Image Marketing Consultants is currently seeking ambitious, creative, and detail-oriented interns to assist our team for Summer 2022 as a Marketing and Events Intern!
This is a great opportunity to gain experience working with a dynamic, growing marketing agency. Image Marketing is a full-service marketing and PR agency based in Southington, working primarily with clients throughout the U.S. in the retail and lifestyle industries. This intern will have the opportunity to learn the ropes of social media marketing by supporting accounts for clients in the shopping center industry. You will work directly with both our Account Management and Creative teams, with a primary focus on social media copywriting – creating compelling captions/written content for Instagram and Facebook.
We are looking for students who are studying marketing/communications, journalism, creative writing, or another related field and are eager to learn all about the world of social media marketing within an agency environment. You will draft the written copy for social media posts and learn to curate/create engaging visual content, all while learning about brand voice and overall social media strategy. Additionally, you’ll attend a variety of local events including concerts, influencer collaborations, grand openings, TV segments, and more. Our ideal candidate is creative, responsible, self-motivated, and a skilled writer with the proven ability to create compelling content!
This is a semester-long, unpaid internship. Time commitment is flexible and is determined by candidates’ availability.
What You’ll Do
Write compelling captions (and other content as assigned) for social media posts (under the direction of the Account Manager/Creative Director)
Attend a variety of local events assisting with planning and production, content creation, and other tasks as needed
Learn more about the strategy that goes into creating engaging social content, particularly crafting a brand’s tone of voice
Assist our Social Media Account Manager on additional duties as needed (may include research, sourcing visual content, reporting on data, posting content, engaging on social platforms, and administrative duties)
Our Ideal Candidate:
Has a passion for the retail/shopping industry
Lives & breaths social media! Is up-to-date with the latest social trends and best practices; likes to be the first to test out new platforms and features when they launch; follows best-in-class brands to stay inspired and loves to work trending content seamlessly into various campaigns and strategies.
Is a story-teller at heart with a passion for writing and content creation
Is a highly organized self-starter who can work independently
Also has a collaborative attitude and isn’t afraid to jump in to help
Requirements:
Solid understanding of social media platforms (specifically Instagram and Facebook) and best practices
Some knowledge/experience writing for social media platforms
A writing portfolio/sample of content including social media copywriting is a plus
Image Marketing Consultants is currently seeking ambitious, creative, and detail-oriented interns to assist our social media team for the fall 2021 semester as a Social Media Account Assistant!
This is a great opportunity to gain experience working with a dynamic, growing marketing agency. Image Marketing Consultants is a full-service marketing and PR agency based in Plantsville, working primarily with clients throughout the U.S. in the retail and lifestyle industries. This intern will have the opportunity to learn the ropes of social media marketing by supporting accounts for clients in the shopping center industry. You will work directly with both our Account Management and Creative teams, with a primary focus on social media copywriting – creating compelling captions/written content for Instagram and Facebook.
We are looking for students who are studying marketing/communications, journalism, creative writing, or another related field and are eager to learn all about the world of social media marketing within an agency environment. You will draft the written copy for social media posts and learn to curate/create engaging visual content, all while learning about brand voice and overall social media strategy. Our ideal candidate is creative, self-motivated, and a skilled writer with the proven ability to create compelling content!
This is a semester-long, unpaid internship. We are flexible on the time commitment/number of hours per week depending on the candidate’s availability.
What You’ll Do
Write compelling captions (and other content as assigned) for social media posts (under direction of the Account Manager/Creative Director)
Learn more about the strategy that goes into creating engaging social content, particularly crafting a brand’s tone of voice
Assist our Social Media Account Manager on additional duties as needed (may include research, sourcing visual content, reporting on data, posting content, engaging on social platforms, and administrative duties)
Our Ideal Candidate:
Has a passion for the retail/shopping industry
Lives & breaths social media! Is up-to-date with the latest social trends and best practices; likes to be the first to test out new platforms and features when they launch; follows best-in-class brands to stay inspired and loves to work trending content seamlessly into various campaigns and strategies.
Is a story-teller at heart with a passion for writing and content creation
Is a highly organized self-starter who can work independently
Also has a collaborative attitude and isn’t afraid to jump in to help
Requirements:
Solid understanding of social media platforms (specifically Instagram and Facebook) and best practices
Some knowledge/experience writing for social media platforms
A writing portfolio/samples of content including social media copywriting is a plus
To Apply: Please send your resume, cover letter, and any examples of your work (i.e. social media content creation, writing samples) to: info@imagemarketingconsultants.com.
With summer quickly approaching, you’ll want to be up-to-speed on the season’s newest fashion trends. Everyone wants to dress the best, and what better way to feel great about your outfit than incorporating the summer’s biggest trends into your look? Some of the top summer trends we’ll see in 2019 are neon fabrics, animal (and floral) print, fringe (bring on 60’s-chic!), and biker shorts. This summer’s trends are even being combined; think neon biker shorts, floral with fringe, and neon animal print.
