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From Tech Bisnow | April 16, 2011

Ever wonder how gov workers do social media? Market Connections CEO Lisa Dezzutti says they mostly hit Facebook, then YouTube, and then LinkedIn. In fact, LinkedIn usage among gov workers has almost doubled from last year from 18 percent of total social media use to 35 percent this year, according to the research firm's 4th annual media and marketing study.

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Market Connections, Inc. Releases 2012 Federal Media and Marketing Study

Chantilly, Va. – April 12, 2012 – Traditional marketing is still the most effective way to reach government decision makers, as print media and trade shows are still highly viable marketing channels.  In addition, government media publishers need to diversify their offerings as federal readers consume content in both print and digital forms.

These are several of the findings of the 4th annual Federal Media and Marketing Study (FMMS), released today by leading government market research firm Market Connections, Inc., in conjunction with Sara Leiman, vice president, media director at TMP Government. Market Connections and Leiman presented highlights this morning at a sold-out breakfast event at the Tysons Corner Marriott in Vienna, Va. today.

“Government decision makers still consume information through traditional print outlets. Print is not dead,” said Lisa Dezzutti, CEO and president, Market Connections, at the 2012 Federal Media and Market Study Breakfast this morning.  “As such, when developing marketing campaigns, it is important advertisers not abandon their print campaigns. Conversely, publications need to continue to provide a mix of print and digital content to meet the diversified needs of this audience.”

From Federal Computer Week | January, 23, 2012

The go-go days of “Gov 2.0” social media and mobile applications likely are over. That's not to say that Gov 2.0 is passé. It's just that we are in transition from a period of rapid adoption and experimentation into a time of more discerning judgments about value and efficiency. That applies to familiar social formats and also the newer formats including Google Plus and Facebook Timeline.

Just as Facebook grew quickly to about 150 million U.S. members and then stabilized, the growth rate for Gov 2.0 is slowing down. As of mid-2011, nearly all major federal agencies already had a presence on Facebook, Twitter or both, according to the Government Accountability Office. Many agencies also host mobile websites or applications. The get-your-feet-wet phase is over.

After three years of forays into Web 2.0, most federal agencies have picked the low-hanging fruit. In the next phase, they are becoming more discerning about what they do, whom they target, and how they engage citizens and get valuable feedback. They are focusing on the tools that really work.

“Instead of everyone jumping on the bandwagon, we will see agencies leverage how and where social media is used,” said Lisa Dezzutti, president of research firm Market Connections. “They will build a presence in a few key areas and execute well.”

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Service Contractor Magazine Highlights Social Media in the Public Sector Study in Center Spread

Obstacles to federal employees' use of social media for work are declining. According to Market Connections Inc’s new Public Sector Social Media Study released Oct. 18, just 19 percent of agencies surveyed reported they ban access to some or all social media sites, including Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, down sharply from 2010, when 55 percent of agencies banned access.

With use becoming more ubiquitous and accepted across the government, vendors need to know the right ways to engage with their federal agency customers.

The study found that federal employees are using social media to inform decision  making, educate the public, access information and increase collaboration, but generally do not want contractors to use networks as a means of pitching products or services. By contrast, contractors view the important benefits of social media as tools for marketing, the promotion of thought leadership and increased collaboration.

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From Blue Print, November 4, 2011

While the number of companies that block the use of social media sites in the office has dropped from half to 19%, the concerns surrounding the security of those sites still remain. Employees need to be aware that even though they are surrounded by friends while on these sites, cyber criminals can be lurking, looking for the opportunity to access the large amount of information that is on your company network.

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From BizJournals.com, November 7, 2011

Government executives are warming up to social media, Market Connections and Strategic Communications Group's Social Media in the Public Sector study finds. The group that has long been resistant to adopting the new business platforms are now using them by a large majority.

The study addresses not only who is using the social media platforms, but also why they are using them and what concerns they have lingering regarding them. Strategic Communications Group CEO Marc Hausman discusses the study result more.

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Federal employees are increasingly turning to social media websites for work and personal use, particularly as more agencies lift restrictions on access, according to a new survey.

The new Social Media in the Public Sector study, released last week by Market Connections, found that just 19 percent of agencies ban access to some or all social media websites, such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. This is down sharply from 2010, when 55 percent of agencies banned access.

