marketing)

Content marketing is a simple way for brands to attract and retain their targeted audience by creating their own content to generate interest in their own brand. Though simple, this method of marketing can be powerful and effective as it allows the brand to create its own narrative. Content can come in all forms—blogs, infographics, videos, or more.

How exactly does content marketing help promote a brand? Well, you’re asking the right questions. When a brand creates its own content, they are indirectly building an audience – one that has vested interest in the product or service that the business is offering. What’s more, they can also use their content to educate the same audience about their own product or service.

This not only establishes confidence in the brand—because you will sound like you know what you’re talking about, thus proving your knowledge and expertise in the field—but also inspires loyalty amongst your audience.

This is where content marketing agencies come in. These agencies are able to produce and share content on your behalf, with your intended audience in mind and the goal to turn them into loyal customers. With their knowledge of digital marketing and more, they are able to readily and efficiently get their content to reach as wide an audience as possible.

Evolve Digitas - SIngapore Digital Strategy Agency - Agency Spotter
We would like to aspire to these agencies please! (Source: AgencySpotter)

There are many content agencies in Singapore, but what sets apart the top few from the rest are their content marketing plans and strategies. Top content agencies like MediaOne, Click2view, and Evolve Digitas are the cream of the crop due to their meticulous step-by-step planning.

So how do you run an effective content marketing campaign? Content marketing is one of the most important channels of digital marketing, and we at MIU understand that. With our expertise in marketing, we understand the importance of distributing the right content to captivate your target audience. Just like the aforementioned content agencies, we also have a clear plan in mind for when it comes to devising the perfect content marketing strategy for our clients.

1. Determine your goals

Science Says Only 8 Percent of People Actually Achieve Their Goals. Here Are 7 Things They Do Differently | Inc.com
Aim for the sky! (Source: Inc.)

The first step to effective content marketing is having a concrete plan. What is your goal, and what are the steps you’ll take to achieve it? Who is your target audience? These questions will help you figure out what kind of content you should put out. 

2. Understand your target audience

It is important to create a buyer persona so that you can easily understand what kind of content your target audience might enjoy. That said, it is also important to research the other types of content that are already out there—how can you differentiate yourself from your competitors? This is the key to really making your brand stand out to your audience.

3. Decide what type of content to put out

Now that you know what your goals are, and who your target audience is, the next step is to decide what kind of content would best help you to achieve those goals. Would the information be better showcased via an infographic? A book? Would your target audience prefer consuming content through reading blog articles, or watching videos? These considerations would all go towards tweaking your content marketing strategy to improve its effectiveness.

4. Monitor your content marketing progress

9 Web Analytics Metrics You Need to Know
Keep close track of your analytics (Source: WebSolutions)

Besides considering what kind of content to put out, it is important to keep track of and analyse how the content is doing. Having a content management system in place will help you to do so, so you have an idea if you’re on the right track. That way, you can continuously refine and improve on the content that you’re putting out.

With that said, it may not always be easy to run a successful content marketing campaign. This is where you might want to consult an expert to help you plan out your strategy. From web development to search engine optimisation (SEO), MIU believes that a well thought-out content marketing strategy is the first step to boosting your brand. Want to further your brand with a content marketing campaign? Look no further.