Monthly Archives: April 2009
Signal vs. Noise: Surprise Marketing
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about signal vs. noise and the pressure it puts on marketing and advertising. All consumers are trying to shut out advertising and marketing messages from their media. Just look at the growth of DVRs, … Continue reading
Filed under Advertising, Consumers, Marketing, Social Marketing, Surprise Marketing
Why is there always a “devil’s advocate” in meetings?
There’s one in nearly every meeting of any importance–the devil’s advocate. The one person who never seems to have an original idea or even a strong personal opinion, but always jumps into the conversation by first stating that they’re “just … Continue reading
Filed under agency, client, innovation, Management, Marketing, Uncategorized
The value of business books
I’m not a voracious reader of business books, but I’ve read my fair share of them over the years. The number of them available is staggering–Permission Marketing, Good to Great, Blue Ocean Strategy and on and on. And on. I’ve … Continue reading
Filed under innovation, Management, Marketing
Is Honest Marketing an oxymoron?
I’d like to think that honest marketing is not an oxymoron. Unfortunately, I think most people would agree that it is. Most people also lump marketing, sales and advertising together into a mass of misinformation, lies and double talk. Marketing … Continue reading
Filed under Advertising, Marketing, Sales, Social Marketing, Surprise Marketing
Do consumers have a virtual problem?
The rise of the iPod and the Kindle are forever changing how we consume music, books and media in general. Here’s my question… Do consumer have a virtual problem? Just a few years ago you could show someone your music, … Continue reading
Filed under Consumers, innovation
Does FREE work?
Does FREE work for business, for sales, for marketing? Yes and no. Yes, it’ll get you instant traction, it can gain you lots of new friends, followers, customers, fans, but it sure won’t make you any money. No, there’s a … Continue reading
Filed under Management, Marketing, Sales, Social Marketing
What is innovation?
I won’t start by stating the Merriam-Webster definition of innovation, or even the Wikipedia entry for innovation. The often used example of innovation centers on the space race in the 1960s between the Soviet Union and the U.S.A., and the … Continue reading
Filed under innovation
Is stock photography a necessary evil?
I think consumers can smell stock photography from a mile away. I know anyone in advertising or marketing sure can. In a world with rapid turnaround times for advertising and marketing projects, and the explosion in web content, stock photography … Continue reading
Filed under Advertising, agency, client, Design, Marketing
Lost marketing opportunities during the hiring process
We’ve all been there, sending out resumes to land that next great job, networking, talking, calling, emailing, trying to do the right things to get noticed and get the opportunity to shine. The job hunt is a tedious but necessary … Continue reading
Filed under Human Resources, Marketing
Is advertising (and marketing) just a numbers game?
“It takes at least 6 impressions for a consumer to notice your ad.” “A full-page, 4-color magazine ad has 83% of the value of a 30-second television commercial.” “An Internet banner ad has 16% of the value of a 30-second … Continue reading
Filed under Advertising, agency, client, Marketing, Social Marketing, Surprise Marketing
