Don Akchin

It’s not easy to keep up with the new digital media, much less understand it. But this provocative article in Ad Age, by Doug Levy and Bob Garfield, offers a look at the big picture. In their eyes, we’re living at the dawn of the Relationship Era, and as a result, everything we used to know about marketing is now wrong. On a similar theme, see for yourself what all the buzz is about regarding the “10 fresh realities of the Digital Age,”  a slide presentation by Lee Rainie, Director of the Pew Internet Project. In fact, have a look at the slide presentation itself.

We have often discussed the roles corporate philanthropy plays both in supporting environmental, social, educational (etc.) causes and in the arguments that corporations should not be preemptively philanthropic as corporations (though even those who criticize ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’/CSR tend to encourage share-holders to be philanthropic). A recent argument has flared up over Apple’s unwillingness to allow the selling of apps for its mobile devices designed to garner and/or collect donations. Jake Shapiro, the CEO of PRX, and Beth Kanter seem to be leading the charge, as they have complained since this past summer about Apple’s unwillingness to allow nonprofits to create apps meant to encourage donations. Ms. Kanter has even taken steps to end her iPhone/ATT contract to move to a new phone with the Google Android platform. Will Apple take heed of such switchers?

Craig Newmark, otherwise known as the Craig in Craigslist, coined the phrase “Trust is the new black.” In other words, it’s basic and essential, and if your supporters don’t trust you, you’re sunk. A commentator at The Agitator suggests one way to earn trust is to keep it simple. Photo: LKG Photography

I seldom enjoy direct marketing calls during dinner, but last night’s was a memorable exception.“Mr. Don, my name is Mia,” the caller said. “I’m calling for Habitat for Humanity to thank you for helping me get my own house.” I was touched. I hear a lot of pitches for nonprofits, but Mia’s call was the first I can remember from a beneficiary, and that made it meaningful. It was a direct connection between me, as donor, and a person whose life has improved as a result – with no intermediary. Even better, Mia was truly calling only to say thank you. When I didn’t hear the pitch, I even nudged her along. “Was there any other reason for your call tonight?” I asked. But no, she insisted, although of course if I wanted to make a contribution that would be great. Emily Grant, Resource Development Manager at Chesapeake Habitat for

President Barack Obama’s fanatic attachment to his BlackBerry was priceless free publicity for the wireless device. Blogger Jeff Brooks reveals how ad execs would have mangled the moment with less-than-credible cleverness. (Photo credit: Andrew Zhang)