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Schermer Kuehl Seeks Sr. Copywriter

29 July 2010

Want to be a part of something as great as you are?

Schermer Kuehl, recognized by BtoB Magazine as #2 Small Agency in the country,  seeks a Senior Copywriter (7+ years) that is both strategic and creative to lead copywriting efforts for our Best Buy for Business account. Your work will bridge the retail and direct channels of Best Buy to small business owners, translating technology jargon into clear and compelling content with the voice of the brand; smart, optimistic, clever, dynamic and helpful - just like you!

We are looking for someone with tremendous pride but little ego who wants to play an integral part in growing the agency. A Sr. Copywriter at SK has to be a hungry mind that is turned on by learning, loves the challenge of understanding complex information and translating it into compelling content. You must be able to plan, architect and create content - not just be a headline writer. You have big campaign ideas but can still write content plans, collateral, email, video scripts, direct mail, websites, and ads.

You\\'ll also help defining creative strategy and delivering creative work and will be involved in the concept of new biz pitches and campaigns, which will include traditional, digital, social and mobile channels.

For more info, click here >>

29 July 2010 @ 16:19 | Chris Schermer

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BMA-Minnesota Launches Ad Campaign

22 June 2010

Last year our ad campaign introduced Twin Cities business professionals to the faces of BMA-Minnesota.This strategy was adopted and adapted by BMA-National has adapted for its current ad campaign launched in the June issue of BtoB Magazine.

This year BMA-Minnesota\\\'s ad campaign is designed to change misperceptions about b2b marketing with an irreverant, fun "in your face" approach.  Created by the team at Schermer Kuehl, these ads will run in Twin Cities Business Monthly over the next 12 months.

Here is a first look at some of ads in the campaign. 






 
      

22 June 2010 @ 13:24 | Eva Keiser

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Share Your Bottom Line Strategies

10 June 2010

In support of Sean Geehan's presentation on July 13, 2010 entitled "Learn to Create a System that Achieves Sustainable, Predictable and Profitable Growth!" we're B2B marketers to share a strategy they've used to drive bottom line results. 

 

Each submission is entered in for a drawing for two passes to hear Geehan's presentation.  Submit as often as you like! The more detail the better but financials and names can be hidden to protect the "innocent."

10 June 2010 @ 16:16 | Eva Keiser

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July Event Announced

10 June 2010

 BMA-Minnesota Explores a B2B Game Plan to Increase Revenue by Turning Clients into Key Players

 

 

All too often B2C strategies and tactics are applied to B2B companies, when in reality they should be treated as two entirely different ball games. To discover the right playbook to use for client relationships in B2B business, the Minnesota chapter of the Business Marketing Association (BMA-Minnesota) will host “Learn to Create a System that Achieves Sustainable, Predictable and Profitable Growth!” on Tuesday, July 13, 2010.
 
The session will be led by Sean Geehan, author of “The B2B Executive Playbook” and founder of the Geehan Group. Geehan has more than 20 years experience in B2B consulting and is a recognized expert on driving revenue and earnings in organizations. Referencing his new book, Geehan will describe the framework and key principles B2B marketers should use to develop a game plan for creating strategic relationships that yield valuable business results.
 
Joining Geehan will be Tom Webster, CEO at Intesource, to illustrate how his company has successfully applied Geehan’s playbook principles and the practical difference it has made for his organization. Together Geehan and Webster will teach attendees how to:
·         Increase marketing’s credibility among the leadership team
·         Align organizations to the market
·         Engage valuable customers
·         Generate powerful results through sales and marketing collaboration
 
“B2B marketers must understand the importance of structuring their internal team to maintain and grow key relationships outside of the company,” says Tim Lebens, vice president of membership for BMA-Minnesota. “Geehan and Webster provide a practical plan for B2B companies to engage key players in the marketplace in order to create predictable, sustainable business results and drive revenue growth for an organization.”
 
The event will be held on Tuesday, July 13, 2010, at the Metropolitan Ballroom in Golden Valley, Minn. Registration and breakfast will begin at 7:30 a.m., followed by the program from 8 to 9 a.m. A members-only networking event will follow immediately from 9 to 9:30 a.m.
 
