Ceridian US HR Payroll business is hiring marketing positions in Mpls-St. Paul. Looking for 3 field marketing managers, plus 1 marcom manager. (Have you seen their office? Beautiful building on the Minnesota River.) Hurry, all positions are now posted on http://www.monster.com

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 >>

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. 






 
      

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."

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

1. Where do you want to be in 5 years and
2. How is an organization like BMA-MN going to help you get there? 

Before the start of the February BMA-Minnesota meeting, attendees participated in a speed networking exercise.  We'd like to hear your answer to the question:

“Where do you want to be in 5 years and how is an organization like BMA-MN going to help you get there?”

1. If you are unemployed when your annual membership renewal is due, contact BMA and advise them of your status. You will then be put in the Membership Bridge Program, which will extend your membership without dues payment for three (3) months.
2. BMA will at that time confirm your current contact information (mailing address, phone, email, etc.).  You can also maintain your own member profile through the website at www.marketing.org.
3. If you are still unemployed after the initial three (3) month extension, BMA is able to extend the membership an additional three (3) months, for a total of six (6) months of extended membership.  Contact BMA again to set up this additional extension.
4. When you become re-employed, either by a company or as an independent consultant, notify BMA again. BMA will adjust your profile back to its regular membership classification and you will be able to pay your dues going forward.
5. For more details, or to be placed in the Membership Bridge Program, call BMA Member Services Manager Kelly Staley at (630) 544-5054 ext. 100 or e-mail kstaley@marketing.org.
6. Or visit www.marketing.org/bridge for more information.

From Gary Slack, Chairman, BMA

BMA-Minnesota's first meeting of 2010 will be held on Thursday, February 11 at 7:30 a.m. at the Metropolitan Ballroom in Golden Valley.

The event will feature a presentation by Dan Hill, president of Sensory Logic , will discuss the topic of “Emotionomics.”

The subject of Hill's second book "Emotionomics" focuses on how you can leverage emotions to improve business performance - particularly in marketing.

"For far too long, emotions have been concealed behind closed doors and ignored in favor of rationality and efficiency. But as businesses are forced to forge emotional connections in this age of commoditization, emotions are now front-and-center. Emotionomics opens this long locked door and shows the importance of leveraging emotions in business."

Watch a short video featuring Dan Hill discussing the topic.


More information on the event will be posted on the BMA-Minnesota Web site in the coming weeks.

• President Chris Schermer, Schermer Kuehl,
• Executive Vice President Andrea Eidsness, Kroll
• Secretary Victor Hallberg, Brand Consultant,
• Treasurer Steve Bunnell, ThermoFisher Scientific,
• Professional Development Vice President Heidi Wight, Padilla Speer Beardsley
• Communications Vice President Eva Keiser, Risdall McKinney Public Relations
• Membership Vice President Tim Lebens, OpenWater Inc.
•  Partnerships Director Amy Hubler, Delta Airlines
•  Membership Director Anne McGuire, 3M

•  Directors: Michelle Siebert, Compellent; John McPhee, Toro;Megan Effertz, Archway Marketing Services;Jane Payfer, Ergotron;Jennifer Roth, JKR Consulting; andNick Wassenberg, EG Insights.
  

As noted in a previous post, the Minnesota chapter of the BMA enters its second year of existence with a solid base of 120 members.  This group, along with the hundreds of non-members that have attended past events, makes up a vibrant and engaged community of Minnesota’s business-to-business marketers.

But what does this tribe look like? Well, here’s a snapshot of your BMA-MN community:

Member Gender

• Male: 50%
• Female: 50%

(It’s true: as of today membership is a 50/50 split!)

Member's Office Location

• Minneapolis: 23
• St. Paul: 15
• Plymouth: 8
• Eden Prairie: 7
• Chanhassen: 5
• Eagan: 5
• Edina: 4
• St. Louis Park: 4
• Bloomington:  3
• Maple Grove: 3

(Note: Only cities with 3 or more members are shown here, many more locations around the metro are represented by at least one member!)

