Marketing Eye

There is something to be said about doing the right thing. I know that many Australian and overseas patrons of Qantas might not be thinking too positively about Qantas today, especially if they are stranded with no flight home. But if you can take a step back and look from a different perspective on the issues at hand, I am sure you will have a new-found respect for Alan Joyce and the Boards role in standing up for what is right. You may say that Alan Joyce's pay rise is excessive, but is it? I for one do not make the sort of return for Marketing Eye that Alan Joyce has made for Qantas - so to me it is comparative. If I ran a company of that size, with the pressure that he has to put up with day-in, day-out, let me assure you, a $5 million pay packet would not be enough. The leaders who run substantial public-listed companies are under such harsh scrutiny that I for one, could not handle. Look at the newspapers each day and see the headlines that are completely attacking Alan Joyce. "Joyce Should Be Sacked" is enough to keep me paralyzed in bed for a month, if I were in his shoes. This man is an absolute inspiration. He is the epitome of strong, solid leadership with fair values. I have read feverishly the content related to what Qantas employees are wanting as remuneration. Are they serious? It is not market rate, nor is it reasonable. Having been on a flight where at the time I was in the Chairmans Lounge, and could not for the life of me use points to be upgraded to first class, yet a Qantas air hostess and her 3 friends seemed to have no problem at all taking the seats that could have been for a loyal customer who at the time travelled at least 4 flights per week with the airline. Is that fair? Well, from all accounts, this is something that Qantas employees want on a regular basis. Stuff the loyal customers who ensure that they have a job. They mean nothing - apparently. Another thing to consider is what has happened to other airlines around the globe. They are in huge financial strife. Do we really want an Australian icon like Qantas to follow down the same path? And last but not least... for those who have invested their superannuation and hard earned savings in buying shares for Qantas... they too need a return. It's not all one way. If they don't get dividends for taking the gamble and supporting Qantas - then no-one should have a job. Just my Sunday thoughts.
Published in Mellissah Smith

Most small businesses ignore guerilla marketing as part of their marketing mix. Why? Because most think that it's just what the big companies do.

Well, that is true most of the time, but not because it costs alot of money to do. It's mainly because their creative agencies or someone with a spot of 'genius' has come up with a guerilla marketing idea that has great potential.

Have you seen the Facebook Tattoo guerilla marketing exercise that was sponsored by  Rotterdam tattoo artist Dex Moelker and his company? The pictures above, but there is a much better video floating on YouTube with more hits than you can hope for.

When this piece of guerilla marketing was being passed around, we should have realised that it wasn't for real. Let's face it... the average person firstly would not be stupid enough to tattoo 152 of their friends on their arm (because they might be friends today, but tomorrow, it's quite possible they may block you because of something you said, did or didn't do). The dead giveaway was the optimised key words on YouTube. Now, even I would not think to do that (but one of my digital marketers definately would!).

The story spread like wildfire and media outlets around the world reported the bizarre story. It's biggest impact though would have been through social media. Too bizarre to be real? You betcha! It was just a transfer - not a tattoo and a brilliant piece of guerilla marketing.

Wednesday, 19 October 2011 23:40

Bang for your buck

(BRW, the Marketing Issue, Oct 20-26, 2011)

It needn’t take a huge budget to market a business. All it takes is time and little forethought. Report: Georgina Dent

Many years ago a manager commented off the cut that Marketing Eye Chief executive Mellissah Smith “worked in sales”. Smith was irritated by the description until she decided he’d made a valid point. “I was quite annoyed about him saying marketing was the same as sales but they actually do go hand in hand,” she says. “Marketing creates the forum for sales to occur.”
Published in Mellissah Smith
Wednesday, 19 October 2011 01:11

Marketing Consultants Suck!

You heard it! They suck!

They know stuff...but not enough stuff to be totally across the entire marketing mix ensuring that they are 100% of the time working in the best interests of the small business that they are working for.
Last night I had dinner with a good friend of mine. He is one of the smartest people I know in business. He is not only academical, but very street smart.

I talked in length about the next stage of Marketing Eye's business. That is, expansion into the US, selling rights for the company in Europe and basically becoming a truly global player in small business marketing. No else seems to be taking the lead, so it may as well be me.
Sunday, 16 October 2011 23:13

Website design needs to be on-brand

Case Study: BrightLine Solutions Atlanta

Marketing Eye Atlanta was recently engaged by BrightLine Solutions in Atlanta to re-develop their rather new website incorporating more services, social media and a different look and feel.

The company is based in both Atlanta and New York and was founded by serial entrepreneur Christy Brown. Specialising in Information Technology, Embedded Software Engineering, Accounting and Finance, Christy has paved a niche in her market and delivered a service that is both professional and unsurpassed by any of her competitors.

Published in Website Development
The more one realises that by listening to others you will learn more than you could ever imagine - the more successful you will become.
Published in Marketing
As an advocate for Twitter and someone who has benefited immensely in terms of sales and following from this platform, I have to say yesterday was a very sad day in our relationship.
Wednesday, 12 October 2011 17:13

Learning valuable lessons

This morning on the way to work, I walked next door from my building to get coffee. As always, I took my dog. She was not on a leash as we live next door to the building in which we work and she is well trained. Or at least I thought so.
Tuesday, 11 October 2011 20:42

Google Plus or is that Minus?

Where is everyone?

It appears that I may have been a bit off the mark in a previous article. I claimed that Google Plus’ entry into online social media would spell the sudden demise of Facebook. At this point in time that appears to be false. It has become apparent that social media supremacy will come after a long struggle rather than the quick and clean coup reminiscent of the Facebook takeover of MySpace that I predicted.

Thursday, 06 October 2011 01:05

Spend time fishing, not fixing

I don't know about you... but there is nothing more frustrating than when you are at home on the weekend trying to do something on your computer and it crashes. Not only does it crash... it burns. Viruses, technical problems - you name it, it happens when you least need it to happen.
Wednesday, 05 October 2011 21:46

Steve Jobs, we will always remember you

He was number one on my bucket list and he someone I don't think a week went by without me mentioning him in conversation or thinking about how I could learn more from the way he operated.

His book was on my bedside table alongside a book written about how he presents to an audience and engages them like no other.

My bucket list had him down as the person I would most like to do work experience for. Sadly, this will never happen.
Published in Mellissah Smith
Today I had a meeting with mobile marketing guru Dipen Patel from an innovative bluetooth and wifi mobile marketing company, SpidaNet.

Being an avid adopter of new technologies and in particular integrated marketing campaigns, I can assure you, I held on to his every word.
Tuesday, 04 October 2011 00:01

The best destination in the world

When you work hard, it's important to make sure you reward yourself.

People reward themselves in many different ways like buying a new dress, a watch, a new car or a holiday.
Published in Management
Sunday, 02 October 2011 21:07

Traits of a successful marketing manager

To make it as a successful marketing manager, there are many traits that you need to have. It no longer is just about understanding and delivering in a marketing capacity, but more importantly being able to understand the fundamentals of business and have an ability to execute the company’s business plan from a sales and marketing perspective.

Published in Marketing