Author Archive
What are the Benefits to Companies Using Social Media?
Today, social media acts as one of the most important tools in a company’s arsenal. With social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube sporting their user-friendly interfaces, companies now have the ability to continuously manage and sculpt their “public profile” at their fingertips. All of this while instantly and conveniently being able to connect with hundreds of thousands of potential customers in their community. (more…)
Marketing Trends – How do you keep up?
“The only thing that is constant is change” – Greek philosopher, Heraclitus
Is it worth keeping up with marketing trends? Three words come to mind: Innovate or die. In today’s hyper connected world of online reviews and social media, consumers hold more power over your brand than ever before. It’s crucial that brands remain vigilant for emerging trends. We recommend a combination of traditional and digital strategies to stay competitive and relevant.
Recharging Your Battery
Sometimes, all we seem to do is work. We work at the office. We work at home. Now that summer is upon us, many of us are looking forward to the true meaning of summer –vacation. Vacations allow each of us time to unplug and forget about the day-to-day challenges. We are allowed to escape the stresses of everyday life and float away for a bit of “rest and relaxation”.
Are vacations necessary? You bet they are. (more…)
Inspirational Independence
“Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.” These are the famous words of Thomas Jefferson, our third President of the United States, who was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. (more…)
Summer Media Tweaks
Is your media plan working as hard and smart as it could this summer? While your 2017 media plan is likely well-mapped out, here are a few summertime considerations to potentially take advantage of:
Summer Reset
Summer is a time to recharge, reset and find inspiration. As marketers, many of us have been head down and laser-focused on executing our Q1 and Q2 initiatives. With the first half of the year nearly behind us, summer presents an opportunity to reflect on progress against plan and consider seasonal adjustments and extensions. With a potentially lighter summer workload, now is an ideal time to strengthen your team and seek out opportunities to build your brand.
Craft Beer, Crafting Creative
Plato, the Classical Greek Philosopher, once said, “He was a wise man who invented beer.” It seems that Americans wholeheartedly agree. Today, in the U.S., there are more than 5000 small breweries and, according to some industry leaders, this is the greatest time in history to be a beer drinker in America.
Your Last Day on Earth
It’s a phrase we’re all familiar with: “Life is full of surprises.” No matter how much we plan for our future, life has a way of surprising us. So, why not live every day like it’s your last — with a sense of pride, joy, inspiration, and, ultimately, accomplishment? Or with a peaceful feeling that, no matter how small or large, you’ve already achieved something great with your life? (more…)
Anything Is Possible
The Hawaiian Ironman Triathlon: a mission that’s been held annually since 1978 and requires athletes to test their mind, body, and soul against a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and 26.2-mile run without a break. Now also held throughout the world, most Ironman events have a strict time limit of 17 hours to complete the race, making the grueling test that much more difficult. (more…)
New Year, New You?
You’ve made it; it’s 2017!
As I’m sure you know, along with the new year comes new goals, a new hope, and, perhaps, a new you – a rejuvenation if you will.
For many of us (myself included), we typically decide on a New Year’s resolution because we feel that: “I should be making this change in my life.” I always find myself wondering: is this really something that I can stick to? Am I committing to this resolution because I’m trying to better myself/those around me? Or do I feel the need to choose a New Year’s resolution because I should? (more…)
Why Does a (Retired) Creative Director Make a Good Santa?
Most creative directors never really retire, they just move into jobs that interest them more. As a creative director, I spent over four decades in marketing and advertising. I designed, wrote and presented marketing concepts that are being used to this day by Fortune 500 companies. I never thought I would find a job more creative. But I have as a Real Bearded Santa. (more…)
Pride Can Inspire a City
Do you bleed purple? With a 3-0 start to the season, The Baltimore Ravens can reignite a fan base that was left down and out at the end of last year’s disastrous season.
Meanwhile, across the street, the Orioles are fighting hard to be a Wild Card contender after one of their best seasons in a long while.
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Get the Juices Flowing
If you have to think for a living, being inspired can be a problem. Ad agency executives, creative people, writers, business owners, architects, cyber-security experts – anyone dealing with information needs to be inspired to succeed, to innovate, to come up with compelling ideas and solve problems in order to get better at their profession and as a human being.
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Sporting Events Inspire
Three-pointers, home runs, goals all bring a crowd to their feet because inspiration finds a natural home at sporting events. Athleticism stretches the bounds of the ordinary to become extraordinary, and it’s in those moments when humans can seem to attain Olympian status.
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4 Ways to Keep Your Employees Inspired
There are managers out there who truly believe employees just love coming to work. Are they right? Yes and no. According to a 2013 Gallup study, only about 30% of American workers are engaged and inspired with their careers and places of employment. Do they “love” coming to work? Well, the jury is still out on that. The bottom line, however, is that inspired people get more done. All employees want to be inspired and want to grow with great teams and organizations. Here are a few ways to keep your staff motivated and on the road to success.
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Small Agency, Big Thinkers
If you’re reading this blog post, you might be a lone entrepreneur, a start-up, a go-getter or a small business. And you’re probably trying to figure out how you can round the first half of the year, then sprint into the second — and into the black, culminating in an inspirational, year-end holiday bash.
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8 Strategies for Local Banks to Beat the Big Boys
Big banks have a major trust gap with the average consumer, according to a study. And that gap has created a marketing opportunity for credit unions and small banks.
Years after the Great Recession ended, Americans still blamed the big banks for the financial crisis, according to a study released in 2014 (see infographic below: Consumer Banking Insights Study).
Seventy-one percent of responding consumers believe those banks haven’t been held accountable for their risky behavior. Sixty-six percent are still angry and 47 percent of them prefer to bank at a local institution. These sentiments came to light in Harris Poll conducted in late 2013.
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Super Heroes Inspire Us. So Do Great Brands.
Every year around this time, a legion of super heroes lands on movie screens around the world. Ever more extravagantly, they generate hype, break box-office records and gain greater and greater popularity. “Indeed, ever since the Superman and Batman films took America by storm in the last century, and Spidey spun a lucrative web with “Spider-man” in 2002, supers have been a money-making mainstay.”
Need a Little Inspiration?
Who hasn’t thought about quitting their job, selling the house and moving to a tropical island? Why is this such a compelling concept for so many of us? Do we really think that by dropping out of everything, we will somehow achieve true happiness and become inspired to achieve our goals? I don’t think so.
Why Are We More Creative in the Shower?
It sometimes seems as though, for a brief moment, all stresses of life are being washed away while you stand in your shower. With the bathroom door locked, it’s your safe place: a place to think about nothing and everything at the same time. Your mind is at ease as your body feels the warm water cascading over it. Your thoughts start to wander aimlessly as the day ahead draws nearer, but you hold onto the warmth and solitude for just a bit longer. That may be when you have your “aha” moment. Racing out of the shower, you grab a towel, dry your hands, reach for your smartphone on the counter, and prepare an email that starts, “I have this idea for our campaign…”
