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We were honored to learn that we received a Gold in the National Mature Media Awards in the Marketing / Advertising Campaign (Marketing Communications) category for our client work for an Integrated Launch Campaign for client work for Clark – Samara Woods.

The National Mature Media Awards is the nation’s largest awards program that annually recognizes the best marketing, communications, educational materials and programs for adults age 50 and older.

Congratulations to all the winners! A full listing of all the 2010 National Mature Media Awards available here.

Title: GrandCare Systems’ Weekly Aging and Technology Web Meeting
Location: Webinar
Start Time: 11:00am PST / 2:00pm EST
Date: July 8, 2010

Led by Laura Mitchell of GrandCare Systems, I have found these weekly calls to be a great forum for those in the technology arena of the aging space. At the July 8th web meeting I will be sharing more of our latest research just taken out of field, the lifestyle portion of which we were able to tease at the Silicon Valley Boomer Venture Summit two weeks ago. Here we’ll look specifically at the mature consumer and their relationship to personal tech devices and consumer electronics, and their buying behaviors when it comes to each. During this call, I’ll delve a little deeper into these findings, to uncover attitudes towards adoption and factors in trial and purchase decisions, and what this means for the marketing strategy of your aging relevant technology product or service and in reaching the boomer and beyond consumer. Learn along which lines those autonomous purchase decisions made within couples are drawn. I hope to hear you there!

GrandCare Systems’ Weekly Aging & Technology Web Meeting
July 8th at 11:00 a.m. PT/2:00 p.m. ET
Go to www.dimdim.com, click ‘Join Meeting’ button.

Enter ‘grandcare’ in the field that appears.

Or to receive emails about the Age & Technology Web Meeting with dial in information, sign up at: dealerweb.grandcare.com

With money comes power. As women gain economic parity with men, so are they gaining in influence, and this will change the world. I want to tell you about a book that tracks and describes this movement’s implication and potential, as it is an important read for marketers. Influence: How Women’s Soaring Economic Power will Transform Our World for the Better was just released on Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 (Voice/Hyperion). This book was written by my friend, Maddy Dychtwald. It’s been getting great early buzz from people including Nobel Peace Prize Winner Jody Williams and Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA). In its review, Publisher’s Weekly called Influence a “riveting exploration of female economic emancipation in the 21st century” and the Huffington Post began hosting a front–page series last week. This week’s blog is called “Who is the World’s Most Influential Woman?” (Answer: Mom). Recently, US News & World Report recommended Maddy’s personal blog stating it “tracks women’s progress and influence as women gain power and wealth in society and culture.” Interest is building. As you know, the conversation about harnessing women’s economic and leadership influence must be had in all places…by women and men. It’s an important movement.

Here’s more of what others are saying…

“Dychtwald shows how women are upending the status quo in corporate America through this rapid economic shift and offers a welcome… her rousing and well–researched book contains valuable insight into a pivotal movement that holds vast and heartening advancements.”
—Publisher’s Weekly

“…Dychtwald and Larson show plainly, increasing numbers of women are achieving economic independence and beginning to use the influence that comes with that in ways that will benefit us all for generations to come.”
—Jody Williams, Nobel Peace Laureate

“Maddy Dychtwald has captured this…with insight, data and substance. This is a really interesting read and a must read for female consumers and for those marketing to them.”
&mdashCathie Black, President, Hearst Magazines

“Here is a book with the potential to change the consciousness of everyone who reads it, and, so, to help bring about the very improvements it describes.”
—Cathy McMorris Rogers, U.S. Congresswoman

“INFLUENCE is the essential guide to a revolutionary trend that will completely alter our world. Everyone needs to read this book to comprehend the sea–change that’s coming. Maddy Dychtwald’s mesmerizing and insightful book takes us all on a journey into our future. Get ready.”
—Dr. James Canton, CEO & Chairman, Institute for Global Futures

Influence: How Women’s Soaring Economic Power will Transform Our World for the Better
(Voice/Hyperion), $16.95, is available on Amazon here.

To learn more about Maddy Dychtwald
and her book Influence:
Website: www.maddydychtwald.com
Blog: Influence
Twitter: @GoInfluence

Title: 2010 AAHSA Annual Meeting & Exposition
Date: October 31, 2010 – November 3, 2010
Location: Los Angeles Convention Center South ,Los Angeles, CA
Register: Early registration opens in May 2010. Check for online registration at: aahsa.org/annualmeeting
Description: The largest, most prestigious gathering in aging services.

• Attend over 200 education sessions on today’s hottest topics.
• Network with 9,500 leaders creating the future of aging services.
• Visit the largest exposition in the field with more than 500 featuring cutting-edge products and services.
• Experience inspiring General Sessions featuring notable speakers like journalist Paula Zahn and actor Edward James Olmos.

As part of the educational program, Lori Bitter will be instructing session attendees on how to reach the new continuing care retirement community (CCRC) consumer. Attendees will learn how values–based consumer segmentation can help drive an organization’s marketing strategy, and to understand the trends and differences in consumer sentiment towards CCRCs in a changing marketplace. Lori will help attendees discover a message framework needed to engage the new consumer and increase their prospect base.

