Blog

I’m looking forward to the ADDY Awards Gala tonight at the Asolo Repertory Theatre. In anticipation of the big event, and in honor of the American Advertising Federation Suncoast’s 60^th Anniversary, Milestone Marketing Associates, Stephen A. Smith and Associates, Alex Stafford Photography, and Sign Zoo collaborated on a membership drive.

Steve Smith wrote the copy, we supplied the design, and Vince Bejar from Sign Zoo is printing the posters for tonight’s event. Here’s a sneak peak:

Our goal is 60 members in 60 days. To entice creative professionals to join, we knocked the price of membership down by a third for the duration of the drive. Join now for just 60 bucks. Check out the website for information about AAF Suncoast.

In other news, the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance 2011 Golf Tournament is starting to take shape. Registration is now open and sponsorships are still available. We’re anticipating another sellout event so don’t miss your chance to rub elbows at the Ritz.

Until next week,

Matthew Anderson, President
Milestone Marketing Associates, Inc.

This week’s update is dedicated to my wonderful wife, Dana Saxon Anderson:

Roses are red, violets are blue
We’ve been married 12 years, but it feels like just two

Roses are red, violets are blue
We have two beautiful daughters, one looks just like you

Roses are red, violets are blue
Since I started this business, it seems like work is all I do

Roses are red, violets are blue
We used to share the cooking, but now it’s just you

Roses are red, violets are blue
You deserve more than my thanks, sometimes I don’t have a clue

Roses are red, violets are blue
Every day that goes by, know that I love you

Happy Valentine’s Day, Dana! And may all of Milestone Marketing Associates valued supporters enjoy a lovely day with your significant others…

This week’s event highlights:

The BEA is hosting their first annual Business Ethics Awards Luncheon today at the Hyatt.

The STF is hosting its monthly Techbyte Luncheon on Tuesday at Polo Grill featuring Jim Eatrides from Alpha-Omega Communications who will be speaking about wireless integration.

The LWRBA Executive Briefing on Wednesday at Keiser University will feature Paul Hoffman from SouthTech Solutions; Gadgets and Gizmos Transform Your Business.

Until next week,

Matthew Anderson, President
Milestone Marketing Associates, Inc.

I am happy to report that February is turning out to be not quite as crazy as January. That’s not to say we’re not keeping busy. I still have appointments every day this week, but the number of meetings is down from last month.

And that’s a good thing for two reasons; I don’t think I could keep up last month’s pace much longer before running myself into the ground (especially with cold and flu season in full swing), and we have a long to-do list of our own to implement our 2011 marketing plan.

We amped-up our PR efforts this year calling for more press releases and more case studies. The former have effectively increased awareness for Milestone in the local media, and the later are great sales tools that support various marketing efforts including website content, email campaigns, and tradeshow literature.

In additional to our print-focused PR efforts, we’re also looking for speaking opportunities this year. If you know someone who is looking for a speaker to talk about marketing-related subjects, then please give us a call.

On the web marketing front we’re expanding our email efforts beyond these weekly updates. This year’s plan calls for a quarterly referral campaign that recognizes clients who go above and beyond the call of duty by helping grow our business. Look for more on this subject as the plan comes together.

As for event marketing activities beyond our association involvements, we have a couple of tradeshows coming up in the first quarter:

The BizTech Innovation Summit is a first year show presented by the Tampa Bay Technology Forum and the Tampa Bay Business Journal. We’re looking forward to dipping our toe in the broader regional market by exhibiting at the Tampa Convention Center on March 17^th.

CONEXPO-CON/AGG, held once over three years, is the largest construction tradeshow in the western hemisphere. And while we’re not exhibiting in Las Vegas, we are looking forward to reconnecting with all our former coworkers and colleagues in the construction software market.

Some print stuff. Some web stuff. Some event stuff. That’s just a glimpse of our 2011 marketing plan. Is your plan ready? Need some help?

Until next week,

Matthew Anderson, President
Milestone Marketing Associates, Inc.

January was intense. Not only did the time fly by, but I had meeting after meeting all month long – kind of like the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance speed networking event – but one that lasted for thirty days. Here’s hoping that some of those prospective client meetings turn into new accounts in the month of February.

Speaking of the Alliance, our 2011 golf tournament is scheduled for Friday, April 29^th at the Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club. With Milestone Marketing Associates once again leading the charge, the LWRBA events committee is committed to raising the bar on this year’s fundraiser.

We recently finished updating the flyer with new sponsorship opportunities and online registration will open soon. The tournament sold out last year so round up your foursome now and sign up for an Interactive Sponsorship to maximize your return on investment.

In other association news, the Suncoast Technology Forum events calendar is filling up fast. We already have speakers lined up in February, March and April for our popular Techbyte Luncheons. And now that STF board member and events committee member Neil Scalvelli is booking Techbyte speakers the remaining openings won’t last long. Secure your spot today!

