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The basics defined.
 
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
 B-to-B/B2B
(business-to-business) A Business or businesses whose customers are other businesses.
 B-to-C
(business-to-consumer) A business or businesses whose major customers are consumers.
 backbone
Web term referring to a central network connecting other networks together.
 bandwidth
Web term referring to the transmission rate of a communications line or system, expressed either as cycles per second/hertz for analog lines, or as bits (bps) or kilobits per second (Kbps) for digital systems. Also refers to the ability of staff or a staff member to perform certain duties.
 bandwidth competition
a bottleneck, however brief, when two or more files are simultaneously transmitted over a single line. Unless the system is able to prioritize among the files, the effect is to slow delivery of each.
 banner ad
Standard display advertising unit onlilne. Usually measured in pixels. Sizes vary according to publishers.
 barter
The exchange of goods and services without the use of cash. The value of the barter is the dollar value of the goods and services being exchanged for advertising. This is a recognized form of revenue under GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles).
 base stock
Paper that must be further processed, as in coating or laminating.
 basis weight
The weight in pounds of 500 sheets (one ream) of a standard basic size. For example, the standard basic size for text papers is 25 x 38". A ream of basis 70 text sheets in that size weighs 70 lbs. The basic size for cover papers is 20 x 26". Weighing 500 sheets of any grade of paper in its proper basic size will determine its basis weight. In other words, 500 sheets of 17 x 22" 24-lb. Bond will weigh 24 lbs.
 BBS
(Bulletin Board System) Web term referring to software that enables users to log into e-mail, usenet and chat groups via modem.
 beacon
Web term referring to a snippet of code placed in an ad, on a Web page, or in an email which helps measure whether the ad, page or email was delivered to the browser and to track actions in general. Also known as a clear GIF or pixel tag.
 benchmarking
Comparing various attributes of a firm's goods, services, or processes with that of competitors.
 beta
A test version of a product, such as a Web site or software, prior to final release.
 beyond-the-banner
A term referring to any advertisement that is not a banner, e.g. an interstitial, streaming video ads, etc.
 binding or bindery
Process starts after the printer has laid ink on paper. Includes cutting, trimming, folding, collating, stitching, pasting, inserting, etc.
 bit
General computer term referring to the smallest unit of data in a computer. A bit has a single binary value of either 0 or 1. There are eight bits in a byte.
 bitmap
A computer file in which each pixel contains one bit of image information. Sometimes used interchangeably with raster.
 blanket
Fabric-reinforced sheet of rubber used on offset presses to transfer the impression from the plate to the paper.
 bleaching
Pulp fibers are bleached to produce pure, stable, permanent, white fibers for papermaking. The kraft or sulfate process is the primary bleaching process used in the United States.
 bleed
An image that is printed to the edges of a page, or the ability of a press or printer to print an image to the edges of a page. A full bleed document is printed on a larger sheet and is trimmed to size, since ink or toner would foul press cylinders or belts if it actually extended off the edges of the paper. Printers typically charge more for bleeds because more paper is required.
 blow-in
Printed promotional piece that is inserted by machine during the final production stage of a publication. Usually takes the form of a subscription solicitation.
 blueprint
Proof used as final review of a particular print piece before actual printing. Last opportunity for a client to make changes before production. Also known as “the blues”.
 body copy
The primary text of a piece of marketing communications. Part of the overall copy approach along with captioin, subheads and headlines.
 boilerplate copy
Text that serves as standard language in multiple applications. Usually a paragraph or two that has been approved by an organization to serve as basic information or messaging.
 bond
Originally a term applied to cotton-content paper used for printing bonds and legal documents, and distinguished by strength, performance, and durability. Used for letterheads and forms, bond paper may now be made from either cotton, chemical wood pulp, or a combination of the two. Today, writing, digital, and cut-size papers are often identified with the bond scale (see basis weight).
 bonus impressions
additional ad impressions above the commitments outlined in the approved insertion order.
 book
General term for papers suitable for the graphic arts; may be coated or uncoated.
 bot
Web term short for robot.
 bounce
Web term referring to what happens when e-mails are returned to the mail server as undeliverable.
 boutique agency
Usually a smaller marketing services or advertising firm that specializes in one particular industry or type of work.
 brand
The essence of a company, product or service represented by a logo (words and often symbol). Can also stand for the parent product or service under which several other products and services are sold.
 brand architecture
The structure of a group of brands within an organization’s portfolio.
