In this age of technology … of email marketing, websites, blogs, banners, prospecting, customer retention via online clubs, and more … how is it that direct mail still seems to work? As complex as it may sound, this question is relatively easy to answer. By: Cindy Sims

Matt Nelson recently read an excellent blog post by Anna Yeaman of Style Campaign about animation in email marketing. He will be sharing some of her insight about animated emails and the examples she compiled, augmented by some thoughts of his own.

Why there’s no more powerful advocate for a brand than the mommy blogger.

The Go Mobile Conference and Workshop just announced the newest experts to take part in its All-Star Mobile Marketing Panel Discussion.

So, we’re all familiar with the phrase “sex sells.” But does it really? After a conversation with my twenty-something, younger brother, I’m not so sure sex even sells “sex” – but apparently cuddling does. A little concept that may have you rethinking your marketing plans.

In recent weeks, I’ve read several editorials writing off Groupon’s ability to drive real value for retailers. To me, the value proposition is simple: expose businesses to an audience who may not have become customers otherwise. To create this value, Groupon has taken advantage of proven direct marketing tactics and leveraged the growth of social media in unique and impactful ways.

What do you believe BKV does?  If I polled the entire organization, I’d receive a range of answers, including: marketing, direct response, creative, advertising, integrated communications, Conduit and more.  They are all correct.  Or you could simply say we create solutions that deliver results for our clients.

So, I’ve been thinking about a topic that would be insightful and pertinent to a specific “arm” of marketing/advertising.  You know, join the other thousands of bloggers who are experts on Social Marketing, Email best practices, SEM, etc.  And yes, all of these blogs are pertinent and extremely insightful.

Instead, though, I want to focus on these thousands of bloggers – so-called experts that tend to throw a grey cloud over everything we do.  You know the type … “TV is dead”, or “Go Social or Go Home” types of blogs.  Geez, it’s like the world is coming to an end if you don’t take heed and do what they say.

Being on the account service side of advertising and considering myself somewhat of a data geek, I am always amazed at how often test results are not measured correctly.  Once in a while I’ll come across an analysis – born outside of BKV – that is completely incorrect in its methodology of reading results.  To that end I’ve decided to get on my high horse and yammer on a bit about how to measure a test.

As you may know, BKV has extensive experience with email marketing, having managed large email campaigns that required more than an email per week, for some of the larger corporations in Atlanta. Email marketing is one of the most cost-effective tools for marketers.  A good email marketing program keeps you connected with your customers and prospects.  It also provides a great source of incremental revenue, assuming prospects can purchase your products or services online.