Experts on the blogosphere and marketing will explore how brand marketing can be adapted to today’s technology, media and online communities during a discussion titled “What You’re Doing Isn’t Working Anymore” at DePaul University Sept. 18. 

Brian Reich, author of the best-selling book, “Media Rules!” about the effect of the Internet and other technologies on politics, society and the media; and Al Muñiz, DePaul associate professor of marketing, who co-authored the 2001 study that coined the term “brand community” for people who form communities—often online—around brands, will speak at the event.

Sponsored by the Kellstadt Marketing Group (KMG), DePaul’s new marketing organization, the program will begin with an author networking event with Reich at 3:30 p.m., followed by speaker presentations at 4 p.m. in Room 8014 of the DePaul Center, 1 E. Jackson Blvd., Chicago.

Reich is principal of Echo Ditto, a Washington D.C.-based firm that provides online community strategic planning and implementation.  A sought-after speaker and writer on the Internet and its impact, he also has spent much of his career working in and around politics. He served as Vice President Al Gore’s briefing director, both in the White House and during his 2000 presidential campaign.        

Reich has directed dozens of campaigns across the country and, during 1996, he was the youngest campaign manager in the nation when he led a U.S. Congressional campaign in Connecticut.  He writes the “Thinking about Media” blog (www.thinkingaboutmedia.com) and is contributing editor for the Personal Democracy Forum (www.personaldemocracy.com).            

Muñiz studies communities that form around brands, such as Apple, Saab, Ford Brancos and Legos, and innovative ways that marketers are using new technology to reach consumers.  His work has been published in the Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Strategic Marketing and Journal of Interactive Marketing.

The event costs $35 for the public and is free for KMG members. Complimentary appetizers and beverages will be served. 

For reservations, go to kellstadtmarketing.com.  For more information, contact Neil Feuling (312) 362-8902 or nfeuling@depaul.edu.

The Kellstadt Marketing Group (KMG) is a community of DePaul graduate students, faculty, alumni and business partners who are interested in learning about or active in the practice of marketing. The organization focuses on providing members with the resources, knowledge and connections to become successful marketing professionals. For more information, visit www.kellstadtmarketing.com.