The Permission Network

How to Rate (Select) an Ad Agency

By Steve Patti ⋅ September 29, 2009 ⋅ 4 comments

This post provides specific thoughts and screening criteria for selecting an ad agency in the era of interaction (not interruption) marketing.

Marketing Lessons from a Fisherman

By Steve Patti ⋅ July 30, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

This post examines the planning a fisherman employs to ensure a successful catch. In most cases, it’s more rigor that the average marketer invests in a multi-million dollar ad campaign. Where do you rate?

The Best Offense is a Good Defense: Why Retention Matters

By Steve Patti ⋅ July 13, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

This blog post revisits why retention is key during slowing economic times. It is more effective, offers superior ROI, and forces marketers to examine/improve the brand experience.

Marketers: We’ve Seen the Enemy — and It’s Us

By Steve Patti ⋅ May 9, 2009 ⋅ One comment

This post comments on marketers being their own worst enemies for lack of change. Fear, apathy, laziness, and other factors combine to paralyze implementing the ideas of best-selling experts.

Marketers – Are You Ready for the New Normal?

By Steve Patti ⋅ April 10, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

This post examines the “new normal” as defined by economists where economic growth will be replaced with economic survival. Marketers need to be ready for the “new normal” by embracing measurement, testing, and optimization of their tactics.

Are Traditional Ad Agencies Relevant Anymore?

By Steve Patti ⋅ March 17, 2009 ⋅ 2 comments

This post questions whether the traditional ad agency is relevant in today’s marketing environment. Specifically, increasing client sales requires mastery and measurement of tactics across the sales funnel and ads are only one tactic within the Awareness phase.

Small Business: Now is Your Time to Roar!

By Steve Patti ⋅ March 14, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

This post points out that in today’s challenging global economy, being small is the new big. Specifically, small companies can out-maneuver most big companies in authentic customer dialogue, customer service excellence, response to marketing conditions, and making decisions. It is actually a great time to be a small company.

Marketing Forensics: Brand Reputation Assessment

By Steve Patti ⋅ February 3, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

This post highlights a basic, but important step for marketers — to ensure that you have an accurate assessment of where your brand is today before building a marketing plan to take you somewhere else tomorrow.