Staying ahead in digital marketing means keeping tabs on emerging platforms, student-centric strategies, and cutting-edge campaign formats—and we’ve done the heavy lifting for you. From harnessing the text-first power of Instagram Threads to mapping every touchpoint in the student journey and exploring Google’s newest Demand Gen capabilities, Sunday Rundown #128 delivers three key updates to inform your next moves.
Instagram Threads: What You Need to Know for Growth
Instagram Threads is Meta’s text-based conversation app, launched in July 2023 and now boasting over 200 million monthly active users—a strong signal that brands should stake their claim early.
Unlike Instagram’s image-and-video focus, Threads allows up to 500 characters per post (including links, photos, carousels, and videos up to five minutes), making it ideal for storytelling and rapid updates.
To leverage Threads, set up your account in seconds by importing your Instagram profile (including bio, profile picture, and followers) and choose public visibility for maximum reach.
Brands can grow beyond Instagram by establishing early presence, sharing multi-post threads on product launches or industry trends, and cross-promoting via Stories to drive followers to Threads.
Full details → How to Make Instagram Threads a Marketing Growth Channel
Mapping the Student Journey: Data, Strategy & CRM Essentials
In the latest ICEF Insights feature, the authors emphasise that truly student-centric recruitment relies on end-to-end journey mapping using robust data and a tailored CRM system.
They recommend identifying every touchpoint—from initial enquiry through enrolment—to highlight friction points and personalise communications accordingly.
By aligning departmental processes and integrating data across channels, institutions can foster stronger relationships, boost application rates, and improve student satisfaction.
A customised CRM not only centralises insights but also enables agile responses to evolving student needs, ensuring your recruitment strategy remains both proactive and data-driven.
Read more → Mapping the student journey: Good data, student-centric strategies, and a customised CRM are must-haves
New Google Demand Gen Features Rolling Out in 2025
Google Demand Gen campaigns now offer AI-powered, discovery-style ads across YouTube, Gmail, Discover, and Display to capture demand when consumers aren’t actively searching.
Advertisers will soon benefit from enhanced creative tools—like carousel ads and interactive formats—designed to boost engagement on highly visual, scroll-heavy surfaces.
Richer product details, including in-store availability, help bridge the gap between online browsing and offline purchases, driving both foot traffic and e-commerce conversions.
Furthermore, new reporting metrics offer deeper visibility into engagement pathways and audience interactions, empowering marketers to optimise performance with surgical precision.
Read the full breakdown here → New ways to help you drive performance with Demand Gen
Bonus links
- AI is helping leading marketers drive outsized revenue. Here’s how
- 6 Common Manual Bidding Mistakes to Avoid
- Advanced Link Building Strategies For National, International & Local
- Viral Short-Form Video Formats for 2025
Thank you for taking the time to read our Sunday Rundown #128. If there’s a story you’d like to see here, reply below or contact us. See you in two weeks!