Marketo New Email Editor: What’s new

The Marketo New Email Designer is the latest version of Marketo Engage’s email editor. Its primary goal is to simplify email creation by eliminating the need for coding, allowing marketing teams to build campaigns faster while maintaining greater control over design across different devices.

Key new features

• Modern and intuitive interface: A more visual, user-friendly experience similar to other drag-and-drop editors.

• Fully responsive design: Customize each module separately for desktop and mobile.

• No HTML editing in modules: Code editing is currently disabled, though Adobe plans to introduce Handlebars for greater customization in the future.
• Faster and more flexible workflow: Allows for quicker email creation and adjustments without relying on developers.
• Compatibility with the old editor: Both editors will run in parallel until the end of 2025, giving users time to transition gradually.
• AI-Powered Email Generation: The new Marketo email designer uses generative AI to assist in writing email content, crafting subject line variations, and generating images with Adobe Firefly and other brand-approved sources through native access to Adobe Experience Manager Assets, making email creation faster and more efficient.

• Content Locking: Protect specific sections of your emails from being accidentally edited.
• Personalization with Tokens: Deliver personalized experiences at scale.
• Conditional Content: Add dynamic content based on recipient attributes.
• Reusable Fragments: Save time by creating reusable email blocks.

The Marketo New Email Designer introduces major changes to email creation and customization.

One of the most significant improvements is the ability to show or hide modules based on the device. This makes it easier to create emails with different structures for desktop and mobile without writing custom code.

Marketo’s new email editor won’t replace the classic version immediately. Adobe has confirmed that both editors will remain available until the end of 2025, allowing for a smooth transition.

Key points about the transition

• Both editors will run simultaneously: Users can test the new editor while continuing to use the classic version.
• The new editor is gradually rolling out: Since late January 2024, some customers have already gained access.
• To access the new email editor, you need to have migrated to IMS. For more information on how to complete the migration, click here.

How does this affect marketing teams?

For teams working with custom templates, the main challenge will be adapting to the new design rules and the lack of HTML editing within modules.

Although still evolving, the new editor offers several important improvements.

1. Complete customization for mobile and desktop: Users can choose which modules appear on each device, allowing for entirely different desktop and mobile designs within the same email—something that previously required coding.

2. Improved user experience: The editor is designed to simplify email creation. The interface is more intuitive, with increased flexibility in moving and arranging elements.

3. Faster campaign creation: By removing the need for coding, marketing teams can build and adjust emails more quickly without relying on developers.

4. Future updates with Handlebars: Adobe plans to introduce Handlebars, a templating language that will enable dynamic content customization without complex coding.

Despite its improvements, the Marketo New Email Designer still has some drawbacks.

1. No HTML editing within modules: Users cannot modify module code, which limits advanced customization.

Temporary workaround: Continue using the classic editor for custom templates until Handlebars is implemented.

2. No option to overlay text on images: Unlike the classic editor, the new version doesn’t allow placing text over an image unless the text is embedded in the image itself.

Workaround: Upload images with the text already included.

If you’re starting with the Marketo New Email Designer, here are some tips to maximize its potential:

• Start with simple emails: Test the new editor on basic emails before fully transitioning.
• Explore mobile/desktop customization: Use the module visibility settings to create optimized layouts for each device.
• Use pre-designed images for text overlays: Since you can’t overlay text on images directly, prepare your visuals accordingly.
• Stay updated on new features: Adobe has confirmed upcoming enhancements, including Handlebars.

1. When will the new email editor be available and what is the migration process?
   Customers whose accounts have migrated to IMS will have access to the new email editor by the end of January 2025. Meanwhile, the old editor will remain available throughout 2025 so you can transition at your own pace. A migration tool is also in development to simplify the process.
2. Will my existing email templates work in the new editor?
   No, existing templates won’t function as they did before. You must either import your HTML templates into the new editor and adjust them or create new templates within the editor. A migration tool is being developed to ease this transition.
3. Can I still code emails externally with my custom HTML and Marketo-specific syntax?
   Yes, you can continue coding emails using your external HTML editor. When importing your code, the new editor automatically converts and adapts your Marketo-specific syntax (including modules) to the new format while ensuring full functionality. However, using the editor’s native generated HTML guarantees optimal performance.
4. What about the new scripting language and developer documentation?
   A new scripting language, Handlebars, is being introduced to enhance customization options. Developer documentation is available on Adobe Experience League, and the language is being developed to support most use cases previously handled by Velocity scripting. Note that initial support for scripting in the new editor is limited, with expanded capabilities coming soon.
5. Will dynamic content and segmentation features still work?
   Yes, dynamic content based on attributes remains fully supported, and segmentation for personalization will be managed through Conditional Content. While initial dynamic content is attribute-based, segment-based dynamic content is planned for future updates.
6. Does the new editor support responsive design and allow custom mobile layout adjustments?
   Absolutely. The new editor natively supports responsive design for various screen sizes, allowing adjustments such as stacking columns on mobile and separately modifying font sizes and button widths. Although it currently applies default responsive settings, feedback is welcome to improve customization options.
7. Can branding elements (fonts, logos, colors, etc.) be enforced in the new editor?
   Yes, the editor provides content locking for specific sections, allowing you to enforce branding guidelines. Additionally, global brand themes and styling restrictions are in development to ensure consistent application of fonts, colors, spacing, and logos across all emails.
8. How are modules and content blocks handled in the new editor?
   When you import HTML, the editor automatically converts modules to its new format. You can rearrange, delete, or duplicate modules directly within the editor. Although there is currently no “Recycle Bin” for recovering accidentally deleted modules, this feature is under consideration for future updates.
9. What happens to global snippets such as email headers and footers?
   In the new editor, global snippets will be replaced by Fragments. For the time being, you will need to manually convert your existing snippets, although a migration tool is being developed to facilitate this conversion with just a few clicks.
10. Is the AI Assistant integrated into the new editor and how do I access it?
    Yes, the AI Assistant is included by default in the new editor. However, to use it you must accept the new Generative AI (GenAI) terms. This integration aims to help streamline your email creation and optimization processes.