Just a year after the Oxford Dictionary named the 'crying with laughter emoji' 2015's word of the year, we may have reached peak emoji – or brands have, at least. Research shows that over half of Brits think brands are trying too hard with their use of heart eyes, winky faces and poop emojis.

The English language is constantly shifting, with merging communities and tech making it evolve faster than ever; 86% of British parents think teens speak a different language on social media. So how can brands use words, emoticons and colloquialisms to better communicate with their audiences?

Rhythm and rhyme have been around since the beginning of time, and spoken word is now booming in Britain, with brands like the BBC and McCain harnessing this ancient art form in their campaigns. But what makes poetry more persuasive and engaging than non-rhyming prose in advertising?

Who needs words when you have emojis? Most Gen Yers now believe that these colourful symbols improve our ability to communicate, using them in the majority of all messages sent. In fact, almost three-quarters find it easier to express emotions with emojis than they do with words.