By Vicki Matranga, Design Program Coordinator
Learn how to develop and launch the right products for the right customer—with the right methods!
The four days of the 2014 International Home + Housewares Show will be packed with events as well as educational sessions. In these final weeks before the Show, we preview presentations that will take place in the Innovation Theater in the Lakeside Center.
Today we are speaking with Jason Puckett of SocialKaty, a young company that creates content and communities across varied social media platforms.Learn the latest in this vital area and be sure to mark this program on your Show schedule.
Using Social Media Content to Promote Your Consumer Product
Monday, March 17, 12:30 – 1:20 pm
Innovation Theater, Lakeside Center, E350
Jason A. Puckett, content and social media marketing strategist at Chicago-based SocialKaty, works with a high-energy team to help clients launch new products and design impactful campaigns that engage audiences to build brands. Established in August 2010, SocialKaty works in all online platforms to create campaigns that combine custom content generation and distribution, user-generated content, advertising and analytics to connect with consumers.
Jason, what is the most exciting or rewarding part of your job? What inspires your passion in your work?
The most exciting part about my job is the “newness” that social media brings on a daily basis. The environment is ever-changing. I love marketing and all the principles behind building a brand. Combine the elements of consumer branding with something that keeps you on your toes, and I’ll be happy for a long time.
My passion is inspired by my own life-experiences as a consumer. I am a very critical consumer; I judge brands and their media content with a very close eye. When I create marketing campaigns that Jason Puckett the consumer would engage with, then I think it’s going to be a successful marketing initiative.
In the past few years, what has changed most in your business? How has your company met these challenges in the way you do your work?
As a social media marketer, we need to adapt consistently in two major ways:
- With the fickle minds of the user and what they perceive as a good source of content. We see some social media outlets come and go. We need to be current with the trends and make sure we take advantage of every opportunity to present what’s “Cool” to consumers in the areas that currently drive a lot of traffic.
- With the fickle minds of the social media outlets themselves. Facebook & Twitter are always changing. They are adapting their platforms and we need to change with them. Staying current with the technology changes is probably most important. This means dedicating time to monitoring and investigating these changes.
Why did you choose to speak at the International Home + Housewares Show?
I have executed many successful campaigns for our clients in the housewares space. However, this is an industry that is not particularly advanced on the social media “adoption curve.” I wanted to speak at the Show in order to educate business owners and marketers on the benefits that a comprehensive social media content strategy can provide. I also wanted to provide some pointers and ways to get started.
Tell us what you will be speaking about and how and this topic is important for Show audiences.
We have a process at SocialKaty that we use for our consumer branded clients. This process is referred to as the “Content Engine.” I will provide a checklist related to social media content strategies that all marketers need to complete prior to the launch of any new product or product line.
This is your first time presenting at our Theater. What are you looking forward to most from speaking at the Innovation Theater?
Learning from the other speakers and meeting some great people!
What do you see as consumers’ biggest concerns regarding housewares products?
Product design! Lots of manufacturers can make things that are inexpensive… but Jason Puckett the consumer wants something that stands out and does something different. If you are already providing this “different” product, how is the brand going to get my attention?
What are some of today’s trends or issues that new product development professionals and/or retailers face in the housewares market?
Consumers used to be concerned with getting their products at the lowest possible cost. Retailers adhered to this mentality. Manufacturers adapted production methods that drove down the overall prices, essentially commoditizing the product. Now that most manufacturers have achieved this, product features and design are the main differentiators. The biggest issue I see in the space is “How do product development teams invest in R&D to come up with these cool differentiators but still keep price low?” It’s definitely a challenge.
Thank you, Jason, for introducing yourself and your practice to us. The number of social media platforms, their varied uses and audiences and the tracking metrics can be dizzying. We look forward to stepping into the rapids with you to navigate the waters of this swirling media environment. Learn from Jason Puckett of SocialKaty at the Innovation Theater on Monday, March 17 at 12:30 pm.
Twitter: @DJ_PUCK
Email: jpuckett@socialkaty.com
