They say it is bad!

On Friday I sat with most of legislators from the western part of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  Their message was all ‘doom and gloom’.  It is bad and going to get worse, no doubts in their minds at all.  Get ready, we haven’t seen anything like it.  Ouch!  That hurts!  Yes, there are some worries, I am worried, but what is worrying going to do for me right now.  Maybe I should just sit back and worry!  Or…

I could think positive, think of things that are going good.  We actually just had a brand new bank, yes, a new bank, open in Springfield.  Houses are still selling in my neighborhood and they are not being given away.  Waiting times are still happening in restaurants.  There are at least  two local credit unions hiring; two local ad executives told me how busy they are at the WNEC Conference two weeks ago…I guess I could keep going.   And I think we could all tell positive tales right now.   But needless to say, Darby O’Brien’s Comback Rally party Tuesday is well needed, thanks Darby, can’t wait! 

Think positive!

The unannounced theme of last week’s Western New England College’s Communications Confernce was very bluntly put – think positive.  This theme wasn’t expected but it is what a number of experts discussed.  If we all sit around thinking things are economically terrible in the communities we live in, we will just make matters worse.  There is an old saying ‘misery loves company’ and that is what we should be avoiding.  Where I live yes, things could be better, but as it was pointed out last week by a number of communications professionals, we could be living in a section of this country that is in worse shape than here.

So the theme turned to let’s support each other in positive thinking.  And wouldn’t you know it, the very next day I had an email from Darby O’Brien of Darby O’Brien Advertising (he promotes rebel thinking), www.darbyobrien.com inviting me to a rally next week to put some movement in this positive thinking in Western MA effort!!!  Wow, a rally.  It has been awhile since I have been to a rally.  But leave it to Darby to be right on key with this.  What timing.  The rally includes a lot of encouragement for our local economy, a alot of food, drink, music, a bonfire (?), and he said a few surprises.

I have worked with Darby many times over the years, and he is always right on with what he does, so now, you know, this unannounced theme, and Darby’s rally might be on to something!

Prepare

Today I was prepared to attend “Getting Noticed in the 21st Century”, a communications conference at Western New England College in Springfield, MA.  I was also prepared to be a presenter.  But, once again, our New England weather put the conference on hold until tomorrow.  I now must re-prepare (is that a word?) for tomorrow. 

This scenario does remind me of one of the points I will make tomorrow to the audience of marketing/advertising/ communications professionals, prepare, but don’t get comfortable.  As marketers nothing is static anymore – how we do things or the times we live in. 

Flexibility is at the top of the importance list right now.  Actually I don’t see that changing.  That is about the only thing I don’t see changing.

On the Smart Brief report today from AAF, www.aaf.org I found this very appropriate quote:

“I learned that change is guaranteed.  Whatever you see today will be gone tomorrow, and those who succeed are the ones that embrace change and don’t reject it,” by Bruce Gordan, Advertising Hall of Fame.

Here is to the sun shining tomorrow!

The Young, the Old and the Brave, the right way

I just joined a fairly new organization in Massachusetts, actually in Greater Springfield, MA.  Its name is very direct for what it stands for, and it is a very positive move for our area.  This group, the Young Professionals Society, http://www.springfieldyps.com/, is exactly what they say they are young, professionals and from Greater Springfield.  If you don’t know, the fact that this group organized is a huge compliment to the city.  ‘Many’ think of the city as dying and with all young people moving out.  This wonderful group of very organized individuals is proving those ‘many’ wrong.  How wrong do you ask?  They have 900 young professionals involved in less than two years!!!!  Do you know what it takes to get that many people involved in anything?  I am and have been involved in a number of membership groups, 900 is outstanding!  Something is right here.

The young professionals don’t pretend to know it all either.  They have listened to a number of mentors, maybe some older, and have taken advice.  They are doing things right.

Tonight they are hosting their first New Year’s Eve party which will take place in downtown Springfield; three different party rooms; various entertainment; a lot of interent marketing.  The party will rock because they have done things right.

Of course, out of their control is the snowstorm we are experiencing but if you are from New England, you are used of it, you don’t let snow hold you back, you were born brave against winter weather.

Happy New Year and be safe!

Wall Street Journal Analysis

Last week Advertising Age published their analysis of ad happenings in 2008, this week it is the Wall Street Journal.  It is a nice journey back through the year of economics and politics in our world of marketing and advertising!

Barack, Money and Stuff

Advertising Age today published its top stories of the year, including some lessons learned and some that are actually still pending.  What will 2009 bring?  Their “Book of Tens”:

http://adage.com/article?article_id=133252:

Stories of the Year

People Who Made Their Mark

Ads Garfield Loved

Major Agency Shifts of 2008

TV Shows That Stood Out

Creativity’s Favorite Video Ads

Ad Songs of the Year

Recession-Proof Businesses

Dubious Attempts at Public Relations

Richard Laermer’s Trends for 2009

 

 

Google and Search Engine Optimization

Google just posted a new SEO starter guide published 11/13.  Most of us can learn something, but definitely a great tool for many.  It is even available in Spanish and German.  http://googlewebmastercentral.blogspot.com/2008/11/googles-seo-starter-guide.html

Public Relations and new

I recently attended another free webinar.  This one was by Vocus.  The title was “Understand the True Value of Online Press Releases.“  I took away two great pieces of information I thought I should pass on.  One great tools and the other great insight.  Here you go:

www.pressreleasegrader.com.  It is exactly what it says it is.  And a good source about PR distribution services:  http://www.endgamepr.com/blog/2008/10/23/online-news-release-distribution-review-updated.

Happy PR

Visual Data

Yesterday I had the opportunity of attending a session on Business Intelligence and Mapping.  WOW, is this stuff great!  Think of it as visualization of data.  Strategically and competitively,  in marketing, it can solve many problems before they pop up or take you into new areas of competitiveness.

The session was presented by Monica Perry and James Pick, both professors at Redlands University.   The presentation focused around GIS, geographic information systems for your business.  I know, many of you think of Google Maps, or Google Earth right away which can be extremely helpful.  But this session went from using google maps to order pizza to mapping the locations of existing customers; mapping generic names for products (i.e. soda vs. pop) ; identifying new market opportunities, site selections and beyond.  They even spoke about doing a retail trade area analysis based on what your existing customer looks like and then being able to geo-customize communication into a new area!  Examples given included, HP, BMW and Albertson College who have used this successfully.  Basically they said that a GIS can go beyond what a table of data shows you and exhibits locations for analysis of relationships and trends, no longer just a database, but a spatially-enabled database providing spatial business intelligence.

While there are some systems with costs associated, the two were able to provide some freeware to be used such as GRASS, http://grass.osgeo.org/.  They also highly suggested  www.geodata.gov as a source and  with a wealth of free info,  www.esri.com, do a search on the word ‘free.’ 

Thansk to the two for such enlightening material.

The ‘R’ Word

I found this article quite interesting as well as informative and humorous in parts.  Is the marketing and advertising world able to change its strategy this fast.  Can we afford to?  Can we react this quickly in our positions?  Will our audiences adjust?  What’s next?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/13/AR2008101302766.html