 brand associations
The feelings, beliefs and knowledge that customers have about brands. These associations are derived as a result of experiences and must be consistent with the brand positioning and the basis of differentiation.
 brand attitude
A consumer's particular impression of a brand, created by emotions, logic, and cognitive beliefs.
 brand awareness
Consumer's knowledge of the name and/or attributes of a particular product/service.
 brand building
Developing a brand's image and standing with intended long-term benefits for brand awareness and brand value.
 brand commitment
The degree to which a customer is committed to a given brand in that they are likely to re-purchase/re-use in the future. The level of commitment indicates the degree to which a brand's customer franchise is protected form competitors.
 brand earnings
The share of a brand-owning business's cashflow that can be attributed to the brand alone.
 brand equity
The sum of all distinguishing qualities of a brand, drawn from all relevant stakeholders, that results in personal commitment to and demand for the brand; these differentiating thoughts and feelings make the brand valued and valuable.
 brand experience
The means by which a brand is created in the mind of a customer. Some experiences are controlled such as retail environments, advertising, products/services, web sites, etc. Some are uncontrolled like journalistic comment and word of mouth. Strong brands arise from consistent experiences which combine to form a clear, differentiated overall brand experience.
 brand extension
Creating and marketing additional products or services under an existing brand.
 brand identity
The outward expression of an organization, product or service. Includes its name, logo and overall visual appearance. The brand's identity is its fundamental means of customer recognition and symbolizes the brand's differentiation from competitors.
 brand image
The customer's net "out-take" from the brand. For users this is based on practical experience of the product or service concerned (informed impressions) and how well this meets expectations; for non-users it is based almost entirely upon uninformed impressions, attitudes and beliefs.
 brand licensing
The leasing by one brand owner of the use of a brand to another company. Usually a licensing fee or royalty rate will be agreed for the use of the brand.
 brand loyalty
A strong preference by a consumer for a particular brand that results in repetitive purchase.
 brand management
The strategic and tactical efforts to uphold and strength the tangible and intangible aspects of the brand. Includes identity, packaging, price, customer service, selling environment, staff and overall customer experience. Critical to both short-term and longer-term success.
 brand manager
The person responsible for a single brand.
 brand mark
The element of a brand that cannot be spoken, often a symbol or design.
 brand name
That part of a brand that can be spoken including words, letters and numbers.
 brand parity
The measure of how similar, or different brands in the same category are perceived to be.
 brand personality
The attribution of personality traits (warm vs. cold, conservative vs. progressive, sophisticated vs. basic, etc.) to a brand as a way to differentiate.
 brand positioning
Where a particular brand sits in its own competitive environment. A critical part of differentiation and ultimately, success.
 brand recognition
The extent to which consumers are aware of a brand.
 brand strategy
A formal or informal plan for how a brand will be able meet its particular business objectives. The strategy should be based on the overarching brand vision and driven by the principles of differentiation and sustained customer appeal. The brand strategy should influence the total operation of a business to ensure consistent brand behaviors and brand experiences.
 brand tone of voice
Simply how the brand speaks to its audiences through both words and visuals.
 brand valuation
The process of identifying and measuring the economic worth of any existing brand.
 brand values
The fundamental principles by which the brand lives. The brand values act as a benchmark from which all marketing activities are measured.
 branding
An organization’s efforts to develop a product or service’s value, image, awareness and recognition. Overall, branding represents the intangible value created in the marketplace.
 brightness
Brightness is measured as the percentage of light in a narrow spectral range reflected from the surface of a sheet of paper. It is not necessarily related to color or whiteness. A paper with a brightness of 98 is an extremely bright sheet with almost all light being reflected back to the viewer. Bright white papers illuminate transparent printing inks, giving cleaner, crisper color, and contrasty blacks.
 broadband
An Internet connection that delivers a relatively high bit rate - any bit rate at or above 100 Kbps. Cable modems, DSL and ISDN all offer broadband connections.
 broken carton
Less than a full carton of paper. Generally sold at a premium due to additional handling and storage costs.
 browser
A software program that can request, download, cache and display documents available on the World Wide Web. Browsers can be either text-based or graphical.
 buffering
Web term referring to when a streaming media player saves portions of a streaming media file until there is enough information for the stream to begin playing.
 button
Web term referring to a clickable graphic that contains certain functionality, such as taking one someplace or executing a program.
 buying behavior
The decision process and actions of people involved in buying and using products.