US Marketers Losing Confidence in TV

<Update 03/02/08: More advertising shifts here>

Whether traditional TV advertising has truly lost its power, marketers and advertisers are already eager to find alternatives. The US based Association of National Advertisers and Forrester Research’s fourth biennial TV and Technology survey shows a dramatic loss of confidence in the medium as the industry gears up to explore new ad formats and forms of video commercials.

Wow.

There is a bit of me that is surprised that someone somewhere still feels the need to research TV and marketing; but with so much money spent on TV advertising it is very understandable that TV is being scrutinised so heavily, and for so long.

Here’s the science bit…

• 2/3s of C-level-executive respondents said they are watching the medium closely, up from just half two years ago
• 87% of respondents said they were going to be spending more on web ads in the coming year.
• 62% percent of marketers believe traditional TV ads have become less effective during the last two years.
• 50% of marketers reported that when half of all TV households use DVRs, they will cut spending on TV advertising by 12%.
• 87% percent of advertisers believe branded entertainment is the key to TV advertising in the coming year, and 65% of them are eager to try ads in online TV shows.

And emerging technologies continue to lure marketers looking to experiment.

• 43% would like to try interactive TV ads
• 55% are interested in ads embedded in VOD; and
• 32% would like to try ads attached to the set-top-box menu.

With the proliferation of new media, media agencies have stepped up their game to help clients deal with the changes. Two years ago, just under half the agencies reported they were ill-equipped to address changes in TV advertising, whereas only 28% did so this year.

But quite surprisingly it is the creative agencies that are falling behind, according to marketers:

• 47% of them said their agency was ill-equipped to deal with the changes, a mere 8% improvement from two years ago.

By the way the study was conducted in January 08 and is based on a survey of 78 leading advertisers across all major industries and categories in the US.

The 26 Week Internet Marketing Plan

If I said to you, you can learn about Internet Marketing in a weekend, and implement a thorough Strategic Internet Marketing plan in just 26 weeks, you might react in two negative ways; depending on your perspective. I know I did.

How can you provide me a strategic plan? That’s nonsence.
or
26 weeks? That’s too slow, too lethagic.

I’ve changed my mind. And I’d urge you to think again. I VERY rarely recommend items on this blog, but this deserves a mention…….

When the authors of the 26 Week Internet Marketing Plan asked me if they could send me a full preview of their package I was flattered, slightly nervous about what I would receive and hestitant to be seen like so many other bloggers who jump on a bandwagon to secure affiliate revenue, or traffic to their site (the latter is just not my style)

But I am so glad I accepted the gift, and challenge! What a wealth of content. It took nearly a full weekend to get through the content – and I am sure I missed bits.

Many UK marketing bloggers have been sent the pack as part of the stealth launch, and I’ll link to some of their content in this post. In a nutshell though, to be one of the best online marketers it is really key to know the basic rules of Internet Marketing – and this package has the basics outlined in as clear a manner as I have EVER seen.

The 26 week Internet marketing plan contains 4 DVD’s, 8 Multimedia CD’s and 4 ring-bound workbooks; plus a wall planner and 10 step quick start guide. It is written in a no-nonsense, pragmatic and conversational way – clearly a reflection of author David Bain‘s clear understanding and experience in the Internet Marketing space. Great stuff.

Now don’t get me wrong. If you are a well read, experienced Internet Marketer, with a record of practising Internet Marketing for a number of years this quite possibly is not the guide for you. BUT (and I think this is a big ‘but’) if you are a marketing manager, business leader, entrepreneur or anybody who needs to make an impact online, is serious about it (you should be), and don’t know where the hell to start, the 26 week Internet Marketing Plan is an unbelievable package for you.

To give you an idea on its depth and breadth, this is what is provided out of the box.

