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Why is Marketing so hard to define?

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 16:51:29 GMT

What is marketing?

Ask a hundred people what marketing is, and you will likely get a hundred completely different answers. Some will imply advertising, while others will reference branding. If you spend any time on social media, "Marketing" may only be referenced in digital form (I can't tell you how many times I've heard a digital marketing agency claim to be a "full service marketing agency" - with absolutely no credibility to back it up - smh). Some executives consider it sales support, while creatives see it as design and storytelling. The truth is: marketing is all of those things... and more.

As a marketing leader, many people (and clients) jump into a discussion about their marketing with the assumption that I will see it the same way they do. Because of misunderstandings in the past, that is something that I won't do. Leave assumptions at the door, and let's explore why marketing is so difficult to define AND agree upon... and why that very complexity makes it both fascinating and essential to business success.

First of all, Marketing Is Extremely Broad.

From advertising to market research, communications, design, digital campaigns, events, pricing, and strategy—marketing touches nearly every part of a business. Two marketers can have the same job title but do completely different work.

Marketing Changes Constantly

Fifty years ago, marketing was print ads and billboards. Today, it is TikTok, Google Ads, and AI-driven personalization. Tomorrow, it may be the metaverse and predictive analytics. Because the discipline evolves so quickly, definitions never stay fixed.

It Often Blurs With Other Functions

Where does sales stop and marketing begin? Where do product management, communications, or customer service overlap? Different companies draw the line differently, creating more confusion.

Everyone Experiences It Differently

Customers see marketing as advertising.
Executives see it as strategy and growth.
Creatives see it as storytelling and design.
Analysts see it as data and measurement.

Each perspective is correct, yet incomplete.

Marketing Is Both Science and Art

Marketing requires data-driven analysis (KPIs, funnels, attribution models) and creativity (branding, messaging, campaigns). That duality makes it impossible to capture in a single definition... and is almost impossible to coexist in the same person or role.

Organizations Define It Differently

A startup may call marketing “lead generation,” while a consumer brand defines it as “creative campaigns.” Professional services firms may see it as “proposal support and events.” No universal definition exists because every business applies it differently.

Conclusion

Marketing is difficult to define because it is broad, evolving, overlapping, and interpreted differently by everyone - usually based on their own narrorw perspective. But... maybe differing perspectives is the point: marketing is less about one narrow function and more about being the connective tissue that links customer needs to organizational strengths.

ACTION PLAN - HOW TO DEFINE IT FOR YOU

What is good for one company or organization is not the right fit for the next. My strategy consultations typically go as follows:

Start from the inside: Define your BRAND: who are you, what do you stand for, what do you do well, and what makes you different? Bic and Mont Blanc are both companies that make writing instruments, but they could not be more different. Do not be afraid to be you.
Work from your ideal CUSTOMER PERSPECTIVE: what needs do you solve for me and what pain points can you alleviate? They do not care what you have to offer until they see the value for themselves.
Find the CHANNELS that will naturally get you in front of your ideal customer. Ever notice that Ferrari and Lamborgini does not create TV commercials like Chevy, Ford, or even Mercedes? That's because their ideal customer is likely not watching TV. Where is your ideal customer likely to be found and available to absorb content?
Generate the CONTENT that will drive the actions that you want. The messages you send - visual, verbal, written, and implied - will make or break what you are trying to accomplish.
Don't forget the CTA - CALL TO ACTION! It is one thing to get your point across, but another one to generate the action you want. Keep it simple and let the customer know how to take the next step toward the better future your product or service can provide.

Marketing Channels - the case for an onmichannel strategy

Thu, 29 May 2025 22:51:09 GMT

The case for integrated marketing strategy.

I recently had a professional conversation where the other party referenced the sole importance of digital marketing - suggesting that other channels are no longer relevant.

I politely disagree.

In an era dominated by algorithms, pixels, and automation, the allure of digital marketing is undeniable. As an integrated marketing expert with experience spanning multiple industries, I have seen organizations invest heavily—often exclusively—in digital strategies. While digital marketing is indispensable, treating it as the only marketing channel is not just shortsighted; it is strategically limiting.

The Promise (and Limits) of Digital Marketing

Digital marketing offers what many other channels cannot: real-time analytics, hyper-targeting, scalability, and lower upfront costs. Whether through SEO, PPC, email campaigns, or paid social media, digital tools provide valuable reach and engagement metrics that are easy to measure and optimize. The rise of automation platforms and AI further enhances campaign precision and operational efficiency.

In fact, many believe Google searches are down significantly. There is mixed evidence on whether Google searches are declining due to AI tools like Claude, Grok, ChatGPT, or others. Some data and sentiment suggest a shift, but it is not conclusive. SEO and PPC efforts may therefore not be as relevant due to the increased reliance on AI services.