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Mobile devices catching up to home and work computers for public sector employees accessing social media

From Federal Computer Week, October 18, 2011

Mobile devices are being used nearly as often as home and work office computers as the means for public sector employees to access social media, according to a new survey from Market Connections Inc. research firm.

Seventy percent of the respondents reported they are accessing social media with mobile devices. That compared with 92 percent using home computers and 74 percent using work computers, the survey indicated.

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From AOL Government, October 18, 2011

Social media is approaching main stream adoption in the federal government, with 41% of federal workforce respondents polled in a new survey having begun using social media in the past year. That's in addition to 51% who had begun using social media more than a year ago, leaving only 8% of federal employees who say they do not use social media.

Perhaps more significantly, the distinction of where federal employees use social media--once clearly confined to home or controlled office use--has begun to dissolve. While 92% of federal respondents said they use social media at home, 74% use it at work, and 70% use it via mobile devices, the study suggested federal agencies are demonstrating a new level of comfort in using social media.

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Agency IT managers are scrambling to prevent employees' personal phones and tablets from creating new openings for hackers.

From Government Executive/Nextgov.com October 7, 2011

Ready or not, iPhones, iPads, Droids and other personal wireless devices are invading the federal workplace. Almost no formal security policies or procedures are in place yet to protect agency networks from the external threats these mainstream electronics can introduce.

Market Connections' annual Federal Media & Marketing Study shows 28% of federal decision-makers check e-mail on a Blackberry; 14% access email on an iPhone; and 11% read email on an Android-based smartphone.

From GovWin, October 12, 2011

Strategic Communications Group's Marc Hausman talks to Market Connections' President & CEO, Lisa Dezzutti, about a life in data and the new Public Sector Social Media study.

"Our focus is on custom research that helps our clients get at the heart of key issues. . . . The real value is helping our clients put this knowledge to work when making critical business decisions," said Dezzutti.

Of the social media study, Dezzutti said, "The results have been fascinating as we've seen a steady rise in social participation and resulting influence."

Read the full article on GovWin

From Information Week Government, September 21, 2011

What's worrying federal IT professionals most? The increased sophistication of cyber attacks and insider threats top the list of cyber security concerns, according to a new study conducted by Market Connections on behalf of Cisco Systems. Federal IT teams also continue to struggle with budget cuts and long waits for supervisor approval in their attempts to secure their networks, the study finds.

71% of those who responded to a new federal cyber security study listed the increased sophistication of attacks as the top security risk that they expect to face in the next 12 months. Negligent use of information by internal personnel was a risk cited by 63% of respondents. Cisco System sponsored the study, which was conducted by Market Connections and surveyed 200 federal IT decision makers.

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From Direct Marketing News, August 1, 2011

Business-to-government marketers must beware the bulk. Direct mail no longer headlines the b-to-g marketing mix. These days, print performs as a role player, supplementing a more integrated strategy that pivots on digital channels. Even document management company Xerox Corp. has revisited its traditionally direct mail-oriented approach.

IT decision-makers more familiar with cloud computing are more than twice as likely to trust it

Gaithersburg, Md., June 22, 2011 - Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and its Cyber Security Alliance partners today released a study revealing security remains the single biggest concern on the minds of government information technology decision-makers when it comes to cloud computing. Despite these security concerns, 50% are now considering cloud applications for their agencies, versus only 12% a year ago.

Federal Spending on Open Source Software Expected to Increase Near Term

CHANTILLY, VA, May 11, 2011 - Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] and Market Connections Inc. today released a joint study on federal agencies' understanding of open source software (OSS) and the role it can play in moving government to cloud computing while also influencing policies. One key finding: 69 percent of respondents from government contractors say their organizations are already using OSS, versus just 40 percent of federal agency respondents.

BtoB Magazine - Mary E. Morrison - May 2, 2011.

In a tight economy, marketers must prove worth to government buyers

It may be politics as usual in Washington, D.C., but marketing's a different story. With budget cuts looming, government buyers are more focused on getting a solid return on any investment, and marketers are under increasing pressure to prove they can provide it. At the same time, the media consumption habits of government employees are changing, requiring vendors to adapt quickly to get their messages across successfully.

Chantilly, VA, April 1, 2011 - Lisa Dezzutti, president & CEO of Market Connections, Inc. has been named a finalist for the 12th Annual Women in Technology (WIT) Leadership Awards, which honor leading female professionals working in the Greater Washington D.C. metropolitan area who have exemplified unique vision and talent in the technology industry during the previous year.

