MDMC 2025

 

May 13 and 14, 2025 - I agree to again be a part of the Midwest Digital Marketing Conference at The University of Missouri, Saint Louis. Dr. Perry Drake has done it again. He has managed this annual event for 13 years running. (I think I have been to most, it not all). 

This year, I am more painfully aware than ever that the impact of technology on the profession of Marketing is leaving me ever so much in the proverbial dust when it comes to being on top of trends. There is a lot of buzz about AI and its use as a "tool" in bridging the gap between Sales and Marketing, writing better communication and efficient facilitation of strategies. (I continue to be a sceptic.)

The 2025 Midwest Digital Marketing Conference will be held Tuesday, May 13th and Wednesday, May 14th in St. Louis, MO.  Two days of unparalleled learning and networking at the the largest digital marketing conference in the Midwest.

Day 1 - Dive deep with 12 immersive Masterclasses and engage in thought-provoking discussions during 6 interactive Roundtables on the latest trends and strategies. Day 2 - Choose from 27 breakout sessions led by top industry experts, covering everything from digital marketing and social media strategy to email marketing, data & analytics, and so much more!

 

Our Town

 

Our Town explores the relationship between two young Grover’s Corners neighbors, George Gibbs and Emily Webb, whose childhood friendship blossoms into romance, and then culminates in marriage. When Emily looses her life in childbirth, the circle of life portrayed in each of the three acts of Our Town–growing up, adulthood, and death–is fully realized.

Wilder offers a couple of chairs on a bare stage as the backdrop for an exploration of the universal human experience. The simple story of a love affair is constantly rediscovered because it asks timeless questions about the meaning of love, life and death. In the final moments of the play, the recently deceased Emily is granted the opportunity to revisit one day in her life, only to discover that she never fully appreciated all she possessed until she lost it. “Oh, earth, you’re too wonderful for anybody to realize you,” she says as she takes her place among the dead.

“It’s like one of those Middlewestern poets said, ‘You’ve got to love life to have life, and you’ve got to have life to love life.”

These words were spoken by Lucinda Matlock in Spoon River Anthology. She was based on poet Edgar Lee Masters’ grandmother.

I've seen the Thorton Wilder Play Our Town on stage more than once and recently viewed the 1940 movie version on the Turner Classic Movie (TCM) channel. 

The story of a small town and it's community becomes more poignant as we age and become even more in touch with the reality as we learn (sometimes painfully) just how short and precious life is.   

St Louis Mourns the Passing of Pope Francis

 

Easter Sunday (4/20/25) is a mostly rainy day with grey skies in Saint Louis. The television broadcasts from the Vatican show Pope Francis showing up among the flock. He looks to be recovering from pneumonia but he looks weak as he gestures to the crowd. Overnight the world changed. 

Monday morning news announces that the Pope died. Amid the highlights of the story, the local broadcasts advises that there will be a Mass at 12:00 noon at the Saint Louis Cathedral Basilica in his honor. I feel compelled to be among the faithful. I arrived early enough to secure a parting space in the lot on the block on Lindell. Approaching the steps I notice a camera crew and a reporter from channel 4. (Alexis Zotos introduces herself and asks if I would mind talking.) I agreed and this is what channel 4 captured from my remarks at 6:00 p.m.,"It's a critical time for the world. It's a very sad thing seeing the pope passing away. It's gonna be a turning point for the Catholic Church and, you know, religious people everywhere."

The pews were almost at capacity as Archbishop Mitchel Roznaski and an entourage that included priests and seminarians filed toward the alter. 

 

 

So the world mourns the pope's passing on Monday April 21, 2025. The Catholic Church prepares for the Conclave that will facilitate the selection of his successor.  

