In my last installment of the best in branding and PR, I noted that when a branding strategy is top notch, consumers are not only sold but they may even apply a willing suspension of disbelief for the product’s story. This time, we’re taking it to the next level. While some companies have such top…
Read On from The Best in Branding and PR: Brand Names Used as Generic Terms
With the introduction of #AmazonCart, the line between social media and ecommerce has been blurred even further, paving the way for unlimited reach and sales tools, but is it sustainable? Social media and ecommerce retailers have long enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship. Social media is proven to drive purchasing decisions – so much so that…
Read On from How Ecommerce and Social Media are Working Together
The world of PR and digital marketing is always changing. That is why we like to share our insights and best practices with you. If you missed anything during the month of May, we have it all right here for you. So don’t be shy, dig in and share your favorites with friends!…
Read On from The lotus823 PR and Digital Marketing Roundup – May 2014
To close out our startup analysis, we sat down with lotus823’s managing partners, David and Allison Hernandez, to discuss where the company is going. Sometimes, that’s impossible to tell, particularly in the startup space. As we realized in our earlier questions, the best vision for a content marketing startup is one of openness and preparedness…
Read On from The Startup Interview, Part 3: The Future of Content Marketing
The education and insight that #SMWF North America had to offer roared on during Day 2. Here are some highlights from #SMWF North America Day 1 in case you missed them. Getting social with @KristenGrant_1 & @meeklay at #SMWF! #smwfselfie #notawkwardatall pic.twitter.com/OoUusEEJcL — Ben Blakesley (@benunh) May 29, 2014 Day 2 started off with some…
One of the major social media marketing events of the year is #SMWF North America, presented by Social Media World Forum. The event is taking place from May 28-29 at 82 Mercer in New York City. Even though we’re not there in person, we wanted to share some highlights from Day 1 of the event….
Working in an industry that never slows down has its ups and downs. One of those ups is discovering niche industry blogs dedicated to marketing different types of products and services. Today’s marketing landscape is constantly evolving and changing, making it difficult to keep up with the latest trends, news, and tactics. Working at a…
Read On from Staying On Top of Industry Trends Through Niche Marketing Blogs
Let’s face it: we live in an era where social media rules the world. It has become a space where every single person is given a voice, even if it’s behind a screen. Like we all know, this is great for brands as it gives them a space to be creative, open and engaging with…
There’s a distinct difference between advertising and marketing – more specifically content marketing. We know that ‘content is king’ and ‘engagement is everything,’ but talking with your audience and not at your audience is the name of the game. To truly know and understand your audience, you must figure out what motivates them and what…
Read On from Content Marketing Intelligence: Why Knowing Your Audience is Crucial to Your Success
The connected home is becoming less of a fantasy only seen in The Jetsons and sci-fi movies. During CES 2014, CNET hosted a Connected Home panel speaking about the emergence of this industry, the various vertical markets within it, and how the technology can emerge. A recent Juniper Research study indicates that the smart home…
Celebrating 15+ Years of lotus823: Leadership, Growth, and Building a Woman-Owned Marketing Agency in New Jersey
March 9, 2026
More than fifteen years ago, I took a leap of faith and founded lotus823, guiding its vision and strategy with my husband as a supportive business partner. What started as an idea has grown into a thriving integrated marketing agency in New Jersey, built on strategic thinking, operational excellence, and a leadership philosophy that...
Building Community Over Followers: The New Social KPI
May 4, 2026
In the early days of social media, there was one metric that indicated success: follower count. Brands, creators, and businesses chased big numbers, believing that scale alone translated into impact. But today, that equation is shifting. Audiences are more discerning, algorithms are more complex, and attention is more fragmented than ever. A large following might...
Read On from Building Community Over Followers: The New Social KPI
Is Earned Media Enough Anymore? The Shift to Amplified PR
April 27, 2026
For decades, earned media has been considered the gold standard of public relations. A feature in a respected publication or a product mention from a trusted journalist carries credibility that paid advertising simply can’t replicate. But while earned media remains one of the most trusted forms of brand exposure, the media landscape has changed...
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Why Long-Term Creator Partnerships Outperform Campaign Bursts In Influencer Marketing
April 20, 2026
Let’s start with a hard truth: Most one-off influencer marketing campaigns don’t deliver the ROI brands expect. They may generate impressions and short-term reach, and they may even look good on a report. But when it comes to building brand trust, driving meaningful engagement, and influencing purchasing decisions, campaign bursts often fall short. That’s...
Read On from Why Long-Term Creator Partnerships Outperform Campaign Bursts In Influencer Marketing
