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May 29, 2014
in Blog, Events, Business Marketing Association
by Ellen DePodesta

Taking Marketing From a Cost Center to a Revenue Center

Dispatches from BMA14: a Series of Short Reports from the Tell Your Story Team at #BMA14 in Chicago   More and more marketers are being asked to prove the impact marketing has on both the top and bottom lines. At BMA14 today, one of the 15-minute “Firestarter” sessions addressed the challenge of transforming marketing from a cost center to a revenue center.   [caption id="attachment_1987" align="alignleft" width="162"] Debbie Qaqish[/caption] Debbie Qaqish is principal and chief strategy officer of the Pedowitz Group and author of “The Rise of the Revenue Marketer.” She told the audience of 900+ b2b marketers what it takes to lead this kind of transformation. There are specific behaviors to address in order to affect this change, said Debbie, and she likened the transition to her own personal transformation through her passion for Crossfit and health and fitness habits.   The behaviors to transform marketing from a cost to a revenue center fall into five areas:   1)  Change management: Debbie...

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May 29, 2014
in Blog, Events, Business Marketing Association
by Erin Neal

The Art of Social Selling #BMA14

[caption id="attachment_1976" align="alignleft" width="233"] #SocialSelling expert Jill Rowley[/caption] Dispatches from BMA14: Series of Short Reports from the Tell Your Story Team at #BMA14 in Chicago   Social selling expert Jill Rowley rocked the #BMA14 crowd this morning and discussed how we can do a better job communicating with prospects using social media. Her presentation was excellent as she kept emphasizing,  “It isn’t always about closing, it is about always being connected.”   The biggest change in the market is using social media channels to engage with your audience.  Stop trying to be a “quota crusher,” she implored sales professionals. Rather, connect with your audience in a meaningful way.  She supported this with a great stat: 78 percent of sales professionals who use social media to build connections outsell their peers.   She also reviewed a bit of research that shows that it takes approximately 8 cold calls to reach a prospect, and of those people reached, only 2%...

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May 28, 2014
in Blog, Events, Business Marketing Association
by Erin Neal

Business to Business is not Boring to Boring #BMA14

Dispatches from BMA14: Series of Short Reports from the Tell Your Story Team at #BMA14 in Chicago   When I was in college, all of the advertising classes were focused on the sex appeal of consumer marketing.  There wasn’t a focus on business-to-business marketing; I didn’t even know it existed.  Fast forward a certain number of years, and here I sit, attending a global business-marketing event – BMA14. BMA14 kicked off today with a huge statement – there are almost 1,000 attendees, making this the largest Business-to-Business marketing conference in the globe!   The presenters have been fantastic.  I’ve seen a variety of companies present, from USG to Airbus to Facebook.  I have learned so much, and one of the biggest things that I was reminded of was summarized by a quote from Beth Comstock, CMO of GE: “BtoB does not stand for Boring to Boring.” How right she is.   A few highlights that piqued my...

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May 28, 2014
in Blog, Events, Business Marketing Association
by Amanda Pollard

Mobile Marketing Lessons from Facebook at #BMA14

Dispatches from BMA14: Series of Short Reports from the Tell Your Story Team at #BMA14 in Chicago If there’s any company to take mobile marketing advice from, it’s Facebook. As of last month, Facebook surpassed 1 billion active users on mobile— way more than their desktop version will ever get. CMO of Facebook Gary Briggs gave an awesome presentation at BMA14 demonstrating just how important mobile should be in our overall marketing strategy.   When Facebook first launched its mobile app it was fraught with problems. It was too slow, had poor quality (and low ratings and reviews) and it was unprofitable. Then they completely changed the way they did business.   Here are a few of the lessons Gary shared with us:   Make it Fast First, Facebook completely re-built their apps. Gary said speed was the most important thing to think of when building an app. Now the Facebook app is updated every four weeks, if...

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May 28, 2014
in Blog, Events, Business Marketing Association
by Angi Day

#BMA14 From Afar

Dispatches from BMA14: Series of Short Reports from the Tell Your Story Team at #BMA14 in Chicago   Since the Tell Your Story team is staffing the 2014 Global BMA Conference media room, my colleagues are front and center for BMA14. As a remote team member, I’m taking part from hundreds of miles away. It really says something when your eyes simply cannot keep up with your Twitter feed. Follow #BMA14, the official event hashtag, and watch your feed explode with quotes, observations, photos and real-time session takeaways. There is always much anticipation and excitement surrounding the annual BMA conference, the largest b2b marketing conference in the entire world, and this year is no different. The buzz is palpable, even if you aren’t there in person. ...

