Marketing Virgin

I’m currently evaluating Unisfair for virtual events. It’s a really great platform. It’s amazing how far this technology has come.

Has social media made people go crazy?

I created and run a Facebook page for my company. I came into the office this morning, checked the page, and noticed that a new person added a link on our Wall. I clicked the link and it took me to a video of our competitor’s CEO being interviewed at a tradeshow we recently attended.

Obviously, this was a strategic move so I deleted the Wall post.

Ten minutes later, I checked it again. The guy who works for our competitor posted the link again.

WTF?

Yes, I just used the acronym WTF. I mean, c’mon…who does that? It’s tacky, it’s childish. Needless to say, I deleted the link again, and then blocked him.

This leads me to think that social media is causing people to feel powerful. Feel free to hide behind your screen Andy…I’ll see you at the next tradeshow!

As a rule of thumb in marketing, do not ever point out your competitors. Not only does it simply make you look tacky, but it also gives free advertising to the vendors you are competing against.

What’s worse? Misspelling your competitors name. Check it out: http://www.networkperformancedaily.com/2009/05/what_the_fluke.html 

I’m flying out to Germany tomorrow to scout out a few venues for a customer event we’re doing in October. Sweet gig, huh?

Check out the latest board member of the month…

It’s me! Ha.

http://austinama.org/about.php 

I recently sat down with my manager for my two year review. She had a few suggestions for increasing my value as a marketing professional at my company. I thought they were really good so I figured I’d share them with everyone:

1. Do whatever you can to be visible to your co-workers.

Get out of your office, attend employee functions, and get yourself invited to executive level meetings.

2. Stay informed.

Set up your Google Alerts to get up-to-the-minute industry news about the space that your company is operating in. You can’t hold an intelligent conversation with your fellow employees if you’re not informed. This is especially true in the tech space.

3. Create an internal e-newsletter.

Let the rest of the company know what great things the marketing deparment is doing. Another option is to offer training to the rest of the company. Teach them what you know.

4. Keep Sales in the loop.

There is often a break in communication between Sales and Marketing. Keep Sales updated on all your latest campaigns and accomplishments with a weekly e-mail.

IKEA-ization.

Global marketing is expensive. The cost of translation for global organizations is staggering. Use fewer words and more pictures, like IKEA.

My marketing communications team is my second family. Because of our friendship, we are aptly known as “Team Marcom”.  

In many companies, the marketing department is known as “the fun group” – and our team is no exception. Enjoy some of the outtakes below…

Sometimes my coworker thinks he’s a ninja…

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Because it’s Friday, I thought I’d post this 2007 NFL Superbowl commercial featuring GoDaddy.com.