Category: Blog

In 2013, Tom Martin published The Invisible Sale to teach readers how to build a robust, lead-generating digital sales system to free marketers of the dreaded cold call. Seven years later, his book is more important than ever as marketers and salesmen alike struggle to reach customers and build relationships during a nearly year-long pandemic.

AMA New Orleans is ecstatic to have Tom Martin discuss his methods for engaging with customers and creating meaningful interactions – digitally, sans any face-to-face networking. Tom has been successfully leveraging digital tools to build strong relationships with prospects, clients and partners all over the world – many he’s never met in person – for over a decade.

Join us for Let’s Get Real: Building Virtual Relationships So You Can Sell More! on October 28, 2020, where he’ll share his secrets for selling greatly through virtual and digital channels.

FREE for members. $10 for nonmembers.

All active AMA NOLA members will have access to a recording of the webinar after October 28.

Brigette thinks of this challenge from the perspective of the event planner, and is reaching out and partnering with companies to begin delving into creative practices for hybrid meetings and conferences. She says maintaining safety expectations and branding cleanliness is key to returning people to hotels.

Most paramount to recovery is ensuring this safety, said Alana Harris, Deputy of Arts and Culture for the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy. “What we do now will impact what we are able to do in the future. Supporting initiatives like the gig-economy worker’s grants, and rental assistance funds is a big help to our cultural landscape,” Alana explained. 

The city has implemented Embrace the Culture, a virtual platform supporting creators in the community. This sets up a digital infrastructure for culture bearers to continue to practice safely in front of a global platform marketing them to future visitors.

While focusing on safety to draw in visitors is key for the city, it is important to also consider marketing to locals. Daniel Hammer, President and CEO of the Historic New Orleans Collection, says traditionally 65% of visitors to THNOC were regional tourists, out of town guests, 15% further away. During the pandemic THNOC pivoted their programming, and turned the assets of their catalog, including performances, lectures and film screenings into blogs, social media features and webinar programs. Over last five months, engagement with these programs has been approximate to the number of museum visitors they would have under normal circumstances.

“Our new challenge is how can we convert those engagements into visitors to the museum when we begin to be able to host on-site activities,” Hammer explained. Their marketing is now focused on bringing the local audience to the French Quarter, he said as THNOC reopened outdoor spaces and larger rooms and galleries to a slow trickle of visitors. 

Alana encourages everyone to support the artists and musicians who have kept the culture not only by visiting our local attractions as they reopen, but tipping culture bearers and giving them a seat at the table to not just at the party but where decisions are being made. She said, “Continue to stimulate, create, and preserve the culture virtually and digitally, keep ourselves safe so that we can all be together soon.” 

By Olivia Morgan, Fund Development Coordinator at Culture Aid Nola.

What can marketers do to tip the scales in favor of local businesses? Panelists will discuss creative strategies to manage recovery.

AMA New Orleans is proud to announce our lineup of panelists for this FREE event discussing the impact of COVID on the New Orleans economy and how marketers can approach uncertainty in the coming year.

Our panel will include:

Mark Romig
Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer of New Orleans & Co.

Alana Harris
Deputy of Arts and Culture with the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy

Daniel Hammer
Executive Director at The Historic New Orleans Collection 

Brigette Folse
Director of Sales and Marketing for Royal Sonesta New Orleans

Event Recording Available to all AMA Members

All active members will have on-demand video access to the webinar recording after the event. Want access? Join now!

Pictured from L-R: Renee Piper, Brett Napier, Matt Lundy, Tristan Babin, Michael Cook and Robert Baer (not pictured, Matt Preuett).

In a recent board meeting, the New Orleans chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA) announced its newly installed 2019-20 board of directors. The board features both returning and fresh faces, including:

President – Tristan Babin, the public and government affairs representative for the Phillips 66 Alliance Refinery in Belle Chasse.

Immediate Past President and Vice President of Programming – Brett Napier, the business development manager for Jones Walker’s maritime and labor and employment practice groups.

Treasurer – Robert Baer, Fidelity Bank’s digital marketing and community outreach manager.