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May 28, 2014
in Blog, Events, Business Marketing Association
by George Rafeedie

You Should Be Proud of Your BMA Chapter Leaders

Dispatches from BMA14: Series of Short Reports from the Tell Your Story Team at #BMA14 in Chicago     On the eve of #BMA14, we had the opportunity to attend BMA Chapter Leader Day in Chicago as a pre-conference event. There must have been nearly 75 chapter leaders in attendance from cities across North America. Some were there to figure out how to start a BMA chapter in their city. Others were there to share their knowledge on what has worked and what hasn’t. Everyone was there to learn to make their chapter better and more valuable for their members.   Bottom line is that we should all be proud of our chapter leaders. Long time national board members Elton Mayfield (Kansas City) and Greg Olson (Colorado) stressed time and time again throughout the day (and at previous chapter leader days) that the chapter is the heart beat of BMA. Without strong chapters, the national...

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May 19, 2014
in Blog, Brand Communications, Social PR News, Interesting Things, Events, Tell Your Story News
by Nicole Benzer

Seen and Heard at Digital Megaphone’s 6th Annual Social Media Masters Summit

#ICYMI #smms14 was a trending topic yesterday on Twitter. Not surprising when 150 social media masters conglomerate in one room, but it certainly speaks to the power of sharing engaging content.       I was able to attend the 6th Annual Social Media Masters Summit hosted by Digital Megaphone in Chicago on May 15. The event hosted some of the best and brightest talent in the social world, with CMOs and social directors from brands like @Clorox, @BuzzFeed, @Threadless, @United, @ConAgraFoods, @Arbys, and @VanityFair, to name a few.   If you want a marketing career that keeps you on your toes, social media is the route to go. The always-changing, never-static socialsphere is ripe with learning opportunities and challenges. It can be hard to keep up at times, but nothing beats the feeling that comes from seeing your social media campaign take flight.   Speaking of learning opportunities, here are my key takeaways from the summit.   1. “Content...

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January 21, 2014
in Blog, Events, Career Thoughts, Tell Your Story News
by George Rafeedie

Stories Shared With a Mentor

Stories Shared With a Mentor   A Rick Segal tribute video from George Rafeedie. Read blog post here: I visited with old colleagues this past weekend and spoke at a tribute dinner honoring my former boss, mentor and friend, Rick Segal.   Rick is one of the founders of HSR Business to Business, which now goes by the name of gyro. He is leaving the agency business to a higher calling of teaching at Bethlehem College & Seminary.   Rick gave me two life-changing opportunities that helped shape me and guide me toward what I am today -- fulfilled.   After nearly 20 years of knowing someone and 8 years reporting to them, a lot of stories emerge.   There was the story of the stolen sausage.   And of the Irishman and the turkey.   And who can forget the quote from the cleaning crew that helped guide our work ethic philosophy?   Of course, I couldn't leave out Boutros Boutros Ghali or Frank Bettger.   And dancing....

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September 24, 2013
in Blog, Interesting Things, Events, Tell Your Story News
by Angi Day

Amplifying Our Stories at #CMWorld

Tell Your Story was at Content Marketing World 2013 in Cleveland earlier this month, enjoying keynotes, break out sessions, Lunch and Learns and connecting with friends, old and new.  Attendees had the opportunity to take part in some fantastic content conversations throughout the conference, whether they were on site and in person or following #CMWorld and watching the live streaming sessions from a distance.  We're so glad Tell Your Story was there to be part of the “Amplify Your Story” dialogue.  Here are a few of our favorite pictures from the conference.  Visit us on Facebook to see more #CMWorld photos.   [caption id="attachment_1629" align="aligncenter" width="614"] Joe Pulizzi and George at #CMWorld[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1632" align="aligncenter" width="368"] Jonathan Mildenhall of Coca Cola talks Liquid Storytelling[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1635" align="aligncenter" width="512"] George at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame[/caption]  ...

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