Café de Colombia – Branding at Its Best

I met Juan Valdez — yes, the “actual” Juan Valdez — this week (more on that at the end of this post)!  The fact that I am genuinely excited about this, and that you likely know who (and what) I’m referencing here says a lot about the success of this brand.  

Café de Colombia is a brilliant example of what can happen when relationships are placed in the forefront of all aspects of an industry – from production, to sales and distribution, to marketing, and beyond.

I had the honor of spending time in Colombia as part of my involvement in Social Media Week in Bogotá (#SMWBOG), sponsored by Café de Colombia.  My colleague, DJ Edgerton, co-founder & CEO of Digital Innovation Firm Zemoga asked me to speak at the event, and provided this amazing opportunity to visit coffee-grower farms and directly engage with Café de Colombia representatives.  This was one of those “MUST write a blog post!!” experiences!

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New Facebook Ticker is Invasion of Privacy

Facebook launched their newest update this week with lots of fanfare. Not ready to comment yet on functionality and changes made, but want to address the apparent glaring invasion of privacy issue with their new Ticker broadcast function and ability of users to Opt out of it.

Since the update, just about every action you make on Facebook is streamed in Ticker form on the upper right portion of other users screens. Haven’t been able to confirm yet if this is only limited to Friends etc or goes beyond this. However to be honest, there is a difference between simply sharing the content you post to broadcasting your every activity streaming in real time.

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Be careful what you ask for, you might just measure it

New media marketing is creating an undercurrent that is shifting the very foundation of business. Without a full understanding of what’s possible, a clear view to the future or an idea of the strength or extent of the market undertow, executives cautiously embrace emerging social and mobile channels based on guidance of internal champions and external pressure from competitors and customers alike. But, leaders can only lead when their vision is focused and direction is defined. The ability to execute becomes paramount and the gaps that exist between goals and capabilities must be identified and solved quickly to stay the course.

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Being ‘More Connected’ – Key Step in Owning a Seat at the Revenue Table

In my continuing series of blog posts on gaining that proverbial “seat” at the senior management table, I have discussed the importance of being more agile and social in marketing, and throughout the entire revenue process. In this week’s post, I focus on the importance of being increasingly more “connected” in all of your marketing, sales, and revenue-oriented activities.

Of course, a sure fire way to strengthen connectivity – as well as enhance both agility and social media engagement – is adopting Revenue Performance Management (RPM). At its core, RPM is all about driving integration between the corporate functions that are so crucial to generating more revenue, but which too often operate as disconnected silos.

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Some Really Young Smartphone Users

Sitting in a Starbucks recently, we watched as a couple handed their iPhone to a toddler sitting in a stroller with them next to their table. They then continued their conversation with each other as the young child intently played with the phone.

The scene reminded me of a recent study of mothers and their use of technology.

The survey of 1,000 moms found that a quarter of them let their children interact with a mobile phone by time they’re two years old.

The study, conducted by The Parenting Group and BlogHer, Inc., found that by the age of four, 60 percent of children have used a computer, 32 percent have used a smartphone and 25 percent have used an iPod.

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CMO’s To Increase Spending On Social Media But Integration Still Lacking

A survey of nearly 250 marketing top marketing executives revealed an overall increase of spending of 9.1% over the next 12 months but… the survey also revealed that integration is still a long way off.

Conducted by Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, the twice a year survey “collects and disseminates the opinions of top marketers in order to predict the future of markets, track marketing excellence, and improve the value of marketing in firms and society.”

And just as I did with the Trends In Social Advertising Survey by Brian Solis and The Pivot Conference, I am once again… going behind the numbers. My natural curiosity must come from watching all those mystery and copy shows growing up… is there such a thing as too much Columbo?

Nah…

Anyway, while I am happy to report that overall marketing spending is expected to increase over 9% over the next 12 months as per the survey findings – there are some intriguing, if not disconcerting, additional findings form the survey I want to bring to your attention.

The first one has to do with the overall spending increase itself. Look at the chart below…

Now, you’ll see the aforementioned 9.1% increase but look at the trend from the February to August for each of 2010 and 2011. I realize it’s only two years we’re talking about but why the up and down from February to August each year? When the CMOs were asked in February about spending were they coming off poor holiday, end-of-year numbers and thus indicated via the survey they don’t plan on spending as much as they indicated a few months later in August?

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Farewell Trey from The Social CMO Crew

It is with heavy hearts that the members of The Social CMO Crew for the first time say farewell to one of our own and much too soon.

@TreyPennington was one of the earliest members of @TheSocialCMO Crew and this week at the age of 45 he lost his battle with depression.

In his time with us, Trey contributed much to The Social CMO penning 21 posts (see them here) and probably the most poignant of these is Gratitude Fuels Community which I’m sure you will all agree is a very tough one to read this week.

Two of his best are Cut Through the Marketing Clutter with Storytelling and Confessions of a World Traveller. In both cases Trey was over the top with the image selections made which took both of these defining posts on his passion for the story and his social journey to another level.

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When ideas become powerful

Why are we surprised that governments and organizations are lining up to control ideas and the way they spread?

When power resided in property, governments and corporations became focused on the ownership, regulation and control of property.

When power shifted to machines and interstate commerce, no surprise, the attention shifted as well.

Now, we see that the predictions have come true, and it’s ideas and connections and permission and data that truly matter.

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12 Most Important Reasons I Love Bloggers and You Should Too!

Bloggers are amazing people who add a great deal of value to my life and work – and in my social media saturated work/life, that means a great deal! 

Every day I am thrilled to be part of the awesome blogger community, and here’s why you (and your brand) need to love bloggers too:

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