Restaurants take a more active role in social media marketing
Implications - Appealing to Gen Z and Millennial customers has been a preoccupation for modern restaurateurs and dining establishments. In addition to updating their offerings, many restaurants are now focusing their attention on providing social media-friendly interiors and events to increase organic marketing and word-of-mouth. Integrating social media into the very fabric of the dining experience suggests that technology has become a strong component of both socializing and consumption.
Workshop Question - How can your brand encourage greater socialization around your products and services?
Trend Themes
1. Social Media-friendly Interiors - The integration of social media into restaurant interiors presents opportunities for businesses to attract a younger audience and increase organic marketing through photo sharing.
2. Gamification of Dining - Creating a dining experience that taps into the gaming world could attract gamers and other young people to try out restaurant experiences they otherwise might have avoided.
3. Visual Social Food Reviews - Apps that encourage people to share visual food reviews on social media align with the trend of food photography and offer new opportunities for businesses to connect with customers.
Industry Implications
1. Restaurant - Restaurants can take advantage of social media-friendly design, gamification, and visual reviews to reach younger audiences and increase their presence on social media.
2. Fast Food - Brands that incorporate social media into their marketing strategy and product offerings, such as using Snapchat filters or creating tray liners that double as keyboard, offer a way to increase social media engagement and broaden appeal to younger audiences.
3. Event Planning - Pop-up events and experiential dining are growing trends that offer unique marketing opportunities for brands to connect with customers, generate buzz, and create shareable content.
