The Sights and Sounds of Internet Week NY
A host of us at Horn are attending Internet Week NY this week. Here's a quick snapshot of what we've experienced on-site at the main area. Need oxygen? Demand Media (client) has the set-up for that. It's great for hangovers, I hear. Want some time in the spotlight? Yahoo is making... Read full post »
Four Best Practices for Smarter Global Digital Communications
Like it or not, you’re now a technology company. Probably not the lead you were expecting for an article on global communications, right? But the omnipresence of all things digital and social means that every business, regardless of product or service offering, is a technology company. That means customers expect to... Read full post »
Communications Strategies: For the NY Jets, Less is More
While sweating out the weekend fun Monday morning, I saw on the news that the Jets were “introducing” its new backup quarterback, Tim Tebow, with a full-on press conference. This move made me chuckle and reminded me of the movie Christmas Vacation, where Uncle Eddie says to Clark Griswold after Clark’s... Read full post »
Cyborgs and Crossroads: Lessons from SXSW
Having spent 4 days at SXSW in soggy Austin earlier this month, I wanted to share some overall takeaways. We Are All Cyborgs Dictionary.com defines a cyborg as "a person whose physiological functioning is aided by or dependent upon a mechanical or electronic device." A common theme to Amber Case and... Read full post »
In 2012, There Will be an Ad Tech-pocalypse... Maybe
Many ad technology companies will fail in 2012, or shortly after that. Ok, that may be too harsh, and may be too specific. The reality is many businesses, in general, will fail in 2012. However, the reason I point to ad tech companies is because of what happened in 2007. According... Read full post »
Video Interview with Jon Swartz of USA Today
To kick off 2012, don't miss this interview with Jon Swartz of USA Today - it's an inside look at his methodology, his use of social media for story ideas and his predictions for the new year. Read full post »
Video Interview with Giles Fraser, Co-Founder, Brands2Life and Oriella Network
On a recent trip to visit our long-time partner Brands2Life in London, I had a few minutes to catch up with Co-Founder Giles Fraser. Don't miss this exclusive video interview discussing the latest in global communications. Read full post »
SOS! Shiny Object Syndrome & the Future of PR
I'm fresh off the plane from PRSA International in Orlando and, while I have tons of insights and anecdotes to share, I came back with one big question: what is public relations today? The exhibit hall at PRSA was lined with vendors who do everything from traditional broadcast and radio monitoring,... Read full post »
Breaking Through: A Blueprint for Powerful Communications
Successful marketing isn’t the result of perfect execution. It’s the culmination of extensive preparation and planning. That's why we've created the Breakthrough Communications Blueprint. Read full post »
"The Way"
What is it about "The Way"? In the last few weeks I have heard a lot of people talking about "The HP Way". There's the "Horn Group Way". And then there's “your way or the highway.” But seriously, what is "The Way"? It’s a series of processes. A culture. An approach... Read full post »
Facebook Ad Unit Kicks Off Advertising Week
It's 10 am, I've had two cups of coffee and two pieces of pandesal. I am ready for Advertising Week. Inevitably, this is a big news week for advertising technology, and kicking it off is Facebook with its new premium ad unit that will be sold direct. ClickZ points out, from... Read full post »
Relationship Advice for Bloggers: 7 Ways to Engage Your Audience
Ever noticed the best pick-up lines are about the person you’re trying to pursue and not about yourself? The same is true in the blogosphere; just talking about yourself or your company can be a turnoff. Read on for 7 proven ways to better engage your readers online. Read full post »
7 Must-Know Marketing Takeaways from SES San Francisco
Heading into SES San Francisco, our goal was simple: dive deeper into how discrete marketing channels overlap, interact and influence each other. We accomplished that, but more surprising was the overwhelming amount of data supporting the integrated digital communications model. Read full post »
But You're Not A Search Agency: Why We're Going to SES San Francisco
“Why is a communications firm going to a search conference?” Fair question. But a closer look reveals that PR, design, social and search are all undeniably linked as part of the larger digital communications puzzle. Read full post »
Infographic: CMOs Want Push Back and Results from Smaller and Fewer Agencies
A new study by Horn Group and Kelton Research - called The CMO Challenge - finds marketing executives relying on agencies more than ever as strategic partners who push for innovation and provide streamlined communications services. CMOs are being more discriminating about the quality and execution of the firms they hire,... Read full post »
Product Launches 3.0 – What Works (or Doesn't) in 2011
As digital communication professionals it’s time we rethink product launches and counsel our clients to go beyond just talking about features and functionality. Read full post »
What CMOs (Don't) Want From Their Agencies
Last week at our annual company offsite in SF, we hosted a CMO panel to get right to the crux of what it’s like to be a chief marketer – what they really want from us, and what drives them nuts. The panelists were Joelle Kaufman from Clarizen, Natalie McCullough from... Read full post »
20 Thoughts for 20 Years
...I've actually had more than 20 thoughts in 2 decades but here are the ones that have come back the most often as friendly reminders and occasionally, to haunt me. Enjoy. 1. If you don't have a plan, you don't know where you are going. Have, and share a vision, make... Read full post »
"Duck Hunting" with Tom Foremski, Silicon Valley Watcher
This week I'm pleased to share a recent video interview from our Innovator Series with Tom Foremski, Editor of Silicon Valley Watcher. http://vimeo.com/24227420 Horn Group Innovator Series - Tom Foremski, Editor of Silicon Valley Watcher from Horn Group on Vimeo. In this clip, Tom talks about how being a CMO is... Read full post »
I Got a Glimpse Into Our Industry's Future ...
...And I liked it! So last night, Horn Group’s Jennifer Dew, Bina Motiram and I attended The LAGRANT Foundation’s 13th Anniversary Scholarship Recognition Reception and Awards Program and simply put - it was beyond inspiring. For those that don’t know, The LAGRANT Foundation is a non-profit organization that is committed to... Read full post »
Social Media Infiltrates the Newsroom and Optimism Returns to Journalism According to Fourth Annual Oriella Study
This morning, we launched our annual Oriella Digital Journalism Study. This is the fourth time we have carried out the project since launching in 2008 and this year’s study yielded the most interesting results to date. A key trend was the extent to which social media has infiltrated the newsroom. For... Read full post »