Is that time again

As we wrap up 2008 and kick off 2009, there are trends that started this year and will expand into the next. Some are the result of the current inflation and others are the result of technology development, social issues and concern for the environment. Bellow, you will find blurbs and links to the full articles on the said topics.

Local Sports, Events Help Marketers In Hard Times
Advertising Age
The recession might prove to be a boon for out-of-home media and event marketing–especially for local sports. As cash-strapped consumers hunker down and people increasing maintain friendships virtually on the Internet, they yearn for the community of local events. Less appealing are the big national events that advertisers gravitate toward.

The virtual gathering of people in social networks is only intensifying the need for real community gathering, not supplanting it. “Kids now are able to see the whole world,” he said. “It’s worldwide, but it’s an inch deep. And there’s this pane of glass that separates them from experiencing that entire world.”Read the whole story…

Internet Tops Newspapers As News Source, Still Lags TV

by Erik Sass

The Internet is now the most popular source of news after TV, according to the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, which released its year-end roundup of news media consumption last week. While TV is still king of the hill, its steady decline in the face of Internet competition bodes ill in the long term. … Read the whole story

WOM: Real People Win Deals, Corporate Blogs Spin Wheels

by Erik Sass

Word-of-mouth marketing remains one of the most effective marketing channels–provided that it’s done well, according to two new studies from DEI Worldwide and Forrester Research. Consumers don’t put much trust in corporate blogs or social network profiles, but will readily listen to people. … Read the whole story

YouTube still towers above MySpace, Hulu for online video
YouTube, with nearly 5.6 billion streams to some 85 million unique visitors, was the No. 1 destination for online video viewers in November, according to Nielsen research. YouTube was followed by MySpace, with 244 million streams to 20 million unique visitors, and Hulu, with 221 million streams to about 7.5 million unique visitors. TVWeek.com (12/29)

JWT futurist eyes brand trends for 2009
While corporate budgets and consumer belts are tightening, marketing and media companies that seize on certain social and entertainment trends will successfully ride out the new year, according to Ann Mack, director of trendspotting for ad agency JWT. Among the hot-button trends for 2009 are environmental responsibility, brand authenticity and content mobility. MediaPost Communications (12/29)

Do the Right Thing
10 Rules for Leading Ethically

It’s been all too easy to criticize the unethical behaviors of business and political leaders these days. But if your company isn’t among those generating scandal and scorn, consider yourself warned. CCL’s Cresencio Torres reminds us that lapses in ethical judgment occur every day in our organizations and, likely, in our private lives.  “Ethical leadership isn’t about avoiding the worst behaviors. It isn’t about technically following laws and regulations,” says Torres. “Ethics determines fair and honest behavior and establishes boundaries about how we relate to each other. In that sense, the only way for people to work well together, and to have good professional and personal relationships, is to think and act in an ethical way.” To reclaim ethical leadership for yourself and your organization, Torres offers these 10 Rules for Ethical Leadership here:http://www.ccl.org/leadership/enewsletter/2008/DECdo.aspx

MediaPost Publications Panel: Marketers Look To Integrate OOH Efforts 12/10/2009

Panel: Marketers Look To Integrate OOH Efforts

Out of Home presents a great opportunity for brands looking to integrate with mobile. This article highlights how OOH has played a central role for Calvin Klein’s branding efforts. Other marketers are looking to generate sales via this media and that may prove a challenge but not impossible.   Further, the growth of smart phones opens a door to start conversations via social media, SMS or other.

For some brands, I would even venture to offer cash rewards upon  activation from an OOH source.

Read the article for more information.

via MediaPost Publications Panel: Marketers Look To Integrate OOH Efforts 12/10/2009.

Corporations and Social Media

The freedom of speech that you find in social media does not fit well under the structured, rigid, time limited and regulated environment that corporate communications departments are.

Corporate advertising and communications among fortune 100 companies is in many cases outsourced and executed under the supervision of the internal corporate teams. However, most plans are developed around a specific strategy that may include new product launch, branding, new stores promotion, etc. These campaigns have a time limit and even though they may integrate several strategies, media and departments, once the term runs out, everything comes to a complete stop.

That is not a conversation. Would you do that to a friend, a customer or relative? Definitely not. You see this people on a regular bases, you talk to them and share information. I guess corporations need to change the model and learn the basic concepts of being part of a social group regardless of where it takes place.