The hottest fashion trends are commonly promoted by social media influencers that people admire and look up to for style advice. Why? They’re relatable people who come off as polished with their lives in order. They might even remind us of ourselves a little!
So many people desperately want to dress like celebrities but also fit in with the realness of social media influencers. Trends tend to follow the “trickle-down movement”, meaning that the new styles presented by high fashion brands trickle down to influencers and celebrities to promote before everyday shoppers see them and consider buying into them.
Here are some common summer trends for 2019!
Neon Bright tones of pink, green, orange, yellow, and blue have been seen on the runway recently and are predicted to hit the market this summer. Designer brands such as Gucci, Versace, Moschino, and Armani presented many bright outfits during Fashion Week. This trend is already being advertised in common stores like Express, H&M, Urban Outfitters, and more. Neon has gone in and out of style for numerous decades but is growing more popular this year. How to wear it: Stand out with an all-neon-pink outfit to a concert, or try something more toned down like a simple pair of bright green earrings to spice up your look.
Animal Print Yes, you read that right! Cheetah, snakeskin, zebra. All of your favorite animal prints are back for summer 2019. This time it’s more than just a zebra striped pillow for the couch. Be on the lookout for cheetah print maxi skirts, snakeskin pants, animal print scrunchies (and even jumpsuits). It’s time for statement pieces and chic style. How to wear it: Pair a denim jacket with a leopard print maxi to play off a cool shopping look, or wrap your ponytail with a cheetah print scrunchie. Meow!
Floral Print This trend will always remain a classic and most likely never go out of style. You can’t go wrong with a flowy floral dress on a warm summer day. This elegant trend has reached women’s (and even men’s) fashion lines. Guys don’t need to wear plain colored suits anymore; throw on a floral printed shirt or tie under your suit this summer. Women can purchase floral blouses, jumpsuits, handbags, and even jewelry. How to wear it: Wear a floor-length floral dress to your next summer wedding and tone it down by pairing it with a chunky statement necklace and solid-color sandals.
Fringe This summer trend was worn by many attendees of Coachella ‘19, the kick-off to summer event of the year. Instagram was flooded with outfit posts from the trendy weekend showing the crazy outfits people flaunted. Fringe was already a big hit for spring 2019 and will definitely continue into the summer, seen on bags, skirts, and tops. How to wear it: Look for short sleeved tops with dainty fringe at the sleeves, or rock a suede mini skirt with fringed hems at an outdoor summer festival paired with a plain tee tucked in.
Biker Shorts These shorts aren’t just for cyclists anymore; now they’re a fashion statement that can be worn as a sporty or even fancy look. Kylie Jenner, a well-known celebrity and influencer, has posted her outfits featuring neon biker shorts, creating a rise in the popularity of this summer’s trend. What used to be just worn for athletic comfort has transformed onto the runway and into popular malls and online stores. How to wear it: Pair biker shorts with a tee shirt for a walk on the trail or add a blazer, necklace and sandals for a dressed up lunch on the town.
Shopping Ethically and Locally-Sourced All of these trends can be found in thrift stores and on sustainable clothing websites. Shopping at thrift stores will not only save you money but it helps to save the environment by reusing textiles. By recycling fashion, you’re helping to decrease textile production and waste: the second largest polluter after oil. Purchasing sustainable clothing may be a bit pricier, but your clothes will last longer and have a positive impact on our environment.
It’s time to step out of your comfort zone this summer! Whether you sport your first neon outfit or repurpose thrift shop items into a new, classy style, we encourage you to get creative and step out of the box this year. Buy that pair of shoes you’ve been eyeing on Instagram; they most likely fit into one of these popular 2019 summer trends! Look to influencers for fashion advice, but stay true to you and make that outfit your own. Be confident in the style you choose to wear this summer. That’s how you’ll stand out!
Using celebrities to promote products is no new concept. The rise of Instagram has taken this a step up with the new trend of “influencers“. Influencers on Instagram have tons of followers and promote brands and products for a price to gain more exposure to your company. Social media influencer marketing is on the rise and is changing how we approach marketing. These don’t have to be celebrities; they can be any Instagram user with a good social media standing and a high following. Consumers are starting to trust these brand figures to help determine their purchases. As Forbes puts it, “They [consumers] are no longer convinced by what a brand says about its products; instead, they form their own opinions through information they get from different online and offline platforms.” They can portray your company in a positive light to attract more consumers towards your company.
Importance of Social Media Influencers Influencers are the new wave of marketing. Your business should always be on top of the latest marketing trends, which are always quickly evolving. Since there are so many companies and start-up businesses out there, it can be harder to reach consumers that are interested in your products and services. Social media influencers give additional exposure to your company towards your target market. Your company can benefit from them highlighting your brand to make it shine in growth.
Who to Choose to Promote Your Brand There are different levels of social media influencers to determine the best fit for what your company may need for promotion. While celebrities can be used, micro-influencers are more beneficial for smaller businesses. They have a small follower ratio (10,000 – 200,000) and can be created for the type of niche your business fits into. If your company sells apparel, you should be finding fashion blogger influencers with similar style. They will already have an established loyal follower base that trust their opinions on fashion products.
