Brands started to heavily invest in influencers about five years ago. At that time, it was all about the mega-influencer, the creator like Huda Kattan or Aimee Song who had millions of followers and could launch - and sell out - a product on Instagram in a matter of minutes. But, as influencer marketing has evolved, brands have learned that bigger isn’t always better. In the years that have followed, micro- and nano-influencers have played a key role in generating buzz for brands.

Back in July, Instagram shocked users in several countries (including Australia, Canada, and Ireland) by running a test that hid like counts from other users. Since then, testing has expanded and parent company, Facebook, has considered doing the same. However, in a world where likes have served as social currency and careers have been launched on “Instagram fame,” these tests have been met with mixed emotions. In fact, a Russian influencer reportedly threatened to sue the platform if they move forward with hiding likes. Meanwhile, other users took to Twitter to express their praise, voicing that it’s a step in the right direction that will preserve the mental health of younger generations, specifically.

Last year, Instagram reached one billion active monthly users, surpassing that of parent company Facebook and once-competitor Snapchat. But. between constant algorithm alterations, experimental changes, and a surplus of daily content, it’s becoming more difficult than ever to create engaging posts for your audience on “The ‘Gram.” And, with more than 80% of businesses considering engagement to be their most important metric, this poses a major concern for brands and influencers alike.

Between frequent ads, an ever-changing algorithm, and an influx of new posts, getting your brand’s content seen in the Instagram feed has become more and more challenging. Enter Instagram Stories, the feature that is now being recognized as another powerful channel for reaching your audience.

International Women's Day is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. Today, women of Inspira share their perspectives on how to stay inspired and motivated, cultivate empowerment in the workplace, and make strides toward a balanced future.

Although Millennials will always be a valuable target for marketers, a new and equally powerful generation of consumers is emerging: Generation Z. Born between 1996 and 2010, this cohort is often referred to as the iGeneration. They have never known the world without the internet, mobile technology, or opinion-influencing peers. They are unapologetically themselves, endeavor to stand out rather than fit in, and are much more sophisticated in their relationships with brands.

We are excited to announce that Inspira Marketing Group has been selected as a finalist in Digiday’s Worklife Awards in the “Most Committed to the Community/Social Good” category.

We’ve all heard about the death of retail. Malls have turned into ghost-towns as iconic department stores are slowly withering away. This year alone, almost 4,500 U.S. store closures have been announced, while only about half that have opened. Analysts attribute retail’s downfall to a number of factors: the effects of the Great Recession, technology (mobile and the rise in e-commerce), increased competition from Amazon, and a shift in consumer spending habits - primarily, investing in experiences over goods.

Gaming is growing! In 2013, 58% of U.S. population ages 13+ were into gaming. Today, 66% percent say they regularly play video games. And, by 2020, the global video game market is expected to be worth over $90 billion. Gaming has become an integral part of the mainstream entertainment diet. In fact, 11% of gamers' leisure time is spent playing video games or engaging in eSports. Interestingly, time spent on in-person social activities continues to capture more share among gamers, pointing to a potential opportunity for content creators to further engage gamers through social or group play experiences.

Recently, Blue Apron announced a series of pop-up events that will be happening nationwide. These include a retail location in New York with cooking classes and panels, mobile activations in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle, and culinary-inspired movie nights in Minneapolis, Dallas, and Austin.