What are the most common challenges that businesses face with martech implementations? What can teams do differently to avoid unsuccessful implementations? Read the full article at MarketingProfs
Trader Joe's, Patagonia, and Microsoft are the companies with the best reputations among consumers in the United States, according to a recent poll. Read the full article at MarketingProfs
Misaligned teams erode customer trust. Learn how to align B2B Marketing and Sales to drive consistent customer experiences and improve campaign outcomes. Read more. Read the full article at MarketingProfs
Discover how repeatable events help marketers scale engagement, streamline workflows, and drive performance across channels. Explore strategies and tools that make it possible. Read more. Read the full article at MarketingProfs
A former cargo port in Rotterdam could become home to Europe's largest floating residential community, as Danish marine architecture studio MAST unveils plans for over 100 apartments floating in place. The proposal arrives as the Netherlands grapples with an acute housing crisis, racing to build one million new homes by 2030 while contending with scarce buildable land.Rather than pursuing costly land reclamation a practice that continues reshaping coastlines worldwide at significant ecological expense MAST's floating neighborhood embraces water as an integral part of urban infrastructure. The development would feature modular buildings constructed off-site and towed into position, creating minimal disruption and indicating the possibility of relocating entire structures if needed.TREND BITEFloating urbanism is gaining momentum as cities worldwide confront rising sea levels and housing shortages. Unlike traditional waterfront developments that struggle to keep water out, these communities work with their natural aquatic environment. MAST's design incorporates 900 square meters of floating reed beds to improve water quality while providing habitat for wildlife.Connected to Rotterdam's extensive cycling infrastructure and accessible by boat, Spoorweghaven demonstrates how floating communities could integrate seamlessly with existing urban networks. As MAST pursues similar projects in Denmark and elsewhere, the studio positions floating architecture as a scalable response to 21st-century pressures.
Singapore's National Library Board is pioneering technology that could reshape how people engage with books. The library system has developed Augmented Reading an experience that uses Snap's Spectacles to overlay real-time audio and visual effects onto physical books. The glasses scan text as readers progress through pages, using machine learning to trigger ambient soundscapes, music and visual elements that correspond to the story's mood and action.The technology tackles a key challenge: competing with digital entertainment for shrinking attention spans. Rather than replacing traditional reading, Augmented Reading aims to be a tool for sustained engagement. By adding layers of images and atmospheric sound creaking doors, distant chatter, suspenseful music the system creates an immersive environment for reluctant readers. The project, currently in beta testing with plans for public trials later this year, represents a broader trend of cultural institutions experimenting with AR technology to remain relevant.TREND BITEAugmented Reading reflects a pragmatic approach to serving audiences whose expectations have been shaped by gaming and streaming, texting and scrolling. If successful, this Singaporean experiment could signal a new chapter for how stories are consumed, combining the tactile, offline pleasure of physical books with the multimedia experiences digital natives have learned to expect.
B2B marketers face competing pressures in data use and goal-setting. Ethical marketing offers a clear path to build trust, respect privacy, and improve marketing results. Read more. Read the full article at MarketingProfs
French startup Lokki, a platform for rental companies, has introduced a dedicated paid leave policy for abortions. It offers employees two days of paid time off with complete discretion over what they choose to disclose. The policy, announced by co-founder Benoit Prigent, emerged from a personal conversation with a friend who felt compelled to use vacation days and hide her experience from colleagues during an already difficult time.The initiative reflects a shift toward radical empathy in the workplace. Rather than forcing workers to navigate an abortion through generic sick leave or vacation policies, Lokki has created a specific framework that acknowledges people will sometimes need to terminate a pregnancy. While it's entirely up to the employee whether or not to share the reason for their two days leave, Prigent hopes the policy will lead to normalization and more open conversations, to "empathy without shame or guilt."TREND BITETraditional boundaries between personal and professional life are being redrawn, particularly among younger generations who expect employers to acknowledge life's complexities rather than pretend they don't exist. As employees increasingly expect psychological safety and authentic care from employers, organizations that acknowledge the full spectrum of human experience can gain a competitive advantage in talent acquisition and retention.
