That is why Google asked industry experts to share their predictions for the future of marketing.

What’s new in 2019

1. Voice marketing

Demand for voice-assisted speakers is booming. According to Canalys, a marketing, analytics, and research firm, the global market for these devices grew 187% in the second quarter of 2018. That’s why Abbey Klaassen, the president of 360i’s New York headquarters, thinks voice marketing is the future.

“Voice is somewhere between evolution and a revolution for marketing,” Klaassen predicts.

2. (Truly) know your customers

Rip up your demographic-based personas. Kiss goodbye the old-school marketing funnel. The future of the industry lies in understanding a customer’s intent, argues Matt Naeger, Merkle’s chief strategy officer. “The next big thing is around predictive intent.”

3. New stars are born: the influencers

In the past, brands that really wanted to stand out from the crowd would enlist the support of a celebrity. But Jerri Devard, Office Depot’s chief customer officer, says that’s changing, and it’s a new reality marketers must adapt to. “It used to be that celebrities became influencers; now influencers are becoming celebrities.”

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