Akepa’s Post

“It's a logical thing for a sustainable brand to say, ‘Fuck Black Friday, we're not going to do this,’” says MUD Jeans’ head of marketing, Stephan Zeijlemaker. BUT Black Friday can actually be a good opportunity for purpose-driven brands to make an impact! Turning good intentions into action amid competitive pricing is challenging, especially during the busiest shopping season. Discounts offer a way to reconcile these conflicting feelings, providing an affordable gateway to conscious consumerism. However, discounts aren't the only option available. Take one of my favorite brands JUNGLÜCK for example: Instead of just relying on discounts, they combine attractive offers with social commitment. During its so-called “Glückswoche”, Junglück donates one euro per order to charity. With these campaigns the company founded by Benedikt Klarmann has already been able to build two schools in Malawi 💖 . Interested in finding out why purpose-driven brands shouldn't ignore Black Friday? Read our latest newsroom post, link in first comment 🔽

This year's Black Friday deals may have you upgrading to a newer device, but what should you do with the old one? You too can promote sustainable e-cycling practices this holiday season and may even make some extra cash in the process! Here are 6 solutions for your old device after upgrading: 1. Donate your device to a good cause: there are several charities that accept working older technology devices as donations so you can promote reuse while providing an opportunity for someone in need. 2. Regift the device to a family or friend: giving the device to a friend or family member in need is a very simple way to promote reuse. 3. Trade your device in for cash: Depending on age and functionality, you may be able to trade it in to your mobile provider or to a buy-back company for some extra holiday cash. 4. Resell your device yourself: Use eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and other selling platforms to resell your device quickly. Reselling the device yourself typically leads to more cash than using a trade-in service. 5. Repurpose the device: there are many different ways old tech devices to be repurposed for everyday tasks such as a media PC, surveillance camera, or a back-up server. 6. Recycle your device at a local facility: if your device is obsolete, you can always take it to a local area electronics recycler for proper disposal. This will allow for the raw materials within the device to be reclaimed for future manufacturing. Either way you choose, always be sure to promote sustainable e-cycling practices when it comes to your old devices! Have another idea for what to do old device after upgrading? Drop a comment below! #blackfridaydeals #blackfriday2024 #BlackFridaySales #blackfridayshopping

This morning, my inbox and phone were flooded with reminders that today is Black Friday - as if anyone could possibly not be aware! Somehow Black Friday has ballooned into a week, a month, and scarily I have even heard a brand refer to "Black Season" ! For many small businesses, this period can be overwhelming, with immense pressure to discount deeply and compete with larger retailers. It’s enough to make some despair. So, in search of solace, I turned to the Hubbub website—a true voice of reason amid the chaos. Their support for the #BRIGHTFRIDAY campaign was a breath of fresh air. The campaign encourages businesses to take a stand and do something different today: * Promote buying second-hand or preloved items. * Donate profits to a worthy cause instead of discounting. * Inspire customers to value quality and sustainability over urgency and excess. It reminded me of Patagonia's bold move a few years ago, donating 100% of their Black Friday profits to environmental causes, or REI’s #OptOutside campaign, which encouraged people to step away from the sales frenzy and connect with nature. I have even read about brands that resisted Black Friday by raising their prices—some finding that this counterintuitive strategy led to increased sales! These examples are proof that there are alternatives. For small businesses especially, which often struggle to compete on price, Black Friday can feel like a race to the bottom. But campaigns like #BRIGHTFRIDAY show there’s another path—one that prioritizes people, planet, and purpose over profit. As consumers, too, we have a choice. Let’s support businesses that align with our values and remind ourselves that real impact often comes from conscious changes. How are you navigating Black Friday this year? Are you embracing alternatives like #BRIGHTFRIDAY, or have you seen other inspiring campaigns? #BrightFriday #BlackFri-Nay #EthicalRetail #COLOURFRIDAY #PurposeOverProfit #PlanetOverProfit

The allure of Black Friday deals may be tempting, but have you considered the environmental impact of your clothing choices? 💧 Did you know it takes 2,700 liters of water to produce just one cotton shirt? 🗑️ On average, consumers discard 81.5 lbs of clothing annually, contributing to 11.3 million tons of textile waste. 🌎 Textiles can linger in landfills for over 200 years before decomposing. To lessen your ecological footprint, here are some actionable steps: ♻️ Donate unwanted clothing and recycle items that are beyond repair. 🛍️ Opt for second-hand garments from thrift stores linked to charitable causes, online platforms like buynothingproject.org, or participate in clothing swap events. 👗 Consider renting attire for occasional use; not only is it eco-friendly, but it can also be a budget-friendly choice. Let's make conscious choices to protect our planet by rethinking our approach to fashion consumption. #SustainableFashion #ReduceReuseRecycle

Let's be honest: holiday marketing can feel a bit… icky sometimes. But it doesn't have to be! You can run a successful holiday campaign that aligns with your values and resonates with your audience. 🎯 Here's how: 1. Give Back Campaign: Partner with a charity. A portion of each sale goes to a cause that aligns with your brand. 2. Exclusive Events: Offer a bonus virtual workshop or event for Black Friday buyers. 3. Limited Edition: Release a special product or service, only available on Black Friday. 4. Pay What You Can: Foster goodwill by letting customers set the price for a specific product or service. 5. Value Bundles: Instead of a discount, offer curated bundles packed with value. 6. Personalized Thank Yous: Surprise early buyers with personalized gifts. These strategies prioritize connection and authenticity while keeping your promotions aligned with your brand! By focusing on meaningful engagement rather than flashy discounts, you can create a Black Friday experience that resonates deeply with your audience, drives lasting connections, and showcases your commitment to impact over quick wins. Let this season be a reflection of your brand's true values! #smallbusiness #shoplocal #supportlocalbusinesses #onlinemarketing #thoughtleadership #businesstips #lkn

