Stock markets are slumping. Corporate conglomerations are "right-sizing". Scandals are plaguing industry giants and the unemployment rate is approaching an 8-year high. Amidst all of this, is the noose on your promotional budget tightening?
Advertising, public relations and other promotional line items are easy slash targets during periods of economic uncertainty. While many companies are shifting their focus to short-term cutbacks, others may do well to consider how multi-dimensional grass-root strategies can benefit them in the long term. Consider the following:

1. Many competitors are currently cutting marketing/ad budgets, leaving market share up for grabs.
   Interactive grass-root promotions like store-front product shows (retail-tainment) and event-based sampling build consumer confidence and win preference by impacting consumers emotionally when and where most purchase decisions are made.
   In addition, it reinforces your brand's commitment to increasing consumer demand while maintaining superior customer service--both critical factors in capturing competitive shelf space as well as market share.
2. Mobile event marketing enables you to economize and heighten the impact of your entire marketing and promotion mix.
   As an integrated medium, mobile marketing enables your company to leverage marketing, advertising, PR, R&D and sponsorship dollars to reach very targeted market segments.
   Instead of broadcasting one message to a mass audience (which risks getting lost in the clutter or missing the target entirely), mobile marketing has the capability to deliver multiple messages with integrated promotional touchpoints--one customized "broadcast" at a time.
   If your marketing/PR budgets are shrinking, consider inviting other promotional divisions to share in the benefits of the medium while underwriting portions of your overall budget.
3. Consumers demand personal, one-on-one attention.
   Mobile marketing is a great catalyst for developing long-term personalized relationships with your target audience. Todays savvy consumer places a heavy emphasis on individuality. They are in search of products that suit their unique tastes. The best way to become a part of their life is to introduce the benefits of your brand into their lifestyle in a way they can personally respect, respond to and appreciate.

Now's the opportune time to get creative with your strategy. Think multi-dimensional. Think integration. Think long-term. If your promotions are beginning to fall flat, now, more than ever.. it's time to think mobile marketing!