Natalie Jean

You know those people who you make instant, natural connections with and you ask, “Where have you been all of my life?” That’s how David Hazelton and Lauren McLernon felt when they were paired in AMADC’s Marketing Mentors Network (MMN) program. “I think Lauren and I were matched because she is working on goals that align with my background. When Lauren and I met, we immediately hit it off. We were laughing, telling stories, and already brainstorming how we could meet Lauren's goals.” And Lauren

We learn the most from the ones we surround ourselves with – whether it be a wise grandparent, kindhearted friend or super-smart colleague. From our younger selves’ sports teams to our present-day marketing gigs, mentorship is a critical component of personal and professional development.

Career paths are like rollercoasters. There are ups, downs and curves. Sometimes you’re spinning. Sometimes you’re upside down. For Aimee Stern, AMADC board member and communications committee chair, this rollercoaster ride has been eclectic, fun and – most importantly – on her own terms.

The concept of the metaverse has exploded in the second half of 2021 since Facebook’s rebranding announcement — and is only set to expand in 2022. B2B marketing organizations will experiment with building multifaceted metaverse programs that seamlessly blend the virtual and physical worlds, delivering elevated solutions for businesses. Key components of these programs will range from engaging, interactive content to immersive VR and AR experiences rooted in advanced, realistic animation and graphics. And, with 74% of marketers planning hybrid events in 2022, there are ample opportunities to use the metaverse to create more captivating events as part of B2B businesses’ integrated marketing strategies.

Flexibility is power: a concept we’ve all learned well amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The ability to “flex” -- adapt to others’ working styles, change direction quickly on projects or adjust your tone of voice based on the situation -- is a key skill that AMADC’s Partnerships Chair, Kara Christ, has honed during her career.

At a high level, what are your job responsibilities? My day-to-day responsibilities run the whole gambit, as I am the only person dedicated to the marketing function on my team. I write event marketing emails, membership retention emails, renewal messaging, and manage most society branding, including company presentations, sponsorship brochures, digital advertising our website.

What excites you about marketing? Helping organizations think deeply about their unique purpose, create compelling content, and proliferate innovation and knowledge in a positive way. Marketing helps connect organizations but most importantly it helps connect people. My hope is that through thoughtful communications we are creating lasting, authentic connections with customers to help businesses achieve more.

Is there a current trend or topic you'd recommend that other marketers look into? We’re exploring the use of video content and storytelling. We’re living in an overcommunicated society. By using the power of good visuals and authentic, simple positioning messages, you can help your prospects to shift their perception. Aside from the big names like Nike and Apple, Southwest Airlines does this very well. Southwest positions itself from its competitors as the low-fare and high-frequency carrier that is fun to fly.

Is it just me, or was reading easier and more integrated into your life when you were a kid? School days consisted of storytime, reading buddy programs and scholastic book fairs (the real MVP). Evenings meant bedtime stories, and weekends often included trips to the bookstore.

The subscription market has grown more than 100 percent per year over the past five years, with no sign of slowing down. In fact, more than 60 percent of American consumers have two or more active subscriptions. The health and wellness industry has welcomed subscription e-commerce with open arms, with products and services ranging from fitness programs to vitamins to nail polish.

I started my career in HR at a large government contractor. I didn’t study HR in college, nor did I feel passionate about defense or aerospace. Truthfully, I didn’t know what I wanted to do, so I took the first job I could find. With that uncertain start to my career, it’s no surprise that I didn’t love HR or the company I worked for. The fleeting moments of pleasure I found in my job were the one-off occasions when I got to write. I wasn’t picky; I wrote department-wide emails for executives.

Our wedding day was the best day of our lives because we made sure of it. We reflected on what and who mattered most and planned our wedding around that vision, never wavering in the face of uncertainty or doubt.

After living in a spacious 800-sqft. apartment in the quiet(ish) parts of Falls Church, Virginia for two years, my husband David and I decided it was time for a change.

Books with dog-eared pages that are never unfolded

A study from McKinsey & Company found that 97% of senior executive boards in the U.S. “fail to reflect the country’s labor force and population demographics.” Diversity and inclusion have shifted to the forefront of most organizations’ minds, impacting every function from HR to Creative.

2020 has been a weird year jam-packed with unique challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic, California wildfires, killer bees...the list goes on. Add the U.S. presidential election to the list, with its unprecedented voter turnout, interest and political polarization. Needless to say, the media’s job won’t get any easier in November—and potentially well beyond.

The financial impacts of COVID-19 have sent shockwaves through nearly every industry, from retail to defense contracting. Companies have been forced to make tough decisions, including hiring freezes, budget cuts and layoffs. Marketing organizations have been some of the hardest hit internal functions.

It’s hard to believe it’s been less than six months since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. This global outbreak sparked a massive disruption in our lives, from how we work to how we shop. COVID-19 and social movements like Black Lives Matter and Pride have ignited a new generation of social activism.

As we enter this next phase of the pandemic, how should organizations shift their marketing priorities? What has changed about the sales process? How should you realign budgets and staff to do more with less?

Long gone are the days of purely transactional relationships between customers and brands. We expect more from our brands — both on individual and generational levels. Millennials, in particular, grew up during economic and technological booms, which has shaped the current consumer landscape.