Connecting Global A&D Marketers with Industry Insights

Aviation Week Network’s A&D Marketing Insights Report

Aviation Week Network has produced a well-rounded, fact-based portrait of the A&D marketing landscape to help marketers and buyers make informed decisions about marketing objectives, plans, and solutions. This comprehensive report captures the current state of affairs, upcoming trends, best practices, and forward-thinking insights as viewed through the lens of A&D marketers and buyers. Below on the Storyscape is a summary of the topics from the report that matter most to marketers – with an opportunity to take a deeper dive by downloading each chapter.

Common Hurdles Today’s Marketers Face
Common Hurdles
The challenge of getting the right message, to the right audience, at the right time.
Marketing Spend and Audience Preferences
Marketing Spend & Audience Preferences
Where are marketers and media buyers spending their money?
Following the Marketing Trend
Following the Market Trend
What's really working and not working for the A&D market?
The Importance of Accountability
The Importance of Accountability
Measuring success and proving ROI

CHAPTER 1

Common Hurdles Today’s Marketers Face

The single greatest challenge today’s marketers face — The “Big Cs”
Community, Content, and Channels

Many of these common themes fit into three categories — the “Big Cs” —Community, Content, and Channels. These “Big Cs” represent key factors that together comprise the colossal challenge of getting the right message to the right audience at the right time.

  • Who is my target audience?
  • My content is good, so why is no one engaging?
  • Am I producing enough content? Is the content that I do produce engaging?
  • How can I prove its direct link to sales returns?
Community
Community
Defining your target audience is the first step in building your marketing plan, while aligning your goals and making sure you focus on quality over quantity. Leverage our defined audience of 1.7 million global A&D professionals across all markets, titles and job functions. We offer geo-targeting, audience extension and list rental opportunities.
Content
Content
Producing content is difficult, but producing ENGAGING content is even harder! We have industry experts who produce content that will engage your audience. From content creation to distribution channels, we have turn-key solutions for your content marketing needs. Ask about our content syndication programs – and the results behind them!
Channels
Channels
Aligning your message with your targeted audience is key, but reaching them with the right channels is just as important. We have channels that span from traditional advertising to custom newsletters and even in-person events!

Many of these common themes fit into three categories — the “Big Cs” —Community, Content, and Channels. These “Big Cs” represent key factors that together comprise the colossal challenge of getting the right message to the right audience at the right time.

Community

Content

Channels

  • Who is my target audience?
  • My content is good, so why is no one engaging?
  • Am I producing enough content? Is the content that I do produce engaging?
  • How can I prove its direct link to sales returns?

The average enterprise buyer’s journey is 70% complete without human intervention, with most interaction happening through digital, social, and mobile. We fully recognize that our customers are now in control of the buying cycle and that what they buy, how they buy, and who they buy from has changed…. Customers no longer move in a sequential way through the marketing sales funnel, but rather create their own personalized path across any stage depending upon their interests.

Thomas Pohl, Senior Director of Marketing at SAP

CHAPTER 2

Where are Marketers and Media Buyers Spending Their Money?

Events, social media, and content marketing won big as three of the top five leveraged marketing areas in 2017. They are also three of the biggest areas where growth is expected in 2018.

Top priorities in 2017 continue to be important in 2018

Social Media Investment
44%
Content Marketing Investment
36%
Events Investment
42%

Events, social media, and content marketing won big as three of the top five leveraged marketing areas in 2017. They are also three of the biggest areas where growth is expected in 2018.

Top priorities in 2017 continue to be important in 2018

Social Media Investment
44%
Content Marketing Investment
36%
Events Investment
42%

Print is also still in the mix with marketers rating it among the most important media channel for business professionals. *

79%

Rely on industry magazine

57%

Rely on industry newsletters

*Source: Aviation Week Network Engine Manufacturer Survey

A Key Growth Challenge for 2018 — Content Marketing

While marketers are convinced that content marketing attracts audiences and is an effective tool for lead conversion, proving its connection to sales returns is difficult. Marketers also struggle with how best to drive traffic to content — recognizing that targeting decision makers with purchasing intent is key, as is reaching them with information they will value.

 

Content marketing is a high-growth area for 2018, with midsize and enterprise companies leveraging it against more traditional disruptive methods.

Top content marketing concerns in 2018

Measuring success/determining ROI
53%
Producing adequate volume of content
38%
Driving traffic to content
35%
Accessing the best audience
32%
Producing engaging content
32%

While marketers are convinced that content marketing attracts audiences and is an effective tool for lead conversion, proving its connection to sales returns is difficult. Marketers also struggle with how best to drive traffic to content — recognizing that targeting decision makers with purchasing intent is key, as is reaching them with information they will value .

