Does Your Strategy Suffer Because Of Your Tactics?

David Rollo like to think before he jumps. Or posts.

Rollo, SVP and Director of Digital and Social Media for Atlanta’s 22squared, see lots of benefits from strategic planning in social and other digital media, and on April 28, he'll share his thoughts with AAF-Knoxville at our monthly luncheon.

"Tactics, Tactics, Tactics: Where Has the Strategy Gone?" will examine the enthusiasm for new types of online content, and look at how companies can get too absorbed in the daily implementation to take full advantage of new media options. He'll then show how sound strategy can enhance communications--and ultimately, save work, money, and headaches.

Rollo started in the buisness as New Product Marketing Manager for the Canadian division of Apple Computers. He then quickly showed his expertise in the digital world by increasing online store sales and site traffic for Home Depot and enriching the interactive user experience for Delta Airlines before joining 22squared in May 2008.

He has worked with brands like UPS, Earthlink, Sabre Travel Systems, Coca-Cola, Durex, and Beazer Homes, and he'll share with us what works - and, more importantly, what doesn't - in the digital realm.

To make a reservation, click here.

Mad Men Mob Magnificently

This month's AAF Flash Mob on Thursday, April 14, changes things up with a new venue--The Crown and Goose in the Old City--and keeps what everyone loves about these informal events: The chances to meet up with some of the finest advertising minds in the area and enjoy networking, idea exchange, and fun in a relaxed environment.

It all starts around 4:30. You can be true to the nature of a flash mob, if you like. Breeze in, dance or pillow fight, and leave. Or feel free to stay as long as you like.

You'll meet good people, and you'll have a good time. See you there.

March 24 Luncheon: John Moore on Social and WOM

The average consumer mentions specific brands 60 times per week in conversations with friends, family, and co-workers. This same consumer is spending over an hour a day engaging with others on social media websites like Twitter and Facebook. Offline and online, word of mouth is happening and the smartest brands are benefiting from these conversations by becoming more talkable.

Learn as John Moore, former Starbucks Coffee and Whole Foods marketer, shares the do’s and don’ts of using word of mouth marketing and social media to make your brand more talkable. (You can see more of John’s ideas and expertise at www.brandautopsy.com and http://brandautopsy.typepad.com.)

Thursday March 24, 2011

11:30 -1pm, 11:30-12 networking

Peerless Restaurant

$25 Members
$35 Non-Members & Members without RSVP
$20 Students

ADDY Recap: Winners And, Well, More Winners

The 46th Annual ADDY Awards Celebration was among the best ever, with more than 280 awards given out to area companies and individuals. The party was great. The people were great. The winning work was great.

This ADDYs set a standard to live up to.

Special congratulations are in order several individuals, including David Jacobs of The Tombras Group (Winner of the Robert McCabe Silver Medal Award), plus Jennifer Holder of First Tennessee Bank, Ben McWhorter of Citadel Broadcasting, and Steve Richardson of The Tombras Group (all new inductees into the AAF-Knoxville Advertising Hall of Fame).

For a complete list of winners from this year, click here.

If You're Going to the ADDYs, Why Not Stay?

The Crowne Plaza, which has been a great partner for the ADDYs for many years, has a special rate for ADDY attendees for Saturday night. Stay at a fabulous hotel for just $80.

This is for Saturday night only, and tell the reservations folks you're with the Knoxville Advertising Federation to get this great rate.

And, to get you in the mood for great advertising, take another look at this great retrospective from Ad Age on the first Century of our business, written by the inimitable Randall Rothenberg: http://adage.com/century/rothenberg.html.

12 Days and Counting

Have you made your ADDY® reservations yet?
Tickets are $65 or $600 for a table of 10. We'll honor hundreds of pieces of creative made right here in our own backyard that will then advance up to the five-state District 7 portion of the ADDY® competition. We'll also recognize one individual with the AAF National Silver Medal and three with inductions into the Knoxville Advertising Hall of Fame. Needless to say, it'll be the biggest marketing party of the year.

And if you're wondering how award-winning creative makes a difference, click here to check out this article we ran across last year but saved it for posting during ADDY® season.

News Flash! New Flash Mob.

If you're into networking with witty, influential people, don't miss the AAF-Knoxville/AIGA Flash Mob tomorrow afternoon at Aubrey's Northshore.

Great advertising people. Great designers. Great conversation.

See who's already coming by clicking here.