Live is where it’s at for Omnicom, based on research (and strategy) it’s bringing to Cannes

As thousands of agency folk grab their passports, sunblock and antacids to head to Cannes next week for the annual Lions fest, Omnicom has quietly hammered out its strategy and message it take to the Croisette. That message is, it’s time to capture the myriad opportunities for live — be it live-streaming, sponsorship of live sports, live shopping, etc. 

Digiday has learned of a number of partnerships Omnicom and its various units (Omnicom Media Group, influencer arm Creo, commerce arm Flywheel and its Omni platform) will be announcing next week with major platforms and retail media networks, all with an eye toward better understanding, harnessing and exploiting live opportunities for clients. Several Omnicom executives who spoke with Digiday talked of “the power of live content, conversation and commerce to drive brand growth.”

It’s all based on research Omnicom Media Group conducted that shows live can deliver more for clients thanks to evolving consumer habits and likes. Joanna O’Connell, Omnicom Media Group North America’s chief intelligence officer, spearheaded the research after OMG’s chief product officer Megan Pagliuca ID’ed the topic as one on which to focus. Nearly 1,500 U.S. consumers matched against U.S. Census data were surveyed the last week of April to generate the Rethinking Live study. 

Continue reading this article on digiday.com. Sign up for Digiday newsletters to get the latest on media, marketing and the future of TV.

,Read More

‘I feel disposable’: Confessions of a transgender Target employee after DEI pullback

This story was first published by Digiday sibling ModernRetail

In an email to employees in May, after pulling back on some diversity, equity and inclusion goals, Target’s CEO tried to reassure employees that its values are not up for debate and that it is still a retailer for everyone. Some retail and communications consultants told Modern Retail that the message was vague or failed to directly address the issues the company faces regarding culture and sales.

A similar sentiment is being shared on the store level. In the latest entry in our Confessions series, in which we offer anonymity in exchange for candor, Modern Retail spoke with a transgender Target employee who lives in Texas and has worked for the company for about 10 years. He has been on a leave of absence for mental health purposes since March, which he said is in response to discrimination, the DEI pullback and societal changes after the election of President Trump.

Continue reading this article on digiday.com. Sign up for Digiday newsletters to get the latest on media, marketing and the future of TV.

,Read More