April 2007
← March 2007 | WOMMA News Blog Home | May 2007 →
WOMMA was founded in 2004 with just three corporate members. Today, we have more than 370 outstanding member companies. Our success is a direct result of word of mouth, spread by folks like you to friends, clients, and peers. We're growing, and we're not slowing down anytime soon. In fact, we've got our sights set on the 500-member mark, and we need your help to get there.
As a WOMMA member, you're part of an exclusive community of the industry's smartest, most dynamic movers and shakers. Do you know someone like-minded who belongs in our ranks? If so, send them our way. Tell them why you're a member and why they should be one, too.
Just give us a name; we'll do the rest.
Get the tools you need to refer a future WOMMA member.
Join us Wednesdays at noon EST for WOM Wednesdays, WOMMA's ongoing teleconference series. Just register, dial in, and listen up to get the ideas that will truly expand your marketing horizons. After the teleconference, visit our website for an audio recording of the call, which can be downloaded for free from the WOMMA Member Center.
> Wednesday, May 16, at noon EST -->
Know Thy Customer: WOM Strategies to Uncover Customer Needs
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Understanding customer needs is an essential part of growing and improving any business. Find out how Higher One and The Phelon Group tapped into the power of word of mouth to find out what Higher One customers really wanted -- and then put that information to work to create stronger connections with current customers and repeatable programs for prospects. Featuring Sean Glass, CMO, Higher One and Steven Nicks, EVP of Client Services, The Phelon Group.
> Wednesday, May 30, at noon EST -->
Driving Seasonal Sales with WOM: How Hormel Made it Happen
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If you're considering a WOM campaign in advance of the summer selling season or are already hatching plans for the 2007 holiday season, we've got the teleconference for you. Hormel and BzzAgent will detail how they used WOM to spark trial, prompt conversations, and overcome objections to the Jenny-O Turkey Store brand just in time for the 2006 holiday season. Featuring Art Muldoon, SVP of Client Services, BzzAgent and Cristofer Eide, Director of Retail Marketing, Hormel.
Cost is $20 for WOMMA members, $60 for non-members.
Sign up
WOMMA is updating the format of our Womnibus Weekly and WOM Research newsletters, and we're looking for some word of mouth marketing experts to contribute original, thought-provoking word of mouth content for WOM guest columns. This opportunity is one of the best ways to reach more than 10,000 word of mouth marketing subscribers, talk about the issues that matter to you and your company, and show off your word of mouth marketing savvy.
To find out more or to submit a proposal for an upcoming guest column contact WOMMA's Editorial & Content Manager Shannon Stairhime at editor@womma.org.
WOMMA Members: Did you miss WOMMA's Word of Mouth Basic Training conference this April 17-18 in New Orleans? Or were you there, and you want another look at one of your favorite presentations? Don't fret; we've got you covered.
Speaker presentations are available exclusively for WOMMA members now. Log on to WOMMA's Member Center to read the course highlights -- brought to you direct from New Orleans. Visit our homepage at www.womma.org and click on the Member Center link to log on now.
Want more? Order the WOMBAT conference audio and hear for yourself what all of our amazing speakers had to say.
Order WOMBAT audio.
Even more companies have joined WOMMA. Welcome to:
* Rust-Oleum Group
* Mekanism
* Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
* Quicken Loans
* Visible Technologies
We thank everyone for their support!
News by, about, and for WOMMA members:
* An April 12 article in TIME Magazine titled "Word on the Street" sourced WOMMA member companies BzzAgent and the Keller Fay Group and WOMMA Advisory Board members Walter Carl and Andrea Wojnicki.
* WOMMA member companies Yahoo! and Bazaarvoice are presenting a webinar titled "Word of Mouth Marketing: Understanding Brand Advocates and the Value of User Reviews" on Monday, May 9. For more information or to register, click here.
