By: Aaron Goldman
07.15.09

It's been about three months since I launched my new venture, Connectual. In thinking about the ups and downs I've experienced, it struck me how profoundly my tenure in search marketing prepared me for running a business.

Here are 10 things I've learned over the years in search that have helped me as a business owner.

By:  Grant Crowell, Reel SEO
07.03.09

I recently covered the Chicago Interactive Marketing Associations' panel discussion - Creative, Technology, Media, and Analytics. The panelists of senior industry leaders debated on how creative, technology, media & analytics are converging more in interactive video marketing; and how agencies can overcome the limitations of video measurement towards client buy-in.

By:  Lauren Young, examiner.com
07.22.09

We've all heard the phrase, "It's not what you know, but who you know". No one understands this better than this week's Chicago Young Entrepreneur, Aaron Goldman. This 31-year-old is a self-professed serial blogger (he writes about 15) and formed his company to "connect" buyers and sellers of digital marketing solutions. Aaron has already secured business from a number of influential clients in his industry and shows no signs of slowing down in his digital marketing company, Connectual.

Not Every Communication Challenge Is a Nail to Be Hammered With Social Media

Posted by: Judy Shapiro on AdAge.com
07.20.09

Pity the poor CEO in today's media world. UberCEO recently did a study with the headline "It's Official: Fortune 100 CEOs Are Social Media Slackers." It goes on to analyze the social-media habits of CEOs at large companies and concluded, shockingly, that they don't use social media much.

Contact: Bruce Hutchison
847-726-9976

The movie Jerry Maguire featured Tom Cruise as the struggling sports agent trying to succeed with his client, Rod Tidwell, played by Cuba Gooding, Jr. Their best remembered telephone shouting match line "show me the money" still resonates today. However, the plot of the movie holds additional relevance for today's businesses who should be focusing more on "show me the trust" to capitalize on the extraordinary growth of online social media.

Chicago, IL, June 14, 2010 ‐‐To gauge the state of the interactive marketing industry and explore trends, the Chicago Interactive Marketing Association (CIMA) conducted its eighth semiannual survey. Data was collected during Q1 2010 from over 100 respondents across the CIMA community.

CHICAGO– March 29, 2010 – Digitas (www.digitas.com), a leading global digital marketing and media agency, has been named one of the “Best Places to Work in Chicago” in 2010 by Crain’s Chicago Business. The annual award honors companies in Chicago that foster great work environments and go the extra mile for their employees. This is the second year in a row that Digitas has made the list. The agency was ranked #4 (moving up one spot from last year) and was the only marketing communications agency to be honored.

NEW YORK– March 26, 2010 – Digitas (www.digitas.com), a leading global digital marketing and media agency, and sister agencies Publicis and Spark Communications have been awarded a GOLD REGGIE® for the T.G.I. Friday’s Woody’s Burger Bet promotion.

These prestigious awards, sponsored by the Promotion Marketing Association (PMA), are the highest honor in integrated marketing. Winners were selected from 339 entries and were announced during the REGGIE Gala Awards dinner, part of the PMA's Annual Integrated Marketing Conference, at the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago on March 24.

CIMA is pleased to announced that our 2010 academic scholarships are now available to all students!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jen Brady, VP Marketing, CIMA
312-607-1400
jbrady@chicagoima.org

September 17, 2009

Strong Evidence of Stabilization; Google Fades; Facebook and Twitter Gain; Microsoft Moves Viewed Favorably 

Chicago, IL, September 17, 2009 --To gauge the state of the interactive marketing industry, the Chicago Interactive Marketing Association (CIMA) recently conducted its seventh semiannual survey of its members and associates. Data was collected during August 2009 with 130 survey results tabulated, analyzed, and prepared by CIMA’s partner analyst and Director of Global Strategy and Operations with The Marketing Store, Troy Mastin.  Mark Ailsworth, CIMA’s President and Director of Midwest Sales for Undertone states, “CIMA’s prior survey results provided industry insights that held true to form for the marketplace. The most recent results document interesting points for debate here in Chicago and nationally.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jen Brady, VP Marketing, CIMA
312-607-1400
jbrady@chicagoima.org

August 17, 2009

CHICAGO – Chicago’s largest interactive marketing association, The Chicago Interactive Marketing Association (CIMA), announces the launch of its updated website featuring social community capabilities and digital marketing resources. The website fortifies CIMA's position as an organization leader in interactive marketing community while providing an enhanced platform to ensure CIMA continues to provide thought leadership to the interactive marketing landscape. The fully revamped website design represents CIMA's commitment to evolve in the ever-changing and dynamic world of digital marketing.

Contact: Jen Brady, CEO and President of Fred & Associates, Inc.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Jen Brady, CEO and President of Fred & Associates, Inc. (www.FredAssociates.com), announced that the company, formerly known as Innovative Marketing Consulting, LLC, has rebranded and moved offices to provide expanded services for its clients.

For more information contact:
Neysa Bennett
Ph: 312.252.8883

CHICAGO, IL, January 2, 2009 - The Bennett Wheelless Group, a leading response-marketing executive recruitment firm, has been renamed BennettBaker, Ltd., the company announced today. Neysa Bennett is CEO; Heather Baker, who joined the firm in 2002, is Managing Partner. As part of the name change, the firm has created a new web site: www.bennettbaker.com.

Contact: Arends

Oak Brook, IL (April 24, 2008) - Brand marketing firm Arends, a leading provider of strategic ideas that grow business-to-business brands, announced the promotion of veteran Ken Jackson to the position of President.

Contact: Jen Brady, VP Marketing, CIMA

Direct Marketing, Mobile, and Social Areas of Strength; Notable Deterioration in Environment and Outlook; Emerging Companies of Growing Importance

Chicago, IL, March 13, 2009 --To gauge the current state of the interactive marketing industry, discover emerging trends, and identify key beneficiaries, the Chicago Interactive Marketing Association (CIMA) recently conducted its sixth semiannual survey of its members and associates. The data was collected during January and February of 2009 with results tabulated, analyzed, and prepared by CIMA's partner analyst and industry consultant, Troy Mastin.

Industry Expert to Deliver Sales and Marketing Services for Interactive Marketing Companies

Contact: Aaron Goldman, Managing Partner
(312) 980-1615

Chicago, IL - April 13, 2009 -- Aaron Goldman, a ten-year digital marketing veteran, today announced the launch of his new venture,  Connectual. The company promises to help businesses cut through the clutter of various interactive marketing solutions to make meaningful connections and drive revenue.