Annals of bad timing, Conference Board edition

Given what's transpired with the Conference Board of Canada in the last couple of weeks, I might have recommended they not send the following e-mail to their list (please note: it was NOT spam - I'm on their mailing list):

Forward this notice to an interested colleague: I thought you would be interested in this information from the Conference Board of Canada. Dear : In the face of tough economic times, you need to spend smarter, not cut your marketing budget. The Conference Board of Canada can help you get more bang for your marketing buck with relevant research and presentations that address your key marketing challenges – marketing ROI, making better marketing decisions, customer segmentation …. We cover all the issues affecting marketers today. Marketing Essentials Kit 1 report,1 e-Presentation and 1 Executive Action Report for $495 a value of $1,210 – a savings of $715). Call 1-866-711-2262 and quote campaign code MARKET to recieve this offer. Here’s what you get in the Marketing Essentials Kit….. Managing and Measuring Return on Marketing Investment ($700) This 28-page report documents the research findings of The Conference Board's Working Group on Managing and Measuring Return on Marketing Investment (MROI). Its detailed statistical analysis supports the argument that an organization must not only create the right environment and have the appropriate skill sets available in order to make good progress with MROI. It also makes a strong case that long-term effort and commitment to these metrics are crucial for success, and that endurance wins out. Two case studies as well as numerous quotes from working group participants complete the report. Using Customer Segmentation to Drive Improved Marketing Performance ($350) Under the right conditions, customer segmentation can enable the more efficient and effective use of marketing and sales resources. Companies, however, rarely implement customer segmentation strategies. Getting segmentation right is challenging and requires superior strategy and planning, senior management buy-in, flawless market research, and focused implementation. This webcast presents rich case studies of best and worst practices from market leaders in a variety of industries. It will also give senior marketers the insights they need to 'operationalize' segmentation. Precision Marketing: Five Ways to Make Better Marketing Investment Decisions ($160) Faced with an onslaught of advertisements through not just traditional media but new media as well, customers have developed mechanisms that enable them to be highly selective of the messages they receive. Companies, accordingly, need to sharpen their efforts and work that much harder to reach their audiences. This 7-page Executive Action report presents five principles that can help companies make better marketing decisions by refocusing their concentration and perception of customer behavior — and in some ways redirecting their delivery investments. Rethink, refresh and retool with Conference Board research at a special price - $495 To order the Marketing Essentials Kit at the special price of $495 (a savings of $715) or individual copies at the prices listed, please call 1-866-711-2262 or email publications@conferenceboard.ca and quote campaign code MARKET. Sincerely, Christina Marshall P.S. Order before May 29 and receive a free copy of Customers and the Web: Web-Based Solutions That Improve Customer Acquisition, Loyalty, and Retention. This 64-page report (value of $875) describes five web-based marketing strategies that enable organizations to reach customers inexpensively using targeted messages. It also presents 10 best practice profiles of companies using them successfully For more information, visit our website at www.conferenceboard.ca.

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Ciao.