Marketing Rulezz surfed on the waves of digital changes with yellow socks.
Marketing Rulezz once again confirmed that the future belongs to those who can combine creativity, technology, and the courage to take risks. We at ui42 have long been surfing the waves of digital changes and bringing our clients the best from the digital world – from top-notch digital products to AI solutions that elevate their business to a whole new level.
When you mention Marketing Rulezz, everyone in the field knows it's the biggest marketing event of the year. And of course, we couldn't miss it either – not only on stage with our CEO Andrej Kajan, but also as partners of the conference, participants, and... socks enthusiasts. Our sock mission was a huge success, and at Marketing Rulezz, we gave away more than 900 pairs of yellow iconic ui42 socks.
Besides stylish socks, this year's event brought topics that captivated the audience – the intersection of new technologies, artificial intelligence, and creative approaches of the biggest players in the game. Everything that belongs to this conference – from great company, a packed program, and delicious catering, was not missing. And if you missed it, here's a short recap from the conference for you:
Andrej Kajan in a panel on digital changes
Our CEO, Andrej Kajan, appeared in the panel "How to Surf the Waves of Digital Changes?", where, along with other speakers, he showed that marketing in the era of data and artificial intelligence is not just about campaigns – but mainly about efficiency, personalization, and prediction.
The discussion was about tools that are already changing the game today: AI for predicting customer behavior, personalized recommendation systems, or intelligent real-time campaign evaluation. Our own AI innovations from ui42 also found their place here, helping clients make more accurate decisions, like AI Recommender or Chatbot.
Andrej clearly conveyed to the audience that AI without organized data is wasted energy and money. Simple shortcuts, where a magical tool scales your business without your own effort, is a utopia. Organized data is the foundation, and AI adds power and the ability to predict the future. In the right hands, it becomes a valuable tool, and those who understand this in time will always be one step ahead.
Key insights from the conference
1. How to create advertising that sells, not just wins awards
The conference kicked off with Sorin Patelinet's captivating lecture on advertising effectiveness. His main message? Truly good advertising is not just about collecting golden statues and awards but about what really counts – and that is real results.
The key to success is creativity. Only creative campaigns can capture attention, make people laugh, evoke emotions, and leave an indelible impression. But creativity without strategy is only half the success. According to Sorin, evaluating ads should not rely solely on opinion surveys – they often tell us only what we think we want to hear. Instead, we should monitor customer behavior. And here comes AI - tools like neurotesting, AI eye tracking tell us better what attracts attention and what leads our customers to action. With more accurate data, we can create more effective campaigns.
What to take away from this?
- Creativity is the foundation. Advertising should not only sell but also inspire and evoke emotions. Make your customers laugh, delight, or surprise them – make them feel something new, just like on a first date.
- Measure behavior, not opinions. Real customer actions speak more than any surveys. By using modern technologies, you can uncover what really works.
- Format and platform are key. Each platform requires its own approach. Adapt the content, use catchy headlines, and optimize creativity for the given environment.
2. Values as the compass of a successful brand
"Without values, you're just noise," declared Galen Knowles, the creative strategist behind iconic Red Bull campaigns. According to him, customers today crave brands that are authentic, consistent, and bold. Values are not just pretty words – they are the compass that determines direction and allows brands to do great things.
Example? Tony Hawk. The skateboarding legend went his own way: "I didn't follow trends, I stayed true to what matters." The result? His legacy is indelible, just like bold brands that aren't afraid to be different.
Success is based on the balance between authenticity and bold marketing. Red Bull is proof of this – their campaigns, built on strong values and creative courage, leave unforgettable experiences. A brand that knows who it is and what it stands for can boldly take risks. And this courage sets it apart from others. "Stay true, go big."
3. Can you sell a camel?
Michal Pastier, known for his creative approach, showed at the conference that the success of a product lies in how the customer perceives it. And what better test of a marketer's skills than trying to sell something as unconventional as a "camel"?
Michal revealed a series of practical strategies on how to increase the value of a product, no matter how "hard-to-sell" it may seem:
- Limited "camel" – exclusivity sells, a limited number of pieces increases demand.
- Stylish "camel" – visuals and form can turn an ordinary product into a trend.
- "Camel" with a small change – just change 3% of the product, and customers will notice and appreciate it.
- "Camel" that catches the eye in 2 seconds – remember, the first impression is crucial.
- "Camel" with a professional name – give your product a name so unique that it attracts and everyone wants it.
4. Design that sells a story
The Swedish creative studio SNASK brought the entire marketing world back to the basic idea at the conference: design is not just about aesthetics, but about the story it sells. To gain respect, you must be beautiful, serious, and sophisticated. If you want to be rich, you need a well-thought-out business model, an understanding of cash flow, and the courage to experiment.
SNASK showed that a creative environment is the foundation of good design. Boring offices don't produce great ideas – they arise in a space that is inspiring and full of life. As an example of their approach, they presented their project Shower Beer. They introduced a miniature beer with 10% alcohol content, which became the answer to the question: "Is there greater pleasure in life than a cold beer in the shower?" The small format ensured that the beer wouldn't stay warm in the shower, and the branding turned this otherwise ordinary idea into a marketing hit.
Their philosophy is clear: design that tells a story has a better chance of capturing attention. What sells is not just the product, but the emotion and message you bring to the customer.
SNASK also humorously showed that with courage, anything is possible – even winning a Grammy without being a musician. Their success stories prove that the combination of courage, beauty, and functionality is the key to creating campaigns that not only stand out but also thrive.
Yellow ui42 socks that will lead your steps in the right direction
Our socks became one of the highlights of the entire Marketing Rulezz event, and giving them away was not difficult at all. More than 900 pairs just "disappeared" and became the unofficial dress code of the conference. Here someone carried them in hand, there they stuck out of a jacket pocket. Approaching someone who hadn't seen them yet was paradoxically an interesting task. :)
But it didn't end with the socks. Along with them, our sock survey took off, in which you participated greatly. If you couldn't attend Marketing Rulezz this year, don't worry. You can still participate in our survey at ui42.sk/ponozky and help us solve the sock dilemma.
Marketing Rulezz once again confirmed that the future belongs to those who can combine creativity, technology, and the courage to take risks. We at ui42 have long been surfing the waves of digital changes and bringing our clients the best of the digital world – from top-notch digital products to AI solutions that take their business to a whole new level.
Do you also want to boost your business with the latest technologies? Contact us, and we will be happy to help you. And don't forget to participate in the sock survey!