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TO DO:
1> New Event: Enlist Today in
Word of Mouth Basic Training
Put on your marketing fatigues, folks, and fill up your canteen; WOMMA is taking its much-anticipated Word of Mouth Basic Training (WOMBAT) conference to New Orleans, and we're looking for word of mouth recruits.
Taking place April 17-18 in New Orleans, WOMBAT is your how-to resource for everything word of mouth. This year we've got more expert speakers, more case studies, more how-to lessons, and more great networking opportunities.
Event highlights:
* 50+ amazing speakers
* Practical how-to instruction
* Detailed case studies
* Fantastic networking with important people
Basic training is the foundation of every word of mouth effort, and this is your two-day boot camp. Sign up today!
Reserve your spot
2> Call for Nominations:
Join the WOMMA Board
While it may be nearly two years until the next federal election, at WOMMA, every year is an election year. In fact, our next Board election is scheduled to take place this spring and we're looking for committed, enthusiastic WOMMA members who are willing to invest their time and capital, and to leverage their reputation and contacts, to take WOMMA to the next level. Here's how it works ...
1. The Process
WOMMA holds what is called a "single-slate" election. A nominating committee of members -- selected by WOMMA's Leadership Committee and the Board of Directors -- chooses a slate of candidates equal to the number of open seats on the Board of Directors; this year there are eight seats open, seven with two-year terms and one with a one-year term. Candidates are chosen from nominations made by members, who may nominate themselves. Each WOMMA member company has one vote. Write-in votes are permitted.
2. How to Be Nominated for a Board Seat
All interested members are encouraged to run for the Board of Directors. As a Director, your job will be to help our industry and our association grow and prosper. Directors must be members in good standing, have a stellar record on ethics, and be able to commit approximately five hours per month to Board leadership. Candidates must receive endorsements from three fellow members from three different WOMMA member companies in good standing as of March 1, 2007, in order for their nomination to be valid. A statement of qualifications and a photo are required.
3. Next Steps
Make sure your dues are paid in full.
Make a nomination to the Board by Feb. 15; find out how at www.womma.org/elections.
Confirm the voting member from your organization.
Vote on the Nominating Committee's chosen slate of Board candidates between March 9 and March 31.
Learn more
3> WOM Wednesdays: Learn from
Fiskars, Nintendo, Microsoft
Join us Wednesdays in February at noon EST for WOM Wednesdays, WOMMA's ongoing teleconference series. Just register, dial in, and listen up to get the ideas that will truly expand your marketing horizons. Then, after the teleconference, visit our website for a summary of the call, an audio recording of which can be downloaded for free from our Member Center.
Next Wednesday, Feb. 14, at noon EST
How to Start a Brand Ambassador Movement: Learn to turn your most loyal customers into chatty advocates courtesy of scrapbooking company Fiskars Brands, maker of the famous orange-handled scissors. Featuring Virginia Miracle, director of word of mouth marketing for Brains on Fire, and Suzanne Fanning, senior manager of public relations for Fiskars Brands. (NOTE: Call was previously scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 16. All previous registrations will be honored.)
Wednesday, Feb. 21, at noon EST
Inside the Launch of Nintendo's Wii: Find out how Nintendo of America and its marketing partner, GolinHarris, used word of mouth to launch the year's most-talked-about gaming console, the Wii. Featuring Stephen Jones, EVP, GolinHarris, and Perrin Kaplan, VP, Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Nintendo of America.
Wednesday, Feb. 28, at noon EST
How Microsoft Turned Windows Vista into a Marketing Success: Learn how the Windows Vista team sold consumers and upper management alike on buzz, viral, and blog marketing techniques in order to turn a slew of marketing challenges into triumphs. Featuring Brian Marr, Group Marketing Manager, Windows Vista, Microsoft.
Cost is $20 for WOMMA members, $60 for non-members.
Sign up
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DONE:
1> Announced: Ethics
Reaffirmation Principle
At its meeting in New York last week, WOMMA's Board of Directors unanimously approved the following statement, known as WOMMA's Ethics Reaffirmation Principle:
It is our firm and resolute belief that every participant in word of mouth marketing has a vested interest in preserving its integrity.
The Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) is committed to developing, educating, and communicating across the industry best practices in the ethical conduct of word of mouth marketing.
WOMMA expects its members to adhere to the WOMMA Ethics Code and to set an example of high ethical standards for word of mouth marketing.
Learn more
2> WOMMA Reaches Major
Membership Milestone
Today, WOMMA announced a major milestone in its history: Our standing membership has reached -- and exceeded -- 350 members, a sure sign that the burgeoning word of mouth marketing industry is maturing and expanding.
