Ahmad Kareh

As humans, we are naturally drawn toward a good story. This is especially true of consumers: They want to understand how a product or service has helped someone else, to see how it might help them.

When your brand partners with multiple agencies, it can be difficult to see where each party fits in. This can lead to conflicting decisions and even arguments over who does what and when.

Storytelling is a critical skill for marketers. A good story, well told, can draw an audience in and give them a sense of personal connection with the teller. The ability to spin a good yarn often sets high-achieving marketers apart from their peers. Many people are natural storytellers, but even those who aren’t can learn this important skill.

Not long ago, Nike unleashed a controversial campaign featuring former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Many questioned Nike’s choice due to Kaepernick kneeling during the national anthem a couple years ago, which had caused an uproar throughout the NFL and U.S.

From Kendall Jenner's highly controversial 2017 Pepsi "protest" ad to Jack in the Box's recent spot featuring genital jokes in the workplace, ad agencies have, over the years, made a lot of tone-deaf blunders. Today's socially conscious consumers expect authentically diverse experiences portrayed in the media, and they're becoming less and less forgiving when brands rely on stereotypes or offensive humor to sell their products.

Marketing was once viewed as a "one size fits all" activity, where businesses broadcast the same message to every single customer. In recent years, marketers have gained access to a wealth of individual consumer data and insights, making it easier to personalize their efforts for maximum effectiveness.

If your business is looking to switch up its marketing efforts, you may have considered building a team in-house. This seems to be the new trend in marketing, as companies such as Unilever and P&G are leaving agency life behind to start their own in-house teams.

Getting legitimate followers on social media -- especially Instagram -- is a tough thing to do. It often requires tools, patience and a lot of monitoring and resources. This helps preserve the account while making sure it doesn't fall victim to an army of follower bots.

There's been a lot of industry talk recently around diversity and inclusion. And rightfully so: Having a diverse team is important for many reasons, including the ability to envision, discuss and brainstorm ideas or campaigns from many different perspectives. But there's more work that needs to be done to balance out the playing field.

Apps were created to make our lives easier and more organized, and in many ways they do. Apps help to make work more efficient, and this is especially true for public relations, where there's a constant juggling of clients, clips and collaboration.