From the Book of Matthew

Happy Birthday

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

My brother?s birthday was yesterday. He would have been 42. Our public relations specialist had to cancel the birthday party for her kids, Jack and Alex, because of the weather. Tomorrow my daughter turns five, and my sister-in-law shares a birthday next Monday with our copywriter. Happy birthday to John, Mia, Elisabeth, Spencer, Jack and Alex!

In addition to all of these birthdays, we?re looking forward to a number of other celebrations this week:

Techbyte Luncheon
Tuesday 11:30am-1pm

The Suncoast Technology Forum?s first event in Charlotte County takes place this week at the Captain?s Table at Fisherman?s Village in Punta Gorda. Learn about the Charlotte County Broadband Initiative and meet the players to the south with are driving technology growth in our region.

Memberfest
Wednesday 5-7pm

Rescheduled from January, Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance members will finally get to enjoy the carnival-style love fest taking over Lakewood Main Street on Wednesday night.

Awards Gala
Thursday 5:30-9pm

Find out who wins! The American Advertising Federation-Suncoast is hosting its biggest party of the year, the ADDYs, at Michael?s On East.

Tree Gleaning
Saturday 9am-1pm

Got fruit? Volunteers from the Siesta Key Kiwanis Club pick unwanted fruit from backyard citrus trees during our annual tree gleaning event. Each year we collect thousands of pounds of much-needed produce and deliver it to the All Faiths Food Bank. Contact me if you would like us to glean your trees.

Until next week,

Matthew Anderson, President
Milestone Marketing Associates, Inc.

The Total Package

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

I was at Ringling College of Art + Design on Saturday morning judging the American Advertising Federation Suncoast student scholarship competition. Two local advertising professionals and I rated the design work from seven applicants. The interesting thing was the best design didn?t win the prize.

Each entry consisted of a resume, a letter of recommendation, a personal statement, and three samples of work. We rated the elements of each entry on a weighted 100-point scale, and then our scores were averaged. We were surprised when we found out who won.

Judging creativity is a subjective matter, but we all agreed there were two stand-outs in the bunch. And while the design scores carried more weight, in the end it was the written elements that made the difference.

There were plenty of remarks about typos on resumes, and out of seven personal statements only one answered the question about why clients should still hire professionals in this age of consumer-generated content.

Whether or not it sealed the deal we don?t know, but the winner?s letter of recommendation came from a local advertising agency. All the others were written by faculty members. It?s likely the internship swayed our opinion.

The winner?s work was very good, at least third best out of seven. However, it was the overall score that won the competition, not the level of creativity. I hope that lesson isn?t lost on these budding artists. Of course the design is important, but it takes the total package to win the prize, get a job, convince the client, or persuade the buyer.

Until next week,

Matthew Anderson, President
Milestone Marketing Associates, Inc.

Madonna?s Super Bowl

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

I have to admit Madonna?s Super Bowl half time show was pretty good. In fact, unless you?re a Giants fan, it was probably the best part of the whole game. I don?t even recall any stand-out commercials this year. If you spend $3.5 million on one television ad, I think the least you would hope for is someone talking about it the next day.

This year is off to a fast start with January already behind us. I keep hearing good news from local business owners. Sales activity is up, some companies are hiring, and with any luck marketing budgets will continue to grow.

We have a couple of interesting events to report this week:

Global Hotspots, Corporate Espionage, Local Impact

February 9, 2012 4:30-6pm
USF Sarasota-Manatee Selby Auditorium

Learn how global security issues in information technology can affect local businesses from a panel of experts including; Dr. Cihan Cobanoglu, Business computer security expert and Dean of the School of Hotel and Restaurant Management at USF Sarasota-Manatee, Luke Bencie, Managing Director of Secuirty Management International, and Paul Hoffman, President of SouthTech Solutions.

Register here for this fascinating event moderated by Dr. Sunita Lodwig, an Instructor of Information Technology at USF Sarasota-Manatee.

We?re also looking forward to the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Annual Kick-off Breakfast this Friday morning from 7:30-9:15am at the Sahib Shrine Center. Last I checked this event was almost sold out. Click here to register.

Until next week,

Matthew Anderson, President
Milestone Marketing Associates, Inc.

Golden Nuggets

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Last week I attended the Accrisoft Summit here in Sarasota. Attendees were encouraged to view their businesses as digital marketing agencies rather than mere web shops so they don?t become obsolete. Facilitating the change in perspective, presenters followed a ?theory of abundance? sharing best practices and offering a number of ?golden nuggets.?

