Welcome to Colloquium

I cannot begin without first commenting on what an “interesting” (note the quote marks) experience it has been for me to write this – my first blog post EVER.

When we counsel our clients on social media strategy, we remind them that blogs humanize – and build communities around – their companies. We get them comfortable with moving away from using “corporate speak” and into an interactive, two-way conversation that creates relationships with readers and authentically reinforces the company’s brand. And now, after countless tweaks, re-writes and wasted minutes spent staring at my screen, I can honestly say that I have new-found respect for my colleagues in our New Media and Content Practice areas. I truly didn’t appreciate how much discipline and expertise it takes to write a blog post.

So here it is – the post that officially launches Zizzo Group’s Colloquium Blog – written while I’m in the annual “year-end-reflection mode”. And while I’m not sure how the content team will ultimately use this post, to support the strategy for this blog, I have made the decision to use my time in the blogosphere to share a couple of 2011 highlights … without a doubt, it’s been a memorable year. Three highlights include:

• We completed the integration of the award-winning digital company we acquired in 2010. The additional thought-leadership, employees and client base has profoundly impacted our company. This new ZizzoGroup.com site is one proof point, as are the many rave reviews we are receiving from clients around the country about our enhanced new media service offerings.
• Item #18 from my Bucket List (“establish Zizzo Group in New York City”) was scratched off when we acquired four new world-class clients in NYC this year - the New York Daily News, NBC New York, Continuum Health Partners and Banco Popular North America. Yep, Item #18 is definitely “off the list”.
• We welcomed companies like BMO Harris Bank- Chicago, University of Utah Health Care, Mattress Firm, Wonderbox and Key Technical Solutions to our client roster. And we were honored to have long-term clients such as The Milwaukee Brewers, US Cellular, Whyte-Hirschboeck-Dudek SC and Kaiser Permanente grow with us again this year.

As for the weeks ahead?

• First, I’m looking forward to spending quality time with my sons and loved ones over the holidays. I plan to come back to the office rested, energized and focused in 2012.
• We have a couple of acquisition possibilities in the pipeline. If they are meant to be, I anticipate sharing news about them folding into Zizzo Group in the first half of 2012.
• And of course, the team at Zizzo Group will continue to bring fearless, results-driven integrated marketing solutions to our clients.

Most importantly, thank you for taking time to visit our site and to read this blog. We hope that Colloquium will become a place you visit often. Over the weeks ahead, REAL Zizzo Group Bloggers will host discussions and share perspectives about what’s happening in marketing, new media, user experience, social media, branding & customer loyalty, PR, our company, our clients’ companies and who-knows-what-else!

Send us your feedback and ideas – we are anxious to hear from you.

Best regards,

Anne Zizzo