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CDM INSIGHTS
Marketing insights you can actually use.
Practical ideas, fresh perspectives, and real-world marketing thinking to help you make smarter decisions, strengthen campaigns, and stay ahead.
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The Event ROI Measurement Contract: A Pre-Event Framework That Forces the Right Conversations
A one-page agreement signed by marketing, sales, and event teams before the event that defines outcomes, metrics, attribution, and ownership — and forces the conversations that matter most while there's still time to influence the data.
Caylee Donaldson
3 min read
AI Tools Compared: A Marketer's Field Guide (with an Event Marketing Lens)
Genspark, Claude, Veo, HeyGen, HubSpot Breeze... the AI tools shifting what a small marketing team can produce. An honest tour of what each one actually does, where they break, and how to wire them into an event marketing cycle.
Caylee Donaldson
15 min read
Stop Losing Revenue: Event Data Strategy for 2026
The age of tracking strangers is over. But here's what most event teams miss: you already own the most valuable data on the internet. Every registration, badge scan, and booth visit is a first-party signal that's legal, valuable, and actionable. Learn how FT Live, Red Hat, and TechCrunch converted event data into 67-150% revenue increases.
Caylee Donaldson
6 min read
Networking app adoption is broken: how to design connection journeys people actually follow
42% of events have low networking engagement. Here's why, and the exact 30-day playbook to fix it. From activation to follow-through, every stage mapped with actions.
Caylee Donaldson
20 min read
Two years on. What CDM has become.
Two years on from launch, CDM has grown beyond its original shape — into a flexible resourcing firm for B2B event organisers, with two specialist sub-brands now joining the family. Sprint, for specialist projects. In Diary, for outbound campaigns. A founder's note.
Caylee Donaldson
5 min read
Beyond Impressions: How to Transform Event Data Into Strategic Intelligence
A deeper dive into the Event Data Intelligence framework featured in HEN Magazine At International Confex in March, I moderated a conversation about why event teams aren't using the technology they already own. The room was packed. The discussion was honest. And one thing became crystal clear: The problem isn't procurement. It's utilisation. But here's what emerged from the conversations during that session, and what I've been exploring since with event organisers: Even when
Caylee Donaldson
7 min read
One Year at CDM: What I’ve Learned as a Marketing Consultant at CDonaldson Marketing
Rachel McMahon reflects on her one year anniversary at CDM. More freedom, more growth, still learning.
Rachel McMahon
3 min read
Why event marketing cost-per-registration keeps rising... and how to fix it
Most event campaigns are planned channel-first, and it's quietly doubling your cost-per-registration. Here's the two-week fix, and why your CFO will notice.
Caylee Donaldson
7 min read
Unlocking Event Tech: What We Learned at International Confex 2026 (And What To Do Next)
Discover the key lessons from International Confex 2026 on event tech utilisation, commercial alignment, platform adoption, and how event teams can unlock more value from existing tools.
Caylee Donaldson
3 min read
25 Years of Event Marketing Experience - Louise Gosling Joins the CDM Network
Meet Louise Gosling, the latest consultant to join the CDM network, bringing 25 years of B2B event marketing, martech and campaign expertise.
Caylee Donaldson
5 min read
Rewriting the Rules of Events Leadership Starts With Honesty
After attending International Confex, I reflect on leadership, motherhood, and why I felt I had to hide my pregnancy while building my business.
Caylee Donaldson
4 min read
Never Split the Difference: Negotiation tactics every event marketer should steal
Key negotiation tactics from Chris Voss’ Never Split the Difference—translated into practical scripts for sponsorship, speakers, suppliers, and buy-in.
Caylee Donaldson
5 min read
The 2026 B2B Event Marketing Reset: what’s changed (and what hasn’t)
In-person is still one of the most powerful B2B channels — but it’s no longer getting a free pass. Here’s what’s changed in 2026, what hasn’t, and a 10-minute scorecard to benchmark your event marketing.
Caylee Donaldson
6 min read
Meet Rosie Andre: CDM’s New Event Marketing Consultant
Rosie Andre joins CDM as a Marketing Consultant, bringing end-to-end event marketing expertise, martech confidence, and a meticulous eye for copy.
Caylee Donaldson
4 min read
LinkedIn Ad Creative for Events: Formats, Copy and Visuals That Drive Clicks
Discover which LinkedIn ad formats, visuals and copy angles work best for event marketing. Learn how to design Sponsored Content and Event Ads that drive clicks to your agenda, sponsor and registration pages.
Caylee Donaldson
8 min read
LinkedIn Targeting for Events: How to Reach the Right Audience at the Right Scale
Learn how to use LinkedIn targeting for events to reach the right delegates, sponsors and speakers without over-narrowing your audience. Practical examples and audience recipes for event marketers.
Caylee Donaldson
11 min read
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