Who Got Sparked in 2014 by Abbe’s Sparks?

The Companies Sparked in the Blog

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Blog Abbe’s Sparks covered the communications gamut in 2014 — from social media marketing and cross-promoting to crowdfunding, marcom, networking and more – commentary and examples of the best campaigns could be found in the social media darling’s blog. Here’s a look back at the companies, nonprofits, causes and organizations in the spotlight (Sparked). Stay tuned in 2015 for what Abbe has to say in her weekly Wednesday Blog.

1. “Powerful Messaging and Passion Are the Keys to Successful Marcom Campaigns”

Summary: Powerful messaging and passion about your business spark maximum results and ecstatic clients, which convert into repeat clients. Messaging and collaboration in the form of cross-promotion heightens awareness and reiterates the organization’s position in its field.

Sparked: Chicago Metro Association for the Education of Young Children, children’s music legend/pioneer Ella Jenkins.  Abbe Sparks Media Group and its strategic alliance partner Orman Music & Media Group. #ellajenkins #cmaeyc #earlyed #marcom #promotion #childrensmusic

2. “Changing The World One Empowering Social Media Post at a Time”

Summary: Empowering social media marketing can greatly affect change for social good initiatives. The true essence is when we can affect positive change by creating word of mouth buzz, going viral with our empowering social media posts or causing trends.

Sparked: The 2014 Social Good Summit, Mashable, UN Foundation & Bill Gates; Singer/activist Alicia Keyes and Indie Biopic “Jens Jensen: The Living Green” #socialgood #mashable #unfoundation #sustainability #green #conservation #landscapearchitecture #indiefilms. Shout out: McDonald’s Corporation and Ray Croc

3. Connect the Dots – Connections Mean ROI for Event Marketers

Summary: Get top ROI by igniting personal and professional connections: an invaluable media tool for event marketers. Connect the dots! Use connections to gain top ROI for event marketing/pr campaigns.

Sparked:  The Rochester Music Hall of Fame Awards, Natomy Professional Haircare Products #natomycare #beauty #haircare #music #grammy. Shout out: Grammy (NARAS)

4. Curtain Up: Cross-Promotion for the Arts

Summary: Good creative event marketing campaigns include cross-promotion as an effective tool to generate impactful messaging and maximum ticket sales for any opening night or event day.

Sparked: Lyle Cogen’s ‘Sticks and Stones, the acclaimed musical play on bullying behavior, Songstress/educator and anti-bullying activist Lyle Cogen; Solo Theatre Festival; National Bullying Month and Giordano Dance Chicago (GDC). #lylecogen #antibullying #dance #theatre #performingarts

5. Raising the Corporate Bar: Cause-Related Marketing

Summary: Promoting a company’s charitable giving and societal impact raises funds and heightens awareness for their cause, initiatives/activities and their brand — increasing sales. Today, charitable arms are the norm for American companies across all industries.

Sparked: Dove^® Self-Esteem Project, The House of Blues (HOB) and its International House of Blues Foundation (IHOB), #HOB, #Dove #music #socialgood #beauty #causemarketing

6. Start it Up: Social Media for New Ventures

Summary: When building a brand from infancy — a product, entertainment entity, tech company or social media app — it’s essential to create a well thought out strategic plan that includes an integrated marcom approach. Even though startup budgets are close to non-existent, it’s imperative to generate awareness, create WOM and attract and retain new users.

Sparked: Shopping for a Change (@ShopforaChange), a social good fair-trade shopping website and Compatibility, LLC (@studentconnect), a startup tech company. #socialgood #tech #startups #fairtrade #socialmedia #marcom #wom. Shout out: The Tibane Water Project

7. Crowdfunding + Social Media for Non-Profits

Summary: Crowdfunding is now an essential tool in the fundraising arsenal to get a project or company off the concept stage and into launch mode. Crowdfunding sites have caught on to savvy funding strategists, non-profits, startups, cause/health initiatives and artistic and scientific projects, to name a few. ‘IF YOU CREATE IT, THEY REALLY WILL COME.’  

Sparked: Social Media for Non-Profits and the musical play “A Day for Grace” (ADFG), which raises suicide awareness. #crowdfunding #socialmedia #fundraising #nonprofits, #startups #causes. Shout out: crowdfunding.com, gofundme, KICKSTARTER, indiegogo, tspring and causes

8. Networking Matters. ROI Results

Summary: The ultimate ROI for any marketing communications professional occurs when a networking contact and business lead converts into a long-term client. Five essential tips to capitalize on the power of networking.

Sparked: Abbe Sparks Media Group’s five essential tips. #networking, #socialmedia, #meetups, #marcom. Shout Out: Warner Communications, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google+, LinkedIn

9. Have Yourself a Very Mobile Xmas

Summary: Add mobile marketing and social media to your holiday promotional mix to set your product apart from the pack and achieve sales success. #xmas #promotions #smartphones #mobilemarketing #socialmediamarketing

Sparked: -The National Retail Federation’s (NRF) Consumer Spending Survey

10. Turn Black Friday into Giving Tuesday

Summary: The funding initiative Giving Tuesday offers a new tradition in generosity and global celebrations and presents marketers with an enormous opportunity to capitalize on their clients’ messaging throughout the year, and in some cases, an entire promotional campaign. #givingtuesday, #nonprofits #fundraising #promotions #socialgood

Sparked: #GivingTuesday.org, 92^nd Street Y, United Nations Foundation, the ASPCA and The #MarylandGivesMore Campaign.

11. Appy Holidays

Summary: The best example of using technology and partnering for a seasonal promotional campaign that helps others.

Sparked: Uber HEALTH, Vaccine Finder

12. Keep Your New Friends Close and Your Old Ones Even Closer

Summary: Successful membership campaigns should focus simultaneously on attracting new members while rewarding the current member base. “Make new friends, but mind your members.” #membership #organizations #clubs #marketing #friends #PR

Sparked: PRSA (Public Relations Society of America), EQUINOX

13. Create Community Buzz in 10 Easy Steps

Summary: Community outreach is a highly effective marketing tool for a client’s business – especially when they’re first opening doors in a new locale. 10 easy steps for community buzz. #cross-promotion #community #emailmarketing #wom #advtg #PR #benefits #charity

Sparked: San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, HSV

14. One Voice, Many Singers: A Chorus of Goodwill

Summary: The hottest trend in cause marketing for 2014 continues to be promotions utilizing multiple corporate partners. This year, several national nonprofits have demonstrated the power of collaboration for worthy causes such as hunger, domestic violence, anti-bullying, cancer and more.

Sparked: No Kid Hungry, No More, Viacom, Joyful Heart Foundation. Shout out: The Food Network, Le Creuset