Stamats Integrated Marketing Conference - Take aways

There were many more presentations at the Stamats Integrated Marketing Conference than the four I highlighted last week. I tried to present here those that I felt were most worthwhile for DU.

There was repetition during the three days - which can be good or bad, I suppose, and there were breakouts I didn't go to, of course, plus a couple of things that just plain didn't pass my 'who cares?' test.

If you read nothing else here, do read these takeaways from the conference.

• Davenport has owned the adult market in the past - we need to sharpen those recruiting skills and get back into it. The economy, especially in Michigan, and the demographics demand it. One immediate 'fix' - help adults find what they need on our website.
• We have a good brand position, but we need to strengthen it. Careers is the word we own, and we need to aggressively run with it.
• We'd do well to invest in some strong, memorable (award winning wouldn't be bad, either!) creative to help cement our brand promise in the minds and hearts of our audiences, internal and external.
• We must strive to create our brand as experience in the minds and hearts of our audiences. We have a very good start with our new employee orientation - we need to build on that across the university and extend the promise of that experience to external audiences as well.
  

Brand lessons from Fritz's brand presentation

• Strong brands are built on research, character, and vision
• Strong brands require an enduring commitment
• Strong brands get everybody excited
• Strong brands are built on strategy that works for you
• Strong brands tell strong stories
• Strong brands need equally strong communication vehicles
• Strong brands build strong relationships
• Strong brands evolve over time: your marketing should evolve with it