By Barbara I. Berschler, Esq., Press, Potter & Dozier, LLC

In Part 1, I described, in general, the broad array of formats that intellectual property (IP) can take so you will be in a better position to identify an IP Read More »

The end of a year is always an appropriate time to look back and identify trends that shaped the communications world – in part because they probably will continue into 2010.  To us, among the many, here are five worth noting:

Searching for new ways to generate revenues as their traditional lines of business have been impacted this year, Chris Huebner, president of Mac Mannes, Inc., tells us that corporations are increasingly looking to branded ad specialty items as a new revenue channel. Heubner tells us a trade industry publication states that while hats and t-shirts with their own logos on them will never become their primary business, these ecompanies appreciate the extra dollars as well as the extra advertising impressions they get from selling these items.  According to Huebner

Capitol Communicator Thought Leadership Series: Paul Vogelzang discusses social media with Mary Fletcher Jones in a Capitol Communicator TV video and podcast sponsored by RHED Pixel (www.rhedpixel.com).  The Capitol Communicator TV Thought Leadership Series podcast is up in iTunes now.  The transcript of that interview follows:

The US Postal Service has introduced its new 2009 Hanukkah stamp featuring a photograph by Ira Wexler, award-winning DC-based advertising photographer.

By Barbara I. Berschler, Esq., Press, Potter & Dozier, LLC

This is the first part of a two-part series on what PR, advertising and marketing professionals should Read More »

By Cary Hatch, President/CEO, MDB Communications

This is a game of last man standing. Let’s call it what it is.

Total measured advertising expenditures in the first nine months of 2009 dropped by 14.7 percent as compared to the same period in 2008, according to data released today by TNS Media Intelligence. Ad spending during the third quarter of 2009 was down 15.3 percent versus last year, the sixth consecutive quarter of year-over-year declines.

Capitol Communicator Thought Leadership Series: Limor Schafman discusses how to work with the federal government with Bob Rainford from Marcom Group in a Capitol Communicator TV video and podcast sponsored by RHED Pixel (www.rhedpixel.com).  The Capitol Communicator TV Thought Leadership Series podcast is up in iTunes now.  The transcript of that interview follows:

By Paul Duning, publisher, Capitol Communicator

Late in the day this past Friday, I received an email from my wife Carol Clurman, senior editor with USA Weekend magazine, that she was able to secure an extra ticket to the Kennedy Center Honors that

By Maria D. James, Account Coordinator, Equals Three Communications, Inc.

Lines of people wrapped around cash registers and the frustrated expressions of impatient and exhausted shoppers means Black Friday and the official start of the holiday season.

Capitol Communicator Thought Leadership Series: Limor Schafman and Barry Reicherter of Widmeyer Communications, discuss how to get involved in social media in a Capitol Communicator TV video and podcast sponsored by RHED Pixel (www.rhedpixel.com). 

Capitol Communicator Thought Leadership Series: Paul Vogelzang discusses PhRMA and social media with Mark Senak in a Capitol Communicator TV video and podcast sponsored by RHED Pixel (www.rhedpixel.com).  The Capitol Communicator TV Thought Leadership Series podcast is up in iTunes now.  The transcript and video of that interview follows:

By Ernie Mosteller, Brunner Digital, reprinted from ADOTAS

We live in a world of “found” creative. And the sword is double-edged. While it’s contributed, certainly, to the efficient execution of our ideas — a good thing — it’s also tended to homogenize those ideas. Not a good thing. At the very least, it warrants discussion.

by Aaron Cacali, Interactive Creative Director, Brunner Digital

Social media is inexpensive, right? Maintaining a company blog, keeping your brand active on Twitter and Facebook, and participating in online forums and discussions - it all seems like it would be cheap, doesn’t it?

The changes in the traditional media, social media and the PR industry over the last 18 months have been extraordinary – and for many, both dramatic and unanticipated. Which leaves us asking – what's coming next?

