Why Are Marketers So Stressed Out?

Greetings,

This month marks the 25th anniversary of OutWord Bound.?

It started with one press release.?

My friend Dennis Cronin, a trumpet player, asked me to write and service a press release for a compilation CD he produced. The CD featured jazz artists that played regularly at F. Scott's Restaurant and Jazz Bar in Nashville (now closed, I think, which is a shame, because it was gorgeously art deco, and the food was divine).?

The CD did well (I think). Dennis was happy enough with the publicity that he paid me more than what I asked! ($350 instead of $300 or something, but still.)?

That one project led to ongoing work with F. Scott’s, an art gallery, and a painter who showed his work at both places.

Soon, I had two sides to my fledgling business. PR for art, fine dining, and one night club opening. Feature writing for magazines and alt-weeklies.?

To drum up business, I called and emailed people (remember AOL?) I knew and didn’t know about potential opportunities. I met people at networking events and other events. And fortunately, I received referrals. And on it went…?

I didn’t know it at the time, but I was marketing. Like my business, marketing looks much different now. We have more ways than ever to let the world know our products and services exist, and more ways than ever to track how we’re doing.?

Do all those formats and channels allow for more effective marketing, or just more of it?

On Marketing: Hidden B2B CMO?Strain

For as long as I’ve held out my shingle (and longer), some execs have perceived brand awareness as unnecessary. A cost rather than a business function. And costs get cut.?

In a recent survey of B2B marketing leaders conducted by Becky Lawlor 's Redpoint, CMO Huddles , and Bospar , 50% said their company had experienced layoffs. And 41% saw cuts to their marketing departments. The pressure to do more with less has dramatically impacted CMOs’ quality of life, according to the survey.?

Get the full report on what’s happening in marketing departments across the U.S.

On MedTech: Looking Ahead to ICH E6 (R3)

Revised guidance under ICH E6 (R3) is expected to be finalized in the fall of 2024. Avoca, a WCG company, surveyed sponsors, CROs, and sites to gauge awareness and impact of the guidance. Get the report.

On MedTech Marketing: It’s Time to Rethink Data Analytics

The medical device target audience has expanded from physicians to multidisciplinary committees, payers, and patients.

Successful engagement requires a shift in data thinking—from fragmented product- and quota-based information to a holistic and customer-centric data analytics approach.

This article from Brad Maruca and team at Deloitte Consulting, published in the Wall Street Journal’s CMO Today, breaks it down. Read the article.

On Either: Tech Trio Launches Near Horizons

Are you a solo medtech founder?

If you want to get from step zero to step one, but aren’t sure how, explore Near Horizons.

Founded by tech industry vets Mark Jacobstein , Michael Kim , and Sean Byrnes , Near Horizons helps solo founders get to the next stage. Bonus points if your vision includes AI. See what’s Near.??

That's all I got. Happy Summer!?

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