Foivos Foivou: “Being ‘Game Changers’ Isn’t Just a Phrase; It’s Our Core”

Foivos Foivou: “Being ‘Game Changers’ Isn’t Just a Phrase; It’s Our Core”

How Partners Connected Communications Is Leading the Charge in Innovative Marketing Solutions

Partners Connected Communications, a full-service agency based in Cyprus, has been at the forefront of brand experience and advertising for over 25 years. Renowned for integrating creativity, technology, and culture, the agency has consistently served a wide range of major local and international brands with impactful communication strategies. Recently, the company welcomed Foivos Foivou as its new Digital Marketing Director. Bringing 18 years of extensive experience in digital marketing to the table, Foivou is known for his leadership in digital projects that focus on data analysis and creative innovation.

In the following interview, Foivos Foivou shares insights on how the agency lives up to its 'Game Changer' ethos, from fostering a culture of creativity within the team to integrating advanced technologies in digital marketing strategies. Moreover, he discusses the significance of omni-channel strategies in enhancing customer engagement and the role of authentic content and community feedback in building brand loyalty. Looking ahead, he reveals the agency's excitement for emerging technologies like AI, VR, and AR, and their potential to revolutionize communication strategies. Lastly, the Digital Marketing Director shares tips for businesses looking to strengthen their digital presence in today's market. 

The term 'Game Changers' is a prominent theme at Partners Connected Communications. Can you elaborate on what this term means in the context of your agency? How does this mindset influence the way you approach challenges and innovate in your field?

At Partners Connected Communications, being 'Game Changers' isn't just a phrase; it's our core. We redefine industry standards by not just leveraging expertise but by consistently going above and beyond for our clients. It’s all about being bold and innovative. Every Partner embodies this spirit. Change symbolizes opportunity, and for us, it means embracing positivity, bravery, authenticity and passion. These qualities define a 'Game Changer'. We evolve alongside brands in an ever-changing world, ensuring our strategies align with shifting landscapes.

We create an environment where thoughts are free, and experimentation is encouraged, sparking innovation and boundary-pushing ideas

As a company that resists the ‘usual’ with innovative ideas, how do you foster a culture of creativity within your team?

At Partners Connected Communications, we embed creativity into our very DNA. We create an environment where thoughts are free, and experimentation is encouraged, sparking innovation and boundary-pushing ideas. Our team members are empowered to think beyond the conventional, with each idea respected irrespective of hierarchy. Through regular brainstorming sessions and workshops, we promote cross-functional collaboration. Our leadership views challenges as opportunities, and we emphasize continuous learning to stay ahead of industry trends and technologies. This culture of creativity enables us to consistently introduce game-changing ideas.

We use analytics to understand online behaviours and trends, enabling us to create personalised campaigns that resonate with our targeted audiences

In your campaigns, how do you integrate technology to create impactful digital marketing strategies?

In our digital marketing strategies, technology is a pivotal tool. We leverage analytics to understand online behaviours and trends, enabling us to create personalised campaigns that resonate with our targeted audiences. Focusing on the digital customer journey, we use authentic content and personalization to maximise relevance and engagement. It's all about making every interaction count and changing the game for the brands we support.

What strategies do you use to strengthen the connection between brands and their audiences, thereby enhancing customer engagement?

At Partners Connected Communications, we employ multichannel strategies to strengthen the bond between brands and their audiences, ensuring robust customer engagement. We dive deep into consumer data, crafting tailored messaging and experiences that resonate with specific audience segments. Our omni-channel strategies are pivotal. We maintain a consistent brand presence across various touchpoints. This unified approach (connected brands as we call it) resonates with current consumer behaviours.

According to Think With Google, omni-channel strategies contribute to approximately 80% of in-store visits. Research also shows that 74% of customers conduct online research before visiting a store, highlighting the importance of a cohesive online-offline experience. Integrating these insights into our strategies, we ensure a holistic and satisfying customer experience, enhancing engagement and building lasting loyalty.

We actively seek and listen to customer input, using it to refine our strategies and demonstrate that their opinions truly matter

We prioritize authentic content, we emphasise community building and we prioritise community feedback. We actively seek and listen to customer input, using it to refine our strategies and demonstrate that their opinions truly matter.

With these strategies, we create real connections between brands and their audiences, fostering deep engagement that extends beyond transactions to build lasting brand advocacy and loyalty.

What are the next big steps or goals for Partners Connected Communications in 2024? Are there any specific areas or technologies you are particularly excited about?

In 2024, we're excited to explore more with AI, automations, machine learning. These can help us make our communication even more effective. We're also interested in using more virtual and augmented reality, which can make our campaigns even more engaging and fun. An exciting area we are investigating is the adoption of technologies for tracking and analysing in-store visitors, helping us creating even more personal online and offline consumer experiences.

Overall, these technological advancements represent our commitment to staying at the forefront of digital marketing innovation, continually seeking out new ways to captivate and connect with audiences.

What advice would you give to businesses looking to strengthen their digital presence in today's market? Are there common challenges they should be aware of, or opportunities they might be overlooking?

To strengthen your digital presence, it's crucial to start with a clear understanding of your audience. Know their behaviours, preferences, and pain points that your products/services come to address.

Set specific goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) to track your progress. Employ a multi-channel strategy, ensuring your presence is felt across various online platforms where your audience is most active.

Authenticity in content is key

Continually engage with your audience, listening and responding to their feedback. Authenticity in your content is key; create material that provides real value to your audience. Be flexible and open to innovation is essential. Stay alert to digital trends and be prepared to adapt your strategy as needed.

What: Partners Connected Communications

Where: Nicosia, Cyprus

More Infopartners.cy

Who: During his professional career over the past 18 years, Foivos has worked with the biggest brands in the Cypriot market and has completed some of the most successful projects in the broadest range of communication. He has recently joined the Partners team and has taken on the role of Digital Marketing Director. For the last 4,5 years he has held the role of Head of Digital at one of the most prominent integrated advertising agencies in Cyprus and led a dedicated team of professionals in the field of digital communications. Previously he has been Operations Director for a period of more than 13 years, having under his responsibility services such as one-to-one marketing, Bulk Sms, Psms, CRM, data collection, Tv Visualisation Services, creation of online platforms, televoting, microgames, websites, applications and other Digital services. Throughout his long career, many of the projects under his responsibility have been awarded as the most successful projects in the field of Digital Marketing. He believes that a successful digital strategy should be based on data analysis and a deep understanding of brands. This should be the starting point for understanding consumer behaviour and the trigger for creative innovation. A seamless data feed guarantees solid decision-making, successful campaigns, achievement of goals and long-term sustainability of brands.

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