It’s all about scale. A simple project tool, like basecamp or creative pro office might get the job done for simple project management.  Step up to a product like easyprojects.net and you can begin to customize the product for your workflow and begin to track time and expenses.

True MRM includes features like creative briefs, tasks & timelines, robust reporting, management of campaigns and multiple media outlets, staff management including load balancing, permissions, accounting features budget vs. actual, asset management along with review and approve features. Add in response measurement and you have a powerful tool.

Tools in this category include workamajig, marketingpilot, and marketing central.

And then finally, enterprise class MRM tools include Aprimo and Unica, SAP and Oracle-Siebel, BrandWizard, Elateral, Orbis and SAS, BrandMaker, Saepio Technologies and VYRE.

The next time you’re asked to justify your existence or that of your staff, or you have to go thru a headcount reduction exercise, or demonstrate which of your projects were successful and which were not, having an MRM can make the difference between a job well done or many sleepless nights.