the MSMI Intelligencer report

October, 2023

Brands respond to Israel-Hamas war

The horrific scenes and the heartbreak of the tragic events of the Israel - Hamas war surrounds and affects all of us. News programs, social media, podcasts, radio, and newspapers from all sides are reporting on the destruction, the loss of life and the increasing humanitarian crisis.

How are marketers and Brands responding? Over the past several years, Brands have taken an activist role on a number of issues and consumers have come to expect their Brands to speak up. But several marketing sources are not seeing or hearing that “Brand” voice at this time. Many companies are proceeding cautiously as they struggle internally to find the right tone, the right response for a very complex issue as highlighted in these articles from NYTimes and AdageBrandresponse. A few major global brands, such as Hewlett Packard (HP), CAT, American Eagle, Hyundai, PUMA, and APPLE, have openly expressed their support for Israel. Fashion firms such as Tory Burch, PVH Corp., Authentic Brands Group, and Ralph Lauren are choosing to make humanitarian donations for emergency aid for all victims.

Social media companies in the U.S. and the EU are facing intense scrutiny to step up their efforts to prevent disinformation and remove hateful and violent content. This article from TheVergeIsraelHamasconflict provides a summary of the different content management efforts from major social media companies such as X, Meta, YouTube and TikTok. Politico provides perspective on the contrast between the US lack of power to enforce any guidelines versus the EU’s efforts. PoliticoSocialMediaRegulation

And finally this advice for Brands and companies from Sonia Thompson, a Brand Consultant and Marketing Strategist ThreethingsforBrands.

Advertising Week NYC 2023

Last week, forty MSMI students attended AdvertisingWeekNYC at The PENN District. For four days, students heard from industry leaders, celebs, content creators, entrepreneurs on a variety of marketing and advertising topics. A featured speaker was Fordham alum, Alex Cuevas, SVP, Director of Talent, BBDO Worldwide who discussed the benefits and value of a career in advertising with Chris Beresford-Hill, Ogilvy North America President and Chief Creative Officer. #AWNewYork23.

In other sessions, AI was the hot topic. In particular, the session with Anne Marie Nelson-Bogle (Vice President of YouTube Ads Marketing), Sean Downey (President of Americans & a global partner of Google), and Meghan Johnson (Head of Consumer Experience and Media at Mondelez) on "What AI Can't Do - And What It Can” was a favorite with MSMI attendees. Maria Tullio appreciated that the discussion covered both the capabilities and limitations of AI but noted that “…creativity, empathy, and a big-picture perspective are unique to humans and cannot be replaced by AI.”

Others enjoyed the sessions on unlocking the power of Brands with actionable data and using data to uncover insights into consumer behavior. Although at times, it was a bit overwhelming, it was a great networking opportunity and students found the event to be intriguing, innovative and thought-provoking.

Kickoff - Saturday, November 4

Saturday, November 4, MSMI students have the opportunity to see excitement of a different kind when the Fordham Rams take on the Bucknell Bison. Kick-off is at 1:00 PM and weather permitting, there’s an outdoor tailgate planned with snacks and beverages on the Hughes Hall Terrace at 11:30 AM. Ram vans will take you back and forth from LC to Rose Hill. Don’t miss out,  sign up here and get ready to cheer on the Fordham Rams!

Career News: Dialogues of Influence

The Fordham Graduate Marketing Society (FGMS) is pleased to announce the launch of a new program, Dialogues of Influence. The purpose of these Dialogues is to give you the opportunity to have a virtual one-on-one career discussion with an industry professional. The first session is this Friday, October 27 (1-4PM) with Hana Kalaie Sharan, MSMI ‘20 and now Product Marketing Manager at Amazon 1-4pm. Use the QR code above to sign up for time with her or any of the other sessions through the month of November. Shreya Sakhuja, President of FGMS and her team have worked hard to put together an impressive list of alums that will share insights and provide perspectives about their respective industries.

New2NY

If you haven’t noticed by now, NYC goes a bit batty over pumpkins, gourds, ghouls, goblins and Halloween. Next Tuesday night, the big highlight is the 50th Annual Village Parade, starting at 7 PM. For more info click https://halloween-nyc.com/ When it comes to the macabre, there are plenty of other strange doings throughout the city besides the parade. TimeoutHalloween