Top marketing ideas to ponder in ‘08

From Chief Marketer online, here’s my favorite highlights from their list of top marketing ideas to consider in 2008. Nothing too surprising here - but it doesn’t hurt to be reminded to get outside of the box. If your thoughts are swirling around what articles to pen for the corporate newsletter - maybe it’s time to start swishing some of these ideas around in your next staff meeting:

• Go Green - lord. If you haven’t gotten the memo yet, please please please pick up the latest issue of any business magazine. Even if you aren’t actively changing the world with your business, you need a game plan/strategy in case someone asks. In the coming year, look for Marketing and Corporate Responsibility leaders to become BFFs. Meeting planners - become the idea people that brings it all together.

• The Great Outdoors - as if our lives weren’t media-rich enough, the marketing world is conspiring to fill our commutes with RFID activated, personalized outdoor adverts. Apparently this is a great trend to watch, but I’m going to keep my eyes on the road.

• Get Game - as a recovering gaming junkie - it seems a little dirty to incorporate marketing strategies into this medium. I mean, these addicts are helpless and vulnerable to pursuasive messages. Oh well - its a part of life. What freaks me out a bit is this statement “Even B-to-B marketers will be smart to give gaming a fresh look while blending in messaging, training or recruiting.” Ew.

• Mobile marketing - this is another one that will take some getting used to for those of us born after 1970 or so. I am starting to appreciate some of the perks of mobile web stuff. Have you used Google Text yet? Amazing stuff. Do I want Macy’s sending me contextual ads when I walk past their store? Hells naw.

• MyFace - if you are on the social network scene yet, as a marketer - I would recommend you poke around and make yourself comfortable and conversant in the medium. This will play a major role in corporate meetings and events in the near future - enabling offline and online relationships to be built together.

• Ready for your close-up? With 70+% broadband penetration, streaming video is a must marketing tool. If you are producing an event, its easy and affordable to extend the reach of your message by simply passing along.

• Focus on the Experience - “Once upon a time, events and online initiatives were treated as “below the line” after-thoughts. Increasingly marketers realize that interactive brand experiences can be far more effective than advertising and should be the starting point of a customer conversation.”