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January 10.2026
3 Minutes Read

Bridging the Intent Divide: How Brands Can Understand Customer Intent Better

Cordial Helping Brands Understand Customer Intent

Navigating the Intent Divide in Consumer Marketing

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, brands face a growing challenge: understanding their customers' intentions. A recent report by Cordial highlights a striking disconnect between what brands think they know about their consumers and the reality of consumer sentiment. According to the Intent Divide report, only one-third of consumers believe retailers and e-commerce brands genuinely understand their needs. This statistic underlines the urgent need for businesses to adopt more nuanced marketing strategies that leverage deeper insights into customer behavior.

Your Customer’s Journey: Insights that Matter

Cordial, a cross-channel marketing and data company based in San Diego, aims to bridge this gap through advanced AI-driven tools. They have recently introduced new features designed to enhance understanding of customer intent. By providing a customer insights dashboard, brands can observe shifts in potential, current, and inactive customers' interests over time. This dashboard is more than just analytics; it meshes with a messaging suite allowing brands to deliver personalized content via various communication channels, improving customer engagement significantly.

First Impressions Count: Personalization from Day One

One of the standout features of Cordial's platform is its ability to personalize experiences for visitors making their first trip to a website. By analyzing initial browsing behavior, brands can make tailored product recommendations even before the consumer has made a purchase. This approach dramatically mitigates what is known as the 'cold start problem'—when new customers receive generic communications lacking relevance. As Mark Howland, Cordial's president, emphasizes, this preemptive understanding allows brands to cater to their customers’ preferences right from their first interaction.

AI at the Core: Transforming Marketing Strategies

Cordial has invested heavily in developing AI models to dig deeper into customer engagement. With tools like an AI-based email subject line generator, brands can harness data-driven insights to tailor their messaging strategy to their unique audience. These developments have not only made marketing more effective but have led to impressive growth for Cordial, demonstrating the commercial viability of understanding and adapting to customer intent.

Rise of Collaborative Innovation: Cordial’s Foundry Program

Central to Cordial's strategy is its Foundry program, which fosters rapid experimentation and customer feedback integration. This program channels innovative concepts directly to brand clients, allowing for a quicker implementation of features that meet user needs. Remarkably, about 70% of the features developed in Foundry are integrated into Cordial’s core offerings, showcasing a commitment to continuous improvement in tailoring brand messaging.

Three Dimensions of Intent: What Brands Must Master

Cordial’s research indicates that brands need to grasp three vital dimensions to effectively address customer intent: context, behavior, and engagement patterns. Misreading consumer intent can not only lead to misunderstanding their needs but also erode trust, holding brands back from achieving optimal engagement. As more shoppers turn to AI tools for their buying experiences, companies must adapt to blending discovery with purchase seamlessly.

The Future of Consumer Engagement: Predictions and Opportunities

As the reliance on AI in marketing grows, brands are expected to refine their strategies even further, utilizing insights to predict and meet consumer needs in real time. With advanced database analytics and machine learning, the future looks bright for firms that prioritize understanding their customers—not just through data points, but by comprehending their motivations and desires.

Conclusion: Understanding Your Customers Affects Your Bottom Line

As articulated by Howland, the ability to genuinely understand consumer intent is not just a competitive advantage; it’s a necessity in today's marketplace. Brands that invest in technology to close the intent divide will set themselves apart, driving higher engagement rates and ultimately, sales. For those looking to better connect with consumers, cultivating a deeper understanding of customer behavior and preferences is the pathway to success.

Find out how Cordial is reshaping marketing strategies by visiting their website or requesting a demo today. Embrace the future of customer engagement where understanding intent is the key to driving results!

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01.07.2026

What Income is Needed to Buy a Bay Area Home in 2026?

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Discover How The Cliff Brings San Diego Concepts to Nevada's Retail Scene

Update A New Era for Retail in Henderson: The Cliff ProjectIn a striking move to bring a touch of San Diego into Nevada, Cast Capital Partners is set to launch a $55 million experiential retail project named The Cliff, dynamically positioned just outside of Las Vegas in Henderson. This initiative signifies not just a development of brick-and-mortar establishments but the introduction of a lifestyle transformation through curated retail experiences similar to those thriving in San Diego. From Humble Beginnings to Bold AspirationsFounded by Bret Morriss in 2022, Cast Capital Partners has quickly made its mark in commercial real estate, culminating in a significant transaction volume of $172.8 million in 2025. The company’s latest venture, The Cliff, has its roots in a serendipitous friendship between Morriss and Chris Clifford, who shared a chance meeting at a coffee shop in Encinitas. Their collaboration represents the fusion of local understanding with innovative retail concepts, aiming to serve the growing community of Henderson, which is eager for fresh experiences. The Vision for The Cliff: What to ExpectOriginally a 100,000 square-foot office campus, The Cliff will be transformed into an open-air retail haven. This project will not simply replicate San Diego’s offerings but aim to create a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere uniquely suited to Henderson's growing demographic. The plans include shaded patios, a central bar, outdoor lounges, and an inclusive children’s play area, designed to enhance communal engagement and leisure. “I’m literally trying to take my favorite things from San Diego and bring them to the Henderson market,” said Clifford, highlighting the personal touch to the project. Transforming Concepts: San Diego Brands in HendersonThe appeal of The Cliff lies in its incorporation of local San Diego brands that have carved out a niche in their home market. Currently, approximately 30,000 square feet of the new retail space is either leased or under letters of intent to 20 different concepts, many originating from San Diego. This includes beloved favorites like The Taco Stand, which exemplifies the kind of dining experiences that Henderson residents can expect. Working with Local Governance for ApprovalOne intriguing facet of this project involves navigating local regulations for entertainment facilities. Initially, the city of Henderson was hesitant to include an outdoor bar in the project. Clifford adeptly used precedents from successful projects like The Grove in Los Angeles to demonstrate the benefits such features could bring. Ultimately, this negotiation enabled The Cliff to secure an entertainment district overlay, a rare zoning designation within the city that will allow for a varied and vibrant atmosphere at the center. Future Insights: What This Means for Henderson’s Retail LandscapeThe Cliff is poised to redefine retail in Henderson by integrating emerging brands and innovative retail concepts popular in San Diego. This project could serve as a pivotal shift towards experiential retail spaces in suburban areas, addressing the demand for unique shopping and dining experiences that go beyond traditional retail. As construction kicks off this year, industry watchers will be eager to assess how these concepts resonate with local consumers. Community Engagement and Growth OpportunitiesAs Henderson evolves into a hub for new developments, projects like The Cliff not only provide retail options but also foster community engagement. The design eliminates barriers between commercial and leisure spaces, creating an environment where residents feel connected to their neighborhood. Clifford’s emphasis on making The Cliff a place “where families can gather” reflects a strong understanding of modern consumer desires. The Bigger Picture: Retail Trends Shaping the FutureThe Cliff aligns with broader retail trends emphasizing experiential shopping, where consumers seek meaningful connections with brands in settings that invite exploration and enjoyment. This shift is particularly relevant to younger demographics that prioritize experiences over possessions, suggesting that Cast Capital Partners may be tapping into a lasting market transformation. Final Thoughts: A Bright Future AheadAs investors, city planners, and communities await the completion of The Cliff, the anticipation highlights a growing recognition of the importance of innovative retail solutions. By bringing San Diego’s compelling brand offerings to Henderson, this project is not just a commercial venture; it embodies a vision for improved connectivity, community engagement, and modern shopping experiences. For residents in Bakersfield and surrounding areas, The Cliff could represent an exciting travel destination in the near future.

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