Question

Topic: Advertising/PR

Best Tool For Tracking Inhouse Marketing Projects?

Posted by markp on 6/15/2009 at 8:00 PM ET 200 Points
I'm looking for suggestions on how to best maintain visibility of a large and growing number of large and small marketing projects and campaigns for a diverse set of markets. Not so much the nitty-gritty view of production details, more the 10,000 foot planning (what, to whom, how many, when) view.

What tools do other small agencies or marketing departments find effective -- and easy to maintain?

Excel, MSProject, Access, FileMaker, other?

Thanks!

Mark

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RESPONSES

  • Posted by telemoxie on 6/23/2009 at 9:00 AM Accepted
    one of my favorite quotes from Shakespeare is, "in such situations, action is eloquence". It is nice to have visibility and organization and so forth, but it would be better if this could be tied to specific action elements, task lists, and so forth.

    Let me suggest that you look at the ACT! software package. The software package allows you substantial freedom to modify the underlying database. You can create long text fields in which you can put status information. You can easily create reports from the data in the database, including as much data or is little data as you like. You can create forms which will incorporate data from the database, and you can print them one at a time or in batch. Since the marketing programs will need constant updating, you can schedule phone calls, status meetings, and tasks right within the program. You can create custom screens so that those who need to update the system, or access the information in the system, have access to the information that they need.

    The software is, of course, originally designed as a selling tool. However, having used the software for several years, I know it will do what you want. You will not have the overhead typically involved with programming and application in access for FileMaker.

    The application you describe is of great interest to me professionally. If you would like, I would be happy to work with you to design and implement such a solution.
    My role would be to provide some advice and some guidance, and to work with you to recruit and direct one or more student interns who would do some of the heavy lifting.

    If you would like to discuss this further, please click on my profile and send me an e-mail. Good luck to you.
  • Posted by markp on 6/23/2009 at 9:08 PM Author
    Thanks for the reply Telemoxie, I am distantly familiar with ACT and other CRM programs, as we run on a major ERP platform here with lots of bells and whistles.

    For 10-15 years we had developed and used a Filemaker based system to schedule/track print media buys and production, and recently our top-notch IT department created another web-based custom job-tracking/production scheduling system to run in SQL/Access I think.

    So we have plenty of firepower to develop a custom solution, but I guess I'm looking for something simpler, off the shelf that focuses only on higher level and am curious how others are handling this these days.

    Does anyone use MSProject, I'd heard it can require a FTE just to keep it current? How about Excel, are there any great templates available?

    Telemoxie I really appreciated the generous offer to help design one, I may take a pass on it at this time but am impressed none the less at your offer to help spec one out!

    Thanks again,

    Mark
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