As direct marketers, we work hard to build and curate the contacts in our database and segmented lists are among our most treasured assets. We cultivate and nurture them. We work to understand what it is that will resonate with each of them as individuals. And we try to provide relevant content that inspires them to […]
Advertising
Look the Other Way
Five Tips for Customer-Centric Marketing
Upon reflection of the year in B2B marketing: 2016 version, it seems too many marketers have their backs turned toward their customers and prospects. Corporate marketing and communications teams are so focused on internal initiatives and processes that they’re missing opportunities based on prospects’ interests and actions. It’s time to start looking at the world […]
Everyone’s Doing It!
But Is Video the Right Choice?
By Jeff Breckenridge, Senior Digital Designer and Claudia Dattilo, Media Connections Planning Director, with Marsha Hall, Senior Counselor If you rely on YouTube videos for everything from woodworking and lawn care to recipes and stain removal, you’re not alone. Today, U.S. adults invest a whopping 5.5 hours daily watching video content, according to eMarketer. And, […]
Why Aren’t We Talking About the Barcelona Principles?
Three Reasons It Is More Essential Than Ever to Prove the Value and ROI of Communication
“It’s shocking how many PR executives do not know about the Barcelona Principles, much less adhere to them,” screamed the subhead of an article in PRWeek. Talk about not mincing words. I had to read on.
Demographics is Destiny
Smart Companies and Communities Should be Planning for the 'Aging of Ohio'
In politics it has long been an adage that “demographics is destiny,” which has spawned such targeted voter groups as “Soccer Moms and NASCAR Dads.” Wise marketers, of course, have long used demographics to tailor their messages to the right audiences. That is why recent studies and reports regarding the dramatic population shift occurring in […]
Ask a Millennial
Understanding Millennials' Influence on Purchasing Decisions
Millennials have surpassed Baby Boomers to become the nation’s largest living generation at an estimated 80 million people. And with an estimated purchasing power of $200 billion annually by 2017, and $10 trillion over their lifetimes in the U.S. alone, they have become one of the most powerful buying groups in today’s market. Not only is it […]
Gotta Catch ‘Em All
How the World of Pokémon Mirrors the World of Marketing
I’ll admit I was skeptical about the Pokémon Go craze at first. However, after seeing all of the hype about the game and overhearing one too many conversations sprinkled with the prefix “poké-“ in them, I decided to download the app and see what it was about for myself.
All I Need to Know about Content Marketing…
...I learned From Advertising
Advertising. Marketing. Creative communications. Whatever you call it, it’s what gets me up in the morning. I’ve grown up connecting with brands like Sony, Nike, Pepsi, Coca-Cola, and many more. And I think, at least in part, the way that they connected their brand with me is what drew me to a career in advertising and creative […]
The Case of the Missing Sense of Humor
Tips to Add Emotion and Storytelling to Your B2B Communications
Imagine a guy named John who travels to his office from his suburban home every day. Along the way, he sees billboards, listens to the radio and maybe stops at his favorite coffee shop. He arrives at the office, checks his social media channels for updates and then enters the building, where he suddenly turns […]
The Struggle of Creative Thinking
Leveraging Old Ideas for New Inspiration
I recently returned from the IPREX Global Leadership Conference in Philadelphia. It was an amazing experience where I was able to network, share best practices and learn from emerging leaders from PR and marketing agencies around the globe. One standout session was called “Creative Steals.” Before meeting, we were tasked with sharing ideas and campaigns that we […]