Matt Jagger, director at Upfront, argues that social media is driving the importance of branded entertainment, including games, music and other entertainment properties, in promotional marketing.

Rathin Das of IT and product engineering services company MindTree argues for a more structured approach to managing and analysing trade promotions.

Oliver Felstead, sales & marketing director of Coupons.com, gives some tips for brands exploring couponing via Facebook.

Promotions in Travel Retail, maybe more than any other sector, are dominated by on the spot offers for women. Sally Alington, managing director of travel retail promotion specialist Blackjack Promotions, looks at why

The Facebook Timeline functionality is now live for brands; something that is no surprise for users, but it will be interesting to see how brands will present themselves.

Social media needs to grow up.

Penny Dryden, commercial director, Valassis UK: Why are deal-of-the-day hyper-portals like Groupon losing their allure for marketers?

Hello and welcome to the first blog post from Promotional Marketing!

Simon White, joint managing director, Momentum UK: In an exceptionally crowded market place, brands are being forced to employ increasingly more creative tactics to grab the attention of the discerning consumer.

Jamie Keddie, head of business development, Carbon Marketing: I have a question for my contemporaries in other experiential marketing agencies. Thinking about near store campaigns, how often do your briefs contain shopper insights?

Craig Smith, planning director at Wax Communications, looks at how even the most loyal coffee drinker can be encouraged to switch their allegiance by constantly being offered something new and exciting.

Philip Penlington, director of fixed fee promotional risk management company - Fotorama, on running sports promotions in 2012.

Andy Philpott, sales and marketing director at Edenred, explains why New Year is a prime time for businesses to motivate staff for the year ahead

The growth of online retailing is set to exceed bricks and mortar for at least the next five years, with retail’s imminent future being a blending of online, mobile and offline. In this new environment brands can capitalise on the emerging opportunities for sales promotion, but the agencies will need to lead the way.

Gamification is rising fast up the marketing agenda. So, what is the role of gamification in promotional strategies and how can it be used to drive predicted consumer behaviour. Steve Manser, Senior Account Director from Space, explains more.

Simon Couch, head of RPM staffing at RPM on how to get loyal and motivated staff working on your client campaigns all of the time.

Christian James – managing director of The if agency – discusses why social media needs to be about promotion and not just chatter