Additionally, digital channels have become saturated. Banner blindness is real, ad fatigue is rampant, and consumers are increasingly skeptical of the messages served to them online. Click-through rates are declining, and privacy concerns have altered how data can be collected and used. Furthermore, in B2B industries like industrial manufacturing and oil & gas, where trust and relationship-building are paramount, digital alone often falls short of delivering the depth of engagement required.

Traditional/Offline Channels: Enduring Impact in a Digital World

Print advertising, direct mail, outdoor signage, and even broadcast media still hold power - especially when aligned with audience behaviors and preferences. For example, a direct mail campaign targeted at facility managers or procurement officers can create a tactile impression digital cannot replicate. In industrial sectors, print trade journals remain influential among decision-makers, who often prefer reading long-form content in physical formats.

Offline channels also bypass some of the cognitive filters we apply to online ads. A well-placed ad in a niche trade publication or billboard near a logistics hub can generate brand recognition with key stakeholders without competing against the noise of digital clutter.

In-Person Marketing: The Human Element

Some may ask if AI is going to replace everything. One thing the COVID lockdown taught me is that humans have an insatiable appetite for human-to-human interaction that we cannot ignore. The lockdown brought an extreme level of depression and suicide that darkened many families and communities. Don’t underestimate the human challenge.

At a recent StoryBrand summit, the founder of BusinessBldrs.com , Jay Owen , observed that human-to-human interaction will continue to increase in value. What I took from his point was that people tend to trust what is real. While artificial intelligence can support efficiency and scale, it has not yet earned unconditional trust - and perhaps it never will. That reality underscores the enduring importance of authentic, face-to-face engagement.

In live settings, prospects can touch a product, observe how a solution works, and ask thoughtful, specific questions. They can also gauge the sincerity, confidence, and expertise of the people representing the brand. These human interactions build confidence in a way no automated campaign can replicate.

From my experience managing global trade show programs, I have witnessed firsthand how these environments accelerate trust-building, clarify value propositions, and even shorten the sales cycle. The physical handshake, the unfiltered conversation, and the ability to read a room- these are elements AI and digital channels cannot fully simulate. As technology advances, the companies that succeed will be those that balance innovation with genuine, personal connection.

Point of Sale: The Moment of Truth

Point of Sale (POS) marketing is often overlooked in strategic planning but can be the final nudge that converts interest into action. Whether in a showroom, retail environment, or digital storefront, how the product is presented at the moment of decision is critical. POS marketing includes packaging, displays, pricing strategies, and even how frontline personnel communicate value.

A cohesive experience between digital campaigns and the POS environment ensures consistency and reinforces brand promise. A mismatch here can undo months of strategic planning and investment.

Public Relations: Amplifying Credibility

Public Relations (PR) plays a unique role in marketing by shaping perception and amplifying earned credibility. While digital advertising says, “Look at me,” PR secures placements where others say, “This is worth looking at.” A well-executed PR strategy - anchored in thought leadership, media relations, and corporate social responsibility - builds long-term trust and distinguishes a brand from competitors.

When paired with digital amplification strategies, PR stories can extend their reach while maintaining their authoritative tone.

The Power of Integration

The most effective marketing strategies are not channel-specific - they are customer-centric. A multichannel strategy built on deep understanding of the customer journey will integrate the strengths of each channel to reinforce one another.

Digital marketing should not exist in a vacuum. It must work in concert with offline and in-person efforts to create cohesive, memorable experiences. As marketers, we must resist the temptation of convenience and trend-chasing in favor of disciplined, data-informed, cross-channel alignment.

Final Thought

In a world infatuated with digital dashboards and marketing automation, let us not forget the enduring value of human interaction, physical presence, and real-world engagement. Digital marketing is powerful - but it is not everything. When supported by traditional, in-person, and point-of-sale strategies, it becomes exponentially more effective.

If you are building a marketing plan and find yourself overly reliant on digital channels, it may be time to re-evaluate. True marketing success lies not in choosing one channel over another, but in weaving them together into a cohesive, integrated whole.

A wise human once said, "don't put all your eggs in one basket." An integrated marketing plan spanning multiple channels is a wise investment. Here's a simplified marketing channel infographic I made will hopefully help to understand a bigger spectrum of available channels.

And if you need help building your marketing strategy or plan, give me a shout - I may just know a guy.

The Changing Landscape of Marketing

Thu, 29 May 2025 22:46:35 GMT

8 Ways the Concept of Marketing is evolving rapidly.

1. Focus Shift: Customer-Centric focus is replacing a Product-Centric focus.

Marketers used to highlight product features and benefits, but more success is being found when marketers focus on understanding customer needs, experiences, and emotions. Brands are using personalization, journey mapping, and customer data platforms to tailor customer engagement and improve the customer experience (CE).

Are you focusing on CE? The days of "if you build it, they will come" were over a decade ago, and a shift in consumer expectation is now ruling the day.

1. Focus Shift: Customer-Centric focus is replacing a Product-Centric focus.

Are you focusing on CE? The days of "if you build it, they will come" were over a decade ago, and a shift in consumer expectation is now ruling the day.