2008 Spring e-Newsletter

• President's Brief
• Welcome to Our New Members
• Membership Program
• AMA Iowa Annual Survey Results

President's Brief

Happy snowy March!

Preparations are now underway for our own 3rd Annual NOVA Awards Banquet – Freakishly Good Work – to be held May 1st.

You should have received your NOVA Call for Entries in late February. I hope you’re already thinking about how many projects to enter and which projects. We have streamlined the entry process and now it is easier than ever before to submit your work. See below for details. We are really excited as we continue to build this program that honors marketing excellence. It’s not just how pretty or creative an entry is—the NOVAs focus on marketing programs that generate results. That’s what marketing is really all about! Put your best work up against your peers in the state and join us May 1 for another great evening.

As we continue to add value to our membership, we are currently in the process of revamping and upgrading our AMA Iowa Chapter Web site, thanks to Applied Art & Technology. Look for this enhanced site soon at www.amaiowa.com.

I’d also like to thank Cari Vilas-Rosno of Skyline Exhibits Central for donating a new Chapter trade display to be used at our monthly luncheons and special programs. And, thanks to Georgann Smith and Trilix Marketing Group for donating their creative talents in creating the Little @ Book (highlighting member benefits) and the trade display. We couldn’t function as a Chapter without our generous sponsors and volunteers.

We’re always seeking ideas and input on membership value. Please send them my way as we continue to enhance activities and programs for our members.

Thank you for your membership in AMA Iowa. See you at the NOVAs May 1!

Tamara Kenworthy, PCM
On Point Strategies
planning * research * marketing
tamara@on-pointstrategies.com
515-314-6568

Welcome to Our New Members

Please extend a warm welcome to our new AMA Iowa members. New members from October 2007 through 2008:

Membership Program

Where It’s @
The Membership Committee launched its new membership program with the “Little @ Book.” The book is designed to provide prospective new members with information about the benefits of becoming an AMA member. Current members will also find it a useful tool as it reminds them of the value of their membership in AMA and provides a place to take notes and write down contacts that they meet at chapter meetings. Books were handed out at the February and March chapter meeting. If you would like to receive a Little @ Book, please contact Georgann Smith at georganns@themembersgroup.com.

Lunch-n-Learn Program
The chapter is taking its membership recruitment to a different level this year. A new Lunch-n-Learn program is being developed as a way of educating companies and their marketing staff on the benefits of becoming a member of AMA. The first meeting is being scheduled for the end of March – and lunch is on AMA Iowa. If your company would like to have AMA host a lunch ‘n learn, please contact Georgann Smith at georganns@themembersgroup.com.

Coffee Chats for New Members
As a way to welcome our new members, the Membership Committee is launching a new program called “Coffee Chats.”  These gatherings will give new members the opportunity to meet the AMA Iowa board members and be an open forum for asking questions about AMA. A few prospective members will also be invited to join us for these “Coffee Chats.”  This is just another way of getting people excited about being part of the chapter and provides another opportunity for creating relationships with other members.

International to Launch Membership Campaign
The International headquarters for the American Marketing Association is launching its 2008 Spring Membership Campaign that runs April 1 through May 31.  Any new members signing up during those dates will get their $30 application fee waived (member and chapter fees still apply) and a $20 prepaid MasterCard® will be offered as a special incentive. Or rather than the $20 prepaid MasterCard, the member can receive a $200 conference discount coupon. We encourage you to share this information with your marketing colleagues that are not currently members of the Iowa Chapter. 

AMA Iowa Annual Survey Results

The AMA Iowa Annual survey was sent to members in the fall of 2007. Of the surveys sent, 58 were completed, which represents approximately 23% of our membership. The AMA Iowa Board uses this information to better serve the membership. The results provide a guide for current and future program topics, preferred meeting locations, determining NOVA awards categories, measuring satisfaction, etc. Below are a few highlights from the survey.

How long have you worked in the marketing field?
10 years or more -- 55%
6 - 9 years -- 16%
2 - 5 years -- 22%
Less than 2 years -- 5%
           
How many AMA events have you attended in the last year?
10+ -- 17%
7 to 9 -- 14%
4 to 6 -- 17%
1 to 3 -- 34%
           
Top 10 Program Topics of Interest       
Branding       
On-line Tools / New Trends 
Integrated Marketing
Strategic Planning   
Interactive Marketing           
Marketing Technology         
Direct Marketing      
On-line Strategy       
CRM – Customer Relationship Management       
Services Marketing  
           
Preferred Meeting Location        
West Des Moines (Des Moines Golf & Country Club) -- 48%
Downtown Des Moines -- 33%
Northern Suburbs (Ankeny / Johnston) -- 14%
East Des Moines (Altoona, etc.) -- 3%
South Des Moines (Airport area) -- 2%
           
The NOVA Awards
Awareness -- 88%
Have Attended -- 38%
Have submitted entries -- 22%
           
Overall AMA Iowa Membership Satisfaction  
5 Very Satisfied -- 24%
4 -- 56%
3 -- 19%
2 -- 2%
1 Not Satisfied -- 0%
           
Plan to renew membership?      
Very likely + Somewhat likely -- 93%

If you have any additional ideas on how we can add extra value to your membership, please let us know. E-mail Board President Tamara Kenworthy at tamara@on-pointstrategies.com.