During my school’s MBA travel seminar to Brazil, there was a visit to a marketing firm. I was quite excited, as I had done some research to see what types of social media marketing are implemented in Brazil (Orkut, Twitter, etc) in comparison to the U.S. Unfortunately this firm (lets call them Firm No Marketing) did nothing compared to what I was expecting. Their presentation was a marketing 101 course for an undergraduate student (if that) and they avoided questions that were pertinent to Brazil and marketing. I was quite disappointed and did not even bother raising my hand to ask what forms of social media they use, because they do not use any. They  do not research, do not use social media, do not market products or services, or anything else for that matter. They form plans for others to implement. Maybe it’s me, but should they be labeled as a marketing firm, if they do none of the above?

Note: I know this does not represent other marketing firms in Brazil and that this was an unfortunate exception to the marketing firms that do exceptional work for the brands and clients they represent.