#33 Kickin it Old School

Marketing Profs article Kickin it old school reports "Social media, email, search engine marketing, interactive marketing, blogs, wikis, and knols—the list goes on … to include mobile marketing, podcasting, videos." But in your rush to marketing's online future, you shouldn't abandon its offline past. Print collateral, argues Fogel, remains relevant.

• Despite the seeming ubiquity of Internet access and usage, many people simply don't go online.
• Some segments prefer print marketing.
• Even though digital marketing is growing with a vengeance, print collateral can still hold its place in an integrated marketing communications mix, at least for now."

W6M: When you are putting together a marketing plan, keep in mind a comprehensive approach using both traditional and digital efforts is your best bet.

#32 Talk and listen to your customers

From the past to the future, Best Buy CMO Barry Judge tells the story of how Best Buy's Marketing Capability talks (and listens) to its customers.

W6M: Digital is going to play a big role, but I am all about comprehensive campaigns. Some highlights from this video include:

• Talk with your clients, not to them
• Create an experience in stores, show them what they can do with your products
• Transparency builds trust
• Encourage employees to talk about their jobs

#31 Social Bookmarking in Plain English

A short explanation of the features and benefits of Social Bookmarking sites like Delicious.com. This video shows you how to keep all your favorite websites organized.

W6M: I know that I am a little behind the curve on this one. For those of you already in the know about Social Bookmarking, I apologize. If you are in the minority of people that have no clue what Social Bookmarking is you may want to check this video out. Then if you want, you can follow me on http://delicious.com/w6talent/.

At minimum you should visit delicious and see who is bookmarking your site.

#30 Why tribes, not money or factories, will change the world

Seth Godin argues the Internet has ended mass marketing and revived a human social unit from the distant past: tribes. Founded on shared ideas and values, tribes give ordinary people the power to lead and make big change. He urges us to do so.

W6M: If we convince one person with a loyal following to support you, that Center of Influence will convince his tribe to follow you.

• Mass Marketing has been replaced by targeted marketing. -nternet allows you to target silos of similar interests.
• Take a close look at changing behavior and connecting with Center’s of Influence.
• Find people who care and believe in your idea and they will spread your message.
• Tell a story > Connect a Tribe > Lead a Movement > Make a Change

#29 Apps Get Real

Gravitytank, an innovation and growth consultancy based in Chicago, recently completed a comprehensive study on mobile apps - those bite-sized applications on smartphones that are changing how we interact with software, our phones, big brands, our health, and much more.

You knew this intuitively. But interesting to see the numbers: The more time iPhone users spend with their apps, the less time they spend watching TV, reading newspapers, using PCs and pretty much everything else.

W6M: iPhone Apps allow for a much more targeted audience. The are not only fun, but they are useful tools. Expect to see more apps in the future. Currently iPhone dominates the App arena, but expect to see Google, T-Moblie and BlackBerry catching up soon.

#28 The Decline of Traditional Advertising...What does that mean?

Forrester Research released its five year forecast that estimates interactive marketing spending from 2009 – 2014. Forrester predicts that interactive marketing in the US will near $55 billion and represent 21% of all marketing spend by 2014 and will include search marketing, display advertising, email marketing, social media, and mobile marketing.

W6M: A co-worker just passed along this article on how traditional advertising is on the decline. If you read it closely, this article applies to agencies that don't adapt. Lucky for us, we adapt well.

My job isn't traditional advertising. My job is to create solutions to business problems for my clients. In my experience, the best solutions are typically an integrated approach of the mediums that best reach my targeted audience. You tell me what your objective is. I recommend the best approach.

#27 Google Wave. Your computer just got cooler. Your life just got easier.

Google Wave is a new tool for communication and collaboration on the web, coming later this year.

W6M: This video is long and has some bad jokes, but it is worth it. If you don’t have time to watch the video, just imagine one tool for:

Email + Instant Message + Bulletin Board + Blog + Photo Sharing + Facebook + Mobile Phone + Collaborating on Documents + Keyword Tags + Smart spell check + Improved Work Flow + Playback + Polls + Twitter + Maps + Real Time Translation. Add those up together and you have Google Wave. http://wave.google.com/