This document summarizes trends in marketing, storytelling, and digital culture from August 2016. It discusses how brands must prepare for artificial intelligence by embracing it in their processes. It also describes innovative technologies like an AI chatbot that helps drivers appeal parking tickets, wearable airbag vests for safer skiing, and sidewalk lights that alert distracted smartphone users. The document advocates taking risks to create new experiences for audiences and highlights examples from JP Morgan and Samsung/Nestle collaborations. It concludes by discussing enhanced security and convenience from biometric authentication on bank cards in South Africa.

1. Proudly brought to you by NATIVE VML
August 2016
THETRENDSREPORT

2. A MONTHLY SNAPSHOT OF TRENDS INMARKETING,
STORYTELLINGANDDIGITALCULTURELOCALLYANDABROAD.

3. CREATIVITY
ANDANEW
REALITY

4. We have to accept and appreciate that artificial
intelligence is in the not so distant future.
A.I is coming, the question you should ask
yourself as a brand is “Are we geared up and
equipped to embrace A.I within our processes?”
Adopt or die.

5. Artificial Intelligence Chatbot Lawyer
In London and New York, there is a Chatbot which is
protecting drivers from unwarranted parking ticket
fines.
The program first processes whether an appeal is
possible through a range of questions requiring
answers from consumers (i.e. were the road signs
clearly visible?).After which it will guide users on the
appeal process.
To date, it has overturned 160,000 parking ticket
cases successfully, in favour of the consumers.
READ MORE
Source:theguardian.com

6. Ultimate stand off: Country vs. Technological
advancement
A.I has been met with mixed reactions especially in
Africa, where levels of inequality are at their highest.
In order for artificial intelligence to be incorporated
successfully, the country’s economy needs to create
more jobs at a higher rate than the rate at which A.I is
being introduced and incorporated within
organisations.
Source: mgafrica.com
READ MORE

7. INNOVATION
AND DISRUPTION

8. Disruption is occurring in different sectors and
facets of business and life and better yet, in
consumer spaces in order to enhance consumer
experiences.
Technology is able to create safe environments
while we enjoy our experience of the world, and
even using tech itself to protect us from intrusive
and unwelcome technology.
Be safe.

9. Ski The Slopes With Your Own Wearable Airbag
Vest
These innovative vests aim to enhance
consumer experience, as well as reduce the
possibility of fatal accidents occurring during ski
trips.
“The inflated vest protects the hips, back and
vital organs, and the sensors inside can record
every detail of your trip down the mountain,”-
Valentin Honore’ (In&motion Company Founder)
READ MORE
Source:cnet.com

10. Smartphone User Sidewalk Lights
Distracted tech users are vulnerable to injury,
whether accidental or self-inflicted.
Pedestrian lights are currently being piloted in
Germany and Australia, and are situated on the
pavement. If there is oncoming traffic, the lights
flicker alerting smartphone users to stop.
If successful, rollout will commence in other
parts of Europe and eventually across the world.
READ MORE
Source: trendhunter.com

11. Upgrade your health, from the inside out
Who said drinking your sunscreen is bad for
your health?
UVO has developed an innovative product
which contains all the vitamins, minerals and
super powers involved in protecting human
beings from sunburn.
Its still currently undergoing tests and research
in determining its effectiveness.
READ MORE
Source: theguardian.com

12. Cash Recycling at Mall of Africa
SBV has been instrumental in the development
and implementation of a new cash recycling
system, which invisibly recycles cash throughout
the mall (and is moved virtually undetected).
This dramatically reduces the amount of money
shops carry on hand, in turn making malls that
much safer for shoppers.
READ MORE
Source: sbv.co.za

13. “We have been inundated with calls from property developers interested in
the system because they see the value of SMCR
and its potential to eliminate crime from the retail floor.”
- Shaun Nicholls (SBV’s Executive of Business Transformation)

14. MEDIA
JUJITSU

15. Be brave and take calculated risks because your
audience has high expectations and short
attention spans.
The next examples explore how a car company
and a financial firm wrestle to create new
experiences for its consumers.
Fortune favours the
brave.

16. Future Recruitment Methodology?
The JP Morgan Graduate recruitment program
made a bold move by encouraging graduates to
submit their applications via….SNAPCHAT.
Graduates were required to submit “a series of
10-second ads” which highlight how their newly
acquired skills can be applied working for the
brand.
READ MORE
Source: trendhunter.com

17. CONNECTING THE
UNCONNECTED

18. Connecting consumers to a brand’s ecosystem
is particularly challenging, as it involves
convincing consumers that they should opt to
use your platforms in favour of a plethora of
competitor platforms at their disposal.
Brands that can successfully integrate touch
points to minimise red tape will be ahead of the
curve.
Convenience is key

19. Samsung and Nestle Join Forces
Samsung and Nestle are collaborating to
develop a digital nutrition and health platform
for consumers.
This platform will integrate with wearable tech,
mobile phones and ‘smart homes’, all to
provide accurate, personalised
recommendations on nutrition, lifestyle and
fitness for the individual.
This will give the consumer greater ownership
of their health and enhance their decision
making. Convenient isn’t it?
READ MORE
Source: nestle.com

20. “It will advance our Nutrition, Health and Wellness strategy,
to support people who want to live a healthier lifestyle.”
- Stefan Catsicas, Nestlé Chief Technology Officer.
“Today, we live in an era where the data from sensors
and devices in our daily lives, such as mobile phones, wearables,
and ‘smart’ homes, can help us to understand our nutrition
and activity and to guide us towards a healthier lifestyle.”
- Young Sohn, President and Chief Strategy Officer, Device Solutions, Samsung Electronics.

21. Enhanced security and convenience
The Payments Association of South Africa
(PASA) in conjunction with Visa and Mastercard
have joined forces to incorporate biometric
authentication on bank cards across South
Africa.
With the biometric system, users will simply use
their finger print to authorize payments.
READ MORE
Source: htxt.co.za

22. “The benefits of biometrics are security and convenience…
People find keeping passwords secure and up to date difficult,”
- Taurai Tarugarira, senior director at Visa for sub-
Saharan Africa.

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