Sonia Andresson-Nolasco

In 2001 Saturn relied on gas and diesel-powered trucks to tow its vehicles from coast to coast for its mobile tours. But a lot  has changed since then. Today the vehicles are doing the towing and the company is exploring new methods to reduce its carbon footprint while marketing its way across the country.

In this new era of thrift marketers are scouting out off-the-beaten-path venues like unsold homes and local cafés where they can throw their events and skip the expense associated with custom-built environments. An added bonus with these unconventional spaces is that the target demo often comes with the package.

Tapping into online communities before a live event allows a brand to learn a great deal about its target audiences’ behaviors and preferences. The insights can lead to more meaningful and relevant live experiences.

Colgate-Palmolive has been marketing successfully to elementary schools via its Bright Smiles Bright Futures program for 18 years. The ongoing program has become more and more interactive with an increasing presence at schools nationwide. It currently produces annual plays at schools brings in high-profile celebrities and stations mobile dental vans at schools and other locations to provide children with oral health education free screenings and dental supplies.

Laptops were all the rage that is until cell phones turned into mini personal computers. Now consumers get sports updates the weather email photos and news—you name it—all on a device that fits in the palm of their hands. Through SMS (text messaging) they’re also communicating with each other faster than ever before.