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.
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15Feb 2006 by Bob Cargill

Deval Patrick’s Online Fundraising Campaign

Direct Marketing, Fundraising, Marketing
Not unlike Howard Dean did with his phenomenally successful – and groundbreaking – Web-based campaign in 2004, Massachusetts democratic gubernatorial candidate Deval Patrick is leveraging today’s new online marketing tools to bring in more donations and, ultimately, votes. According to an article that appeared in The Boston Globe on December 31, 2005 (the article in its entirety can be found in the Globe archives, which are free to home delivery subscribers), Patrick’s “Internet donations have topped $240,000, or about 15 percent of the $1.6 million Patrick has raised from donors since he began running early in 2005.” “Democratic gubernatorial candidate Deval Patrick is bringing the Internet age to Massachusetts politics as never seen before, setting up an online fund-raising system that has brought in nearly a quarter-million dollars in the…
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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,…
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30Jan 2006 by Bob Cargill

Running the Boston Marathon for Children’s Hospital Boston — Update

Boston Marathon, Cause-Related Marketing, Direct Marketing, Fundraising, Marketing
As I first wrote in this space about three months ago, on April 17, I’ll be pounding the pavement once again from Hopkinton to Boston, determinedly putting one foot in front of another for more than 26 long, arduous miles. It’ll be the 8th time I’ve taken the same exhausting journey. And I’ll be tired and sore most of the way. But it doesn’t get any better than crossing the finish line of what is arguably the most prestigious road race in the world, the Boston Marathon, especially when you’re running as a member of Children’s Hospital’s Miles for Miracles Team Boston, raising funds for one of the best pediatric hospitals in the country, located right here in my home state of Massachusetts. This time around, I have committed to…
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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…
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23Jan 2006 by Bob Cargill

The New England Direct Marketing Association’s Brave New Conference Blog

Blogging, Direct Marketing, Marketing
I’m pleased to announce that the New England Direct Marketing Association has just launched a blog to help promote its upcoming conference, NEDMA ’06, It’s a Brave New World. And, in addition to my position as co-chair of the conference, I couldn’t be more excited – or, some might say, fanatical – to be taking on the responsibilities of moderating this 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. Not only will a blog enable NEDMA to post key news and information on the fly, but it’ll also allow us to engage our different audiences…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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