The cost of the event is $30 for BMA members and $45 for non-members. Attendees can register online at www.bmaminnesota.org through July 9, 2010. There will be a limited number of walk-up registrations also available.
About Sean Geehan
With more than 20 years experience in the area of B2B consulting services Geehan is a recognized expert on driving revenue and earnings predictably in B2B organizations. CEO and Founder of Geehan Group, he is a leader in guiding B2B executives in building sustainable, predictable and profitable growth. Geehan’s system has been applied to market leaders such as Microsoft, Oracle, Harris, LexisNexis, VeriSign, and Intel. He is the recognized expert on B2B leadership, executive market engagement programs, and in integrating innovation into the strategic planning process to drive long-term and predictable business results. Sean received the prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2002 and has since been inducted into the E&Y National Hall of Fame. He holds a BA in Marketing/Finance and an MBA from the University of Dayton. He has also attended executive programs at Columbia, Northwestern and Harvard
 
About Tom Webster
The CEO of Intesource, Tom Webster has over 20 years of experience in sales management and marketing leadership. Prior to joining Intesource, Webster served in leadership capacities at several companies including Teradata, NCR and Intel. He has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and Marketing and holds several U.S. Patents for marketing automation, business process optimization and technology integration.
 
About Business Marketing Association
Business Marketing Association is the leading professional resource for business-to-business marketers and communicators. The organization develops and delivers services, information, skill enhancement, and networking opportunities that help its members grow, develop and succeed throughout their marketing careers. For more information on BMA-Minnesota, visit www.bmaminnesota.org.
 
 
 

10 June 2010 @ 10:37 | Eva Keiser

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BMA Invites You to Engage

8 June 2010

Last week (June 2-4) in Chicago, nearly 700 attendees got engaged at the Business Marketing Association's 2010 national conference.
 
Over the span of 48 hours, business to business marketers representing a cross-section of industries and geographies came together to learn innovative ways to be successful engaging employees, sales forces, channel partners, customers, prospects and other demand drivers to generate brand, sales and profit growth.

Speakers included:
  • Fred Wiersema, author of The Discipline of Market Leaders and Customer Intimacy
  • Beth Comstock, CMO of General Electric
  • Robert Pollack, Vice President of Advertising, Brand adn Market Positioning at Boeing Commercial Airplanes
  • Keith Pigues, author of Winning with Customers: Do Your Customers Make More Money Doing Business With You?
  • Eduardo Conrado, Senior Vice President and CMO, Motorola
  • Philip Clement, Global Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at AON Corporation
  • Ed O'Boyle, Global Practice Leader, Brand and Customer Engagement at Gallup Consulting
  • Pat LaPointe, Managing Partner at MarketingNPV
  • Chris Brogan, author of Trust Agents
  • Walter Pomfroy, Vice President, Marketing and Communications at Tinium Corporation
  • Jeffrey Hayzlett, author of The Mirror Test: Is Your Business Really Breathing?
  • David Meeerman Scott, author, The New Rules of Marketing and PR, World Wide Rave and the forthcoming Real-Time Marketing & PR
 At this year’s conference a social media team gathered content in a wide array of formats. We encourage members and nonmembers alike to check out the recaps, videos and resources available at the conference portal at www.bmaengage.com
 
BMA professional development programs and events are specifically designed and structured to further equip B2B marketers to positively impact critical business metrics such as demand generation, market penetration, client base, top and bottom line revenue, enhanced industry awareness and company image.

At the chapter level, it is our mission to help business-to-business professionals get in touch with other professionals to gain knowledge and insights that can help maximize your success. The chapter’s programming committee is continually seeking out the topics and speakers that will help our members and their companies succeed. If you have a topic or a speaker you think we should address, please let us know at info@bmaminnesota.org.

Let's all get engaged together!

8 June 2010 @ 15:46 | Eva Keiser

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Thoughts from Cecily Sommers

26 May 2010

Missed the May BMA-Minnesota meeting featuring futurist Cecily Sommers from The Push Institute? 


Here are some video exerpts from her presentation.

Saying Yes

Space Where Magic Happens

Change Affects Us All

Change Literacy

Crisis is Unanticipated Change

Ah Ha Moments: Pour & Stir

Left & Right Brain Implementation

Content Versus Conversation

Problem Solving

Social Media and Networking

The Future of Social Media

Global and Hyperlocal Business

26 May 2010 @ 17:02 | Eva Keiser

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Reap What You New: A Futurist’s Guide to Anticipating and Leading Change

24 May 2010

On May 18, BMA- Minnesota was pleased to have global trends analyst, Cecily Sommers, Founder and President of The Push Institute provide a guide to anticipating and leading change.

