by Drew McLellan A recent study from the Pew Research Center Internet & American Life project shows that the average age of social network users rose over the past couple years. While the number of 18-22 year old users fell, the 36-49, 50-65 and 65+ crowds grew by some significant percentages. The number of social network users who are 36 or older grew by 58% over the last two years. …Read More
“We First”: Rethinking Brands as Nations
by Carol Phillips Simon Mainwaring, former creative director for Nike at Weiden & Kennedy, is a man with thoughtful and interesting views on brands and marketing. So when I was offered a copy of his book, We First: How Brands & Consumers Use Social Media to Build a Better World, I was intrigued. My curiosity was well-rewarded. A Bold, New Vision We First is a call to arms for brand …Read More
We Know When You’re Lying: A Lesson in “Getting It Under Your Fingernails”
by Stephen Denny When you’re working with someone who truly knows what they’re doing, you know it. And when you’re dealing with someone who’s faking it, you figure it out pretty quickly. Interestingly, it isn’t always what they say, either. I recall a psychological study conducted some years ago that measured the amount of pain dental patients felt after a procedure. Half the patients received a painkiller while the other …Read More
Crowdsourcing: Madison Avenue and the 5th Model
by guest contributor Mark Burgess No, you’re not in the Twilight Zone. In this new world, Madison Ave and 5th do cross at the intersection of “crowdsourcing.” The advertising world is rife with talk about revamping traditional ad agency models. We hear the terms: digital, hybrid, tradigital, or, simply, the creation of the “new agile agency”. Traditional agencies, pushed by the explosion of digital and social media projects, are under …Read More
Cool Examples of Brands Taking Interactive Experience Offline
by Patricia Martin With summer in full swing, it got me thinking about how digital marketing is joining up with outdoor experiences. Marketers are discovering ways to stand out by showing up in public places using interactive storefronts, shelters and touch screens. As part of pedestrian life, these experiences surprise and delight. They also help a brand create a sense of community while expressing the brand’s personality. Check out these three great …Read More
How to Get Quoted in the Press: Nine PR Tips to Help You with the Media
by Dorothy Crenshaw One of the mysteries of PR and media relations is the process whereby an interview becomes a feature story. The more quality time spent, the higher the chances of being quoted, right? Not always. What goes in does not always come out in the story. And there are few things more frustrating than offering up your best insights, quotes, and experience, only to be cut out of the piece …Read More
Why or Why Not: Chronological vs. Functional Resume Formats
by Matt Gill If you ask ten recruiters their preferences on resume format, content, and overall layout, you’ll get ten different opinions. There are, however, two dominating formats: chronological and functional. As far as format is concerned, I highly prefer the chronological. I don’t waiver on this, and it is my recommendation 100 out of 100 times. The chronological eliminates guesswork and it provides specifics like what company and at …Read More
News…or Not?
by Niki Fielding I’m the resident rainmaker at Digital Brand Expressions, and every week I have at least ten new business conversations with marketers who think they can benefit from the mostly inbound digital marketing my company provides. Usually I’m dealing with seasoned marketers—like my fellow MENGers—and I’m often a little surprised that what my in-house team knows, because we’re immersed in digital 24/7, is new information to many of …Read More
What Does Social Media Support? See John Deere
by Joe Pulizzi Contrary to popular belief, social media is not new. People telling stories. Good ones get shared. Really good ones move the buyer to take action. We’ve always had social media, but the tools have changed. This is publishing folks. Even as publishing has been around almost since the dawn of man, corporate publishing’s first recognized project is The Furrow from John Deere (excellent overview from Rex Hammock …Read More
Five Reasons TV Will Remain Central to Your Brand’s Marketing Mix
by Randall Beard At a recent CMO event, I innocently asked a knowledgeable and well regarded CMO a simple question: “Do people watch less TV today than 10 years ago?” He responded with a definitive “yes!” and proceeded to expound about the rise of digital, the transformative effect of social media, the mobile revolution, and more. All good points. I just didn’t have the heart to tell him that he …Read More