* WOMMA Board member Jim Nail of TNS Media Intelligence/Cymfony recently participated in a podcast, which is hosted on the "Buzz Marketing for Technology" blog here.
* WOMMA Board member Julie Wittes Schlack of Communispace was recently promoted to Senior Vice President, Innovation and Design.
* IT'S A GIRL: WOMMA's founding CEO Andy Sernovitz and wife Julie Grisham welcomed new baby Ivy Liberty Grisham Sernovitz on Monday, April 23. Congratulations Andy and Julie!
Are you speaking at an event or receiving an award? Were you quoted in the press? Are you making a change at work or at home, or otherwise just doing something really cool? Tell us about it and we'll spread the word! Email editor@womma.org.
Maybe you missed the entire Word of Mouth Basic Training conference. Or maybe you just missed a few of the sessions we hosted in New Orleans. Maybe you didn't miss a thing, and you just want to revisit some of the great information. Never mind what you did (or didn't) miss; we captured everything on audio CD!
Presentations from 50+ expert speakers, 20 case studies, 16 practical how-to's, remarks from amazing keynote speakers -- everything! Live and re-live the WOMBAT experience wherever you want: Order the conference audio, download it onto your iPod, then listen and learn -- at the office, at home, in the car, or even on your treadmill (just remember to watch your speed!).
Order audio from WOMBAT, as well as from WOMMA's past events.
WOMBAT attendees, if you haven't done so already, please take a few minutes to fill out our online WOMBAT meeting evaluations. This is your chance to weigh in and influence future WOMMA event content. Tell us what you loved, what you hated, what we did right, and what we can do to make the next WOMMA event even better.
A link to the WOMBAT evaluation survey was delivered to the inbox of all WOMBAT attendees. Please contact events@womma.org if you need us to resend it.
>> Coming to a City Near You ...
We're working on a series of short, sweet, half-day word of mouth learning and networking sessions. We invite WOMMA member partner companies interested in hosting a small scale (50-100 people) event to give a shout out to WOMMA's VP of Events Teresa Buescher at teresa@womma.org. More information will be coming soon.
>> Save the Date for WOMMA's Fall/Winter Summit
Keep your calendar clear the week of Nov. 12 for WOMMA's Word of Mouth Marketing Summit and Research Symposium. We're closing in on a venue for Nov. 13-15 to welcome word of mouth enthusiasts to the big "think."
Check in often to find out the latest WOMMA event details.
WOMMA members, get a heads up about new WOMMA Member Center postings as they go live by subscribing to the Member Center RSS feeds. You'll get instant updates on the latest stuff WOMMA has to offer -- without the bother of having to go out of your way or log in.
We know you're busy, but you can still be the first to know about:
* Amazing event discounts
* Exclusive WOMMA research specials
* New additions to our Member Library
* Member conversations that are happening NOW
Set up your WOMMA Member Center RSS feed today.
After two whirlwind days of intense learning, fruitful networking, and inspirational industry-building, the dust is finally settling on the third annual Word of Mouth Basic Training conference. This event was a resounding success -- we hosted 50+ speakers and nearly 300 attendees! -- and we have so many people to thank for it, including:
* Our sponsors, without whom WOMBAT would not have been possible.
* Our media and association partners, for helping us spread the word about the event.
* Our official conference bloggers, for enabling us to share this occasion with others.
* Our speakers, for their amazing presentations.
* Our Board of Directors, for its dedicated leadership.
* Our members, for their continuous support.
* Everyone who built buzz around this one-of-a-kind event!
To all of you and more who helped make this year's Word of Mouth Basic Training conference amazing: Thank you, from WOMMA.
Keep tabs on upcoming WOMMA events.
Even more companies have joined WOMMA. Welcome to:
* Del Monte
* McKinsey & Company
* PowerReviews
* Marketing Science Institute
* Feed Company
We thank everyone for their support!
