Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Social networks starting to click :: BtoB Magazine

Social networks starting to click
Studies show social networking growing in the b-to-b space, even as marketers acknowledge need for measurement

By Rebekah Tsadik

Producer and host Eliot Masie interview author Dan Pink at the learning conference.

As b-to-c marketers dash ahead adopting new media platforms—blogs, viral videos and social networks—their b-to-b counterparts struggle with questions about the effectiveness of these same tactics. While some count the downstream benefits social networks are believed to provide, such as brand- and relationship-building, others wonder whether the efforts are worth the cost and warn about unrealistic expectations."

American Marketing Association releases new definition of marketing :: BtoB Magazine

American Marketing Association releases new definition of marketing

Chicago—The American Marketing Association has unveiled a new definition of marketing to reflect the discipline’s broader role in society.

The new definition reads, “Marketing is the activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large.”"

Blogger Maria Popova on the Business of the New Business Consumer

Blogger Maria Popova on the Business of the New Business Consumer

Boomers are old news. There's a new class of consumers en route to becoming the latest, hottest marketing commodity, sneaking up on the business world from the least expected direction: within."

Monday, January 14, 2008

Sales Machine » A Market Strategy to Copy on BNET

A Market Strategy to Copy By Geoffrey James

January 11th, 2008

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been ragging on Marketing. I’ve accused marketing groups of wasting money on pointless activities that do nothing to make it easier or cheaper to sell. Well, I take it all back, because this week I came across such an incredible example of effective marketing that I simply must share it with the world. After you read about this amazing marketing move, you will realize, as I did, that my previous criticisms were callow and without substance."

McD's Grande Plan: Become Java Giant - Advertising Age - News

McD's Grande Plan: Become Java Giant

Starbucks' Woes Turn Critics Into Believers That Arches Can Win in Coffee

By Emily Bryson York

Published: January 14, 2008
CHICAGO (AdAge.com) -- As little as two months ago, critics scoffed at the idea of high-end coffee drinks succeeding at McDonald's. But that was before Starbucks reported a bad quarter, posted its lowest share price in more than three years and brought back Howard Schultz as CEO. Now, those who laughed off the idea that the Golden Arches could actually take on Starbucks are waking up and smelling the beans."

Recession Hits: What It Means for Ad Biz - Advertising Age - News

Recession Hits: What It Means for Ad Biz
Ten Industry Leaders Offer Their Takes on the Approaching Downturn

By Jeremy Mullman

Published: January 14, 2008

CHICAGO (AdAge.com) -- Merrill Lynch last week became the first major U.S. investment bank to declare the U.S. economy in recession. Two days later, Goldman Sachs jumped in, predicting that the economy would enter recession during 2008, if it wasn't there already."