Connecting students with big brands - this Wednesday

I'm amped that this Wednesday is the launch of Not4Pro's - a cool new AMI initiative connecting UTAS marketing students with pro bono work inside some of Australia's biggest not for profit brands!

“Having the knowledge that your work is helping many people in your community is really rewarding and gives you a whole new insight into the benefits of marketing” - Ashleigh Walker, MS Society

Come party with us for FREE on Wednesday

Come say hi at the City Mill Cafe on Wednesday - hear some great speakers, meet some smart people, and maybe even land yourself a career-changing gig with a big not for profit!

"What better way to get involved in marketing than by experiencing the very challenging world of not for profits" - Ric Fletcher, Cancer Council

Don't miss out - RSVP here

Space is limited, so RSVP on Facebook, or by emailing me on scottywoodhouse@gmail.com to reserve your spot.

Sweet case study: The Great Schlep

Precision targeting. Loads of creativity. Disruptive approach. Brilliant example of smart direct marketing.

Online marketing suite

Watching @jerrong presenting Sitecore's Online Marketing Suite - quite cool.

Does all the stuff you'd expect it to, like analytics, content management, campaign management, multivariate testing / optimisation etc. But the interesting part of this service is what Sitecore calls 'Realtime Personalisation' - dynamically profiling visitors and rendering relevant web content based on what it knows about them. Nice.

Adding this dimension to your digital arsenal creates all kinds of new opportunities for testing, optimisation and kicking ass on the web. Awesome preso @jerrong.

Awesome.

Sweet case study: IKEA Facebook Showroom

Apparently Facebook has banned these kinds of campaigns now.

Google Ad Planner rules

Google's Ad Planner delivers a whole bunch of awesome site and audience insights for marketers.



Have to question the integrity of the data driving this service though...use with caution I guess.

Sweet case study: Volkswagon Fun Theory

ADMA Forum: Top-down vs bottom-up

@Mikezed begins with an intersting look at top-down vs bottom-up digital strategy, and explains that businesses typically use one or the other.

In reality, bottom-up is what happens most often - setting up tactics and KPIs at the functional level and measuring random stuff (email click rate, unique visitors, CPC etc) in relative isolation. While easy to set up (creates little disruption inside the organisation), there's no alignment, and because our data is focused around discrete channels, it's not helping us to understand cross-channel / overall performance.

Top-down is the smarter paradigm of creating something that starts at the business level and strategically coordinates activities throughout the business.
 
What's good about top-down

• More focus on delivering real business returns
• Better alignment of activities, less wastage and overlap etc - improving ROI
• Fosters a deeper, more complete understanding of customer interactions throughout their lifecycles
• Management love it

What's not so good

• Hard to put in place - from a management and tech perspective
• Takes more time - all the pieces need to be in place before rushing into execution
• Lots more stakeholder management - "WHY can't we start using social media straight away?!"
• Massive need for communication and collaboration across functional groups (like IT)

Great food for thought.

ADMA Forum day 1: Pre-conference workshop

Mike Zeederberg kicking off the day. Should be a lot of fun.

Live from ADMA Forum 2010 in Sydney

Tomorrow is day 1 of this year's ADMA Forum, and I'm lucky enough to be in Sydney for the first two days of the event.

Forum livesteam
Listen in on all the discussion and updates.


Forum presenters list
Follow this list to keep tabs on all the presenters.

@scottywoodhouse/adma-forum-2010

Presenters and exhibitors at this year's ADMA Forum in Sydney Australia

So stay tuned for live updates on workshops, keynotes, parties and all things rad happening in and around the Sydney Convention Centre over the next 48 hours.

Not4Pro's: a home-grown marketing innovation!

Early next month, the AMI's Emerging Marketers group is launching an awesome new initiative in Tasmania called Not4Pro's.

Not4Pro's connects 2nd and 3rd year Tasmanian marketing students with pro-bono work with some of Australia's biggest not for profit brands, including the MS Society.

A very big thanks to UTAS for supporting the program and helping get this very smart, very cool event off the ground!

Come party with us @ the FREE launch!

• Where: Catch Cafe, City Mill 11 Morrison St Hobart
• When: Wednesday August 4, 5:45 for 6:15 start
• What else: Tapas and drinks provided, guest speakers etc   
• RSVP: Via Facebook, or Tori.VanNieuwkuyk@auroraenergy.com.au 

More to come...

ADMA Digital Course is on in Tas!

Last night ADMA launched its Digital Marketing Course at the University of Tasmania. Was a great night, and a big step forward for marketing in Tas. Many thanks to Rob Edwards, Richard Pester, Tim Quinn and ADMA for having me along.

If you're interested, here's the slide deck from my preso.

Adma Digital Launch

View more presentations from scottywoodhouse.