News by, about, and for WOMMA members:
* Sam Decker, VP of Marketing and Products at WOMMA member company Bazaarvoice, spoke on April 12 at the Forrester Marketing Forum 2007 in Miami, Fla., on a panel titled "How Leading Companies Are Moving to Customer Centricity."
* WOMMA member company Nielsen BuzzMetrics recently launched the Brand Association Map, which uses advanced text-mining algorithms to visually map how consumers naturally think and talk about brands across unaided online conversations.
* Rohit Bhargava, VP of Interactive Marketing at WOMMA member company Ogilvy PR, is leading a panel at the April 24 ad:tech conference in San Francisco. The panel will discuss the topic of personal and social media as it relates to brand personality.
Are you speaking at an event or receiving an award? Were you quoted in the press? Are you making a change at work or at home, or otherwise just doing something really cool? Tell us about it and we'll spread the word! Email editor@womma.org.
This Tuesday and Wednesday, WOMMA is packing up and heading to the Big Easy for two days of intense word of mouth learning at our third annual Word of Mouth Basic Training conference. We want you to be there, and time is running out for you to register.
>> The Good News: WOMBAT seats are still available, and there's still time (barely!) to register for the conference. If your calendar has suddenly cleared up, fill the white space with the 50+ expert speakers, 20 real case studies, and 16 practical how-to lessons you'll find at WOMBAT.
>> The Bad News: If you don't register today or on site tomorrow morning, you're going to miss your chance to experience WOMMA's original how-to conference -- including tons of practical tips, hands-on techniques, and networking opportunities.
WOMBAT kicks off first thing Tuesday morning. We hope to see you there!
Register now or on-site.
At this week's WOMBAT conference three full time bloggers will be writing around the clock, giving you an insider's look at the conference -- as it happens. Nothing beats the networking and hands-on learning that comes from actually attending a WOMMA event, but the WOMBAT blog is a great place to peruse the content and (almost) experience WOMBAT.
If you can't make it to WOMMA's Word of Mouth Basic Training conference and want to know what you're missing, check out the WOMBAT-dedicated blog. The WOMBAT blog is the closest thing you can get to the real WOMBAT experience without venturing to the Big Easy. Subscribe to the WOMBAT blog feed, and keep your thumb on the pulse of what's happening in New Orleans this Tuesday and Wednesday in real time.
Read the WOMBAT blog.
WOMMA was founded in 2004 with just three corporate members. Today, we have more than 370 outstanding member companies. Our success is a direct result of word of mouth, spread by folks like you to friends, clients, and peers. We're growing, and we're not slowing down anytime soon. In fact, we've got our sights set on the 500-member mark, and we need your help to get there.
As a WOMMA member, you're part of an exclusive community of the industry's smartest, most dynamic movers and shakers. Do you know someone like-minded who belongs in our ranks? If so, send them our way. Tell them why you're a member and why they should be one, too.
Just give us a name; we'll do the rest.
Get the tools you need to refer a future WOMMA member.
>> Join the Measuring Word of Mouth Editorial Board, a working group of WOMMA's Research Council, and help write the book on word of mouth marketing research.
WOMMA's Measuring Word of Mouth is the seminal research collection in word of mouth marketing. Vol. 1 is in its second printing, Vol. 2 is flying off our shelves, and now it's time to weigh in and be part of Vol. 3.
The MWOMv3 Editorial Board will be responsible for:
* Approving proposed topics
* Vetting papers and providing constructive feedback to authors
* Providing input regarding content objectives
* Rating submissions based on predetermined criteria
Positions on the Editorial Board are open to WOMMA members, as well as members of our Advisory Board. The Editorial Board will hold its first meeting via conference call on Friday, April 20, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. EST. To participate, please contact WOMMA's Research Editor Shannon Stairhime at shannon@womma.org.
Even more companies have joined WOMMA. Welcome to:
* Zuberance
* Espalhe
* DePaul University
* Progressive Productions
* Ignition
We thank everyone for their support!
