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LinkedIn

The process has already started, and as a publisher you need to make sure you are adapting your marketing strategy to line up, or get left behind.

Google made the link building algorithm popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It was a revolution in its time because it provided search engines with a method for identifying the most important web pages for a given topic. However, as has been well documented, spammers have assaulted the algorithm with a wide variety of methods for buying links or creating them in other ways that don’t work for the algorithms.

Even if you generate all your links in a pure white hat way, through reaching out to site owners and requesting them without compensation, or are doing high quality guest posts, you aren’t necessarily generating the best possible signal for search engines. Certainly this type of link building done properly would not be a violation of the Webmaster Guidelines, but from the perspective of the search engines it also doesn’t represent a groundswell of opinion raving about your product. It still means something, but it is brute force driven through your efforts, rather than resulting from the enthusiasm of your audience.

I don’t believe that search engines will penalize people who link build this way, but I think they will value the link profile that is manually built less than one that obtains unsolicited endorsements from the web.

Author: Eric Enge

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Mark Beebe

The Chicago Auto Show is a show where all car brands fit under one roof and show off their competitive advantages. This year had a different feel about it. The body styles really didn’t change since most companies are coming out of bankruptcy. What changed  was how you were experiencing their brands, how engaged they could make you feel and how much education could they give you without turning you away.

It’s quite fascinating the “smartness” that went into these trade show booths. Jeep last year had an indoor track which was a first. It was rough and you could get behind the wheel of any jeep and test drive through this terrain which was pretty rough looking. Fast forward one year, and Jeep has embellished their course, brought in evergreens, rocks, extra dirt, and now- SNOW. That’s right, they added blowing in snow into your test drive. What is more alarming is three other manufactures copied Jeeps thought.

Chevy’s indoor course, had thousands of flowers, large video screens and one beautifully manicured landscape and a lot of real estate at McCormick Place. Ford and Toyota were the other brands.

There were more video screens, large and small, than I have ever seen, innovative ways of using them as well. Imagine a 15 foot video screen that scans the body of a truck and as it passes over certain parts, it is showing you the inside of the cab. Something new that Toyota introduced was “snap a photo” which were stickers on the windows of the entire Toyota line. This concept works like QR readers however, you snap the photo, send a text message and get more information on that car product.

This is the largest nations auto show and new ways to advertise your brand was in full force. Handing out posters, flyers, larger booths, more interactive ways to engage the consumer seemed effortless. The car manufactures were using driving simulators to skew the younger generation of the video age. I enjoyed walking the auto show and not paying so much attention to the cars but the advertising, like most people watch the Superbowl for the commercials. So, you don’t always have to re-invent your product, you might just need a facelift in your approach to advertising it.

Even walking the skyway from the parking lot, Prius used this area for advertising this year. It clearly was the year of smarter advertising efforts using the same product line.

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Mark Beebe

I have a secret to share.

It’s a new line of fruit spreads that is not very popular yet, but I can tell you why they are going to be in your pantry soon. They use the mantra that Snapple used more than a decade back. Snapple was the group that stated “all natural” and a healthier choice. In October 2003, Snapple began its sponsorship of the New York City School system as part of the deal to make Snapple New York’s official beverage. You might remember that was the time Howard Stern was broadcasting from New York and really pushed sales for the brand. The company promised an $8 million dollar per year so Snapple was able to acquire the contract in part because New York City officials did not want to encourage the consumption of sodas, which have been linked to childhood obesity, diabetes and are generally considered unhealthy. The Snapple juice drinks, specifically created to meet rules banning soda and other sugary snacks from city schools, are marketed under the “Snapple 100% Juiced!” label. However, they still contain more sugar (41 grams) than a 12-ounce container of Coca Cola (39 grams) The deal also gave Snapple exclusive rights to sell its tea and juice-based drinks in vending machines on all New York City properties starting in January 2004. Snapple paid the City $106 million for the rights and agreed to spend $60 million more to marketing and promotion over the length of the five-year contract.

So why is this important to a new company called Crofter’s? It’s a fact that Americans (not just New Yorkers) bought Snapple by the gallons because it was perceived as a better alternative. Obviously it was not. So along comes a new company that gears their products towards the healthy but goes so much deeper. The new Superfruit spreads come in four flavors from the four corners of the earth. They boost the products are certified organic, that they stuff one pound of premium organic fruit in each jar, the company only uses fair trade sugar and contains one-third less sugar than jam.

