Award-Winning Blog


The Power Of Multimedia Storytelling

Here, from the New York Times, is a very powerful way to tell a story … combining images, voiceover, music. The NYT uses it for news coverage, in this case featuring Doctors Without Borders. But I think you'll readily see how the approach could be used in a nonprofit fundraising or activist engagement context … […]

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Want To Test Mobile Marketing?

If your “R&D budget” permits, and reaching younger people is important to your marketing goals, you might want to enlist in this program. The DMA’s Nonprofit Federation, partnering with mobile marketing firm, Mobile Cause, is launching a pilot program next month for which you can apply. Looks like an opportunity to try text messaging for […]

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The Baby and The Bathwater

Last week the fundraising, marketing and communications blogs were abuzz over the current state of fundraising and marketing in the non-profit world. The firestorm was mostly centered on the question of whether direct mail is dying, dead or simply changing and what to do about it. Well, if direct mail is dead it’s one exquisite […]

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Salvation Army … 1000% Improved

I've praised the Salvation Army, arguing it was modernizing with the times. Then more recently, I strongly criticized Salvation Army marketing efforts that I characterized as ” throwing mud at the wall to see what sticks.” I was especially critical of their website, terming it: “Confusing, difficult to navigate, arcane in language, unemotional, devoid of […]

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Use Of Online Video Surges

Pew Research reports that use of online video has increased 45% in the past year. As of December 2007, 48% of all internet users report they have visited a video-sharing website. The usage patterns are not surprising. Online video usage … Decreases from youngest to oldest age segments (only 16% of age 65+ use); Increases […]

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Toy Safety Pushed With Animated Video

Finding it tough to cut through the clutter and get folks — media, citizens, donors — to pay attention to your message? Consider using online video. Here's a great example from Consumers Union, who is using this animated video to drive home their message about toy and food safety. In the USA we have 15 […]

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