New study shows culturally relevant brands are more relevant to consumers

A new study shows just how much consumers want brands and culture to mix

Commerce and culture have always intersected—even though it can be a fine line for brands to walk. But what surprised the research team behind MAGNA and Twitter’s new study, “The Impact of Culture,” was just how much consumers—particularly younger people on Twitter—expect and even want brands to be culturally relevant: aligning well with cultural events, promoting trends that define today’s culture and supporting social issues that benefit everyone.

Insight-rich results

Brand involvement in culture is especially important among consumers between the ages of 18 and 35, and those on Twitter versus the general population are more passionate, informed and feel more strongly about brands aligning with culture.

The study found that brands can become more relevant by embracing culture by staying current, demonstrating knowledge of consumers and giving back. When people are deciding which products and services to buy, they’re not only thinking of basics like price and quality—or even more amorphous concepts like reputation. They are also assessing just how much a brand reflects their interests and supports the issues they hold close to their hearts.

Incredibly, a brand’s cultural involvement makes up a full 25 percent of a consumer’s purchase decision. That means being involved in culture is a significant consideration when people are weighing whether or not to buy something, alongside other factors like positive brand perception, price and quality. It’s a finding that should make marketers rethink their focus and strategies, since cultural relevance can be established with one campaign, whereas other factors are relatively more intractable.

While jumping on trends and cultural happenings in realms like sports and music are table stakes for brands, the study reveals that people want to go even deeper: Americans might love their reality TV, but survey respondents say they are more informed on issues like gender equality and fair trade than pop culture events.

What does this mean for marketers?

Go where the most leaned-in and influential people are already gathered: A key revelation of the study is that while culturally passionate consumers tend to be younger, what really sets them apart are their media habits. Social media usage is a 25 percent stronger indicator of cultural passion than age. According to our study, culture-focused ads work harder on Twitter than on other premium sites, where audiences of true tastemakers are most engaged and most receptive.

Live out the values of your customers: While there are many ways for a brand to be involved in culture, according to survey respondents, the top ways include giving back to the community, putting customers first, being inclusive of a wide audience and supporting social issues that benefit everyone.

Have a strong POV in your ads: Culture-focused ads succeed in positioning brands as relevant. They also position them as socially responsible and innovative. And they create a more memorable experience for consumers.

This new research makes a strong case for brands to acknowledge, and even actively improve, the culture that permeates all of our lives so fully. And expressing their engagement with culture on platforms like Twitter is the best way for brands to join the liveliest conversations of the day.