On Tuesday, March 29, Market Connections released the 2011 Federal Media & Marketing Study findings to a standing-room-only crowd at the Tysons Corner Marriott in Vienna, VA. Lisa Dezzutti and Laurie Morrow of Market Connections, along with Sara Leiman, VP Media Director at TMP Government, shared highlights of the latest study surveying media habits and purchasing responsibility of federal executives.

Market Connections, Inc. Releases 2011 Federal Media and Marketing Study

Chantilly, VA — March 29, 2011 — Social media continues to make inroads in the government space - according to the new media survey conducted by Market Connections, this year 46 percent of government consumers of news are allowed to access social media sites at work, compared to 20 percent last year.

Market Connections Research Manager John Kagia discusses the 2010 Federal Community Social Media Study on Federal News Radio's Federal Drive with Tom Temin and Amy Morris.

Lisa Dezzutti is proud to report that the arrival of 2011 marks the 15th anniversary of Market Connections! The company has grown from incubation as a home-based business in the very early years to serving an extensive client base spanning government contractors and federal agencies, information technology firms, and associations. We serve over half of today’s top-20 government contractors and have conducted research nationally and around the world, in 21 countries and 16 different languages.

Building strong client relationships is the cornerstone of our business, and we want to thank all the individuals and organizations who have trusted us to provide market research to position their companies, grow their businesses, increase customer loyalty, improve bottom-line results, and make the right investments in strategies, products, and services. Our goal is to connect our clients with their markets and customers — and provide actionable results that connect research and analysis with your organization's objectives.

Stay tuned throughout our 15th anniversary year for more company history, key insights, and lessons learned throughout the years.

Government market research provider will evaluate customer satisfaction with Federal Student Aid Pubs distribution center

Chantilly, VA — November 9, 2010 — Leading government market research firm Market Connections, Inc. today announced receipt of a single award Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract from the U.S. Department of Education's office of Federal Student Aid (FSA). The five-year contract, a small-business set-aside, allows Market Connections to support FSA and the Department of Education's evaluation services requirements.

If you're still on the social media sidelines, it's time to get into the game

July 6, 2010 - In a Washington Technology column, Marketing expert and B-to-G consultant Mark Amtower uses Market Connections' current Social Media Study to make a case for contractors to differentiate themselves with a well-thought-out social media strategy. The current Market Connections Social Media Study indicates rapidly growing acceptance and use of social media tools by both industry and government. Amtower wrote, “Government is lagging behind, but federal agencies have more restrictions for everything.

June 23, 2010 - The Lockheed Martin Cyber Security Alliance and Market Connections presented the live webinar Securing Data in the Cloud to share findings from a recent research study of federal government IT decision-makers and influencers involved specifically in cyber-related activities. The presentation detailed awareness of and attitudes on cloud computing and cyber security in federal agencies, in addition to considerations when moving to a cloud computing environment. Study respondents included federal government IT decision-makers and influencers involved specifically in cyber-related activities. The report represents feedback from all military and intelligence branches, in addition to a representative sample of civilian agencies.

June 14, 2010 - Market Connections Research Manager John Kagia discusses the 2010 Social Media Study on Federal News Radio. This new Market Connections study explores the emergence of social media as a marketing and communication tool for both government and industry and the growth of social networks in the government market over the past year.

June 3, 2010 - Helios HR, a provider of outsourced, consulting and recruiting human resource (HR) services that optimize workforce and HR operations, announced the winners of the 2010 Apollo Awards, the premier award recognizing employers in the Washington, DC-area that promote employee development initiatives. Market Connections surveys all nominees and analyzes the results in a best practices program overview. This year a clear trend emerged: leading companies are offering their employees customized training programs in skill development (i.e. personal, time management, technical) via a diverse array of learning channels.

Lockheed Martin Commissions Market Connections to Measure Awareness and Attitudes About Cloud Computing and Cyber Security

April 20, 2010 — Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and its Cyber Security Alliance partners today announced the results of a collaborative cloud computing and cyber security survey in a new white paper titled “Awareness, Trust, and Security to Shape Cloud Adoption.” The survey, conducted by Market Connections, found that 70% of government technology decision makers in federal, defense/military and intelligence agencies were most concerned about data security, privacy and integrity in the cloud. The white paper documents and outlines a view of cloud computing adoption in the federal government, cloud computing and cyber security concerns, and presents recommendations to help government agencies prepare to adopt, secure, and manage cloud computing.

