image courtesy of swamibu

What’s in a name? That which we call rose. By any other name would smell as sweet.

“I really think that it is time to rename the movement.” Phillip Kotler told the International Social Marketing Association in an interview celebrating a visionary and how he hopes the industry may advance.

#SocialGood Revels in Gray Mass

SocialButterfly recently refreshed to reflect the industry’s growth and relevancy in the social innovation space (and vice versa). Thus, we’re encouraged by Kotler sharing that he plans to “talk about the interrelations between social marketing, social entrepreneurship, social innovation and other expressions of social activism” at the upcoming World Social Marketing Conference in Toronto, Canada.

Kotler goes on to share that we as social marketers “need to join forces with others who want to create a better world and join our methodologies with their methodologies.” The world is not black and white. The beauty emerges in the gray, the intersections of unsuspecting characters and places.

All About Attitude

Kotler’s interview also reminds us the badge true social marketers wear, and it’s stitched with attitude. Kotler shares that “true social marketers view social marketing comprehensively to include the 4Ps versus the many who develop communications in an effort to influence change.” As I also teach my students, he shares that the difference lies in the attitude and mindset we wear as we approach our work.

How do you feel about the state of the current social marketing movement?