Marketing Industry Network

The best way of detecting a lie is to listen, not look – liars say less, give fewer details and use the word ‘I’ less.

A fantastic evening! The Marketing Industry Network hosted a panel event in the newly refurbished Corinthian Club, featuring professionals from The Scottish Government, Whyte and Mackay, Ultimo, STV and The Big Partnership who discussed their views on online brand management and their methods of interacting with online commentators and reviewers, including bloggers and forum members.

When agencies go bust, they often go down taking staff, clients and suppliers with them. But when Sense announced that it was to shut in a brief letter on its own site last week, there was something that struck a chord about the pride and responsibility that it maintained – right until the not-so-bitter end.

Net neutrality is under attack… At stake is the concept that every website – be it a commercial enterprise or not for profit – operates from the same level playing field. A recent suggestion by Google and Verizon to distinguish wireless services from its fixed line counterparts, a move which would allow carriers to prioritise high profit services, has mobilised campaigners to “stand up and fight back.”

Above-the-line advertising is under threat. For so many years advertising has been the dominant force in the marketing mix, but recently its position of power has waned. But what is the key to the ad industry’s survival? The Drum posed that very question to the high profile panel of creatives assembled to judge this year’s Scottish Advertising Awards, only to learn that advertising has a secret weapon that is ready to be deployed.

The general consensus among in-house corporate communicators is that social media has become a major weapon in the crisis communications armoury. Alarmingly, though, many global companies show a stark lack of preparation for handling social media in crisis situations.

The Drum and the Marketing Industry Network hosted a fantastic evening of informal drinks at the City Inn in Leeds on August 26th. The editors of The Drum, members from the advertising, events and production teams travelled down from bonny Glasgow to meet you for a great night of drinks and networking!

GyroHSR has dedicated six months to answering this question, surveying more than 250 marketers and conducting in-depth interviews with 50 of the world’s top marketers including Bacardi, Boots, More Than, Kellogg and Best Buy Mobile, delving into exactly what they want.

Regional Development Agencies have proved a tasty morsel for many creative and marketing firms – from timely briefs to business support. Yet, news that they were to be butchered in favour of Local Enterprise Partnerships was met with mixed opinion. The Drum dives into the bloodbath to get the beef.

At its peak Pravda was at the forefront of Manchester’s creative scene, winning national awards and an enviable client list. Now Pravda is no more, as its owners called in the liquidators. But plans are afoot that will see the team re-emerge, refreshed and ready to tackle an evolving industry.