Occasionally, I will recommend a  news article, book, blog post or a short video clip to view. This "eperini Readview" references FOX NEWS.com report by John Quain.  How many of you listen to Internet Radio? Will your next vehicle have this option? 

"Technology companies love to boast about how their services disrupt - in some cases even wipe out - existing businesses. Now they're taking aim at a business that's been a mainstay in our lives for over a century: radio.

Streaming music has made incursions against the established music business even since Napster began offering free (illegal) songs; but now a slew of legal online radio stations are crowding the music space. Rhapsody, Slacker, Last.fm, Grooveshark, MOG, and Spotify are just some of the better known services. They range from free streaming radio stations to on-demand subscription services, but the overall goal is clear: they want to take out traditional radio.

There have been threats to radio in the past. When MTV launched in 1981 many expected video to kill the radio star. Of course, that didn't happen, and now music videos seem like quaint promotional tools, bested by amateur versions on YouTube.

And radio has fought back, notably through HD Radio, which boasts the clarity and fidelity of digital broadcasts. It was a way for local radio stations to compete against satellite radio. While it is widely available across the country and is standard or available as an option on most vehicles, HD Radio isn't likely to stem the tide of online streaming music.

There's an important difference today, you see. Until recently, broadcasters didn't worry much about Internet radio in spite of claims it would kill their. business. Why? Because most podcasts and streaming services were desk-bound. Most people listen to the radio when they're on the go, so why worry about nerds sitting at their computers playing music.

Now streaming online music is making a serious run at the last bastion of broadcast radio: the car. 

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A logo.  Every business, special event director or issue advocate should know what the criteria is for making a logo go from "OK" to "Greaaaat!"

You see logos everywhere.  They tell us who you are; what your brand is.

Gap, Inc. learned recently just how powerful logos are when the public panned the redesign of its iconic symbol. Louise Callagy, Gap Inc. Corporate Communications, wrote in a statement, "We've learned a lot in this process. And we are clear that we did not go about this in the right way. We recognize that we missed the opportunity to engage with the online community.  This wasn't the right project at the right time for crowd sourcing."  Small design elements and knowing your audience makes a difference.

Neils van Quaquebeke and Steffen Giessner of the Rotterdam School of Management showed logos of 100 Global companies to two groups of participants, as reported in the December issue, Harvard Business Review. One group rated them on attractiveness and symmetry; the other judged whether the logo suggested that the company behaved ethically.  The findings:  Rationally or not, people associate symmetrical logos with more ethical, socially responsible behavior.

When you decide to have a logo let a professional graphic designer do the work.  The small fee you might have to pay will return a significant investment over the long term.

Yes, there is software available to the consumer or garage designer to construct a logo, but will he and she use the criteria below that we implement for our customers.  Most will not because they do not have the education or experience or they don't want anyone challenging their artistic abilities.

Here are guidelines from the website Famous Logos that we agree and stick with for clients as the list  reflects elements many professional logo designers use as their checklist for a successful logo:

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Silos: Silver.  Red.  Multi-colored.  Often standing alone or in twos.  All across America.  Perfect for a farm.  No so, when conducting public relations activities.

Here are some examples of what I mean:

• You give a presentation to tell people about your organization, event or issue, but you do not mention your own services.

• You go to a networking meeting, like a "business after hours," and you tell someone you meet, "I will call you."  However, you don't follow-up.

• You post a advertisement in the local paper or have a mention or radio or TV but don't list your website address.

Today, with the way that consumers take a decision journey before deciding what to buy, what to support, what to attend, this lack of coordination and integration of all your marketing techniques is a must do!  In other words,each tactic (technique) supports each other and continues to move the prospective client through your marketing system.

Let me reinforce, please.  Instead of simply doing ONE marketing technique then walking away, consider creating a marketing "NETWORK" of techniques where one technique encourages the prospective customer to participate in another marketing technique.

Here are some examples of integrated marketing techniques.

1. When giving a speech, ask the audience to sign up for your free newsletter.
2. On the back of your business card, offer a free report or other service and give them the website address where they can download it and phone number to call for questions.
3. At a networking event, refer people to your website to pick up an article that solves a problem they're having.  I am assuming that you have a website?  If not, please contact us.
4. When doing a radio or TV interview, remind people that you offer a free initial consultation and tell them how they can sign up for one.  Even throw in a discount for one of your services.
5. On your website home page place a clickable graphic that tells visitors about your free monthly webinar or other forums.
6. When referencing a book at an event write a review and post your comments and information on how to purchase the book.

Silo Marketing is often found in business, nonprofit, special event organizations.   Is it in yours?  I would like to know why?  And what your next steps are to remedy this problem.

Please follow me on Twitter and make your comments.
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We take the time to find information that will support you 

 Although still a relatively young technology, social networking is already a global phenomenon. In regions around the world -- and in countries with varying levels of economic development -- people who use the internet are using it for social networking. And this is particularly true of young people.  Read more

There are still notable differences by generation in online activities, but the dominance of the Millennial generation that was documented in Pew Research Center's first "Generations" report in 2009 has slipped in many activities.

Milliennials, adults ages 18 to 33, remain more likely to access the internet wirelessly with a laptop or mobile phone. In addition, they still clearly surpass their elders online when it comes to:  Read more

31st Annual Symphony Above The Clouds  

When: Tues., July 5, 5:30 p.m. 2011

Phone: 719.687.1304

Price: FREE

 

Tchaikovsky's 1812 overture and all the celebrations of our nation's founding is planned for the 31st year on July 5 in Woodland Park, Colorado.  

 

An outdoor evening of fun with music by the Colorado Springs Philharmonic with associate conductor Thomas Wilson and Ceol Ceili (Irish folk music group).  City-sponsored fireworks, weather permitting after dark are planned, and Ft Carson cannons. The celebrity conductor is astronaut Brig. Gen. Robert L. "Bob" Stewart, U.S. Army-retired, who resides in Woodland Park.

 

Gates open at 5:00 p.m. with Ceol Ceili beginning at 5:30 p.m. and the symphony playing at 7:30 p.m.