It is October already and I am going to try to keep up once again with our blog posts. I start out with a new month writing about something that is of interest to most of us – marketing green.  For most businesses this is an agenda and sustainability is not just a discussion point but rather a line item for budget and one of the way many businesses – are trying to show that their brand is making a commitment to being a committed corporate citizen. Read the rest of this entry »

We live in a world where consumers actively resist marketing. So it’s imperative to stop marketing at people. The idea is to create an environment where consumers will market to each other. (from Seth Godin’s Super Ideavirus Vook)

Last night, one of my close friend’s 14 yr old daughters messaged me (via MSN) with links to the much hyped, “Kardashian Reality Show Wedding”. As far as I know, the show has yet to air here in Canada (but I stand to be corrected on this). As fast as it was promoted—via word of mouth—I found out where I could watch the show online right now. She provided me with a couple of options and  the link I picked was via Youtube.
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One of the big questions out there for many marketers is—what kind of advertising and marketing could be and should be leveraged from social media sites? How are our customers using these sites and how does it relate to our brand? I have spoken before about the maven circle we all have in our lives. I do believe that social media really allows brands the opportunity to reach those mavens and use them to tout their experiences to their perspective circles. We all have those “go to” people that we seek out for specific things in our lives. Now that circle is beginning to expand with blogs, twitter and Facebook all providing opportunities for people to talk about the products and services they like—or dislike.
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As the holiday season is now on its way, most businesses are certainly planning and thinking about how they will provide a memorable and positive shopping experience. With social media providing new ways for your customers to engage with one another and share everything under the sun—including their experiences—it has also become a touch point and, in many cases, a deciding factor for the choices that they make in all aspects of their lives.
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In this new economy, online retailers have been able to hold their own and are out performing other business sectors. And now that women are seen as a clear target for marketing, understanding their economic power and the fact that they are key shoppers in the web world has opened up opportunities for bricks and mortor businesses to get on board. I wrote a few posts back that Zara, the successful fashion retailer, is now adding an online ecommerce piece to their business and so has Lulu Lemon Athletics.
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As I am sure many of you know, my business background began in the fashion industry. Just like Natalie Massenet, I dreamed of being in the fashion business from the time I was a little girl. After realizing my dream of going to FIT and working in the fashion industry for 16 years (before moving on to use my skills of brand strategy to build our business today), I am still incredibly passionate about fashion to this day.
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This is such a clever video posted on Youtube. I found it via a few different tweet feeds on Twitter. It really shows the divergence between the advertiser and the consumer. I think that everyone in the advertising and marketing business both b2b and b2c are finally getting the idea that it’s now time to listen. Interactive technology gives everyone that power. Most importantly, it is the consumer that hold the postion of CEO.

We all need to change our thoughts regarding the roles of marketing and advertising structure from days gone by and listen to what the people have to say! I know it will be worth it!

Best Nicole

I have finally returned to the world of technology after learning how to be effective when your computer and your bberry are no longer at your fingers tips—disconnecting you from all aspects of your life. While I was incommunicado, I had to take a deep breath and think. How am I going to connect with everyone?
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We are going to try to provide all sorts of examples of great branding at the same time we discuss the problems, concerns and ways that companies do not speak to women or consumers in a way that encourages them to become brand evangilists.
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