Crofter’s Superfruit Spreads contain some well-known antioxidant-rich fruits such as pomegranate, morello cherries and blueberries, which have been linked to a lower risk of age-related diseases including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. But you may not be familiar with their other powerful ingredients. For example, in the Asia Superfruit Spread, they use juice from the yumberry (also called yang-mei), a chewy, juicy fruit from China that may help treat digestive problems and control blood sugar. Maqui, a deep purple berry used in the South America Superfruit Spread, has the highest antioxidant level of any known fruit—by some estimates double or even triple the antioxidant value of açaí. Studies show it may have positive effects on cardiovascular health, stabilizing blood sugar and fighting inflammation.

Also its Green Cane Project videos share how this company is saving the planet and caring about your health. No fat, No sodium and No cholesterol and only 7 grams of sugar. How can this product possible taste good? This is where Crofter’s excels from Snapple. The taste is out-of-this-world. I can go on about the taste but the best way to experience this product is to try one of the four flavors.

This angle Crofter’s has molded into a business is the future of many existing companies and new companies on the rise. What if breakfast cereal had this same initiative to bring NO fat, LOW sugar at an unbelievable taste to your breakfast table? The possibilities are endless and consumers are NOW taking notice. Is it time to launch a new item in your product line? One that gives a benefit to the buyer, the planet and of course YOU the company. Saving the planet is big bucks and more consumers are interested than you would think. Just look at how many people “like” Eco-Foil, which is a 100% recycled foil pan on Facebook.

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Mark Beebe

It has been since 1995 that Victoria’s Secret figured out a big advertising secret.

First, let’s look at the Victoria’s Secret corporation because this is big business.  Victoria’s Secret is an American retailer of women’s wear, lingerie and beauty products. Sales have surpassed $5 billion dollars. It is now known for its annual fashion show, catalogs and bringing models to the forefront.

When the Annual Fashion Show began November 19th on CBS primetime, it marked the 15th year of the longest commercial ever. It pulled in ten million viewers. Not only was this selling Christmas ideas for men, but the in between 30 second commercials – sold to women. It’s a smart buy to captivate your demographics by making a show, posting it on prime time and showing Victoria’s Secret’s Runaway Angels displaying the next models to come.

I know Victoria’s Secret understands the value of marketing and inventing a category that never existed. Then add a sprinkle of Kate Perry and Akon singing to promote themselves, and mix the $2 million dollar bra that featured 1,542 carats of white diamonds, blue sapphires and blue topaz, all set in 18-carat white gold and you have a wonderful start to a viral social media campaign. The website then boost a new category called “Fashion Show: Supermodel Essentials” to tie in what you are seeing.

The show is not live but the illusion that it is, almost convinced their audience to vote “live” last year to find the next Victoria’s Secret Angel Super Model. They got wise and nixed that concept this year. It’s not live because so much can go wrong when you are wearing next to nothing and the editing is fast and furious.

The only issue left is a moral issue – should the show post a later time slot? Many tweets and blogs were invented on this very issue. VS is pushing the envelope on how far they can push their products each show and make the longest commercial since infomercials were brought into America in 1949.

Think of the possibilities of a YouTube channel for your product(s). How could this concept be brought to your demographics? Talk to your agency and see how far you can move your meter on viral marketing. Explore What category can you invent to propel sales? Check out http://www.theaxeeffect.com/#/axe-campaigns/virtual-hair for pushing the limits. Advertising is endless, timing is everything.  Harry Truman once said, “It doesn’t matter how big a ranch you own, or how many cows you brand, the size of your funeral is still gonna depend on the weather”

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Mark Beebe

As I have stated before, every client has individual needs, metrics, goals and struggles. The more I hear that clients want a social avenue added to their marketing budget, I think…what is the purpose and goal of that initiative? I think social media has such wonderful advantages and viral marketing is priceless. But again, what are the clients motives for doing such a move?

Facebook as a whole has tumbled into our lives so fast, that they aren’t sure what is the next step (of course they do know, but probably not as fast as they would like). They are introducing new ways to make money, beta testing certain ways to display information and of course converting the few. However, did you know that with the demographic of 18-34 year olds still prefer to receive offers through the mail or newspaper? That’s right. A 2010 study covered 2,569 U.S. households and 2,209 Canadian households. The study was completed by Epsilon Targeting.

The study states that the preference fro 18-34 year old Americans to receive marketing information from offline sources, led by mail and newspapers, is two to three times greater than online sources, such as social media.

A recent Burson-Marsteller study found that 79 percent of the largest 100 companies in the Fortune Global 500 index are using at least one of the most popular social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, YouTube or corporate blogs.

Like the Fortune 100 study found, Twitter is the social media platform of choice among the Fortune Global 100. The study found that 65 percent of the largest 100 international companies have active accounts on Twitter, 54 percent have a Facebook fan page, 50 percent have a YouTube channel, and one-third (33 percent) have corporate blogs. Only 20 percent of the major international companies are utilizing all four platforms to engage with stakeholders.

