Politics and Media.

By Steve Fodor

I’m writing this at 9:45 a.m. on April 7, 2011. Other than getting up for coffee, I haven’t left my desk.

As usual per my morning routine, I checked on some news sources via the internet. I also reviewed my professional groups on LinkedIn and a few trade publications.

This morning, I’ve come to the conclusion that politics and the changing media environment are alike. Why’s that? Because both so-called “new” and “old” marketing mediums are desperately vying for attention and legitimacy the way politicians do.

As I’m writing this, we are one day away from the federal government shutting down because of budget disagreements. I’ve seen and heard all the politicians shift blame and proclaim there is no viable solution or point of view other than “their own.”

I’ve also read the following this morning regarding marketing and media:

Traditional, interruption-based marketing is dead (pro “new” media)

Print advertising is still relevant (pro “old” media)

Spending on inbound marketing should be three times as much as outbound marketing (pro “new” media)

Nine out of 10 adults average 43 minutes reading the publication of their choice (pro “old” media)

The average budget spent on social media and company blogs has doubled from 2008 to 2011 (pro “new” media)

Can anyone provide a real case history with a real ROI on marketing via social media (pro “old” media)

It seems like the back and forth battle of “I’m right, you’re wrong” among politicians is similar to the back and forth battle for relevancy among marketing mediums. Both politicians and marketing mediums are working very hard these days to confirm their relevancy and imply that they provide the “best” solution.

Politics and media are alike. What you hear from any one of them is usually slanted and based on furthering their particular agenda. We have a two-party system in this county because there is no one “best” solution. Integrated points of view benefit society as a whole. And just as we have a two-party system to create integration, a sound marketing and media strategy is most often based on an integrated approach, as well.

Do you agree?

Flickr Photo Credit: DWallis