UX STRATEGY / EMAIL SYSTEM DESIGN / content strategy

2023-2024

Engagement architecture:

Orchestrating a behaviour-driven communication strategy to convert Mitsubishi Connect trial users into loyal subscribers.

Engagement architecture: Orchestrating a behaviour-driven communication strategy to convert Mitsubishi Connect trial users into loyal subscribers.

Engagement architecture: Orchestrating a behaviour-driven communication strategy to convert Mitsubishi Connect trial users into loyal subscribers.

UX STRATEGY / EMAIL SYSTEM DESIGN / content strategy

UX STRATEGY / EMAIL SYSTEM DESIGN

State Of The Industry

A vehicle isn't the only thing that depreciates when driven off the lot - so too does brand investment in nurturing long-term connections.

Hard-won customer relationships achieved through rigorous multi-channel acquisition strategies wither into radio silence during their most formative periods of ownership - when loyalty foundations are most apt to be cultivated.

Fuel Ambition With Mitsubishi Connect

Recognizing the reality of most trips extending beyond just putting it in park, Mitsubishi Connect transcends the traditional constraints of ownership, augmenting your vehicle's utility all from the palm of your hand.

Powered through the Mitsubishi Connect Mobile App, owners are inspired to reimagine a more seamless A-to-B with practical Remote and Safeguard features, alongside real-time service alerts for peace of mind on-the-fly.

Solution Summary (TL;DR)

Mitsubishi approached our team with a rather paradoxical disconnect: despite reporting 78% usage rates for Connected Car Services across enrolled 2-year trial periods, conversion to paid subscription rate was just 13.8%.

This value signified a more visceral experience gap across a fragmented post-purchase journey that relied on dealer communications operating in silo; creating incongruity and variance in how (and how often) its value propositions were marketed to prospects and new owners.

Learn how we engineered a dynamic 2-year contact strategy that positioned CCS as an always on co-pilot owners can't live without; increasing paid conversions by 54% QoQ.

Discovery: Identifying Root Cause

With paid subscription rates for CCS charting well below the benchmark KPI of 20%, we recognized a fundamental disconnect between service usage and perceived value. Discovery research was required to uncover friction points across Mitsubishi's existing communications strategies and isolate root cause. How (and how often) does Mitsubishi articulate CCS' core value propositions to new owners? What in-app features currently possess the highest utilization rates?

In-depth Buyer Profiles containing extensive insights related to demography and purchasing patterns were presented and provided by Mitsubishi's Internal Research Team; serving as a springboard to garner a deeper understanding of our target user base.

40%

Cite All-Wheel Drive as a leading motivator for purchase, hinting at adventurous spirits beneath practical exteriors.

59%

Chose Outlander over competing brands due to Mitsubishi's highly regarded reputation for safety.

88%

State that versatility is a non-negotiable: requiring a vehicle that adapt to changing passenger and cargo needs.

82%

Listed Outlander as their first Mitsubishi vehicle, demonstrating brand ability to capture families at pivotal life transitions.

PROBLEM POSITIONING

Problem Positioning

Problem Positioning

Ultimately, owner perception of CCS was not a product of active rejection, but rather insufficient contextual awareness stemming from incongruity and variance in how and when it was being marketed.

By embedding product value in owners' lived experiences, we could sustain the brand-to-owner relationships that historically wane after purchase, while transforming passive subscribers into loyal advocates who believe in the technology augmenting their daily drive.

Ultimately, owner perception of CCS was not a product of active rejection, but rather insufficient contextual awareness stemming from incongruity and variance in how and when it was being marketed.

By embedding product value in owners' lived experiences, we could sustain the brand-to-owner relationships that historically wane after purchase, while transforming passive subscribers into loyal advocates who believe in the technology augmenting their daily drive.

Ultimately, owner perception of CCS was not a product of active rejection, but rather insufficient contextual awareness stemming from incongruity and variance in how and when it was being marketed.

