Getting the Brand Plan together

A client who is developing a new company came to FirstTracks Marketing’s President Greg Connolly to get their brand plan in shape. Why? Isn’t it OK to hit the ground running with all the great tools like clever ads, social media buzz, spiffy new website and a catalog or two to hand out at the next trade show? All tactics that FirstTracks can supply? Read more »

So you want to put that great new product on the shelves of Wal-Mart.

Sitting in the Wal-Mart buying office lobby is the Star Wars Bar scene of mass market distribution. You can’t believe the array of products and hopeful Willie/Willimina Lomans. Smiles and shoe shines all around and the most powerful of all…the receptionists. If you’re not on their screen you’re not gettin in. No way No how. This is the inner sanctum of EDLP (every day low prices). Read more »

This past weekend I (MatthewTNelson) spent my time with technology professionals from all over the New England region to meet, discuss and learn more about one of our favorite pieces Website technology, WordPress. The simple control and elegant ways we can manage and leverage data online make it a great content management solution (CMS) for just about any size/scope website project.

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I read a scary bit of research from the pros along the Charles River. Forrester Research was working on the “of’s” of marketing in businesses today. The Of’s being perceptions of /need of/cost of etc. and what they found was, drum roll please….“fewer than 50% of marketers view themselves as responsible for increasing top-line sales growth or profitability” What? Thanks. I now have a sore chin as it just slammed into the top of my desk. You mean more than half of the purveyors of my profession don’t know the “why I’m here”? Ouch. Clients don’t stand a chance. Read more »

In our business the buzz is all about being on-line, social media tactics with webinars offering every form of advice. My in box looks like a 2am infomercial fest. The buzz can be deafening and overwhelming to the point that I just might get struck down if I ever suggested to a client that something like a newsletter may be just be the what the strategy calls for. Read more »