TODAY: Members-Only Call to Discuss the Influencer Model

Today at 3 p.m. EDT, WOMMA will host a members-only conference call in order to open a dialogue about the influencer model among our members, as well as to discuss WOMMA's role in fostering discussion about issues that affect the industry.

BACKGROUND: Many organizations depend on the influencer model as one of the many word of mouth strategies that shape their marketing efforts. In response to recent discussions within the industry about the influencer model, WOMMA is providing a variety of platforms for our members to weigh in.

Dial in, listen to what your industry peers have to say, and voice your own opinions.

To take part in the call, please email us at membership@womma.org and put "INFLUENCER CONFERENCE CALL" in the subject line. Or give us a call at 1-312-853-4400.

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Join WOMMA's Facebook Group

WOMMA has created a Facebook Group -- aptly called "Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA)" -- and everyone is invited to join.

WOMMA created the group to act as an online meeting place for WOMMA member companies, as well as WOM practitioners who are looking for a community of their peers. We also invite college students who want to be on the cutting edge of marketing, teachers who are looking for the best new information to give their students, and consumers who have questions about this new marketing landscape to step up and take part.

WOM is for everyone. Let's spread the word.

Click here to join WOMMA's new Facebook group

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Member Benefits: Job Board Postings and Member Savings

WOMMA members receive a variety of valuable benefits -- here are two you may have forgotten to take advantage of:

• FREE MONTHLY JOB BOARD POSTINGS: WOMMA's Job Board matches the best brains in the industry with the companies that are leading the field. WOMMA members, don't forget to take advantage of your free monthly posting on WOMMA's Job Board.
• 25% DISCOUNT ON ALL WOMMA MERCHANDISE: Whether you're ordering one of our research anthologies, audio CDs from one of our past conferences, or a special package that includes a combination of WOMMA merchandise, WOMMA members save 25% on all orders. To use your discount, visit the WOMMA store here.

WOMBAT 3 audio is now available from the WOMMA store. Audio from the great word of mouth sessions straight from New Orleans for $195. WOMMA members save an additional 25%.

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WOM: Learn It, Do It Series Coming to Seattle & New York

This is a great way to meet like-minded word of mouth marketers in your area at a bargain price that makes it perfect for junior staff, as well as experienced WOM aficionados. You don't want to miss it!

WOM on the West Coast
Aug. 15 | Seattle, WA

Join WOMMA and member-company sponsors Cole & Weber United and Visible Technologies along with sponsor Zaaz as we cover all the basics of word of mouth in our educational, half-day session.

WOM in the City II
Sept. 20 | New York, NY

Join WOMMA and member-company sponsor GolinHarris as the WOM education road crew makes a return trip to NYC. Don't miss it!

Click here for more information, or to register now.

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Best Wishes Susan Tibbitts: WOMMA Exec. Director Exits

For the past several weeks, WOMMA executive director Susan Tibbitts and senior strategist Peter Waldheim have been enjoying some dedicated time together working through operational transition details as Susan prepares to end her service at WOMMA and move on to new opportunities.

Peter will officially take over from Susan as interim CEO on Aug. 15 (we'll tell you about him next time). Founding CEO Andy Sernovitz and WOMMA's Board of Directors hired Susan, who came to WOMMA as a senior director from the American Academy of Dermatology.

Susan is looking forward to her next challenge. According to Susan, directing day to day operations for WOMMA has been tremendously rewarding. "Working with WOMMA members is a rich learning experience," she says. "I have been delighted to support the industry-defining mission of WOMMA. I look forward to continuing to work with WOMMA members in my next position." WOMMA members, Board and staff thank Susan for her contributions to WOMMA's development and wish her every future success.

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Welcome to New WOMMA Member: American Society for Surgery of the Hand

Welcome to WOMMA's newest member:

American Society for Surgery of the Hand

Leaders at the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH), they understand the role word of mouth marketing plays within a thriving network of professionals -- which, in the case of ASSH, includes more than 2,500 plastic surgeons, general surgeons, and orthopedic surgeons worldwide.

According to Matthew Smith, ASSH's director of integrated marketing and brand development, word of mouth is the best vehicle for the spread of information about the educational opportunities, events, and publications ASSH offers. Smith noted that the circles of influence within this sector of the medical profession are great and that within "families of doctors" there is tremendous respect for highly regarded surgeons -- so much so that a single endorsement from one of them carries tremendous weight.

ASSH members are so adept at making WOM happen that, thus far, the organization hasn't had to implement a single word of mouth marketing campaign -- it just leaves its members to their own WOM-spreading devices.

Welcome ASSH, and thank you for your support!

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Spreading the Word

News by, about, and for WOMMA members:

• An interview with WOMMA Board member Gary Spangler of DuPont was highlighted as the "Feature of the Month" in Emerald Insight's ManagementFirst section. You can read the interview here (login required).
• Congratulations to WOMMA member company Ammo Marketing, which won a Silver ExAward for its Stellar Gin VIP influencer program for client Brown-Forman. Ammo was also named the "2007 Newcomer Agency" in the annual Promo 100 edition of Promo Magazine.
• Victoria Grantham of WOMMA member company Rose Communications recently wrote an Op-Ed article, titled "Disclosure Critical in Blogosphere," which appeared in PRWeek. You can read the article here.
• Christopher Battle of WOMMA member company Adfero Group wrote an article that appeared in the June 21 edition of Roll Call. You can read the article here.
• Congratulations to Lisa Wehr, CEO of WOMMA member company OneUpWeb, who was recently named to BtoB Magazine's 2007 Search Marketing Who's Who List. This is her fourth consecutive year on the list.

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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