In the ever-evolving landscape of strategic communications, one powerful trend has emerged for businesses seeking to connect with their target audience: women-centered marketing. The interplay of targeted communications and authentic engagement has proven to be a transformative force, not only in propelling brands to the forefront but also in bolstering local economies. Given the overwhelming popularity of Beyoncé's Renaissance tour, Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie, and Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, it has become evident that women-centered marketing is not just a strategy, it's an economic catalyst.

Digital service and temperatures are heating up as credit unions leverage technology to provide their members with seamless banking experiences to match the sunny vibes of the season. From mobile banking apps that allow easy access to financial services on the run—even at the beach—to online loan applications that expedite the borrowing process, credit unions riding the digital wave will ensure their members can make the most of their summer adventures.

Finding a perfect match with a PR and marketing partner can be tough. As you begin working together it is important to build a strong foundation. Creating a positive and productive working environment where you and your partners can communicate, collaborate and achieve your shared goals effectively is the key to a fruitful professional relationship.

The fintech and financial services sectors have proven to be profoundly resilient and we look forward to another productive and innovative year.  As we work on our annual Bankers as Buyers report, which highlights predictions and trends for the financial services industry, we were inspired to make a few of our own. WMA team members weigh in on their 2023 fintech, marketing and PR predictions.  

The 2022 World Cup is quickly approaching, and many soccer legends are participating in their final world cup games. One of them is Lionel Messi—a soccer (or football, for those not in the U.S.) professional that has inspired millions of soccer fans around the globe.

Although cultivating and fostering successful B2B relationships is an important goal for many fintech communicators, the process does not end there. We are seeing the phrase "cost of living" dominating the discussion around the current recession, bringing to light how it affects consumers daily. In times of pressure and rapid change, we as communication professionals must comprehend the difficulties, requirements, and motivations.

We’ve seen numerous references to the percentage of people living paycheck-to-paycheck. However, the most stunning recent research indicates that 23.7 percent of those making more than $250,000 in salary a year also consider themselves living paycheck-to-paycheck (Source: PYMNTS.com and LendingClub). There is a 50/50 chance that this group of people will know how to get or keep themselves out of financial debt.

Although reports indicate that the U.S. produced 528,000 jobs in July, those paying attention to recent headlines are well aware that the economy is on the cusp of another recession. Inflation is at its highest peak in 40 years, and tightened rates from the Fed pose a threat as we look to 2023.

HubSpot’s INBOUND 2022 was back in person for the first time since the outbreak of the pandemic, and our marketing team was excited to travel to Boston for the conference. Joining approximately 10,000 other eager marketers in person (with an estimated 60,000 attending virtually) we experienced an electric atmosphere filled with continuous sessions, numerous HubSpot vendors and unlimited networking opportunities.

With economic uncertainty looming, it is more essential than ever for fintechs to employ continuous strategic communications with consumers. In every recession, marketers find themselves in unclear and difficult situations because no two downturns are exactly alike. However, understanding the marketing successes or failures of companies as they have navigated previous recessions helps to identify concerning patterns and trends.