By Page Sands, R2integrated

I recently analyzed a company’s social media practices using R2i’s 4 Ways to Leverage Social Media.  What I realized is that most companies are adept in using the message distribution qualities of the tools, but are not as strong in using them to develop relationships with customers.

Capitol Communicator Thought Leadership Series: Richard Harrington discusses using video effectively with Limor Schafman in a Capitol Communicator TV video and podcast sponsored by RHED Pixel (www.rhedpixel.com).  The Capitol Communicator TV Thought Leadership Series podcast is up in iTunes now.  The transcript of that interview and video follows:

By Shaun Quigley, Brunner Digital, Interactive Practice Director, Washington D.C

“It looks great, but will it work on my phone?”

The short answer:  depends.  Here’s why.

by Steve Goodwin, VP of Brand Strategy, AXIS Communications

As someone who focuses primarily on the branding, messaging and strategy side of the business, I’ve always had a keen interest in understanding the latest tools and technologies for extending an organization’s brand into the digital world. After all, the intersection of those two disciplines –

Capitol Communicator Thought Leadership Series: Susan Rink of Rink Strategic Communications, discusses executive communications with Limor Schafman in a Capitol Communicator TV video sponsored by West Glen Communications (www.westglen.com).  The Capitol Communicator TV Thought Leadership Series podcast is up in iTunes now.  The video and transcript of that interview follows:

The following trends worth tracking were provided by the DC office of Fleishman Hillard: The District of Columbia’s DC 311 service, which enables D.C. residents to submit concerns about city maintenance issues, has recently integrated its services with such popular social networking tools as Facebook, Twitter and Flickr ... A growing number of small-business entrepreneurs are filming, editing, and posting their own online video content—attracting advertisers, thousands of viewers, and increased visibility for their brands ... 

By Eric Jones, R2integrated

In a recent meeting with the CFO of one of my clients, he stated, “I always thought marketing was just this thing that we did with all the best intentions in the world, but Eric you keep spouting off numbers to me about lead conversions, cost per lead, source statistics, and all sorts of useful information. Those are numbers I can relate too, thanks.”  Well, you are welcome Mr. CFO, now can I get more budget for marketing projects?

by Shaun Quigley, Interactive Practice Director, Brunner Digital

Google Sidewiki is a browser tool that allows users to converse and contribute socially alongside any web page. Users can post information about specific web pages via email, Twitter, Facebook, and other sources.

Capitol Communicator Thought Leadership Series: Leslie Bradshaw, Director of Engagement at New Media Strategies, discusses the breakthrough social networking program 3121, designed specifically for Capitol Hill staff, with Paul Vogelzang in a Capitol Communicator TV video sponsored by Vocus (www.vocus.com).Read More »

By Page Sands, R2i

I recently analyzed a company’s social media practices using R2i’s 4 Ways to Leverage Social Media.  What I realized is that most companies are adept in using the message distribution qualities of the tools, but are not as strong in using them to develop relationships with customers.

By Paul Duning, publisher, Capitol Communicator

It is back to school season and, for those that have college kids, social media is the communications platform of choice for today’s e-MOMs. Learn how Gloria Bianco uses the internet to monitor and impact her son Jeffrey’s college experience.

Thought Leadership Series: Paul Vogelzang interviewed Cary Hatch, president and CEO of MDB Communications, for a Capitol Communicator TV interview on "disruptive advertising"  sponsored by CDIA (www.cdiabu.com).  The Capitol Communicator TV Thought Leadership Series podcast is up in iTunes now.  The video and a transcript of the interview follow:

By Rob Whittle, president and CEO of Williams Whittle and Williams Whittle Digital, and Read More »

By Lindsey Hill, R2integrated

Sort of like a middle school dance, girls on one side of the room, boys on the other…marketing and technology teams often find themselves in similar situations. Yes, marketing and IT professionals do come from different worlds, but I would argue that they intersect more often than not and that both parties should really embrace that.