“We live in the future”, Chris Mumford, managing director of Richmond-based The Martin Agency, told attendees at the April 26 Mid-Atlantic Marketing Summit (MAMS).   During his keynote address, Mumford stressed that “the bar is getting higher”  and the goal of communications campaigns is to be so good they can’t be ignored.

Mumford showcased a number of agency clients, including Geico, and said that to break through the clutter “we must risk being offensive (in order to create) an unfair, competitive advantage.”

Another point made by Mumford was that communicators must embrace science – such as data – to help provide insights that help make campaigns a success.

Mumford was one of dozens of speakers at the full-day event that covered everything from a CMO roundtable to video marketing and the PR-marketing convergence.

The annual full-day event, held this year at the NEA Conference Center in D.C., was attended by more than 300 marketers.  The Mid-Atlantic Marketing Summit brings together hundreds of marketing and communications executives from throughout the region to discuss high-level issues through panels, keynotes, presentations, exhibits, and networking.

Based on tweets, attendees found MAMS to be a great way to get both an overview and in-depth look at the tools and techniques they will need to be successful in coming months and years.  One person tweeted there was “a lot of ‘listening’ going on”;  and others tweeted: “There’s something novel, delightful, and in-demand about work that’s tangible.”; “Guidance, insight and the perfect amount of nudge to want to know more!”; “Exciting panel of the power of videos”; and “Great sponsors at the #mamsummit I have used many of these companies with good results.” The following tweet seemed to sum up the summit for many attendees: There were “Lots of great takeaways”.

Photos by Geoff Livingston