"An Insider Look at the Road to the Presidency" was the focus of a March 3 Ad Club session. The promotional piece for the event said the Obama campaign was "unprecented in its use of advertising, social media and grass roots organzation. A campaign that unified and falvanized a nation with its message of hope and change." Jeff Lee, one of the speakers and president of Distributive Networks, told us that two of the subjects that generated interest were microcommunications such a Twitter and the use of mobile devices. As one example of how it was successfully applied, through the use of mobile devices, the Obama campaign obtained zip code information that would be used on election day - specifically in areas that were having bad weather. In those cases, a targeted message was sent out that said, in effect, we know it's raining where you live, but we really need you to go out and vote.
Speaking of Ad Club, its 41st annual ADDY awards gala is set forThursday, March 19. The evening event, one of the local ad industry’s premier events, is set for Carnegie Institution of Washington, 1530 P Street, NW. More at www.dcadclub.com.
The Council of Public Relations Firms held a March 11 session on “Thriving and Surviving in Uncertain Times: Practical Digital Marketing Techniques for Nonprofits.” The half-day session - featuring presenters from Ogilvy, APCO, FD, Porter Novelli, Spectrum Science, Wagner Edstrom and Chong Design - discussed the growing and robust range of options available to communicators. The three-hour session could be summed up by one speaker who said that more and more organizations are starting to understand that your image is not longer what you say it is, it's what others say it is. Unfortunately, one speaker told us, some organizations are five years behind the curve when it comes to understanding this reality and in adopting digital marketing techniques. Another point: In today's rapidly changing world, you can never rest on where you are, you must keep focusing on where you will be going.
To help you stay focused on the future, you should check out the abundance of professional events available for you to get – and stay – connected. Check out our calendar for a full list of events you may find of interest and value.