As I write this, the groundhog just learned that spring is a comin’.
It strikes a funny chord with me that given all of the complex weather models and storm tracking software that was used to predict the 2016 Blizzard, we somehow return to Punxsutawney Phil to tell us how much longer we’ll need to wear heavy coats and keep the ice scraper in the glove compartment of the car. Anyway, each year it’s fun to wait and see what Phil will show us and decide if he’s right in the end. No one ever gets mad at Phil for making a prediction that didn’t come true. He’ll never get fired — if he’s wrong, who actually cares in the end? Spring shows up sooner or later. We are basically relying on a rodent to tell us what the future holds.
THE INSIDE SCOOP
From the desk of Mike Gardner, AMADC President
Mike Gardner
President
Member since 2008
AMADC Chapter
As I write this, the groundhog just learned that spring is a comin’.
It strikes a funny chord with me that given all of the complex weather models and storm tracking software that was used to predict the 2016 Blizzard, we somehow return to Punxsutawney Phil to tell us how much longer we’ll need to wear heavy coats and keep the ice scraper in the glove compartment of the car. Anyway, each year it’s fun to wait and see what Phil will show us and decide if he’s right in the end. No one ever gets mad at Phil for making a prediction that didn’t come true. He’ll never get fired — if he’s wrong, who actually cares in the end? Spring shows up sooner or later. We are basically relying on a rodent to tell us what the future holds.
Predictions are fascinating things, and when they “come true,” even more so.
Take the newspaper publishing industry for instance. Who would have thought that in the last twenty years, it could change so dramatically. This month, on February 17, AMADC will get a rare chance to look into the future of the Media Industry and learn from Andy Yost, CMO of Gannett, about how Gannett is battling complex and changing times, during our brand new Masters of Marketing Series, tackling, “Changing Perceptions: Media and Innovation.” As one of the country’s largest media companies, Gannett is relying on innovative ways to deliver news in formats that people want and need. (All of this without the help of Phil, of course.) Join us for an evening of networking followed by a presentation, Q&A session, and a first-hand opportunity to demo some new VR marketing technology Gannett has developed to shake up an industry that finds itself redefining itself.
Last month I promised to report back on what happened at our Board of Director’s retreat. Due to the storm, it was rescheduled and will happen in the next week. I’ll be glad to share that news with you in next month’s letter.
Also, happening later this month, we’ll get the chance to learn ”The Art of the Pitch“ presented by Scott Morgan on February 29. This is Scott’s return visit to AMADC since last year — his last visit was so popular, he sold out. Scott is a television actor (check him out here) and he knows how to make a sales pitch better than anyone and will teach you how to do it effectively to close deals and make the cash register ring.
Lastly, we’ll be revealing something pretty cool this month — just for you, our members. And when it arrives at your door — we hope you like it!
On behalf of the Board of Directors, thanks for being a member of AMADC.
Happy Marketing!
Mike