It is important that the influencers do not have any negative feed. This can end up becoming harmful for your company if you choose to contact an influencer that can have a negative reflection on your company.
Be on the lookout for fake followers. Instagrammers can purchase fake followers to boost their following ratio and make it seem like they are more popular than they actually are. Go through their list of followers to know that the influencer has real people.
Sealing the Deal with Influencers How do you get the influencer to actually promote your products? Make sure your Instagram is in good standing by not having a bad feed (because bad publicity goes both ways). You should set up a loyal connection between your brand and the influencer. Start by following them and engaging with their posts. After building a relationship, send the influencer a direct message expressing your interest in their posts and appreciation for their opinions via social media.
Different Ways They Can Promote You are not limited to influencers only posting an image selected off of your own Instagram feed. Think outside of the box to gain the most exposure for your company. Send them a package with a free product of yours and ask them to post a picture of what you sent with a positive review. Having the influencer take a video for their story is a great tool to use. Consumers are curious and like to see the behind the scenes of people they hold in high standings.
Stay on top of the trends this year and find social media influencers to positively influence your brand. Connect with Image Marketing Consultants if you are looking for social media marketing that have effective results. Image is everything and we can help your brand shine.
Isn’t it fascinating to watch our shopping habits change year after year? It’s easier than ever to get what you want, fast. Buying gifts in-store is pretty different than it was ten years ago. You can research stores with the best deal on a pricey item you’re looking to buy your dad. Use your go-to coupon app to see which discount you can apply to it. Purchase it online and pick it up on your way home from work—all in the same day (if not hour)!
The International Council of Shopping Centers (known as ICSC) has collected data from the busy Thanksgiving-to-Christmas period in 2018 to record new trends and growing statistics, categorized widely by age. We’re here to break down the numbers for you.
We’re Shopping Differently:
It’s obvious that nearly everyone that shopped for holiday gifts made a
purchase in a physical store this year (87% to be exact). More than half of all
shoppers purchased online for some of their gifts. And they love being able to “buy
online and pick up in-store” later that day—something that 37% of all shoppers took
advantage of. You avoid the cost of shipping and get your goods the same day (and
there’s no worrying if it will get lost in the delivery process).
We Still Love Shopping In-Store: The #1 reason: we can see the item in-person. Why else? We get the item immediately; can use exclusive in-store discounts; we avoid shipping costs; and we can cross a few gifts off our list all in one stop.
We Increased Our Budgets:
Consumers reported that they spent more on holiday gifts this year than last
year. Why? Number one, they’re increasing the number of people they’re shopping
for. No longer single like you were last year? That means you’re buying presents
for your significant other, and maybe their family, too. Number two, the items
are just more expensive, especially if you’re upping your gift-giving game and spoiling
your family with the newest tech or pricey designer clothes. And number three,
when we see an item on sale, naturally we have
to get one for ourselves too, right?
How Much We Spent:
The research team at ICSC looked at this in terms of how much Millennials (currently
aged 23-38), Gen Xers (aged 39-53), and Baby Boomers (aged 54-74) spent, on
average. Gen Xers spent the most out of the three groups, with an average spend
of $1,119 to get their holiday shopping done. Next were Millennials (whose
bills averaged $1,053), followed by Boomers (with an average of $1,038).
Where We Shopped: Discount stores like Walmart and Target take the cake, as 71% of all shoppers made a purchase at this type of store. It’s easy to see why: these retailers tend to sell everything under the sun, for a good price. And as we learned earlier, when you have a longer list of people to buy for, you’ll naturally be on the hunt for bargains. Secondly, we like to shop at department stores like Macy’s and Kohl’s, where we can get an Instant Pot for our mother-in-law and Nikes for our brother, all in one stop. Runner-ups included dollar stores (where 24% of people shopped), electronic stores, off-price retailers like TJ Maxx or Nordstrom Rack, and sporting goods stores. Once in these stores, 73% of shoppers used a mobile device as a resource to compare prices, look for coupons, and check inventory, compared to the 66% of people who used one in 2017.
What We’re Gifting: ICSC reported that 68% of all shoppers purchased a gift card over the holidays, making it the most popular gift category in 2018. Baby boomers purchased the most expensive gift cards, averaging out to $123 per gift card. Next up: apparel and shoes (which half of all shoppers bought), then toys and games at 46%. Finally, about a third of all shoppers purchased accessories and cosmetics, and foodie gifts like chocolates or pre-packaged food baskets. Do these items add up to what was on your shopping list?
The retail world is a busy, profitable, and ever-changing industry, especially from Thanksgiving to Christmas. When do you plan to wrap up your list this year? 47% of people started shopping before Thanksgiving in 2018. So if your “nice” list is growing this year, it might be wise to start buying now; Black Friday will be here before we know it.