One such nugget came from Michael Reynolds, President/CEO of SpinWeb. Michael is also a speaker, and one of his popular topics is called Inbox Zero: How to Become an Email Ninja. It?s a great way to manage your email and your time. If you?re interested you can sign up here for his next webinar on Friday, February 24 from 12-1pm.

Other nuggets came in the form of sales processes and pricing strategies, not only for building websites, but also for related online marketing services like search engine optimization, social media management, email marketing, and more. It was an eye-opening experience that will improve our business.

Another event with the potential to improve your business is the American Advertising Federation Suncoast Marquee Event. Register now to learn how to Fascinate in the First Nine Seconds from Sally Hogshead on Wednesday night from 5-8pm at the Polo Grill and Bar. And if you?re planning to attend the ADDY Awards Gala this year you can register for both events and save twenty dollars!

Until next week,

Matthew Anderson, President
Milestone Marketing Associates, Inc.

Accrisoft Summit

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

It feels a bit strange not being at a trade show in Las Vegas this time of year, but I am looking forward to the Accrisoft Summit here in Sarasota.

For the past 17 years I exhibited at or attended one or more construction industry trade shows every winter. In the early days it would take three weeks to drive across the country, set up our booth, work the show, tear down, and drive home. We did end up flying for most of those years, but it was always a grueling couple of weeks on the road.

The Accrisoft Summit will bring together all the Accrisoft Solution Providers, of which Milestone Marketing Associates is one, to learn the best way to sell, build, and support websites built with Accrisoft Freedom.

Accrisoft Freedom is a licensed content management system for building and maintaining websites. Different from open source platforms like Word Press and Joomla, Freedom is developed and supported by real people employed right here in Sarasota.

This is my first Accrisoft Summit, and while I don?t expect it to be like a trip to Las Vegas, I am excited to meet a bunch of new people and spend a few days working ?on? the business instead of ?in? the business.

Until next week,

Matthew Anderson, President
Milestone Marketing Associates, Inc.

Busy Start

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

After a week of birthday celebrations we enjoyed an absolutely beautiful afternoon at the Polo Club on Sunday. My wife, the kids, and I had a great time watching our first polo match. Thanks again to Dick Woodall from MGA Insurance for the invitation.

It was fun tailgating with Dick and his wife Jennifer, and it was nice to see so many familiar faces from the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance. I hope we can find the time to go again this season. Everything and everyone seems to be off to a busy start this year.

Join us Tuesday, January 17 for the first monthly Techbyte Luncheon of the year featuring an organizational overview of Suncoast Technology Forum for new and existing members. Meet with fellow and prospective members and find out how to get the most out of your STF membership in 2012.

Polo Grill and Bar
11:30am to 1pm

My daughter Catherine and I are attending our first Sweetheart Dance this Saturday night. She has a new dress, and from what I hear some fresh dance moves. I think I?m in trouble?

Until next week,

Matthew Anderson, President
Milestone Marketing Associates, Inc.

Birthday Celebrations

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

This is a week of birthday celebrations. Starting with our family get-together last night, the Andersons celebrated my nephew turning 16 last week and me turning 39 this week. Also this week is my mother-in-law?s birthday and our friend Dawnn?s birthday. Capricorns are referred to as a stubborn bunch, but our traditional characteristics are: practical and prudent; ambitious and disciplined; patient and careful; humorous and reserved.

On my official birthday day my friend James from the Herald-Tribune is taking me to lunch at Eat Here. On my official birthday night my wife is taking me to dinner at Fleming?s. I?ll be eating well on Tuesday. On Friday night my wife and I will be bar-hopping with friends in Gulf Gate Village. Let me know if you?d like to join the fun, or perhaps we?ll see you there?

In between all the revelry this week, we plan to attend a number of more serious events:

American Advertising Federation Suncoast

The AAF Suncoast Board of Directors will meet Tuesday night from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. All eyes are focused on the upcoming ADDY Awards Gala and our Marquee Event featuring Sally Hogshead.

For those of you in the advertising game and related businesses, make sure AAF Suncoast membership and support is part of your 2012 budget. This club has turned a corner over the last couple of years so it?s a great time to join or get back involved.

And don?t miss the ADDY Entry Social at Sign Zoo on Friday evening from 5:30pm to 7:30m. It?ll be a great time to get your last-minute entries mounted and have a beer with your friends at AAF Suncoast.

Gulf Coast Venture Forum ? Why Invest in SWFL?

On Wednesday night from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the Hyatt you?ll get to meet new leaders from the Manatee, Sarasota, and Charlotte County economic development organizations during this open forum event.

