The trend towards a greener economy is now so clear that it hardly needs someone like me to reiterate what's going on...it's everywhere.

As some are fond to point out, some of this activity is "greenwashing," meaning that some folks are out there saying they are green but not really acting that way.

In the business of experiential marketing this is what we see as the failure to deliver on a brand promise...where a brand is telling but not doing; where their behavior is not in aligment with their actions.

So, what comes first when it comes to being green - the telling or the doing? The instant answer is that the "do" should come first. I don't think it's quite that simple...

Continue reading "The "greenwashing" conundrum"

Just a short post to promote a simple site full of mind-expanding presentations. The annual TED Conference (Technology, Entertainment, Design) is an invitation-only event for the elites who hone the cutting edge. Check out the website at http://www.ted.com.

There’s a famous quote attributed to Albert Einstein that I’ve always loved—even though I only agree with the first half: “Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.”

Continue reading "Measuring Experiential Return"

Just thought I'd share the perfect example of when a brand creates an experience that not only connects with the passionates it aims to reach, but also inspires those people to share the experience with others.

Last week, Prilosec OTC, an indication made by Procter and Gamble, finished launching their third Bunco World Championship in Las Vegas. Prilosec created the Bunco competition as a way to engage women who are passionate about the popular dice game--like this blogger who mentions the brand several times while taking us on her journey to Vegas.

http://domestic-chicky.com/

Brad Harris, graphic designer for Jack Morton, tours us through the social Web sites and applications that enhance his time on the Net.

Good reads
http://www.goodreads.com/

The perfect site for bookworms. I just found this site a couple of weeks ago, and I’m instantly hooked. It’s basically a digital version of the “employee pics” shelves you find at local bookstores. As a user I can create my own online library of books that I’ve read. It allows me to rate & review my books, and share with other users and friends. You can customize an unlimited amount of bookshelves in your profile. The usability of this site great, which makes it easy to use and explore.

Continue reading "Social media and me - 6 apps I can't live without"

Easter traditions in the US vary from family to family, but you find that everyone includes candy into their celebration. For such a solemn holiday that children barely comprehend, they certainly understand the fun in egg hunts, jelly beans, chocolate eggs or cocoa bunnies that you can find in any household on Easter Sunday.

You can also find treats called Marshmallow Peeps--little marshmallow candies molded into Easter-related icons like baby chicks and baby bunnies. They're made by the company Just Born based out of Bethlehem, PA (yes...Bethlehem).

What the company doesn't know about or at least does not sponsor is a contest 300 miles south in Washington, DC, where Peeps is enjoying the second year of a grassroots brand experience that's captivated the capital.

How do I know it's grassroots? My co-worker in New York, originally from the DC-Virginia metro area, told me about the contest. Now that's word of mouth.

Continue reading "The brand peeps show"

According to Wikipedia, the buzzword "social media" is, "...an umbrella term that defines the various activities that integrate technology, social interaction, and the construction of words and pictures." This definition is a bit broad and doesn't provide more concrete examples of what social media are:

• Blogs
• Message boards
• Forums
• Social networks
• Video sharing
• Picture sharing
• Podcasts
• Vidcasts
• Wikis
• User Groups
• Virtual Worlds

Continue reading "Social Media: Strength in Numbers"

I recently read a white paper from Event Marketer entitled "Portfolio Consolidation" and within this paper was a section on cost containment pertaining to 3rd party suppliers. They used a phrase I have been looking to find or "coin" myself for years. Many people (including myself) use boring descriptions like "Supplier Programs", "Vendor Management", "Preferred Suppliers" ....anyone else yawning yet? I thought so. Yes, I know "Procurement" while essential, important and powerful can be, well, a bit dry. However, I'm one of the odd ones and I'm very passionate about it. I prefer to think of a good procurement department or Director of Procurement more as the "Dr Phil" of supplier relationships. Personally I believe procurements core tenant is to create and maintain an environment in which relationships between clients, production company and suppliers can thrive. So what is that phrase that's got me so excited?

Continue reading "Procurement really is about......."