I saw the movie Conclave in 2024. It gave me a perspective on the process of selection of a new pope. The real life Conclave met and a decision was made relatively quickly as Pope Leo IVX take on the role. (American ties: Novice in St. Louis, Villanova University in Philly and time in Chicago. Spanish speaker with time spent in Peru)  

AMA Conference 2025

The American Marketing Association, Saint Louis Chapter has a long history of presenting programs featuring innovation, best practices and leadership in the profession of marketing goods and services. This year, under the leadership of Chapter President Eric Rhiney from Webster University we, again, produced an incredible forum for Marketers.

Blues, Shoes, Beauty, Spices, Dance, Diversity, A.I., Q&A, Networking, Community, Old and New.  

It was indeed an inspiring and educational day featuring speakers from leading organizations like Caleres (Dr. Amy Hunter, Eduardo Nieuwenhuyzen), PURINA-Nestlé (Carla Patterson, Angie Minges), Andy’s Seasoning (Dan Keao), and The St. Louis Blues (Eric Stisser, Kelva Emerson), Ryze (Solohna Bell), The Last Splash (Ryan Green) alongside business owners. digital marketing experts and social media influencers. 

Marisa Lather is our incoming chapter co-president along with Hanna Frisch. Marissa stepped in as moderator of a panel discussion featuring three experts on AI:

Sean Jordan from Research & Planning Group

Tom Harness of Harness Digital

Jeff Staats from Forest City Digital of Cleveland 

Through engaging sessions and expert-led discussions those in attendance gained:

• Insights into the Transformation Process: How to embrace and lead change effectively.
• Actionable Strategies for Future Success: Discover proven tactics to navigate today’s dynamic marketplace.
• Real-World Examples of Resilience and Growth: Inspiring stories of overcoming challenges to achieve sustained success.

Schedule Highlights:

7:30 AM – 8:00 AM: Registration & Networking
8:15 AM – 11:15 AM: Top marketing leaders
11:45 AM – 12:25 PM: AI Panel Discussion
12:30 PM – 1:00 PM: Recognitions & Awards
12:45 PM – 3:30 PM: Lunch & Networking

It was a rainy day with flood warnings but I was able to make it to a movie viewing (Oh Brother Where Art Thou?) on Friday Night at the Saint Louis Art Museum at 6 p.m.

About AMA

The American Marketing Association is the essential community for marketers. 

In 1953, Neil Borden transformed the business world when he articulated the strategy of “Marketing Mix” in his AMA presidential address. Borden was just one of many AMA leaders who were not satisfied with existing best practices. These thought leaders sought answers for the future that would propel business growth and elevate the role of marketing.

Today, the AMA leads an unparalleled discussion on marketing excellence. Continuing in the tradition of Borden and so many others, the AMA offers differentiated content that focuses on the tension between Best Versus Next Practices™. 

With content coming from unrivaled scholarly journals, like the Journal of Marketing, and award-winning publications, like Marketing News, the AMA offers a robust perspective that understands marketers are expected to provide both solutions for today and solutions for tomorrow.

No other organization provides more ways for marketers and academics to connect with the people and resources they need to be successful.

Learn more about AMA’s work in the Annual Report.

Our Mission

The American Marketing Association strives to be the most relevant force and voice shaping marketing around the world, an essential community for marketers.

In 2015, the “Next AMA” launched four transformational strategies for its North American operations:

1. Committing to Service Leadership to customers, members and stakeholders.

2. Providing a proactive, differentiated and modern voice for a single unified, One AMA brand, One AMA Community.

3. Establishing an Intellectual Agenda that is harmonized across all platforms and channels based on an editorial strategy to feature the tension between Best Versus Next Practices™.

4. Building a personalized and connected Marketplace of knowledge that engages the AMA in a single community—always on, always connected … One AMA Community.

Learn About Membership

Members of the American Marketing Association are dedicated professionals who work, teach and study in the field and have a passion for advancing our industry. As a member, you’ll gain access to exclusive AMA content and discounts on products and events that will help you boost your knowledge and advance your career. Plus, you can connect with marketers in your area through one of our more than 70 local professional chapters across North America.

