Like it or not, the traditional print industry in Australia is in big trouble as advertisers increasingly shift more of their advertising dollar to online looking for better returns on their investment and superior value for money. But why do advertisers still prefer the Yellow (Pages) printed phone directory over online search and directories?

In fact, in the year ending June 2008 Australian advertisers invest approximately AUD$1 billion advertising with Yellow (Pages) print directories versus something like $700 million with various online search and directories for the same period.

What advertiser’s are forgetting is that Australian consumers have changed the way they search for products and services. Yellow (Pages) print directory may get delivered to over 10 million Australian homes and businesses every year, but the vast majority of people use online search engines like Google to SEARCH. Read the rest of this entry »

The international economic crisis has been devastating in the US and European financial and housing sectors and all indications are that Australia will also feel some of the pain. Already several large advertisers both here and overseas have indicated they will be cutting back on their marketing investment over the next year, and as the fear of recession spreads its likely that local advertisers will consider following suit.

Traditionally advertising budgets are amongst the first things cut when times get tough, but what should you really be doing for your brand and business to ensure you survive and even prosper during an economic downturn?

Interestingly, this crisis comes at a potential turning point in marketing and media history. Traditional media has been declining over the past decade whilst new media options have been on the rise. This situation could be exacerbated by the economic squeeze as marketers spend less on broad brushstroke measures and focus more on measurable results. (For further explanation of this scenario click here).

Read the rest of this entry »

After more than 20 years in the advertising industry, with Sticky and its previous incarnation, our financial controller Veronica Jameson has retired.

Veronica has been fantastic to work with, and so patient in dealing with our creatives whims over the years. She will be missed by everyone here.

Please join us in wishing Veronica all the best for the future.

We’ll have another Craig manning the books for a while now…Craig Whitton. Welcome Craig.

We’ve be a little remiss in mentioning this, but Sticky has been featured in a newly released international marketing book titled the Age of Conversation 2.

A year and a half ago, an online conversation between two marketing professionals in the U.S. and Australia evolved into a collaborative writing effort by more than 100 bloggers from nine countries, including Craig Wilson, that created a book called The Age of Conversation. The project raised nearly $15,000 for Variety, the international children’s charity.

Following the success of the first book, which was published in the summer of 2007, Drew McLellan and Gavin Heaton, organizers of the first project, have now published Age of Conversation 2, which compiles written thoughts on the role of conversation in marketing today from 237 marketing professionals who blog in the U.S. and 15 other countries. This time both Craig and Gordon have chapters in the book.

Pricing for The Age of Conversation 2 is:

* e-book: US$12.50 ($10.00 going to charity)
* paperback book: US$19.95 ($8.02 to charity)
* hardback book: US$29.95 ($4.60 to charity)

Purchases can be made online from October 28, 2007 at www.lulu.com/ageofconversation.

I don’t know if this is a first for my home town of Newcastle, but as I write this Sticky is facilitating our first ever Social Media Training with Companion Credit Union at the Crown Plaza Pokolbin.

Its both exciting and scary.

The day is an introduction to social media platforms, technology and philosophy for the management of Companion.

Companion Credit Union recently launched a new logo which was chosen by their community and a blog site wearelistening.com.au. The campaign was created by Sticky, but more importantly embraced by Companion, and their members.

You can follow the social media training conversation on Twitter with tag #wearelistening

Sticky urgently requires a book keeper. The position involves preparation of monthly accounts, invoicing, debtors/creditors control, payroll, BAS preparation and lodgement, presentation of P&L and Balance Sheet to the managing director, and general financial reporting. Knowledge of MYOB essential.

Approximately 25 hours per week.

The position is for an immediate start (December) on a two month contract with possibility of becoming permanent part time thereafter.

Minimum qualification required is Diploma of Advanced Accountancy.

Media knowledge would be beneficial but not essential. Minimum 5 years experience.

Please send applications via email to Craig Wilson enquiries@stickyads.com.au