According to BtoB's "2008 Marketing Priorities and Plans" survey, 60% of marketers plan to increase budgets for 2008 with efforts focused on personalization and more precise targeting not only in print advertising, but also with direct mail, email and event marketing.
Of the 60% of marketers who indicated an increased budget, almost 90% of those increases will be greater than five percent. Nearly thirteen percent will be 20% or more.
The list of marketing goals for 2008, according to the report, starts with customer acquisition and includes brand awareness and customer retention. Respondents also indicated that about one-third of their marketing budgets will go to online marketing.
Nearly 50% of marketers plan to increase their spending on event marketing and plan to personalize event marketing with targeted direct mail and email sent to a smaller number of people, with the goal of obtaining more qualified leads.
Forty-nine percent of marketers stated they intend to step-up their direct mail budgets with some indicating a preference for direct marketing over large advertising campaigns.
Finally, the survey also showed that almost 70% of marketers are planning a new advertising campaign for 2008.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Nearly $28 Billion Spent by Holiday Shoppers
Retail and online stores generated nearly $28 billion dollars from holiday sales from November 1 to December 27, 2007, according to ComScore.
With $730 million in sales Cyber Monday (November 26) once again surpassed Black Friday (November 23) by $200 million in sales. Yet both days failed to beat out Green Monday (December 10) which saw sales of $880 million.
Even after Christmas, consumers continued to take advantage of online deals, spending $545 million which is twice as much as last year.
Overall retail spending saw a twenty-one percent increase over 2006, according to ComScore.
So, the 28 billion dollar question is: What was your company's share of the $28 billion in spending? Stop watching other companies make money--resolve to market smarter in 2008!
Let Variable Thinking show you how to lower your marketing costs while more effectively reaching your target market. Get the word out about online and offline promotions to consumers most likely to buy your products and services.
With $730 million in sales Cyber Monday (November 26) once again surpassed Black Friday (November 23) by $200 million in sales. Yet both days failed to beat out Green Monday (December 10) which saw sales of $880 million.
Even after Christmas, consumers continued to take advantage of online deals, spending $545 million which is twice as much as last year.
Overall retail spending saw a twenty-one percent increase over 2006, according to ComScore.
So, the 28 billion dollar question is: What was your company's share of the $28 billion in spending? Stop watching other companies make money--resolve to market smarter in 2008!
Let Variable Thinking show you how to lower your marketing costs while more effectively reaching your target market. Get the word out about online and offline promotions to consumers most likely to buy your products and services.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Variable Thinking December Newsletter
Variable Thinking Wins International Award
Variable Thinking was announced as a winner in the 2007 Davey Awards by the International Academy of the Visual Arts. Variable Thinking was among those honored for the finest creative work from the best small firms, agencies and companies worldwide. The Davey Awards is judged by the International Academy of the Visual Arts (IAVA) whose members include: Yahoo!, Estee Lauder, Wired, Bath & Body Works, Brandweek, Polo Ralph Lauren, ADWEEK, Coach, MTV, HBO, and many others. Read more...
Trends in Marketing
Huge profit potential in travel industry for 2008! Read more...
Direct mail continues to grow. Read more...
Customer retention and market segementation are main focus for marketers.
Direct mail response rates increasing. Read more...
Car dealers can expect increased web traffic in 2008. Read more...
Green marketing continues to grow.
Gen X gaining ground as target market.
Partnering With Us is the Smart Choice
Busy CEOs and advertising executives know when they find an exceptional and dependable business partner to handle the smallest or most technologically advanced project, they've gained an advantage.
Here's what Owner & President of Mann Marketing Agency, Ed Mallof has to say about Variable Thinking:
“The PURL technology sends the leads directly to the appropriate sales rep. That means we get the customers when they are in “buy mode” and no time is wasted figuring out who will respond to the lead. The customer responses we receive allow us to better serve our clients now, and better market to them in the future. Where else can you find such a great return on investment?”
To improve your ROI, call today and learn the many ways Variable Thinking can make your business better. Request a call today!
Customer Spotlight
In a cooling real estate market, Variable Thinking's one-to-one marketing is getting hot results for mortgage and real estate clients, including Guaranteed Rate, one of the largest independent mortgage companies in the Midwest.
Director of Marketing for Guaranteed Rate, Cheryl Cepuran says, “After searching for several online marketing solutions we found Variable Thinking. Apart from their outstanding technology and creativity, their solution has incredible functionality. Now we track all campaign responses in real-time. The marketing dashboard is so easy to use and allows us to not only recap our campaign at the end of the promotion but to get real-time reports mid-campaign.” This could be you! Contact us today!
