How analysis-led messaging and data-driven multi channel communications are the kings of engagement.

Recent technological advances have created both opportunities and obstacles for marketing professionals. The opportunities are foremost with the new communications channels: texting, blogs, social, mobile, QR Codes, etc.

Conversely, it’s impeding a marketer’s ability to communicate effectively. Each day, an average person encounters thousands of messages from all types of media. No matter how beautiful your layout or how brilliant your copy, the message gets lost if you’re not: 1) choosing the right channels and 2) creating a relevant dialogue.

A successful marketing campaign uncovers ways to engage its audience. Achieving this engagement used to lie in a campaign’s creative components.

Now, it’s all about the data.

To read the full custom article by Fineline authors Jill Wangler and Sandy Kessel, click here.

Not enough hours in the day?

Eating at your desk again?

Trying to fit in a few more minutes of work?

Some 70% of Americans eat at their desks several times a week, according to the American Dietetic Association and ConAgra Foods Foundation. But, research shows that eating at your desk can actually be harmful to your health … and your wallet.

Click here to read four undeniable reasons why you should take a break, get out of your office, and enjoy your lunch.

Forecast shows that you can still rely on this powerful communications channel

With all of the hubbub—employee rallies, closing of offices, elimination of Saturday delivery—out there about the Post Office, we want to give you some insights on what we know to be happening with one of marketing’s strongest options for reaching its audience. Based on a recent industry presentation, here’s what we can share:

• The USPS needs to resize and reshape its business model to fit an enduring decrease in mail volume.
• The need to physically deliver mail will never go away, even with volume decreases.
• In order to meet current delivery performance standards:

• much of the equipment/ facilities are used only about six hours per day and
• much of its transportation is not full when dispatched

• The USPS continues to lose money but cannot increase its rates without the approval of others (and rate increases have been refused lately).
• The USPS cannot lay off people, and the attrition rate is not sufficient to reduce labor (and thus costs) as much as what is needed due to the volume drop.

Read about the bottom line and what the means for you.

Most professional marketers can easily recite The Four Ps of Marketing. Also known as The Marketing Mix, The Four Ps have been a cornerstone concept driven into the minds of aspiring marketers everywhere.

However, marketing is so much more than that. In fact, an additional four Ps exist that are more important and more impactful. The Four Ps of strategic marketing are critical to the profitability of any organization. Unfortunately, most companies don’t invest time on these areas and suffer the long-term effects of ignoring them. Let’s take a closer look at all Eight Ps and how great companies employ them.

Read full article.