Think about the last interaction you had with a brand. Maybe you saw a targeted ad on Instagram, opened an email from your favorite retailer, or read online reviews for the latest phone model.

Regardless, there's a good chance your last brand interaction was a digital one. Thanks to the rapidly expanding internet of things (IoT), our lives are shifting to digital spaces more and more. We use smart devices to work, play, exercise, communicate, and even sleep. Since consumers spend so much time connected, it's more important than ever for businesses to take a customer-centric view of digital transformation.

In this monthly series, I'll examine industry trends and marketing data to reveal how technology is influencing brand perception. From social media marketing to online reviews, the fast-paced world of martech is making it possible for businesses to create relevant marketing experiences and form closer relationships with their customers.