Yes, Virginia, there will be a job in Marketing.

The Quote of The Day is from PR Social Media guru Todd Defren.

Yes, Virginia, there will be a job in Marketing.

In his post yesterday he addresses a question that many in the industry keep asking- What does the future of PR and marketing hold now that social media keeps gaining in popularity? He reassures us that the industry will still exist, BUT it must adapt in order to so.

I recently attended a Web 2.0 conference in NYC and that was one of the most resounding themes of the event. Adapt or die, but do so with sound strategy. You cannot just take traditional advertising methods and insert them into new media outlets. That's not adapting, thats just a matter of location change.

While the high level themes for PR and Marketing still hold true

- begin with relationships
- create solid engaging content
- stay true to your audience and client

the methods of delivery and messaging are changing.

It is our job to learn as much as we can about these new media opportunities and adjust accordingly. Not just to share tips with our clients and coworkers, although that is fun and rewarding. And not just so we can say we are up on the next big thing - plurk we're looking at you. We should do so based on our own innate desire to communicate effectively. As PR/Ad professionals our number one priority is communication and if the language is evolving, we need to adapt as well.

Moose Crossing

I'm a huge fan of ambient marketing. Give me a giant IN box or inflatable smog cloud in a crowded unexpected spot any day. Glad I don't live in Boston, because most likely I would have been arrested in cahoots with the 'bomb threat' cartoon network story of old.

BUT. BUT.

That kind of grassroots initiative has its time and place. As much as I wish I could get every client to use well placed bar coasters and voodoo dolls (love me some Atrox Factory) it isn't always the right thing to do. Lots of factors to consider, target audience, brand personality, timing, etc.

BhamTerminal recently posted this update on the RBC's (Royal Bank of Canada) new Moose Crossing signs in downtown Birmingham. (note for any non-Birminghamians: RBC recently bought locally owned First American Bank)

Get it? Moose. Canada. Royal Bank of Canada. Hilarious right?

A bank merger is a pretty serious thing, so while part of me gives them props for trying to lighten the mood, the National Bank of Commerce > First American Bank > RBC customer part of me is a little irritated. This hasn't been the smoothest merger, and I'm sure it's likely to get bumpier. This is the 2nd time this bank has switched names in the past 5 years. My 3rd check card. My 3rd credit card. and probably my 3rd time to update my internet banking login.

I know as an advertising professional I should have a sense of humor about this, but I also have to wonder if they truly took into account their target audience. Birmingham has lost the majority of its locally owned banks to foreign and national take overs, and many people are pretty sensitive about the matter. There have been hundreds of financial layoffs over the past 5 years, and this is one local account holder who isn't ready to laugh about it yet.