Read this report from Weber Shandwick for more on Social media and corporations http://bit.ly/3uHluw

Radio Business Report/Television Business Report – Voice of the Broadcasting Industry

Radio Business Report/Television Business Report – Voice of the Broadcasting Industry.

New Spanish TV network Estrella TV saw a 16% decline on 3rd Q revenue. The network continues to increase on ratings and covers 67% of the US Hispanic television households.

It clearly targets a segment of the Hispanic market that is not served by the other 3 networks: Univision, Telemundo and Azteca America.

Read the entire article for more information.

Below The Topline: U.S. Hispanics and Acculturation | Nielsen Wire

Below The Topline: U.S. Hispanics and Acculturation | Nielsen Wire.

Acculturation, language, behavior, education, income and shear market size are discussed in this Nielsen piece. By 2050 Hispanics will account for one third of the total population in the U.S.

There are no single answers or strategies to reach this market. Because the Hispanic market is so diverse, a diverse set of strategies is required. Depending on the Hispanic segment you are trying to reach, you will have to adjust the dial of your marketing and media mix.

Citibank Survey Reveals Small Businesses Not Joining Social Media Conversation

Small Businesses Not Joining Social Media Conversation

via Citibank Survey Reveals Small Businesses Not Joining Social Media Conversation.

MediaPost Publications Almost As Good As A Sandwich Board 10/27/2009

This research piece highlights the ROI potential for strategies that integrate the  mobile platform with our new product: Transit TV. A 13 week campaign can generate 84,000,000 impressions and according to the research piece, 37% are open to receiving alerts for a sale. The holiday season is approaching. How about  delivering the address for the nearest store with a discount coupon and the bus fair to take them to the store and back home.  All of this on a turn key proposition that only requires a TV spot.

In addition, consider geo- targeting to leverage retail locations, from restaurants and bars to music and electronics.

Here is the research piece.

by Jack Loechner,

Of those interested in receiving alerts, 53% would be at least somewhat interested in being notified about restaurant specials around them.In addition, about 2-in-5 of these adults would like to receive alerts about sales for: Movie/event tickets 43% Weather information 39% Clearance or liquidation sales 37%)

About another 3-in-10 of these adults would want to be alerted about:

• Pizza (31%) Clothes (30%)
• Fast food (27%)

About one quarter would want to be notified about:

• Electronics (25%)
• Music (24%)
• Happy hour specials or bar and night club offers (21%)

via MediaPost Publications Almost As Good As A Sandwich Board 10/27/2009.

COUPON USE SEES LARGE YEAR-OVER-YEAR GAINS WITHIN HIGHEST SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEMOGRAPHICS

Coupon Availability Determines the Purchasing Decisions for Nearly a Third of Americans, According to the Second Annual Study of Consumer Coupon Behavior Commissioned by RetailMeNot.com

Melbourne, Australia � September 29, 2008 � The results of the Second Annual Benchmark Survey on Consumer Coupon Behavior commissioned by RetailMeNot.com, the web’s leading consumer destination for coupons, discounts and promotional codes for merchandise, groceries, travel and services, and conducted by Harris Interactive�, were released today. The survey found that the use of coupon websites is on the rise, most notably among the highest education and income brackets. In addition, the survey found that coupons are the deciding factor in the purchases of a growing number of consumers. The survey, which polled 2,175 online adults 18+ within the United States, measured trends in online shopping and coupon usage.

The survey found that consumers are continuing to spend less in the current economy. Nearly half of online adults (45%) plan to spend less money on gifts this holiday season compared to last holiday season, the same percentage as in 2008, indicating a consistent, significant downward trend in spending. To save money, 62% of online adults look for coupons for online stores, and 12% never make a purchase without checking an online coupon website first, a notable jump from 8% last year.

Read more.

