5 Marketing Trends to Watch in 2025: What Smart Brands Are Doing Now

The marketing landscape is evolving faster than ever, and the smartest brands are already adapting to stay ahead of the curve. Here are five trends to watch in 2025 that will shape the way we build, promote, and grow brands across every industry.

  1. Experiential Marketing Is Back (And Bigger Than Ever)
    In a post-Zoom world, people are craving real-life connections. Pop-ups, activations, and hands-on events are driving brand awareness like no digital banner ad ever could.
    Example: Glossier’s traveling storefronts, Stanley’s viral product drops, or even Kayyem’s immersive property activations that turn empty space into unforgettable experiences.
    CRE Twist: Want to lease space faster? Let people feel what it’s like to be there, through events, photo ops, and brand takeovers.
  2. Hyper-Local Marketing Gets Hyper Smart
    Geo-targeted ads, localized content, community collabs, it’s all about relevance in real-time.
    Winning brands: Trader Joe’s, In-N-Out, and any brand that feels like it belongs to the neighborhood.
    What’s fading: One-size-fits-all national campaigns that miss the local flavor.
  3. Short-Form Video Is Non-Negotiable
    Reels, TikToks, Shorts, if you’re not on video, you’re invisible. Attention spans are short, and the ROI is massive.
    Stat: 73% of consumers say they prefer to learn about a product or service via video.
    Pro tip: Don’t overthink it. Start scrappy, stay authentic, and use trending sounds to your advantage.
  4. AI-Powered Personalization
    From email subject lines to landing page content, smart marketers are using AI to hyper-customize experiences.
    Examples: Spotify Wrapped, Netflix recommendations, or AI chatbots that feel human.
    Bonus: AI can also help you repurpose and optimize your content for different segments, saving time and increasing impact.
  5. Authenticity Over Aesthetic
    Highly polished influencer content is losing traction. Today’s audiences want real, raw, and relatable.
    Example: Beyoncé’s DIY promo clips. Taylor Swift’s handwritten notes. Real > Perfect.
    CRE Spin: Show the humans behind your properties. Share real tenant stories. Let your team be your brand.
    Want to bring these trends to life for your brand or property? Kayyem Marketing specializes in building future-ready marketing strategies that connect and convert. Let’s make it happen.