The theme of this book is
digital marketing. We now live in the digital age - indeed, there are more than
3 billion people connected to the internet. For every 100 people on the planet,
there are 96 mobile telephone subscriptions. And more and more of our everyday
objects - cuddly toys, cars, even kettles - have created an "internet of
things." It is no surprise, therefore, that companies are eager to harness this
digital world. Marketers, in particular, hope that so-called digital marketing
will allow them to gain new customer insights, refine customer segmentation,
and communicate to customers more efficiently and effectively. They anticipate
that the digital age will offer possibilities for new product innovation,
advanced methods for engaging customers and original vehicles for creating
brand communities.



Despite the pervasiveness
of digital technologies, however, digital marketing is seemingly still in its infancy.
To begin, what exactly is digital marketing? The term is commonly used, but its
meaning - its scope, outline, boundary and limits - is far from concise. This
book explores the realities of digital marketing, with contributions from both
academics and practitioners who are experts in the field.