Staying on top with flexible response marketing.
Follow the link below to find out how Circus du Soleil capitalise on their marketing.
Marketing nounce from the world's premier circus.

There is a growing belief that somehow email will do away with direct mail. But if we take a look at the infographic from the Royal Mail market research we can see that readers like to receive both. Not only do they want to receive both, but a well designed direct mail piece will cause readers to follow up online to either learn more or complete purchases. According to this study, 86% have connected with a business after receiving direct mail from that business, and 54% have engaged with the brand on social media after receiving direct mail from the brand. A total of 43% of direct mail recipients have downloaded something offered by the brand sender after reading the mailer, and 57% believe that mail makes them feel more valued than email does. 
Next time you want a better response from your email newsletter also consider using direct mail. http://www.sydneybrandingservices.com.au/email-newsletters.html

I love this video from a stock footage company making explicit the feel good themes so common in corporate advertising.

Sometimes I like to explain the difference between corporate identity and branding and this way… Corporate identity is the image of an organisation that is presented to the world. Whereas branding is the impression of the organisation that exists in the mind of the audience. The difference is, the first, is what an organisation puts out. Whilst branding is what is held in the hearts and mind of the intended audience.

If you been watching TV lately you may have noticed the cleverly targeted and worded Chevron ads. This is pitched to appeal to the hearts and minds of the skeptical and present Chevron as the good guys who care for people and the environment. 

This post is not about the rights and wrongs of Chevron or mining.

It's about taking a sentiment that exists in the community and addressing that sentiment by using the classic proposition of saying - 'we've got nothing to argue about' - 'we both agree' - 'I'm on your side'. After all that's how you win an argument - by neutralising the objection and emotion in the argument. In effect you are not converting your audience to change sides, as you are already on their side.
The presentation is spot on - low key, with a folksy retro, hand-made look.
The print ads even have endorsements from notable 'impartial' Australians. 
And as a brand designer, I can't help but admire the campaign.

The concept of irony is obviously lost on Clive. He probably thought he could pick this up cheap.

Yes it is.

The new Roxy women's surf ad has copped a lot of flack for being dumb and sexist.  See JaneCaro's comment in Marketing Magazine where she labels the ad as sexploitation.
After watching the ad it seems an over reaction to an ad carefully pitched to its target audience. One only has to watch any number of self produced youtube videos to see that many young women are choosing to represent themselves in a way that is sexualised. You tut tut and shake your head and say that this shouldn't happen. But it does. There is nothing that is especially offensive about the ad and it even manages to show range of summer beach wear.
Perhaps what is more interesting is the additional product placement throughout the ad, I can only think that these companies are co-sponsors in surf comp.

For many social media looked like the free ride to marketing. Speak directly to your target audience. Engage with them and then channel them into a sales pipeline. But nothing in this world is free, and business has found that social media is fickle and rarely free. And it takes time. A lot of time. many are beginning to wonder if it will supply a ROI. Read about some of those who are stepping away from social media.
http://www.smh.com.au/small-business/startup/the-death-of-social-media-20130623-2o_q89.html