Casual Fridays

I attended a marketing association meeting yesterday. I don’t usually attend this group’s meetings because they tend to focus on only one of the 4 Ps of marketing - Promotion (go figure). This time looked different though. The summary of the presentation was as follows:
Let’s face it. Our marketing world is [...]

How’s that old saying go? There’s nothing new under the sun. Seems like that has never been more true.
I know I quote and reference Seth Godin a lot. But sometimes what I love about his writings is not even the main idea. It’s what lies in the periphery of his topic. [...]

What’s more valuable than a product to sell? How about a person who’ll buy?
While explaining the blockbuster success of Broadway’s upcoming Odd Couple, Seth Godin makes a not so odd statement.
The lesson is that the new marketing makes it a lot easier to make products for your customers (instead of having to run around [...]

Thanks to Erica, who pointed out Jones Soda. I knew they accepted submitted photos to use on their product packaging. I didn’t think of them as one that might receive submissions via their website.
Unlike Taco Bell (see Talking Sauce) and Dentyne, Jones Soda has set up galleries of their many labels. What [...]

Ernie Mosteller talks about the silver bullet of advertising.
Integrated agencies have sort of the right idea. Problem is, what they’re integrating is the web and traditional media. By my count, now that’s five ways to deliver an advertising message: TV, print, radio, outdoor, web.
I’ve come to the same conclusion, and Ernie does a great job [...]

Tuesday I experienced one of the… OK…

THE

biggest business buzz of my life. It’s not everyday that Tom Peters quotes you in his presentation.

I’m still jazzed about this! But I agree with Seth, that’s what Tom does.
Probably the only PowerPoint slide I’ll ever frame.
Thanks Tom!

I was talking with a marketing colleague, Jason, the other day about whether or not faith and advertising can coexist. I shared with him Seth’s perspective that there are no side effects, and as marketers we need to ask if we’re OK with the effects of the products we promote. We came up [...]

In discussing the placement of media planning (whether with ad agencies or with media services agencies) a recent Ad Age article (free subscription required) gives a great quote.

Anomaly’s new-business director, Jason DeLand, said the firm has turned down a number of clients on the basis of their media approach. “When it starts and stops with [...]

Per Bruce and (of course) Seth, Gilette has announced they will unveil a 5-blade razor in early 2006.
Somebody please remind me, what is the benefit of multiple blades? Multiple opportunities to cut myself? Originally, I believe they touted that you could get a smooth shave with one stroke of the razor. So, [...]

Ever try to serve hors devours on a rubberband?
Ever try to bend a toothpick?
If you manage employees, do they know what rules are flexible or inflexible? Seth gives a good example of why they should.