Most Preferred Future Event Topics

• Emerging Trends in BtoB Marketing      
• Lead Generation and Nurturing  
• Multi-media Strategy
• Marketing Research; Customer Analytics
• Sales/Marketing Alignment

(These are the most common requests for future events; we’re always open to hearing other topic or speaker ideas!)

A community isn’t about demographics or profiles. It’s about people coming together with shared interests. It’s about making connections and learning from each other.  But hopefully the information above gives you a feel for the kind of people that are involved.

If you attend an upcoming event, I think you’ll find that we’re a diverse group. But we share a common passion:  the pursuit of success in B-to-B marketing.  If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to post a comment or contact us.

Nick Wassenberg

Director of Chapter Insights, BMA-MN

Research Analyst, E.G. Insight

As B2B marketers we don't often get asked to "make a wish and blow out your candles" but as BMA-Minnesota celebrates our first birthday that is exactly what we are doing.

While other associations are losing members at a disturbing rate, the newly-formed Minnesota chapter of the Business Marketing Association (BMA) is celebrating the completion of its inaugural year this month with over one hundred and ten new members.

In the coming year, BMA-Minnesota will continue to expand its programming and resources for business-to-business marketers including:

The introduction of a small group networking concept called “Troikas.” In Troikas, BMA helps connect and facilitate three members to meet monthly and discuss professional challenges, share best practices, and brainstorm solutions.
And the launch of this blog!

So go ahead, make a wish and we'll bring it to life!

The boardroom maybe where corporate direction is set and budgets are signed off but the real power in B2B marketing lies within the backroom. 

It’s been an amazing year since we launched the Minnesota Chapter of the Business Marketing Association last October! My hat goes off to our Board and committee volunteers who have put so much energy and effort into making our chapter a success.

I also want to thank our inaugural members, who joined our fledgling chapter because they believed that we would succeed in bringing together a new community of B2B marketers. They were right – we are now over 110 active members strong!

Speaking of members, I have to admit that I’m blown away by the caliber of members we’ve attracted – from leading B2B companies like Toro, 3M, Wolters Kluwer Financial Services, Tennant, Jostens, Compellent, Ergotron, Minnesota Life, The Wall Street Journal, Delta Airlines, and Thomson Reuters, to name a few.

And yes, I’m also impressed by the quality of thought-leaders we’ve presented to our local B2B marketing community, including experts from Google, Ceridian, Carlson Marketing, Eloqua, and next month, Toro’s VP of Commercial Marketing.

But what really amazes me is the passion and purpose that our members have. How they want to actively help bring this new organization to life; to make connections, to create its culture and help shape its future.

We all have our own motivations for why we want to be part of a group like BMA Minnesota. Yet we all have one thing in common. We aren’t just marketers – We’re B2B marketers. Together, we can help our companies and ourselves by helping each other build a B2B marketing community.

Please join me. Please join us.

Chris Schermer
President – BMA Minnesota
President – Schermer Kuehl

I have been a fortunate member since the beginning of BMA (Business Marketing Association).  The B2B community within the Twin Cities market is very rich with talent and it has been a pleasure and honor to have a new  found venue, association and respected network to meet others within the B2B marketing leadership community.

BMA is a different marketing association; in addition to being  focused on B2B marketing opportunities, it is focused on the senior leaders of  the best marketing organizations in Minnesota.  We have a membership that draws CMO, EVP, VP and Director level personnel.  

BMA has a wonderfully unique platform in that it focuses on education, knowledge exchange and networking with your senior level marketing peers.  It is my belief that over the last year we have built a membership of  many strong leaders whom are advancing the position of  B2B marketing and creating an association where we all are welcome to  bring our thoughts, perspectives and ideas to exchange, learn and increase our independent value proposition through networking and meeting others.

I look forward to continued career advancement and an ability to dialog, network and learn from my peers whom are advancing the market position of their  respective brands and organizations.

Come join in, it is a refreshingly smart collection of people who humbly enjoy the ability to share, learn, grow and have fun in the process.

 Tim Lebens / EVP Partners & Hunt Consulting Services