The Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) announced that it has launched the first site devoted to teaching marketers to use word-of-mouth marketing techniques. Called Word of Mouth Basic Training (WOMBAT), the site features original content in a new blog, podcast series and companion email newsletter. According to a recent eMarketer/WOMMA report, nearly half (43 percent) of all marketers plan to incorporate word of mouth into their marketing programs in 2006.

WOMBAT offers how-to advice and case studies. In its first week, Ketchum's Paul Rand and Intelliseek's Pete Blackshaw shared tips and advice and author Jackie Huba launched the podcast series.

"WOMBAT is the definitive resource for anyone ready to learn how to do word of mouth marketing the right way," said WOMMA CEO Andy Sernovitz. "We have the industry's top experts providing concise, easy to follow how-to lessons."