Content marketing is a high-growth area for 2018, with midsize and enterprise companies leveraging it against more traditional disruptive methods

Top content marketing concerns in 2018

Measuring success/determining ROI
53%
Producing adequate volume of content
38%
Driving traffic to content
35%
Accessing the best audience
32%
Producing engaging content
32%

CHAPTER 3

Reaching Your Target Audience with the Right “Trend”

With all the trends and predictions for 2018, it’s tempting to reallocate the majority of your marketing spend on content marketing via social media and video. But when it comes to a marketing strategy, one size doesn’t fit all. Your plans and goals have to align with the goals of your customer. Who are you trying the reach? This is what should dictate the medium and channel, not trends. 

3 Valuable Assets of a Media Partner

Effective Audience Reach

With 63% of marketers looking for a media partner who has an effective audience reach, * agencies like Aviation Week Network can help you subsidize research, and give you access to consumer information and audiences that you wouldn’t have otherwise.

63%

Competitive Pricing

54%

Audience Insights/Analytics

49%

Publishers have Behavioral Data and Declared Data to help marketers get very deep and focused. Some third party data feels too general, but publisher’s data allows you to segment your audience, offering an authoritative position.

Scott Harris, Vice President of Sales Enablement at Informa Engage

CHAPTER 4

The Importance of Accountability.
Do You Have the Results to Prove It?

Key Performance Indicator is a term that most markets are familiar with, but may feel its place is secondary in a world where click-to-open rates, page views, and post shares rule the kingdom.

How Marketers Measure Campaign Success

Number of sales leads
46%
Increased gross revenue/sales
39%
Conversions to sales
37%
Increased website traffic
37%
Click through rates, cost/click
36%

Key Performance Indicator is a term that most markets are familiar with, but may feel its place is secondary in a world where click-to-open rates, page views, and post shares rule the kingdom.

How Marketers Measure Campaign Success

Number of sales leads
46%
Increased gross revenue/sales
39%
Conversions to sales
37%
Increased website traffic
37%
Click through rates, cost/click
36%

The Power of a Balanced Marketing Program

Companies that utilize a well-balanced marketing plan are perceived more valuable, engage more, and perform better.  Successful marketers put marketing dollars where audiences live, embracing a multi-channel marketing mix to increase actionable data and prove success.

The multi-channel trend is growing daily

Newsletter open rates
59%
Smartphone usage
17%
Web traffic driven from newsletters
37%

Companies that utilize a well-balanced marketing plan are perceived more valuable, engage more, and perform better.  Successful marketers put marketing dollars where audiences live, embracing a multi-channel marketing mix to increase actionable data and prove success.

The multi-channel trend is growing daily

Newsletter open rates
59%
Smartphone usage
17%
Web traffic driven from newsletters
37%

Our View of the Marketing Landscape Defines Our Vision of the Future

The media realm has undergone a lot of change in the past two decades. Digital has grown more sophisticated, as social media, content marketing, and metrics clamor for more attention. But one thing hasn’t changed; print is still alive and well. External market data* states that B2B print magazines who cover their industries effectively are still rated among the most important media channels for business professionals today.

Our View of the Marketing Landscape Defines Our Vision of the Future

The media realm has undergone a lot of change in the past two decades. Digital has grown more sophisticated, as social media, content marketing, and metrics clamor for more attention. But one thing hasn’t changed; print is still alive and well. External market data* states that B2B print magazines who cover their industries effectively are still rated among the most important media channels for business professionals today.

Copyright 2018 | Informa Engage

ResearchOpportunities include:



  • Brand perception studies


  • Features/functionality preferences


  • Buying patterns


  • Industry salary surveys


  • New product concept surveys


  • Website quick polls


Empower customers to make better decisions and establish thought leadership with actionable research-backed studies.
Event MarketingOpportunities include:



  • Webinars (including Custom Spotlight)


  • Editorial Webinars


  • Personal Learning Video


  • Webinar Key Takeaways


  • Fast Chat


  • In-person events


  • Virtual Events


  • Virtual Round Tables


Captivate your audience with unparalleled engagement through our event marketing offerings.
Direct MarketingOpportunities include:



  • Email Services


  • List Rental Services


  • Audience Extension


Target your audience based on demographics, behaviors or interest, allowing for more personalized messaging.
Lead ServicesOpportunities include:



  • Lead Generation


  • Content Syndication


  • Content Lead Touch


  • Webinar Lead Touch


Drive real results from your audience with lead solutions designed to increase conversations, insights, and customer ROI.
Content MarketingOpportunities include:



  • Custom Content Channel


  • Engagement Center


  • Custom Content Development


  • Custom eNewsletters


  • eBooks


  • Explainer Videos


  • Infographics


  • White Papers


  • Native/Sponsored Content


  • Storyscape


  • Content Multiplier


  • Podcasts


Capture audience attention and generate results through content marketing solutions that entertain, educate, and engage.
AdvertisingOpportunities include:



  • Print display advertising


  • Banner Ads


  • Native Advertising


  • Brand eNewsletter advertising


  • In-article video advertising


Display and/or digital advertisements promote a product, service or brand. Multiple options to build brand awareness and drive user engagement.
Contact Us TodayContact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve your marketing goals.
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