By embedding product value in owners' lived experiences, we could sustain the brand-to-owner relationships that historically wane after purchase, while transforming passive subscribers into loyal advocates who believe in the technology augmenting their daily drive.

PROBLEM & SOLUTION SUMMARY: INSIGHTS & OUTCOMES

Solution Summary (TL;DR)

Solution Summary (TL;DR)

Mitsubishi approached our team with a rather paradoxical disconnect: despite reporting 78% usage rates for Connected Car Services across enrolled 2-year trial periods, conversion to paid subscription rate was just 13.8%.

This value signified a more visceral experience gap across a fragmented post-purchase journey that relied on dealer communications operating in silo; creating incongruity and variance in how (and how often) its value propositions were marketed to prospects and new owners.

Learn how we engineered a dynamic 2-year contact strategy that positioned CCS as an always on co-pilot owners can't live without; increasing paid conversions by 54% QoQ.

Mitsubishi approached our team with a rather paradoxical disconnect: despite reporting 78% usage rates for Connected Car Services across enrolled 2-year trial periods, conversion to paid subscription rate was just 13.8%.

This value signified a more visceral experience gap across a fragmented post-purchase journey that relied on dealer communications operating in silo; creating incongruity and variance in how (and how often) its value propositions were marketed to prospects and new owners.

Learn how we engineered a dynamic 2-year contact strategy that positioned CCS as an always on co-pilot owners can't live without; increasing paid conversions by 54% QoQ.

So, Who's Behind The Wheel?

Outlander Owners embody the suburban-dwelling, millennial professional balancing adventure and stability. They're methodical thinkers who approach vehicle ownership as a strategic investment rather than an emotional indulgence.

Insights indicated a compelling hierarchy of feature affinity by model type (Plug-in Hybrid vs. Gas). But, how might these conventions align with those behind the wheel of competing automakers?

Remote Vehicle Status (51%)

Door Lock & Unlock (7%)

Remote Vehicle Finder (9%)

Remote Climate Control Start (22%)

Smart Remote Start (67%)

Door Lock /Unlock (7%)

Remote Vehicle Finder (6%)

Remote Vehicle Status (14%)

Utilization Rates (Outlander DG)

OUTLANDER PHEV

OUTLANDER PHEV

OUTLANDER ICE

OUTLANDER ICE

Canvassing the Market

Due to the proprietary nature of competitor email journeys accessible only to vehicle owners and subscription holders, qualitative community research was conducted through targeted Reddit inquiries, engaging Subaru and Toyota owners directly about their experiences with each manufacturer's respective ecosystem.

Despite price being cited as a top-of-funnel impediment to renewal, respondents attributed a lack of transparency as an underlying catalyst for reduced trust in brand. Connected car services were consistently onboarded to new owners as an afterthought during final paperwork; a missed opportunity to foster advocacy through meaningful education and feature demonstration when novelty is at its highest.

Problem Positioning

Ultimately, owner perception of CCS was not a product of active rejection, but rather insufficient contextual awareness stemming from incongruity and variance in how and when it was being marketed.

By embedding product value in owners' lived experiences, we could sustain the brand-to-owner relationships that historically wane after purchase, while transforming passive subscribers into loyal advocates who believe in the technology augmenting their daily drive.

Solution Architecture

Pixel pushing was preceded by journey architecture and thematic content segmentation. Conditional logic was embedded to accommodate model-specific feature callouts and time/action-based triggers as well, ensuring the email experience transcended simple in-app alert projection, serving as a springboard with deep links for subsequent action (i.e. Book a Service Appointment) directly from the inbox.

Habit Forming During Peak Receptivity Periods

The first 30 days represented strategic bets informed through existing owner insights and core purchase motivators, front-loading communications with high-affinity feature spotlights (i.e. Remote Climate Control, Vehicle Status monitoring, and Door Lock functions) to maximize perceived ecosystem value and foster habitual use when open rates (and brand engagement) are at their peak.