 

Here are some presentation highlights
  1. Crisis is the result of unanticipated change
  2. Change literacy /permanent present; remembering, yet envisioning the future
  3. Need to be both global and hyper local at the same time
  4. Know; study, new, explore, do, execute
  5. Pour and stir; constantly add new information to make change and choices
  6. Four forces of change are constant and predictable: resources, technology, demographics and government.
To view the presentation slides visit the chapter's recent event's page.
 

Following the program was a small group workshop for BMA members. This was a great format to be able to discuss in detail how one begins to take the tools provided and put them to good use. Where does one begin to try and change how we receive and process information to ensure we do not miss opportunities and reach our potential? We need to find ways to “create purpose daily” and allow ourselves time to think freely and without restriction. Analyze less and “DO” more!

 

- Camila Drahn

24 May 2010 @ 13:24 | Eva Keiser

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Integrated Marketing Summit Comes to Minneapolis

6 May 2010

As a Marketing Professional, you know that the drive for ROI has fundamentally changed marketing.
How do you make sense of the new rules and Drive Revenue Rapidly?

BMA-Minnesota has been approached with a great offer for our members to attend the Integrated Marketing Summit (IMS) at a 20 percent discount. We hope you will join BMA-Minnesota and over 200 area marketers and advertising professionals May 25 at the downtown Minneapolis Hilton to find out how to be more successful with your marketing and advertising efforts across all channels.

IMS will feature 15 sessions and panels, 2 keynotes - the most current expertise and information in a one-day, interactive format. IMS is bringing to the Twin Cities over 25 marketing and advertising experts for this unbelievable one day format.

Speakers include:

  • Michael Pranikoff, EVP of Emerging Media at PR Newswire Presents "Forget what you know about PR, It\'s a brand New World" (Washington, DC)
  •  Tim Arnold, Adweek Columnist and 30 year veteran of advertising responsible for "This Bud is for You" campaign and the record breaking 2005 GoDaddy super bowl ad. (NY, NY)
  • Alan Kuritsky, Principal Acxiom, Presents "Multichannel Best Practices" (NY, NY)
  • Chris Kovac, Director of Social Media Influence at Nicholson Kovac (Kansas City, MO)
  • Chad Mitchell, Principal Analyst Marketing Leadership at Forrester Research (Atlanta, GA)
BMA-Minnesota members are eligible for a 20 percent discount off the standard conference rate. Simply enter "BMAMN10" (no quotes) in the promo code line when registering.

For more information and to register click here

6 May 2010 @ 13:38 | Eva Keiser

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A Perilous Pitfall of Promotion

2 May 2010

I found myself dumbfounded today.
 A brilliant young woman I’ve had the privilege of getting to know through a volunteer organization, a woman I respect and one I’d hire in a heartbeat, given the right opportunity alignment, posted a status update on Facebook that knocked my socks off. This woman works in a marketing capacity. I believe she has a marketing degree. Yet, she thought it was “bull” that she couldn’t take advantage of a Mother’s Day promotion, even though she is not herself a mother.
 I read her status update five times before I commented. I tried to point out, gently, that as long as the company sponsoring the promo has clear definitions. on eligibility, and terms and conditions of the promotion that are enforced fairly, she just isn’t eligible.
That’s just the way it is.
While I believe my answer was both accurate and appropriate, it wasn’t satisfying.
I felt it was missing something.
And I think the something may be this:
Every promotion that reaches out to one specific customer segment, runs the risk of alienating a different customer segment.
I was on the flip side of this equation a few years back.
Spending way too much of my disposable income at one major retailer, they had mailed out a special “two day” offer, letting me receive an additional 30 – 50% discount off ANYTHING in the store (exceptions noted) during this time frame.
I would have loved to go on a shopping spree, but found myself scheduled to be out of town those two special days.
I went to the local retail outlet and talked with the store manager, pointing out how much I would likely spend, if they’d just allow me to use the coupon on a different two day period.
You guessed it. I got nowhere. Her hands were tied. The rules and regulations were clear – it was a quarter-end traffic generating special. I’d just have to miss it.
I wasn’t happy. I’ve probably shopped there significantly less since this experience. But I understood the rules and they couldn’t change the rules for me.
So fellow marketers – what’s the answer?
I suspect that all the energy that goes into establishing a promo offer is rarely buffered with the “who are we going to alienate” discussion.
But after today’s incident, reminding me of my personal experience, it’s going to become a documented part of our promotion development going forward.
Would appreciate learning how other marketers have dealt with this.
Thanks!

