November 8, 2011

Clock is Ticking on Chicago Digital Startup Initiative

It's time to tinkle or get off the potty, as they say on the playground.

The door is closing soon on the debut run of The Chicago Digital Startup Initiative, an "annual grant created by the Chicago Interactive Marketing Association (CIMA)... in partnership with Built in Chicago, a community of local entrepreneurs committed to growing the digital space in Chicago."

November 3, 2011

Through their partnership with Built in Chicago, the Chicago Interactive Marketing Association (CIMA) has created the Chicago Digital Startup Initiative, an annual grant for digital marketing and advertising startups and entities registered in the Chicagoland areas with $1MM or below in top-line revenue. First place will receive $15K and in-kind services. Apply by November 18. Read More...

October 18, 2011

• The Chicago Digital Startup Initiative, a partnership between the Chicago Interactive Marketing Assn. and Built in Chicago.org, is offering $20,000 in grants to support local interactive marketing or advertising businesses.

Created by CIMA

What is The Chicago Digital Startup Initiative?

The Chicago Digital Startup Initiative is an annual grant created by the Chicago Interactive Marketing Association (CIMA), the city’s only interactive-centric professional organization, in partnership with Built in Chicago, a community of local entrepreneurs committed to growing the digital space in Chicago.

Through this partnership, CIMA will grant money and in-kind services to two start-up organizations in Chicago every year.

September, 2011

The Chicago Interactive Marketing Association (CIMA) recently had the opportunity to give back to the academic community in the form academic scholarships for four Chicago-based students.
Read more
2011-09-20 21:03:18
Pre-Event Panelist Interview: Cass Baker, Nancy Hamlin and Bob Girolamo

CIMA was proud to be hosting an educational event, “Take Your Online Lead Generation to the Next Level,” on Thursday, September 22nd at the Merchandise Mart’s Holiday Inn.

In anticipation of the big day, we decided to get some conversations brewing with three of our panelists:  Cass Baker, Executive Vise President for Digital Marketing at Leapfrog Online; Nancy Hamlin, Vice President of Marketing and Merchandising 1800Baskets.com; and Bob Girolamo, CoolSavings’ General Manager & Q Interactive’s Media Group SVP.

By: Miko Franklin, Chicago Creative Marketing Examiner

If you’ve followed my Examiner.com column, then you know that I am a big fan of marketing to the Hispanic population. With $1 trillion in spending power, this is one target audience that should not be ignored, particularly as it becomes the largest minority group in the United States.

Read more
2011-08-04 19:02:53
McDonald's, Sears, Allstate leading the pack in marketing to Hispanic consumers

By: Miko Franklin, Chicago Creative Marketing Examiner

As many companies ignore the $1 trillion spending power of America’s Hispanic population, others like McDonald’s, Sears and Allstate are ahead of the curve with innovative marketing measures targeted specifically to this unique population.

Read more
2009-07-24 18:25:34
Ten Things Search Taught Me About Running A Business

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 – January 25, 2012 –The Chicago Interactive Marketing Association (CIMA) is pleased to unveil the winners of its first annual Chicago Digital Startup Initiative.

CHICAGO – November 11, 2011

The Chicago Interactive Marketing Association (CIMA), the city’s only interactive-centric organization, announced the winner’s of its annual Star Awards at an honorary ceremony last night at the Renaissance Hotel in Chicago.  The CIMA Star Awards honor those in the industry who work tirelessly to develop and enhance the interactive and digital business in Chicago.  All winners received complimentary CIMA membership for one year.

September, 2011

The Chicago Interactive Marketing Association (CIMA) recently had the opportunity to give back to the academic community in the form academic scholarships for four Chicago-based students.