Proactive Health Management With Vehicle Status Reports

Scheduled Vehicle Status Reports were deployed quarterly to present owners with holistic summaries of key health markers and combat inconsistent dealer instruction related to service requirements and maintenance timing. Safety critical issues, such as low brake fluid, prompted immediate triggers that bypassed the scheduled cadence to deliver urgent notifications with direct resolution pathways, positioning Mitsubishi Connect as a proactive co-pilot that mitigates maintenance uncertainty for owners seeking adventure.

Beyond <FNAME>: Contextual Intelligence Driving Relevance

Dynamic content served as the catalyst for generating 1:1 messaging frameworks, positioning email as an augmentation of the CCS app's core utility. From populating an owner's specific model, trim, and colour to imbue stickiness above the fold; to sophisticated journey logic featuring contextual triggers that flag anomalies pertaining to key vehicular health markers in real-time, keeping owners informed on-the-go.

Outcomes & What's Next

A newly crafted CCS email journey found its success through its ability to standardize program identity at brand level, garnering advocacy through contextual awareness. By permeating in-app value propositions across communication channels, we instil the confidence that imbues the adventure Mitsubishi owners seek.

Post-launch testing and reporting insights continue to inform iteration strategy as Mitsubishi seeks to implement CCS across a wider portion of its 2025-2026 fleet.

Scroll (just a little more) to see how our campaigned performed.

54%

increase in paid subscription rates from 13.8% to 21.3% QoQ, surpassing the pre-sprint KPI of 20%, and transforming trial users into loyal advocates who perceive CCS as an invaluable digital companion.

73%

Higher click-through rates for Service Reminder Triggers compared to all other CCS touchpoints.

Global Acclaim

Contextual Triggers earned global recognition from Mitsubishi's global leadership team due to their ability to transcend utility across multiple engagement channels, adopting it as a standard framework across international markets.

RESULTS, REFLECTION AND NEXT STEPS

Outcomes & What's Next

Outcomes & What's Next

A newly crafted CCS email journey found its success through its ability to standardize program identity at brand level, garnering advocacy through contextual awareness. By permeating in-app value propositions across communication channels, we instil the confidence that imbues the adventure Mitsubishi owners seek.


Post-launch testing and reporting insights continue to inform iteration strategy as Mitsubishi seeks to implement CCS across a wider portion of its 2025-2026 fleet.


Scroll (just a little more) to see how our campaigned performed.

54%

Increase in paid subscription rates from 13.8% to 21.3% QoQ, surpassing the pre-sprint KPI of 20%, and transforming trial users into loyal advocates who perceive CCS as an invaluable digital companion.

73%

Higher click-through rates for Service Reminder Triggers compared to all other CCS touchpoints.

🌐

Contextual Triggers earned global acclaim from Mitsubishi's global leadership team due to their ability to transcend utility across multiple engagement channels, adopting it as a standard framework across international markets.

54%

increase in paid subscription rates from 13.8% to 21.3% QoQ, surpassing the pre-sprint KPI of 20%, and transforming trial users into loyal advocates who perceive CCS as an invaluable digital companion.

73%

Higher click-through rates for Service Reminder Triggers compared to all other CCS touchpoints.

👏🏻

Contextual Triggers earned global acclaim from Mitsubishi's global leadership team due to their ability to transcend utility across multiple engagement channels, adopting it as a standard framework across international markets.

40%

Cite All-Wheel Drive as a leading motivator for purchase, hinting at adventurous spirits beneath practical exteriors.

59%

Chose Outlander over competing brands due to Mitsubishi's highly regarded reputation for safety.

88%

State that versatility is a non-negotiable: requiring a vehicle that adapt to changing passenger and cargo needs.

82%

Listed Outlander as their first Mitsubishi vehicle, demonstrating brand ability to capture families at pivotal life transitions.

