If you subscribe to this blog, you’ll want to jump over to our new one — iowAMArketers.com — and get yourself a new subscription, as this one will be pulled down next week.

As always, if you have ideas or would like to contribute a guest post, we’d love to have you. Just drop a note to Kelly Moore, VP of Communications, or Josh Fleming, Director of Social Media.

The Drake junior is pursuing a degree in business administration with major in marketing and advertising account management and a minor in economics. And she has successfully maintained a 4.0 in her marketing and journalism courses.

As if that wasn’t achievement enough, Erika has already completed three internships – one at the Des Moines Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, a second at the Iowa State Fair and a third with Meredith Corporation.

Erika’s goals include securing a marketing-related position in Des Moines or another Midwestern city (don’t let this one go, Des Moines employers!), as well as adding a master’s degree to her resume.

According to Mary Edrington, Drake assistant professor of marketing, Erika is a natural leader. “She is organized, creative and enthusiastic,” Mary wrote in her letter of recommendation for Erikia.

In a second letter of support, Iowa State Fair Marketing Director Lori Chappell says Erika is “a proven marketing performer in the classroom, as well as the real world. She truly is a future marketing all-star.”

I just received word that the NOVA committee has extended the entry due date to April 20 – leaving you exactly 13 days to complete your submissions.

Which you can do right here!

Best of luck with your entries. Can’t wait to see the great work at the NOVA awards ceremony, scheduled for May 12.

He would like your insights on social media, and is gathering them via this short survey.

If you would like a copy of the findings, please email Roman.

If you know of others that would be interested in participating in this research, please forward them the survey link.

Here’s just a few of the more interesting topics discussed during the beef-infused conversation…

Change of Place?
Among the changes the board is contemplating for the upcoming 2011-2012 program year is a new location for the monthly luncheon. Should AMA Iowa stay in Johnston at the Hilton Garden Inn? Move back to West Des Moines and the Des Moines Golf & Country Club? Try something else all together? Board President Georgann Smith would love to hear your opinion, so feel free to drop her a note.

Taking Payments Digital
At the last luncheon, AMA Iowa announced it would no longer invoice for the monthly luncheons. So be sure to click “Register and Pay” at amaiowa.com – or bring your checkbook or cash to the meeting. The treasury committee led by Angela Ten Clay is looking at a few options for making payment even easier (hint: do you Dwolla?).

‘Swing Away’ with AMA Iowa
Plans are in full swing for the first-ever AMA Iowa Golf Outing, scheduled for June 17 at Terrace Hills Golf Course. Get your golfing buddy or foursome together now, as registration will be opening very soon.

NOVA Deadline Approaching
The NOVA Awards committee leader, Stacy Rose, announced that entries have started flowing in. Deadline (April 8th) is fast-approaching, so submit your work today! If it “cuts the mustard” you could be walking away with the “icing on the cake” to your fantastic work.

Giving the Podcast a Try
In a recent survey, more than 80 percent of respondents from among AMA Iowa membership indicated an interest in downloading audio of the monthly luncheon speaker presentations. The communications committee is formalizing a plan to begin offering this recap to members beginning in June.

Aki is Back!
You may recall rotten weather forced the cancellation of the luncheon with Aki Spicer of Fallon Worldwide. Thanks to the diligent efforts of the programs committee led by Sarah Barthole (and to Aki’s gracious offer to return), AMA Iowa will be hosting the marketing pro again on June 8. Watch for more details on that exciting event.

Money for the Students
AMA Iowa has selected its 2011 Scholarship Award winner, and the young up-and-comer is something else. The collegiate committee led by Stacy Rose can’t wait to introduce you.

As well, the board is thrilled to report a unanimous vote in favor of waiving the $5 professional chapter membership fee for AMA student members. The board believes this will help more area students get involved in the professional chapter… as it turns out, you agree. On behalf of the students, thanks for your vote!

In a presentation titled “Diversity in America: How To Work With & Market To People Not Like You,” Kelly will share her thoughts on how diversity of thought helps companies remain competitive.

Her presentation will focus on why diversity is a business and personal opportunity. She will discuss how we can benefit by better understanding our co-workers, customers and community.

She will also address market and generational segments and the values associated with each, common obstacles to internal and external communication and strategies for developing effective diversity initiatives.

There will be several copies of her book, “How to Market to People Not Like You: Know It or Blow It,” available for attendees to grab – free of charge. And Kelly has promised to stick around after the presentation to sign them.

It’s a presentation you won’t want to miss. So get signed up today!

Co-sponsoring alongside the College of Business and Public Administration, the Drake AMA chapter has set out the following schedule:

6:00-6:30 Keynote Speaker
6:30-7:15 Break Out Sessions
7:15-8:15 Speed Networking

If any of you are interested in participating in the Speed Networking event, Mary Edrington would love to hear from you.

The March 21 event includes the seminar, a copy of Jay’s new book and lunch – a steal for $35. It will be hosted at the downtown Des Moines Public Library, and is scheduled to run from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Sponsored by several area organizations*, including AMA Iowa, ‘Unlock the Mystery of Social Media Metrics’ is designed to help you figure out just how to quantify your social media marketing efforts – something with which many of us struggle.

Jay has categorized key metric areas and developed measurement recommendations for each. On March 21, he will tell us where, when and how to apply these measurements and how that changes depending on the campaign.

Walk-ins will not be accepted for this event, so make sure you jump online today and get registered!

*AMA Iowa is co-sponsoring with the following organizations to bring you this event: American Advertising Federation of Des Moines, IABC, NAMA, Social Media Club of Des Moines and Strategic America.

The 2011 NOVA Awards are just around the corner, with entries due in early April. (In fact, a little birdie tells me the Call for Entries is set to reach inboxes very soon.)

Not familiar with the NOVA awards or want to learn more about them? On March 16, AMA Iowa will host an informal workshop explaining what it takes to bring home a NOVA.

We’re bringing together a panel of past winners to share their NOVA Awards and to answer any questions you have about entering.

Panelists will include:
 Tamara Kenworthy, PCM, PRC, On Point Strategies, Past AMA Iowa President
 Terry Birdwell, PR Manager, ARAG
 Stephanie Atkin, Prairie Meadows
 Dale Bentlage, Flying Hippo, Past AMA Iowa Board Member

Online registration is open now, so go get signed up, and we’ll see you there!