We are living in a digital world…but have we reached AI fatigue already? Beauty experts, influencers and consumers are crying out for real-world experiences and events to bring stories to life.
How Important Are Brand Events and Experiences in an AI World?
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape the marketing landscape, brands are racing to adopt new digital tactics, from data-driven targeting to programmatic content creation. Chatbots, virtual assistants, and AI-powered personalisation promise unprecedented efficiency and scale, driving a move toward more automated branding and campaign management.
However, amid this technological revolution, a growing backlash is emerging from both consumers and industry leaders, a need for authentic, in-person experiences that only real-world events and immersive activations can provide. We need real-world connection!
The Rise of AI and Digital-First Branding
Over the past decade, marketing and PR strategies have shifted dramatically towards digital. The explosion of social media and mobile-first content put brands in consumers’ pockets, while AI supercharged this connection by offering hyper-personalised interactions at scale. Marketers now use AI-powered tools to analyse consumer data, predict purchasing behaviour, and serve up tailored messages to the right audience at the right moment.
This efficiency comes at a price. Automation can strip brands of personality. While AI can deliver insights, it struggles with nuance, humour, and the human touch. Audiences, bombarded with endless emails, banners, and algorithm-fed recommendations, are feeling overwhelmed and more disengaged than ever. The risk is clear: as brands double down on digital, they run the risk of losing what makes them truly memorable.
Why Digital Alone Isn’t Enough
Digital fatigue is leaving consumers craving real, tactile experiences, and brands need to take note. According to Eventbrite, more than 75% of millennials prefer to spend money on experiences rather than things. In a world of pixel-perfect campaigns and AI-generated influencers, physical events and live activations bring brands to life in ways that are impossible to replicate online.
The pandemic, which forced brands into an almost exclusively digital dialogue, accelerated this hunger for the tangible. Attendance at trade shows, pop-ups, and immersive launches has surged. These events allow brands to foster genuine connections and spark meaningful conversations, all while creating memorable moments that people want to talk about and engage with.
Experiential Campaigns: The Secret to Emotional Impact
Experiential PR isn’t just about glitzy activations or photo ops. It’s about emotional resonance. While AI can predict and personalise, it cannot replicate the serendipitous connections that unfold at a live event, the laughter, the shared excitement, and personal interactions with brand ambassadors.
Brands that blend digital innovation with on-the-ground engagement are seeing the biggest wins. For example, global beauty brands are leveraging AI-driven diagnostics at in-person pop-ups, allowing visitors to experience personalised consultations alongside human stylists.
Crafting Stories For Publication
It is storytelling that cements a brand in consumer memory. So you need to connect with the storytellers. And the best way to do this is with meaningful events and experiences. While AI can automate content creation, human storytellers are essential for weaving narratives that resonate on an emotional level. Live events provide the perfect space to shape these stories; every attendee leaves with their own memory, amplifying brand advocacy through word-of-mouth, social sharing, and media coverage.
Work With Flipside PR
Do you need help crafting events and experiences to bring your brand stories to life? Here at Flipside PR we have years of experience creating meaningful launches and activations that create conversations and result in measurable press and social media coverage. To keep on top of the latest developments, stay tuned to Flipside PR’s news section, or get in touch with us to see how we can work together.
Find out more about our services here.
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