President’s Address
By: Karen Conrad, President, BMA-Milwaukee

It's hard to believe we have just wrapped up our final regular program of the year. It seems like just yesterday we were kicking off our season with Monica Levy's engaging look at Johnson Controls' re-branding for sustainability. Then Brains on Fire's Spike Jones taught us the difference between a campaign and a word of mouth movement. Eduardo Conrado showed us how Motorola put B2B marketing online. We learned how Chicago marketed itself for a 2016 Olympics bid. Sean Dee literally rocked the house as he showed us how Hard Rock International reinvented a global icon. CareerBuilder.com advised us on how to bridge the sales-marketing gap, throwing in some entertaining TV spots for good measure. And Jeff Hayzlett challenged us to rethink Kodak with some humorous insight into his company's digital transformation. Along the way we learned how to sharpen our brand on a budget, demystify search engine optimization and marketing, explore multichannel marketing communications, and hone our networking skills.

Much has transpired since our first program in September and we have experienced a number of peaks and valleys as we watched the world change. We observed the stock market tank and then rally again. We witnessed bailouts, buyouts, TARPs and stimulus plans. We weathered a deep recession and welcomed an ever so faint shimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. We watched in disbelief as the price of a gallon of gas topped $4.00, and then breathed a sigh of relief as it plummeted again. We traded in our SUVs for hybrids, redefined the meaning of necessity, and learned the fine art of the “staycation.” We blogged, tweeted, Flickred, LinkedIn, followed, texted, mashed up, and re-tweeted. We cheered for Danny Gokey, marveled at the “miracle on the Hudson,” mastered Dance Dance Revolution, and survived the Swine Flu. Personally, I'm exhausted. But it's been an remarkable nine months, and we've come through it together … sharing our concerns, successes, hardships and accomplishments with our BMA community of friends and associates.

And, believe it or not, we are already gearing up for our next program year, which begins in September. I am pleased to announce that we have elected our 2009/10 BMA Milwaukee Chapter Board Members who will take office in August. Next year's board members will be:

Yes, it's been a remarkable nine months, but the year isn't over yet. With the Big Swing golf outing just around the corner, there's plenty of education, fun and networking still in store. I hope to see you all there.

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Technology-Driven BMA Bell Awards 2.0 Recognizes B2B Marketers’ Best Work
By: Siobhan Marks and Mary Mocarski

The annual BMA Bell Awards was unique this year as it shifted to a technology-driven 2.0 theme. From communications and marketing to judging and presentment, the entire program was conducted digitally. At the Bell Awards event, over 300 attendees browsed nearly 300 entries electronically on large plasma screens and selected their favorite entry on a touch screen monitor, determining the People's Choice award.

A total of 30 Bell awards were presented to companies whose entries placed best in each of 33 categories, and 53 Excellence awards were given to companies who exhibited outstanding work in B-to-B marketing. We also introduced new awards for both Bell and Excellence winners.

The BIG winner for the evening was Nelson Schmidt who took home a total of eight Bell awards and two Excellence awards. Nelson Schmidt also took home Best of Show for the “Paid by ADP” campaign for ADP Small Business Services. Johnson Controls and agency Marx McClellan Thrun won the People's Choice award for the “Think Customer” campaign in the online communications division category. Other Bell award winners for the evening included Avicom Marketing Communications, Bader Rutter & Associates, Branigan Communications, Core Creative, Cramer-Krasselt, Derse, Exhibit Systems, Finn Digital, Fullhouse, Johnson Controls, JWD-Creative, LePoidevin Rickinger Group, Mader Communications Group, Marketing Images, Marx McClellan Thrun, McDill Design and THIEL Design.

A complete list of winners is available on the BMA Web site.

Metrics Matter

As marketers, we know the importance of measuring the effectiveness of our brands and programs. This year, we enhanced our metrics by surveying three distinct groups: those who submitted awards; the judges who reviewed them; and those who attended our awards show. We want to thank everyone who completed the surveys. This invaluable feedback provides important insights that we will use to improve next year's awards program.

The BMA Bell Committee will be formulating a task force to address the key issues identified via these surveys. If you would like to participate on next year's Bell committee or the task force, please contact Siobhan Marks, Bell Awards Chair at smarks@xxlmd.com.

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Upcoming Events

June 22, 2009
BMA BIG SWING 7 Golf Outing

It's time to start thinking about the annual fundraiser for BMA Milwaukee.......the BIG SWING 7! As a non-profit organization, we certainly appreciate any support you can give BMA.

THIS IS A GREAT YEAR TO BE A PART OF THE BIG SWING:

• Last year's event sold out!! This year's outing promises to be just as exciting, with new surprises for all. We're hoping for huge turnout with another sold out event!
• It's a cost-effective way to network and get your name in front of a broad range of marcomm professionals.
• It's an easy and fun way for you and your company to support the great work done year round by the BMA.
• BMA Milwaukee will be offering a printed "Big Swing 7 Event Day Program". This program will include ads, a list of sponsors, and event day attendees - a great reference tool after the event!

THE DETAILS:
June 22, 2009 10:30 AM - 8:30 PM At
Mequon Country Club
12400 N.Ville du Parc Drive
Mequon, WI 53092

REGISTER HERE TODAY!

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New Members

We would like to welcome the following new members to the Milwaukee Chapter of the BMA:

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Renewed Members

We also thank the following members of the Milwaukee Chapter of the BMA who renewed their memberships:

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To contribute articles or story topics, contact Joellen Bradach at jbradach@imagesystems.biz.