Adam Mogelonsky

Partner at Hotel Mogel Consulting Ltd.

In the shift from Web2 to Web3, marketing like everything else has the promise of being 'disrupted'. By which exist mechanism no one truly knows, but besides the buzzy disruption there are two other D-words that you can use to guide your prediction and how your company can get ahead of the curve: Disintermediation and Democratization. 

For disintermediation, or cutting out the middleman, Web3 gives more transparency to any distributive process and therein fairer fees (or at least a shifting of those fees to newer, fairer intermediaries). For marketing, this will likely mean better pricing for reaching consumers and even more peer-to-peer, one-to-one marketing opportunities that give a clearer picture of what's working and what's just noise.

For democratization, what we mean is not so much reduced costs for access to certain technologies, but more participation in the judgment of how those technologies are used. Through the lens of marketing, this can mean using Web3 technology to incentivize crowdsourcing of better advertising ideas or messaging through revenue-sharing models as enforced by smart contracts or other forms of profit participation such as a pay-per-click where the pay largely goes to the actual end consumer.

Edoardo Maria Bisignani

Chief Operating Officer at Vision

Web3 Marketing signifies a paradigm shift within the digital marketing realm, introducing a new era of opportunities. The essence of Web3 lies in decentralization and this fosters data ownership and user privacy.

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have been seamlessly integrated into the art and entertainment world, enabling brands to create distinctive, tradable digital assets, as exemplified by campaigns from prestigious brands like Bulgari and D&G. Blockchain loyalty programs provide customers with transparent and verifiable incentives, while decentralized content distribution ensures equitable compensation for content creators.
However, this presents a challenge-striking the right balance between innovation and brand consistency. Companies must safeguard their core identity while experimenting with novel experiences.

Hospitality, thriving on personal experiences, should leverage this trend. Through NFT-based loyalty programs, hotels can offer distinctive room upgrades and amenities. By harnessing innovative technologies, they can amplify the interactivity of the customer experience, unveiling previously hidden possibilities. Most importantly, this technology's security can enhance transparency and bolster trust in guest feedback.

In conclusion, Web3 Marketing is fundamentally reshaping the marketing landscape. Embracing decentralization, while upholding brand consistency, represents the path forward. The revolution that Web3 will usher into the realm of marketing is not a mere gamble, but a certainty.

Simone Puorto

Founder | CEO | Futurist

Web3 marketing represents a revolutionary paradigm, leveraging decentralized technologies to create a marketing environment free from intermediaries, empowering users with control over their data and facilitating community engagement through direct interaction.

Additionally, incorporating Smart Contracts and Tokenization optimizes marketing agreements, establishes clear incentives, and guarantees transparency within advertising initiatives.

Today, Web3 marketing reveals several intriguing domains, such as:

• Decentralized Advertising
• Tokenized Incentives and Rewards
• User-Centric, Privacy-Compliant Marketing 
• NFTs for Brand Interaction/Loyalty
• Web3 Platforms and DApps

Nonetheless, the path to widespread adoption of Web3 marketing is fraught with challenges, primarily in scalability and user adoption. The full realization of Web3's potential and benefits hinges on achieving ubiquity with Web3 Wallets comparable to current login methodologies, such as username-password combinations or email logins.

The urgency of transitioning to this novel paradigm cannot be overstated. The prevailing internet environment, predominantly shaped by the centralized principles of Web2, has engendered many controversial issues. The travel and hospitality sectors are certainly not immune to these challenges.

Embracing Web3 marketing strategies is not merely a forward-thinking move; it is an essential progression to mitigate the challenges and constraints of the current, over-centralized, digital landscape.

Francesco Brasca

Senior Procurement & Blockchain Advisor

To understand the essence of Web3 Marketing, one must first grasp the fundamental differences between Web2 and Web3. In the Web2 era, centralized platforms dominated, and user data was primarily owned and controlled by a select few. Web3, on the other hand, is characterized by decentralization, blockchain technology, and user empowerment. This transition heralds a new era where users have greater control over their data and can engage in peer-to-peer transactions without intermediaries.

1. NFTs Revolutionizing Digital Art

The sale of digital art as Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) has become a hallmark of Web3 Marketing. The famous auction of Beeple's "Everydays: The First 5000 Days" on Christie's demonstrated the transformative power of NFTs, fetching a staggering $69.3 million. This not only showcased the potential for artists to directly monetize their work but also marked a paradigm shift in how digital ownership is perceived.

2. Starbucks and Blockchain Loyalty Programs

Leading the charge in traditional industries, Starbucks has delved into blockchain loyalty programs. By leveraging blockchain, Starbucks enhances its rewards system, ensuring transparency and security. Customers can track their loyalty points seamlessly, fostering trust and long-term engagement. 

Related article by Francesco Brasca

Luca Lupattelli

Digital Project Manager at Hexagon AB

Over the past century, marketing has evolved from a Product-centric approach (Marketing 1.0) to a Customer-centric approach (Marketing 2.0), where social media reshaped companies' perspectives, giving rise to digital marketing departments. Marketing 3.0 emphasizes the human element, with storytelling playing a crucial role. Web3 and the metaverse now usher in a new paradigm, emphasizing community-focused strategies, long-term projects, and digital ownership.

Despite the ongoing shift toward community-centric marketing, the ecosystem is in development, awaiting mass adoption and regulatory frameworks. Robust projects leveraging blockchain, NFTs, and cryptocurrencies are emerging, with Gen Z expected to drive their widespread adoption.

In this context is important to distinguish between Metaverse and Web3. The Metaverse comprises persistent 3D virtual environments, while Web3 envisions a decentralized internet on blockchains. In sectors like hospitality, Web3 can address challenges by optimizing loyalty programs and implementing Fractional Ownership through smart contracts.

For companies, proactive engagement with Web3 and Metaverse experimentation is crucial for understanding the ecosystem. Marketers must be educated on these technologies to align strategies with Gen Z's preferences and behaviors, ensuring campaigns resonate with the digital landscape. Fostering a culture of continuous learning positions companies strategically for the integration of Web3 and Metaverse technologies in the future.

Related article by Luca Lupattelli

Roberto Garavaglia

Innovative Payments and blockchain Strategic Advisor

Web3 Marketing is reshaping customer engagement in the hospitality industry through blockchain technology and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). This approach marks a shift from traditional marketing to a more decentralized, personalized strategy.

NFTs offer unique opportunities in hospitality, allowing hotels to issue digital collectibles for exclusive experiences, thereby creating new revenue streams and enhancing brand prestige. These tokens also cultivate a sense of community and exclusivity, catering to modern consumer preferences for unique experiences.

Web3's decentralized nature enables tailored customer experiences, with blockchain-based recommendations and promotions enhancing satisfaction and loyalty. It also fosters trust through transparency, crucial for customer-brand relationships. Innovative loyalty programs using blockchain can offer transparent, valuable rewards, potentially as tradeable tokens.

Central to Web3 Marketing is the role of Web3 communities, which are more than consumer groups; they actively participate in brand narratives. Engaging with these communities allows businesses to co-create experiences and tap into user-generated content, shifting marketing towards a more collaborative, inclusive model.

In summary, Web3 Marketing, leveraging NFTs and community engagement, is revolutionizing the hospitality industry's customer interaction, promising a future of personalized, transparent, and engaging experiences, despite challenges like technical complexities and regulatory uncertainties.

See my last article to delve into deeper.

Related article by Roberto Garavaglia