Gender and Age Consumption Differs in Evolving Media Usage Patterns

According to a new consumer trend report from TargetCast tcm, among American adults between the ages of 18-64, the future of traditional media, particularly newspapers, magazines and radio, is challenged by the rapid migration of hard-to-reach consumer groups to digital alternatives. However, when it comes to purchase influence on consumers, traditional media remains more influential when compared to digital advertising.
The study reveals a divide between men and women in how each gender engages with traditional media, and illustrates how a generational divide is affecting purchase influence among adults.
Read the report http://bit.ly/30k3s7

Access to Entertainment Capital (AEC) Presents Financing and Distribution Track Featuring Entertainment Experts at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival

October 6, 2009 (Los Angeles) — The Access to Entertainment Capital Committee (AEC) of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce (CHCC) announced today its Film Financing and Distribution Track featuring entertainment experts at the 13^th Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF). The seminars will take place Thursday, October 15, 2009, at the Renaissance Hollywood & Spa Hotel as part of LALIFF’s Hollywood Connect program.

AEC’s two panel sessions will focus on financing for entertainment and distribution of filmed projects. Panelists are entertainment and media investors, agents, distributors and producers. During the Entertainment Financing Panel, financing experts will share their knowledge on the packaging of filmed projects, sources of financing, tax credits and incentives. Panelists in the Distribution Panel will discuss what distributors look for when selecting projects, where they look for projects, what a producer can expect from foreign and domestic sales, how to leverage pre-sales for financing and more.

“The film financing and distribution model has gone through major changes in the last five years, and a new set of rules are in place,” said Ivan Cevallos AEC’s Chair. “New funding and distribution models are available to independent and Latino producers, and the AEC wants to bring that information to them. That is why the AEC is proud to be part of LALIFF’s Hollywood Connect Program.”

Confirmed speakers for the AEC Entertainment Financing Panel include: Adrian Ward, Senior Vice President of NBCal’s Entertainment, Sports & Media Department; Walter Josten, Producer and COO at Blue Rider Pictures; Jeff Geoffray, Producer and CFO at Blue Rider Pictures; Rena Ronson, former co-head of William Morris Independent. Confirmed panelists for AEC Entertainment Distribution Panel include: John Eyers, co-founder, film production/sales and distribution company, EGM Film International Ltd. in Cardiff, Wales; Gary Rubin, President of First Independent Pictures; Jeff Gonzalez, CFO at Maya Entertainment and Carlos Sanchez, Executive Director Latin America, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution USA.

LALIFF’s Hollywood Connect Program runs throughout the festival. The program consists of a series of receptions, industry panels, presentations and this year a four-day seminar. The Hollywood Connect Program was created to build bridges between participating filmmakers and executives from the Hollywood film community. The seminar, panels and presentation will take place in the Los Feliz Room on the 3^rd floor of the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa on Highland Blvd. More details of these events are at www.latinofilm.org.

The AEC is dedicated to providing access to funding sources and distribution to U.S.-based Hispanic content producers in TV, Film, Games and Sports. The AEC kicked off its series of financing, distribution and pitch events at the CHCC annual convention last August in San Diego. State Senator Ron S. Calderon. Co-Chair of the Art and Entertainment Committee of the State of California was present at the first AEC event where he made a commitment to work closely with AEC in achieving its mission.

About Access to Entertainment Capital (AEC) Committee

The Access to Entertainment Capital (AEC) Committee was formed by the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce in 2009. Its mission is to provide access to financial capitalization and distribution for US-based Hispanic entertainment content in TV, Film, Games and Sports. The executive membership consists of Ivan Cevallos, Committee Chair; Martha Montoya, CHCC Board Member, Nilza Serrano, Legislation and Ricardo Guzman, Finance.

About LALIFF:

The Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF) was founded in 1997 by producer, director, actor and activist Edward James Olmos; independent producer Marlene Dermer, and independent film and music producer George Hernández. LALIFF is a non-profit 501c (3) organization with the mission to support the development and exhibition of diverse visions by Latino filmmakers and to promote awareness of the richness and diversity of Latin cultures, artistry and countries through film, the most powerful medium in the world. A competitive festival with prizes, LALIFF serves as a venue where Latino filmmakers come together with industry buyers and distributors. LALIFF also offers industry workshops, panels, labs, networking receptions, educational programs, and hosts some of the best galas in tinseltown.

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Three Screen Report: Media Consumption and Multi-tasking Continue to Increase Across TV, Internet, and Mobile | Nielsen Wire

Americans are increasing their overall media consumption, and media multi-tasking is part of the equation, according to new data from The Nielsen Company’s most recent Three Screen Report.