#mark holdreith

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Matt Comyns, an Executive Search executive at Russell Reynolds Associates brought this article to my attention.  I am happy he did as the study helps quantify the challenge brick and mortar retailers face when consumers visit their store to view products but then turn to their smart phones for price comparisons...comparisons that often lead to the consumer buying elsewhere.  as the article points out that retailers, especially Target, have cried "foul" and are pressuring vendors for relief.  it will be interesting indeed to see what solutions manufacturers offer their retail partners.  

Mark Holdreith, Media Advisory Partners

[mapadvisors-blog]

In this Education Week opinion piece, Tony Bennett, Indiana’s superintendent of public instruction and the chairman of Chiefs for Change, a bipartisan coalition of state education leaders committed to comprehensive education reform, supports  the NCLB waiver.  He writes:

In many ways, this state-led reform movement has blazed the trail for a federal system that operates in a similarly effective manner. States should have the freedom to innovate as long as they are willing to embrace strong and swift accountability measures. At the federal level, expectations for a waiver policy should be high and clearly defined.

Mark Holdreith, Partner, Media Advisory Partners 

[mapadvisors-blog]

Education Week reports on the harsh budget realities facing many of the nations school districts as the school year sets to begin...

"At least 23 states have approved cuts to K-12 programs in fiscal 2012, which in most states began in July, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a Washington group that analyzes the impact of government policies on low- and moderate-income Americans. All told, those cuts will have a greater impact on education, health care, and other state services than in any year since the recession began, the center concluded."

I often hear that "throwing more money at schools is not the answer".  While spending wisely and innovation for positive and efficient change are part of the answer, it is certain that the spending cuts to be suffered are forcing difficult decisions with negative impact to student and community.  

Mark Holdreith, Partner, Media Advisory Partners

[mapadvisors-blog]

In this edutopia blog, Eric Brunsell, outlines not only tools, but also important principles, (borrowing from rules of successful improv) to bring about successful classroom collaboration.  Eric's is very generous with his thoughts and mentioned resources.  The tools and options are many...however it seems to me that maximizing the return on these amazing tools remains dependent on the motivation, talent and creativity of the teacher.  

Mark Holdreith, Partner, Media Advisory Partners

[mapadvisors-blog]

In this HBR blog, Scott Anthony, who heads up innovation strategy firm, Innosight's Asian operations, writes about what he observes regarding the recent market tumult and its impact on corporate innovation.  Is this current tumultuous environment a plus or minus for innovation?

Mark Holdreith, Partner, Media Advisory Partners

[mapadvisors-blog]

The New York Times recently reported that book publishers are experiencing sunny days. In its article, Publishing Gives Hints of Revival, Data Show they report on two independent surveys that show good growth since 2008, with Higher Education (up 18.7% over three years) growing especially well.  

“We’re seeing a resurgence, and we’re seeing it across all markets — trade, academic, professional,” said Tina Jordan, the vice president of the Association of American Publishers. “In each category we’re seeing growth. The printed word is alive and well whether it takes a paper delivery or digital delivery.”

This is in line with our experience here at MAP.  The book publishers we have met with recently are bullish, and especially pleased with the margins on their growing eBook business. 

Mark Holreith, Partner, Media Advisory Partners

[mapadvisors-blog]

Did you know that the use of QR codes is expanding beyond magazines and marketers to consumers?  This post from JWT Intelligence talks about how with the availability of simple QR code creation tools, (like this one from Mobile-Barcodes), consumers may use QR codes for personal branding, health related issues, and even wedding invitations.  In the report, its author Aaron Baar writes:

Beyond personal marketing and communications, watch for applications that provide unique functionality. In the health care field, there is talk about people who have trouble expressing themselves (those with cognitive disabilities or speech problems) using them for identification. Worlds Colliding—the meshing of the physical and digital, one of our 10 Trends for 2011—continues to evolve in interesting directions.

Interesting indeed!

Mark Holdreith, Partner, Media Advisory Partners

[mapadvisors-blog]

Higher Education, Old Media, & Innovation

Sean Carton draws important parallels between higher education and old media in his ClickZ blog Higher Learning and Old Media: More Similar Than You Think. Sean's point is that marketers should care about education and the tremendous change that he sees coming to higher learning.  

But what is needed to transform and revitalize education?  Clay Christensen, the Harvard Business Shcool Professor known for his leading work in disruptive innovation and founder of Innosight, along with Michael Horn, offer a partial view in this blog from edutopia, titled, Disrupting Class: Student-Centric Education is the Future.  In it they contend that it is not more learning software or investment in computers that is needed, but rather it is how those things are implemented in the classroom that will make a difference...their position is that it is radical innovation that will change how kids are taught and learn.   

Mark Holdreith, Partner, Media Advisory Partners