Archive for the ‘Strategic Communications’ Category

Everything New Is Old Again: In Communication, Basic Rules Still Apply

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

There’s much talk these days about how social media has changed the communication landscape and, indeed, it has. But, despite the fact that social media has created new opportunities and challenges for communicators, there are really (IMO) only two ways in which it really represents anything “different”: (more…)

Should You Outsource Your Marketing Function?

Thursday, April 18th, 2013

I was interviewed recently by a reporter with Inc. Magazine about the prevalence and value of outsourcing the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) role. It’s a topic that I definitely have an opinion about–one that may seem to be at cross-purposes with my own self interests. As a marketing communication consultant I’ve actually served in the role of an “outsourced CMO” on a couple of occasions. In one instance, the client was looking for not only my assistance with current marketing efforts, but my recommendations for how they should proceed in the future — should they continue to outsource this function, or should they hire someone to handle their marketing efforts on staff?

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What Social Media Tool Should You Use? No Easy Answers.

Thursday, April 4th, 2013

With so many different social media outlets to choose from, how do businesses decide which one or two they should focus their efforts on? It’s a question that many are pondering these days. The good news?

Social media decisions are no different than any other communication decisions you may have dealt with in the past. There are multiple ways that you can communicate and connect with any audience. To make the best choices you need to (more…)

Iconic Brands Revisited With a Boost From Technology

Tuesday, March 26th, 2013

Last night I showed students in my Advertising Copy & Design class a video that I’ve seen a number of times, now, but that continues to both delight and amaze me. It’s Google’s “Project Re: Brief” which tells the story of four classic advertisements and how their original creators teamed up with today’s new breed of advertising professionals–and some technical experts–to create some truly amazing advertisements. The iconic spots they recreated were: (more…)

What to Avoid When Marketing to Women? Defining the Audience Too Broadly

Tuesday, February 26th, 2013

Marketers often pose questions like: “What are the best practices when marketing to women?” In my opinion, that question is far too broad. Women are not a homogeneous market segment. There are a myriad of variations among them. I was recently asked this question; here’s how I responded: (more…)

How to Generate Leads With a Limited Marketing Budget

Thursday, February 21st, 2013

 

In our technology-driven world, the good news for marketers is that lead generation does not have to take a huge investment. Traditional media still have a place, but the Internet and social media make it more cost-effective than ever to raise awareness, generate leads and ultimately create sales.
The process of lead generation is the same as it ever was, but (more…)

What You Can Learn From the Super Bowl Advertisers

Monday, February 4th, 2013

The Super Bowl is behind us, but buzz about the brands that bought space to reach the masses during this much-watched event is still buzzing. It’s buzz that can benefit businesses–of any size–that are looking for ways to boost awareness and break through an increasingly cluttered media environment. Small businesses, in particular, can learn from the best of the best (and worst of the worst…). For example: (more…)

Marketing Strategies: Facebook Campaigns

Tuesday, January 29th, 2013

I came across two photos the other day with some ordinary people doing some extraordinary marketing campaigns, and generating phenomenal results via Facebook. (more…)

Getting #Personal: How Engaging Social Media Visitors in Conversation Can Boost Engagement

Tuesday, January 15th, 2013

A good place to keep your clients, customers, and employees engaged is online. Interaction is key, and a critical element of keeping people engaged and interested. You can do this on social networks, blogs, emails, and websites.

Here’s an example that comes from an intern of mine, who reached out and tweeted to a company that makes an interesting Mac app. (more…)