Tag Archive for: people

The Podcast Explosion

            Many of you have probably heard of podcasts, but do you know what they are? Podcasts are digital audio files made available on the internet for downloading to a computer or mobile device. Typically, they are available as a series, where new installments can be received automatically by subscribers. Podcasts have blown up over the last few years. Podcasts have become a mainstream, accessible, and easily digestible way to engage with stories and ideas. In this blog, we will be discussing all things podcasts. We will talk about why we listen to some of the best podcasts out there.

Statistics

Podcast 1

            Within the last three years, podcast listeners have grown 37.5%. 43% of people in the US listen to podcasts, with 75% of Americans being familiar with podcasts. On average, people who listen to podcasts listen to about 6 of them per week. So, who makes up the active listeners of podcasts? 44% of listeners are millennials, while Gen X makes up 33% of listeners, Baby Boomers make up 16%, and Gen Z makes up 7% of listeners. Lastly, males listen to podcasts slightly more than females. Out of all active listeners, 56% are male, and 44% are female.

Why We Listen

Podcast 2

            It has become easy to access podcasts daily. The podcast boom’s cause is three things; the ubiquity of smartphones, time spent in transit, and online music services. It is easier to multitask to podcasts than any other medium, bringing a dose of productivity to any part of your daily routine. Podcasts attribute to the brain-stimulating and addictive effects of audio learning. Another reason that podcasts are so popular is that it is unlike radio. Podcasts are listened to as much at home as when out and about. It has become mainstream to listen to while doing household chores, cooking, working out, and many other activities. Lastly, there is a podcast for everything. No matter your interests, you will be able to find a podcast perfect for you.

Popular Podcasts

Podcast 3

            I wanted to share with you some of the most popular podcasts and podcast genres. Comedy is the most popular genre, with 2 Dope Queens, The Joe Rogan Experience, and WTF hosted by Marc Maron being the most successful. The next biggest genre is education. The top podcasts in this genre are TED Radio Hour, Freakanomics Radio, and Radiolab. News is a big genre with The Daily, Up First NPR, and Serial leading the way. Then we have my favorite genre, sports! Pardon My Take (my favorite), Fantasy Focus Football, and 30 for 30 ESPN are some of the most popular podcasts out there. Lastly, gaming is a hugely successful genre. Game Scoop, Giant Bombcast, and Fireteam Chat are some of the most well-known in the genre. I could go on and on about podcast genres, but we would be here for days.

What is to Come?

Spotify

            Podcasts are going to continue growing in popularity. The percentage of people who actively listen to podcasts has increased significantly in the last three years. It hasn’t only been growing with millennials but in people 55+, which increased by 29% last year. Podcasts have become popular on all music streaming platforms. For example, Spotify spent over 400 million dollars on podcasted-related acquisitions. Spotify is only the beginning. As podcasts become more popular, more large purchases will take place. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend you start to listen to them!

Aroma Putty Product Highlight

Every year there always seems to be a few trends that blow up. Recently, popular trends have started over social media, so when we found one that didn’t have anything to do with social media, we thought we would cover it. It is called Aroma Putty. 

Putty 1

What is Aroma Putty

Aroma Putty is a silly putty that is scented. The putty is a tad more complicated than just good-smelling putty. Anyone can use Aroma Putty. The putty attempts to reach an older demographic. Since toy stores are closed, impulse purchases are at an all-time low. The power of children to influence their parents to purchase something is essentially non-existent. Aroma Putty rebranded to show how it can help kids who had their schools, activities, or summer camps shuttered with stress relief and focus. It can cater to parents by having more adult scents like rosemary, rose flower, and mint. 

Crazy Aaron

How has Aroma Putty Grown 

Shockingly, Aroma Putty has been able to grow during these challenging times. Small companies that sell Aroma Putty have been able to connect with retailers that they would not have been able to in the past. In the past, there were large conferences held so that companies could sell their product to retailers. Some smaller companies may not have been able to afford the travel needed to attend the Conferences. Now that everything is online, it provides the companies the opportunity to meet the retailers virtually. 

A company that has been using these challenging times to its advantage is Crazy Aarons. They have been sending samples to potential buyers, and packages are delivered straight to potential customer’s homes. They do this because it grants an opportunity to get the toy in a child or adult’s hand at a low price. It has worked because when the putty reaches potential customers, they fall in love with it and see all the potential benefits mentioned above. 

Putty 3

Product Highlight: Crayola Relaxation Aroma Putty 

Crayola’s Aroma Putty use is as a fidgeting and relaxation gift. By squishing and stretching the putty, it releases the soothing scents. The scents from the putty; simultaneously invigorating and calming your senses. The putty helps to satisfy the need to knead or fidget. Besides providing aromatherapy, why else is this product a good purchase? The putty is also safe, non-toxic, and doesn’t leave residue on hands. The product is good to keep in mind if you are buying the putty for young kids. The putty also comes in a reusable and portable package. Lastly, the putty comes in many different scents. Some of those scents are lavender, frankincense, clove, coconut, tea tree, chamomile, lemongrass, orange, spiced apple, eucalyptus, peppermint, and cinnamon. 

Aroma Putty has become such a success because it is more than just a toy. It has been able to provide health benefits to people everywhere, no matter the age. Will aroma putty be successful in the long run, or is it just a trend that will die out? I am not sure, but if I had to guess, I think it will stick around for a while!

Why Does Branding Exist?

People have many different meanings of the word “branding.” People don’t realize that a brand exists only in the mind of the customer. Branding is a marketing practice where a company creates a name, symbol, or design that makes a COMPANY identifiable. A brand is not a tangible object a company is!        

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Customer’s Impression

Branding exists because a brand can make a memorable impression on consumers and allows customers and clients to know what to expect from a company. The brand is the total of all viewpoints a customer has about a company. Let’s take a deeper dive into the importance of branding.

Everything a company does affects how people view the company. Every interaction sends a message. It is the company’s job to make sure all messages support the brand’s strategy and image. Branding is critical to a business’s success since it changes how people perceive the company. When branding is done correctly, it will drive new business and increase brand awareness.

Vision

Branding Vision

Branding also can unite an audience. People become more committed to a brand if they believe they share the same goals and visions. A great example of this is Gatorade. Gatorade uses professional athletes to promote their products. Why do you think they do this? Children and teenagers are typically the people consuming Gatorade. When they see professional athletes drinking Gatorade, it changes the perception of being a sugar-filled drink to a drink that helps athletes refuel. It creates the vision of “If I drink Gatorade, I can become a professional athlete.” The brand Gatorade is seen as a sports drink that helps athletes perform better. While the company, Gatorade is honestly just another juice company.

As shown above, the way a company brands can create trust within the marketplace. If brands have a positive reception, it can increase a company’s business value by providing more leverage in the industry. Employees who work for companies with successful branding can see improvements in their pride, satisfaction, and work efficiency. Successful branding affects more than just the consumer. It can create a better workplace and create new opportunities in the industry.

How We Can Help

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Proper branding makes a company’s product more than just a sum of its parts. People make decisions based on more than product features.  A brand’s purpose and goal can help them stand out. At Wenning Branding, we pride ourselves on making brands stand out. Whether it is through fulfillment boxes or social media campaigns, we can help with anything!

Complete the form below and let us know how Wenning Branding can help your branding needs!