Where Did John Doe Go?

When the U.S. Census Bureau released its 2010 results, the data validated what many of us already knew: that the notion of an “average American” is just that...a notion.

According to demographic analyst Peter Francese, key population changes are forcing marketers to re-think how they do business.  In a report commissioned by Advertising Age, Francese highlighted these transformational trends:

• There’s no longer an “average American.” Previously, marketers focused on what was widely accepted as an even society; one in which the majority of people had the same needs for the same consumer products and services.   
• We’re now a multi-segmented nation and a multi-generational society. In our 10 largest cities and four states — California, Texas, New Mexico and Hawaii — no race or ethnicity is a majority anymore.
• The multi-cultural shift is driven by immigration, and the fact that the non-minority part of the population — white non-Hispanics — is aging very rapidly. This is in contrast to the past decades during which well over two-thirds of U.S. births were white non-Hispanics.
• More than ever before, marketers will need to treat each generation or age segment as independent entities. It will be essential to address the multi-dimensional nature of our society today, and to use greater precision in identifying customers and developing messages.
• Despite the tremendous growth in digital media, tools that reach people in their homes and in their own languages will continue to produce strong results.  Direct mail, especially when combined with QR (Quick Response) codes, is expected to be among the most effective in this category.

See the Advertising Age white paper for specifics on population trends, and check out our site for more information about direct mail and other targeted marketing tools.  Then, let us know what you're doing (or what you've seen) that responds to the latest population shifts.

The Experience is the Brand

Check out this quick video about the importance of the brand experience.  Well worth the minute and 22 seconds.  Promise.

Social Media Revolution 2011

Erik Qualman, the author of Socialnomics: How Social Media Transforms the Way We Live and Do Business, has done it again with his latest video about the future of social media.  Be prepared to be blown away. 

Here are some hightlights:

1. Over 50% of the world’s population is under 30-years-old

2. In 10 years over 40% of the Fortune 500 will no longer be here

3. Social Media has overtaken porn as the #1 activity on the Web

4. Facebook tops Google for weekly traffic in the U.S.

5. 1 in 5 couples meet online; 3 in 5 gay couples meet online

6. 1 in 5 divorces are blamed on Facebook

7. What happens in Vegas stays on YouTube, Flickr, Twitter, Facebook…

8. 2009 US Department of Education study revealed that on average, online students out performed those receiving face-to-face instruction

9. If Facebook were a country it would be the world’s 3rd largest and 2x the size of the U.S. population

10. 80% of companies use social media for recruitment

How do you use social media for your business, school or personal communications?

Social Media Set to Transform Our Lives

Erik Qualman, the author of Socialnomics: How social media transforms the way we live and do business, compiled these astounding statistics. Watch the video for his complete list and tell us what you think the future holds.

1. Over 50% of the world’s population is under 30-years-old

2. 96% of them have joined a social network

3. Facebook tops Google for weekly traffic in the U.S.

4. Social Media has overtaken porn as the #1 activity on the Web

5. 1 out of 8 couples married in the U.S. last year met via social media

6. iPhone applications hit 1 billion in 9 months

7. If Facebook were a country it would be the world’s 3rd largest ahead of the United States and only behind China and India

8. The fastest growing segment on Facebook is 55-65 year-old females

9. Generation Y and Z consider e-mail passé – some universities have stopped distributing e-mail accounts

10. The ROI of social media is that your business will still exist in 5 years

Marketing Budgets Holding Ground

Ready for some good news? According to a recent survey by Zoomerang and GrowBiz Media, small businesses owners are planning to maintain their marketing spending in the year ahead, with increases in a few key areas.

Within overall budgets, owners expect to put more of their resources toward website development, direct mail, email marketing and social media.

According to the survey's creators, "The results show an evolution of the technology and tools used in small business marketing. Email and social media marketing continue to grow in popularity, whereas many forms of print marketing remain strong."

The Ultimate Business Tune-up for Times Like These

Want insight from some of the nation's leading entrepreneurs?

See Inc. Magazine's list of "23 things you can do right now" to energize your employees, wow your customers, and get your business back on track."

Uncertain Times Demand Embrace of Social Media

Want to learn more about social media's role in business communications? See what PR Week has to say in this new article: http://www.prweekus.com/Uncertain-times-demand-embrace-of-social-media/article/127718/

Thinking About Cutting Back On Your Marketing Spend?

It's official. The recession, that is. Check out why putting the brakes on during this recession may be the worst marketing strategy for you business.
The ‘R’ Word | Deliver Magazine