Don't stress, there's still time! Feeling the festive rush but haven't started your Christmas marketing yet? Don't worry! There's still time to make an impact this holiday season. Whether you're in retail or B2B, it’s crucial to engage your audience and show appreciation to your customers before year-end. Here are some practical ideas to get you started: - Communicate clearly: Keep your opening hours and any changes transparent across all platforms. - Reward loyalty: Focus on customer retention by offering special loyalty benefits. That personal touch can make all the difference. - Engage with newsletters: Use festive newsletters to share news, events, and stories, building stronger relationships with your audience. - Be inclusive: Celebrate diversity and respect all traditions. Show your commitment to inclusivity through your messaging. - Perfect post-purchase: Ensure seamless delivery experiences with clear tracking and personal touches. - Go green: Prioritise sustainability in your packaging and operations to appeal to eco-conscious consumers. - Give back: Fundraise for a charitable cause or organise a community event to boost morale and show brand values. You don’t need a massive budget to make an impact. Just a bit of creativity and a genuine appreciation for your customers. Make sure you end 2024 on a high note - for more insight and tips, read the full blog. You can find the link to it in the comments.

Don't stress, there's still time! Feeling the festive rush but haven't started your Christmas marketing yet? Don't worry! There's still time to make an impact this holiday season. Whether you're in retail or B2B, it’s crucial to engage your audience and show appreciation to your customers before year-end. Here are some practical ideas to get you started: - Communicate clearly: Keep your opening hours and any changes transparent across all platforms. - Reward loyalty: Focus on customer retention by offering special loyalty benefits. That personal touch can make all the difference. - Engage with newsletters: Use festive newsletters to share news, events, and stories, building stronger relationships with your audience. - Be inclusive: Celebrate diversity and respect all traditions. Show your commitment to inclusivity through your messaging. - Perfect post-purchase: Ensure seamless delivery experiences with clear tracking and personal touches. - Go green: Prioritise sustainability in your packaging and operations to appeal to eco-conscious consumers. - Give back: Fundraise for a charitable cause or organise a community event to boost morale and show brand values. You don’t need a massive budget to make an impact. Just a bit of creativity and a genuine appreciation for your customers. Make sure you end 2024 on a high note - for more insight and tips, read the full blog. You can find the link to it in the comments.

Overconsumption One of the biggest issues we see with Black Friday is the culture of overconsumption it fosters. It's a day often focused on impulse buying - purchasing things we don’t really need just because they’re on sale. This mindset not only adds to waste but also detracts from intentional, mindful purchasing. Both of these bring significant issues. Did you know that 80% of products purchased during Black Friday sales are thrown out after only a couple of uses? (Source: Green Alliance) To counter this, we’ve approached Black Friday differently. Rather than broadcasting discounts far and wide to attract impulse buyers, we want to use this opportunity to highlight the social and environmental costs of this sales craze. AND, to avoid overconsumption, we only give you HALF a Discount! So how does that work? Instead of going all-in on discounts or doing nothing, we’re giving you half of one - $30 off until December 3rd. But here’s the twist: we’re matching every monitor purchased with this Black Friday discount by donating $30 to an NGO that can make a real difference. The NGO will be vetted by 1% for the Planet to ensure transparency. The discount code 7XHTD0HVFD2B is valid from today until December 3rd and applies to full-assembled monitors only. You can use the code when doing the checkout in our online shop. Let's #RethinkBlackFriday together! #AirGradient #ConsciousConsumerism #SocialImpact #Sustainability #GiveBack #AirQuality

Believe it or not, Brand Values are integral to marketing success and connecting with customers. Shocking right ? (Sarcasm) 🙃 Brand Values (Capitalisation necessary) represent what a brand and company stand for. ✅ They should, without a doubt, be represented throughout all marketing material and should never be limited to a page on a corporate site.🙄 Brand Values help customers understand what makes this company or brand special, why they are different to their competitors and how they align with customers' wants and needs 😋 And by the way, this isn't a hidden trick. Recently, Companies like Starbucks have been doing this and it's hard not to see their brand value (see what i did there 😏) What Starbucks did: ☕️ In Partnership with the Harry Kane Foundation, Starbucks pledged to donate £500,000, to highlight how human connections can be game-changing for our mental well-being and happiness. This aligns with their ethos of creating a culture of warmth and belonging, not to mention inspiring and nurturing the human spirit. ✨ This partnership aligns perfectly as it amplifies their aim to create a space where people feel welcome and not alone. To create community amongst strangers and coffee lovers alike. 🤷🏻♀️ What brand value-centric marketing campaign have you eyed recently, and what makes it so effective? Comment below 👇 #brandvaluesmatter #brandmarketing #effectivemarketing #customervalueproposition #marketingstudent

Just came across Vinted’s new "Too Many" campaign, and wow, it really hits home! The ad brilliantly highlights how we’re drowning in stuff we don’t need. It’s not just about clothes; it’s a clever nudge to rethink our consumption habits in general. The whole concept by Wolfstreet is genius—reminding us that less is more. Instead of constantly buying new things, why not sell or donate what we don’t use? It’s a win-win: declutter our lives and help the planet at the same time. What really stands out is that the ad’s not preachy; it’s more like a friendly wake-up call. #creativeads #creativemessages