BCAMA Assembles a Panel of Top Marketing Innovators

Nintendo Canada's Ron Bertram presents the story of Wii as BC Marketers explore Marketing Innovation in the Digital Age at VISION 2008

VANCOUVER - The BC Chapter of the American Marketing Association (BCAMA) is pleased to announce the VISION 2008 Conference, themed Marketing Innovation in the Digital Age. Held in Vancouver on May 9th, this year's conference will take a look at how new technologies, the rise of online communities and the growth of social marketing are transforming the ways in which we do business. Among the high caliber list of speakers is B.C. based, Ron Bertram, the man behind the extremely successful Canadian launch of Wii.

"We are excited to have Ron join the conference to share the story behind Wii," says Bruce Nunn, BCAMA Director, VISION 2008. "As marketers, many will only dream of the success experienced by Nintendo. As businesses deal with increasing channels of communication and competition for consumer's attention we are fortunate to be in the position to learn some of the strategies and techniques employed by Ron and his team."

From its release the Nintendo Wii flew off shelves and became and instant hit with kids, parents and seniors. In a world inundated with high tech games and gadgets, the internet and more, the product broke through the clutter, captured a new audience of video game enthusiasts and created a phenomenon. With over 16 years experience with the company, Ron not only lead the successful introduction of the Wii but under his leadership Nintendo has made B.C.'s Top 40 Employers list for 2008.

"I am pleased to have been invited to be a part of VISION 2008," said Ron Bertram, Vice President, General Manger, Nintendo of Canada. "We have an extraordinary resource of marketing and communications professionals in B.C. and this topic is aptly timed to address the ever changing marketing environment and equip B.C. businesses to compete in the online international marketplace."

Bertram will be joined at VISION 2008 by five other innovative speakers including; Richard Edelman, CEO Edelman, who will deliver a noteworthy keynote address on "Engaging Customers Through Social Networks"; Patrick Hart of SAP Canada; Amrita Sondhi from Movement Global, Author of Made to Stick, Dan Heath; and Patrick Larouche from Sympatico/MSN.

Held annually, the VISION Conference is the pinnacle event on the BCAMA's event calendar, attracting nearly 500 business and marketing professionals in British Columbia. Full details including Speaker Bio's, prices and registration information can be found at www.bcama.com.