Last week I was attending the Blog World Expo where Rob Key, CEO of Converseon, shared an example of how General Motors launched a contest for audience-created videos of their Chevy Tahoe. Then I read the same example in “Content Nation” by John Blossom. It’s an older (2006), but good example of…
Archive for October, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
10 Tips on Building a Better Business.
Business Week recently shared insights on how companies can innovate intelligently to build a better business. “Innovating the OXO Way” gives us 10 valuable tips we might consider emulating, especially since times are tough for consumer product companies. So let’s stand back and ponder how some or…
Friday, October 16, 2009
Keep Moving Forward: Turn Defeat Into Victory
Lewis, the child inventor, waits while his invention warms up. It is a peanut butter and jelly dispenser, designed to portion evenly onto bread.
The switch clicks ON, followed by a hiss of compressed air. At first it doesn’t seem like the contraption is working…
Suddenly, with the force of a fir…
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Why The FTC Ruling Is Good For Marketers
Last week, the FTC issued its first update in 30 years guiding the relationship between advertisers and the people who endorse their products.
It is no fun to side with the regulators, but I’m with the FTC on this one*. As stated in their “Guides” issued last Monday:
“To the extent that consumers’…
Marketing Lessons Learned From Micro-Finance In India
Besides Wall Street bankers, the poor of the world need access to financial liquidity too. But loaning money to individuals lacking credit history and formal employment can be a dicey proposition. Indeed, pitching financial services to people in the rural hinterlands takes effort, patience, and a…
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Use Social Media To Help Your Fans Tell a Story
In a recent video post, Time Managing Editor Josh Tyrangiel explained how to tell a story across multiple media. I found this fascinating because it reminded me that social media is about telling a good story.
Think about it. Why else are companies getting into Social Media if not to give their cu…
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Social Media Works for Small Business. I Have Proof.
A new survey conducted by Citibank shares some disheartening news: “Few U.S. small businesses have adopted social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter for business uses.”
The survey states that “three-quarters of small businesses say they have not found sites such as Facebook, Twitter a…
Now a Major Motion Picture: ‘What’s a “Mixer,” Anyway?’
A year ago, we held the first Digital Marketing Mixer near Scottsdale, Arizona. That first event proved to be so successful (and so much fun!) that we decided to make it an annual event. In fact, the second Digital Marketing Mixer takes place this month in Chicago.
We called the inaugural event a …
Monday, October 12, 2009
Six Time-Tested Strategies Guaranteed To Grow Your Business*
While there are thousands of business-growing tips available through books, magazines and websites, when you group and classify the tactics, they form six major strategies for growth….
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Starbucks: Undercutting Its Own Brand?
Can you stand it? Here is yet another reason to blog about Starbucks. In a recent article in the Seattle Times titled Sneak Peek of 15th Avenue Coffee and Tea, it appears Starbucks may have found yet one more way to kill its ailing brand.
Let’s recount here:
* Too many stores offering too little …
