June 11, 2007

Email proves itself

A recent study from DMA shows just how critical an element email is when it comes to successful direct marketing campaigns. While the study’s main focus is to show that the lines of direct marketing and brand marketing have blurred through multi-channel campaigns, the study’s statistics point to the predominance of email – and web in these campaigns. It is email’s ability to personalize and track and motivate with clear calls to action that makes it a key ingredient. By Integrating and coordinating across multiple channels, marketers can create cohesive brand messaging that can lead to powerful brand experiences.

How does email fit in? In a fully integrated campaign email is an element that can breathe “interactive life” into 2 dimensional print campaigns. Direct mail and print advertising should no longer be stand alone elements. Email and web can be coordinated with traditional marketing efforts to dynamically drive messaging. Even more, email opens the lines of communication with your audience allowing them to respond, participate and own your brand. This leads to a better understanding of your audience and your brand, which will improve messaging, targeting and personalization. Check out the study to see how email is influencing today's best direct marketing tactics and principles.

Comments (0) | Posted by maureen at 10:03 PM | Permalink

May 24, 2007

Conan O'Brien Captures Life at Intel

A former Intel employee and current friend of mine sent me this hilarious and accurate video on Intel life. Four years of my life after college was spent near Pole J9 at Jones Farm campus AND Pole N3 at Ronler Acres. Great company, but brutally drab and hopeless interior space planning.

Comments (2) | Posted by ryan at 7:18 AM | Permalink

November 12, 2006

Full-Page Print Nike Ad in Sunday New York Times is a Text Email

I was reading the physical, printed Sunday New York Times today and I came across a full-page advertisement in the Sports section. I initially noticed the ad because it was all yellow, but then I realized that some ad agency just copied and pasted a real email correspondence between Lance Armstrong and Scott M. (Nike). Unfortunately for me, I actually have to type all this out instead of copying and pasting, but here is an excerpt from the ad:

“From: Lance Armstrong
To: Scott M. (Nike)
Sent: Nov 5, 2006 3:32pm
Subject: Re Re: Re: Re: Idea

I’m dead.

Hardest physical thing I’ve ever done.
Try your best to make this happen.
No way I would have crossed the finish
line without the cheering. I owe them.

> From: Scott M. (Nike)
>To: Lance Armstrong
>Sent: Nov 5, 2006 3:29pm
>Subject: Re Re: Re: Re: Idea
>
>I think we can do it. I’ll let you know
>for sure. BTW, how do you feel?”

The advertisement continues the email dialogue, but the reason why it works is because it made me stop and actually read it. The content was so real and part of something most of us do every day – read and respond to email. As usual, Nike knows good marketing.

Comments (0) | Posted by ryan at 8:15 AM | Permalink

May 8, 2006

Michael Jackson Works for Hasbro? (Not for the faint of heart or tight of lip)

A buddy of mine sent this to me last week some three syllable Japanese word in the subject line.

I don't know how in the world this product got past the brainstorming session and into development. Perhaps it seemed innocent enough in theory but even so, the ads have done away with any and all innocence. Everytime I see this spot, I am whisked back in time to the fourth grade, when I worked at Club Bath as a towel boy. The pay was decent but I quit after a particularly sticky situation.

Seriously though, will somebody please smack the folks at Hasbro in the head for allowing this ad to air, or even exist on film? Also, send over a Japanese translator so I can figure out this word: 'bu...bu...ah, it's all Greek to me.

P.S. - You think it's fake? Go here:http://www.hasbro.com/default.cfm?page=browse&product_id=17359#

P.P.S. - Frequent pumping reguired.

Comments (0) | Posted by aj at 12:35 AM | Permalink

April 12, 2006

Dixie or Yankee

Alright, so I'm originally from the East Coast where Yankee / Dixie conversation seems as fresh today as 140 years ago (maybe not quite that fresh, but you get my point). Even though I've lived in Portland, Oregon for the past 10 years, I'm originally from Maryland, one of 3 neutral states in the country during Civil War times. I got an email from a co-worker with the Yankee / Dixie quiz and to my surprise, I found I was slightly more Dixie. I've been a called a Yankee my whole adult life and now I find out I'm a Yankee. My indentity is so confused. See which side of the fence you fall:

http://www.alphadictionary.com/articles/yankeetest.html

Comments (0) | Posted by ryan at 10:49 AM | Permalink