Over the past half a dozen years or so, all I've heard about in my circles is "owned, earned, and paid" media types. Marketing professionals love ... and I mean LOVE ... terms they can drop with clients as a way to sound smart. And although I'm a little weary of the ubiquity of these terms, it's true that media types are an important part of any integrated campaign conversation. However, it can be an amazingly cost-effective or expensive conversation, depending on the types of media you choose or create.

Quick background, Jim and I worked together at Luckie and Company in Birmingham, Ala., (ROLL TIDE!) in the late 2000s. Since then, we have established not only a personal friendship, but a growing respect for our mutual industries. Jim's speciality is public relations, you can find additional information at the bottom of this article about him and his practice.

"Part One" of this series provided the foundation required to determine whether or not you should expand your integrated marketing and social directives on a global scale. Now ask yourself whether it makes sense to hire an external vendor or service to speak on your behalf in a given language. If the answer is yes, then what are the necessary steps to ensure they meet brand guidelines and gain a deep understanding of your businesses culture?