By Steve Markenson, WB&A Market Research

A few months ago, on my way back up the driveway from wheeling out the blue recycling bins to the curb, the question occurred to me, “What does it mean to be a green consumer these days?” Doesn’t nearly everyone recycle aluminum, plastic, glass, and paper? I also thought about my county’s about-to-be-implemented 5 cent plastic and paper bag tax and the impact that would have on my behavior and that of my fellow county residents. This raised the question, who is most responsible for protecting the environment—corporations, the government, or perhaps---me?

By Richard M. Coad, MDB Communications

Three men in prison recently appeared before a parole board that included a criminologist, a social worker and a judge. Their crimes were similar and each prisoner had completed at least two-thirds of his sentence. One prisoner appeared before the board at 8:50 a.m. The second appeared at 3:10 p.m. The third at 4:25 p.m.

The prisoner who appeared at 8:50 a.m. was the only one who received parole. The other two were denied. The decision had nothing to do with the men’s ethnic backgrounds, crimes or sentences.

By Susan Waldman, ZilYen (published Feb. 22, 2012, in The Washington Post)

Great brands and communications are always built on a foundation of who you are and what you stand for in the world. Ask Susan G. Komen For the Cure about what happens when your supporters disagree with your values and, by extension, your politics.

By Paul Duning

“Marketers have always been able to target people, but never in the course of human history has there been such a networked eco-system of peer-to-peer decision making behavior that is actually driving what we buy. So now what?”

As Social Media Week kicked-off, R2integratd CEO Matt Goddard led the DC Chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMADC) in the first of a series of
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By Matt White, White+Partners

The "depression" years followed by the "war" years had created the perfect backdrop for the "let's have some fun years." That was the 60's, or at least the early 60's. Americans were young, we had money and our lust for material goods was being fueled by men who were only too happy to make these new products seem essential to our everyday lives.
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By Phil Rabin

A just-completed analysis of 2011 broadcast public service announcement airings by WestGlen Communications offers positive news for those considering or launching PSA campaigns in 2012. WestGlen found a 20-percent increase in PSA airings over 2010 and, as in years past, strong airings in top markets and during waking hours. 

Capitol Communicator and WB&A Market Research surveyed consumers in the DC and Baltimore markets on their green attitudes and behaviors. We asked consumers about specific actions they are taking to improve the environment, their purchase behavior when deciding between a product which is more environmentally friendly or less expensive, how consumers are defining “living a greener lifestyle”, and their expectations for the environment in the next 20 years. We also explored:

By Cary Hatch, MDB Communications

With the 2012 presidential election, the summer Olympics and emerging positive economic growth on the horizon, the advertising industry is expected to experience exponential growth. Importantly, these events bring new advertising opportunities, which many advertisers are bound to capitalize on now. Today, the economy is in a much healthier state than it was back in 2008 and 2009, and companies are reinvesting in their advertising efforts. These developments will Read More »

By Phil Rabin

Google, Facebook, YouTube and Yahoo!, respectively, ended 2011 as the top-four websites both in the United States and globally, according to data presented by BurrellesLuce in its latest edition of “Top Media Outlets: Newspapers, Blogs, Consumer Magazines, Websites & Social Networks.”

By Nick Ragone, director of Ketchum’s Washington, D.C., office

Political campaigns are all about managing expectations. We've seen this time and again: candidates trying to tamp down expectations with the hopes of wildly exceeding them. Sometimes it works ...

By Susan Waldman, ZilYen, published, December 30, 2011, in The Washington Post.

So, here’s the thing about branding: You’re doing it even if you think you’re not. You have a brand — even if you think you don’t. And, if you’re not actively managing your brand, it’s likely that one of your competitors or the marketplace will step in and manage it for you.

By Michelle Quivey, West Glen Communications

In Tuesday’s Washington Post, Paul Farhi wrote about the FCC’s  proposal to require TV stations to disclose online the corporate interests behind their newscasts, a follow up to his December 7th article on "payola"/"plugola". Over the past few weeks, queries have been trickling in from WestGlen clients seeking clarity and more information.

Register now for the FREE webinar, Wednesday, Jan. 11, from 1- 2pm (ET). Space is limited! Register at: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/745542534

Capitol Communicator and WB&A Market Research surveyed consumers in the Baltimore and DC markets on their green attitudes and behaviors across a range of topics. We asked consumers abou...

By Phil Rabin

WTOP Radio 103.5 FM has announced the results of its most recent WTOP Beltway Opinion Poll surveying the strength of the holiday spirit among residents in the D.C. metropolitan area. The poll examined a number of holiday-related topics, including the average amount of consumer spending on gifts during the holiday season, consumers planning to shop online to avoid area crowds, efforts to “buy local” this holiday season, and the impact of the struggling economy on area businesses and holiday office party plans.

