Recent News and Updates • Special Events

Super Bowl Splurge

posted by McKenna @ January 20th, 2009

When I saw this headline after I Googled “Super Bowl Spending,” I thought it was current. Whoops. Looks like 2009 isn’t the first year that the economy has affected the Super Bowl.

Wait, what’s that? The economy might not drag down consumer spending (at least for electronics, which represents a big chunk of spending around the big game) or Super Bowl advertising?

Ad prices are higher than ever — $3 million for a 30-second TV spot. Ticket prices range from $1,800 to over $5K for one ticket.

Huh?!

Maybe all those people who foreclosed on their homes have extra cash to spend on a big-screen TVs or tickets in the nosebleed section of Raymond James Stadium. Maybe advertisers think this is their way of helping to stimulate the economy. At least GM isn’t making its situation worse.

Now I wonder how much more (or less) these advertisers are paying their agencies to create and produce ads for the Cards-Steelers game. Have they chopped creative budgets to adjust for the higher placement prices? If so, will this affect the quality of the ads this year? Enquiring minds want to know.

Related tags: advertising • marketing • recession

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Trends

A recession-proof business: The holy grail

posted by McKenna @ January 6th, 2009

Over the holidays, the big topic of discussion was the economy. I come from a long line of entrepreneurs (I am the first person in three generations to not work for myself), and my circle of friends is heavy on the self-employed side. I expected a lot of worry and wringing of hands over cookies and cocktails.

I was wrong.

Most of my friends and family say their deep client base will help them weather this recession. And – surprisingly – many said they are focusing now more than ever on marketing their services to qualified customers.

In fact, one acquaintance said his graphic design firm unfailingly improves during recessions. He’s owned his business for nearly 30 years and has weathered several deep recessions, so I’m pretty sure it’s not a fluke.

He said that when layoffs happen in the marketing departments of his corporate clients, they still need that marketing work completed. The work doesn’t simply disappear. It just gets shuffled around until they find a more economical way to finish it – and sometimes that means calling an outside vendor like my friend’s business.

And there’s always marketing work to be done. Some say that tough economic times are the best times to put the pedal to the marketing metal. Committing yourself to marketing your business successfully – with a strong strategy and targeted goals – in this economy can reap great rewards.

As Yoda says: “There’s no try – only do!”

Related tags: marketing • recession

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Online Marketing

What recession?

posted by Jason Fleck @ December 15th, 2008

I ran across a story on VentureBeat.com that stated:

NetShelter Technology Media is announcing today that it’s raised $11.1 million in a first round of funding as the nine-year-old ad network for tech properties seeks to expand the reach of its 150 technology content web sites.

Wow.

$11.1 million.

If you thought the recession is hindering the evolution of the web, think again.  Times are getting tough for a lot of companies, but the online community is thriving.  Money, and lots of it,  is still being invested.

NetShelter Technology Media proves that it’s not all about the “up and coming” sites.  They’ve been around for nine years and were still able to raise a boatload of cash.

Even in these tight situations, the web is thriving.  Advertising online is one of the most cost effective ways to reach a huge number of people and there’s no time like the present to build an online presence for your brand.

Related tags: ad words • investment • recession

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