Title: Seventh Annual Healthcare Unbound Conference & Exhibition
Date: July 19 – 20, 2010
Location: US Grant Hotel, San Diego, CA
Register: here
Description: Presented by The Center for Business Innovation, Healthcare Unbound Conference & Exhibition showcases networks, platforms and applications for technology–enabled participatory medicine. There is a special focus on remote monitoring, home telehealth, mHealth and eHealth for promoting wellness and managing chronic disease. Co–sponsored by: American Association of Homes & Services for the Aging (AAHSA) & Center for Aging Service Technologies (CAST).

The NCOA-ASA Aging in America conference on March 15 to 19 in Chicago will culminate in What’s Next Boomer Business conference on the 19th, a summit for all marketers targeting the mature consumer. I am excited to be participating at both, and am impressed with the caliber and range of speakers on the agendas.

Want to strategically transition from marketing with traditional channels, into incorporating social media to reach your consumers? Join me and others in the following sessions to get an actionable plan to do just that, and learn the latest in Boomer and social media research.

Growing a Business with New Media and Traditional Networking
Tuesday March 16, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Join me along with:

• Beth Sanders, Founder & CEO, LifeBio.com
• Susan Walker, Managing Director, SmartSilvers
• Mary Furlong, CEO, Mary Furlong & Associates

Organizations and businesses must strive to take advantage of low-cost, high-impact social media, while not discounting the importance of face-to-face communication. This session will describe how social media is used effectively by businesses and organizations. Participants will have the opportunity to break into small groups to share their own business or organization ideas.

Learn how to:

• Recognize the power and effectiveness of social media like Twitter, Facebook, blogging, and more.
• Understand the challenges of converting people from online conversation to becoming a customer, volunteer, or donor.
• Acquire practical ideas to incorporate into participants’ own business or non-profit and recognize the importance of face-to-face networking.

• Jill Gilbert, VP eCommerce & Industry Relations, Caring.com

This session will address the power of the Internet and will discuss how new social media tools like Facebook, Twitter and others can help sell products in this space. It will cover how to leverage other useful online tools, such as video, write-ups and consumer feedback and how all of these tools have the potential to influence boomers. In this panel, Jill Gilbert, CEO of Gilbert Guide and a technology expert in the aging in place can talk about the power of the Internet, and how new social media tools like Facebook, Twitter and others can help sell products in this space. We will also cover leveraging other useful online tools, such as video, write-ups and consumer feedback and how all of these tools will influence Boomers in the Aging Place arena.

At What’s Next Boomer Business Summit (March 18-19)

Social Media Boot Camp
Thursday March 18, 1:30 p.m.
Join me along with:

• Michele Ahlman, President, ClearSounds Communication, Inc.
• Laura Mitchell, Business Relationship Specialist, GrandCare Systems
• Scott Parkin, Principal, AgeComm
• Stephen Reily, CEO, Vibrant Nation
• Andrew Shaw, President and CEO, Soxial.com
• David Weigelt, Chief Marketing Strategist/Partner, Immersion Active

Learn from entrepreneurs who have deep experience in how to integrate social media into business.

• Learn the opportunities that social media offers as a touch point to your brand and products, and the most effective ways to use them to engage with consumers.
• Understand the Boomer consumer using social media, who they are and how they use online social platforms to stay connected, make recommendations and engage with brands.
• Learn how to transition from using traditional to using social channels, and how to strategically integrate social media activities into your marketing mix.
• Learn about several specific popular social media tools and platforms, and whether or not each of them is relevant and useful for your business.

• Jerry Shereshewsky, CEO, Grandparents.com

Join me to hear the latest in Boomer and social media research, with Jerry Shereshewsky, CEO, Grandparents.com who will be speaking about the latest in grandparents research.

Lunch with the Experts
Friday, March 19, 12:45 – 1:45 p.m.
Sign up at registration to sit at my table!

Analysts, authors, bloggers, and boomer market experts will host table for discussions that drill down into the issues you care about most. Select from 30 different topic areas and join you fellow attendees for engaging conversations and deep insight.

Day in the Life of a Boomer
Friday, March 19, 2:00 p.m.
Join me along with:

• Steve Cook, Chief Marketing Officer, i.e. healthcare
• Brandon Daniell, Chief Innovator, i.e. healthcare
• Randy Paynter, Founder & CEO, Care2.com

Learn about the segment of Boomers emerging as the new Social Media Mavens, who they are and their online habits.

For more information on these events, and to register:
NCOA-ASA Aging in America conference visit: www.asaging.org
What’s Next Boomer Business Summit visit: www.boomersummit.com

Tom Brokaw Reports: Boomer$! is a two-hour documentary in which Tom Brokaw tells the story of history’s wealthiest and most influential generation. Brokaw chronicles the extraordinary impact 78 million baby boomers have had on American society over the past six decades, and explores the challenges they face as they begin to approach the age of retirement. The program airs tonight, Thursday, March 4 at 9:00 p.m. ET on CNBC. I will be tweeting during the program, and would love to hear from you as the program airs.

As part of CNBC’s lead up to the program, CNBC reached out to Boomer thought leaders to post a guest blog. I was very honored to be asked; it is an opportunity to share Continuum Crew’s recent research findings about the new Social Media Maven. See what you think here.