Every week, a new AI tool or digital ad trend seems to take the spotlight. In this data-obsessed marketing era, traditional channels like radio, TV, or billboards can feel like relics of a slower age. Many marketers assume they’re too expensive, too hard to measure, or simply outdated. So what place do tactics like radio, cable, and outdoor boards have in your marketing strategy? And, the age-old question every marketer wonders: should we allocate any dollars to traditional media, or go all-in on digital? I sat down with Brandience VP of Media, Bill Brassine to unpack how these two radically different tactics can work together — and what role they play to “surround the consumer.”

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For years quick-service restaurants (QSRs), have leaned on loyalty programs to drive repeat business. Customer loyalty experiences have moved beyond punch cards and points. Today, loyalty isn’t just about earning rewards, it’s about earning attention and tapping into the consumer’s emotions. Secret menus and gamified challenges are just a few ways that QSRs are finding creative ways to make their loyal customers feel like insiders and not just a customer. The best loyalty programs aren’t just about saving a few dollars anymore; they’re about sharing stories that create lasting connections long after the sale is complete.

Creative doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s shaped by where it shows up, who’s seeing it, and what they’re doing in that moment. And when you start with the right design inputs (audience, medium, and message), that’s when creative actually works.  Context in design refers to the environment, audience, goals, and channels that shape how creative work should look, feel, and function. It’s the foundation that ensures design is not just visually appealing, but strategically aligned.

Keep reading for insights from the Brandience creative team on how to ensure your brand’s creative is aligned with strategy and built to perform.

From “Tomato Girl Summer” to “Office Siren Fall,” it’s easy to feel like you’re chasing a trend train with no brakes. That’s why the Brandience team created Mastering Social for Your Brand, a downloadable one-pager packed with real insights from social strategists who’ve built award-winning campaigns and learned what actually drives engagement. If you’re ready to stop guessing and start connecting, this guide is your shortcut to smarter social.

As of late 2025, the retail and Quick-Service Restaurant (QSR) industries are at a pivotal moment. They aren’t just dabbling in AI anymore; They’re rewiring how discovery, ordering, service, and loyalty work.

With customer expectations rising and competition fierce, brands are searching for new ways to connect with their audience. Generative AI (GenAI) lets brands personalize at scale, compress creative cycles, and turn fragmented data into real-time, one-to-one experiences.

Consumer dining habits aren’t standing still, they’re shifting under the weight of economic pressures, evolving digital behaviors, and changing expectations around convenience. Quick service and sit-down restaurants are at the heart of these changes, serving customers who crave both speed and experience.

Get access to our FREE 2025 Ohio Market Heavy QSR & Sit-Down User Report that breaks down demographics, media usage, restaurant preferences, and market-specific insights across Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, Cleveland, and Toledo.

AI is evolving at lightning speed. From generative models with enhanced reasoning capabilities to hyper-real video generation, it’s easy to feel like you or your team are falling behind. By creating space for testing and exploration, you and your team can build confidence, ask better questions, and think critically about how to use AI responsibly.

Download our FREE workshop template to guide your team through hands-on AI image generation and discover how prompt crafting shapes results.

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The 2025 holiday season is certainly going to be a challenging one for retailers. With slower growth and shifting behaviors, it will be critical to adapt quickly and be strategic with marketing dollars. Holiday shopping timelines are starting earlier than ever, so brands must be ready to engage consumers well before Black Friday. Focusing on mobile, embracing social commerce, and using AI to personalize every interaction will help increase your relevance for a successful holiday season.

In today’s fast-paced, multi-sensory world, brands are constantly seeking ways to stand out and connect with audiences. While visual branding (logos, colors, fonts) has long been a cornerstone of identity, there’s another powerful tool that’s often overlooked: audio branding.

In fast-growing companies, misalignment between Sales, Finance, and Marketing isn’t just common, it’s costly. True growth happens when these teams move in sync, not in silos. It comes when teams, especially Sales, Finance, and Marketing, work in sync.

But too often, these teams operate in silos. Each has its own goals, language, and tools. And while everyone might be doing good work on their own, they’re not necessarily rowing in the same direction.

After decades leading finance and operations and partnering with businesses navigating rapid growth, I’ve seen how these silos hold these organizations back. More importantly, I’ve seen what it takes to break them down.