The STF events committee is also organizing quarterly educational events that will focus on the latest tech trends and quarterly social events intended to grow the local tech community with our technology affiliates; Barcamp Sarasota and the Tampa Bay Technology Forum.

Want to get involved? Become a member of the Suncoast Technology Forum and volunteer for the events committee. 2011 is going to be a great year!

Until next week,

Matthew Anderson, President
Milestone Marketing Associates, Inc.

P.S. I finally posted a bunch of photos from our Second Annual New Year’s Eve Party online. You can check them out on Facebook, and while you’re there, like our page.

Last week was crazy. Multiple projects, new opportunities, and events every night – it took all weekend, but I finally feel like I’m catching up. Of course I’m writing this week’s update Monday morning rather than Sunday afternoon, so it’s fair to say that I haven’t run out of things to do.

In fact my last week of January is pretty-well booked up; more meetings, more proposals, more events. Interestingly, I have bookend lunches this week at Michael’s On East. Today is the annual SCORE luncheon, and on Friday I’m attending the EDC Economic Outlook. I enjoyed both events for the first time last year so I am looking forward to them again this year.

No more time to ramble on this morning, I’ve got to get the kids off to school. Now that the sun is up it looks like it’s going to be a beautiful day. Enjoy it!

Until next week,

Matthew Anderson, President
Milestone Marketing Associates, Inc.

We’re only three weeks into the New Year and you can already tell 2011 is going to be busier than last year. For one thing the pace is off the charts. It seems like I’ve been going nonstop since I came back from New Jersey. I did take a lazy break on Saturday, but by Sunday I was back to work writing my weekly update and preparing for two meetings in that afternoon.

The other thing is the number of leads. Referrals continue to be our primary source for new opportunities. Thanks to all of you who are saying nice things about Milestone. Keep telling your friends about our work. We appreciate the support, and we need the business.

Another thing setting the tone for this year is our level of involvement in select business associations.

Last week I was elected Vice President of the Suncoast Technology Forum. For the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance I am once again heading up the golf tournament sub-committee. I am an active member of the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce communications council. And we continue to support marketing projects and fundraising events for the Siesta Key Kiwanis Club.

Believe it or not, this is actually scaled back quite a bit from last year!

On Tap This Week

STF Techbyte Luncheon on Tuesday from 12-1pm – Learn the latest about video conferencing from Cisco Systems.

LWRBA Executive Briefing on Wednesday from 7:30-9am – Get an inside perspective on Google from ex-exec Peter Prawlus.

LWRBA January Membership Luncheon from 11:30-1pm – Recap last year and look ahead to a bright future on the ranch.

GSCC Membership Drive – Help the Sarasota Chamber meet its growth goal with the kickoff party on Wednesday night, call campaign on Tuesday, and wrap-up party Tuesday night.

Until next week,

Matthew Anderson, President
Milestone Marketing Associates, Inc.

Milestone Marketing Associates definitely hit the ground running this year.

We have three video projects that are transitioning from pre-production to production. This first one is a software demonstration video for our client in Australia (we recently received some PR coverage on that one). The next one is a couple of TV commercials for Pro-Motion Notions. And the latest project is a promotional video for the Herald-Tribune Media Group.

In addition to all the video work we have ongoing projects for other clients, and we have a bunch of hot leads that are various stages of the sales cycle.

Yes, 2011 is off to a great start. Not only that, but today also happens to be my birthday. I’ve reached the ripe old age of 38. On Saturday we enjoyed a nice little family birthday party with my nephew who turned 15 last week.

No special plans for tonight (since it is a school night), but there’s talk of venturing out for the BCS Championship game. So let m know if you’re interested in buying me a beer for my birthday. Maybe we’ll catch up later.

This Week’s Event Highlights

We’re signed up for the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance Speed Dating Networking Social on Wednesday night in the Fete Ballroom at Polo Grill.

On Friday morning we’ll be at the Hyatt Regency for the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Annual Kickoff Breakfast. Hope to see you there…

Until next week,

Matthew Anderson, President
Milestone Marketing Associates, Inc.

It was a crazy week leading up to the big event. Our flight was cancelled after the blizzard so we had to rent a car and drive home from New Jersey (the earliest we could fly home was January 2^nd). That didn’t leave much to time to prepare, but in the end it all came together with wonderful weather and a terrific turnout.

To everyone who attended our Second Annual New Year’s Eve Party, thank you for coming. And an extra-special thank you goes to my wife, Dana (and her fabulous bar-backs), for tending the bar all night long.

To those of you who RSVP’d and couldn’t attend for whatever reason (out of town, family obligations, fighting a cold, no babysitter, etc.) we missed you. As for the rest who didn’t bother to respond to your invitation, you missed a great party.

Now that the big event is behind us, it’s time to get back to work. And while we have a number of projects in the works for our current clients, we’re still looking for more business. So if you want to help us throw an even bigger party next year, then refer a friend to Milestone.

Until next week,

Matthew Anderson, President
Milestone Marketing Associates, Inc.