Between government regulations and rigid policies from Big Tech, marketing cannabis will keep you on your toes.
We’ve listened in on executive meetings, caught up with our industry colleagues and chatted with marketing directors across the cannabis industry.
We have a sneak peek of what companies are planning for the rest of the year. Here are five things to know about what we think will be the go-to marketing trends and tactics in cannabis in 2022:
Daniela Furtado
Google cracks down while other platforms open up
Advertising cannabis on Google is prohibited, but the company does grant special advertising permission to select CBD brands in its trial program. Google will be harsher in 2022 toward those who try to circumvent its policies.
Since companies cannot request to participate in the trial program, they have managed to exploit the algorithm’s loopholes.
Last month, Google announced that it would be adding stricter measures to the Advertiser Verification Program starting in March. Google is taking transparency and privacy more seriously, and with that, it’s creating higher requirements to publish ads and appeal to them, too.
We expect Google to crack down on accounts that are violating its policies (including its cannabis policy) and make it difficult for violators to re-try with a fake email account.
If you’re not lucky enough to join Google’s program, don’t risk it. Instead, try paid advertising elsewhere.
Amy Denison, Co-Founder of Pheno, a New York agency specializing in omnichannel advertising for cannabinoid brands, says other platforms are opening their doors to advertising revenue.
Grow on social media channels that are cannabis-friendly
As cannabis brands continue to be censored on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, we expect to see more brands make the move to other platforms that have cannabis-friendly community guidelines, like Twitter, Reddit and Quora.
Of all the social media platforms, we have our eyes set on streaming platforms like Discord and Twitch in 2022. In a recent study by the Brightfield Group, up to 54% of video gamers consume cannabis while gaming.
“Twitch is one of those platforms that has already begun to see growth,” says Cody Hicks from ADCANN, a Toronto-based resource platform for cannabis marketers.
“It generally allows cannabis-related content as long as it’s legal in the state or country from which the stream is operating and they don’t attempt to sell cannabis.”
With 140 million active users, we wouldn’t be surprised to see more cannabis brands partner with Twitch streamers.
Visual data storytelling will champion content marketing
Accurate and reliable data about cannabis are hard to come by, and when you do, it’s often dry and dense.
Since cannabis content marketers are on a mission to educate consumers about the plant and change the stigma, they’re looking for ways to make that data digestible.
“A huge component of cannabis consumption is education, especially in new markets,” said Brytany Melville from The Grown Group, a retail cannabis consulting firm in Toronto.
“Data and research reports are critical tools we leverage in our daily lives to eradicate the stigma surrounding cannabis and are huge driving forces for legalization.”
We are already seeing content marketers turn stale scientific research studies into infographics and reports that make the data easy to understand for the everyday consumer.
As more states and countries legalize and research becomes available in 2022, we expect to see marketers turn it into visual data storytelling.
More legal markets mean more influencers.
As more states and countries legalize cannabis, we’re seeing a rise in cannabis influencers.
Brett Puffenbarger, managing partner of Pennsylvania-based Good Highdeas, said he doesn’t think we’ll see new influencers sprout in new markets so quickly.
“I think the real growth will come from the existing markets having sway over the newer ones.
“I think as long as advertising isn’t allowed, the longer we will continue to see influencer and affiliate marketing used at these levels. I think the influencer world will fragment more as time goes on.”
With educational cannabis influencers like Drs. Codi Peterson and Miyabe Shields or celebrities making cannabis part of their brands, like Seth Rogen, Breal and Martha Stewart, we expect influencers to be a strategic part of cannabis marketing in 2022.
A comeback of experiential marketing and events
Last but not least are events.
The cannabis trade industry is built on gatherings, conferences and events, and cannabis brands are known for having some of the best experiential marketing campaigns.
COVID permitting, we expect the industry to return to its roots and put together more significant events.
Disclaimer: https://hempindustrydaily.com/5-predictions-for-cannabis-marketing-in-2022
