A little about Symantec
Symantec is one of the world’s largest software companies with more than 18,500 employees in more than 50 countries. They provide security, storage and systems management solutions to help their customers – from consumers and small businesses to the largest global organizations – secure and manage their information-driven world against more risks at more points, more completely and efficiently than any other company.
Symantec relies heavily on paid search marketing to drive online revenue acquisition. The company operates a large advertising program across a variety of publishers, including Google Search, Google Display, Yahoo!, Bing, and Criteo.
The complexity of our online advertising programs made it time consuming to gain insights and difficult to act on them. In the face of multiple conversion types… Marin brings everything together into one unified view and automatically optimizes our spend, saving us a ton of time and helping us deliver on our financial goals.
The top priority for the online marketing team at Symantec is to drive incremental revenue for their consumer antivirus product through their web site, Symantec.com. Prior to their selection of Marin Software, Symantec faced variety of challenges to managing their large-scale online advertising program.
One of the biggest problems was the management overhead. Each individual publisher account represented its own silo of data, which had to be pulled down into a spreadsheet for analysis. Each insight gleaned from this analysis had to be converted into an action, which then had to be repeated across all publisher accounts individually, representing a significant amount of work. Rolling up reports across this environment was difficult and time consuming.
In addition to management overhead, the team lacked the visibility necessary to calculate bids across hundreds of thousands of ad units. For Symantec, the conversion funnel includes consumers who download a trial version of the company’s popular software. In order to bid effectively, they needed a system that could optimize to revenues at every step of the funnel, from trial download straight through to purchase.
Maximized revenue contribution across the entire conversion funnel
After narrowing their selection to two finalists, Symantec selected Marin Software because of the platform’s unique ability to address their challenges and its proven track record. With Marin, Symantec has the ability streamline the workflow required to create, manage and optimize campaigns across publishers, significantly reducing time spent on campaign management.
Without having to rely on spreadsheets, Symantec has instant access to data sets across publishers, can perform analysis across campaign elements, and easily package information for other executives without delay or error, leading to better decisions, faster. Additionally, Marin’s bid optimization tools enable Symantec to predict and maximize revenue contribution across the entire conversion funnel – from trial through to purchase.
Improved productivity and a 67% ROAS
By integrating the data from all publishers in one place, Marin enables Symantec to quickly analyze and optimize revenue performance on a daily basis, identify the outliers and trends, and apply this information to inform strategy. Despite the complexity of multiple publishers, multiple conversion types and campaigns that span not only search but display and retargeting, Marin’s automated bidding capability enables Symantec to key on revenue maximization—the one financial metric that means the most to their business—and provided a 67% increase in their return on ad spend (ROAS).
Productivity has also improved dramatically since deploying Marin. What used to require significant manual effort—pulling data from multiple publishers, building pivot tables in spreadsheets, creating charts and graphs—has been automated, reducing the time spent on reporting by more than 50%. Symantec now has the ability to create their own dimensions for analysis and automate the generation of insightful reports, eliminating a significant amount of overhead and freeing up more time to focus on higher value activities.
In 2024, marketing wasn’t just about selling - it was about creating experiences that left audiences saying, "Did they just read my mind?" This year’s trends screamed, “Level up!” AI handled the heavy lifting, social platforms redefined connection (goodbye old Twitter, hello Threads), and authenticity remained essential. Brands that thrived rode these trends to build deeper, more genuine connections.
Every great navigator knows the best maps are drawn from experience - so let’s dive into 2024’s top digital marketing trends!
1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Integration
AI became central to marketing, enhancing personalization and efficiency. Generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Jasper, and DALL-E drove content creation for everything from product descriptions to ad creatives. Tools like Meta’s Advantage+, Google’s Performance Max, and TikTok’s Symphony automated ad creation based on user behavior. According to Deloitte’s 2024 State of Generative AI report, 34% of organizations identified productivity gains as the most important benefit, and 67% increased their AI investments.
Predictive analytics also took off, with AI tools like Salesforce Einstein and Adobe Sensei providing insights into audience behavior. Brands using Marin’s dynamic budget allocation saw at least a 10% increase in ROI when AI managed their budgets. Conversational AI tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT API and Drift enabled real-time customer service, with 82% of consumers preferring chatbots over waiting for human representatives.
AI-powered Martech platforms like HubSpot’s Operations Hub streamlined workflows by automating tasks like lead scoring and email scheduling. 62% of marketing activities are now performed using Martech tools, and spending is expected to grow to 30.9% of marketing budgets within five years.
However, AI also raised concerns. The World Economic Forum reported that 23% of jobs will change by 2027 due to AI. Ethical concerns around data privacy and algorithmic fairness prompted companies like IBM and Microsoft to adopt AI ethics guidelines. AI’s future isn’t about replacing creativity - it’s about amplifying it with the right tools.
To Do: Integrate AI-powered tools for content creation, predictive analytics, and automation to boost efficiency and deliver personalized customer experiences.
