Creativity unleashed: How customer engagement platforms redefine innovation

As we approach Cannes, the pressure to innovate in a crowded environment is palpable. Marketers face the challenge of standing out amidst the noise, and the winners are those who can turn technology investments into emotional impact.

Instead of merely investing in technology, successful brands harness customer engagement platforms to transform data into valuable insights, fueling their creative firepower. By understanding the true impact of these insights, marketers can ensure that creativity flourishes alongside their business objectives, creating memorable experiences that resonate with consumers.

Take e.l.f. Beauty, for example. Needing to enhance their digital customer experience and drive higher adoption of their loyalty program, they turned to Braze and Stitch to launch innovative campaigns that engaged customers across multiple channels and points in the customer lifecycle. A standout initiative was their in-app scavenger hunt, which turned the app experience into an engaging adventure. Through a series of push notifications, e.l.f. encouraged users to explore the app, offering clues that led them to pages where they could earn points for products. This creative challenge not only drove app engagement but also fostered a sense of community among users.

By leveraging Braze, e.l.f. achieved remarkable results: a 125% increase in monthly app usage and a 58% increase in loyalty offer redemptions. Their success is a testament to how e.l.f. united digital and physical experiences, blending fun with ROI. That’s because modern campaigns aren’t just about the channel; they’re about orchestrating experiences that feel personal and community-powered. With Braze, e.l.f. has been able to scale these engaging experiences, continuously pushing the envelope to foster community building and collaboration between tech and teams.

This campaign proves how the right technology can elevate human creativity to new heights. It’s a testament to the power of data-driven insights, allowing marketers to craft experiences that resonate deeply with their audience. When we think of events such as Cannes, it’s clear that innovation is not just about flashy ideas; it’s about creating meaningful connections that drive real growth.

Collaboration and AI: The bold new ally in marketing magic

How do we ensure that our creative efforts align with business goals? The answer lies in a strategic approach to innovation that embraces experimentation. The Cannes Festival is a testament to the boldness of creativity; it’s a place where risks are celebrated. By adopting a similar ethos, marketers can test new ideas, iterate based on feedback, and discover what truly resonates with their audience.

Collaboration is essential—not just among cross-functional teams of humans, but also in the partnership between humans and technology. AI is not here to replace creativity; it’s a new team member that empowers creatives to take more risks and be more experimental. By integrating insights from customer engagement platforms with input from creative teams, organizations can craft personalized experiences that resonate deeply with their audiences.

This seamless blend of creativity and commerce demonstrates that innovation thrives when silos are broken down, fostering an environment where ideas can flow freely and lead to impactful results. In this landscape of personalized engagement and stronger inter-team collaboration, AI plays a vital role. It analyzes vast amounts of data to uncover insights that inform creative strategies, enabling marketers to tailor their campaigns with precision. By automating routine tasks and providing real-time feedback, AI frees up headspace for creative teams to focus on what they do best: ideation and innovation.

With AI as a collaborative partner, brands can enhance their storytelling, optimize customer experiences, and ultimately drive greater engagement. As our Cannes billboard states, "Your creative has legs, let AI give you a hand." Embrace this bold new ally and watch your creativity soar!

Game On with Personalization

Picture this: a gaming brand is gearing up to launch a highly anticipated new game, and instead of resorting to a traditional marketing blitz and generic advertising, they take a bold step towards personalization. They leverage their customer engagement platform to captivate their superfans with tailored messages that resonate deeply with their gaming habits and preferences.

For instance, they might send exclusive in-game rewards to players who frequently engage with similar genres or offer early access to those who have shown interest in the franchise. By harnessing AI, the brand analyzes player data to craft targeted campaigns that enhance excitement and engagement.

This dynamic campaign generates significant buzz within the gaming community, capturing the attention of avid gamers. By fostering a sense of community among early adopters, the brand drives pre-orders and sales while establishing a loyal player base that feels valued and understood. This approach exemplifies how personalized engagement can transform a game launch into a meaningful connection with consumers, paving the way for long-term success.

As we navigate this new era of marketing, it’s essential to remember that creativity is not just about aesthetics; it’s about creating meaningful connections with consumers. Customer engagement platforms provide the tools to understand these connections on a deeper level. By analyzing customer journeys, marketers can identify pain points and opportunities for engagement, allowing them to craft experiences that resonate on an emotional level.

Innovate to elevate and drive growth together

Cannes is a celebration of creativity and ideas that not only move culture but also drive the bottom line. In this vibrant atmosphere, let’s embrace the notion that innovation is not an end in itself, but a powerful means to achieve real growth. Customer engagement platforms like Braze are not just tools; they are the spark behind the magic, catalyzing creativity and empowering marketers to harness the power of data.

By aligning creative efforts with business objectives, embracing experimentation, and fostering collaboration, we can unleash a wave of innovation that resonates with audiences and propels our brands forward. So, as you sip your rosé and soak in the brilliance of Cannes, remember: the future of creativity lies not just in the ideas we generate, but in how we translate those ideas into meaningful, measurable impact that elevates both culture and commerce.

Ignite your creative impact! Discover the transformative insights in our Melting Points Guide: "Locking in Loyalty." Explore how creativity and technology intersect to forge lasting connections and add real value to your customers' lives. Download the guide here to start building deeper loyalty today.

Forward-Looking Statements

This blog post contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to, statements regarding the performance of and expected benefits from Braze and its products and features. These forward-looking statements are based on the current assumptions, expectations and beliefs of Braze, and are subject to substantial risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Further information on potential factors that could affect Braze results are included in the Braze Annual Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2025, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on June 6, 2025, and the other public filings of Braze with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements included in this blog post represent the views of Braze only as of the date of this blog post, and Braze assumes no obligation, and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.