Advertising Archives - Page 10 of 13

04Mar 2006 by Bob Cargill

How to Subscribe to the NEDMA Conference Blog — and Maybe Win a $10 Starbucks Card for the Effort

Advertising, Blogging, Branding, Direct Marketing, Marketing

As you may recall, I announced here in January that the New England Direct Marketing Association had launched a blog to help promote its upcoming conference, NEDMA ’06, It’s a Brave New World. I also told you that, in addition to my position as co-chair of this conference, I couldn’t be more excited to be taking on the responsibilities of moderating this new blog. “Yes, like any blog, it’ll be a labor of love for all involved, but the truth is that using a blog as an online propagation tool should almost be a requirement for anyone staging a major conference amidst today’s new marketing landscape,” I wrote in this space some six weeks ago. Well, so far, so good. If I do say myself, I believe we have a…

01Mar 2006 by Bob Cargill

David Baker: “Clients Care More About How the Work is Managed and Delivered Than the Work Itself”

Advertising, Branding, Client Service, Direct Marketing, Fundraising, Marketing, Public Relations

In an article published recently in his firm’s newsletter, David Baker, Principal of ReCourses, Inc., a management consulting firm that works exclusively with public relations, advertising, and design firms, makes the rather startling claim that “your clients care more about how the work is managed and delivered than the work itself.” At first, that notion may seem preposterous to many of us agency folks, especially those of us who toil away in the creative department day in and day out. After all, why would our clients care how we get it done, as long we get it done well? However, having had the opportunity to have met David before and to have been on the receiving end of his professional advice, I’m inclined to defer to his experience and expertise…

20Feb 2006 by Bob Cargill

A Career Imperative at the Crossroads of Change

Advertising, Blogging, Branding, Cause-Related Marketing, Client Service, Copywriting, Direct Marketing, Fundraising, Marketing, Public Relations

If you know of an organization that’s looking for an experienced direct marketer and enthusiastic, entrepreneurial creative director, copywriter, blogger and public speaker, I know of someone who fits the bill. Moi. Yes, I’m here to tell you that even though my employment with one company has just recently come to an end, I have no intention whatsoever of letting even a few blades of grass grow like a contagion under my feet. Given such urgency and resolve, I have already touched base with my network of friends and colleagues in the terrestrial world, letting them know of my availability and desire to land a new full-time job – or contract assignment – as soon as possible. And, of course, I've been wading my way through Monster, Talent Zoo and…

17Feb 2006 by Bob Cargill

Alan Rosenspan to Receive Caples’ Andi Emerson Award

Advertising, Direct Marketing, Marketing

Congratulations to my fellow New England direct marketer, Alan Rosenspan, for being chosen by the John Caples International Awards committee to receive the prestigious Andi Emerson Award, honoring his years of “exemplary service to the creative community.” As reported today in DM News, the award will be presented to him on March 2 in a ceremony held at New York’s Metropolitan Pavilion. A past winner of the New England Direct Marketing Association’s Direct Marketer of the Year award (1997), Alan is an icon and inspiration to so many in the industry in which I earn my livelihood, and a kind and generous man as well. If you haven’t had the pleasure of reading his book, "Confessions of a Control Freak," don’t hesitate to treat yourself and order a copy now.

06Feb 2006 by Bob Cargill

George Mercer’s Marketing Professionals Network

Advertising, Direct Marketing, Marketing

Given that I’ve recently become a free agent (although keeping up with A New Marketing Commentator sometimes seems like a job in and of itself), I thought it would be a good time to write about my friend and fellow New England direct marketer, George Mercer, and the networking group he runs for job seekers called the Marketing Professionals Network (MPN). If you’ve ever met George, you know what I’m talking about when I say he’s as much a gentleman and a scholar as a humorist and raconteur. George has a warm heart, an engaging personality and a remarkable ability to both challenge and cheer on those who wish to gain a better foothold on the proverbial corporate ladder. George is not just a great career coach and meeting facilitator,…

25Jan 2006 by Bob Cargill

A “Star-Spangled” Testimonial for Word of Mouth Marketing

Advertising, Direct Marketing, Marketing

If you live and breathe marketing so much that you make time to read about it here and elsewhere throughout the blogosphere, chances are you already know a thing or two about referral marketing. It's the idea of asking your customers and constituents to turn on their friends, relatives and colleagues to whatever it is you may have to offer. Book and CD clubs, auto dealerships, banks, professional services providers and many small businesses rely on such referrals, often bestowing deep discounts, cash incentives and free this-and-that upon those helping to extend their brands. In fact, asking your constituents to spread the word for you can be so effective, it really is quite surprising that more organizations haven't put referral marketing to work for them. But, according to a story…

16Jan 2006 by Bob Cargill

The Ding Heard ‘Round the Marketing World

Advertising, Branding, Direct Marketing, Marketing

It’s not the first branded desktop application to be used for marketing purposes, but it has certainly struck a chord with consumers and marketers alike. DING, a simple, little desktop application used by Southwest Airlines to stimulate more ticket sales, has worked so well for the Dallas-based company that it’s only a matter of time before others follow suit – if they haven’t already – and launch similar initiatives of their own. In an article in DM News on December 5, 2005, Christine Blank wrote, “Online research firm Compete Inc., Boston, found that DING users are 45 percent more likely to book tickets through Southwest than the average visitor to Southwest.com. Sales driven through the services are estimated at $60 million a year.” “More than 900,000 consumers have downloaded the…

09Jan 2006 by Bob Cargill

“Reverse Hunger Strike” Undertaken by Publicity-Starved Ad Exec

Advertising, Direct Marketing, Marketing, Public Relations

Robert Rosenthal, an award-winning advertising executive, and founder of the direct marketing agency Mothers of Invention (formerly known as Passaic Parc), is undertaking a reverse hunger strike to call attention to serious problems that exist in the advertising industry - problems with significant economic impact. "Every day, people in this business encounter a lack of respect, a lack of understanding of the value of what we do, and a stunning lack of loyalty. Hopefully, my reverse hunger strike will get people talking about these problems and improve working conditions. When that happens, we all win," says Rosenthal. Rosenthal, a Sudbury neighbor of mine and fellow member of the New England Direct Marketing Association, is going on this rather unusual strike in conjunction with the launch of his agency's new moniker,…

16Dec 2005 by Bob Cargill

I Believe in “Life After the 30-Second Spot”

Advertising, Branding, Direct Marketing, Marketing

I haven’t finished reading it yet, but I’m enjoying Joseph Jaffe’s “Life After the 30-Second Spot” so much that I can’t wait any longer to post about it. After all, I don’t have to read every single page to know I’m reading one of the year’s most important books on advertising and marketing. It’s that good. I may not be able to contain myself about this book, but my giddiness is nothing compared to the author’s, who said last month in his blog, Jaffe Juice, that he would issue free copies of it to any “business/marketing/advertising-related blogger” who would agree to review it, in a bold, enthusiastic attempt to prove “that new marketing works” and “that the blogosphere is profoundly good, powerful, effective and constructive.” Joe believes that alternative media…

Category: Advertising