2. Evolution of Social Media and Community-Focused Platforms
Social media saw major shifts in 2024, with Threads and BlueSky emerging as alternatives to X (formerly Twitter). Platforms like Discord and Reddit solidified their roles as hubs for engaged, topic-specific communities. Brands that successfully tapped into these spaces fostered deeper loyalty and more authentic interactions.
Short-form video content ruled, with 54% of marketers using TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts - the highest adoption among content formats. 83% of marketers found short-form videos the most effective, prompting 42% of non-users to plan adoption within the year.
Authenticity took precedence, with 68% of consumers favoring relatable content over polished productions. Nano and micro-influencers thrived, achieving higher engagement rates by fostering genuine connections. The rise of social commerce turned platforms into shopping hubs, with features like Instagram Shopping and TikTok’s in-app purchasing simplifying the path from discovery to purchase.
To Do: Prioritize short-form video and community engagement on platforms like Discord, Reddit, and Threads to build loyalty and boost authenticity.
3. Continued Rise of Retail Media Networks
Retail media networks (RMNs) have emerged as a pivotal force in digital advertising, with projections indicating that U.S. omnichannel retail media ad spend will reach $54.85 billion in 2024, marking a 26% year-over-year growth. This surge is driven by retail giants like Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Kroger, which have expanded their ad networks to offer brands valuable first-party data for highly targeted campaigns.
The appeal of RMNs lies in their ability to merge contextual targeting with purchase data, enhancing ad relevance and directly linking them to sales outcomes. Industries such as consumer packaged goods (CPG), beauty, and electronics have increasingly leveraged these networks, with 32% of marketers planning to boost their RMN investments in 2025.
The retail media landscape has further diversified with platforms like Instacart Ads and Uber’s Journey Ads, enabling brands to engage consumers at critical decision-making moments. Notably, Kroger's retail media network, Kroger Precision Marketing, is forecasted to grow by 20% in 2024, underscoring the sector's robust expansion. Overall, the retail media market is expected to reach $82 billion in spending by 2027, reflecting its significant and sustained growth trajectory.
To Do: Review retail media networks for ad placement opportunities to leverage first-party data and reach your consumers at critical buying moments.
4. Emphasis on Personalized Marketing
In 2024, personalized marketing proved essential for customer engagement. 80% of consumers were more likely to purchase from brands offering tailored experiences, underscoring the need for relevance in marketing strategies. Companies that implemented advanced personalization reported a $20 return for every $1 spent, demonstrating the substantial ROI personalization delivers.
However, challenges remained. 40% of B2B companies cited personalization hurdles due to budget constraints and data management complexities. Despite these obstacles, the benefits continued to drive innovation, with brands leveraging AI and data analytics to enhance customer experiences and stay competitive. Personalized marketing wasn’t just a trend - it became a core driver of business success.
To Do: Implement AI-driven personalization strategies and messaging to enhance your customer engagement and maximize ROI. When in doubt - test, test, test!
5. Focus on Data Privacy and Compliance
Google’s reversal on phasing out third-party cookies in Chrome marked a major development in 2024. 70% of senior marketers welcomed the decision, while 38% of UK consumers planned to opt out of third-party cookies. Brands pivoted to first-party data strategies and AI-driven analytics to personalize experiences responsibly.
Regulatory changes added pressure. In the U.S., the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) proposed rules to regulate data brokers and protect consumer data. In the EU, the Artificial Intelligence Act introduced strict guidelines for AI transparency and ethical data use. These changes highlighted the need for marketers to balance innovation with compliance and trust.
To Do: Strengthen your first-party data strategy and ensure compliance with evolving privacy regulations to maintain trust and personalization capabilities.
6. Adoption of Immersive Technologies
Immersive tech continued to evolve in 2024. Versace used AR filters and gaming platforms for product launches, and Valentino Beauty introduced smart mirrors for virtual try-ons. Disney integrated AR and VR into theme parks, offering interactive rides and AR scavenger hunts.
Yet, mass adoption lagged. Apple’s Vision Pro headset struggled, selling just 370,000 units in its first three quarters, leading to scaled-back production. High costs and limited content kept consumers hesitant. Still, the global AR/VR market is projected to grow from $62.76 billion in 2023 to $299.24 billion by 2030. Brands that embrace these tools now will be ready for a future where digital experiences feel more real than ever.
To Do: Where appropriate, evaluate potential AR and VR partnerships to create interactive brand experiences and stay ahead of the immersive tech curve.
So, what does all of this mean for you as a digital marketer entering 2025? The biggest lesson from 2024 was that yesterday’s strategies won’t carry you into tomorrow. Gen Z and Millennials demanded purpose-driven, tech-savvy marketing that didn’t just make promises but delivered on them. Immersive tech, influencer partnerships, and ethically sound data practices set the stage for what’s next. As digital marketing continues its rapid evolution, one thing is clear: brands that prioritize trust, innovation, and personalization will lead the charge.
If 2024 was the year of adaptation, 2025 is shaping up to be the year of acceleration. Stay tuned for our follow-up piece, “Performance Marketing Trends for 2025,” where we’ll unpack the opportunities, challenges, and innovations shaping the year ahead.
