30May
Recently I have been listening to Marketing Martini and with the release of SATC today maybe it is fitting to bring it up. The site hosts subjects such as: Writing Effective Email Subject Lines, Internet Marketing Toolbox, Email newsletter effectiveness.
The Marketing Martini is weekly business podcast featuring free online marketing advice, tips, and best practices by award-winning Internet marketing specialist Bill Sweetman. (who I find has a monotone voice for the airwaves so I can’t listen too long but the super simple tips are handy).
-Source:Marketing Martini
29May
New cellphone carriers are expected as a result of Industry Canada’s spectrum auction.The federal government’s auction of wireless airwaves will usher in new cellphone providers. Wireless spectrum is a highly technical issue that is extremely important to Canada’s future prosperity.
Only about 60 % of Canadians are subscribing to a cellphone service, Canada is well behind the rest of the industrialized world in adopting mobile communications. Our country is missing out on numerous business, educational, entertainment and cultural advances that are happening elsewhere.
The government has blamed this lag on the lack of competition in Canada’s cellphone market.
-Source: CBC
28May
5 Ideal Goals:
1. Stay Connected: The Power of social recommendation
A strong element of trust exists among online social networking communities. Forrester estimates that 80 percent of consumers trust recommendations from friends online.
2. Understand consumers motivations
Users exchange information online using different levels of engagement. Ponder about both the author’s and reader’s incentives.
3. Express yourself..as a brand
People are using social networks to express their individuality. Advertisers should allow their brands to express its character as well while hopefully remaining authentic.
4. Create good conversations
Individual social networkers are powerful content creators. Their ability to make, or break, a brand by starting a conversation or community online means that brands that are willing to have a dialogue fit more naturally into this environment, and could truly benefit from its viral power.
4) Empower participants
Some networkers welcome brand association as it allows them to express their individuality and preferences within their chosen network. As marketers, we are entering a world of consumers who have been given the power to control what content they receive, and when they want to receive them.
-Source: MM
27May
Grand & Toy released the first of a series of podcasts called “Little Things: Big Changes” that aims to help small business owners update themselves on trends in business and technology.
The podcasts will be released every two weeks, and each update will be on a new topic facing small business owners—one of Grand & Toy’s key consumers.
Toronto-based editor Ted Kritsonis will host the podcasts, which can be accessed at GrandAndToy.com/podcast and iTunes.
-Source: Marketing Magazine
26May
The celebrity clothing line market is almost saturated and SJP realizes how many women have gone the clothing route. Sex and The City star Sarah Jessica Parker will be featured in “dress in the city” when she launches her own clothing line.
Steve & Barry’s owned by Steve Shore and Barry Prevor,confirmed that Parker has signed an exclusive deal with the company to sell a line called “Bitten,” scheduled to launch nationwide June 7. The line is affordable and sizes range from 2 to 20.
The company does minimal advertising beyond print in local papers when a store is opening or a line is launching. Tracy Paul & Co., New York and Los Angeles, will handle PR, promotions and product placement. The tag for Parker’s collection will be “Fashion is not a luxury, it’s a right.” SJP found that Steve and Barry could still retain quality while keeping prices low.
-Source: Brandweek
26May
As gas prices climb over four dollars in many US areas, Chrysler, Suzuki and Kia have created a new pitch: Buy the car and we’ll help out with the gas. The approach appears to be paying off.
For instance, Chrysler’s “Let’s Refuel America” campaign, launched earlier this month via BBDO, Detroit, promises to provide $2.99 a gallon gas for up to three years to purchasers of select models. It has already shown some strong return-on-investment.
-Source: Brandweek
23May
American stand-up comedians Noah Starr and Baron Vaughn venture across Europe while starring in Lifestyles Condoms new series of online videos called “Noah and Baron Talk Man Shit”. The Webisodes are posted at www.lifestyles.com.They run three to five minutes in length.
The Lifestyles brand is looking to inform consumers about their product by using humor and open discussions about safe sex.
-Source: Bandweek
22May
Microsoft has spent the last few years striving to convince skeptics that the software giant cares about the ad business.
To help further demonstrate that commitment, MS announced the formation of a new brand identity Microsoft Advertising that encompasses the growing list of products and tools it offers advertisers and publishers.
The company announced the new brand on Tuesday (May 20) at advance08, its annual gathering of brands and agency executives being held this week. The company’s advertiser and publisher solutions APS looks to bring “order amidst the chaos”.
-Source: Brandnews
21May
Samsung has called their latest smartphone the ACE. It sports a slim design and the capability to operate on either the CDMA or GSM/GPRS networks in over 180 countries.
The phone emulates the popular JACK phone. ACE has a 320 x 240 colour display, thumb wheel, and stereo Bluetooth. Additional features include a built-in MP3 player, camera/camcorder. Memory is expandable via a microSD card slot, and talk time is up to 4.25 hours. Not as slick as the apple design but in the game as far as smartphones go..EB
-Source: Marketnews
20May
Publications targeting the female demographic dominate Canada, including advertisers who aim to sell their products and services to this market. Hint: The French won top tier for best results in 2007. Check Masthead magazine this week for an analysis.
-Source: EIN News
