Kristin- Failing to tap the digital world's full potential

I recently read an article that opens the reader's eyes to the idea that the digital world seems to have grown and developed faster than the tools needed to measure it. Today it seems that our almost every move online can be tracked and studied ,from sites we visit to objects we search for. The Internet is the most targetable and measurable medium in history so one would think the Internet would be a marketers dream. While online advertising has proven effective for many companies, marketers are left with the complex job of trying to find better ways to measure the effectiveness of their marketing campaigns. While billions of dollars are used each year by companies promoting their products or services online, companies still rely on the most basic tools to measure effectiveness. Many companies simply rely on "click through rates" to judge how many people are seeing their ads. Companies need to find better ways to convert shoppers into buyers. Without better metrics to measure effectiveness companies may continue to promote misallocation of media budgets which will in turn waste billions of dollars and impede the growth of the industry as a whole.

Connie - Economy Calls For Online Lead Generation

For this week's post, I found an article about the economy and how lead generation might be able to help with marketing.

Right now, budgets are definitely a top priority for marketers. As a result, marketers must make the most of their spend--and they must account for every penny. Any marketing method they choose needs to be extremely targeted, measurable and result in high conversion rates

The ultimate goal for marketers is increasing sales--and it is here where Lead Generation is the fastest and most sustainable of online marketing efforts.

The leads can also be sent immediately after sign-up--which is what many marketers need in a climate where they cannot afford anything less than maximum return on their marketing spend. This flexibility means that OLG is very cost-effective, as marketing managers are only paying for the leads that they use.

To read more of the article, click on this link:

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=99943

David - Advertising

Advertisement as we all know has changed drastically over the years. I have gone from seeing plain boring billboards, to the first digital billboard I saw which was about 2 years ago in Boston . According to dictionary.com advertisement is a paid announcement, as of goods for sale, in newspapers or magazines, on radio or television, etc. The internet has become very popular and everything is right there in people’s finger tips that many people stop buying magazines, and newspapers because they can see it on-line and see the advertisements as well. Also now you see advertisement at sporting events more than ever and it’s an industry consistently growing because the word needs to get out.

Denis - Beckham Armani Ad

In summer 2008 Armani revealed one of the images from its new underwear campaign with David Beckham. The ad was unveiled overlooking a 6,000-seater amphitheater adjacent to Macy's in San Francisco.

All images from the campaign rolled out online on June 23, and billboards like these will spread to Rome, London, Paris, Tokyo, New York, and more.

In January 2009 Victoria Beckham signed also a campaign with Armani being paid a reported $24.6 million over three years. Her images were also to find on billboards, magazines, blogs...

Shane - Advertising, in your life...

Advertising is not something you choose to be a part of. Whether you like it or not you ARE a part of it no matter where you turn. The television is an obvious one and, if your like me, do your best to avoid it with the wonderful technology of DVR (TiVo) to pass right by them. You'll see the one commercial I think is hilarious from last years Superbowl that still runs occasionally and still have me on the floor laughing.
I think Google is unique in many ways for which I love each and every one. Simply going to Google.com does not flood you with miscellaneous advertisements that make you want to hold down the power button on your computer. It's a search bar on a blank page, plain and simple. Now, once you search it's a different story. The advertisements on the left side of the window still are not as bad as some on facebook and other websites. I must say that facebook is smart in the way they advertise. I've mistaken advertisements as part of my friends profiles because they do such a good job integrating them and relating them to whatever page I may be on.
Billboards are something else you cannot avoid. I almost got into an accident today because I saw a billboard on the highway that looked interesting but I couldn't see what it said. As I leaned over while driving to get a better look starring intently at it I realized my car was leaning with me into the other lane. With advertisements getting increasingly catchy and technologically flashy it is no longer an option to avoid them.

Hilarious Superbowl Commercial

Kristen - Google + Recession = No More Radio Advertising

Google has put an end to selling radio advertising space come May of 2009. With the economy the way it is, the recession has made Google reevaluate where they want to place their company. The change could lead to layoffs at the Mountain View, California, headquarters. The motive behind Google's plan to stop selling broadcast radio advertising space came shortly thereafter their decision to stop selling newspaper advertising space, as that venture did not go as well as planned, either. Although Google has ended their broadcast radio and newspaper advertising, they still intend on placing advertisements on television.

Sue--Anheuser's Ad Czar steps down

Bob Lachky, chief creative officer for Anheuser-Busch, is stepping down--and will not be replaced. Anheuser spends about $500 million annually on ad time and space in the US alone. Some of Mr. Lachky's more memorable ads include Spuds Mackenzie and the Clydesdales, as well as the "Real Men of Genuis" campaign. This move may make some on Madison Ave nervous since changes in marketing departments often result in changes to the agencies a marketer uses. Mr. Lachky is most closely tied to Omnicom Group--the relationship between the two is seen as one of the most successful partenrships in the advertising business. Some industry insiders speculate that Anheuser's in-house media arm could be dismantled, however, a spokesman for the brewer says there are no changes planned at this time. Mr. Lachky will not be leaving empty-handed, he will earn 19.5 million from stock options and 1.4m from a severance package.