Looking to refresh the bookmarks in your browser?
We’ve crowd sourced our Simantel team to develop a list of what we read and where we look for inspiration. Whether you’re searching for creative marketing ideas, developments in technology, industry trends or reviews of Sharknado 2, we’ve got you covered.
So go ahead and delete those unused bookmarks. We’re giving your browser a facelift.
MARKETING
With more than 30 years of leadership experience with Madison Avenue agencies managing brands like Procter & Gamble, Kraft Foods, General Motors, Coca-Cola and others, Avi Dan is one of the most trustworthy and thought-provoking influencers in the industry. As a contributor to Forbes, he focuses on trends in the marketing industry that are impacting agencies on a global level.
This 84-year-old publisher consistently distributes quality content centered on marketing, advertising, digital trends, media, data and B-to-B marketing. Both inside and outside of the industry, this is one of the most popular sources for news and marketing-related developments.
TECHNOLOGY
This technology content powerhouse may publish a monthly magazine, but their web presence and content take the cake. The technology-focused content has driven the average monthly unique visitors to over 19 million and monthly page views to over 76 million. The site also offers several different RSS feed options, depending on what your most interested in.
Here’s a site that’s a bit more specific than Wired, dedicated to profiling startup companies, reviewing new products and breaking industry news. The blog draws millions of views each month and has the attention of major executives. Since it’s launch 2005, it’s become one of the most respected technology sources on the web.
CREATIVE INSPIRATION
This design blog is set to inspire and promote creative minds all over the world in graphic design, photography, illustration, web design, motion graphics and more. The site is easy to navigate and visitors can even submit their own art for inspiration galleries. Next time you need a flash of illustrative creativity, take a look up north.
This site has set out to “define and promote the world’s best package design.” But interestingly enough, it has become a great place for all types of creative inspiration, not only package design. Similar to From Up North, The Dieline allows its viewers to submit projects, articles and even questions for publishing.
CONTENT DEVELOPMENT
What began as a small one-man blog has become a multi-million dollar company. As a software and training organization with more than 115,000 customers, Copyblogger doesn’t just teach content marketing, they’ve built their company with it. The blog publishes 5-6 articles a week on what’s working right now in content marketing.
Content Marketing Institute – @CMIContent
With over 85,000 subscribers, this blog pushes out news and trends around content marketing. Whether you’re new to this space or looking to advance your current efforts, Joe Pulizzi and his team provide useful advice. Even a few copies of Pulizzi’s book, Epic Content Marketing, have been circling our Peoria office for a few months now.
GENERAL BUSINESS
If you’re comfortable with Gary’s sharp-tongue and blunt tone, he’ll become one of your new favorite influencers. As a successful entrepreneur who’s used social media to grow a wine store from a $3 million business to a $45 million business, he’s one of the most reliable sources for advice, and certainly the most entertaining. He’s published three award-winning books and now owns his own agency, VaynerMedia, that focuses on social media for big brands such as GE, PepsiCo, the NY Jets and the Brooklyn Nets.
As a progressive media brand, Fast Company consistently attempts to inspire business leaders to think beyond traditional boundaries. The business world is constantly changing and Fast Company offers a fresh and playful approach to the industry through a pop-culture lens.
NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT
This general-interest online publication places its attention on politics, news, business, technology and culture, all with a witty editorial voice. In 2013, Slate became the first online-only publication to capture a National Magazine Award in a reporting category, winning in Columns and Commentary.
Here are a few impressive stats for Mashable: 34 million monthly unique views, 14 million social media followers and 7.5 million shares per month. Although the publication’s primary focus is on social media news, it also covers developments in mobile, entertainment, online video, business web development and more. Basically, the site is a one-stop-shop for the digital culture.
SIMANTEL AS A BOOKMARK?
There you have it. Those are the sites and people we follow and draw inspiration from. Hopefully we’ve helped rejuvenate your bookmark list.
We have just one more bookmark to suggest – Simantel. We publish articles that include thought leadership pieces, behind-the-scenes looks at our campaigns and portfolios featuring some of our best work. Follow @Simantel on Twitter too for additional industry news and information. We aim to share valuable and inspiring content.
