Milenio Newspaper Advertising II
Originally uploaded by sloganmaker

In the past few months we’ve witnessed a significant weakness in traditional advertising expenditure, but according to an industry survey conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers on behalf of the Interactive Advertising Bureau Australia, online advertising expenditure has remained strong with high growth rates.

In the survey, Australia’s third-quarter online advertising expenditure grew by 9.4% to $451.25 million and increased $103.5 million or 29.8% from the third-quarter 2007.

The biggest growth area is in Search and Directories growing by $25.0m or 13.4% from the previous quarter, followed by General Display advertising growing by $11m or 9.6%.

Classifieds advertising dragged its feet experiencing minimal growth with an increase of $2.75m or 2.5% from the previous quarter.

Leading industry sectors using General Display advertising were Finance, Computers & Communications and Motor Vehicles comprising 52.2% of total spend.

In Classified Advertising, Recruitment continues to be the leading category followed by Real Estate, then Automotive.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry

Good old Media Hunter has launched a new awards program for us media and marketing bloggers, named ‘The Moggies’.

My dictionary defines a ‘Moggie’ as one of a common or mixed breed. Hummm…that may explain a few things about us bloggers.

Anyway, Media Hunter has asked bloggers and/or people of breeding age to nominate their favourite Australian media and marketing posts of 2008.

I suspect that I will not be nominating for my posts, but I would like to congratulate Media Hunter for a great initiative, recognising quality written and thought provoking blog posts.

According to Media Hunter, “The penny really dropped for me soon after I relaunched Media Hunter with a new look and format a few months ago. Rather than pumping out countless random posts and regurgitating facts and news from around the world, I decided to post less regularly, taking the time to identify poignant topics and research them well before tapping out the post.”

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Australia (Baz Luhrmann, 2008)
Originally uploaded by Greenman 2008

It will cost $40 million dollars, it hangs on the success of Baz Luhrmann’s new outback epic ‘Australia’ and Australia’s $65 billion tourism industry depends on it…Tourism Australia’s new  advertising campaign.

"Come to Australia, Come Walkabout”

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd called Tourism Australia’s last marketing campaign a “rolled gold disaster.” So what is Tourism Australia going to do different this time?

Well, Nick Baker of Tourism Australia said in Professional Marketing, “This is one of those rare opportunities where you get the chance to put everything on the line. And yeah, that’s exciting”

Yes…the talent team at Tourism Australia has handed its creative to a Hollywood film maker to produce an old fashioned television commercial.

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I’ve read Charlene Li’s book Groundswell and now, I can listen to her on BuzzLogic Vino Diaries. Please enjoy:-)

In a small way, Newcastle’s social media scene is a LIVE and KICKING, but this small scene is about to make a big political splash and possibly change the way political marketing is conducted in Newcastle.

The Conversation Prism
Originally uploaded by b_d_solis

A little unknown social media site called ‘Bang the Table’ is on the brink of changing the NSW Minister for the Hunter, Jodi McKay’s mind on a developers explosive request to remove 2,000 metres of railway line that divides Newcastle’s CBD district.

Initially, NSW Minister for the Hunter attacked the developer The GPT Group, saying she would not give in to "threats" over the rail line.

“In regard to the rail line, the community has spoken on that issue and they want the rail line to stay and until the community tells us otherwise our position remains the same, the rail line will stay in place,” she said.

These statements in the Newcastle Herald reignited a furious war of words between pro-rail supporters against prominent local developers and business groups believing this section of railway is holding back a $650M redevelopment of Newcastle’s CBD.

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The King is dead. Long live the King! is a traditional proclamation made following the accession of a new monarch in various countries. With this proclamation, I hope Paul Nicolaou has a successful tenure as the AMI’s new NSW Council President.

Worst President Ever
Originally uploaded by Kier42

However, the AMI NSW Council is full of the same old faces and same old marketing ideas.

They have even elevated the OLD NSW Council President for the past three years to the position of NSW Director to the National Board.

What did he achieve over the last three years other than trying to threatening me over the phone?

Here is the new presidents plan as cut and pasted from the AMI’s Website:

“It is my intention during my term to develop strategic alliances with other similar specialist membership organisations to assist marketing professionals do their work.

Further, I will be working with fellow councillors, the National Board and the AMI’s other state councils to develop "principles and standards" in marketing practices across all facets of the marketing mix.

In addition, I will be taking a proactive approach in increasing the profile of the NSW Council in the business sector and the wider community. This will be done by participating in community debates on important issues affecting our society where marketing has an impact.

In the meantime, if you have any ideas or thoughts on our NSW Council or any other marketing issues, please feel free to email or call me. My details are nicolaou@bigpond.net.au or 0419 400 038.”

I do hope Paul Nicolaou has a successful tenure!