For more information on AMA membership benefits, visit our membership page.

AMA Leadership

The AMA Board of Directors is a group of volunteer leaders who are impactful visionaries in marketing. They provide insight and guidance to our executive team as we work to build an organization that helps you put Answers in Action™.

Click here to meet our executive team and AMA Board of Directors.

AMA Volunteers

For those looking to deepen their involvement with the American Marketing Association, there are an array of volunteer opportunities throughout the organization.

Click here to learn more about our primary volunteer groups and their leadership.

AMA Code of Ethics

The American Marketing Association commits itself to promoting the highest standard of professional ethical norms and values for its members (practitioners, academics and students). Click here to read our full code of ethics.

AMA Job Opportunities

Learn more about joining our team by visiting the AMA Jobs page, home to our online employment application system. Here you can search for open positions, create an account to apply and manage your application(s), as well as set “job alerts” so that you are among the first to know if a new position opens that matches your requirements. We are pleased to bring these opportunities to the marketplace and hope that you take a moment to explore the possibilities!

Wes Morgan Art 2025

Wesley A Morgan is a graduate of Lakewood High School and former student of Phyllis Fannin and Dominick Battaglia (Lakewood High School 1974). He earned a double major in Art (Graphic Design) and English (Creative Writing) from the University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 1978. His uncle Andrew (Chairman of the Art Department at UM) was a mentor. He studied at UM with artists Gene Massin and author Lester Goran among others. 

He was a graduate assistant working with the University of Miami admissions office, and traveled 12 states in the Midwest and New England representing the U. He earned an MBA from the University of Miami in 1982 with an emphasis on Marketing before launching a career in Advertising in New York City. 

Morgan worked in full service advertising agencies on well known brands such as Heineken, Matchbox Toys, JVC Consumer Electronics, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Campbell Soup and Rich SeaPak.

He became "a client" in chief marketing officer roles until he shifted career focus again and became an educator - special education and art certifications (with a Master of Arts in Teaching - Fontebonne University, MAT 2018. 

Currently living in Saint Louis, MO. His recent work utilizes recycled packaging and reclaimed cardboard. 

 

WAM Blog

 

Pinochio sculpture in City Garden downtown St. Louis by artist Jim Dine

I studied creative writing and graphic design in college (The University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, a double major in English and Art). I completed my MBA in 1982 at the University of Miami and MAT, a Master of Arts in Teaching in 2018 at Fontbonne University in Saint Louis (suggesting that I know something about Business Administration and Teaching). I feel like writing is the constant. Nothing is possible without being able to articulate ideas. 

I got interested in BLOGGING when I first started to understand that the very term BLOG comes from Web Log as the Internet started to take control of all kinds of communication. (I might argue that it has too much control, but that is a subject for another day.)

Around 2010 I was invited to contribute to a Blog online. It seemed an opportunity to share some stories from my episodic life. I got a little recognition for my contributions. And a friend of mine at the St. Louis office of Optimist International, a year or so later, invited me to be a regular contributor to their blog. 

Then I found BLOGGER and started three separate blogs: 

Good Brands Better, New Brands Known - was a blog that I hoped would clarify my business positioning. 

Morgan Studio/East - This blog, ostensibly was to be a vehicle to promote my business as a marketing consultant. I got side-tracked (as I often do) and pursued several other avenues from Special Education to Teaching Art. So the Morgan Studio/East blog became a sort of place for my high ground philosophies about marketing (including advertising and communications). 

Bunker Mentality - was born as I started to write accounts and stories about my pass time as "an excellent golfer". I like the play on words. I remind myself that some say the definition of insanity is doing the same this over and over expecting a different result. (That pretty much describes my golf game too.)

