Freemiums? Gift Economy? The growing vocabulary of FreeconomicsDavid Yoon - InteractiveEver wonder why so much stuff on the Internet is free? What brought about such a precedent, and how do sites make money by giving away their products? According to a recent Wired article the answer lies in traditional media, stretching all the way back to the Gillette "give away the razors, sell the blades" model. In the online age, these tried-and-true giveaway strategies are taken far beyond simply exchanging cash for services and goods. Thanks to Google, we now have a handy way to convert from reputation (PageRank) to attention (traffic) to money (ads). Anything you can consistently convert to cash is a form of currency itself, and Google plays the role of central banker for these new economies.* * source: http://www.wired.com/techbiz/it/magazine/16-03/ff_free?currentPage=1 Central to the online freeconomics explosion are the non-existent marginal costs associated with digital content distribution. Now that you've entered a world in which everything is free, ask yourself: what is it you're really selling? On the user-created, self-policed streets of the online marketplace, commerce isn't just about money--it's about respect and honesty. And marketers everywhere are challenged daily to overhaul their messaging to adapt to these new, more personal currencies.
What’s the Big Idea?Armand Kerechuk - Art DirectorBig ideas can come from anywhere and occur at anytime. But, when your creative engine is stalled and the ideas aren't coming, here are a couple of proven ways to get "unstuck." Find a quiet place where you can just relax and stare off into space. Clear your mind. Think only about the problem. When a solution comes to mind, scribble it down on a piece of paper - without looking at the paper. The reason? Staring at your notes is distracting and can cause you to lose focus. Ever wonder why some of your best thinking comes to you at night? It's because this time is typically when you're most relaxed and your mind is at its clearest. Here's a second technique. Grab your digital camera and set out to capture pictures that might inspire new thinking or creative ideas. The quirkier the subjects, the better. Set a goal for yourself, such as 15 images. Whether you use these images or not doesn't matter. The real value of this exercise is that it forces you to start thinking visually. A change in your environment can help get the creative juices flowing. Finally, a third technique that always works: Have faith. The ideas will come.
Politics in the Web 2.0 EraAllison Pines - Account ManagementWeb 2.0 is playing a large role in the 2008 presidential campaign, enabling candidates to reach millions of voters and truly engage them in the political process. This has been accomplished through the rise of social media, which is now a vital component of a candidate's marketing strategy. This emerging political marketing strategy serves as an example to brand marketers looking at social media as a way to influence consumers. Tapping into this audience allows candidates the opportunity to get their message distributed virally in an interactive environment. This increases their reach exponentially and, often, with greater influence given the level of voluntary consumer advocacy - something most brands want. A lot can be learned from the campaigns' creative and successful use of this marketing platform. Keep watching!
Why Build an Employee Stock Ownership Plan?Joe Phelps - CEOAs written for the Washington Post's Amex BizBox
An ESOP can help you achieve these goals. Many books and articles are available on this subject. So I'll keep this article short and simply hope that it stirred your interest in starting an ESOP to the extent that you'll research it further. Related sidebar: 80% of America's workers are employed by businesses with less than 100 employees. The future of our social security system is suspect. Wouldn't it be great if more citizens actually owned part of the business they work for? Think of the advantages for everyone involved.
Good News About Some of Our Great Clients
Newsletter ArchiveReview our archive of past issues of Creative Strategies at http://thephelpsgroup.com/sitemap.asp. Your Thoughts?Creative Strategies is written to deliver marketing philosophies and tips for our clients and agency friends. Email us and tell us how we can improve it. The Phelps Group is a marketing communications company organized in client-based teams View our agency fact sheet. cs@thephelpsgroup.com 901 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90401 • 310-752-4400 |
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