ClickZ Water Sports Newsletter - 09.19.2024

PLUS: Monaco’s Must-See Superyachts & The Latest Trends In Fitness Swimming Gear

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ClickZ
September 19, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

Specialty Bites 🍪

Professional surfer Malia Manuel made her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit debut in 2020, posing with a surfboard in Turks and Caicos. The Hawaii native, inspired by the ocean, felt at home in the water. Her comfort and connection with the waves were evident in the stunning photos captured by James Macari.

Photograph: James Macari/Sports Illustrated

Surfing is an incredible experience, but concerns are being raised about the impact of the industry surrounding it. In an open letter from indigenous communities in Hawaii, Tahiti, and Bali, along with surf media insiders, issues such as environmental damage and cultural disrespect are being called out. The letter points to a trend of visiting surfers treating local communities as playgrounds, often without showing the respect they deserve.

The letter highlights problems caused by surfing tourism, including damage to reefs, littering, and disregard for local customs. The surf industry, which is largely led by individuals from wealthier nations, can sometimes overlook the cultural and environmental significance of the places they visit.

The message is simple: surfers are guests, and locals should be treated with respect. Acts of courtesy, like keeping beaches clean and being mindful of traditions, can make a big difference. It’s time for the surf industry to recognize the privilege of riding waves in these unique and culturally rich locations.

Zhik will attend the Southampton International Boat Show 2024 from September 13-22, showcasing a wide range of performance water wear. The brand will feature at two stands, GOAT Marine and Andark, highlighting new products like the updated Youth range and Yulex wetsuits. Expect extensive deals and expert advice.

The Monaco Yacht Show 2024 will showcase around 120 superyachts and 60 luxury tenders at Port Hercules. Highlights include the 400-ft Kismet, the sports activity vessel Bold, and the newly rebuilt H3. Expect cutting-edge designs, luxurious amenities, and a glimpse into the future of yachting.

Discover the top seven swimming goggles for 2024, perfect for training, racing, and triathlons. From the versatile Zone3 Volare to the tech-savvy FORM Smart Swim 2, this guide covers the best options for various needs, ensuring comfort, performance, and style in the water.

Performance Platters 🍽️

Fospha's latest report, "The State of E-Commerce H2 2024", reveals crucial trends that will shape your marketing strategy. What's inside:

  • 📱 How the major platforms' KPIs have trended in 2024, and where you should be investing. 

  • 🚀 How to access Paid Social's huge scaling potential. 

  • ✨ The most effective Google channel of 2024.

  • 🎯 Full-funnel strategies for Meta, TikTok and Snapchat

Let's break down the platform-specific insights: 

  • TikTok: Emerging as a powerhouse for efficient new customer acquisition 

  • Meta: Maintaining strong performance with competitive CAC 

  • Snapchat: Experiencing rapid growth, particularly effective during peak shopping periods 

"These findings underscore how impactful platforms like Meta, TikTok and Snapchat continue to be for driving sales - yet how underinvested they remain. It's incredible to see that brands can triple spend in Paid Social before becoming unprofitable. Success now lies in diversifying across the entire funnel, understanding the nuances of each platform, and continuously optimizing to unlock more scaling potential." 

Jamie Bolton, VP Growth at Fospha

WPP and Coca-Cola topped the 2024 Cannes Lions creative charts, with Coca-Cola winning 17 awards. WPP was named Creative Company of the Year. Heineken and Apple followed in the rankings. The United States was the most creative country. The LIONS Creativity Report highlights impactful creativity driving growth.

Shopify partners with Roblox to integrate in-game shopping, allowing brands to sell physical items directly within the game. This collaboration targets Roblox's 80 million daily users, with a full launch in 2025. Shopify's president highlights the endless possibilities, emphasizing the future of immersive commerce in the digital world.

Ad spend in 2024 is set to rise, driven by retail media, value-based messaging, political ads, and CTV monetization. The IAB projects an 11.8% increase, with retail media leading due to high CPG and beauty spend. AI in search could further boost Q4 advertising.

ClickZ is a Contentive publication in the DTC Ecommerce division