Vice President of Membership – Matt Lundy, owner of REI Promos, a promotions, printing, signage and apparel business, since 2002.

Vice President of Sponsorship – Matt Preuett, a marketing consultant under his company Converge Marketing and is acting chief marketing officer for AV Solutions, an enterprise conference room AV system company.

Vice President of Communication – Renee Piper, marketing and communications manager for Danos, an oilfield service provider.

Webmaster – Michael Cook, founder of Salty Key Marketing, a company that focuses exclusively on digital marketing and web development.

The selected members will serve on the AMA New Orleans board through June 2020. AMA New Orleans is known for the learning and networking opportunities it provides to business professionals in the New Orleans and the surrounding areas. Veteran board member, Tristen Babin, is bringing a wealth of experience to the table in his new position as incoming President after having served on the chapter’s board for the last three years.

“Through our luncheons and events, we seek to bring the benefits of an AMA membership to marketing professionals throughout the NOLA area. Connecting with other marketers, building your network and gaining leadership perspectives are just some of the benefits of membership with AMA New Orleans,” Babin said.

AMA New Orleans hosts educational luncheons and events where members and non-members can come together to learn and grow professionally.

The New Orleans Chapter of the American Marketing Association now has a page on LinkedIn. To follow, click here.

The organization provides monthly programming for local marketers.

The New Orleans Chapter of AMA is hosting a panel of senior-level
woman marketers to discuss the marketing industry and gender equality from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 18 at the New Orleans Advocate, 840 Saint Charles Avenue, New Orleans Louisiana 70130. The group will also share personal experiences and ways to help other females grow in their career paths.

To purchase tickets, click here.

About the Panel

Christine Albert, MPP, APR
Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications, LCMC Health

Christine Albert is the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications for LCMC Health and its five-hospital system. She provides strategic leadership for all marketing planning and operations across the network, developing and executing marketing plans to position LCMC Health as the market leader. Ms. Albert received a Master’s of Public Policy degree from The George Washington University and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Mass Communications and French from Loyola University, New Orleans. She is a member of the Board of the American Hospital Association’s Society for Healthcare Strategy & Market Development (SHSMD).

Caroline Hayes
VP of Marketing, AOS Interior Environments

Caroline Hayes is the Vice President of Marketing for AOS Interior Environments. In her role, she leads the marketing, communications and strategic planning efforts across all four of the company’s divisions (furniture, manufactured interior construction, filing and storage and operations and service). She is charged with driving branding, advertising, sponsorships, events, community initiatives and charitable contributions. Since joining AOS in 2014, she has championed a team development-training program, built a marketing department and strengthened the internal culture of AOS as well as the company’s reach in the community.

Katherine LeBlanc
CMO, Painting with a Twist

Katherine LeBlanc has marketed some of New Orleans’ most recognizable brands including Smoothie King, Dickie Brennan and Co., Louisiana SPCA and is now the Chief Marketing Officer of Painting with a Twist. Katherine is leading the Painting with a Twist team, just as the brand approaches several important milestones including the recent acquisition of Bottle & Bottega, reaching 10 million paintings and turning 10 years old.Katherine lives in New Orleans with her husband and two children where they own Bevi Seafood Co., a neighborhood seafood market dedicated to preserving the culture of tradition through food in South Louisiana.

Leslie Monson
CMO, Ballard Brands

Leslie Monson comes to Ballard Brands as a Marketing Leader for Churchill Downs and the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, and OTB & Casinos. She was responsible for general marketing strategy through Promotions, Advertising, Creative Design, Retail Offerings, and Corporate Partnerships. Leslie has been engaged in Hospitality Marketing Management for over 1 year having previously worked for Harrah’s New Orleans Casino & Hotel where she also managed Marketing, Promotions, Special Events, and the Total Rewards consumer loyalty program. Leslie’s career history has always been in the field of Marketing and Advertising having served as the Director of Marketing for Louisiana Publishing and prior to that, she was the Marketing Manager for Planet Beach Franchising Corporation.  In addition to her Marketing background, she has several years’ experience in Business-to-Business Sales.

