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<\/a>The Graphics Interchange Format or GIF (although some people say\u00a0\u2018JIF\u2019), turned the big 3-0 this year (2017), so we thought we’d say Happy Birthday – but now we feel old!<\/p>\nWhen someone says ‘GIF’ to me, it still conjures up images of 1980\u2019s Space Invader icons waving their little pixelated arms, but now that we’re 30 years on, the GIF has taken on a new form and is slowly taking over the world of email campaigns.<\/p>\n
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A Brief History of GIF<\/h3>\n
As simplistic as the animated GIF once when the Space Invaders were all the rage, the GIF has now developed into something that doesn’t have to look so simplistic. \u00a0GIFs today are, as Daft Punk once said, are harder, better, faster, stronger. They have stood the test of time, and are now more detailed, bettered designed\u00a0and better developed. \u00a0The GIF, simply put, is the underdog image-equivalent of Rocky Balboa, that always comes out fighting and on top.<\/p>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nGIF hasn\u2019t always had the ring to itself when it comes to animated imagery. \u00a0Some early GIF contenders included\u00a0MNG<\/strong>\u00a0(Multiple Image Network Graphics) and\u00a0APNG<\/strong>\u00a0(Animated Portable Network Graphics). \u00a0Both used animated image graphics based around PNG, but were knocked out in the first round by development issues that hindered their progression. Today, GIF is being pitted against the new kid on the block – HTML5. \u00a0This newbie is the most current markup language that utilises new animated elements like the <video> tag for the display of short, silent, looping, moving picture files – examples of which can be found on\u00a0Gfycat\u00a0<\/a>and\u00a0Imgur<\/a>.<\/p>\n However, even with this new contender, the GIF is still fighting strong after 30 years as one of, if\u00a0not the most successful animated image, thanks not only to its versatility but also its accessibility.\u00a0 You can find a GIF of almost anything, and with so many sites offering up high quality, easily downloadable and shareable GIFs (our personal favourite is\u00a0giphy.com<\/a>\u00a0by the way<\/a>), there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be using GIFs.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Over the years, the animated GIF naturally progressed out video games and into our emails. These little video gems act as the perfect format to capture someone’s attention within the inbox, as Dell discovered when they launched their XPS 12 Convertible Ultrabook™, using an animated GIF to show off it\u2019s flip function.<\/p>\n In fact, an animated GIF incorporated into your emails can help\u00a0increase click-through rates by up to 42%.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Depending on your email content, GIFs can be utilised in a variety of ways: for fun, style or informative. Here\u2019s some examples below:<\/p>\n One of the most \u2018must-watch\u2019 TV shows right now is the NETFLIX Original Series \u201cStranger Things\u201d. \u00a0To promote the launch of the new season, Netflix used a creepy GIF in their email marketing timed perfectly with the show\u2019s backdrop and released just before Halloween.<\/p>\n Another creepy example comes from Email Monks, who showcased a creative yet spooky CSS3 which featured an interactive GIF for their\u00a0\u201cAnnabelle Creation\u201d<\/a>\u00a0email, with clever animation, click response and some extra eerie added sound.<\/p>\n Big brands like\u00a0Nike<\/a>\u00a0<\/a>are known for producing some very clean, stylish emails\u00a0featuring \u00a0big images and subtle GIF animations.<\/p>\n
\nNext on the scene was Adobe Flash, who went the full 12 rounds, threatening GIF\u2019s title as the go-to animated image. Luckily for GIF however, Adobe Flash retired early due to security flaws and restricted mobile performance.<\/p>\nSo Why Use GIF In Your Emails?<\/h3>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nHow Will You Use Yours?<\/h3>\n
Fun Promotions<\/h4>\n
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