Insights
No fluff.
Just smart thinking.
This is where we cut through the noise. From trends that matter to opinions that challenge the norm, we share insights to help you make better marketing decisions, faster. We believe the best marketing advice doesn’t need a translations guide. Our insights break down what’s happening in brand, digital and communications, and what it means to you.
Why internal comms needs its own strategy
Internal comms was often seen as the poor relation of PR and marketing. A few all-staff emails. A slide on the intranet. Maybe a quarterly town hall…
Why long-term brand visibility is the best hedge against headwinds
Consistent brand visibility builds familiarity, confidence and resilience, making it one of the strongest defences in uncertain markets.
Privacy, first-party data and the future of personalisation
As privacy tightens, first-party data becomes the key to personalisation, balancing trust, relevance and measurable ROI.
Simplicity is the hardest creative skill
Simple creative looks effortless but requires clarity, restraint and confidence to choose what truly matters.
Why consumer caution is a brand opportunity
Cautious consumers reward brands that offer clarity, consistency and confidence, not louder messaging or short-term pressure.
Consumer Duty has changed marketing. Many teams haven’t caught up
Consumer Duty has raised the bar for marketing clarity, forcing teams to focus on understanding not just compliance.
Championing the next generation
Strand is proud to sponsor the Young Achiever Award at the Heart Hertfordshire Hero Awards 2025, recognising under-18s making a difference.
The journey behind the Strand rebrand
Strand was built to bring every strand of marketing together. This rebrand simply makes that visible.
Reddit has overtaken TikTok in UK usage
Reddit’s UK growth shows audiences want depth not just feeds, forcing brands to rethink where influence really happens.
The brief isn’t the problem – the pressure is.
Speed feels efficient but rushed creative underperforms, leading to rework, wasted budget and weaker results.
Why brands are pivoting to creator-led social strategy
Brands are shifting spend to creator-led content as social listening and relevance now shape creative and paid decisions
Why social media feels harder than it used to
Social media feels harder as algorithms limit organic reach. Understand the shift, reset expectations and use social strategically.