My blogging mostly records my take on things. Mostly a record of events. Mostly, not as purposeful as I might have though at the onset. Still I feel compelled to write things down to remember things. Which I have come to realize is a nice by-product of my blogging habit. People sometimes mistake my playback as an incredible memory. The truth is, I remember things as I remember writing them in a blog - just as I note that writing anything down enhances your memory better than any over the counter product - like the heavily advertised Prevagen. (This product advertises heavily and claims results documented by research. It used testimonials from users claiming to notice the improved brain health.)

Yahrzeit - 3 years

 

Even when it brings tears to my eyes,

memory of you is a blessing, Bing.

You left us three years ago (February 3, 2022). It was cold outside and schools were closed mostly. You heard from your employers at the Garbanzo Mediterranean Restaurant and the Colleen's Cookies that they would be closed. I was up early and fumbling with the challenges of trying to teach remotely. I was not surprised that you did not get up early too as I knew you could use the rest. I checked on you a couple of times, glancing into our bedroom. 

Finally, upon closer inspection I found you were ice cold and not breathing. I called 911 and the operator tried to coach me into doing CPR. I found myself quickly racing through the stages of grief. Anger (Come on Lynn!); Denial (This cannot be happening!); Bargaining (Dear God please...). They told me what I already knew "She's gone." Depression (I miss you and what was.)  The EMT and the Cantor from Shaare Emeth did what they do in a professional and efficient way. I was able to turn off the stove in time as the water boiling on the stove awaited pasta. The Cantor Seth Warner (Shaare Emeth) was comforting and stated matter of factly, "I'm here and I'm not leaving until you sit down." That final stage of Acceptance was surreal. 

The first call I made was to the Matriarch. Toby Stevens was about to receive Mandel bread, also known as mandelbrot via UPS. Lynn asked me to ship the baked goods via the UPS store in Creve Coeur (and reminding me to stamp the frequency reward card) just a day or so ago so they would arrive in time for Toby's 91st birthday on Valentine's Day. (Last year she baked 90 heart-shaped cookies). 

Toby lost her husband Dr. Samuel Stevens in 1993 (He was just 69). Sam and Toby were married in 1952. I felt compelled to mention that 1952 was the same year in which the British Queen Elizabeth became the Matriarch in the U.K. Years ago, She and Sam got a burial plot reserved in Neptune, NJ. Lynn would be buried next to her dad. (Poetic since I remember her Dad's funeral and the emotion she showed even years later visiting that site.) 

My brother Dan and his wife Netti drove from Cleveland to St. Louis (650 miles) in an amazing show of  support. We were able to linger at the Cheshire Inn next to the fireplace. On the wall, adjacent to the elevator in the Cheshire Inn there were two Andy Warhol screen prints of Queen Elizabeth. The setting was reminiscent of Christmas on Edgewater Drive (where we grew up). 

The funeral services were extraordinary as The Matriarch handled all of the details. Ben and Allison were most gracious in opening their home. Ben had a touching moment with his boy James, who at age six was trying to process the loss of his grandmother. Lawton, just six months older than his cousin, was enjoying his grandmother's mandlebrot as was the Rabbi prior to the service. Lindsey and Chris were graveside and Chris's father Rob (Robo) was able to make a much appreciated appearance.

Toby was stoic and businesslike. Lindsey was amazing in a eulogy that articulated the essence of who Lynn was in life. Fortified by Morgans in the first two rows at the synagogue Greg and his two boys Wes and Matt in from Tampa and Rob in from Northern California, I was able to say a few words. Catching David Drimer in the in audience at a glance I shared what he used to say about Lynn. He lived one Summer, while at the University of Miami, in a rented house in South Miami with Lynn and Ricky Rose from the Jersey Shore. Dave would say about the girl that would become my wife. "When Lynnie's happy, I'm happy. When Lynnie's mad...I'm scared!" That brought a few smiles of recognition as part of my brief remarks. 

     

 

 

 

So it goes. Miss you Bing. But the memory of you is indeed a blessing.

At Ben & Allison's house on Dorset in Ocean, N.J. I offered this toast "This is the day that G-d has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it"