There have been a number of companies that have taken…interesting approaches to social media. Some of them have had great results… others, not so much. A recent decision by Taco Bell may just fall into that latter category. In a bold stunt to drive people towards its mobile app, Taco Bell completely darkened its social […]
CGT Newsletter
Offbeat Marketing
In a world where marketers are constantly trying to get whatever advertising space possible, it can be very hard to get noticed. So, a number of companies have tried techniques that can be described as…unique. There are articles devoted to the subject, known as “Offbeat Marketing.” It’s seen as the “next big thing” by many. […]
Budweiser Tugs at Heartstrings, Goes Too Far?
We’ve all heard about ad campaigns that go too far – and we think Budweiser’s latest anti-drinking and driving spot in that category. The spot (watch it on AdAge here) focuses on a man coming home with a puppy, and then how the two bond over time to become the best of friends. About halfway […]
Handling a Social Media Mistake
We’d all love it if social media were a positive place, where cat videos, news, and brand marketing could peacefully coexist. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Equally unfortunate is the fact that if you make a mistake on social media, it’s impossible for it to escape unnoticed. Unless you don’t have a big fan base, […]
Are Brochures Still Relevant? – Yes!
Are brochures relevant? Are they still effective? It’s a valid question. And we understand why your gut response might be no. Some businesses might not require brochures. For instance, if your website contains all the information – and more – that you would want in a brochure, and you don’t often meet with potential clients […]
When Logos Go Wrong
Everyone can probably think of an example of when a brand revised its logo and the results were… less than stellar. Fortune Magazine reported recently on Airbnb’s new logo, which some have compared “to a triangular paperclip or, even more crudely, to certain female anatomy,” according to the story. The story also lists several more […]
Reevaluate Your Social Strategy
By now you have most likely – or hopefully, anyway – been implementing a social media campaign for at least a year or so. But just like any good marketing campaign, your social strategy needs to be reevaluated every once in a while, to make sure it’s working the way you need it to. Here […]
Think About Ad Context
You put a lot of money, creativity, thought and time into your marketing campaigns. But all that could be derailed if people see your ad in the wrong place at the wrong time. Pictured at left is an advertisement on the NYC subway for airfasttickets.com. In the right context, this ad could be clever and funny. But […]
How to Not Get Hacked
Last month, police in North America and Europe arrested over 100 people involved in a global hacking scam (reported on Yahoo). In light of this event, we think it’s pertinent to remind you how not to become a hacking victim. Be smart with your passwords. It’s obvious, but still so important. Your passwords should be more than six […]
Authenticity Wins Social Engagement
Brafton has reported that Instagram beats out the other social networks in terms of engagement. Though it is primarily used for B2C businesses, the lessons from its engagement can be applied to B2B businesses through social media updates and marketing messages. Read the full report here. Instagram is a photo sharing social app. Photos are […]
What's More Important Than Lead Generation?
Digital and mobile marketing have opened up seemingly boundless possibilities for lead generation. Emails, display ads, landing pages and especially social media (a great step-by-step plan to creating Twitter lead generation cards here, from Klood) have opened up more and more opportunities for reaching potential customers. The thing is, these new tools for lead generation […]
New Social Media Research
If you’re marketing a business in 2014, you’ve simply got to have a presence on social media. Social media changes so fast and often, it’s always important to keep tabs on the latest research. Social Media Examiner posted a roundup of the latest social media research last month, and here are some takeaways to keep […]
Don’t Forget About Email Marketing
Do you send out a regular newsletter to business contacts? Do you send an introductory email to all new clients and potential leads? We hope you answered yes to one or preferably both of those questions. Email marketing is still relevant in 2014. If you’ve let your newsletters lapse or need a design refresh, here […]
Google+ and YouTube Together: What This Means for Your Social Strategy
This September, Google took steps to integrate YouTube into Google+. As we’ve seen happen with Gmail, now if you have a YouTube account, you have to create a Google+ account to connect with it. This is the only way YouTube users will be able to comment on videos. When a social network makes a change, […]
Social Media for B2B
“The only really effective social network for B2B businesses is LinkedIn.” We’ve heard that before. In fact, we may even have said it before. But the fact is that other social networks can be effective for B2B uses. Take a look at this in-depth case study on Social Media Examiner about Constant Contact, a B2B […]
Marketing Trends for 2014
2013 is drawing to a close. It’s time to think about what marketing in 2014 will look like. Here are some things we suggest you keep in mind. – Content marketing is becoming even more powerful, and if you haven’t been focusing on it so far we suggest you make it a priority in 2014. […]
With Google Hummingbird, Content is Still King
First Panda and Penguin, now Hummingbird. It’s the moniker for Google’s newest algorithm – the largest change it has undergone in 10 years. Hummingbird is unlike Google’s previous iterations, Penguin and Panda. Now, instead of providing search results solely based on keywords, Google has put an emphasis on the intention and meaning behind searches. It […]
Report: Early Twitter Investors Show More Interest in Tech Start-Ups
Turns out, Twitter’s value and extreme success have not only benefitted the company itself and its investors, but have created a trickle down effect to other tech start-ups. A Reuters report featured on Yahoo News details some of the major investors in Twitter, and what new companies they have shown interest in since. Bijan Sabet for […]
The Marketing Company, the Meeting Ground
The future of marketing. It’s a crazy, mind blowing concept to think about, because we really can’t say what it is. Twenty years ago, who could have imagined that we would use social networks like Facebook and Google+ to reach our target market? And who could have thought that recipients of our marketing messages could […]
Google+: Getting Advanced
Once you’ve gotten started and are familiar with Google+, you can then explore the more advanced features of the tool to gain greater brand exposure and increase your SEO. Hangouts Google Hangouts are available in two formats: Hangouts and Hangouts on Air. With regular Hangouts, you can host a chat or video call with up to […]