From Touch To Trust: How Tangibility Is Reigniting Brand Connections

No matter how much the world evolves in the digital space, major brands are starting to understand the importance of finding balance in their marketing, including introducing print magazines.

Let’s explore how some iconic brands have been leveraging the power of print to captivate audiences and forge lasting connections.

The Furrow – John Deere: John Deere cultivates a sense of community and innovation in the agricultural industry through The Furrow, its iconic magazine. Since 1895, The Furrow has served as a trusted resource for farmers, offering practical advice, industry insights, and success stories. This magazine is older than all of us, which paints a clear picture of the longevity and effectiveness of print magazines when done right.

By addressing the challenges and opportunities facing modern agriculture, The Furrow reinforces John Deere’s position as a leader in equipment technology and agricultural solutions.

The Red Bulletin – Red Bull: Red Bull energizes readers with The Red Bulletin, its dynamic lifestyle magazine. Blending sports, culture, and adventure, The Red Bulletin inspires readers to push their limits and embrace their passions.

In Red Bull’s magazine, you’ll find incredible visual storytelling with stunning photography, interviews with athletes, and articles on contemporary culture, fashion, and lifestyle trends. This is another incredible example of an effective print magazine strategy.

Colors – Benetton: This magazine fosters conversations we should all have. It confronts complex topics with creativity and compassion, shedding light on global issues and individual experiences. By sparking conversations and challenging perceptions, Colors amplifies Benetton’s commitment to inclusivity and social responsibility, empowering readers to embrace difference and advocate for change.

In this magazine, you’ll find incredible content on various global issues; many issues of Colors address topics related to human rights, social justice, and other critical issues. This type of content forces us to think and educate ourselves on various controversial topics.

Bentley Magazine – Bentley Motors: Luxury car lovers and collectors are also most likely magazine collectors. We say this since luxury car lovers tend to appreciate quality and craftsmanship, which are two attributes you will find in many print magazines. Reflecting the brand’s luxury image, Bentley Magazine covers topics related to high-end lifestyle and luxury living. This includes articles on fashion, travel, fine dining, and art, appealing to the tastes and interests of Bentley’s clientele.

Bentley Magazine is available in both print and digital formats. The magazine serves as a key part of Bentley’s brand communications, reinforcing its image as a symbol of luxury, performance, and sophistication.

Costco Connection – Costco: Costco’s magazine, titled Costco Connection, is a lifestyle and business magazine sharing a wide range of content, including articles on health, food, travel, finance, and consumer information. It was first published in 1987—yes, you read that right. It also features product reviews, member profiles, and stories about charitable initiatives. The magazine is distributed to Costco members in various formats, including print, online, and a digital edition.

Through storytelling, inspiration, and community building, print magazines continue to serve as a powerful medium for major brands to connect with consumers on a deeper level, transcending the boundaries of the digital realm.

The digital space is busy. People are inundated with an overwhelming amount of digital advertisements, emails, and social media notifications. Now is the time for brands to think outside the box and introduce evergreen, sustainable marketing, such as print magazines, to create a refreshing experience.

Steve Jobs, the visionary co-founder of Apple Inc., famously emphasized the importance of the tactile experience in his design philosophy. He understood that physical interactions with products create a deeper emotional connection with consumers.

This principle extends beyond product design to encompass marketing strategies as well. The tactile nature of print magazines provides a unique opportunity for brands to engage with their audience on a sensory level. From the texture of the paper to the smell of the ink and other sensory elements that brands can incorporate, you create a lasting impression and stay top of mind.

Print magazines have a longer shelf life compared to digital content. Most people know that it’’s easy to forget what you see online and harder to forget what you can touch and feel. This prolonged exposure combined with the sensory experience ensures that the brand message remains at the top of the mind and reinforces brand recall over time.

Additionally, print magazines offer a sense of credibility and authority that consumers desire. It helps you be seen as an authority in your industry. Print magazines typically go through various rounds of fact-checking and edits compared to digital ads, which are often set up quickly in an agency setting. This level of scrutiny ensures that you are reading factual, quality content.

By leveraging the power of print, brands can cut through the digital noise, stand out from the crowd, and forge lasting relationships with their audience. As Steve Jobs observed, in a world dominated by screens, the tactile experience of print offers a refreshing connection with the tangible world.