Guest column: The Changing Face of Integration for Ad Agencies!

Over the past decade, in pursuit of that elusive “Integrated Agency Capability,” most agency acquisitions have been characterized by larger traditional agencies buying hot specialty shops, in those categories that they perceived a need. Recently, the tables appear to be turning as an established digital agency plans to acquire a hot advertising shop.

You lost me there (part one, website issues that lose you business)

Part of that presentation dealt with improving Web marketing. Many e-commerce Web sites are good at taking orders, but not so good at capturing prospects.

Thus the goal of this series, which I’m calling “You Lost Me There,” is to help you get more of the people who visit your Web site to raise their hands and request to continue the dialogue with you. You want these people in your database, as they’ve expressed some level of interest in your products.

That said, here are three tips to optimize online sales:

Quick note to my readers

I’m taking a much needed vacation this week.  I’ll be back to my regular posting schedule next week.  Mean time, there’s lots here to read.  Enjoy, and thanks for taking the time to visit (or re-visit). Oh, two more things.  Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter (use the button top left), or sign [...]

Catalog and Direct Mail’s Slippery Slope: The Environment, Some Facts and Mail Suppression Files

I’ve been getting a lot of comments to my last article on the evolution of our industry. There’s been some back and forth about going green and its impact on direct mail — the typical “direct mail kills the environment” issue.

Does direct mail really destroy the environment? I don’t think so. The Direct Marketing Association, on its DMAchoice Web site, has published the following information about direct mail being the “green” way to shop:

“Facts About Direct Mail…

Attention South FL Direct marketers – Are you on track to meet or beat your forecasts?

Jim Gilbert and the FDMA are please to announce another great learning opportunity for you on June 18th. The Second Half: Meet or beat your 2009 estimates and look like a superstar!
Thursday, June 18, 2009 WHEN
Thursday, June 18, 2009 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
WHERE: Westin Hotel Fort Lauderdale

I’m mad as hell and I’m not gonna take it anymore!

OK, that’s it. I’m done! I’m mad enough again to take a stand! (you can too, see how below)

I’ve officially had enough, and I’m done sitting around letting it happen. This morning I paid $2.79/gallon for regular unleaded gas. That’s $1.10 more that I was paying for gas in December 08. It’s happening again. Why? Is there some shortage on oil? So here’s my stand. I’m calling on you and myself to act now, before someone on TV starts priming us for $6 gas prices for next summer’s driving season. Here’s a list of things you can do to help take a stand.

1. Make…

When Disaster Strikes: Jim’s 5th Annual Preparedness Guide to Surviving a Disaster

Much like a four-letter word, disasters happen in all forms just about anywhere — without warning, at any time. So prepare your company and yourself. Here’s a disaster-readiness checklist I suggest you look over carefully. If you think you’re on top of this, I recommend you compare your list to this one to ensure you have all bases covered. 1. Have a business…

Florida Direct Marketing Association & Jim Gilbert: The Second Half… Meet or beat your 2009 estimates & look like a superstar!

Jim Gilbert and the FDMA e are please to announce another great learning opportunity for you on June 18th.

The Second Half: Meet or beat your 2009 estimates and look like a superstar!

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Behold, the impact of blogging Moms

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_NEW_FRUGALITY_MOMMY_BLOGGERS?SITE=MATAU&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Evolution, Revolution: Attention All Marketers – Change Is Gonna Come (and ROI Will Follow)

As we near the end of the first decade of the new century (time flies right?), the direct marketing business is caught in a war that’s being played out on many fronts.

Let me put this in perspective for you: If you study history, you’ll see that at the turn of every new century comes great change. However, great change is often preceded by great turmoil. Whether it was the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century or the buildup to World War I and the Great Depression in the early 20th century, change, as they say, is gonna come.