Behind Closed Doors: What's On The Mind Of Chief Marketing Officers?

At Forbes CMO Summit, lots of buzz about social media.

Forbes, November 2, 2009 — We attended the Forbes CMO Summit in sunny Palm Beach last week to learn what's on the minds of executive marketing leaders. The conversation from this group regarding social was more sophisticated, which my colleague Charlene Li and I don't think is reflective of most chief marketing groups. What's unique about these Forbes CMOs? Perhaps they are more progressive, well read and tuned into the rapid changes coming.

GM Exec Extols Virtues Of Social Media

MediaPost Publications, October 21, 2009 — Social media has been the most effective tool for consumers in the market for a car or truck and the best vehicle for GM in terms of transparency and accountability, Chris Preuss, VP communications, told a roundtable in New York on Tuesday.

U.K. Wireless Brand Turns Customer Service Over to Consumers†

Users Get Freebies for Marketing the O2's Giffgaff to Others

Advertising Age, October 5, 2009 — You've seen user-generated content, so now get ready for user-generated marketing, technical support and customer service.One of the UK's biggest cellphone operators is launching a new mobile network called Giffgaff whose customers will be able to earn free calls and texts by actively marketing the service to their friends and families.

Optimistic Best Buy Preps Holiday Marketing Push†

Focus on Facebook, Twitter; Also Scooping Up Cheaper TV Inventory

Advertising Age, September 30, 2009 — A year ago, Best Buy was dialing back its holiday spend in anticipation of a devastating season. This year, the retailer is hoping a slew of Facebook applications with potential to go viral, and a series of commercials that reference the "Twelpforce" will boost its presence during the all-important period.

Hopes and Fears of Social Media Marketing

Seeking increased customer engagement

eMarketer, September 29, 2009 — It’s not news to online retailers that social media adoption is on the rise. Three-quarters of US Web retailers surveyed by the e-tailing group and PowerReviews in August–September 2009 for their “Community and Social Media Study” said they thought brands were accelerating their use of, and commitment to, social media.

Do Public Brands Need Brands In Public?

Brandchannel.com, September 28, 2009 — Seth Godin thinks he has an offer you can't refuse: pay him $400 a month and save your brand's reputation. This week, the author, entrepreneur and self-described agent of change announced Squidoo's launch of Brands in Public, a site with unofficial pages aggregating brand mentions on Twitter, YouTube and blogs. Brands that fork over cash are allowed to "curate" the page, and one expects, replace negative content with positive feedback

How Brands Can Build a Successful App Strategy†

12 Lessons From Benjamin Moore, Bank of America, Kraft and Others

Advertising Age, September 23, 2009 — More than a year into the age of the iPhone app, brands are starting to get on board — and best practices are emerging. At Wednesday's Apps for Brands event in New York, marketers taught other marketers what's worked for them. Here are 12 lessons culled from the day, during which MLB.com CEO Bob Bowman and marketers from Kraft, Bank of America, Benjamin Moore and AKQA convened to talk about what they've learned from their early, successful forays into the space.

Miley Cyrus Is on the Line Just for You

SayNow connects stars and their fans through voice mail and is gaining traction, particularly among teenage audiences.

New York Times, September 14, 2009 — That hoariest of social networking devices — the telephone — is making a comeback among Hollywood marketers.

Facebook, MySpace and Twitter are now considered essential parts of the entertainment factory’s marketing arsenal. Add another service to the list: SayNow, a tiny Silicon Valley company whose low-key approach — connecting stars and their fans through voice mail — is gaining traction, particularly among teenage audiences.

Executives and Social Media

Channel is valued but also cause for concern

eMarketer, September 10, 2009 — US executives have come to value social media very highly to enhance relationships with customers and build their company’s brand, according to the “Social Media: Embracing the Opportunities, Averting the Risks” white paper from Russell Herder and Ethos Business Law.

Social Network Marketing Expands Sphere

A tool for every purpose

eMarketer, August 31, 2009 — Though social network advertising gets a lot of attention, it is only one of many ways marketers can reach customers on social networks. Social networks can be used for branding, improving customer loyalty, lead generation, direct marketing and e-commerce.