STATE OF THE INDUSTRY

State Of The Industry

State Of The Industry

A vehicle isn't the only thing that depreciates when driven off the lot - so too does brand investment in nurturing long-term connections.

Hard-won customer relationships achieved through rigorous multi-channel acquisition strategies wither into radio silence during their most formative periods of ownership - when loyalty foundations are most apt to be cultivated.

A vehicle isn't the only thing that depreciates when driven off the lot - so too does brand investment in nurturing long-term connections.

Hard-won customer relationships achieved through rigorous multi-channel acquisition strategies wither into radio silence during their most formative periods of ownership - when loyalty foundations are most apt to be cultivated.

A vehicle isn't the only thing that depreciates when driven off the lot - so too does brand investment in nurturing long-term connections.

Hard-won customer relationships achieved through rigorous multi-channel acquisition strategies wither into radio silence during their most formative periods of ownership - when loyalty foundations are most apt to be cultivated.

EXTEND EVERYDAY DRIVING WITH MITSUBISHI CONNECT

Fuel Ambition With Mitsubishi Connect

Fuel Ambition With Mitsubishi Connect

Recognizing the reality of most trips extending beyond just putting it in park, Mitsubishi Connect transcends the traditional constraints of ownership, augmenting your vehicle's utility all from the palm of your hand.

Powered through the Mitsubishi Connect Mobile App, owners are inspired to reimagine a more seamless A-to-B with practical Remote and Safeguard features, alongside real-time service alerts for peace of mind on-the-fly.

Recognizing the reality of most trips extending beyond just putting it in park, Mitsubishi Connect transcends the traditional constraints of ownership, augmenting your vehicle's utility all from the palm of your hand.

Powered through the Mitsubishi Connect Mobile App, owners are inspired to reimagine a more seamless A-to-B with practical Remote and Safeguard features, alongside real-time service alerts for peace of mind on-the-fly.

Recognizing the reality of most trips extending beyond just putting it in park, Mitsubishi Connect transcends the traditional constraints of ownership, augmenting your vehicle's utility all from the palm of your hand.

Powered through the Mitsubishi Connect Mobile App, owners are inspired to reimagine a more seamless A-to-B with practical Remote and Safeguard features, alongside real-time service alerts for peace of mind on-the-fly.

PASSENGER PROFILES: WHO'S BEHIND THE WHEEL?

Discovery: Identifying Root Cause

Discovery: Identifying Root Cause

With paid subscription rates for CCS charting well below the benchmark KPI of 20%, we recognized a fundamental disconnect between service usage and perceived value. Discovery research was required to uncover friction points across Mitsubishi's existing communications strategies and isolate root cause. How (and how often) does Mitsubishi articulate CCS' core value propositions to new owners? What in-app features currently possess the highest utilization rates?


In-depth Buyer Profiles containing extensive insights related to demography and purchasing patterns were presented and provided by Mitsubishi's Internal Research Team; serving as a springboard to garner a deeper understanding of our target user base.

40%

Cite All-Wheel Drive as a leading motivator for purchase, hinting at adventurous spirits beneath practical exteriors.

59%

Chose Outlander over competing brands due to Mitsubishi's highly regarded reputation for safety.

88%

State that versatility is a non-negotiable: requiring a vehicle that adapt to changing passenger and cargo needs.

82%

Listed Outlander as their first Mitsubishi vehicle, demonstrating brand ability to capture families at pivotal life transitions.

SO, WHO'S BEHIND THE WHEEL?

So, Who's Behind The Wheel?

So, Who's Behind The Wheel?

Outlander Owners embody the suburban-dwelling, millennial professional balancing adventure and stability. They're methodical thinkers who approach vehicle ownership as a strategic investment rather than an emotional indulgence.

Insights indicated a compelling hierarchy of feature affinity by model type (Plug-in Hybrid vs. Gas). But, how might these conventions align with those behind the wheel of competing automakers?

