Guest Blogger Series

In late 2008, RiechesBaird, Nelson Schmidt, AGA Consult, Martino & Binzer, and Heller & Partner partnered to launch The B2B Brand Debate. Since then, the blog’s readership has grown rapidly and The B2B Brand Debate is becoming a recognized forum for discussion of all things related to B2B brand strategy, including integrated marketing tactics and social media.

As it nears its first anniversary, the blog is initiating its first Guest Blogger Series. For six consecutive Mondays in October and November of 2009, The B2B Brand Debate will feature posts from well-known and highly respected individuals from the world of branding and marketing. To learn more about the guest bloggers and read their posts, see below. This page will be updated throughout the series as more guest bloggers are announced and their post titles become available.

Schedule

Guest bloggers

Tom AsackerTom Asacker writes and teaches about radically new practices and ideas for success in chaotic times. A popular speaker and acclaimed author, he is recognized by Inc. Magazine, M.I.T., and Y.E.O. as a past member of their Birthing of Giants executive leadership program. He is a former General Electric executive, recipient of the George Land Innovator of the Year Award, and a former high-tech business owner. Asacker has been a strategic adviser to startups and Fortune 500 brands, and is the author of critically acclaimed books including A Clear Eye for Branding and Sandbox Wisdom, and his latest, A Little Less Conversation. Visit www.acleareye.com to learn more. Click here for Tom’s post, “The enemy of innovation.”

sashastraussSasha Strauss: Brand Strategist by passion and by trade. Fueled by new ideas, old hats and differentiated dogmas - he enjoys the rigorous, analytical digestion of the ways that others think. As Managing Director of Innovation Protocol, Sasha assimilates his 15 years of agency practice with firms like Siegel + Gale and TBWAChiatDay to constantly stir the pot of Brand Strategy. Careful though… he believes brand can be a dirty word when oversold… and the most beautiful concept ever told, when handled with love and care. Click here for Sasha’s post, “CSR value for B2B brands.”


timwilliams Tim Williams leads Ignition, a consultancy devoted to helping marketing organizations create and capture more value. Tim is a frequent speaker and presenter for industry associations, agency networks, universities, and business conferences in the United States and abroad. He is author of the book, Take a Stand for Your Brand, ranked by Amazon as one of the top ten books on brand building. As a recognized thought leader in the advertising and marketing business, Tim writes the blog Propulsion, authors the quarterly digital magazine Creating Value, and is a frequent contributor to leading trade and business publications. He launched his career in New York and Houston working at agencies including Ogilvy & Mather and Marsteller, and has led efforts for a variety of well-known brands such as Compaq, CBS, American Express, IBM, National Public Radio, Hummer, and Novell. For more information, visit www.ignitiongroup.com. Click here for Tim’s post, “What are B2B companies really buying from their agencies?”

Marc CortezMarc Cortez: A senior executive with over 10 years of direct solar industry experience, Marc helps companies establish their brand presence and grow their revenues. Currently the Global Product Director for a major solar company, he has worked both with solar industry start-ups and established industry players. With Soliant Energy, a start-up solar manufacturer, he was responsible for sales, marketing and corporate strategy, and was “co-pitchman” for Soliant’s successful $21M+ Round B funding. As Chief Brand Architect for Sharp Solar, Mr. Cortez created and established the industry’s leading brand, helping Sharp grow from a divisional start-up to market leader within 4 years. With Shell Solar, Mr. Cortez successfully created and launched their commercial system’s business. He holds an MBA from Pepperdine University and a BSME from Colorado State University. Click here for Marc’s post, “Solar energy: commodity or branding opportunity?”

Dean CrutchfieldDean Crutchfield has worked with some of the world’s biggest brands and most recognized brand businesses, including Michael Peters, Wolff Olins and Landor. He has spoken around the world espousing on the value of brands for well-known institutions including the Zell Institute, Miami Ad School, J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Wharton School of Finance and the Google speaker series. International experience with brands around the world has led Dean to develop a strong belief that brand is not marketing, it is what you stand for. With this belief, he urges the use of creativity and innovation to push boundaries and bust categories with brave thinking that can create new ways for brands to shape the future and help build a better world. Dean is currently the chief engagement officer of New York-based consultancy Method. Click here for Dean’s post, “B2B branding: symbolism versus substance.”

Jimbeau AndrewsJimbeau Andrews is an award winning filmmaker and mobile content pioneer who is also credited with creating the sport of Freestyle Motocross. He has built digital solutions for key brands such as Cirque du Soleil®, Sony, Kawasaki and The Oakland Raiders. As CEO of HotClickVideo Worldwide, Inc. he leads a team developing proprietary video software technology and UGC transactional tools that help anyone monetize video. He has spoken at The Adobe MAX Conference and has been a Featured Innovator at both the 2009 NATPE and the 2009 LATV Festivals. Click here for Jimbeau’s post, “Adding UGC to B2B and turning communication into sales.”