Brandthony

[NOTE: This post was originally written for the official blog of Conversation, the digital marketing agency for which I am employed.]

It’s about time there has been good news from the Commerce Department, with all the 9.8% unemployment data meaning less consumer buying power in the country and slight depression here in the Conversation offices.

Gross domestic product expanded at an annual rate of 3.5 percent in the three months ending in September, a significant spike from a relatively shrunken base. The economy had contracted at annual rates of 0.7 percent and 6.4 percent in the second and first quarters of this year, respectively.

Even Cash For Clunkers now has some data to provide support for its campaign, with consumer durable goods up 22.3% compared to -23.3% last quarter.

So in an attempt to skip past some other data because your time is precious and ours is limited – what with all of our client work to finish and all – what does this all mean for marketers? It means the American consumer is making a comeback and just in time for the all-important holiday season. So if you planned to slum it through the holidays, pick up the phone and call Conversation now for some timely holiday campaign work.

While this holiday season won’t be like the prosperous ones of 2006 and 2007, it is apparent that holiday 2009 could at least beat out 2008, if only narrowly. With the economy in a slight upturn, there is no better time to jump into the digital marketing arena, because when 80% of consumers are making purchases online and 80% of their time is spent on social networks, isn’t it about time your brand started reaching those consumers where they are?

After all, close to 70% of them are skipping your TV commercials and 20% of Twitter “tweets” mention your brand name.

Related posts:

1. 3 Questions for Social Media Marketers