The Sticky Report

Is your business ready for Social Media

In the August 2008 edition of Marketing Magazine Sticky was identified as one of the leading social media agencies in Australia. Yet, since Sticky relaunched as Newcastle’s first Digital, Social and Traditional media agency we haven’t talked up the social media aspect as publicly as some of our other offerings.

One-on-one with clients we have begun introducing social media thinking and strategies to their marketing, but we weren’t sure if people here were ready for a full-on social media information onslaught.

Social media in Australia is still very much an emerging form of marketing and as currently there are very few genuine Australian social media agencies. Many agencies are beginning to pay lip service to social media, but aren’t really addressing it correctly or effectively.

The good news is that social media is beginning to gain traction here. Recently Julian Cole trumpeted the launch of The Population, a new agency focusing purely on social media and with backing from Photon. This is exciting news as there are some good operators involved and we will be watching eagerly to see their progress.

Sticky recognised amongst Australia’s social media pioneers

We like to practice what we preach. For the last 18 months we at Sticky have been investigating, experimenting and developing social media. What began as an interesting sideline has quickly evolved to become a real and viable business marketing option.

Our involvement in this field has seen the agency develop a series of blogs, newsletters and an online “magazine”.

Recently the inaugural Top 50 Australian Marketing Pioneer blogs list was announced by Melbourne-based marketer Julian Cole and Marketing Magazine. Sticky was honoured to have 3 entries in the Top 50, the most by any entity in Australia.

Craig Wilson’s Media Hunter ranked 15th, Gordon Whitehead’s The Marketer ranked 18th and this newsletter, The Sticky Report ranked 47th in Australia.

The full list will be published in the August edition of Marketing Magazine.

While all of these blogs are for and about the agency, we are now able to advise and assist businesses on developing and implementing their own social media marketing strategies.

Blogging as a marketing strategy

When most companies weigh up their marketing and advertising options they usually consider mainstream media (TV, radio, press), online advertising, direct response, outdoor etc.

But there is an increasing school of thought that blogging is a relevant and powerful medium for both attracting business and communicating your brand message.

Earlier this year Sticky Advertising held a Hunter Media Showcase covering all the media options available to local advertisers. Our keynote speaker was Gavin Heaton who discussed social media and Web 2.0 as they relate to businesses.

It is an area that Sticky Advertising has become very conversant in with 4 blog sites being administered by the agency and several clients beginning to explore blogging strategies as part of their marketing mix.

New Sticky Interactive Media Service

If the previous story on blogging has piqued your interest, then you might find it worthwhile to speak to Sticky about designing an interactive strategy for your company.

Since, launching our Interactive Media service with Gordon Whitehead in March 2007, we have developed a range of options to market your business more effectively.

Any business with a strong client or contact database can benefit from a tailored e-marketing strategy that enables you regular and cost-effective communications. If you are currently printing and mailing newsletters, then you will be amazed at the measurability and savings involved with our e-marketing solutions.

Our services include:

• Interactive advertising
• Viral marketing
• Database marketing
• E-newsletters
• Mobile marketing
• Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
• Social media and PR
• Web design

Call or email Gordon today for more information.