Why Blogs Will Kill Dissent

  • May 13th, 2009 | Written By: Jason Baer
  • | 10 Comments

While newspapers and magazines make increasingly Draconian decisions to try to escape their inexorable spiral of decline, the very future of publishing comes into question. Will life as we know it stop once the Grey Lady and her sisters cease to exist in their historical form? No. Even without papers and mags, Britney will still [...]

We’re Not All Social Media Spielbergs

  • February 12th, 2009 | Written By: Jason Baer
  • | 2 Comments

Are we expecting too much of people in social media, even the raving fans?
Jim Beam has a history of great social media programs, and their most recent is “The Remake” video contest. The premise is that you create your own video that spoofs Beam’s hilarious “Girlfriend” TV commercials.
First prize is $25,000 and a [...]

The Death of Newspapers: Poisoned or Suicide?

  • February 4th, 2009 | Written By: Jason Baer
  • | 3 Comments

The evidence of newspapers’ decline as a primary source of information in America is everywhere. My local paper narrowed to a tabloid size yesterday, following USA Today, Arizona Republic, and many, many other papers. 
Essentially all newspapers have laid off significant portions of their staff. Some (like East Valley Tribune in suburban Phoenix) are printing three [...]

Brands Must be Social Media Selfish

  • January 20th, 2009 | Written By: Jason Baer
  • | 4 Comments

Are you protecting your social media brand?
I was followed on Twitter last night by @trynetflixfree As a long-time Netflix member, I clicked the link to determine whether I should follow back. Much to my surprise, @trynetflixfree is a Netflix affiliate, trying to drive new subscribers via banal appeals on Twitter.

I don’t begrudge the affiliate marketing [...]

The Incredible Efficiency of Social Media

  • December 22nd, 2008 | Written By: Jason Baer
  • | 4 Comments

(originally written for TalentZoo)
The explosion in marketing and message conveyance opportunities is simply breathtaking. We’ve gone from 3 TV stations to 500+. Satellite radio. Hundreds of new magazines. Out-of-home advertising on every available surface. And a little something called online advertising that’s now larger than radio in ad dollars spent.
As a result, audiences are fragmenting. [...]

Build Your Brand by Marketing Sideways

  • December 18th, 2008 | Written By: Jason Baer
  • | 2 Comments

Marketers have been told for years to focus on benefits, not features. In this new era of marketing, you can toss both out the window.
I wrote a post recently on Marketing Profs Daily Fix about finding your one thing in social media, and building your outreach efforts around it. The one thing isn’t something obvious. [...]

How Huffington Post and Obama Killed the New York Times Online

  • October 22nd, 2008 | Written By: Jason Baer
  • | 4 Comments

AdAge revealed recently that the New York Times reported a steep 17.9% decline in ad revenues for July. Not unexpected, as many print behemoths are getting pummeled in this economy. (See related post “Is Digital Marketing Killing Magazine Ads”) However, NYTimes.com and the company’s other online efforts grew only .9% in July, compared to double [...]

Why PPC is about to skyrocket – and then CRASH

  • October 14th, 2008 | Written By: Jason Baer
  • | 11 Comments

Times are tough.
But one area that is ready to soar is pay-per-click search marketing (PPC). That most measurable and controllable of digital marketing opportunities, PPC looks like a no-brainer in this economy.
Have you called a newspaper lately and asked them if they’ll charge you per phone call generated? Even with ad sales down 14% year [...]

NHL Misses Net in New Campaign – Where’s Social Media?

  • October 1st, 2008 | Written By: Jason Baer
  • | 5 Comments

The National Hockey League has rolled out a series of compelling TV spots featuring some of the game’s biggest stars.
And while the new commercials – with a theme of “Is This The Year?” will run nationally on Canadian broadcast and U.S. cable television, like so many campaigns, it’s being forced to go it alone.

How About Some [...]

5 Reasons Why Digital Marketing Will Thrive in the Recession

  • September 30th, 2008 | Written By: Jason Baer
  • | 13 Comments

From Dot Bomb to Dot Boom
Let’s face it. The economy is taking on the distinctive, sickly pallor of a post Mardi Gras Keith Richards.
Generally, recessions hit the advertising business with the ferocity of a rabid wolverine, and the last one trimmed overall ad spending by 9% according to market researchers Veronis Suhler Stevenson. The wolverine [...]