New Year, New Name, New Format, New Content!

We've redesigned the look and feel and expanded the scope and content of this newsletter. The changes begin with a new name: the Franchise Marketing Leadership Report (FMLR). This aligns with similar changes we're making to our Franchise Consumer Marketing Conference this June, which we've renamed the Franchise Marketing Leadership Conference (FMLC).

Why, you might ask? Because (as you marketing pros already know!), of the expanded leadership role and influence marketers have today in their organization.

So beyond consumer marketing news and trends, strategies, and tactics, you'll be seeing more articles about the growing roles and responsibilities of CMOs and other marketing leaders. As the "voice of the customer," marketers continue to break down departmental walls across the system, working in tandem with the C-suite, IT, operations, sales and development, field support, and, of course, franchisees. The scope and complexity of the customer journey demands this interdepartmental collaboration, especially with IT.

The renamed annual Franchise Marketing Leadership Conference also is being revamped and expanded, with input from our conference advisory board and attendees from last year. Stay tuned for additional details. Here's one hint: new sessions on leadership, professional development, and learning to communicate early and often with the CEO and other top executives.

S. - Let us know what you think - including what you'd like to see in future issues. And if you have any ideas for contributed articles or topics, we're all ears.