We're back at you!

Published on 15/07/2010 8:06am

It's been a funny old world in marketing since the inaugural MtAO. I'm not sure if digital is dead, but its all about social media these days darling, and Facebook is so 2008, with Twitter the last big thing.

New product of the year so far would normally go to Oakland Farm Eggs' and their Egg In An Instant, for all those people who are too busy to crack open an egg, you can now buy it in liquid form. However they would have been narrowly pipped by the 'Staycation' which came crashing into the summer and showed incredible bouncebackability despite a lack of smoke from Britain's BBQ summer. The concept of day-trips with family and friends is not a new one, but marketing it as a more civilised alternative to cheap sun and sangria is very much a new concept, so well done to all you 'Staycation' marketers, I tip my rain hat to you.

Marketing the art of was such a success last year, that we've decided to come back with a bang in 2009. There are some fantastic ideas, sessions and speakers lined up, and we'll let you know all the details here in the build up to the event. The speakers announced so far show our intent on making this a fantastic and informative experience. As the Chief Executive of Saatchi & Saatchi & Fallon, Robert Senior is an Adman extraordinaire. If you're after creative inspiration think of the Cadbury Gorilla advert that has altered the landscape of TV brand advertising, think of the mind boggling Skoda Car cake advert, think of the Sony Bravia advert with that beautiful Jose Gonzalez soundtrack, think of great advertising and we'll have the inspiration for you at Marketing the art of 2009.

For all you entrepreneurs out there, we've also got Tim Smit, arguably Britain's most successfull social entrepreneur. A visionary of our time, Tim launch the Eden Project in 2000 and has positioned it as one of the UK's top tourist attractions. A guy with quite brilliant forthright views, and an innovative management style, Tim will be explaining the Eden Ethos that has created a culture whereby all his staff do a guerrilla act of kindness to a complete stranger at least once a year.

That is a lovely thought to leave you with. It's good to be back.