Breef Glossary

Welcome to the Breef Glossary — all the *lingo* you need to plan your roadmap. We know, in the marketing world, it feels like there's a new term being thrown around everyday. We've got you!
Know all the lingo? Consider the glossary your checklist.
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Cookie Inflation

The rise of CPMs as a result of Google's cookie phase-out.

Copywriting

If done right, it’s unforgettable. A goal-driven way of using smart + persuasive text to sell products. Using a carefully thought-out voice + tone, good copywriting can compel readers to take a specific action to drive conversion.

Cord-Cutting

The shift from consuming traditional cable TV to streaming. Those who make this shift are referred to as "Cord-Cutters" — most brands are shifting ad spend along with them.

Cost Per Acquisition (CPA)

The cost of acquiring a new customer or lead.

Cost Per Click (CPC)

The amount an advertiser pays for each click on their ad.

Creative Agency

A creative agency focuses on design, rather than marketing strategy, within the advertising and marketing world. A creative agency is likely to be tasked with creating or updating logos and responsible for a brand's visual cohesion.

Creative Direction

Bringing a vision to life. An area of brand development that determines the overall creative vision of a business or project. Through art, design + strategy, that creative vision manifests in logos, advertising campaigns, marketing materials, etc. Our dream job.

Customer Context

A deep, data-driven understanding of a customer at any given point of the customer journey. Integral to giving marketers the ability to deliver the right message(s), at the right time.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

Tools and strategies for managing customer data.

Customer Retention

Efforts to keep customers and encourage repeat business.

Customer Segment

A group of customers who share similar characteristics and needs. Identifying and understanding segments can help specify marketing and product offerings, upping customer satisfaction and revenue. Everyone is part of one!

DSP

Short for 'demand side platform' — a software that allows advertisers to buy and sell ad impressions with the help of automation.

Data Analytics

Not sexy, but needed. The analysis of raw and diverse data to gain meaningful insights in the form of trends, patterns + relationships.

Daypart

The act of separating a day into segments for the purpose of scheduling commercials or ads at appropriate times throughout the day. Most often used in TV advertising.

Digital Agency

A digital agency focuses more on strategy and technical development than the creative aspects of marketing. A full-service digital agency will also likely provide web design, eCommerce, etc.

Digital Marketing

Marketing efforts using digital channels like email, websites, and social media.

Digital Maturity

An organization's ability to quickly respond or react to opportunities in the market based on ever-shifting technology. The goal is to create value for consumers through new tech fast enough to have an advantage over competitors. (The rise of AI comes to mind!)

Direct Marketing

Marketing efforts aimed directly at specific consumers.

Display Advertising

Visual ads displayed on websites, apps, or social media.

Drip Campaign

Automated marketing messages sent over time.

Duopoly

Refers to two brands who dominate the market in a certain space, for example, Meta and X or Coca-Cola and Pepsi.

Dwell Time

The amount of time a user spends on a particular piece of content — high dwell time = more engaged users.

Earned Media

Any publicity or brand exposure that a brand did not pay for or create themselves.

Edutainment

Content intended to both entertain and educate — many revered CeraVe's recent Super Bowl campaign with Michael Cera as an incredibly well-executed piece of edutainment.

Priming

A subconscious reaction to something (an ad, social post, email, etc.) that influences or triggers conscious behaviors (i.e. making a purchase, engaging on social, etc.). Crucial in the customer journey to ultimately making a purchasing decision.

Privacy Sandbox

Google's post-cookie advertising platform. Though the timeline of cookie deprecation continues to change due to the intricacies involved in the data shift, the current expected rollout is mid-2025.

Product Marketing

The process of promoting and selling a specific product, focusing on positioning and messaging.

Production

Overseeing a campaign, event or photoshoot from A-Z. Those in production work closely with creative directors to execute designs and marketers to make sure their strategy comes to life. They help with everything from casting to location scouting and run-of-show.

Programmatic Advertising

Automated media buying — i.e. purchasing ads using automated tech and algorithms. The benefits? Low-cost, large-scale reach and real-time data.

Project Scope

A high-level overview of a client’s needs inclusive of goals, timing + key considerations.

Public Relations

Making sure your brand is seen, heard and validated. Getting the word out about a business or an individual to shape public image + reputation. Breef Tip: PR is a long game. You’ll need a strategy, strong message and relationships.

Purpose Marketing

A marketing strategy where efforts are focused on promoting a brand's core values, mission and social responsibility — aligning with causes or principles that resonate deeply with their audience.