May I introduce you to a Banker With Balls?

My friend and conference colleague Jurie Pieterse, who is Head of Marketing Communications at ING Direct (US) has started a blog called Banker With Balls.

Here’s how he describes the name in his inaugural post:

“With balls” – other than to infer some gutsiness – is a reference to where I work at the bank who loves orange balls: ING DIRECT… I’ll try to keep it balanced, but remember that I am passionate about my marketing work for ING DIRECT so that will likely come through.

I look forward to reading Jurie’s musings and opinions about marketing for a big, but untraditional FI. Having had the privilege of hearing him speak at two conferences, including the current Net.Finance where I’m writing this from, he has enough experience to be someone I can really learn from.

And here’s a link to his feed.

I need your help with my Net.Finance presentation.

Responding To Bloggers - Playing On Their TurfFor my upcoming Net.Finance presentation Responding To Bloggers – Playing On Their Turf I am focusing on the pros and cons of responding to bloggers when they write about your company.

I have a few examples of bloggers writing about their experiences with and opinions about their bank, credit union, credit card company, or other financial services provider, but am looking for more. Do you have examples of:

  • a blogger letting an FI have it on their blog
  • a blogger praising an FI
  • a company responding to a blogger
  • a company who SHOULD have responded but didn’t

Examples don’t have to be FI related, but it would help if they were. I have never heard of a Dell Hell happening in the FI world, but it’s just a matter of time.

If you have an example please either leave a comment here or email me at william (at) azaroff (dot) com.

Thanks for the help. I’ll credit you in my presentation if I use your example.

Speaking at CUES Experience.

CUES ExperienceI’m excited to be going to Minneapolis in May to speak at the new CUES Experience: Immersion Learning for Marketing, Technology & Operations Leaders. This is a new conference CUES is putting on, and they’re planning on mixing a traditional conference with on-site visits to some of the more innovative companies in Minneapolis.

They have some amazing speakers lined up, including Arkadi Kuhlmann from ING Direct, Jeremy Gutsche founder of trendhunter.com, Steve Williams and Terence Roche of Cornerstone Advisors and GonzoBanker.

But, I’m especially excited to meet one of my favourite bloggers, Ron Shevlin.

Plus I’ve never been to Minneapolis, so that should be very fun. I’ll do my best to live blog it as well.