WOMMA was founded in 2004 with just three members. That our membership is fast approaching 400 less than three years later is a direct result of our unwavering commitment to promoting best practices, measurable ROI, and ethical leadership within the word of mouth marketing profession. We owe our continued success and growth to our diverse and dynamic community of members, whose active support and participation have proven invaluable to the health of both our industry and our association. So to each of you, we say, "Thank you!"
Learn more
3> Announced: 2007 Leadership
Committee Members
WOMMA is proud to announce the following appointments to its 2007 Leadership Committee:
GOVERNING MEMBERS
Nancy Alexanderoff, 141 Boomerang
Chris Aarons, AMD
Andy Nibey, Burson-Marsteller
Jonathan Carson, Nielsen BuzzMetrics
John Bigay, BzzAgent
David Reis, DEI Worldwide
Rick Murray, Edelman
Joanne Brewda, Fidelity Investments
Barry Feinberg, Ph.D., GfK NOP
Baba Shetty, Hill Holliday
Paula Drum, H&R Block
John Bell, Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide
Claire Boudreaux, PopularMedia
Julie Winskie, Porter Novelli
David Armon, PR Newswire
Joe Beaulaurier, PRWeb International
Jaqueline Dange, Quixtar
Brandon Evans, RepNation Media
Ann Moravick, Rowland Communications Worldwide
Howard Kaushansky, Umbria
STANDARD/NONPROFIT MEMBERS
Leslie Forde, Communispace
Bill Mosher, Echopinion!
Amanda Van Nuys, Organic
SMALL BUSINESS MEMBERS
Gary Stein, Ammo Marketing
John Moore, Brand Autopsy
Steve Hershberger, ComBlu
INTERNATIONAL MEMBERS
Sandro Marchetti, IAKI
The Leadership Committee is responsible for making non-binding recommendations to the Board of Directors on matters of the well-being and greater good of WOMMA and its members. The Leadership Committee is also responsible for inviting nominations from members in good standing for appointments to the Nominating Committee, which selects the slate of candidates for the Board of Directors.
The Leadership Committee consists of the official representative from each Governing Member, three elected representatives from each additional class of membership, and four individuals recognized by the Board of Directors for exemplary service to WOMMA. Leadership Committee members must be able to commit two hours per month to Committee service.
Although voting for the Leadership Committee has ended, we are still seeking nominations for the 2007 Board of Directors.
Nominate yourself or someone else for the Board of Directors
4> Hosted: Dinner with New York
Members and Friends
Last Wednesday, Jan. 31, WOMMA hosted a special get-together for word of mouth marketers in the New York tri-state area. There were no speakers and no panels. Just dinner, drinks, and more than 80 fabulous guests! Thank you to everyone who attended for your amazing spirit and your continued support. We hope you had as much fun as we did!
If you don't live in New York, and you're hungry for some WOMMA-style networking of your own, just hang tight: We'll be coming to dinner in your neck of the woods soon!
If you'd like to suggest or sponsor a WOMMA dinner in your area, email events@womma.org.
5> Joined: 10 New Members
Even more companies have joined WOMMA. Welcome to:
State Farm Insurance, Eluma, Hanser & Associates, Carton Donofrio Partners, ASCAP, PHD, WebJunction/OCLC, Fizz, Reed Smith, and Froose Brands.
We thank everyone for their support!
6> Spreading the Word
Dr. Walter Carl, assistant professor at Northeastern University and a WOMMA Advisory Board Member, is profiled for his word of mouth expertise in the Winter 2006 issue of Northeastern University Alumni Magazine ... Congratulations to WOMMA member company DuPont, which was recently awarded a 2006 Silver Davey Award for its "Citizen Mom's Family Journal" blog; WOMMA Board Member Gary Spangler was project leader for the blog, which has also received the Web Marketing Association's Standard of Excellence WebAward ... WOMMA member Robin Luymes of Quixtar spoke recently at the Direct Selling Association's Communications & Marketing Seminar in Washington, D.C., and wrote an article about word of mouth for the December issue of Direct Selling News ... WOMMA member company BzzAgent has launched a new blog -- Net Promoter In Action -- to
highlight real-world techniques companies can use to improve their Net Promoter Scores; check it out at netpromoter.bzzagent.com.
Are you speaking at an event or receiving an award? Were you quoted in the press? Are you making a change at work or at home, or otherwise just doing something really cool? Tell us about it and we'll spread the word! Email editor@womma.org.
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