In ________ marketing, companies initiate and facilitate conversations in a networked community of customers and other interested parties.

A) conversation
B) network
C) pyramid
D) ambush

The definition provided in the question perfectly matches the concept of conversation marketing, where companies use social media and other online channels to engage in two-way conversations with customers and other interested parties in order to build relationships, drive brand awareness and loyalty, and ultimately, increase sales. Networking marketing may involve the use of networks, but it generally refers to a variety of strategies that rely on personal relationships and word-of-mouth to sell products or services. Pyramid marketing, also known as multi-level marketing, is a controversial sales structure that relies on recruiting other people to join and sell beneath you. Ambush marketing is an unauthorized marketing campaign that uses an event or platform to promote a brand without being an official sponsor. These concepts are not relevant to the question at hand.