Posts Tagged ‘Social Networking’
Out of the Bunker and into the Black
Posted by Julia Zauner | Filed under Advertising, Dana News, Golf, Hospitality News, Interactive, Tips and Trends Series, Travel
Dana recently attended the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Florida. The Orange County Convention Center was all a buzz with vendors, pros, golfers and media—what a great event! We had the chance to talk to industry insiders and were impressed by their upbeat outlook for 2010. Of real interest to our team was a study released by PGA Magazine, which showed the impact of PGA Professionals on travel decisions…
About 70% of PGA Professionals travel with groups annually. Almost half take three or more trips per year, and their groups average about nine golfers playing about three rounds of golf when they travel together. 75% of these trips are booked more than two months in advance, which is welcome revenue in this era of short-lead bookings.
We were intrigued by the amount of influence PGA Pros have on determining where their groups travel. 86% of golf professionals either select the specific golf destination or narrow the choices to a few on which the group can decide—and more than 70% make all of the travel arrangements. What’s more, the vast majority is asked at least once a week for recommendations on places to stay and play golf.
We’ve all seen the number of golf resorts in the U.S. grow in the past decade, creating a very competitive marketplace. Meanwhile, the number of golfers remains flat, and bookings for corporate group outings have sharply declined. Reaching the 28,000 PGA Professionals who are key influencers on travel is a smart play.
Dana Communications has partnered with Hunter PR to analyze this study’s findings and show how to leverage the influence of PGA Professionals. To see more on these results and learn about getting out of the bunker and into the black, visit www.danacommunications.com/bunker2black.
Pink Socks & Pocket Protectors
Posted by Bob Prewitt | Filed under Advertising, Dana News, Design, Interactive, Media, Technology, Tips and Trends Series
Marketing in the Age of the World Wide Web
Marketing has always been a combination of art and science. There have always been creative types and account types. Just watch Mad Men.
But today, with the explosive growth of interactive marketing (the Web), there is a huge distinction between creative brand development behavior (Pink Socks) and web engineering behavior (Pocket Protectors).
Both behavioral types are necessary to the development and execution of a successful marketing operation. But you need to pay special attention to managing the interaction between the two because, often, they don’t relate well to one another.
Dana participated in a speaking engagement at this year’s PCMA Annual Meeting, and we addressed this very topic. The presentation defined the marketing process that must be employed in the current age—one in which marketing is dominated by the World Wide Web. We identified situations in which you should be utilizing Pink Socks, as well as those in which Pocket Protectors are needed.
Our attendees came away from this event with a basic understanding of the marketing vehicles available through the web (PPC, rich media, optimization, behavioral tracking, etc.). They gained an understanding of the conflict that can exist when Pink Socks and Pocket Protectors are brought together to create marketing communications.
Your marketing efforts don’t have to be obsolete or out-of-touch just because marketing thinking has changed so quickly. But you do need to have a basic understanding of the radically changed and still-changing marketing scene.
To learn more about making Pink Socks and Pocket Protectors work for you in today’s interactive age, contact bprewitt@danacommunications.com.
Parenting Disney Style
Posted by Eric Welsh | Filed under Design, Interactive, Media, Uncategorized
First and foremost, I am NOT a parent. I am, however, an uncle to a seriously amped up niece. My brother and sister-in-law definitely have their hands full taking care of her and their newborn baby girl. When I came across an article written by Chris Crum about the newly launched (Wednesday 8/20/08) social networking site for parents I immediately thought of them.
For parents that work full-time and are trying to “do the right thing” having a network of other parents trying to do the same “right thing” can’t be a bad thing. This isn’t Myspace, Facebook, Hi5 or Swurl…its the Disney Family Network. Parents can find like minded parents with the same issues and try and iron them out together. I have given several presentations on the benefits of social media, social networking and the human machine we call the “internet” and I must say Disney has done it well. Niche social networks aren’t always the most effective, but I think that when you’re online at 2am trying to figure out why your having child issues and find another parent doing the same thing, you have struck social networking gold.
Check it out.
http://family.go.com/community/
TravelTube.com
Posted by Stacy Tomlinson | Filed under Advertising, Hospitality News, Travel
I was just looking through Agent@Home and came up on this ad for TravelTube.com where you can post pictures, video and blog about your trips. This originated from TravelTribe.com – I found thought googling the title.
The categories they have listed are for airlines, hotels and resorts, car & rail, cruises, destinations, other and tours. You can get advice from other users on where to go, eat, sleep and what not for any type of vacation whether is it for leisure, with the kids or a nice get away. It looks like they have videos of industry professionals speaking as well.
Companies can also create their own marketing website through TravelTube.com with a URL that is customizable to their property; StarwoodTube.com, KimptonTube.com
Thought it was pretty cool, great form of social networking while also taking a BIG bite off YouTube.com. 