News by, about, and for WOMMA members:
* Congratulations to WOMMA member company Zocalo Group. Headed by WOMMA Board member Paul Rand, it officially opened shop last week.
* WOMMA member company Converseon led a social media marketing workshop on April 9 as part of the eighth annual Search Engine Strategies Conference & Expo in New York.
* WOMMA member Rhoda Weiss, CEO and chair of the Public Relations Society of America, spoke to a crowd of Detroit-based PR professionals on April 12. Her speech was titled, "21st Century PRevolution: Best Practices and Trends from Across the Nation and Around the World."
* Baseball fans: WOMMA member company Sports Media Challenge has launched the top 10 baseball blogs in its Sports Blog Index. Check them out here.
* WOMMA members Geno Church of Brains on Fire and John Moore of Brand Autopsy spoke on word of mouth marketing last month in South Africa as part of Espresso Sessions, Standard Bank's series of networking power breakfasts for entrepreneurs.
Are you speaking at an event or receiving an award? Were you quoted in the press? Are you making a change at work or at home, or otherwise just doing something really cool? Tell us about it and we'll spread the word! Email editor@womma.org.
WOMMA's Word of Mouth Basic Training event is just one week away. Have you started packing yet? Not so fast! You'll need to register first.
>> NEW: ONE-DAY PASSES
Can't manage two days away from the office? Don't worry. WOMMA is offering one-day passes to WOMBAT. So fly in, drive in, or walk in, do some major word of mouth learning, then hurry on home! Come Tuesday, April 17, for a day of word of mouth how-to's, or Wednesday, April 18, for a day of real word of mouth case studies. Add admission to our amazing New Orleans feast on Tuesday evening for just $100.
>> DON'T MISS A MINUTE
When you register for the entire WOMBAT experience -- our two-day, all-access pass -- you'll experience double the networking, double the learning, and double the fun. Highlights will include:
* Keynotes from Chip Heath, co-author of "Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die," and Dr. David Weinberger, co-author of "The Cluetrain Manifesto: The End of Business as Usual"
* Presentations from the industry's biggest brands, including Coca-Cola, Cold Stone Creamery, General Mills, Intuit, Jaguar, Jet Blue, LEGO, MINI, Nintendo, O Magazine, PETCO, Tabasco, Yahoo!, and more
* Free crawfish eating-eating lessons and all the networking you can handle at our Tuesday night dinner.
Don't miss this incredible event. Everyone you need to know in the word of mouth marketing industry will be there. Will you?
Register now
WOMMA was founded in 2004 with just three members. Today, we have more than 370. Our success is a direct result of word of mouth, spread by folks like you to friends, clients, and peers. We're growing, and we're not slowing down anytime soon. In fact, we've got our sights set on the 500-member mark, and we need your help to get there.
As a WOMMA member, you're part of an exclusive community of the industry's smartest, most dynamic movers and shakers. Do you know someone like-minded who belongs in our ranks? If so, send them our way. Tell them why you're a member and why they should be one, too.
Just give us a name; we'll do the rest.
Get the tools you need to refer a future WOMMA member
WOMMA members: Don't miss your chance to be included in WOMMA's just-launched Buyers Guide, a searchable database of WOMMA member companies that will make it easy for potential clients to find you.
The WOMMA Buyers Guide makes its official debut today. If you're not in it, you're missing an extraordinary opportunity. That's because when people -- including potential clients, partners, and reporters -- want to find companies who are doing word of mouth, the WOMMA Buyers Guide is the first place they'll turn.
Every WOMMA member company gets a free basic listing in the Buyers Guide. Your listing is easy to publish and will put you front-and-center for a targeted audience of word-of-mouth buyers. Don't miss this unique opportunity to find new business!
