The changing face of marketing!

So I recently posted a question on linkedin! www.linkedin.com/in/shannonboudjema asking several colleagues and professionals in the industry what they thought of my reterick about marketing today vs. five years ago and their take on it all. Interesting feedback. All responses were either in complete agreement or complete opposition.

I took the feedback from the opposing team and investigated. I am even more sure of my assessment as a result! Marketing today is not what it was yesterday. Marketing four years from now will be very different. How? Well, in one line – the company does not own it’s brand… the people do! I could list oodles of research, articles and more here pointing to what’s happening and what trends are taking hold. But I won’t – instead I shall point out one example.

cue music please:

Barack Obama! Hello? Most of you know I have a MyBO account (for marketing and research purposes). I received a Christmas card from Michelle, a plea from Barack to take his survey and several requests asking me to create  a group of likeminded MyBO supporters to proliferate the message… then report back to him on how we’re doing, what support we need, etc.

MyBO won brand of the year in 2008. MyBO has a global following and one that expands daily. Barack Obama has a linkedin account is perfectly harnessed. Have you ever witnessed a more effective social marketing campaign? Fast forward four years from now to 2012 – when it comes time for another presidential election… when people from every country are conversing on MyBO, submitting ideas, answering surveys, giving feedback by the minute… imagine the power of that information – but more so… the power if that information was considered, used and implemented where possible… or at least give the perception of being used? What sort of brand loyal following would he conjure?

I don’t think TV is going to go away.  I just think the evolution of marketing means that tv ads will need to evolve with the rest of us.

Why do you think twitter and digg are so popular – lots of reasons… but more importantly, what sort of power do these sites have? Tons! Mobilizing that many people with a common message and a challenge? Did you know that Hollywood took on Digg… did you know Hollywood lost?

Alright – to be continued!