By Myra Norton on 6/25/2008 2:52 PM

With gas prices on the rise and job security on a downward spiral, businesses have tightened up on their expenses in recent months. As professionals, we recognize that we need to spend wisely, yet we still see mass marketing and the same prospects targeted over and over again. Granted, there have been a variety of studies conducted that connect increased brand visibility with purchase decision; however, this comes at a cost. This leaves us with the question, how much are we willing to spend on messaging that falls on deaf ears?

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By Katie McClammer on 6/18/2008 2:08 PM

 BALTIMORE (June 2008) – The Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers (ABAG), in partnership with the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers and the Regional Giving Circle Planning Committee, will be hosting the 2008 GivingCircleConnector Workshop on June 25th in Baltimore, Maryland. The workshop, designed for donors and professional staff of existing giving circle leaders, offers attendees a chance to learn about a variety of issues important to the region's giving circle community.

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By Myra Norton on 6/14/2008 9:58 AM

I had the pleasure of joining more than 200 B2B marketers this week at the annual Business Marketing Association conference in Las Vegas.  There were valuable panel discussions on topics like measuring marketing effectiveness, sponsorship marketing, managing agency relationships, and many others.  Two of the highlights for me were the keynote addresses delivered by Eduardo Conrado, Corporate VP of Global Business & Technology Marketing & Communications for Motorola (that's quite a title!) and Judith Sims, Oracle's CMO. 

 

Eduardo's address focused on the ways Motorola is leveraging Web 2.0 to reach government and public safety buyers, but he shared a lot of information about how he has structured the marketing organization for maximum effectiveness.  Judith shared some similar information from Oracle.  One of the key learnings I took home from both presentations was the power of a unified voice - unified across product lines, across geographies, across channels.  Judith talked about the impact they have realized by planning carefully their marketing efforts for optimum impact.  Instead of running disparate ad campaigns, events, online campaigns, etc.; they pool all of these channels around the most promising opportunities to reach and engage a given audience.  One example was a recent conference in New York where the key decision makers in one of their vertical industries were going to be gathered for a week.  Oracle recognized this as an opportunity to have a real impact on this industry ... Read More »

By Katie McClammer on 6/3/2008 3:23 PM

CEO Brings Human Networks to Institutional Researchers

 

BALTIMORE (May 2008) – May 24th kicks off the first of four days at the 48th Annual Air Forum. The Forum brings together approximately 1,700 institutional research professionals to learn the most recent methods of institutional research, exchange information and ideas about postsecondary educational institutions, and network with colleagues. This year’s conference, themed “Adapting to Meet New Challenges,” recognizes that as the population evolves, budgets shift, and accountability increases, the institutional researcher will be vital in providing the information needed to meet these challenges.

 

 

Asked to present on behalf of AIR’s Annual Forum was Community Analytics’ CEO, Myra Norton. Her session, entitled, “Bringing the Power of Human Networks® to University Advancement,” aims to educate professionals on how to engage community leaders in order to reach new donors, recruit the right leadership, and improve overall alumni involvement and support. Discovering true Alumni Leaders and their social networks helps institutions make decisions about donating time, talent, and resources. Norton’s session is scheduled for Tuesday, May 27th at 11:30am.

 

“In today’s ever-changing environment it is imperative that Advancement professionals focus their efforts on the true leaders of their institution’s community, not just the individuals that donate the most.” says Norton, “Furthermore, it is these next generation alumni who will play the critical role of supporters a ... Read More »

By Katie McClammer on 6/3/2008 1:21 PM

Employees Team Up to Revitalize Herring Run Park

 

BALTIMORE (May 2008) – Bright and early on Saturday, May 17th, Community Analytics employees rallied together for yet another community service event. Led by Research Manager Shannon Pirrung, employees volunteered to help pull weeds and plant seasonal species in Herring Run Park in Baltimore, Maryland.

 

  

 

The event was host by the Herring Run Watershed Association, an organization whose mission is to improve the environmental and aesthetic quality of the Herring Run Watershed by conducting stewardship and education programs, and by mobilizing volunteers for monitoring, restoration and advocacy. With the help of other community members, the Community Analytics team was able to clear a 1500 square feet area of invasive species and save 11 trees from suffocating. While the trees were not hurt in the process, five of Community Analytics’ team members fell victim to Herring Run Park’s poison oak.

 

“Pulling weeds for four hours is tough work, but seeing the outcome and beauty of the Park makes the experience worth it. Everyone was a lot of fun to work with and I cannot wait until next time,” says Pirrung.

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About Community Analytics:
Community Analytics is a research organization based on the principles of social networking. We understand human networks and the roles they play ... Read More »

By Myra Norton on 6/3/2008 7:40 AM

A colleague referred me to an article entitled, “Gin, Television, and Social Surplus,” by Clay Shirky the other day. Shirky talks about our cognitive surplus and the need for media to understand that it’s a triathlon. By that he means, we are not running a single race focused on consumption; rather, we need to be aware that people also like to produce and share.

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