The New Orleans Chapter of the American Marketing Association is a professional organization run by a volunteer board that serves the local marketing community by providing educational programming, resources and networking opportunities. More information about AMA New Orleans can be found at amaneworleans.com.

Design thinkers are invited to a workshop hosted by the Nola Chapter of the American Marketing Association at Tulane’s  Freeman School of Business from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 16.

Local design thinking professionals Antonio Alonzo and John Alexander will instruct participants on the following:

• The design thinking framework, terms of trade
• How to get insights from a user or audience and design for that user
• Methods for brainstorming and using creative confidence
• Articulating a clear and useful design challenge and design brief
• Critical making, bodystorming, and prototyping methods
• Testing and iterating prototypes, user testing

Participants will also gain a clear understanding of how to bring design thinking and innovation into their own projects.

REGISTER

Tickets are available for both members and nonmembers of AMA for $35 here. Lunch will be included with registration.

The New Orleans Chapter of the American Marketing Association is a professional organization run by a volunteer board that serves the local marketing community by providing educational programming, resources and networking opportunities. More information about AMA New Orleans can be found at amaneworleans.com.

AMA’s October Luncheon, which will feature artificial intelligence in marketing, is set for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 18 at Greater New Orleans (GNO) Inc. at 1100 Poydras Street in New Orleans

The luncheon will be hosted by Right Hat founder Elonide Semmes who will discuss how artificial intelligence is transforming industry, where it can be found in business and what ethical and legal implications it may have.

Semmes founded Right Hat specifically to help companies and schools better articulate their intangible value. Where many branding agencies are hyperfocused on the design of marketing materials, she marries exceptional design with deep thinking about how buyers think. Most recently she led an 18-month initiative for the International Legal Marketing Association (LMA) on artificial intelligence. She is also a member of the LMA Hall of Fame..

Get Tickets

Tickets are $10 for members $25 for non-members and are available here. 

The New Orleans Chapter of the American Marketing Association is a professional organization run by a volunteer board that serves the local marketing community by providing educational programming, resources and networking opportunities. More information about AMA New Orleans can be found at amaneworleans.com.

UPDATE: Get your ticket’s at the AMA member price as part of the ‘Friends of AMA’ discount with this code: amanolamember0918

Local real estate broker and popular keynote speaker Chris Donaldson is set to speak to New Orleans marketers from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 27 at Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar and Restaurant at 701 Tchoupitoulas Street.

The Sept. 27 luncheon, part of the New Orleans Chapter of the American Marketing Association’s monthly luncheons, will focus on building personal brands and the importance of it in the marketplace.

“This is not only for the Kardashians, or big mouthed politicians seeking your vote – it is an essential business tool for all of us,” said Donaldson. “You have one now, whether you know it or not. The only real choice is whether to be proactive or allow the rest of the world to dictate your brand”

Chris Donaldson is a real estate broker, popular keynote speaker, teacher, business coach, entrepreneur, and a leadership expert in the New Orleans area. Jumping into the world of real estate while still just a college student, he quickly transitioned his love of teaching to become one of the youngest certified real estate instructors ever in his home state of Louisiana. Now the CEO of Donaldson Educational Services, Founder/CEO of Donaldson Training Solutions and active real estate broker his daily mission is to make lives and careers better.

Register

Both AMA Members and nonmembers are invited to attend. Click here for tickets.

The New Orleans Chapter of the American Marketing Association is a professional organization run by a volunteer board that serves the local marketing community by providing educational programming, resources and networking opportunities. More information about AMA New Orleans can be found at amaneworleans.com.

Marketers and communicators heard from local social media guru Jeff Januszek on the importance of ROI in the field while they dined at the New Orleans Chamber on Aug.22.

Here are 9 takeaways from Januszek himself:

• Learn everything specific about your analytics
• Set specific key performance indicators
• Know what’s important to your boss or bottomline
• Test everything
• Spend a little cash on ads
• Engagements are one-on-one customer conversations
• Use tools to compile data in one spot
• Don’t ignore what the data says
• Don’t fear failure

Need more info? Contact Jeff here.

The event was hosted by the chamber and the New Orleans Chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA). For more information on AMA events visit our website at amaneworleans.com/events.