Gulf Coast Builders Xchange

On Thursday night from 5:30pm to 7:30pm GCBX members will celebrate the New Year with PGT Industries. I know they?ve been working hard over the last year consolidating production facilities, and I?m looking forward to touring their operation.

Suncoast Technology Forum

On Wednesday afternoon STF?s membership and events committees will hold their first meetings of the year. If you?re business is in technology or your job is technology-related, then you should consider joining STF.

And if you?re passionate about growing the local technology economy, then consider volunteering at a higher level. STF will conduct our first monthly board meeting of the year this Thursday from 11:30am to 1pm at Keiser.

One final note, Girl Scout cookie season is upon us. My daughter?s Brownie troop is selling cookies now through March 18. And if you haven?t heard, this is the last year they?re selling boxes for $3.50. Next year the price will go up to four bucks a box so be sure to stock up!

Until next week,

Matthew Anderson, President
Milestone Marketing Associates, Inc.

Bittersweet New Year

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Thanks to everyone who attended the Milestone Marketing Associates Third Annual New Year?s Eve Party. It was a beautiful evening, the band played well, and everyone had a great time. While it was a little bittersweet to host our last party at that house, I was glad to ring in the New Year with so many wonderful friends.

The first week of 2012 is off to a running start with a couple of cool events:

I?m looking forward to the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance Memberfest on Wednesday evening from 5-7pm on Lakewood Main Street. Billed as a fun way to give back to Alliance members for all their generous support in 2011, the carnival-like atmosphere should make for an entertaining evening.

The same evening from 6-9pm there?s another event happening that may catch your interest. A new organization recently formed called Gulf Coast Startups, formerly Startup Business 2012, and they?re having an open house at 4141 South Tamiami Trail, Unit 23 (in the Chili?s plaza next to Sprint).

If you?re thinking about starting a business or if you provide products or services for startups, then this is an event you won?t want to miss.

Last but not least we have some announcements from AAF Suncoast:

No social gathering this week. This first quarter is always consumed with ADDY fever so instead we?re planning a special ADDY Social on Friday, January 13, 2012. It?s a great time to pull together your entries and say hello to your competition.

Coming up on Wednesday, February 1, 2012, AAF Suncoast will host a Marquee Event featuring award-winning speaker, Sally Hogshead. Visit the website for more information, and choose the Sally + ADDY ticket discount to save a few bucks when you register.

Until next week,

Matthew Anderson, President
Milestone Marketing Associates, Inc.

Boxing Day

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

To those of you who are working today; Happy Boxing Day. And to anyone not working but reading your email anyway, thanks for checking in?

The last week of the year always tends to be slower than usual with many people taking the whole week off between Christmas and New Years. I?ve always thought that was a good idea, but I always managed to find plenty of things to do.

This year is no different. Not only do we have plenty of client projects to keep us busy this week, but we also have to prepare for Milestone Marketing Associates Third Annual New Year?s Eve Party. As of yesterday we have 99 RSVPs so far. It looks like this is going to be our biggest party yet, and we have our work cut out for us.

Furniture rentals, decorations, refreshments, all the last-minute details will come together this week. Fortunately much of the party plan hasn?t changed from the last two years, but there?s still a long list of to-do items. Soon all that will be left to do is show up, because the Third Time?s A Charm.

Thanks to everyone who RSVP?d with other plans. Have a wonderful and safe New Year?s Eve. And for those of you coming to the party, see you Saturday night.

Until next week,

Matthew Anderson, President
Milestone Marketing Associates, Inc.

Two short weeks

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

As the year winds down it?s a time of reflection, a time to look forward, and a time to party. When I look back over the last twelve months, I?m proud of our progress. Milestone is two years old, we?re growing steadily, and 2012 looks like another great year.

As for parties, the Suncoast Technology Forum will celebrate the holidays on Tuesday at the Loft Ristobar from 5:30pm to 8pm. And on Wednesday night from 5:30pm to 7:30pm the Florida Public Relations Association is hosting a holiday happy hour at the new Irish Pub & Grill on Main Street.

And in just two short weeks Milestone Marketing Associates will host our Third Annual New Year?s Eve Party. It?ll be the third and final year at my parent?s awesome house on the water, and for the third year in a row, we have my favorite local band, Kettle of Fish.

Invitations were emailed out about a week ago and RSVPS are rolling in. It?s sure to be another great party, so make plans to attend. If you didn?t get the email or you?d like to join the fun, click on the link below and let us know you?re coming?

Until next week,

Matthew Anderson, President
Milestone Marketing Associates, Inc.