Fill out your free Buyers Guide listing today
Join us Wednesdays at noon EST for WOM Wednesdays, WOMMA's ongoing teleconference series. Just register, dial in, and listen up to get the ideas that will truly expand your marketing horizons. After the teleconference, visit our website for an audio recording of the call, which can be downloaded for free from the WOMMA Member Center.
> This Wednesday, April 11, at 12 p.m. EST -->
Evaluating Social Media Initiatives with Web 2.0 Technology
Navigating and understanding the maze of Web 2.0 technology can be a daunting task. It doesn't have to be, though. Learn to use Web 2.0 tools and social media to acquire new prospects, reach out to existing customers, and reward your most loyal fans. Featuring Joe Lichtenberg, VP, Marketing & Business Development, Eluma. (Please note: This call was previously scheduled for March 28. All previous registrations will be honored.)
Cost is $20 for WOMMA members, $60 for non-members.
Sign up
Summer's coming -- we hope! -- and for scores of young people, so is the summer-job search. College isn't all Ramen noodles and futons, after all. Sometimes it's about really cool learning opportunities, too. And WOMMA definitely has one of the coolest opportunities around: a cutting-edge internship that will help one lucky candidate develop forward-thinking business skills and make valuable contacts while learning about the amazing impact of word of mouth marketing.
Do you know enterprising students looking for something to do this summer? Send 'em our way. We need someone to help us with:
* Marketing
* Events
* Research
* And more!
Learn more
WOMMA has partnered with member company Mimeo.com to offer our members an exclusive discount on document printing services -- available now in the WOMMA Member Center.
You can use Mimeo.com to:
* Proof, print, bind, store, and ship any type of business document from the convenience of your desktop
* Submit your document by 10 p.m. EST and have it on your desk the next morning by 8:30 a.m.
* Print your documents in any quantity and distribute them to as many as 100 locations, overnight, guaranteed
WOMMA members can visit Mimeo.com now to take advantage of an exclusive offer: Print your first order and get 50% off, then get 5% off of every order after that. Plus, if you schedule a 10-minute demo by calling 1-866-399-4312 they'll print a test document for free.
To get your WOMMA members-only discount code, log into the WOMMA Member Center now.
Visit the Member Center
WOMMA governing members have committed financial support at the highest level to further the mission and vision of our association. In this issue of Action Items, we're tipping our hat to WOMMA governing member PR Newswire:
Now in its 52nd year, PR Newswire provides electronic distribution, targeting, measurement, and broadcast services on behalf of tens of thousands of corporate, government, association, labor, nonprofit, and other customers worldwide. Using PR Newswire, these organizations reach a variety of critical audiences, including the news media, the investment community, government decision-makers, and the general public with their up-to-the-minute, full-text news developments.
Learn more about PR Newswire
For more information on becoming a governing member, please contact Tarah Remington at tarah@womma.org.
WOMMA is pleased to announce that Amar Cheema has joined the WOMMA Advisory Board, our panel of academics and authors who have made significant contributions to the word of mouth industry and who honor WOMMA with their expertise, insight, and support.
Dr. Cheema, an assistant professor of marketing at Washington University in St. Louis, is a welcome addition to our family of word of mouth experts and advocates; we look forward to working with him as we continue building a strong and prosperous word of mouth marketing industry.
Meet the Advisory Board
Even more companies have joined WOMMA. Welcome to:
* Alabama Department of Public Health
* Involve Technology
* J. Walter Thompson
* USAA
* Cold Stone Creamery
We thank everyone for their support!
News by, about, and for WOMMA members:
* Congratulations to WOMMA member Kim M. Bayne of Intuit, who has joined the Quicken Health Group, where she will lead community building initiatives.
* Congratulations to WOMMA member company BzzAgent, which was featured in a recent BBC Magazine article and has partnered with GroupM UK to provide word of mouth marketing services in the United Kingdom.