Phase 1: Website Structure
Business Strategy
Keyword Research
Site Architecture
Conversion Rates
Viral Coefficient
Visitor Tracking

Phase 2: Automation and Launch
Blogging
RSS
Email Updates
Blog Communities
Blog & RSS Directories
Press Releases
Pay Per Click

Phase 3: Broaden Your Base
Major Directories
Industry Directories
Local Directories
Article Marketing
Competitor Backlinks
Forum Interaction
Blog Comments

Phase 4: Broaden Your Horizon
New Website
Social Networking
MyPage Marketing
Podcasting
Video Marketing
Visitor Analysis

Phew! See why it took 2 days to get through it!

This is what my marketing counterparts are discussing about the materials, and here is a brief introduction, plus here’s another.

As I mentioned the workbook writing is hype free, clear, easy to read; but most importantly littered with examples that makes the content easy to read and understand. So what? Well I have read many internet marketing books and too many are still poorly written.

But whilst the 4 workbooks form the core of the 26 week Internet Marketing Plan, they really are just the tip of the iceberg. And that leads me to the next great thing about the package. Its loaded with MP3′s of interviews, documented transcripts and .pdfs which really help to contextualise what you can learn in the core workbooks. Contributors include Jonathan Farrington and Yaro Starak by the way.

And finally what I really like is the overriding candid, honest, hype free approach that David has taken in producing this package.

IMHO there are numerous starter courses that prospective Internet Marketers could take – seminars, courses, training sessions etc. The trouble is they’re slick, polished but ultimately forgettable (most of the time).

For £399 I would be amazed if you could spend your hard earned money more wisely. And for the forgetful – the CD’s, MP3′s, .pdf’s and workbooks are a timely reminder of what to do, when and how. Highly recommended!

10 emerging trends in Media

Rainer Präsoll points out this study which examines 10 emerging trends sure to have a major influence on the media sector.

A map of the Internet & Web trends

Information Architects have presented their Web Trends Map (2008 beta). This time they have taken almost 300 of the most influential and successful websites and pinned them down to the greater Tokyo-area train map. By the way, I posted about previous versions before, here.

Ok so what is it? In simple terms its 300 of the most successful websites on the web, ordered by category, proximity, success, popularity and perspective. All the real detail, irony and laughs are captured here. Absolutely wonderful.

I could spend days looking at this. And I will when they get it down to 1024 x 768!

Celebrity endorsement. The good and bad

Sporting icons have long been used in B2C advertising. Thierry Henry for Renault, David Beckham for Adidas and dare I say it George Foreman for the….ahem….Lean Mean Fat Reducing Grilling Machine.

Initial thinking might lead you to the conclusion that B2B, and high technology marketing in particular, has been slower to adopt the celebrity endorsement. But actually the reality is that this is not true. For instance since 2003, Tiger Woods has been the centrepiece of Accenture’s advertising. The sporting world’s “ultimate symbol of high performance” serves as a metaphor for Accenture’s commitment to helping companies become high-performance businesses. Cute.

And low and behold today, in Computing Magazine another sporting celebrity with cause to endorse an I.T. product. It’s an enormous pity Minolta’s campaign isn’t quite so well thought through though.

Somehow taking a picture, capturing a toothy grin and adding the strapline “The Skills to win” doesn’t quite cut it. Even if we are talking Ronaldinho. And that Minolta Football kit. OMG!

Lets face it. Accenture wins hands down. Now in its fifth year, the campaign is no doubt widely recognised by IT buyers around the globe.

Accenture has clearly spent big on this initiative. And their research and findings are no doubt the outcome of comprehensive studies. But lets face it, the creative idea “We know what it takes to be a Tiger” surpasses a cheesy grin from the worlds best footballer any day of the week or year.

Making any money on your Island?

Tell a (Life’s) story with photos

I really like Photojojo. They sent me an enewsletter today and the contents were startling, and instantly share-able. Quite rightly Photojojo reminded me that the great thing about photography is that it can preserve moments that are never repeated.

Like Jack Radcliffe’s photo series that chronicles his daughter’s life in 30-odd photographs from childhood through adulthood – his candid black and white shots are simply great.

And in turn Diego Golberg’s Family Portrait Project serves as a reminder that people change faster than you realise.

I do think b2b marketers under use (great) photography. What a mistake we are making.