2010 Predictions
Brian McDonald

Last month I posted a discussion in the LinkedIn group asking for predictions for 2010.  The discussion generated some interesting responses:

• The growth of wireless networks and carriers ability to keep up
• Green companies and greater move away from reliance on traditional electrical grid using renewable energy sources
• Shift in advertising dollars from traditional media to interactive media including social networks
• Job market rebounding from 2009 losses and more people getting back to work

December Meeting Recap: How to Brand a State: Building the North Carolina Brand

Lyn Minges, Assistant Secretary of Tourism, Marketing, and Global Branding for the North Carolina Department of Commerce presented the current branding campaign for the state to Triangle AMA members on December 17, 2009. A native North Carolinian, Minges demonstrated a very clean and creative branding campaign, based on solid marketing strategy.

Minges stated that six critical keys: truth, relevance, simplicity, originality, consistency, and aethetics, are at the core of the campaign message. By using brand segmentation and focus groups, the State’s campaign delivered the right message to the right audience.

Click here to view full article and photos.

January Luncheon - Lulu.com: Taking a Stand - Ready, Set, Published!

Michael Chen, Lulu’s Chief Operating Officer, will share his views on the strategic value of marketing and tips on operationalizing for success. Lulu exists for creators and focuses on their success. It’s a focus that is helping Lulu win in the marketplace against larger competitors — and it comes from a strategic focus on marketing. In today’s world of wiki’s, social media, blogs, etc. opinions matter and Lulu.com is at the forefront of this substantial communications transformation. Now more than ever individuals previously excluded from the traditional publishing approach are finding solutions and support to get their work professionally published.

Click here for more information and to register.

Speaker Workshop and Networking Social: Green Marketing Challenges and Benefits in the 21st Century

Please join us for 2010 first speaker workshop and networking social. Our event sponsor, Exhibit Resources, will be providing food and drinks. 

Sustainability is an imperative for 21st century business —one that not only encompasses conservation and pollution prevention, but also enables the creation of entirely new marketing opportunities, such as strengthening brand reputations and creating products and services that give rise to new markets. How do you do this and enable your workforce, dematerialized operations, prepare for pending regulatory compliance and still keep cost in line? Mr. Steve Coles with IBM’s Energy and Environment Division will address these questions as well as how to identify and manage the marketing responsibilities in this new "low carbon economy" and be environmentally responsible at the same time- to the benefit of both the planet and the bottom line. 

Click here to register.

Triangle AMA Recruiting Chapter Officers

As with any organization, you get the most out of the Triangle AMA when you put more in. Triangle AMA Board membership provides the opportunity to work with leading marketing professionals across multiple industries in the area, contributing to the depth and breadth of your professional network and learning about new marketing strategies and trends while establishing and growing friendships. Take an active role in building a stronger marketing community while developing your own leadership skills.

Some of the benefits available to Board Members include:

• Discounts on AMA programs and workshops nationwide.
• Visibility at monthly meetings - introduced as board leader, flyer on board members and their companies occasionally available to all attendees.
• Prominent listing in the Triangle AMA website as an organization leader including link to your company website.
• Press release on new board members at start of fiscal year.
• Three free guest passes per year to monthly meetings & opportunity to invite nonmember friends and coworkers to marketing events. Maximum of two per event.
• Set and execute business strategy for the chapter.
• Manage and mentor team of volunteers.
• Free board passes for each special program or workshop except Marketing Bootcamp series.

We are taking applications for board membership through January 25. Check out our volunteer opportunities and current board members at www.triangleama.org to get an idea of what the chapter is all about. Please contact Shane Johnston, President-elect, at sjohnston@capstrat.com if you are interested in stepping up your involvement – and your benefits – with the Triangle AMA.