Blockchain: a game changer for marketers?

Marketers are faced with understanding and implementing new technologies at a greater rate than ever before. Yet despite the emergence of blockchain technology over a decade ago, it has received very little attention by academic researchers in marketing. Given the unique attributes of blockchain—transparent, decentralized, and immutable—it can create a more secure, customer centric, and open marketplace for consumers and businesses. This research contends that blockchain has the potential to transform businesses and is a technology that marketers need to be acutely aware of and prepared to utilize. We seek to generate discussion and future research on the impact of blockchain on five distinct areas: cryptocurrency, digital platforms, supply chain, online advertising, and market research.