Free Webinar!
Learn how your company can maximize profits! Attend one of our free weekly marketing webinars held every Wednesday from 2:00 pm to 2:45 pm CDT, and enter to win a free three day/four night trip to the Grand Bahamas! Sign up now!
MARKETING SPECIAL
Personalized direct mail with PURL services come with free web analytics and lead generation including:
Free real-time reporting
Free real-time targeted lead generation
This quarter only!
Find out more!
PURL TESTIMONIALS
“The PURL technology has allowed us to gather more information and build a stronger database of our customers than we ever thought possible. In my 20 years of marketing I have never seen such valuable data. This is powerful stuff!” - Keith Lemay, President, LeMay Cadillac, Buick, Pontiac, GMC & Medium Duty
“We couldn’t be happier with the creative and fully customized pieces Variable Thinking designed for us. They really understand the marketplace and hit the mark with their solution. We recommend the Variable Thinking solution to anyone who wants to build stronger business relationships and automate the selling process.” –Lori Greenberg, Director, Atlantis Casino and Hotel
“Variable Thinking is devoted to revolutionizing the direct mailing industry. Their technology is just one aspect of a great solution. Their ability to integrate our recommendations into the development process has saved us valuable time and money. We couldn’t be happier.” - Paul Mailto, Branch Manager, Country Companies Insurance
“The PURL offers dynamic and exciting materials that reach to tech-savvy individual as well as the computer beginner. The process is very straightforward and trouble-free for the customer and has shown to be a very effective tool to reach our current and potential customers.” - Cheri Arnott, Corporate Vice President, Citicorp Cards Division
The difference between the marketing results you're achieving now and the results you strive for is Variable Thinking. Contact Variable Thinking today! For immediate assistance call 866/346-1400 or email sales@variablethinking.com.
Variable Thinking was announced as a winner in the 2007 Davey Awards by the International Academy of the Visual Arts. Variable Thinking was among those honored for the finest creative work from the best small firms, agencies and companies worldwide. The Davey Awards is judged by the International Academy of the Visual Arts (IAVA) whose members include: Yahoo!, Estee Lauder, Wired, Bath & Body Works, Brandweek, Polo Ralph Lauren, ADWEEK, Coach, MTV, HBO, and many others. Read more...
Trends in Marketing
Huge profit potential in travel industry for 2008! Read more...
Direct mail continues to grow. Read more...
Customer retention and market segementation are main focus for marketers.
Direct mail response rates increasing. Read more...
Car dealers can expect increased web traffic in 2008. Read more...
Green marketing continues to grow.
Gen X gaining ground as target market.
Partnering With Us is the Smart Choice
Busy CEOs and advertising executives know when they find an exceptional and dependable business partner to handle the smallest or most technologically advanced project, they've gained an advantage.
Here's what Owner & President of Mann Marketing Agency, Ed Mallof has to say about Variable Thinking:
“The PURL technology sends the leads directly to the appropriate sales rep. That means we get the customers when they are in “buy mode” and no time is wasted figuring out who will respond to the lead. The customer responses we receive allow us to better serve our clients now, and better market to them in the future. Where else can you find such a great return on investment?”
To improve your ROI, call today and learn the many ways Variable Thinking can make your business better. Request a call today!
Customer Spotlight
In a cooling real estate market, Variable Thinking's one-to-one marketing is getting hot results for mortgage and real estate clients, including Guaranteed Rate, one of the largest independent mortgage companies in the Midwest.
Director of Marketing for Guaranteed Rate, Cheryl Cepuran says, “After searching for several online marketing solutions we found Variable Thinking. Apart from their outstanding technology and creativity, their solution has incredible functionality. Now we track all campaign responses in real-time. The marketing dashboard is so easy to use and allows us to not only recap our campaign at the end of the promotion but to get real-time reports mid-campaign.” This could be you! Contact us today!
Free Webinar!
Learn how your company can maximize profits! Attend one of our free weekly marketing webinars held every Wednesday from 2:00 pm to 2:45 pm CDT, and enter to win a free three day/four night trip to the Grand Bahamas! Sign up now!
MARKETING SPECIAL
Personalized direct mail with PURL services come with free web analytics and lead generation including:
Free real-time reporting
Free real-time targeted lead generation
This quarter only!
Find out more!
