Beyond the Scroll: Why Your Brand Needs Sensory Marketing 🍣🎧👇🏼

Brands embracing the 5 senses, like Rhode, are winning at creating experiences that consumers can relate to.

In a digital landscape saturated with polished noise, consumers are craving something real. Authenticity and genuine connection have become the cornerstones of brand loyalty. This is where sensory marketing steps in, transforming the way we engage with our audiences.

Sensory Marketing: Selling the Experience, Not Just the Product

This strategy transcends traditional marketing by focusing on the holistic experience. It’s about triggering emotions and memories through the strategic use of our five senses: sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste. By creating a multi-sensory environment, brands forge deeper connections, leading to increased brand awareness, enhanced engagement, and ultimately, boosted sales.

Multi-pronged imagery invokes multiple touch points that reinforce resulting in more memorable interactions.

The Power of Sensory Engagement

At its core, sensory marketing aims to:

• Evoke Emotional Connections: Foster a stronger bond between consumers and your brand.

• Create Immersive Experiences: Stimulate multiple senses simultaneously, resulting in richer, more memorable interactions.

• Influence Consumer Behavior: Shape perceptions, preferences, and purchasing decisions through sensory appeal.

• Enhance Brand Perception: Elevate your brand image by creating a distinct sensory identity.

Leading the Sensory Revolution

Several brands are mastering this approach, demonstrating its immense potential:

• Rhode:

• Hailey Bieber's skincare line excels at blending beauty with culinary inspiration. Terms like "Glazing Milk" and "Cinnamon Roll Lip Treatment" create a powerful visual and tactile experience, while their strategic use of social media and collaborations amplifies this sensory appeal.

• Sol de Janeiro:

• This brand leverages scent marketing to its fullest, coupled with vibrant visuals that transport consumers to a tropical paradise. Their ability to convey scent through imagery is a testament to the power of visual sensory marketing.

• Crumbl Cookies:

• Their social media presence is a masterclass in visual and tactile marketing. Close-up shots of their textured cookies generate a strong sense of desire and taste.

• Disney:

• A classic example of multi-sensory mastery, Disney creates immersive experiences through carefully curated sounds, scents, visuals, and tactile elements in their parks, stores, entertainment, and prodcutions.

• Food-Centric Marketing:

• Many brands are now using food related imagery, and terms to describe their products. This creates feelings of nostalgia, and comfort, in the consumer.

• Emerging Trends:

• The rise of e-commerce has spurred innovation in digital sensory experiences. Brands are exploring virtual try-ons, like at Warby Parker, and other technologies to bridge the gap between online and in-person shopping.

Why Embrace Sensory Marketing?

• Emotional Resonance: Sensory experiences forge deeper emotional connections, leading to increased brand loyalty.

• Enhanced Memorability: Multi-sensory interactions are more memorable, boosting brand recall.

• Competitive Differentiation: Sensory marketing allows brands to stand out in a crowded marketplace, creating a unique and impactful identity.

In 2025, and beyond, sensory marketing will be a critical tool for brands seeking to create lasting impressions. It’s not just about selling a product; it’s about crafting an experience that resonates on a deeper, more emotional level. By strategically engaging the senses, your brand can cultivate authentic connections and thrive in an increasingly competitive market.

What's happening in color at New York Fashion Week and how it relates to marketing:

New York Fashion Week is currently happening in Manhattan and showcasing the Autumn/Winter 2025/2026 collections. 

While New York Fashion Week (NYFW) is a major trendsetter, its colors often influence what we see in fashion, design, and even other industries- like marketing.

Here's a breakdown of what's been happening color-wise at NYFW for the Autumn/Winter 2025/2026 season:  

Pantone's Key Insights:

• Blending Familiar and New: This season is all about reimagining classic colors with a contemporary twist. It's not just about inventing new shades, but also about how familiar ones are used in fresh ways.

• Effortless Glamour: The colors have an approachable and accessible feel, with a touch of understated elegance.  

• Authenticity and Meaning: There's a focus on colors that feel authentic and connect to a desire for meaningful living.    

Top Colors from the Runway:

Pantone has identified these standout colors for Autumn/Winter 2025/2026:  

• Lemon Grass: A zesty, lemon-infused green with a sweet, floral note.  

• Brandied Melon: A muted orange with a subtle spice, offering warmth.  

• Lyons Blue: A deep teal with a vintage, luxurious feel.  

• Damson: An intense purple with a contemporary glamour and a vintage vibe.  

• Primrose Pink: A soft, delicate pink that illuminates and enlightens.  

• Winterberry: A rich, sultry red with an indulgent appearance.

• Hot Chocolate: A warm, decadent brown.  

• Chili Oil: A robust, earthy red.  

• Poppy Red: A vibrant and spirited red, full of energy.  

• Bronze Brown: A lustrous golden brown, reminiscent of natural ores.  

Overall Trends:

• Rich and Deep Hues: Expect to see a lot of intense, saturated colors.

• Earthy and Natural Tones: Browns, oranges, and greens that connect to nature are prominent.

