It’s been a busy first half, and now is the time pause for a moment before the July 4th holiday to take stock. I’ve been hearing more people claim that their companies have scraped the bottom [expletives omitted] and are now on the upswing in the economic cycle. Great news — we feel that, too!
We’ve spent much time so far this year collaborating with clients and colleagues, asking questions, exploring directions and framing solutions. We hope it’s been as valuable for everyone else as it has been for us, and we look forward to sharpening our wits during the traditional summer slowdow, in anticipation of delivering a strong finish to the year. Following are a few highlights of the thought-provoking events thus far. Perhaps I’ll be able to plant a few seeds that germinate while you kick back for the Independence Day holiday and a pleasant summer. I look forward to seeing all of you come roaring back!
Contributions to thought leadership
Many of the conferences we’ve been involved in, as planners, presenters and attendees, have shared common and interconnecting themes. They’ve addressed the need to transform, tap new resources and to turn adversity into advantage. We are building on these for the second half of the year, with upcoming conferences at the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Midmarket Forum, and also the Marketing Executive Network Group (MENG).
In January, the MENG evening leadership committee produced a panel event, “Sales and Marketing: Friends or Foes?” In May we delivered an experiential event, in partnership with Second City Communications. The format was a transformational workshop designed to help senior marketing leadership confront uncertainty and energize teams to take on change initiatives during difficult times. We also dramatically expanded our social media marketing to promote the events.
As a committee member of the Midmarket Forum, I contributed to the development of the theme: Crossing Silos: A New Era of Collaboration. I also participated on the panel, alongside my longtime colleague Jeff White, strategist at US Gypsum, and Michael Hallerud, attorney and senior partner at Nixon and Peabody law firm.
Also in June, Torque published a new eBook, in partnership with Accelteon Strategy Consulting, of Toronto, Canada. Our eBook, Tribal Waters, is a case study of consumer tribe marketing. We promoted it with blog posts, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and other business social media, prompting over 200 downloads in the first three weeks.
Conferences attended
We were also inspired by other conferences, including The Chicagoland Chamber, who at its Annual Membership Meeting in June urged attendees to Rethink, as part of its larger Innovation platform. The Business Marketing Association National Conference in June inspired attendees to Unlearn, While the AMA conference delivered BrandSmart 2009 for turbulent times.
Torque client work
Of course all of the above has fueled our work and has been made possible by our terrific roster of clients, too many to list here. Below are just three milestone website projects, with other major branding initiatives forthcoming later in the year. We’re grateful to have clients with vision, committed to courageously marketing in the downturn!
Torque redesigned the S Factor website, in collaboration with The Cresta Group, Flutter ltd. Design and Simplified Solutions, to help Sheila Kelly appeal to women seeking summer fitness to experience Pole Dance workouts!
Torque proudly helped The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce re-launch its website, putting a new face on commerce in the Chicago marketplace!
Torque delivered a redesigned 312 Urban Wheat Ale Flash microsite to help Goose Island Beer Co. welcome summer!
Have a great summer and stay tuned for much more to come in 2009!
