How can DMOs and CVBs provide more value for members than just creating multi-page lists of businesses and directing site visitors to member pages within the DMO's site? By focusing on being content publishers and relationship makers, not resource aggregators.
"Only twenty-five percent of American respondents in a recent Ernst & Young study said that brand loyalty affected how they shopped. For established brands, this is a nightmare. You can never coast on past performance ... and the price premium that a recognized brand can charge has shrunk." – James Surowiecki, from "Twilight of the Brands" in the New Yorker
As an interactive agency and small business owner, there are many events and observations that happen in my life outside work that remind me of my life at the office. Such an event happened on May 31st when I ran the Timberline half marathon.
Back in November, 2013, I gave a presentation at the University of Oregon titled, VERSUS: Exploring Opposites and Choosing Sides in the Interactive Industry. Part 2 explores what "Interaction is Brand" means and the effect it has on our work. (This is the second in a series of five posts, taking the presentation and parsing it out in blog format.)
"We are focused on building tools to create Snow Falls everyday, and getting them as close to reporters as possible. I’d rather have a Snow Fall builder than a Snow Fall." – Quartz editor Kevin Delaney
Back in November, 2013, I gave a presentation at the University of Oregon titled, VERSUS: Exploring Opposites and Choosing Sides in the Interactive Industry. "Why Substance?" is the root of the presentation, asking the question on a number of levels... why Substance exists as a company, why Substance is the best interactive agency for our clients and prospective clients, why Substance is a great place to work... (This is the first in a series of five posts, taking the presentation and parsing it out in blog format.)
This was my first time at Outdoor Retailer, one of the world's largest and most comprehensive trade shows for outdoor and adventure brands. What I experienced there was overwhelming, inspiring, a bit puzzling, and the desire to purchase a ton of new gear. And I returned to Substance with some thoughts about the experience: the role of brand online for adventure brands, and the brand opportunities for retailer and consumer education.
Our job as an interactive agency isn’t to only tell inspiring stories, just as it isn’t to simply provide information. Our job is to blend inspiration and information to enable people to create their own inspiring stories. It’s not enough to tell the stories that matter. We aspire to more than that. Our job is to tell the stories that matter and drive people to action.
“Make every product better than it’s ever been done before. Make the parts you cannot see as well as the parts you can see. Use only the best materials, even for the most everyday items. Give the same attention to the smallest detail as you do to the largest. Design every item you make to last forever.”