Sports sponsorship efforts broadly fit into one of two camps. On one side we have the 'Fred Goodwin School of Sports Sponsorship' - a corporate jolly designed to schmooze key clients, affording the cheque signer the opportunity to hob-nob with their sporting heroes, while simultaneously getting top class seats to their favourite sporting events.

On the other side however, sports sponsorship can provide a platform for brand communications that can deliver powerful associations, inspire increased brand and company loyalty, and build serious brand awareness. Only one of these routes makes any difference to your consumer's perception of your brand.

Our thanks to Ben Barton, Strategic Planner at Billington Cartmell
for this sponsorship article.
[inside]
 

While social media is great for creating buzz, many marketers are beginning to realise that is doesn't - and shouldn't - stop there. Social media is also a great direct marketing channel that drives valuable sales 

That's why the newly launched
‘Competitive Story 2010 plan’  is so important to your business

We will show you how to get a story about your business loaded into theMarketingblog and Marketing Clout and then spread across as many B2B social media sites as possible - that's the proposal.

Question: What will happen when your competitor starts doing this and you aren’t? Answer: Do not delay call us today Will Corry 01784 434 412 for what really matters: sales.
[more detail inside]
 

Most people refer to this social media thing as social media marketing - implying that the use of these new tools and tactics is primarily the domain of the marketing department.

It’s funny, but I’ve always said that while marketing owns the message, sales owns the relationship, so using social media to build deeper relationships on a customer by customer basis just seems like a pretty natural thing for the sales team.
[inside]
 

"Its why I never watch the news, just tells you about recession and death anyway "
 

Fashion footwear retailer Faith required an interactive platform to power mobile marketing campaigns to enable the brand to communicate to its ever growing database and mobile opt in customers. 

The purpose of each SMS campaign was to provide new product information and promotional offers to drive footfall into high street stores and build brand loyalty. M-commerce, messaging solutions and interactive platforms business

Mobile Interactive Technology (MIT) is part of Mobile Interactive Group, a global integrated mobile and digital communications business – www.migcan.com
[more pointers inside]
 

For many, the parallels between Canadian ski slopes and the mean streets of the East End would not be immediately apparent.

Yet more than a dozen British police officers will this week jet off to the Winter Olympics in Vancouver to pick up 'vital' security tips for the London Games in 2012.

Last night critics branded the trip - which will cost the taxpayer £120,000 - a 'jolly' and a waste of money. The expedition follows a similar visit to the Beijing Games last August, which ran up a bill of more than £100,000.
[inside]
 

Five of the best releases
from Marketing CLOUT 

Tourism Ireland has launched a new test initiative

Molson Coors appoints new marketing chief for UK

Online publishers can increase ad conversation rates by 150% says Improve Digital

How you can
save over £1000

easyFairs : sales worth over £1million have been generated

How to
get your story loaded
into Marketing CLOUT.
 

I see that the London Olympics organisers are sending a delegation to Vancouver for the Winter Games next week, on a fact finding mission.
[more...]
 

Get a story about your business

Get it loaded into theMarketingblog and Marketing Clout. Get it spread across as many B2B social media sites as possible...."simples"

Get details from Will Corry 01784 434 412
 

Reading food labels isn't as easy as you think.
 

We found this
set of funny commercials
(some NSFW) 

It includes the one for Nando's