Everyone wants to talk about social media. But very few marketers or brands understand their digital or social media landscape or the importance of influencers.

That’s why, on a beautiful sunny winters afternoon I spent time looking for emerging digital influencers in and around Newcastle.

Picture by freefotouk

I didn’t look for influencers on social networking sites such as Twitter or Facebook. That would take to long. I just stuck to people writing about their experiences of products, services and brands on blogs. I also included local brands that are embracing blogging as a method of connecting with customers.

So, welcome to ‘The Git’s Incomplete Guide to Newcastle’s New Influencers.’

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For your delight, I’ve embedded Ninemsn’s new TV commercial titled “Bing and Good Things Happen.”

It’s part of a bigger marketing campaign that will use TV, print and digital banners to persuade us to switch over to Bing and hopefully boost Bing’s market share. I wish them well, but I hope they’ve got very deep pockets.

Phillip Kotler says “The better the product, the less that has to be spent advertising it. The best advertising is done by your satisfied customers.” Think about it people. Will you change your search habits due to seeing an emotive TV ad?

Picture by The(G)

And this is the essence of my rant. Why are business people and marketers still ignorant of the Internet?

This week, I watched an expensive 30 second television commercial to promote a new online business, I read a small print ad in a newspaper promoting a web design company and my absolute favourite of the week, I heard a senior advertising executive reply to a question about marketing online with the words “Yep, it’s here.” The panels three other marketing experts declined to expand on those enlightened words.

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Yes, it’s me. I can only guess  why out of the forty to fifty pictures Kitty Hill shot of me for the Newcastle Herald. She or they decided to use the one shot with the coffee cup hiding my face. Do I really look that bad? Please don’t answer that.

Anyway. Our Newcastle Coffee Mornings are on again this Friday from 8am to 9am - all welcome. However, if thats not for you or its a little early in the morning, why not check out The Git’s Incomplete Guide to Newcastle’s Top Twits.

The call has gone out for the 75^th Annual General Meeting of the Australian Marketing Institute and nominations for election of members as state councillors. But does the Australian Marketing Institute actually have formal elections?

On the Australian Marketing Institute website it says “The Members guide the policy and priorities of the Institute through elected State Councils and a National Board of Directors” which is like saying they believe marketers should respect the judgement of their marketing elders or in this case, elected officials. Yes, of course…no problem.

But when did members last get a chance to actually vote for or listen to the differing opinions and ideas of each candidate?

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