A positive story to end the year on

Research published this week by the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) has found that experienced marketing buyers concentrate on building third-party relationships and educating the buying team about the category. The study found that it is contrary to advertising agencies’ criticism that procurement teams are solely focusing on lower fees and reduced media costs.

Here is a bit more detail on it from the SM website - supply management.

A good and spot on bit of research to end the year on as this is exactly what the more experienced procurement marketing professionals have been practicing for many years.

Have a good Christmas to those of you that read this and here's to a positive and productive 2011 in this wonderful world of marketing procurement that we work in.

Christmas Tree Purchasing

Years ago when I worked for SmithKline Beecham at SB House on the Bath Road in Brentford, I was always asked that as I worked in Purchasing, did I buy the fantastic display of trees that adorned the building every year (now a block of apartments I believe).  And no for the record I didn't. 

But this story on the Supply Management blog today made me laugh.  It is about the purchase of the Treasury's Christmas tree and £875 vs £40 discussion.  Had many of those discussions lately re buying or comparing like for like ?! - here is the link to the article - treasury-christmas-tree

A talk and a new initiative

I attended the Kingston Smith W1 seminar last night where I was presenting my view on 'Is the price right?'. The other presenters were Esther and Mandy from Kingston Smith W1 - superb as ever, plus Mark Lund with his perspective of the COI and Payment by Results, and Paul Graham from Anomaly on the way that they work with clients in terms of their fees.  Despite feeling under the weather, I really enjoyed the event and found the other presentations really interesting.  Worth attending next year if you are interested in the financial study that Kingston Smith W1 produce every year.

Just seen this about the new initiative that the IPA ans ISBA are working on - in looking at the process of ‘reforming’ pitching to save time and money.  It is good to see them working together but wonder if they will make contact with CIPS (the Purchasing body) to see if they want a procurement perspective.  Click here for more details on the IPA website - The-need-for-a-new-pitch-process