* Kudos to WOMMA member company Money Management International, which was recently named a finalist in the "Best Word of Mouth Marketing Campaign" category at the 2007 Ad-Tech Awards; it was honored for creating a web site, Regiftable.com.
* Congratulations to WOMMA member company RepNation, which has tripled its office space and relocated to a new office in New York's hip Chelsea Market District.
* Outgoing WOMMA Board member Jackie Huba spoke on the topic of citizen marketers last week at Northern Illinois University as part of its annual Walker/Page lecture series.
* WOMMA member Rob Key, CEO of Converseon, presented recently at the March New Communications Forum in Las Vegas, where he is also a fellow.
* Good luck to outgoing WOMMA Board member Laurent Flores of crmmetrix, who is running for the Web Analytics Association's Board of Directors.
Are you speaking at an event or receiving an award? Were you quoted in the press? Are you making a change at work or at home, or otherwise just doing something really cool? Tell us about it and we'll spread the word! Email editor@womma.org.
The Word of Mouth Marketing Association read with great interest the BBC's March 26 article, "The (sponsored) word on the street." As the article points out, the word of mouth marketing industry is growing every day as more and more companies realize the immense power of genuine consumer voices.
In fact, word of mouth is quickly becoming a staple in the mainstream marketing mix. That's because word of mouth marketing is about finding ways to empower consumers by inspiring and enabling open, honest conversations with them. There are countless tools that marketers can use to spark those conversations. Recruiting agents and ambassadors is just one of them. Other tried-and-true word of mouth techniques include blogs, customer evangelists, loyalty programs, online communities, social networks, tell-a-friend forms, and user-generated content, among many others.
For a bird's-eye view of the diverse word of mouth marketing landscape, we encourage interested readers to check out WOMMA's case studies library at www.womma.org/casestudy.
Chicago, April 2, 2007 -- The Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) is pleased to announce the newly-elected members of its Board of Directors, who will begin their terms on April 15, 2007.
WOMMA's Board includes major brands, marketers, agencies, researchers, word of mouth specialty firms, and top experts. It represents the wide diversity of companies that have embraced the consumer-driven power of word of mouth marketing.
WOMMA is an amazing success story, thanks to the hard work of its members. Founded in 2004 as a vehicle for change within the worlds of advertising, PR, and marketing, WOMMA was started with just three members. Today it has nearly 400.
WOMMA's growth parallels the maturation of the entire word of mouth marketing industry. According to Inc. Magazine, 82 percent of Inc. 500 CEOs now use word of mouth marketing. WOMMA's Board of Directors is committed to one day raising that number to 100 percent.
"We are grateful for the dedication of these industry leaders and for the support of the hundreds of companies that have joined WOMMA," said WOMMA Executive Director Susan Tibbitts. "Their leadership and commitment will ensure that WOMMA continues to be the voice of ethical responsibility for the growing word of mouth marketing industry."
WOMMA's new Directors are:
* John Bell, Managing Director/Executive Creative Director, 360 Digital Influence, Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide
* Idil Cakim, Vice President, Interactive Media, GolinHarris (Incumbent)
* Sam Decker, Vice President, Marketing and Products, Bazaarvoice
* Virginia Miracle, Director, Word of Mouth Marketing, Brains on Fire (Incumbent)
* Paul Rand, Partner, Global Chief Development and Innovation Officer, Ketchum Communications (Incumbent)
* Julie Wittes Schlack, Vice President, Innovation and Design, Communispace Corporation
* Laura Shuler, Chief Strategy Officer, President (U.S.), Jack Morton Worldwide
* Scott K. Wilder, General Manager, Online Communities, Intuit (Incumbent)
They will join the following Directors, who are currently serving on the Board:
* Dave Balter, CEO, BzzAgent
* Pete Blackshaw, CMO, Nielsen BuzzMetrics
* Ed Keller, CEO, The Keller Fay Group
* Rick Murray, President, me2revolution, Edelman
* Jim Nail, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer, TNS Media Intelligence/Cymfony
* Gary Spangler, E-Business Leader, Electronics and Communications Platform, DuPont
* Jamie Tedford, SVP, Marketing and Media Innovation, Arnold Worldwide
About WOMMA
WOMMA is the official trade association for the word of mouth marketing industry. Our more than 350 corporate members are committed to building a prosperous word of mouth marketing profession based on best practices, measurable ROI, and ethical leadership. Learn more about us at www.womma.org.
