02Mar 2005 by Bob Cargill 1 Comment

A Blog Would Probably Work Wonders for JWT

Advertising, Blogging
Kudos to JWT for re-launching itself just a couple of days ago as a "billion-dollar startup” – it won’t happen overnight, but you can count on a powerful and positive ripple effect throughout the advertising industry.This was no cheesy publicity stunt, after all. This was the largest advertising agency in the United States proudly – and loudly – formalizing its belief that “time is the new currency of savvy consumers who know what they want and refuse to waste their time on choices that don’t meet their needs.”This was a watershed moment not just for JWT, but for anyone else who makes a living in advertising, direct marketing, public relations, fundraising and, yes, even in the blogosphere.What this legendary, 140-year-old agency is acknowledging – and responding to – is a…
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04Jan 2005 by Bob Cargill

In the Wake of the Tsunami, Blogs Show ROI (and More)

Blogging, Fundraising
A couple of weeks ago, Paul Chaney of the Radiant Marketing Group blog, asked me for my "take on Bob Bly's argument that there is no ROI potential in blogging, at least none that he sees." He wanted to know how I, as a direct marketer, saw blogs fitting the mold. My reply to him (verbatim) was this: “With a blog, you may not get an immediate and demonstrable ROI, but like a good PR initiative, blogging certainly can lead to new business. “As I wrote in my own blog recently, if you use press releases, newsletters and bylined articles to promote your products and people, a blog is the next better thing – now. “As a veteran direct marketing copywriter and creative director, I’m not here to tell you…
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21Dec 2004 by Bob Cargill 1 Comment

Why Advertising, Marketing and PR Pros Should Blog (Part Three)

Advertising, Blogging, Direct Marketing, Public Relations
7. Blogs are Enjoyable. There are many sound business reasons to blog, but let's not forget how much of a pleasure they are for both author and audience. Seriously, the fun factor should not be underestimated. Most blogs are quick and easy to absorb, and a refreshing change of pace from typical marketing riffs and age-old corporate-speak. Bloggers aren’t just writers, they’re also publishers, opinion-leaders, risk-takers and entrepreneurs. They’re people who are inclined to live by the mantra, carpe diem. They’re passionate about their craft and evangelical about their content. And in many cases, their readers are just as fanatical.8. Blogs are Authoritative. We’re not talking about those cathartic, diary-like blogs kept by moody, meandering teenagers. We’re talking about the most sophisticated among the blogosphere, the ones owned and operated…
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14Dec 2004 by Bob Cargill

Why Advertising, Marketing and PR Pros Should Blog (Part Two)

Advertising, Blogging, Direct Marketing, Public Relations
4. Blogs are Immediate. A blog makes it possible for the everyday communications professional to distribute newsworthy, thematic content to a large, like-minded audience – without many, if any, layers of approval – almost instantaneously. If timeliness is a critical element of your publishing plan, it’s an irresistible platform. A blog allows you to draw out invaluable feedback, too, without having to lollygag through the traditional rites of business courtship. Comments from readers are akin to free market research. If your goal is to establish an open, online dialogue with prospects and influential people who might otherwise not give you the time of day, a blog just may be your entrée – it certainly is a unique ice-breaker. 5. Blogs are Infectious. Like any good viral marketing campaign, the content…
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07Dec 2004 by Bob Cargill

Why Advertising, Marketing and PR Pros Should Blog (Part One)

Advertising, Blogging, Direct Marketing, Public Relations
Most advertising, marketing and public relations professionals know a blog when they see one, but when it comes to actually using this relatively new, self-publishing platform, there are still many skeptics and naysayers among us. This time next year, however, those people will likely have come to their senses. In 2005, I dare say you would have to be either misinformed or just plain obstinate to not at least consider adding a blog to your business plan. Here are ten reasons why: 1. Blogs are Interactive. In many cases, marketing is a monologue, a well-choreographed sales pitch to an audience of passive prospects. But one of the key attributes of a blog is that it allows readers to provide honest, public feedback that is posted below the author’s spiel. It…
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23Nov 2004 by Bob Cargill

Give Thanks for Bob

Blogging
Direct marketing copywriter Bob Bly, who was quite critical of blogging in a DM NEWS article he wrote just three weeks ago, launched a new blog today, and the reaction throughout the blogosphere was immediate and considerable. (No, I’m not making this up.) Steve Hall, of Adrants, wrote, “The launch of Bob Bly’s blog is welcome. Very welcome.” Rick Bruner, of Business Blog Consulting, opined, “Who’s surprised? Resistance is futile.” Debbie Weil, in her blog, said, “It’ll be fun to see how this plays out in the blogosphere.” And Paul Chaney, of the Radiant Marketing Group, weighed in about Bob Bly with these thoughts: “I think his willingness to give this technology a spin is a signal event…Bob has much to learn about blogging, and we have much to learn…
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11Nov 2004 by Bob Cargill

The Tangled Web We Weave

Blogging
In case you missed it, well-known copywriter and direct marketing guru Robert Bly weighed in last week in DM NEWS with a rather unfavorable opinion on blogging, and was quickly taken to task by those in the blogosphere. Steve Hall, author of Adrants, pulled no punches in saying, “it is clear [Bly] has no idea what he is talking about.” Corporate blog strategist BL Ochman said Bly had written “a rather ill-informed assessment of blogs.” And in her blog, brand strategy consultant, Jennifer Rice, wrote, “obviously this writer didn’t do his homework.” I have to admit, I was shocked to see someone of Bly’s stature and experience with the written word so summarily dismissing the viability of this powerful publishing platform. Like my forward-thinking, early-adopting brethren, the blogger in me…
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23Sep 2004 by Bob Cargill

The Raging Bonfire That is the Blogosphere

Blogging
Adrants made my morning today, referring me to an article written by Pete Blackshaw, chief marketing and customer satisfaction officer of Intelliseek, that, in my mind, adds fuel to the raging bonfire that is the blogosphere. Blackshaw, appearing in MediaPost’s MediaDaily News, says, “Blogs and bloggers have made a huge mark in 2004, and this should give every major marketer and advertiser pause for deep reflection.” Not mincing words, he warns marketers and agencies alike that “the blog revolution brings with it unmistakable tradeoffs and potent new ‘rules of engagement.’ Ignore them at your peril.” He says, “bloggers promise to hold marketers to new levels of accountability, impacting just about everything advertisers do, say, and claim.” One of his recommendations for brands is to “Listen to the pulse: Know exactly…
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09Apr 2004 by Bob Cargill

Drop Us a Line

Blogging
Friday, April 9, 2004 – Keeping a blog is a remarkably simple, inexpensive way to build a community of friends and colleagues. In our case, not only is A Fine Kettle of Fish a surprisingly valuable communication channel, but it also allows us to put a personality on the agency, giving us a forum to share our knowledge, exhibit our creativity and hold forth on matters of -- ideally -- mutual general interest. Word has it that there are more than several million blogs in existence worldwide, but I’ve only been able to find a handful that are being published by marketing communications agencies. H-m-m-m…Part of me realizes the jury’s still out on their viability as a business application, and that many folks are playing the game of wait-and-see. Okay.…
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