Friendly Fridays - Meet Pam Peters

We made it to another Friday. In this edition of Friendly Fridays, we feature Pam Peters, President and CCO of MarketSpace Communications in Zelionople, PA.

As the creator and leader of MarketSpace Communications, Pam is involved in every project as a planner, strategic thinker, creative director, and energizer. She brings in-depth expertise to the table and knows how to apply it to each customer's business goals.

Before opening MarketSpace Communications in 2005, Pam's nearly 20 years of experience included both agency and in-house corporate marketing. From the management of integrated marketing programs to creating a one-of-kind design for a singularly sensational piece. From brand strategy to budget management, retail to b-to-b, print design to experience design. Radio. TV. Web. Interactive. She's done it all.

From that broad experience and her own unique view of the world, she created MarketSpace and brought to life that elusive creative environment in which staff and clients work seamlessly, blurring the lines between work space and play space, developing award-winning—and effective—marketing communications.

Pam is a member of the American Institute of Graphic Design, the Pittsburgh Technology Council, the Pittsburgh Advertising Federation, and the Society for Environmental Graphic Design (SEGD). She is a graphic design mentor for AIGA Pittsburgh and a continuing education instructor for the Community College of Butler County. Pam is also a brand new member to AMA Pittsburgh. Her career began with a Visual Communications Degree from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.

Each Friday, the AMA Blog features an AMA Member in its space. Join us for Friendly Fridays by sending us a profile on you and introduce yourself to your AMA colleagues.

Join the discussion on the AMA Pittsburgh blog by submitting your comments. Feel free to submit topics and add your insights to marketing topics. Subscribe to the AMA Pittsburgh blog via the RSS feed.

Search Engine Optimization Shows Good ROI

Marketing Sherpa reports that search marketing continues to show good ROI. The Sherpa surveyed marketers as to their opinions on both organic search engine optimization as well as paid search. Both activities were viewed as delivering positive returns.




According to the Sherpa chart, 1/5 of respondents called SEO their “strongest tactic” for ROI. Paid search saw a drop off from “strongest tactic”, but saw an increase in “good ROI”. Marketers seem to be analyzing their tactics in greater detail and continuously tweaking to maximize results.

The increase in blogging and social media activities could also have some responsibility for appreciation in natural search rankings.

Join the discussion on the AMA Pittsburgh blog by submitting your comments. Feel free to submit topics and add your insights to marketing topics. Subscribe to the AMA Pittsburgh blog via the RSS feed.

Marketing Can Be Fun and Games

When you think of games, I know that visions of Wii or PlayStation probably dance in your head. Most associate video games and probably their kids with the games segment. This is the largest segment of the games market and there are product placement and co-branding opportunities if your budget permits.

However, growing faster are the online games. PQ Media reports that advergaming and webisodes are the fastest growing branded entertainment segments at 51.7% growth over the last 5 year period.

Games can be a fun, engaging, active, educational and viral opportunities to present your brand. They have proven to deliver results as well. Fast Company Magazine reports that “America’s addiction to video and computer games is leading the way to a new advertising medium with astounding clickthrough rates, play times, and peer-to-peer potential.”

Have you used games as part of your marketing mix? Considering opportunities? Care to share with your AMA Pittsburgh colleagues? Let us know.

Join the discussion on the AMA Pittsburgh blog by submitting your comments. Feel free to submit topics and add your insights to marketing topics. Subscribe to the AMA Pittsburgh blog via the RSS feed.

Spring Membership Drive in Full Force

The AMA Pittsburgh Spring Membership Drive is in full swing. If you are not currently a member or know someone that could benefit from membership, we encourage you join now and save $50.00.

New members who join in April and May will get their $30 application fee waived (member and chapter fees still apply) and $20 prepaid MasterCard will be offered as a special incentive. Another offer, $200 conference discount coupon, will also be available on the web as an alternative to the $20 MasterCard. New Members will also be able to attend a members-only web cast featuring a widely recognized expert on interactive marketing trends and best practices.

The benefits of your AMA Pittsburgh membership include:

Professional Development
The Pittsburgh Chapter offers monthly luncheons featuring a professional guest speaker in the marketing field. In addition to the valuable knowledge you can gain from area marketing professionals, these luncheons provide the opportunity meet fellow marketing colleagues in a formal setting.

Networking
Who isn’t looking for the opportunity to network? We recognize that professionals both young and old are always keeping their options open in this ever-changing business world. AMA membership provides you with various ways to network with over 38,000 peer members. Use local or national directories. Connect through the online Shared Interest Groups (SIGs). Participate in national, regional, or local AMA programs. Volunteer to help lead your local chapter activities.

Online Resources
Enrich your professional knowledge by accessing the broad array of on-line AMA marketing resources. These many resources can be easily accessed by chapter members through the quick links provided through the members only section of AMA Pittsburgh's website. Webinars, Shared Interest Group discussions, white papers, articles, best practices, Hot Topics, case studies, marketing publications, and more.

Plus, much more. Join today at www.marketingpower.com/joinch