Some things have to be seen to be believed. Members' enthusiasm for WOMMA and attendees' passion for WOMMA events are two of those things.
Visit the WOMMA Video Library -- made possible by coBRANDiT -- to see for yourself why our folks love word of mouth marketing. If you're on the fence about joining WOMMA or renewing your current membership, you'll be instantly reminded why you have to be part of this amazing group of marketing professionals. And if you're still not sure whether to join us in New Orleans for WOMBAT April 17-18, you'll get a taste of what you'll be missing if you skip this must-attend event.
So turn the volume up on your PC and click through to WOMMA's Video Library. Be forewarned, though: The excitement is contagious!
Learn more
Join us Wednesdays at noon EST for WOM Wednesdays, WOMMA's ongoing teleconference series. Just register, dial in, and listen up to get the ideas that will truly expand your marketing horizons. After the teleconference, visit our website for an audio recording of the call, which can be downloaded for free from the WOMMA Member Center.
> Next Wednesday, April 4, at noon EST -->
Using House Parties to Spread Word of Mouth for Your Brand
Join the party -- and Party2Win! Imagine what dozens, hundreds, and even thousands of simultaneous house parties can do for you and your clients. From strengthening relationships and promoting new products to fundraising, publicity, and more, house parties are the perfect tool for word of mouth marketers. Learn how the Humane Society, in particular, has been using house parties to raise funds, recruit volunteers, amend laws, and increase awareness for their cause. Featuring Party2Win's David Salie and Lynn O'Connell and the Humane Society's Melinda Fox.
> Rescheduled (stay tuned for date and time) -->
Evaluating Social Media Initiatives with Web 2.0 Technology
So, you want to get in on the social media gold rush, right? Well, you'll need some basic Web 2.0 tools and techniques to get you there. But which ones? If you're like most people, you're not really sure. Navigating and understanding the maze of Web 2.0 technology, after all, can be a daunting task. It doesn't have to be, though. Learn to use Web 2.0 tools and social media to acquire new prospects, reach out to existing customers, and reward your most loyal fans. Featuring Joe Lichtenberg, VP, Marketing & Business Development, Eluma. (Please note: This call was previously scheduled for March 28 and will be rescheduled due to technical difficulties; previous registrations will be honored.)
Cost is $20 for WOMMA members, $60 for non-members.
Sign up
Word of mouth marketing isn't only for big consumer brands. It's a useful strategy for any business that wants to take care of its customers -- including those in the healthcare and pharmaceuticals industry.
WOMMA is looking for enthusiastic marketers who are interested in revolutionizing the healthcare and pharmaceuticals industry with word of mouth marketing. Join our new Healthcare and Pharma Task Force to:
* Create a whitepaper outlining best practices for word of mouth marketers in the healthcare/pharma space.
* Draft guidelines to help healthcare/pharma marketers maintain ethical standards that protect the patient and consumer.
* Identify word of mouth marketing techniques and case studies that are useful within the healthcare/pharma industry.
* Define the scope and size of word of mouth in the healthcare/pharma industry.
* Discuss issues and resources important to healthcare/pharma marketers.
The Healthcare and Pharma task force will hold its first meeting via conference call on Wednesday, April 4, at 2 p.m. CST. To participate, please contact Tarah Remington at tarah@womma.org.
