Meeting Halfway

Recently, I attended a mobile marketing summit in Atlanta and in the very first session, one of the presenters put up a slide with the following phrase:

“You be interesting and I’ll be interested.”

The slide was about what consumers expect (and are entitled to, in my opinion) from marketers in exchange for their engagement. As soon as I saw it, I immediately thought about the AMADC Board of Directors and the time and effort we spent this past year making sure our programs and events were interesting to our members. Attendance and post-event surveys indicate we did a good job and in the spirit of constant improvement, I’d like to make an ongoing request of each of you.

Let me know what AMADC is doing that interests you, what AMADC could be doing to be more interesting and what AMADC should stop doing because it just isn’t that interesting. Send an email to doug.reed@amadc.org letting me know, and this year’s AMADC Board of Directors will take action.

I look forward to hearing from you and to getting an opportunity to meet you soon at an upcoming AMADC event.

— Doug

Grow Your Network with AMAConnect™

AMAConnect™ is the American Marketing Association’s (AMA) online community exclusively for marketers and is a great new member benefit. AMAConnect™ provides a cutting edge platform for conversations with trusted peers, an exclusive source of information and resources, a network for your expertise and a place to learn and stay current. Participate today, blog, engage in forums, ask and answer questions, follow peers, and grow your network, plus much more.

Visit www.marketingpower.com to get connected.

AMADC Networking Series sponsored by Vidalia
Tuesday, July 31, 2012

If you’re into the finer elements of Southern food and drink, you’ll be right at home at Vidalia – elegance and Southern hospitality all in one place, located at the corner of 20th and M Streets, NW. The specialty V-Marketer cocktail will expedite meetin’ & greetin’. Bring your business cards and your southern charm to this subterranean restaurant where it’s always cool and comforting.

Read more and register at www.amadc.org/2012/7/Networker

AMADC Year-End Membership Appreciation Event

Recently, AMADC members were invited to a festive and elegant “thank you” reception as AMADC hosted its Member Appreciation Event at the beautiful Corporate Executive Board. Attendees enjoyed summer cocktails and gourmet hors d’oeuvres while experiencing a breathtaking view of Georgetown and the Potomac. Remarks were presented by Doug Reed, AMADC president, Brian Rutter, AMADC president-elect, and Mike Gardner, AMADC past president, along with a greeting from host sponsor Rory Channer, Managing Director of Marketing, Corporate Executive Board.

Ping Pong Dim Sum Hosts Monthly Networker

The icy cool of the atmosphere balanced the heat outside at June’s AMADC Networker, held at Ping Pong Dim Sum in Penn Quarter. The event drew guests from as far away as Annapolis, Md. and Fredericksburg, Va.— ready to exchange business cards and explore potential business. There was even one person from Los Angeles, who wanted to work registration so she could network with everyone who walked in the door. Ping Pong Dim Sum laid out a spread of delicious dumplings and delicacies as well as cocktails that kept the networking lively. And one lucky guest won a gift certificate to the restaurant for $75!

Brand Building Relationships

During a lunch-hour “How-To” session on June 22, Leigh George, PhD, Director of Digital Strategy for R2integrated, explained that a brand is more than just a logo or tagline; it’s all the experiences and moments that a customer can “live.” So what does this mean for marketers? It means that branding is inseparable from customer service and that branding is more about providing value than selling. Dr. George offered several examples of companies that reinvent the customer service model every day. It was a great presentation followed by thought-provoking discussions. Click here for the speaker’s presentation.

AMADC is proud to deliver integrated, strategic and tactical marketing education on current trends and issues that apply to virtually any business or organization. Our monthly webinars and programming provide fresh insights, best practices and case studies delivered by recognized marketing leaders from a variety of companies. Be sure to check out our calendar of events for upcoming programming, satellite socials and unique networking opportunities!

New Member Welcome

Welcome to these new members of the Chapter who have joined in the last month!:

Elena Abramova, Kara M Baumann, Dave Bentley, Rebecca Browne, Traverse Burnett, Jerrold C. Chadwick, Judy Cich, Michael J. Clayton, Erin Crawley, Camilo Cuba, Carrie Deguzman, Joanna O. Ficklin, Timothy L. Fort, Richard H. Gellman, Lesley H. Grier, Mary Ellen Hickman, Ally Jenkins, Francine N. Johnson, Phil Jones, Zoe R. Jouannelle, Catherine M. Kalas, Emmanuel M. Kamara, Renata Kelly-Rippy, Karen Kramer, Eric Lecky, Robb Lee, Philip Luca, Shadee' M. Marshall, Becky McCarthy, Erin Medina, Jennifer O'Reilly Mott, Rosario Ortiz-Davis, Beth Palmisano, Dana A. Payes, Chelsea Pede, Leslie Philpot, Stacey Piper, Amy L. Presley, Matteo Recanatini, Sonita Reese, Robert M. Riordan, Natalie L. Robb, Leah Saad, Josh Schimmerling, Kinnari Sejpal, Anna Smith, Mary B. Sullivan, Walton Upchurch, Jose Gabino Villanueva Reyes, Rosa Vivanco, Jennifer Walawender, Kelsey M. Wiltrout.

Membership with Benefits

Why join AMADC? Because there are many benefits to an AMA membership. AMADC provides you with access to timely information, exclusive networking opportunities, leading professional development programs, and visibility to help you boost your career. If you've been thinking about – or know colleagues or friends who have been considering – membership in greater Washington's premier marketing organization, now is the time to join us! For more details, visit www.jointheama.com.

Strength in Numbers: Group Membership Program

The American Marketing Association Group Membership program is available to professional marketers and academics in the same organization or parent company regardless of geographic location. A group is defined as four or more people receiving a paycheck from the same employer.

You already know the benefits associated with AMA membership; why not pass them along to your colleagues? As members of the AMA, your team will tap into resources that help them address day-to-day challenges and stay at the forefront of marketing thinking and practices.

Contact Wendy Roan, VP of Membership, at wendy.roan@amadc.org to find out how you can begin to build a stronger, more diversified team.

Marketers: Give Yourself Some Credit

If you recently landed a new job, were published in an industry periodical, or received an award, we want to hear from you. Email Nelissa Okamoto, VP of Volunteer Engagement, at nelissa.okamoto@amadc.org with a brief description of your professional achievement so that we can highlight you on the Chapter website, in our next e-newsletter and on our social media pages.

Calling All Event Planners!

AMADC turns 80 this year, and we’re celebrating! Join our committee to help us map out the festivities for the DC region’s hottest marketing event. Please email AMADC’s 80th Anniversary Chair, Eileen Bramlet, at eileen.bramlet@amadc.org to join the fun and be part of history in the making.

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Seeking Volunteers

The Metro DC Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is looking for volunteers with a marketing background to help form a Marketing Advisory Committee. If you or anyone you know is interested in helping to build this new group, please contact Laura Caldwell, Executive Director, at lcaldwell@cff.org.

Unique Sponsorship Opportunities

AMADC has a unique opportunity for a limited number of Sponsors and Service Providers for both annual sponsorship and special events, such as the upcoming AMADC 80th Anniversary. In exchange for appropriate recognition, opportunities may include companies or individuals able to offer cash sponsorship, or those who sell promotional items/giveaways, venues for events and much more! If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities, or know someone who is, please contact Yvette McKechnie, VP of Sponsorship, at yvette.mcKechnie@amadc.org today!

Sponsorships that Get You Noticed

AMADC sponsors benefit from unique recognition and receive increased opportunities to connect with the most talented and respected marketing professionals in the DC region.

Whether your objective is to increase brand awareness, impress and retain existing customers or acquire new opportunities to open doors to your audience, AMADC is guaranteed to have a sponsorship package that will assist you in reaching your goal.

Contact Yvette McKechnie, VP of Sponsorship, at yvette.mckechnie@amadc.org to find out more about AMADC sponsorship opportunities for your company.

Stay Connected with AMADC

Whether you are new to the local Chapter or a long-time member, there are a number of ways to add value and spice up your membership by getting plugged in to the latest job posts, industry insights, and event announcements through our social media networks.

Love Twitter's real-time interface and short bursts of information? Follow us at @amadc and check out our AMADC member list to connect with other Chapter members. Don't see your handle on the list? Shoot us a DM or email Eileen Bramlet, VP of Communications, at eileen.bramlet@amadc.org and we'll add you after we verify your membership.

If you are among the millions of users engaging with brands on Facebook, you can join the AMADC Chapter group or become one of our fans. If you're new to the Chapter, have a question about a best practice, or come across an article you just have to share, we welcome and encourage your posts.

Maybe LinkedIn's more traditional networking set-up is more your style. You can connect with the Chapter there too. Join fellow DC local marketing professionals in our LinkedIn group for job posts, industry news and weekly discussions.

Join them all so you can be part of Where Marketing Power Plays!

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