Organizations that stopped marketing during the recession may find they need a defibrillator to restart their sales. Hopefully, those companies that didn’t stop marketing will have gained market share on those that did. And market share is really difficult to regain.

Episodic marketing is to sales declines as cigarettes, french fries and the sofa are to heart attacks. Yeah those french fries tasted great followed by a Marlboro on the sofa. And that never ending nap. Oh baby. Then BAM! Chest pains, an ambulance and by-pass surgery.

So yeah, those companies that quit marketing saved some money and that felt really good I’m sure. But those other companies that were diligent and disciplined with their marketing, they are going to come out of this recession healthy, wealthy and smiling ear to ear.