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New Beginnings and the Look Ahead
By Steven Kleber
President and Founder of K&A
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I love new beginnings. They're exciting, hopeful and
refreshing. And, sure - unpredictable. I can certainly feel pangs of reluctance to change and to the
unknown as much as the next guy or gal. But more than anything else, I revel in
the promise of possibility. Just a little more than a few weeks into the year...
and don't you just get
the sense that the country is poised for the opportunities that 2010 will bring?
Needless to say, 2009 wasn't the best of times. While
exciting, we'd be hard pressed to call the year hopeful and refreshing. But I
think it may well have paved the path for 2010 to claim those titles.
The National Association of Homebuilders' (NAHB) Eye on the Economy predicts this year will be a happier one for both the
economy and housing. It warns that the housing market's climb will be a slow
and steady one, an uphill climb nonetheless. The extension
of the government's first-time homebuyer tax credit will help add lift to this trajectory with continued
purchasing activity in the formation of new households.
Why the optimism amid nagging
foreclosures and unemployment? Glad you asked. Home inventories and
affordability indexes are now at historically
attractive levels. Just last week, homebuilder Lennar announced surprise fiscal
fourth-quarter profits... breaking a two-year
string of losses. What's more, the stock market kicked off the new year's first
week with gains of some 200 points to its highest level in more than 15 months.
Factories are humming, auto sales are up... and
gasp, November payrolls finally gained 4,000 - the first job creation since the
recession started! With productivity increasing,
we're lean, mean and ready to increase revenues
as inventory levels and profits are being replenished.
Click to continue
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8 Social Media Predictions for 2010 |
2010 will be a year of exponential growth in social media.
It's always changing, always improving and always at the top of our minds as
marketers. Think about it. Many analysts continue to predict that the
processing power of computers will continue to increase at a 10-fold rate this
decade based on Moore's Law. And just as many experts believe transistors will continue to shrink
towards atom size... and that the cost of computer power will drop at alarming
speed. What does this all mean? So much more of our lives will be conducted
online. From iPhone apps to digital scanning, far corners of our communities
and of our world will soon be inter-connected. Though the changes to come will
be vast, we chose eight topics in particular to explore:
1. HOW AM I DOING? - More companies will begin to implement
social media campaigns and they will want more accurate analytics to measure
Return on Investment (ROI) and Return on Engagement (ROE). The emerging
sentiment analytics will help brand management measure and develop their
communities. Brands will want - make that need - to verify and track their
various audiences and their levels of engagement. After all, if it isn't measured...did
it really happen?
2. WHAT'S REAL IS "REALER"
- Augmented reality (AR) will continue to superimpose graphics, audio and other
sensory enhancements from computer screens (or mobile devices) onto real time
environments, creating a mixed reality. We've all been amazed by the recent Avatar 3-D buzz. "How can we increase
our user experience?" is what's being discussed in the boardroom today.
3. THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT - How we use our smartphone
mobile applications and loyalty point purchasing programs will be leveraged to
predict behaviors for markets to determine their better and best target
audiences. Mashable recently featured some amazing AR iPhone apps that are only
the beginning. Check out this AR app that will help you find the nearest subway
station :
Click to continue
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FREE WHITE PAPER OFFER
| Brand New Market Research
Our latest white paper is here! E-mail the K&A team to request subscription to our newsletter and for a copy of our most recent market research on social media, search and how it can bring ROI to your business.
Social media's reign will only be stronger in 2010. Do you know how to use these tools effectively and appropriately? Consider the reasons it's imperative to embrace social media, and be aware of some of its pitfalls before it's too late.
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How 3
Companies THRIVED in 2009
It wasn't all bad. Learn how three different companies not only survived one of
the toughest economic years, but thrived in it.
You'll especially want to check out these case studies if you want to:
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Tradeshow Updates
Visit our Web site for tradeshow reports from last year's Remodeling Show and DeckExpo in Indianapolis as well as Greenbuild in Phoenix.
News from K&A
K&A Signs Dwyer as Newest Client
Partner
Dwyer Products, national manufacturer of modular kitchens and metal casework for acute care, selected K&A as its agency of record. K&A will work on the company's strategic brand development, social media and public relations.
International Builders Show
The K&A team is at the International Builders Show in Las Vegas this week! See what we're up to, and learn about this year's latest and greatest at www.kandatumblr.com.
If you haven't been following our tradeshow videos the past couple of months, check them out on our YouTube channel. We'll be blogging from IBS, so be sure to check back for more videos from the showroom floor.
Stay in the Loop
Don't forget to follow K&A president Steve Kleber on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and by subscribing to his marketing home products blog and Green Team site for continuous marketing and building channel updates.
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Every other month, K&A's e-newsletter provides invaluable information to the trade with trend stories, articles on marketing and public relations, and other industry related news. Sign-up now and be in the know!
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Copyright © 2010 Kleber & Associates, All Rights Reserved.
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kleber & associates [marketing & communications]
1215 hightower trail
building c
atlanta, ga 30350
t: 770.518.1000
f: 770.518.2700
w: kleberandassociates.com
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