Unleashing the might of AI tools (beyond our good friend Chat GPT) can revolutionize your profession, supercharge your methods, and—dare we say it?—make your life a little easier. But, as Uncle Ben wisely warned Spiderman, “With great power comes great responsibility.”

Over the next few weeks, I’ll chat with industry experts to uncover their thoughts on these tools and how to wield their power ethically and effectively.

Kicking off this series, I sat down with Dania Aguayo, a Multicultural Strategy Specialist, who shared her insights on how AI tools can support strategists and the potential speed bumps to watch out for.

Watch the interview and let us know your thoughts.

The post “Multicultural Marketing & AI: Are We Doing It Right?” appeared first on DCoded Space.

Just imagine it: the Red Viper of Dorne as your brand ambassador, leaving a trail of smitten fans in his wake…

Suppose you’ve managed to avoid the tidal wave of Pedro Pascal’s charm, talent, and downright likability. In that case, you may be living under a rock. However, the advertising landscape still needs positive and diverse representation in a country practically brimming with diversity. If you’re still scratching your head as to why, it’s time to wake up and smell the cafecito. 

I’m not saying that every brand should have Pedro Pascal as its ambassador (although I wouldn’t complain if that happened.) The real message here is that up-and-coming Hispanic celebrities are often overlooked because they don’t meet E-Score standards, have millions of followers on social media, or simply because not enough people at the company have heard of them. And yes, I am speaking from experience, as I have always been a Pedro stan!

Now, you may be thinking, “But how do I find my own Pedro Pascal?” And that’s a fair question. The answer is simple: Lean into your Multicultural Specialist to bring you options whose talent and charisma transcend cultural boundaries. Finding talent with the potential to grow your brand’s appeal and footprint is a skill that takes practice, but hey, no one said marketing was easy.

Have any thoughts, comments, or questions? Leave them below or send me a message. I’m always happy to chat!

The post “Pedro Pascal: From up-and-coming Hispanic Actor to Internet Zaddy!” appeared first on DCoded Space.

What Happens Every Year

Some of us travel, and some of us stay home and host. We prepare elaborate meals and look forward to having a feast full of joy and memories that will last for a lifetime. That is until we start talking about politics and politicians, and by the time everyone has had a good serving of mashed potatoes and their drink of choice, we find ourselves having an agitated conversation that is rapidly turning into…well, a s*** show!  So here are 3 things you can talk about to reroute those conversations and avoid chaos.

1. The 2022 Worldcup

Yes! This year we will be able to watch Football and Fútbol. The World Cup is hosted in Qatar, and Brazil plays Serbia on November 24th. Brazil is known for being one of the best soccer teams in the world, so the match should be a great game to watch.

2. New Social Media

Regardless of age and interests, many of us have heard of the acquisition of Twitter by Elon Musk and its repercussions. This is causing many Social Media users to look for other platforms where they can express themselves differently. Use this time to explore some of these apps like Mastodon, BeReal, and Discord. If you are one of the few that still haven’t explored TikTok give it a go! Remember, you can always delete the apps that don’t work for you, but this is an excellent time to explore.

3. New Shows
If you are not a fan of Sports or Social Media, TV and Movies are always there for us. During Thanksgiving, we will have a plethora of shows to binge and movies to watch. Starting with Netflix releasing the much-anticipated series  “Wednesday” directed by Tim Burton. This is based on the teenage dark darling Wednesday Addams and her adventures in the Nevermore academy. For the mystery and Psyc-Thrillers fans, Showtime is releasing The Humans, which is centered around a family’s holiday dinner, this is an A24 production, and if you know anything about A24, you know this won’t fail you.

Whether you celebrate the holiday or not, I hope you have a wonderful time with your loved ones this long weekend. On my end, I can say I am grateful for having Dcoded Space as a platform to reach, communicate and engage with each and every single one of you.

The post 3 Conversation Starters To Bring To The Table appeared first on DCoded Space.

The Catalyst

Since the rise of the pandemic in 2020, Buy Now and Pay Later Services (BNPL) such as Afterpay, Klarna, Affirm, and Zip started gaining popularity, especially amongst younger consumers who want to buy goods online but don’t have access to traditional credit. These interest-free loans are accessible via a mobile app linked to a bank account and allow consumers to pay for goods in weekly or monthly installments. Afterpay, one of the most popular BPNL services, doubled its sales in 2021, reporting $22.8 billion, a global increase of 102% over the last year.

The Rise

These frictionless and digital-first apps have made Gen Z and Millennials the top markets for BNPL, with 55% of Gen Z, 49% of Millennials, and 31% of Gen X having used a BNPL service in the past year. However, as inflation continues to impact households and the purchase of everyday items becomes difficult, more Americans are now using these services to pay for goods outside their initial purpose. Groceries, gas, trips and even weddings are now being parsed into installments. In fact, a study conducted by C+R in 2021 revealed that 51% of Americans had used BNPL services, and of those, 56% of them prefer to use Buy Now Pay Later Services to traditional credit cards.

A Global Trend

While the growth of BNPL services in the U.S. is growing rapidly, this could turn into a global trend, with countries like India and Australia experiencing a significant growth in sales and adoption.

In India, it is reported that 22% of all consumers have used one of these services, and sales are nearing the $7 billion mark. This success can be mainly attributed to the lack of access to credit for consumers across the country and the rise of e-commerce after the pandemic.

In Australia, the numbers seem to indicate a slower growth than in India or even the U.S., with a YOY increase of 40%, yet it is important to note that Afterpay has provided services to Australians since 2014, and the company continues to expand in the market.

Things To Consider

As the demand for BPNL services continues to grow, Marketers and brands need to consider these service partners as a critical element on their journey to conversion. Apps like Afterpay, Affirm, and Klarna are not only offering frictionless transactions and convenience in the digital space, but they are also providing flexibility for consumers’ wallets.

The post A New Way to Shop: The Rise of Buy Now Pay Later Services appeared first on DCoded Space.