I sat down with two members of the Westerville School board this morning to discuss the tough situation facing the district. Westerville is, like many communities, experiencing a financial crunch with decreased property valuations, delinquent tax payments and less money from the State. A levy to close the gap recently failed by a large margin (60/40) in a district that rarely fails levies.

“Rarely does the rumor mill
work in your favor.”

What happened and what does it mean for me and my business or organization?

I believe the levy primarily failed because of lack of communication – basically lack of a marketing plan. Even though the district was experiencing financial hardships, no real information was communicated or marketing campaign launched until just before the levy.  The information that was available was either hard to understand or high level. This … Read More »

I logged into my FourSquare to check in at my office today and I saw something new! A little green button with “special offer” dropped down. When I clicked it, it took me to the following ad below as part of a marketing campaign that Starbucks was running.

Foursquare monetizing already!

In case you can’t read this it says the following:

Welcome to Starbucks
650 S. Third St.

As mayor of this store, enjoy $1 off a NEW however-you-want-it Frappuccino blended beverage. Any size, any flavor. Over valid until 6/28

(Tue May 18 @ 1:45 PM) (2010)

What I like about this marketing plan is the ad was non-intrusive (as ads go).  I actually had to take an action on my phone to see the ad – good interactive marketing.  It didn’t just pop up … Read More »