The much anticipated collaborative Social Media Marketing book ‘Age of Conversation – Why don’t they get it?’ is on sale now!

The Age of Conversation – Why don’t they get it? is more than a simple book about social media, it celebrates the collaborative spirit that brings together 237 authors from 15 countries!

I ask you directly, purchase a copy from online publisher LULU, keeping in mind all proceeds will go to the charity – Variety.

Also we need you help to create as much buzz as possible.

Here’s How to Help:

1. Blog about the book and your topic
2. Download the final author list here
3. The official AOC2 cover art is here.
4. Follow @AOC2 on Twitter
5. Use the hashtag #AOC2 whenever you tweet about the subject.
6. Listen to, tweet, talk about, and participate in the AOC2 Podcast series. You can subscribe to the podcast feed here:
7. http://feeds.feedburner.com/typepad/servantofchaos/ageofconversationpodca
8. Author profiles: We’ll be publishing author profiles over the coming month.
9. http://feeds.feedburner.com/typepad/servantofchaos/ageofconversationauthors
10. Share your excitement, interviews, clippings etc at the Age of Conversation Facebook group:
    12. http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/group.php?gid=2406659752

Here are the 237 authors:

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The Australian Marketing Institute rolled out the red carpet at last weeks Gala Awards Dinner to present the 2008 AMI Awards for Marketing Excellence.

oscar Awards display case
Originally uploaded by mydisplaycase

I didn’t attended, however my spies did report that unlike footy’s night of nights or the Oscar’s there weren’t to many plunging necklines, visible panty lines or invisible backs to spoil anyones dinner.

The winners of this years awards are:

Brand Extension Award – rare/wear
AMI’s comments: ‘rare/wear — believe in destiny’ developed a streetwear range of limited edition clothing, custom-made jumpers, jackets and hoodies for male and female students in high school years 11 and 12, and for the 18-25 year target market.

More than two million viewers watched the viral, it was featured on Channel 7, and was the most successful viral ad produced and released in Australia.

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Not only is it likely Sen. Barack Obama will become the next President of the United States, but the former unknown presidential nominee has been named Advertising Age’s marketer of the year for 2008.

vote for obama
Originally uploaded by alichimp

Not for spending millions of dollars on traditional TV advertising, but for his highly effective use of social media channels and technologies to engage people.

Sen. Barack Obama election campaign got the nod of hundreds of marketers, agency heads and marketing-services vendors gathered at the Association of National Advertisers’ annual conference, beating the US’s biggest brand builders.

According to Businessweeks, Jon Fine: "It’s the fuckin’ Web 2.0 thing."

Surprisingly, another darling of the social media set, online shoe seller Zappos’ finished third behind Apple. If you want to read a case study on Zappos’ go to Media Hunter’s blog.

It was a good night for social media…

P.S. Vote for Obama!!!

I’ve just received an invitation to the Australian Marketing Institute’s annual general meeting and its ‘2008 Annual Report’.

all for money
Originally uploaded by Thiru Murugan

This years AGM is focused on Value Creation Through Marketing and learning to speak the language of business, by using marketing metrics.

In the spirit of this marketing festival, I have decided to read the ‘2008 Annual Report’ and its financial statement, so I can discover what particular marketing metrics are being used by my beloved Australian Marketing Institute.

Let’s be honest, financial statements are not sexy and are design to confuse directors and stakeholders alike.

But, in my experience you do find some good stuff…just like I discovered on page 17 under the heading Members Guarantee and Revenue.

I know counting can be difficult sometimes, but I do have a few questions relating to the Australian Marketing Institute membership size. According to 2008 Annual Report: 30 June 2008 the number of members was 6,475 (2007: 5,536).

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Newcastle The Glasshouse 009
Originally uploaded by Sticky Advertising

The future of Sticky Advertising is bright…that’s why I would like to share with you a few pictures of our new Sticky home.

Bye, bye 50’s retro look and hello glass, a view and minimalism.

At the moment, I’m only going to show you the pictures I’ve take of the outside. But, as soon as the painting has been completed and our new office furniture’s arrives, I’ll be showing off the interior.

Please enjoy:-)

After many years of attending business networking events, I have decided to switch them off and conduct my networking purely online.

H.M.B. Endeavour Newcastle Harbour 2007
Originally uploaded by markadderleydigital

Don’t get me wrong, I will still attend traditional business expos, seminars and workshops, but only if they offer me a benefit.

But, gone are the days of being attacked by hoards of financial planners trying to remortgage my house or business coaches telling me how to market a business.

Networking events where business owners and decision-makers force their salespeople and/or underlings to attend, because they can’t be bothered or scared to start a conversation with a stranger, unless they’re full of money or a peer.

Networking events where I have to listen to key note speakers dispensing outdate business theories or even worse just blatant sales presentations.

Networking events where sad groups of people decide to rebuild the glass ceiling for the betterment and the exclusion of other members, because they know better.

Networking events where new ideas, change and open debate are met with resistance, fear and the answer…NO.

Networking events where corporate sponsorship restricts collaboration and freedom of association.

Networking events where I hand over money for bad peculated coffee with horrible frothy milk, sad fruit muffins and something totally indescribable on a stick.

Now in stark contrast, twitter has given me the opportunity to network with like minded people in various industries, ages and locations.

Distance doesn’t matter anymore, all that matters is if you are prepared to listen and/or join a conversation. No more gatekeepers.

Now I have the opportunity to listen to big guns like Guy Kawasaki and Robert Scoble’s from the states, while holding multiple conversations with leading and not so leading marketers from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Even here in Newcastle, we have held our first face-to-face twitter gathering between a seriously good digital designer and photographer, a young successful business owner, a journalist/online magazine owner and me.

Twittering is not for everyone, but it beats the hell out of meeting an endless number of financial planners, accountant, business coaches, real estate agents and recruiters.

And it’s not the only platform you can use.

Have a try, it’ll put fire in your belly…