3 things marketers should do next week about Google+

July 22, 2011

There has been a lot of “ink” this week about Google+. Is it the next big thing? Is it just another social network? Did Google finally get something new right? All common questions. My answers are “Not sure yet,” “Not exactly” and “Looks like it.” So here are three things marketers should do next week: [...]

How smart phones are changing the way we buy

July 5, 2011

If you are like me, your smart phone has become an indispensable companion. And it is changing the way we make purchase decisions. Whether getting real-time information on product ratings and reviews, finding directions to the nearest retail outlet or scanning a QR code to learn more before you buy, mobile devices are becoming integral [...]

“We mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”

June 30, 2011

These were the words that closed the Declaration of Independence and set into motion the most remarkable experiment in government. I love the Fourth of July because it is a reminder that when people commit themselves to change the course of human events, anything is possible! As a marketing leader, are you displaying the courage [...]

3 things marketers can learn from Rory McIlroy

June 20, 2011

If you were like me and millions of other attentive golf fans who followed the U.S. Open this past week, you were treated to a performance of historical significance. Young Irishman Rory McIlroy broke just about every tournament record there was and endeared himself to fans around the world in the process. As marketers, there [...]

How fast should you respond to comments on Facebook?

May 31, 2011

Last week, I shared a quote from the CEO of PF Chang’s China Bistro: “If you are going to open up a dialogue with customers, you better show up to the conversation.” So when I saw an article in Nation’s Restaurant News entitled, “Speed matters when it comes to Facebook,” I began to wonder how [...]

Pepsico’s Julie Hamp on integrating social media

May 26, 2011

One of my highlight’s from this spring’s SXSW Interactive conference (#sxswi) was a discussion I had with Julie Hamp. In her role as SVP, Chief Communications Officer at Pepsico, she sees first-hand both the challenges and opportunities associated with social media. She is quite candid about the difficulties of integrating all touch-points, including social media [...]

My 5 favorite quotes from leading restaurant marketing executives

May 24, 2011

Last week I was fortunate to attend the annual conference of the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executive Group in Chicago. There were several great speakers from inside and outside the industry. Here are some of my favorite quotes (or paraphrases) from the event. Howard Putnam, former CEO of Southwest and Braniff Airlines: “Turbulence is inevitable, [...]

What Jim Stengel, former P&G CMO, learned about leading change

May 3, 2011

Jim Stengel, the former CMO of Procter & Gamble, is one of the most respected marketing executives in the world and, after talking with him recently about the role of a marketing leader as a change agent, I now understand why. Following are a few highlights from our discussion. What is the biggest issue new [...]

The Masters embraces the digital world!

April 7, 2011

There are few events as old school as this week’s Masters golf tournament. Anyone who has had the good fortune to visit the tournament appreciates the manual scoreboards, the lack of jumbo televisions and the infamous pimento cheese sandwiches. But I’ve been impressed with how actively the tournament has embraced digital media this year. Through the [...]