Outlander Owners embody the suburban-dwelling, millennial professional balancing adventure and stability. They're methodical thinkers who approach vehicle ownership as a strategic investment rather than an emotional indulgence.

Insights indicated a compelling hierarchy of feature affinity by model type (Plug-in Hybrid vs. Gas). But, how might these conventions align with those behind the wheel of competing automakers?

Outlander Owners embody the suburban-dwelling, millennial professional balancing adventure and stability. They're methodical thinkers who approach vehicle ownership as a strategic investment rather than an emotional indulgence.

Insights indicated a compelling hierarchy of feature affinity by model type (Plug-in Hybrid vs. Gas). But, how might these conventions align with those behind the wheel of competing automakers?

Canvassing the Market

Due to the proprietary nature of competitor email journeys accessible only to vehicle owners and subscription holders, qualitative community research was conducted through targeted Reddit inquiries, engaging Subaru and Toyota owners directly about their experiences with each manufacturer's respective ecosystem.

Despite price being cited as a top-of-funnel impediment to renewal, respondents attributed a lack of transparency as an underlying catalyst for reduced trust in brand. Connected car services were consistently onboarded to new owners as an afterthought during final paperwork; a missed opportunity to foster advocacy through meaningful education and feature demonstration when novelty is at its highest.

Canvassing the Market

Due to the proprietary nature of competitor email journeys accessible only to vehicle owners and subscription holders, qualitative community research was conducted through targeted Reddit inquiries, engaging Subaru and Toyota owners directly about their experiences with each manufacturer's respective ecosystem.

Despite price being cited as a top-of-funnel impediment to renewal, respondents attributed a lack of transparency as an underlying catalyst for reduced trust in brand. Connected car services were consistently onboarded to new owners as an afterthought during final paperwork; a missed opportunity to foster advocacy through meaningful education and feature demonstration when novelty is at its highest.

Toyota_landcrusier67

The total cost-to-value just isn't there for me. Wish I could renew specific features instead of a blanket subscription to better accommodate my needs.

1

RAV4_Explorer87

I was informed about my Connected Car Services as an afterthought before driving off the lot. Haven't heard about it since, and still unsure what it's all about tbh...

2

Subi_dooby_doo12

Remote Start and Remote Lock / Unlock are my saviours as a daily commuter. Not sure what other features I'd take advantage of consistently though...

2

HighlanderToyota_Dad_091

I've owned Toyota's since my '94 RAV4. I'll be looking elsewhere for my next vehicle. I can use my fob for remote unlocking and Carplay for my nav. What else is there to pay for?

4

Subaru_Owner762

The only major value point during my trial has been keeping track of my teenagers with Vehicle Alerts. Not sure what else I'd see as valuable enough to pay for...

3

Canvassing the Market

Due to the proprietary nature of competitor email journeys accessible only to vehicle owners and subscription holders, qualitative community research was conducted through targeted Reddit inquiries, engaging Subaru and Toyota owners directly about their experiences with each manufacturer's respective ecosystem.

Despite price being cited as a top-of-funnel impediment to renewal, respondents attributed a lack of transparency as an underlying catalyst for reduced trust in brand. Connected car services were consistently onboarded to new owners as an afterthought during final paperwork; a missed opportunity to foster advocacy through meaningful education and feature demonstration when novelty is at its highest.