Market Connections and GITEC Research Identify Federal Trends in Adoption of New and Innovative Technologies

March 8, 2010 — Leading government market research firm Market Connections, Inc., today announced a new survey that calls government agencies perpetually behind the curve in technology adoption compared to the private sector, and hampered in technology adoption as a result of old legislation. The study, which explored perceptions and adoption of new and innovative technologies among federal government decision makers, revealed the perception of technology adoption in government agencies as “slow and difficult to keep going” like a vintage Model T.

Federal Media and Marketing Study Provides Insight to Media and Purchasing Habits of Government Decision Makers
January 26, 2010 - Leading research firm Market Connections and marketing industry veteran Sara Leiman, vice president of media services at TMP Government, today announced that they will host a breakfast briefing on January 26th to provide an overview of their 2009-2010 Federal Media and Marketing Study results as a follow-up to the 2008 pilot study. This syndicated quantitative research study gives companies serving the federal market, fact-based insights to guide strategic marketing and media purchasing decisions.

New Survey
A new survey by Market Connections gives federal contractors a better idea of how to reach out to the federal marketplace, but it also provides insights about how and where you get information. Lisa Dezzutti, President and CEO, explains more about the survey.

Security IT
The 1105 Security IT Conference took place this week. Some of the brightest minds in information security and technology came together to discuss policies and how the government and private sector handle security problems. Cisco released results from their security survey during the conference. David Graziano joins us now to discuss what they found.

Data Breaches a Top Concern of Federal Managers
Exposure of private employee information ranks as the biggest security concern of federal information technology managers, according to a recent survey. Forty-four percent of decision-makers canvassed by technology services provider Cisco in October identified loss of employee data due to a breach as one of their top worries, while 41 percent pointed to the loss of citizens' private data and the same percentage cited inadequately trained or unconcerned users. The survey covered 200 federal managers.

IT Security: Survey says it's better - Federal system administrators feel mandated efforts are improving IT security
For the third consecutive year, a majority of federal decision makers surveyed on cybersecurity say they are more confident about their agency's information technology security posture now than they were four years ago. A large majority also said they are spending more time each year complying with mandated security requirements. The figures, included in a survey of 223 IT officials in more than 40 civilian and Defense agencies released today by Cisco, seem to indicate that security mandates from Congress and the Office of Management and Budget are focusing on the right things.

Online Data Access Tool to Be Launched at Tower Club Event on Oct 31
Market Connections has partnered with Sage Communications to deliver a major syndicated media and marketing study detailing the role that federal government decision makers play in the approval and acquisition of products and services as well as their media habits. The study — entitled "2008 Federal Media and Marketing Survey” — represents an analysis of feedback gathered from mid- to senior-level federal employees. To view the full press release, click here.

We thought the many sales and marketing types that read this e-newsletter would appreciate a bit of background on one of the hot technology topics in government computing. Why? So you can impress the IT types around the water cooler, of course.

You may not know that internet-based communications may have come to a standstill. That's right — another Y2K was just around the corner. With so many new computers, cell phones, PDAs, smart phones and other internet devices being deployed, IPv4 — that's the ubiquitous IP protocol around the world — was at risk of running out of IP addresses. But, we can all relax. IPv6, the new protocol, is here, and it provides an infinite number of IP addresses. That means enough globally unique IP addresses for every internet device on Earth… forever and ever. Whew!

BLUE for Kids
Market Connections, Inc. sponsored and participated in a special event at Johns Hopkins Children's Center on April 11, 2007. Major League Baseball Umpires Bob Davidson and Sam Holbrook visited children who are coping with a serious illness to offer words of encouragement and to distribute Build-A-Bear Workshop®. This day meant so much more than being able to pass out baseball and bears - it was an honor for us to be a part of lifting the children's spirits. To learn more about the BLUE for Kids, Inc.

FCW — December 5, 2006
Managers Don't Encourage Telework, Study Finds
Although teleworking is possible for most federal employees technologically, most respondents to a Market Connections survey said that their managers do not encourage the practice.