Nearly a Quarter of Marketers Could be in Breach of Data Protection Laws

LONDON, September 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

New research from the IDM and Adestra into personalisation and data habits of digital marketers reveals the importance of understanding the rules around data 

TFM, ADESTRA STAND NO.T560 

Unveiling new research at the Technology for Marketing (TFM) show, the Institute of Direct and Digital Marketing (IDM) reveals the use of personalisation and the data habits of digital marketers. 'The State of Digital Personalisation in 2016' [ http://www.adestra.com/state-digital-personalisation-2016/ ], sponsored by Adestra, highlights that over three quarters (76.5%) of marketers are personalising emails using personal data that is collected via an opt-in method. However, nearly a quarter of marketers (23.5%) are using data that is collected via automatic methods, such as IP address tracking, where clear consent can be hard to obtain. Unless marketers are clear on the customer consent they have for that data - for example: location, browsing history or family make-up - they will be in breach of the new General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) when they come into force in May 2018.

     (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140331/678597-a )

According to the research, marketers believe the benefits of using personalisation in email are widespread and have a direct impact on results. Not only do 83% of marketers report a rise in open rates, but 75% also said they saw more click-throughs on emails that included personalisation. The report also found that over 50% of marketers believe personalisation, results in a boost to both sales and customer satisfaction.

It's difficult for marketers to focus on their most valuable or important data, as they are inundated with metrics and analytics. Henry Hyder-Smith, CEO of Adestra, explains: "Gathering all this data and not using it is a waste, if not a breach of the rules. Marketers are potentially sitting on a goldmine of data to use for better personalisation, relevancy and engagement. The key for email marketers is to focus on collecting data they can use, rather than gathering more data just because their systems allow it."

Personalisation is not only highly effective, but it's expected by today's consumers. Jane Cave, MD at the IDM, comments: "The digital world we all now live and work in has potential customer touchpoints everywhere, whether online, on your mobile or in-person. Each one of these touchpoints can create a piece of data that marketers can use to better understand their customer. However, unless businesses fully understand how to use this insight and the rules that govern it, they could not only upset the consumer but also be breaking the law."

TFM visitors can visit Adestra stand (T560) or the IDM (at T480) to receive a printed preview copy of the report, with a digital copy emailed through after the event. The full report also covers: Personalisation and KPIs, Channels using personalisation, Data collection, Data risk, Data storage systems and the Impact of GDPR.

If you're not able to attend the show, you can also sign up here to receive your digital copy on 3^rd October: http://www.adestra.com/state-digital-personalisation-2016/

About the IDM 

Committed to helping every marketer be the best they can be, the IDM exists to support, encourage and improve marketing performance from your first steps on the career ladder, right to the very top.

For over 25 years, it's been our mission to provide best-in-class training, qualifications, events, resources and membership services to meet the real-world needs of today's digital, direct and data marketers. Every IDM programme is designed and delivered by practising marketers, who know what it takes to succeed at the job, and dedicated to helping you succeed in yours.

As a not-for-profit organisation, we pledge to continuously reinvest our profits back into Higher Education to find, develop and give the best career start to the next generation of marketing stars.

About Adestra 

Adestra is a leading provider of one-to-one email and lifecycle marketing solutions for global and growing brands.

The company's proprietary industry-leading email platform provides a powerful infrastructure for marketing automation and contextual messaging, helping marketers communicate more effectively with their customers and subscribers. Its flexible structure and open integration architecture allows businesses to connect disparate technology platforms to create a seamless customer journey.

Along with a best-of-breed platform that drives customer engagement and boosts ROI, Adestra was founded on the principle that marketing success takes more than technology, which is why customer service is at the heart of its business. The company was a winner of the 2014 Customer Focus Award from the Customer Service Institute, and continues to maintain one of the highest customer retention rates in the industry. It is trusted by top companies including UBM, FranklinCovey, Incisive Media and The London Symphony Orchestra, among others.

Established in 2004, Adestra has offices in Oxford and London UK, Dallas and New York, USA and Sydney, Australia

SOURCE Adestra