PURL TESTIMONIALS
“The PURL technology has allowed us to gather more information and build a stronger database of our customers than we ever thought possible. In my 20 years of marketing I have never seen such valuable data. This is powerful stuff!” - Keith Lemay, President, LeMay Cadillac, Buick, Pontiac, GMC & Medium Duty
“We couldn’t be happier with the creative and fully customized pieces Variable Thinking designed for us. They really understand the marketplace and hit the mark with their solution. We recommend the Variable Thinking solution to anyone who wants to build stronger business relationships and automate the selling process.” –Lori Greenberg, Director, Atlantis Casino and Hotel
“Variable Thinking is devoted to revolutionizing the direct mailing industry. Their technology is just one aspect of a great solution. Their ability to integrate our recommendations into the development process has saved us valuable time and money. We couldn’t be happier.” - Paul Mailto, Branch Manager, Country Companies Insurance
“The PURL offers dynamic and exciting materials that reach to tech-savvy individual as well as the computer beginner. The process is very straightforward and trouble-free for the customer and has shown to be a very effective tool to reach our current and potential customers.” - Cheri Arnott, Corporate Vice President, Citicorp Cards Division
The difference between the marketing results you're achieving now and the results you strive for is Variable Thinking. Contact Variable Thinking today! For immediate assistance call 866/346-1400 or email sales@variablethinking.com.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Business Travel Expenses Take Off in 2008
Hoteliers and Tracking Tools Benefit From Historic Highs.
According to an October 2007 American Express Global Business Travel Forecast, air travel, accommodations, transportation and meeting facilities will see a sharp increase in demand for 2008.
Expect Travel Rate Increases
Business travel demands will continue to drive an increase in rates, including double-digit hotel increases in certain markets in the US, Europe and Asia.
This poses a challenge for business and travel managers. According to Vice President and Global Leader for American Express Business Travel Advisory Services, Mike Streit, the average domestic inclusive business trip (airfare, care rental hotel) will increase six percent, bringing the average price to $1,100 domestic and $3,171 internationally.
According to the American Express report, domestic economy travel rates are expected to increase five percent domestically and ten percent internationally. Hotel rates are expected to increase up to seven percent for mid-range hotels and up to eight percent for upper-range hotels in the US.
And That's Not All Folks
Due to the high demand and low supply, business travelers can expect changes in hotel terms as well as price. This may include a minimum or maximum stay requirements.
New Opportunities for Businesses
Due to the historic highs, stricter requirements, and challenges with keeping within a budget, travel and entertainment managers are expected to find ways to save money on meetings and events. This creates new opportunities for businesses that provide affordable travel and entertainment services, or who can offer cost saving conference or event services. Companies are also expected to increase their use of preferred suppliers to maximize benefits and savings.
The report also predicted a fifteen to twenty percent increase in the sale of compliance tracking tools, to help businesses save money.
To learn how to target this niche market and increase sales, contact Variable Thinking, or attend a free 45-minute webinar held every Wednesday from 2:00 to 2:45 pm CDT
To register visit: http://www.variablethinking.com/webinar.aspx
Read the entire American Express business travel report here: http://home3.americanexpress.com/corp/pc/2007/pdf/GBTF.pdf
According to an October 2007 American Express Global Business Travel Forecast, air travel, accommodations, transportation and meeting facilities will see a sharp increase in demand for 2008.
Expect Travel Rate Increases
Business travel demands will continue to drive an increase in rates, including double-digit hotel increases in certain markets in the US, Europe and Asia.
This poses a challenge for business and travel managers. According to Vice President and Global Leader for American Express Business Travel Advisory Services, Mike Streit, the average domestic inclusive business trip (airfare, care rental hotel) will increase six percent, bringing the average price to $1,100 domestic and $3,171 internationally.
According to the American Express report, domestic economy travel rates are expected to increase five percent domestically and ten percent internationally. Hotel rates are expected to increase up to seven percent for mid-range hotels and up to eight percent for upper-range hotels in the US.
And That's Not All Folks
Due to the high demand and low supply, business travelers can expect changes in hotel terms as well as price. This may include a minimum or maximum stay requirements.
New Opportunities for Businesses
Due to the historic highs, stricter requirements, and challenges with keeping within a budget, travel and entertainment managers are expected to find ways to save money on meetings and events. This creates new opportunities for businesses that provide affordable travel and entertainment services, or who can offer cost saving conference or event services. Companies are also expected to increase their use of preferred suppliers to maximize benefits and savings.
The report also predicted a fifteen to twenty percent increase in the sale of compliance tracking tools, to help businesses save money.
To learn how to target this niche market and increase sales, contact Variable Thinking, or attend a free 45-minute webinar held every Wednesday from 2:00 to 2:45 pm CDT
To register visit: http://www.variablethinking.com/webinar.aspx
Read the entire American Express business travel report here: http://home3.americanexpress.com/corp/pc/2007/pdf/GBTF.pdf
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
