How Important is the Intent in Marketing?

How important is intent when it comes to marketing? Let’s face it, in today’s digital-first world, content floods every platform. Brands are generating more than ever before—videos, blogs, social posts, emails, podcasts, and beyond. But a crucial question remains: is any of it actually making an impact?

At Penquin, a brand and communications agency focused on driving measurable results, this question is top of mind. And the honest answer? Not always. Many brands fall into the trap of creating content simply to tick boxes—without driving connection, conversion, or conversation.

Bring Intent Back to the Centre of Marketing

“It’s time to realign marketing with its true purpose: to move people—emotionally, mentally, or into action,” says Veronica Moleele, CEO of Penquin. Without intent, content becomes an expensive exercise in futility, wasting time, money, and attention.

From Volume to Value

The pressure to constantly post can lead brands to favour quantity over quality. This “post-every-day” mentality adds to the noise, making it even harder for valuable messages to reach the right audience. Intentional content starts not with a brief—but with purpose.

Asking the Right Questions

Meaningful content is driven by strategic thinking. Veronica encourages brands to start with key questions:

• What is the goal of this content?
• Who are we talking to?
• Are we engaging with them or speaking at them?
• What should they think, feel, or do after experiencing this?

Creativity Backed by Strategy

Creativity on its own isn’t enough. It must be informed by insights, aligned with business objectives, and designed to deliver value to the right people, in the right way, at the right moment. “Agencies must challenge their clients, ask tough questions, and aim for clarity that drives results,” Moleele adds.

Clarity Trumps Volume

The best campaigns aren’t necessarily the ones with the most assets—they’re the ones with the clearest intent. Creative work should be tied to measurable outcomes, and agencies must push brands to go deeper in their strategic thinking.

Intentional Content Builds Connection

Research consistently shows that brand trust and engagement increase when people feel seen and understood. This only happens when content is rooted in insight, guided by purpose, and delivered meaningfully.

Purposeful Brands Win

According to Moleele, the most successful brands in 2025 aren’t the loudest—they’re the most intentional. Whether it’s a TikTok video or a billboard, every piece of communication should serve a strategic function and build toward a cohesive brand experience.

Strategy Before Execution

Penquin has helped some of South Africa’s most dynamic brands achieve real results by prioritising strategy over output. When every piece of content is shaped by purpose, messaging becomes sharper, and business impact becomes measurable.

Are Brands Wasting Millions?

Without clear intent, yes. But when content is guided by strategy, backed by insights, and crafted with purpose, it cuts through the clutter—and moves people in the moments that matter most.

Watch this space for updates in the Hacks category on Running Wolf’s Rant.