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Mark Beebe

Each new assignment is like a big, complex puzzle that needs to be solved in its own way. I love when we get challenged in such a way that this idea or medium has never been attempted before.

As I attended the IFRA conference in Champaign/Urbana this past month some of the conversation evolved around why some brands take off and some dissolve into the bliss of grocery death. This conference is for Food Retailers. Where the conversation ended was the uniqueness behind not the brand itself but layer in the package. We considered when Ben and Jerry’s came into our freezer cases with a new look and a smaller container, Altoids has never abandon the metal tin box, Absolut Vodka has a unique shape bottle, Kiwi shoe polish is easily recognized, Lunchables are a fast find in the cooler isle, and there is a coolness factor to Targets upside down pharmacy pill containers.

But nothing has changed direction as quickly as the chewing gum industry. New packaging, new flavors, new reasons to chew and it has become hip again through this initiative. First let me tell you the players; Wrigley, Warner Lambert, Burst Gum, Stimorol, Bubble Yum, Trident, Wall Bubble Gum, Bazooka, Amurol Confections and Bible Gum.

Next I want to just talk about Wrigley and what they offer:

Juicy Fruit, Eclipse, Extra, Freedent, Big Red, Spearmint, Big League Chew, Orbit and the all biggest brand that has dominated the market “5”. 5 is a groundbreaking sugar-free stick gum product. The mouth-freshening gum delivers long-lasting flavor and a unique experience. The sleek 5 envelope created the next great packaging enhancement for stick gum. Each distinctive envelope has an eye-catching design and holds 15 sticks. Now available in the new Prism flavor. The flavors are

  • Rain®…a tingling spearmint
  • Cobalt®…a cooling peppermint
  • Flare®…a warming cinnamon
  • Elixir®…a mouthwatering berry
  • Lush™…a crisp tropical
  • Solstice™…a warm and cool winter
  • Zing™…a sour to sweet bubble
  • React™ Fruit…a unique fruit flavor experience
  • React™ Mint…a unique mint flavor experience
  • Prism™… an electric watermelon

This all has transpired in three years. Of course they are competing for share against brands like Bubblicious, Dentyne, Stride, Sour Patch and Clorets. Each brand has reinvented itself and found its competitive advantage. We all know Trident fights cavities. What Wrigley has done is make it hip to carry these cartons with its matt and gloss finish. You know get 15 pieces in their cartons for additional chewing pleasure.The younger audience have found gum again and packaging is a big part of how that happened. So the next time you go to the gum isle, notice how many brands are fighting for your eye and how packaging is different today than when you were a kid.

Very few brands have managed to leverage all of their consumer touch points in a way that maximizes brand expression. Bringing competing disciplines and agencies together at the beginning of any brand development project is that key to ensuring a consistent brand expression and a positive consumer experience. Is your agency merging the two to offer you the best presentation? By the way if you have never heard of Amurol Confections, they own the Hubba Bubba brand which now has three additional flavors.

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Mark Beebe

Americans have reconsidered nearly everything. What they watch, how they watch, what they eat, how much they spend, where they travel, how they travel, how they live, the size house to buy or rent, their investments, and even what is NOW important.

To help share this point let me give you some facts on the subject of air conditioning. In 1973, 26% of Americans that were studied felt air conditioning was a necessity. The same question was asked in 2006 which saw the number jump to 70%. This of course was before the economy took a downturn. So in 2010 the same question was asked. The number has dropped to 54%. Next year the number is to be expected at 45%. You see Americans are reassessing what is important. Not even air conditioning is standing the test of time.

This opens up miles of opportunities. So many social changes are happening. Is your agency or marketing firm looking out for you? Could your product be outdated? Here is another fact due to our economy slip. In 2008 there was a 41% of U.S. Births to unmarried women which was the highest ever. That is two million babies. In 1960 that number was 5%. Could your product or service help this demographic?

With everything that is changing around us, make sure your product is current, it fits today’s standards and that your value added is easily identifiable. Make sure it’s searchable, web friendly, talking to your audience and clearly announces why your product is better than your competition. Apple has just released the next generation of iPods that leaves most MP3 players in the dust. They evolve quickly and make better products with every launch. Nike has also conformed well to that philosophy.

Also knowing what makes you important is the single most valuable knowledge you hold. Did you know that Baskin Robbins plain vanilla ice cream is the number one selling flavor and accounts for a quarter of their sales? Sure, they have 31 flavors but knows that their audience demands vanilla. Whenever, they introduce a new product, it contains some form of  vanilla ice cream.

Know who you are up against at all times. Walmart sells more apparel a year than all the other competing department stores combined; an interesting fact that Target, Macy’s, Nordstrom’s, Marshalls, TJMaxx and Sears know all too well. However, do you know what Sears number one product line is?

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