Congratulations to new OCSC startup member, CliqueMJ, an Irvine-based cannabis industry venture, on their positive coverage at RollingStone.com:
Connecting Cannabis Brands and Consumers: The Future of Brand Discovery
The cannabis industry has been rapidly expanding in recent years, with legal status and widespread acceptance paving the way for significant growth and diversification.
BY JOSHUA ADRAGNA
THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY has been rapidly expanding in recent years, with legal status and widespread acceptance paving the way for significant growth and diversification. As the industry evolves, the role of technology in connecting cannabis brands directly with consumers is becoming increasingly important. However, the limitations of current cannabis apps have created a gap in the market, creating an opportunity for new platforms to bridge the divide.
According to an experienced executive in the cannabis technology space, who wishes to remain anonymous, existing apps like Weedmaps and Leafly provide consumers with a comprehensive directory of dispensaries and strains. However, these apps lack features tailored to the needs of experienced users and act as a middleman between brands and consumers, limiting the brands’ ability to connect directly with their audience.
This executive suggests that new direct-to-consumer platforms and apps have an opportunity to offer stronger incentive-based cash-back features and direct communication with brand representatives. These platforms could also facilitate loyalty programs, exclusive offers, and unique experiences to encourage brand advocacy and foster a strong community of cannabis enthusiasts.
The opportunities for brands to build relationships with customers are also supported by a data insight report from Weedmaps that found among survey respondents, more than half, 54%, have a favorite brand.
It’s important to remember that, historically, the restrictive nature of the industry has created a disconnect between cannabis brands and consumers. The stigma surrounding cannabis consumption has limited its representation in mainstream media, making it difficult for brands to establish direct connections with their audience. However, new apps for the consumer are prioritizing brand-consumer interactions and reshaping the cannabis shopping experience.
One of these new options in apps is CliqueMJ.
This new app offers new features that enable brands to establish direct connections with cannabis consumers, fostering loyalty through cashback, accessing valuable demographic data, and taking the lead in the brand-consumer relationship. By cutting out the dispensary as the main source of intelligence, consumers can gain a wealth of knowledge straight from the source, while cannabis brands can establish direct connections with their audience.
The cannabis industry has long been a subject of intrigue and fascination in popular culture, with its use often portrayed in movies, music, and television. However, the stigma surrounding cannabis consumption has limited its representation in mainstream media until recently. As cannabis becomes more widely accepted in pop culture, new apps could help to normalize cannabis consumption and provide users with access to a wealth of information about strains and products, empowering them to make well-informed decisions while being paid to shop their favorite brands.
Growing consumer adoption is crucial for the success of any cannabis technology platform. As the cannabis industry continues to expand, consumers are looking for innovative platforms that offer them more incentives and better experiences in finding the products they love. To achieve this, apps must provide...
Read the rest of this article at rollingstone.com...