Midnight Oil Writing

Last spring PR maven and extreme networker Bobbie Carlton created Mass Innovation Nights as a free “product/company” launch party for innovators in Massachusetts. 

It’s nearly 12 months later, and all can say it’s a smashing success.

Why?  Here are my thoughts:

• It provides a “soft launch” venue for companies to test out their messages and materials. 
• It delivers a large audience.  Mass Inno regularly gets several hundred attendees.  These attendees represent a wide range of interests, backgrounds and employers. 
• It helps innovators create buzz.  The “contract” between Mass Inno and its attendees is this:  the event is free, but Mass Inno asks attendees to blog and Tweet about the cool products and companies at the event. 

Entering into year two, here’s my “wish list” for Mass Inno moving forward:

• Innovation is not limited to technology.  Mass Inno is not a technology event; it will showcase any product/service/company that is local and innovative.  Let’s see a wide range of innovators.
• Mid-sized companies need buzz too.  As the former director of marketing communications for a software company, I understand the need to be at events that deliver a certain number of targeted leads.  Mass Inno is not that event.  But it does offer an opportunity for buzz.  Buzz, in this era of social media, is something more mid-sized companies should work towards.
• Bring forth the details!  Each Mass Inno offers ten companies exhibit space; a subset of those companies are able to present their story in a small area.  Let’s move that side area to the main “stage.”  We’d all like to hear the stories of local innovators.

Intrigued?  If you haven’t been to a Mass Inno, it’s time to block off the second Wednesday of the month and join us.  You won’t regret it.

OK, it’s pretty clear Tiger Woods is a womanizer and a serial cheater.  In my opinion, he’s not husband material, and Elin should cut him loose.  As someone once said to me, if they cheat once, they’ll cheat again.

Truth is, lots of guys and gals cheat on their partners.  Few lose their jobs over it.  Few have the public outing Tiger did.  Most just keep on doing what they do. (more…)

Most public relations, marketing and advertising professionals have been there; pitching a great client prospect, only to realize you’ve revealed too much too soon.  And then maybe the next new business pitch results in you holding back too much.

Where’s the balance? (more…)

Sometimes developing blogging topics is difficult; writer’s block sets in, or, frankly, the topic has been opined to death.  Other times topics scream out for a post.  But often those topics create a dilemma for the blogger. (more…)

Some people (and companies) think marketing is like a great four star meal: pricey, and hopefully you get your money’s worth. 

I disagree.  Marketing is like pizza: there’s an option for everyone. (more…)

Traditional media relations is dead.  Traditional media relations is really a vanity project.  It’s all about getting that big media hit to frame and put up on the wall (the client’s wall and/or the agency’s wall).  After all, if [insert publication name] wrote about your product, service or company, you must be delivering value. (more…)

Several months ago I searched for WordPress classes in the greater Boston area.  No luck.  So when I stumbled upon a Tweet from the Globe’s Scott Kirsner saying WordCamp Boston had sold out, I looked into the event. (more…)

B2B companies, from large enterprises to start-ups, are grappling with how to start and maintain a corporate blog.

Blogging is like flossing (and somewhat like New Year’s resolutions).  You start off gung-ho, doing it (blogging or flossing) every day for a week or two.  Then you do it once a week.  Six weeks in you think about doing it, but haven’t in a while. (more…)

Many B2B and tech marketers recommend that companies should never talk about the competition.  In fact, as any tech analyst can tell you, companies frequenty say they don’t have any direct competitors, because, afterall, the features in their product/service are unique.  (more…)

Over the past few months I’ve been to multiple Mass Inno events, as well as many Tweet Ups, The Big Tweet and other events.

Like most attendees, I’ve left these events with a wide range of marketing materials.  From high end glossy brochures to technical data/spec sheets to photocopied fliers on a copier running out of toner. (more…)