Includes two new award categories– “Digital Media Person of the Year” and “Rising Star”

CHICAGO – October 17, 2011 – The Chicago Interactive Marketing Association (CIMA), the city’s only interactive-centric organization, will be unveiling the winners of its annual Star Awards at an industry event taking place on Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 5:45 p.m. at the Renaissance Hotel (1 West Wacker Drive) in the Renaissance Ballroom.  Open to all business professionals in the Chicagoland area, the event will include a cocktail reception and appetizers with a registration fee of $90 for CIMA members and $110 for nonmembers.  Special group rates are available.  
Read more
2011-10-11 16:23:22
Chicago Interactive Marketing Association (CIMA) Seeks the City’s Next Big Digital Start-up

Local Businesses Could Win up to $15K in Grant Funding

CHICAGO – October 11, 2011 – Are you an entrepreneur trying to build and expand your interactive marketing or advertising business?  Think your business could be the next Groupon?  Or do you think you have the business savvy to go against some of the best and brightest entrepreneurs in Chicago?  The Chicago Digital Startup Initiative, created by the Chicago Interactive Marketing Association (CIMA) in partnership with Built in Chicago, is encouraging local entrepreneurs to submit their applications online at: http://www.chicagoima.org/partnerships beginning October 10, 2011 through November 18, 2011 for a chance to win funding to grow their interactive marketing business.  Two grants will be issued -- $15,000 for first place and $5,000 for second place, plus in-kind services.

Local Experts Provide Insights on Turning Online Marketing Efforts into Online Business Leads

CHICAGO – September 14, 2011 – As marketers increasingly use mobile, video and social media networks to market their brand, products and services, many are still trying to determine how to obtain quality leads from these efforts and how it contributes to the business’ bottom line.

Includes two new award categories - "Digital Media Person of the Year" and "Rising Star"

CHICAGO - August 4, 2011 - The Chicago Interactive Marketing Association (CIMA), the city's only interactive-centric organization, is now accepting nominations for its annual Star Awards, including two new categories for 2011 -- "Digital Media Person of the Year" and "Rising Star".

CIMA is pleased to announced that our 2011 academic scholarships are now available to all students!

Chicago Interactive Marketing Association (CIMA) Hosts Online Privacy Event ; Industry Leaders Discuss How Privacy Issues May Change the Online Advertising Business

CHICAGO – February 4, 2011 – With online privacy becoming a growing issue on Capitol Hill and around the world, the Chicago Interactive Marketing Association (CIMA) announced its first educational event of 2011, “The Online Privacy Debate – How it May Change Our Business,” taking place on Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. at the Westin Hotel (909 N. Michigan Ave.) in the Wellington Ballroom.  Open to all business professionals in the Chicagoland area, the event will include a networking reception and a sit down dinner, with a registration fee of $90 for CIMA members and $110 for nonmembers.  Special group rates are available.

By: Brad Spirrison, Chicago Sun-Times

While Groupon is the undisputed tech story of the year in Chicago (if not the world), the immensely profitable, Google-spurning, hundreds of millions of dollars raising deal-of-the-day site is not the only game in town.

mtvU is looking for 16-28 year old college students to develop and produce a compelling business proposal that utilizes social media to leverage or enhance their venture. Ideas must be original, feasible, scalable, and practical.

By: Stephen Thomas, Chicago Career Transition Examiner

Calling all college students looking to kick off your career! October 6th is the date; Loyola University is where you'll want to be!

Loyola University and CIMA (Chicago Interactive Marketing Association) are hosting "Confessions of a Hiring Manager."

CHICAGO, IL -- September 20, 2010 - The Chicago Interactive Marketing Association (CIMA), a group of passionate online marketing professionals based in Chicago, has had the opportunity to give back to the academic community in the form of both an academic research grant to its CIMA Professor, Linda Tuncay of Loyola University and academic scholarships for three Chicago-based students.

Industry Veteran to Help Strengthen KENSHOO Marketplace Penetration and Innovation

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) September 13, 2010

KENSHOO, the leading provider of online demand generation SaaS solutions for the enterprise and local markets, today announces the hiring of Aaron Goldman as Chief Marketing Officer. This newly created position signals KENSHOO’s commitment to delivering client-driven solutions and thought-leadership within the digital marketing industry.

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.