"But that's enough about me... what about you? What do you think of me?"
Source: Your most recent social gathering

Somewhere along the lines, we - as marketers - have really lost the plot. If you are reading this blog, the chances are that you already familiar with the idea that marketing is no longer a one-way (broadcast) street and that the brand is not the centre of the universe.
 

Article #1 Warns about new forms of consumer skepticism and organisation and argues that this 'discontent' is something 'businesses cannot afford to overlook because it has already assumed the proportions of a real threat to producers and distributors of advertised brands.' The article suggests that listening to consumers is one way to solve the problem. Such efforts cannot be faked; 'if it is lacking in a sincere desire to do something for the consumer, that worthy will be quick to see through the disguise.' Business Week, 1939 Article #2