Why Blog?
A Dummy's Puppet's Ramblings - from Chip Martin, Mannequin American
Why Blog?
When B&M decided it wanted someone to write a blog, management conducted an extensive three minute search. As my hiding place was not as good as other staff members, I found myself "volunteered." (You know how that goes.)
I'm in my 3rd year of creating content for this blog and I've learned a lot. Prior to this assignment, I had heard about "work." Blogging brought me face to face with it ... and it's not a pretty face. There's no getting around it ... blogging is work ... the word catches in Dale's throat.
But there are rewards from this work. Blogging keeps me focused on learning. The discipline required to create even somewhat interesting content in the manner I've chosen requires that I study lots of what's hot, what's new, what's being said and what's not being said. Then I put my spin on the things that I think my readers will find most interesting. In the process I learn a lot and that's a benefit to B&M clients ... and it's also rewarding on a personal level.
On a business level blogging can fashion a tremendous advantage ... especially for those in the B2B world. We're in an age of information overload. It's a noisy landscape. It's vital for B2B organizations to find ways to cut through that noise with integrated marketing that's both strategic and creative. In the everyday bombardment of messages and tweets, it's pointless to hope to stand out and be heard without consistently engaging your audience. Blogs help to do that. (And let's face it, blogs written by Mannequin Americans help companies to stand out even more.)
When blogging becomes part of an integrated B2B marketing strategy it can help your company to successfully connect with your customers and prospects in relevant and meaningful ways. But it takes time and work ... and if you're lucky, it takes a Mannequin American.
Create Your Own Beer Label
Newcastle Beer has a fun new promotion that lets you design your own bottle labels. (My lame effort is pictured above.) Even better, when you buy a new 12-pack, it comes with laser printer-ready stickers so that you can affix them to beer bottles and impress your friends.
Visit the company's Web site and create your own bottle labels. It's fun and it's Friday, so what are you waiting for?
Interesting Fact: A recent Australian study revealed that smokers smoke to cope while moderate drinkers drink to celebrate.
The survey, which interviewed 2,000 Australians in April, found that respondents who consumed up to three drinks a day were happier than those who never drink. (You may want to assume that the survey was taken just before someone yelled, "Last call!")
When You Care Enough to Send Something Stupid
So if you can't be with the one you love, send them a stupid gift ... a Hug E Gram.
The "hug" comes with a "Wooden Bouquet of Roses that last forever." Gifts don't get more meaningful than that. There's even a video on their Web site.
Don't Let Your Meat Loaf
Great copy is great copy. For Vaughns BBQ Sauce. Via AdsoftheWorld.
New Reno Marketing Campaign
From AdRants: Not sure Reno wants to be Vegas but they're making an effort to get those who live in San Francisco to check the place out with a new billboard campaign.
Reno's new mascot is a Big Horn Sheep. Supposedly, he will deliver "whimsical sarcasm, random commentary, and delightful deals" from the North via Facebook and Twitter. I could do that. They should have used me ... especially for that "whimsical sarcasm" part!
Puppets on the Tube
Miss Piggy appeared on the Wendy Williams show on December 18th, 2009. She commented about Kermit's faithfulness, in contrast to Tiger Woods: "My Kermie is nothing like him. He would never do anything untoward moi... BUT! If he did, you can rest assured there'd be a hole in one, and he'd be the one!"
Miss Piggy also appeared on The View. Click here to see a video clip from that show.
