MarketingProfs Podcast: Debating the Great "Conversational Divide"

Precipitated in part by a post by my friend and fellow WOMMA board member Jim Nail questioning whether whether social media is scaling the Hype Curve -- a topic I also took on recently in a ClickZ column (Sustaining the Conversation?), I was invited by MarketingProfs Ann Hadley and Paul Dunay to participate in a spirited podcast on the subject.  Jim also participated, although it would be a total stretch to suggest it was a debate, since we agreed on 99% of the points. In a nutshell, I reiterated many of the same points you keep hearing from me on this blog: we're just not credible as marketers on the "conversation" front until we make meaningful investment in listening infrastructures (consumer affairs, relationship marketing).  Too many CMOs and industry pundits are waxing poetic about the power of conversations while the consumer gets snubbed at the brand welcome mat or feedback pipe. We need to get beyond such "conversational divides" and drive more consistency and credibility. Other folks engaged on this topic include Joseph Jaffe and Jen McClure of the Society for New Communications Research.  Here's a link to the podcast