• Touches of Vibrancy: Pops of bright colors like yellow and red add energy.

• Balance of Warm and Cool: The palette mixes warm tones like reds and oranges with cool tones like blues and greens

Why This Matters:

NYFW color trends trickle down into many areas:

• Fashion: Obviously, these colors will influence clothing design and what you see in stores.

• Interior Design: Expect to see these colors in furniture, paint, and home decor.  

• Graphic Design: These colors may appear in branding, websites, and marketing materials.

• Beauty: Makeup and hair trends often take cues from fashion week colors.

By paying attention to what's happening at NYFW, you can get a head start on the color trends that will be shaping our world in the coming seasons. What is your favorite color for your brand in Fall 2025/Winter 2026

TikTok Ban and What It Means to You:

**Due to ever-changing political changes- this article may be outdated.

The impending TikTok ban in the United States, set to take effect on January 19, 2025, has significant implications for its 170 million American users. Here's what you need to know and how to prepare:

App Availability and Usage

• TikTok will be removed from Apple's App Store and Google Play Store immediately after the ban.

• Existing users can still access the app on their devices, but new downloads and updates will be prohibited.

• Over time, the app will degrade and eventually become unusable due to lack of updates and support.

Content Preservation

To save your TikTok content:

1. Go to your profile page

2. Tap the menu (three lines) at the top right

3. Select "Settings and privacy" > "Account" > "Download your data"

4. Choose data to download and file format

5. Request data and download when ready (may take a few days)

*Note that downloaded videos with copyrighted music will not include the audio.

Alternative Platforms

Content creators should consider migrating to other platforms:

• Instagram Reels

• YouTube Shorts

• BlueSky

• Neptune

• Lemon8 (owned by Bytedance - so will likely also be banned)

*Note:  When reposting content, remove TikTok watermarks to avoid reduced visibility on new platforms.

Potential Workarounds

• Using a VPN might allow access, but it's unclear how effective this will be.

• Browser access will also be blocked.

Security Concerns

The inability to update the app on 170 million devices poses a significant security risk, potentially making it a target for attackers.

International Context

TikTok is already banned or restricted in several countries, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and India.

Economic Impact

The ban could significantly affect the digital marketing landscape, as TikTok drove over $10 billion in consumer spending last year.

Preparing for the Ban

1. Download and save your TikTok data

2. Migrate content to other platforms

3. Inform your followers about your alternative social media accounts

4. Stay informed about potential legal developments that may affect the ban's implementation

While the future of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain, users should take proactive steps to preserve their content and explore alternative platforms for creating and sharing short-form videos.

Top 10 Marketing Trends For Small Businesses in 2025

In an era of fast-moving technologies and marketing trends changing daily- if not hourly- it's hard to stay abreast, no matter how marketing savvy you are.  As we move into a new year of 2025, with changes big and small, these are our recommendations for the Top 10 Trends in Marketing for 2025.  Go get ‘em!

1. Localized Marketing Becomes More Important

• Focus on hyper-local strategies like targeting specific neighborhoods or communities with geo-targeted ads and personalized promotions. Local SEO will remain critical for visibility in the digital space and in the traditional space- there’s lots of success happening with direct mail and targeted snail mail campaigns.

2. Social e-Commerce Growth

• Leverage platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to enable seamless in-app shopping experiences. Small businesses can use these platforms to showcase products and make purchasing easy- and with a boost- get more sales.

3. AI-Powered Marketing Tools All The Way

• Use affordable AI tools for tasks like email marketing, customer segmentation, and content creation. AI will help small businesses stay competitive without a large marketing team.  Utilize ChatGPT now before it gets to be pay to play.

4. Continuing Video Content Dominance

• Create short, authentic videos to connect with audiences. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts will be key for building brand awareness.

5. Authenticity and Storytelling

• Share your brand’s unique story and values to build trust and emotional connections with customers. Behind-the-scenes content and founder stories resonate well with audiences.  Never underestimate putting yourself out there.

6. Sustainability and Ethical Branding

• Highlight eco-friendly practices, ethical sourcing, and community involvement. Consumers are increasingly choosing brands that align with their values.

7. Voice Search and Conversational Marketing

• Optimize your website and content for voice search. Chatbots and conversational AI can provide real-time support and help small businesses engage with customers 24/7.

8. User-Generated Content (UGC)

• Encourage customers to share photos, reviews, and testimonials. UGC builds credibility and is an affordable way to generate content for social media and websites.

9. Subscription-Based Models

• Explore subscription options for products or services. Offering memberships or recurring services creates predictable revenue streams and strengthens customer loyalty.  Utilize subscription models in Instagram for loyal followers who want access to you.

10. Collaborations and Partnerships

• Partner with other small businesses or local influencers to cross-promote products and services. Collaborative efforts can help reach new audiences while sharing marketing costs.  Collaboration is key!

Does this resonate with you?  Are you already doing these things?  We want to hear from you!  Please let us know at info@xplorcity.com.