By Cary Hatch

As the principal of an advertising agency celebrating our 30th anniversary, I learned early on that our success is based solely on the value we provide (and continue to provide) for our clients. In our industry (as with most) that means “leaning forward” to pursue knowledge and to examine and vet methods and channels that can advance our clients brands. Period.

By Chuck Husak

Ninty years ago, Henry Ford’s famous quote said it straight: “If I had asked our customers what they wanted, they would have said a faster horse…”

Steven Jobs had similar notions about relying on customer inspirations. He didn’t ask customers what they would buy. He gave them what they couldn’t resist.

By Samantha DeVita, R2integrated

There are lots of great non-profit organizations making this world a better place, and the kicking-cancer's-butt group at LIVESTRONG is one of them. R2integrated has been honored to help this organization and last month the teams met up in Austin, TX at the 2011 LIVESTRONG Young Adult Alliance to speak about the importance of social interaction and community building-the goal? Explore how the newest social technologies and strategies can help non-profit organizations continue to spread awareness within their community.

By Breeanna Beckham

Like most marketing professionals, we feel that a great campaign starts with a great product – or, in the case of our firm, Carousel30, a great cause. While we have created a successful niche for cause-marketing programs and philanthropic campaigns for more than 40 non-profits across the country, the work we are doing for the International Year of Forests is different.

By Phil Rabin

The Washington, DC, market is about to see a battle of radio titans, at least as it relates to the lucrative all-news format.  For many years, the nation's capital has had only one all-news radio station, WTOP-FM, and it's not only the long-time ratings leader, it's also the top-billing radio station in the country.  As we enter 2012, however, CBS Radio will challenge WTOP with its own all-news operation.

By Steve Markenson, WB&A Market Research

Perhaps you’re reading this blog post and getting hungry. There’s a new pizza place down the street which seems to be drawing quite a few customers. But how good is that pizza? You may be able to answer that question by going online and searching for reviews written by fellow consumers. Fortunately, you locate several reviews on the popular site, Yelp. You find a few more on Trip Advisor. So, did these reviews impact your purchase decision?

R2integrated hosted a screening last month in Seattle for Tiffany Shlain’s award-winning Sundance film, “Connected: An Autoblogography About Love, Death & Technology.” The film delves into what it means to be connected in the 21st century. Internet and mobile technology have allowed us to learn and share more than ever before, and have conditioned us to desire and consume information at a quicker pace. Connectivity through technology has inherently affected the way we work,

In a million-channel media world where the medium is the message and vice versa, RP3 created a brand experience earlier this month for its client, Norfolk Southern to demonstrate the company’s investment and support in developing thoughtful ways to address infrastructure challenges facing the country.  The experience was a day-long event

During their recent WhatCounts Email Summit in Las Vegas, WhatCounts had a chance to meet with attendees to ask about their best practices and tips. The Summitt was an educational event that showcased some of the best practices in email marketing. In this video, Tim Brechlin, the interactive marketing coordinator from the Greater Madison CVB, provided his tips for improving the quality of your email lists.

White+Partners has been working with Harrison College, a career college that offers both online and campus curriculum, over the past year.  Harrison College was seeking to build a differentiated brand identity that would be integrated into all marketing facets to increase awareness and enrollments in the college.  In addition, White+Partners and Harrison College needed to further define and differentiate the brand, while delivering on specific inquiry and enrollment goals.

By Mike Carberry, Priam Communications LLC

David Ogilvy said that advertising is about salesmanship. He also said about advertising that, “If it doesn’t sell, it isn’t creative”. Mary Wells Lawrence, one of the most creative advertising executives in history, also constantly emphasized the importance of creating advertising that sells.

By Matt Smith, CEO, SmithGifford

So here we are at SmithGifford HQ back in the summer thinking about how we could possibly turn Cyber Security Month (October) on its ear and create explosive interest in our client, Intersections, and their identity theft protection product, IDENTITY GUARD®.

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By Nichole Paro, RP3 Agency

A study was released recently by the CMO Council on the state of marketing today, with some pretty telling figures. According to a survey they conducted, 56% of marketers intend to make some sort of agency change this year – over half! That's scary news for us agency folk. Or good news, perhaps, depending on how you look at it.

By Anna Steely, Carousel30

Advertising Week DC was not just a success in itself, but I consider it a success for myself. This whole week provided me with knowledge and networking conveniently located all in one place. I learned so much and met so many great people. I cannot thank Ad Club DC enough.

The last day of Advertising Week I learned to listen