Walking into Croke Park, the heart of Irish sports, for the Social Media Conference Dublin, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride. The hallowed halls and the view of the pitch from the conference hall were breathtaking, setting the stage for a day of learning and inspiration.
The Power of Diversity and Innovation
The conference was a showcase of marketing excellence, featuring a panel of thought-provoking speakers. Sina Port from Adidas captivated us with insights on diversity and its place in Adidas marketing, reminding us that understanding and embracing our audience’s diversity is key to impactful campaigns. Louise Ryan’s marketing manager at the SEAI discussion on the importance of social listening and maintaining an authentic tone of voice provided valuable takeaways for engaging with audiences genuinely and effectively.
Donagh Humphreys from Thinkhouse gave an engrossing presentation on crafting monster campaigns using augmented reality (AR), pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in digital marketing.
Niamh MacAuley, the founder of Purple Dot Media, demonstrated how to create engaging promotional video content on a budget, offering a glimpse into the power of in-house video production for storytelling.
Arlene Finn from Galway City Council stole the show for me with her talk on employee-generated content, showcasing a brilliant video featuring Pat McPhilbin from their Litter Management Unit. This presentation highlighted the incredible potential of leveraging internal resources to create authentic and relatable content.
Embracing New Content Forms
A key theme of the conference was the dominance of short-form vertical video content on platforms like TikTok, Reels, and Shorts. This trend presents a challenge for credit unions and other organisations needing to quickly adapt to this content style to engage the Gen Z demographic effectively.
Networking and Learning
I feel a good conference offers a fantastic opportunity to mingle with marketers from various sectors, all sharing a common passion for innovation in marketing. These exchanges underscored the importance of community and shared learning in our field.
Looking Ahead
My anticipation for next year’s conference is already building, with hopes for live audience participation and discussions that further enhance the learning experience. The value of attending such conferences cannot be overstated, as they provide unparalleled opportunities to absorb knowledge from industry leaders and peers alike.
A Call to Action for My Fellow Marketers
I encourage my fellow marketing professionals and anyone eager to learn to seek out conferences and public talks. These events are not just about listening; they are about expanding our horizons, challenging our preconceptions, and embracing new ideas that can revolutionise how we approach marketing.
Let’s take some inspiration from the insights and innovations shared at the Social Media Conference Dublin and strive to apply these lessons to our work, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in marketing today.
