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Published Date: 2022/12/13

5 Trending Marketing Keywords: December 2022

 

As traditional methods like pricing strategies and quality improvements struggle to differentiate products, words exploring new revenue models are gaining prominence. The "recurring" model, which leverages technology—particularly in the gaming market—to generate ongoing revenue after product sales, is drawing attention. Meanwhile, the "process economy," which sells the creation process or background of content, is also growing in recognition. This article introduces five trending words currently making waves from daily news. We hope you find them useful as hints for your future business and marketing efforts.


 

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"Sobercurious": A New Trend Among Gen Z Born from Diverse Values

 

"Sobercurious" refers to deliberately choosing not to drink alcohol. This coined term combines "sober" and "curious," representing a trend said to have spread among young people in Europe and America. It's not about "wanting to drink but resisting," but rather choosing not to drink out of a positive desire to "do what's good for my mind and body." This rational mindset is permeating as one of diverse values, particularly among Generation Z, and hashtags like "#sober" are increasingly visible on social media. Product development targeting sober curious consumers, such as non-alcoholic beverages and low-alcohol drinks, is also thriving. It appears poised to become a key keyword for future market expansion.

While subscription services have gained popularity in recent years, "recurring" business models are also drawing attention as a similar approach. This method focuses on generating ongoing revenue rather than one-time sales. A prime example is printer manufacturers offering ink or toner replacement/refill services after selling the printer itself. Unlike subscription services, which typically involve a fixed fee, recurring models are characterized by usage-based pricing where costs vary depending on consumption. Recently, it has been adopted in SaaS services and incorporated into online games to encourage additional purchases of new features or characters. Its major advantage is revenue stabilization. After assessing its compatibility with your own business, why not consider implementing it?

The "Process Economy," a concept that gained attention after related books were published. It's a business model that generates revenue not only from finished products like goods and services but also by packaging and selling the creation process itself. Methods like providing behind-the-scenes content on company websites or social media are increasing. Audition programs for idol groups, which have gained attention in recent years, are also examples. A globally popular male idol group gained many fans by publicly sharing their practice sessions and songwriting process, showcasing their growth. The Process Economy, where eliciting audience empathy is key, also pairs well with new monetization methods like crowdfunding. It proves effective in an era where differentiation based solely on product quality (output) is difficult.

Articles related to the Process Economy covered in Dentsu-ho can be found here

 


 

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Preventing Mistakes and Minimizing Damage: "Foolproof/Fail-Safe"for Daily Operational Risk Management

 

As many companies explore measures to prevent human error, the concept of "Foolproof" is gaining importance. Originally a term from safety engineering, it refers to countermeasures designed to prevent accidents. Examples include washing machines that won't operate unless the lid is closed, or cars whose engines won't start unless the brakes are pressed. A similar term is "fail-safe," which refers to measures that minimize the impact if an error occurs. An elevator that detects a person and opens its doors mid-close is an example. Such safety preparations are also crucial in business. Small mistakes can sometimes lead to significant losses. While safety is obviously a key concern, this concept can also be applied to daily operations.

 


 

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Real-Time Collaboration: Tools Enabling Online "Collaboration" with Others

 

As we enter the era of living with COVID-19, working styles that enable tasks to be performed without face-to-face meetings have become widespread. Driving this trend are "real-time collaboration" tools. These include tools that, in addition to communication features like chat, enable information sharing of files and tasks, as well as collaborative editing platforms where multiple people can work simultaneously. The key lies in whether "collaboration" can be achieved online with comfort comparable to face-to-face interaction. This will be crucial when developing and introducing new tools in business to enhance productivity. Recently, services enabling real-time experience sharing have also gained popularity. Considering these needs will likely become an indispensable perspective for future business.


 

We've introduced five buzzwords currently generating buzz. As consumption trends shift from "things" to "experiences," the prominence of keywords like "process economy" and "real-time collaboration" is telling. It reflects how people now value not just the product itself, but the experiences derived from it and the stories shaping the product.

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