DemandGen Report

The B2B marketing automation industry is growing rapidly, as organizations tap technology to enhance their demand generation efforts and implement processes for repeatable success. Marketing automation providers across the board indicated record-breaking growth in Q1 2012, as well as plans for aggressive expansion in personnel and product offerings.

According to SiriusDecisions benchmarks, 18% of B2B organizations are using a marketing automation platform. The research firm also forecasts adoption rates to reach 40% by 2016. 

For B2B marketers that realize the potential benefits of implementing a marketing automation system, rolling out and using the technology can be an intimidating venture. Due to the complexity of automating marketing programs, there are various components to consider.

Intuit Inc. recently agreed to purchase Demandforce, a San Francisco-based Software-as-a-Service company for SMBs. Demandforce’s SaaS, application is used by thousands of small businesses to automate marketing and customer communications, build and maintain a strong online reputation, and raise their profile with local consumers.

The cash transaction, valued at approximately $423.5 million, is expected to close in May 2012, subject to a legally mandated waiting period and other customary closing conditions.

Content is often the first point of engagement between a solution provider and a potential buyer. Given the important role content is playing for companies, DemandGen Report recently conducted a survey to examine the shifting preferences of business executives. Published this week, The Content Preferences Survey report aims to guide B2B organizations looking to kick off a new content marketing strategy or improve upon an existing strategy.

“This survey illuminated interesting trends in the world of content marketing,” says Amanda Batista, author of the survey report and managing editor of DemandGen Report. “Solution providers, now more than ever, need to demonstrate a clear understanding of their prospects’ challenges, market trends and objectives. They also need to cultivate a greater role in content sharing by providing trustworthy content that establishes relationships with prospects.”