Smart Remote Start (67%)

Door Lock /Unlock (7%)

Remote Vehicle Finder (6%)

Remote Vehicle Status (14%)

Remote Vehicle Status (51%)

Door Lock & Unlock (7%)

Remote Vehicle Finder (9%)

Remote Climate Control Start (22%)

OUTLANDER PHEV

OUTLANDER PHEV

OUTLANDER ICE

OUTLANDER ICE

Smart Remote Start (67%)

Door Lock /Unlock (7%)

Remote Vehicle Finder (6%)

Remote Vehicle Status (14%)

Remote Vehicle Status (51%)

Door Lock & Unlock (7%)

Remote Vehicle Finder (9%)

Remote Climate Control Start (22%)

OUTLANDER PHEV

OUTLANDER PHEV

OUTLANDER ICE

OUTLANDER ICE

Solution Architecture

Solution Architecture

Pixel pushing was preceded by journey architecture and thematic content segmentation. Conditional logic was embedded to accommodate model-specific feature callouts and time/action-based triggers as well, ensuring the email experience transcended simple in-app alert projection, serving as a springboard with deep links for subsequent action (i.e. Book a Service Appointment) directly from the inbox.

Habit Forming During Peak Receptivity Periods

Habit Forming During Peak Receptivity Periods

The first 30 days represented strategic bets informed through existing owner insights and core purchase motivators, front-loading communications with high-affinity feature spotlights (i.e. Remote Climate Control, Vehicle Status monitoring, and Door Lock functions) to maximize perceived ecosystem value and foster habitual use when open rates (and brand engagement) are at their peak.

Proactive Health Management With Vehicle Status Reports

Proactive Health Management With Vehicle Status Reports

Scheduled Vehicle Status Reports were deployed quarterly to present owners with holistic summaries of key health markers and combat inconsistent dealer instruction related to service requirements and maintenance timing. Safety critical issues, such as low brake fluid, prompted immediate triggers that bypassed the scheduled cadence to deliver urgent notifications with direct resolution pathways, positioning Mitsubishi Connect as a proactive co-pilot that mitigates maintenance uncertainty for owners seeking adventure.

Beyond <FNAME>: Contextual Intelligence Driving Relevance

Beyond <FNAME>: Contextual Intelligence Driving Relevance

Dynamic content served as the catalyst for generating 1:1 messaging frameworks, positioning email as an augmentation of the CCS app's core utility. From populating an owner's specific model, trim, and colour to imbue stickiness above the fold; to sophisticated journey logic featuring contextual triggers that flag anomalies pertaining to key vehicular health markers in real-time, keeping owners informed on-the-go.

Solution Architecture

Solution Architecture

Pixel pushing was preceded by journey architecture and thematic content segmentation. Conditional logic was embedded to accommodate model-specific feature callouts and time/action-based triggers as well, ensuring the email experience transcended simple in-app alert projection, serving as a springboard with deep links for subsequent action (i.e. Book a Service Appointment) directly from the inbox.

Habit Forming During Peak Receptivity Periods

Habit Forming During Peak Receptivity Periods

The first 30 days represented strategic bets informed through existing owner insights and core purchase motivators, front-loading communications with high-affinity feature spotlights (i.e. Remote Climate Control, Vehicle Status monitoring, and Door Lock functions) to maximize perceived ecosystem value and foster habitual use when open rates (and brand engagement) are at their peak.

Proactive Health Management With Vehicle Status Reports

Proactive Health Management With Vehicle Status Reports

Scheduled Vehicle Status Reports were deployed quarterly to present owners with holistic summaries of key health markers and combat inconsistent dealer instruction related to service requirements and maintenance timing. Safety critical issues, such as low brake fluid, prompted immediate triggers that bypassed the scheduled cadence to deliver urgent notifications with direct resolution pathways, positioning Mitsubishi Connect as a proactive co-pilot that mitigates maintenance uncertainty for owners seeking adventure.

Beyond <FNAME>: Contextual Intelligence Driving Relevance

Beyond <FNAME>: Contextual Intelligence Driving Relevance

Dynamic content served as the catalyst for generating 1:1 messaging frameworks, positioning email as an augmentation of the CCS app's core utility. From populating an owner's specific model, trim, and colour to imbue stickiness above the fold; to sophisticated journey logic featuring contextual triggers that flag anomalies pertaining to key vehicular health markers in real-time, keeping owners informed on-the-go.