Ronald Kurtz

Articles by Ronald All articles by Ronald

• Mail Surveys Are Good Source Of Essential Research in Engage:Affluent on 03/16/2015
  

  In part 1 of this series, we looked at big data and how it is the focus of much content in business and marketing media. There is no question that big data can be very useful, but big data can only provide a portion of the research that marketers of high end products need in order to understand and effectively market to the affluent and luxury consumers.

• Research Data Needed To Understand Target Market in Engage:Affluent on 02/11/2015
  

  Marketers are inundated with data of all sorts from many different sources. It is vital to have a clear vision of what data is really needed to design an effective marketing strategy and plan. And then one must be careful to find an accurate and reliable source of the data that is considered essential.

Comments by Ronald All comments by Ronald

• Education Secretary Thinks AI Is A Steak Sauce -- Heinz Takes It To The Bank by Sarah Mahoney (Marketing Daily on 04/14/2025)
  

  Another example of Trump's foolish cabinet picks. 

• Quiet DEI: How Marketers Can Bring Inclusivity Under the Radar by Sarah Mahoney (Marketing Daily - Top of the News on 03/10/2025)
  

  I question the validity of John Caldwell's statement that "DEI prioritizes identity over merit" and is harmful. Not sure there is much evidence to support that. It may just swing the balance when merit is equal between candidates. It seems shamefull that we have a major political party and president who are making the allegations that John has presented. 

• Corporate America And The 'Trust Void' by Shahar Silbershatz (Marketing Insider on 01/28/2025)
  

  Unfortunately, I am afraid John Caldwell is correct. In this age of "grievances" fostered by Trump and the MAGA movement, a political elite in both parties that prioritizes career over country, and rampant misinformation in news sources, I am not sure anyone or any instituions can restore truth, authenticity, or trust that will be acceptable to the majority of the public..

• New Year, New Zuck? by Barbara Lippert (Mad Blog on 01/08/2025)
  

  Dan is probably correct that Barbara's disparaging remarks about Zuck's appearance detracted from rather than added to the impact of Barbara's otherwise excellent commentary. It is one thing (and not unexpected) for career polticians to submit to Trump's threats to primary them and thus reveal their lack of morals, ethics, self respect, good judgement, and commitment to fulfill their obligation of doing what is best for the country. It is another to see the parade of corporate execs (like Zuck) going to Floridas to bend the knee to Trump and thus reveal they too are intimidated by Trump;s threats. We should all be concerned by what this says about our politicians, our corporations and half of the population of the US. 

• The Evolution Of DE&I: How Inclusive Marketing Drives Business Growth by Elliot Lum (Marketing Insider on 12/23/2024)
  

  As I said, I think it is usually risky and probably a bad idea to make social policy an element of corporate marketing strategy. I sometimes stretch my comments to be able to make the point that I strongly feel career poiticians are ultimately the root cause of our inability to resolve key national issues in a bi-partisan common sense fashion. Congress, which has a very low approval rating, says voters want to drain the swamp and clear the deep state but that first requires them to make bold changes that prevent people from becoming career politicians.

• The Evolution Of DE&I: How Inclusive Marketing Drives Business Growth by Elliot Lum (Marketing Insider on 12/23/2024)
  

  To be clearer, I was trying to say that corporations seem to be announcing their abandonment of DEI programs primarily because they are coming under social pressure (perhaps from only a small psegment of consumers) that is being promoted by the extreme right of the political spectrum. Just as you say in your last paragraph, I do not believe that social policy, as a general rule, should be an element of corporate marketing strategy. There will always be consumers on different sides of each social policy, especially given the push of career politicians, and thus there will be a risk of alienating some consumers who might otherwise be a good prospect if the product value, quality, and relevance are right.   

• The Evolution Of DE&I: How Inclusive Marketing Drives Business Growth by Elliot Lum (Marketing Insider on 12/23/2024)
  

  Regret that opposition to DEI in many fields of business, education, etc. seems to be promoted by those in the extreme right of the political spectrum. The polarization of our country between both the fringe left and right will continue as long as it is beneficial for the career politicians, who are ultimately the root cause of why we cannot achieve bi-partisan compromises to resolve our major inational ssues  

• Big Brands Backtrack, Fund Inauguration by Tanya Gazdik (Marketing Daily - Top of the News on 12/26/2024)
  

  Thanks Tanya. I feel strongly about this type of action by corporations, which saddens me but which I understand. Wish it was not necessary.

• Big Brands Backtrack, Fund Inauguration by Tanya Gazdik (Marketing Daily - Top of the News on 12/26/2024)
  

  Unfortunately this demonstrates that commercial interests (to gain favors or avoid problems) can take priority over ethics and values. The abandonment of DEI activities due to political pressure is another recent example. Politicas and commercial interests are often in conflict. The West has been unable to implement truly effective sanctions against our adversaries because of companies wanting to protect their revenue and profit. They do this openly and also through back channels and gray markets.This undermines a valuable foreign policy tool for avoiding military conflict.

• Direct Mail Snaps Back - And Is Being Used With Email, Other Channels by Ray Schultz (Email Insider on 12/11/2024)
  

  Our mail list clients, who focus their direct mail on high net worth households, know that direct mail can be an effective and cost efficient way to reach a niche market segment.

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