Events
Social Media Feeds Winter Olympics Addict
I admit it. I’m a self-confessed Winter Olympics addict and always have been. This year NBC has been feeding this voracious habit across their networks sufficiently enough that I actually know the channel numbers for MSNBC and CNBC on my cable box. I’m DVRing the daytime events, staying up late to watch the extended coverage. And if that’s not enough, my iPhone has yet to leave my side; NBC has created one of the best iPhone apps I own.
Though they have been able to simplistically organize all the info you would expect on a deep website into an app easily negotiated on a mobile device, they have also put us in the same room to eavesdrop on the star-studded athletes thoughts and for fans to respond with encouragement and accolades. Continue reading
We absolutely know what you were thinking about this past year?
What do the Iran election, Michael Jackson, Google Wave, Harry Potter, American Idol, the Superbowl and #musicmonday have in common?
Let’s Mingle360
Mingle360 is a new way to connect and exchange information at a tradeshow or event. The technology is new, the reason is old. Connecting with people usually involves an exchange of business cards, or a scan of your trade show badge. With the MingleStick you simply find other people with a MingleStick, ask them if they want to “mingle” and violá an instant exchange of email, address, phone number and a photo, if your so willing.
My introduction to Mingle360 was at the recent TS2 Trade Show in Chicago — “The Trade Show about Trade Shows”. It is the premier event for exhibit and event professionals.
At the end of the show you simply return your MingleStick to the MingleStaff and by the time you get back to your office your contacts are neatly stored in a password-protected section of the Mingle360 site. A few weeks later you will receive a follow-up email that contains your Mingle contacts already formatted as a database file.
I found the technology fun; it really was a conversation starter. Tradeshows and events will definitely benefit from the use of the MingleStick. I certainly hope to see this technology take off. Until the next trade show, event or other creative use, check it out at www.mingle360.com
Gen Y Poised to Change B2B Marketing
Our recent national study conducted with Bart Zehren and PeanutLabs finds that Gen Y’s propensity for social and interactive communication is changing the B2B buying process. We encourage you to join us at the International DMA09 Conference and Exhibition October 20th where we will unveil detailed insights from the research.
Until then, there are a few interesting outcomes to keep in mind. For example, we found that only 4 of the 13 tools younger professionals are using to research business products and services fall within traditional media categories. The research further demonstrates that while these traditional methods have a place in an integrated marketing strategy, their use is declining. In anticipation of the changing behavior of these up-and-coming buyers, marketers need to move now to increase their digital proficiency and re-allocate their marketing mix.
Insights into how to incorporate emerging marketing technologies and channels will be further demonstrated during our DMA presentation by panelist Pam Evans, Senior Marketing Manager, Web Marketing, Worldwide Software Group, IBM. She will speak to how Gen Y and early adopters are driving a transformation in the way marketers must reach prospects by identifying how their influence is re-defining the landscape.
One big difference is that Gen Y engages online to harnesses the value of conversation as media and trying to control the conversation will be counterproductive and potentially harmful. Other large lessons learned from this discussion will be which rational brand web elements truly support this new customer’s choice.
Dick Strassburger, Integrated Media Director at Colman Brohan Davis will round out the conversation with revealing details on consumption, including facts on how social network usage among these professionals has increased 152% year over year, and that video is emerging with the largest potential to connect with this audience.
So, what ARE we eating, anyway? Transparency. It isn’t just about finance.
So Tuesday morning the Chicago Tribune had an article on mercury in high fructose corn syrup. Jeremy Piven grounded for over-abundant consumption of sushi, I get (sort of). But candy and soda with traces of toxic mercury? That’s just plain wrong.
I had the pleasure of speaking last week at the Focus on the Future conference – a gathering of food manufacturing and ingredient professionals. The people that really are in the driver’s seat of what we’re ingesting. Most of the intelligence presented focused on industry trends in supplements and functional foods. But a couple of speakers really made an impact on me…
Nominate Your Emerging Leaders
Colman Brohan Davis is working on an exciting initiative with the Chicago Association of Direct Marketing (CADM), and are pleased to help announce a call for nominations for the first-ever CADM Emerging Leaders Award.
These awards will be given to fresh Chicago area marketers who show uncommon promise in strategy, creativity and innovative thinking.
So put the spotlight on one of your shining stars and nominate them today. More information and the nomination form can be found at www.cadm.org/ELawards.
We at CBD have had the honor of working closely with CADM to bring this initiative to life from concept and structure … to identity development and marketing … through judging criteria and recruitment. We think it’s a great way to recognize today’s young marketers and can’t wait to see who takes home the top honors.
Let us know who on your team should be nominated.