Jane Rodmyre Payfer, Chief Marketing Officer, Ergotron

2 May 2010 @ 18:53 | Jane Payfer

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BMA Web Seminar - May 11

27 April 2010

"Balancing Brand and Demand: Measures and Methodologies for an Economy in Transition"

Bookmark and Share Groundbreaking Brand/Demand Study by Stein Rogan + Partners Reveals How Marketers and Agencies Are Balancing Brand- and Demand-Centric Efforts Amid a Challenging and Changing Economy.
 
While marketers and agencies both advocate careful calibration when it comes to balancing brand and demand, the economy clearly swung the brand/demand pendulum toward demand creation. However, in 2010, that pendulum is starting to swing back - if tenatively.
 
That is among the many insights revealed by the first-ever Brand/Demand Study (B/D09). The benchmark study, Titled “Balancing Brand and Demand: Measures and Methodologies for an Economy in Transition,” was conducted by Stein Rogan + Partners, named 2009’s Top Agency of the Year by BtoB Magazine*, in partnership with Forbes and Ziff Davis Enterprise. B/D09 was the first national study of the approaches being utilized by the marketing community in achieving brand-centric and demand-centric marketing goals.
 
The second annual study, B/D10, is being completed in May 2010. Initial data from this study, which provides year over year comparisons, will be previewed during this webinar scheduled.
 
According to Tom Stein, President and Chief Creative Officer for Stein Rogan, “The fact that marketers advocate balancing brand- and demand-centric initiatives – yet are still currently emphasizing demand – is not surprising. What is more surprising is the nearly universal acknowledgement that investing in brand in today’s environment will enable strategic advantage as the economy improves.”
Date/Time:
May 11, 2010
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. CST

Cost:
BMA Members - No Charge
Non-Members - $99

Registration:
1. Click here to register.
2. Reserve your slot in the web seminar. After registering, a receipt page will open. On this page, click the link asking you to reserve your slot to complete the reservation process.

About the Presenter:
Tom Stein is president and a founding partner of Stein Rogan + Partners. Over the past 23 years, Tom has established Stein Rogan as one of the leading branding, integrated and interactive marketing agencies serving business-to- business, business-to-education and innovative consumer brands. In doing so, he has built the Agency into a multi-faceted practitioner of synchronized, multi-channel marketing for brand leaders and challengers.
 
In 2008, Tom was recognized for his career achievements and inducted into the CEBA Hall of Fame. The CEBA (Creative Excellence in Business Advertising) Hall of Fame was established in 1995 to honor the brilliance of business-to-business advertising.
 
Tom started his career as a copywriter and serves as the Agency’s Chief Creative Officer. As such, he is closely involved with Stein Rogan’s strategic and creative product – and works with all major accounts in the areas of brand vision, brand/creative development and marketing/business results. Born toward the end of the age of “traditional”  advertising and marketing, Stein Rogan under Tom’s guidance helped usher in the digital marketing age more than a decade ago, pioneering integrated offline and online techniques that only now have truly become mainstream.
 
In this regard, Tom has continued to add strategic, creative and tactical capabilities to the Agency, including marketing performance management systems, web 2.0/social network marketing services, automated precision marketing and lead nurturing systems and other capabilities that continue to revolutionize marketing on a global level.
 
In 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 Tom was honored as one of the ten “Who’s Who in B2B Advertising” by BtoB Magazine.
 
In 2005, Stein Rogan achieved one of the highest acknowledgements of excellence in B2B marketing: BtoB’s 2005 Agency of the Year designation. In 2006, Stein Rogan’s work under Tom’s leadership was selected among the top four Business-to-Business Integrated Marketing Success Stories, and Stein Rogan was again ranked among the top “Agencies of the Year” by BtoB Magazine.

27 April 2010 @ 11:38 | Eva Keiser

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