Buying a car has always been a simple process. One can simply stroll into the dealer, decide on a model, pick a color and sign the papers. With research tools like TrueCar and Cars.com, the process of finding the right car at the right price has become even easier.

Alecia Dantico, the GM of our Chicago office, is a veteran of the influencer conference circuit, with a decade of experience in the space. But, after years of deep involvement, she became jaded by the same faces and the same conversations at conference after conference. Sure, the technology and toolsets had evolved, but the influencer community seemed stuck on the same, tired topics and generic brand experiences.

At the recent TED2015 conference, Delta Air Lines gave consumers an experience far more valuable than in-flight snacks or first-class seating. The airline created an exhibit called “Stillness in Motion,” inspired by Pico Iyer’s book “The Art of Stillness,” that was designed to teach serenity.

Experiential marketing (brand messaging that a consumer can touch, view, or otherwise feel within a physical space—i.e., an experience) is unlike any other form of marketing: No social media post, email attachment, mailer, or television advertisement can inspire, evoke emotion, and generate brand loyalty as much via a single experience.

“100% of customers are people. 100% of employees are people. If you don’t understand people, you don’t understand business.” Simon Sinek, author of the classic "Start With Why"

Experiential marketing is like a fireworks show. Teams of professionals work for dozens of hours just to delight the audience with a 20-minute show of spectacular lights, sounds, and sensations. 

Jeff Snyder is the chief inspiration officer and founder of Inspira Marketing, an experiential marketing agency based in Norwalk, Connecticut. Jeff has more than 20 years of marketing experience and has previously worked at GMR Marketing and RedPeg Marketing. He is passionate about finding a cure for pediatric spinal cancer, and Inspira donates a portion of its profits to fund cancer research.

In just six short years, Gen Y will make up at least 50% of the United States workforce. This statistic alone gives reason for pause. Is your company motivating millennials properly?

Due to market legalities, wet sampling restrictions force marketers to rethink promotion strategies. Jim Beam tasked Inspira Marketing with introducing new flavors of Pinnacle Vodka in locations with these limitations.