Your WOMMA membership is much more than a line of text on your resume. WOMMA members get exclusive access to new clients, hot word of mouth jobs, and unique word of mouth speaking opportunities. Do more with your membership; take advantage of these member benefits:
BUYERS GUIDE
All members receive a free basic listing in the WOMMA Buyers Guide -- official launch next week. Complete your listing today to put your name, logo, and a description of your company in front of the word of mouth buyers who'll become your next big clients. Visit http://buyers.womma.org.
JOB BOARD
The only job site specifically for word of mouth marketing positions. WOMMA members get a free post each month. Visit www.womma.org/jobs.
SPEAKERS BUREAU
For speakers and event planners, find a speaking gig or an expert speaker, panelist, or keynote. WOMMA members get first crack at the best gigs. Visit www.womma.org/speakers.
WOMMA member companies ComBlu and DemandROMI have adopted the WOMMA Ethics Code. In so doing, they join a growing list of pioneers -- including Dell and DuPont -- who have made a formal, company-wide commitment to word of mouth ethics.
ComBlu and DemandROMI implemented their word of mouth ethics policies using WOMMA's Ethics Adoption Toolkit, a collaborative ethics document library that includes all the pieces that companies might need to make WOM ethics an official policy within their organization -- including sample letters, contracts, press releases, and more.
We commend ComBlu and DemandROMI for their commitment to word of mouth ethics and we thank them for their leadership on this important issue.
Read a press release from DemandROMI
Find out how your company can adopt the WOMMA Ethics Code
At WOMMA, we like to save our members money. We're always on the prowl for good deals and deep discounts; it's just one of the many benefits of being a WOMMA member. In fact, last year alone we saved our members more than $6,000 on event registrations, including $2,050 on five WOMMA meetings and more than $4,000 on 35 other industry events.
The savings continue to add up in 2007. Just announced:
--> UNI's "Strategic Word-of-Mouth Marketing" Seminar: 4/26-27, Singapore, save 20%
Claim your event discount by using our members-only discount code, available now in the WOMMA Member Center.
Log into the Member Center today
Learn more about this event
WOMMA is pleased to announce that Barak Libai has joined the WOMMA Advisory Board, our panel of academics and authors who have made significant contributions to the word of mouth industry and who honor WOMMA with their expertise, insight, and support.
Dr. Libai, a senior lecturer at Tel Aviv University and a visiting Associate Professor of Marketing at the MIT Sloan School of Management, is a welcome addition to our family of word of mouth experts and advocates; we look forward to working with him as we continue building a strong and prosperous word of mouth marketing industry.
Meet the Advisory Board
Even more companies have joined WOMMA. Welcome to:
* The Cheesecake Factory
* DraftFCB
* DemandROMI
* iCrossing
* The Phelon Group
We thank everyone for their support!
News by, about, and for WOMMA members:
* WOMMA member company Discover Boating has produced a short film designed to promote the boating industry. The viral video, titled "Good Run," offers a nostalgic look at the boating lifestyle. Check it out on YouTube at or at DiscoverBoating.com.
* WOMMA member Sam Decker of Bazaarvoice spoke this month on a panel at Forrester's "Emerging Marketing Channels" Bootcamp in Cambridge, Mass.
* WOMMA member company DuPont is using online videos featuring video blogger Amanda Congdon to promote its products and services. See them at www2.dupont.com/Stories/en_US/index.html.
* WOMMA member Jim Calhoun of PopularMedia was quoted recently in AdWeek on the subject of viral video.
* WOMMA member and Board President Ed Keller of the Keller Fay Group wrote a letter to the editor this month in response to a Brandweek article on word of mouth influencers. Read it at Brandweek.com.
* Congratulations to WOMMA member company Echopinion!, which was featured this month in the March 2007 issue of 1to1 magazine.
Are you speaking at an event or receiving an award? Were you quoted in the press? Are you making a change at work or at home, or otherwise just doing something really cool? Tell us about it and we'll spread the word! Email editor@womma.org.
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