We have some exciting event news for our European colleagues and site visitors:

THIRSTY-FISH will lead a one-day executive-level workshop in Istanbul, Turkey on Wednesday, November 5th, 2008. Titled “The Story Generation: Engagement Strategies for Youth Marketing”, this brand storytelling workshop is to be held in partnership with our friends at IMI Conferences, a leading conference and seminar producer in Turkey.

Who Should Attend
This executive-level session is designed for individuals with strategic influence and responsibility over their brand’s reputation, customer experience, and the youth demographic. This includes company CEOs, general managers, vice presidents, and director-level leaders of marketing, sales, branding, strategic planning, and customer service. Sectors expected to participate include retail, technology, finance, entertainment, and mobile communications.

Overview
Learn how to create story-driven marketing and brand-centric campaigns that resonate to Generation Y (ages 18-29). Did you know that Youth are increasingly society’s taste-makers – with a remarkable influence on popular culture, technology habits, and other commercial trends?

With the democratization of technology and the rise of user-generated content, Youth now expect and seek out brands that invite them into the story-making process. Youth are increasingly fickle and discerning. They seek authenticity, distinction, and the unexpected. Discover how the proven principles of Brand Storytelling can be leveraged in response to changing cultural and commercial trends.

In this highly interactive workshop, you will learn how to activate the passion, engagement, and loyalty of Gen Y consumers. Our unique methodology is designed to provide you with the right skills, models, and insights that lead to business breakthroughs. This workshop will illustrate the path for how your company can find newfound relevance with the youth demographic.
 
Session Format: 
 
•    Introduction to Brand Storytelling and its relevance to youth marketing
•    Balance of mini-lecturette, application, and group discussion
•    Interactive exercises that get you thinking and creating in real-time
•    Range of global case studies and European-centric market research
•    Insights on relevant youth culture trends and their implications
•    Learn valuable story-marketing frameworks, tools, and vocabulary
•    Immediate feedback on how best to frame your brand’s message
•    Create an outline for your 2009 youth engagement marketing plan

You Will Learn: 
 
•    How Brand Storytelling can activate your youth marketing strategy
•    Why people care passionately about certain brands and not others 
•    Who should be the central character at the heart of your Brand Story 
•    How to gather existing brand assets and necessary story ingredients
•    When to engage youth as co-creators and storytellers in your campaign
•    What are the essential story themes for engaging a youth demographic
•    How to create internal buy-in within your organization for this approach

Experienced Facilitators:
 
This workshop is led by Michael Margolis and Stephanie Jowers-Margolis, both proven entrepreneurs with extensive experience in the youth marketing arena. Based in New York City, they provide a provocative yet sensible perspective on the emerging culture trends that are re-shaping the world of commerce. As advocates for the practice of Brand Storytelling, they present a range of effective models and frameworks to audiences worldwide.

Registration is now open and available at the IMI conference website. In the meantime, feel free to email stephanie AT thirsty-fish.com if you would like to receive a reminder when registration officially opens.