iGB Affiliate 71 Oct/Nov | Page 73

INSIGHT THE 22 IMMUTABLE LAWS OF MARKETING In the first instalment of a comprehensive new series, Nick Garner looks at the high-level laws that govern marketing success and how they apply to the igaming industry. Here he introduces the theory behind Ries and Trout’s seminal work THE 22 IMMUTABLE LAWS OF MARKETING was written by Al Ries and Jack Trout in 1994 and has become one of those long-burner cult marketing books that continues to be relevant decades after it was written. I first heard about the book via Tim Ferris, the San Francisco-based investor and author. “The whole time I was reading The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing,” Ferris said, “I was thinking that this is a book that should be easily accessible on every business person’s desk. I plan to keep it nearby as a reference tool and a way to think about my and other businesses. The 22 laws can be taken in seclusion but have much more power when considered together. I found myself arguing with the authors about one particular law only to have the next law address my point of contention.” Once I read the book, a light went on in my head because so many big ideas with marketing strategy just came together. Today I’m able to look at any marketing strategy situation and apply at least one or more of these immutable laws of marketing to make sense of what’s going on. If you think of the laws of marketing almost like laws of physics, you will be in the right place. For example, we know that gravity is a force that pulls you towards “If you think of the laws of marketing almost like laws within physics, you will be in the right place” something. Equally, these marketing laws are sacrosanct so you can have just as much confidence in them. The laws and igaming Having been in the igaming industry for a very long time, I’ve seen brands come and go. In the past I could never really understand the high-level strategic reasons for their success or failure. Generally success or failure begins with some very simple decisions around the market segment these businesses are going to tackle. Then, over time, things get more complex as the specifics of any enterprise develop. For example, somebody comes up with an idea for setting up a new online casino. The first big decision is about which market segment are they going to go for. Who are their iGB Affiliate Issue 71 OCT/NOV 2018 71