When you look back at 2020 marketing predictions published prior to the pandemic, you might notice advice that ended up being pretty spot-on, a little inaccurate or maybe even more relevant than you anticipated in terms of its representation of our actual state of affairs this year.
Of course, any misrepresentation we discover now is understandably justified, but it’s interesting to look back and see where we thought we would be—as well as what, even through all the chaos, has still rung true.
Topics: Martech, Marketing Technology, Marketing Insights, Best Practices, marketing measurement, Marketing performance management, Marketing Performance, marketing strategy
Why Spreadsheets Still Aren't Great for Marketing Management
It’s been nearly five years since we posted a blog denouncing the use of spreadsheets for complex marketing performance management.
Read MoreTopics: Marketing Analytics, Demand generation, Data silos, Marketing Budgeting, Marketers, marketing measurement, marketing data, collaboration
If you’re ready to leave the trials and tribulations of 2020 marketing in the dust, you might be excited to learn about a new concept that’s been floating around: 2020.5.
With the end of the first half of 2020 now at our doorstep, why not commemorate the milestone by rethinking your strategy for the second half? (Unless, of course, your year has been a breeze, marketing-wise – in that case, carry on as usual.)
Read MoreTopics: Marketing Planning, Effective Planning, Business Intelligence, Data Visualization, Marketing Technology, Marketing Insights, marketing measurement, marketing data, Marketing performance management, marketing strategy
The CRM “lead” conundrum: Why did they have to get it so wrong?
I am talking about the word “lead” with regard to marketing and CRM systems. We have gotten it completely wrong for decades, and it has caused a great deal of problems and unnecessary expense for many organizations.
Read MoreTopics: Marketing Planning, Buyer's journey, Marketers, Marketing Technology, Marketing Insights, marketing measurement, marketing data, B2B, marketing strategy
What's a Good Martech Investment Instead of a Super Bowl Ad?
Happy Super Bowl Sunday! Whether you’re thrilled or crushed you won’t see the Patriots - say what? - in the big game this year, you’re bound to be entertained by at least a few exceedingly pricey commercials, which are estimated to sell for roughly $175,000 per second. Yup, according to CNBC’s estimates, it’ll cost a company a total of $5.25 million for 30 seconds of advertising this year, which is up from $37,500-$42,500 per spot back in 1967, the year of the first Super Bowl.
Read MoreTopics: Marketing Planning, Marketing Analytics, Martech, marketing measurement, marketing data, Marketing performance management, Marketing Performance
One of the best quotes about planning ahead comes from that iconic Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin: “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” This is particularly apt in the world digital marketing, where a lack of specific strategies to achieving clear goals will sink any business, big or small. For that reason, we’ve listed five features every marketer needs to look for when selecting an effective marketing-planning software solution.
Read MoreTopics: Marketing Planning, Marketing Analytics, Financial Planning, Revenue Attribution, Marketing Budgeting, Marketing Insights, marketing measurement, alignment
Better access to data gave marketing departments something that long felt elusive before: a specific measure of success. Until recently, so much of what marketers did was hard to measure. We assured the CEO and CFO that our work was making a difference, but it was difficult to prove in a tangible way.
Read MoreTopics: Hive9, marketing measurement, marketing data