A client called me several years ago with a spectacular idea for his marketing program. “I love it!” I said. “It’s fresh, it’s different, it’s relevant to your customers, and it’s testable. Let me know how the CMO likes it!” He grew silent on the line. And then said quietly, “Um, could you bring the […]
Chris Hayes EVP, Brand Strategy With 2018 just around the corner, I’ve been looking at some of the trends that will drive marketing in the New Year. Here are just a few things we’ll be seeing (or seeing more of) in the coming months: Artificial Intelligence – While still in the relatively early stages of […]
In the quiet, quaint, dry-until-a-year-ago town of Ephraim, Wisconsin, there is a soup bar called Czarnuszka Soup. A recent ad mentions that the restaurant seats 11, but having been there, I think 11 is a stretch. Weekly, the owner (Paul Wanish) publishes ads that would never be approved by anyone in advertising, ever. But as […]
“Let’s go shopping after Thanksgiving dinner!” said the text from Aunt Karen. Black Friday shopping with my family in Philadelphia a few weeks ago resulted in an experience where a sticky brand message was powered by technology to define marketing success. The brand messaging was amplified by television and mobile to generate new customer acquisition. […]
And be disruptive. Yes, that was a disruptive headline and most likely got your attention. Now, I’m really not suggesting you get naked, but I do promise naked people will come in later in this post. But first, let’s talk about how hard marketing has become. Marketing is tough. It’s just plain hard, and there are […]
Today is #GivingTuesday, a national day devoted to giving back. So, we’re sharing a few local charities we’ve been involved with over the years, as well as some national organizations that support causes we care about. The Children’s Place KC. They provide specialized services and family support for children who have experienced abuse, neglect or […]
Oh no, not a post about embracing change! Okay, don’t freak out, we’re just talking here. I’d like to share five useful tips to help you stay nimble and relevant… like marketing yoga! I don’t know about you, but things feel like they’re moving faster than ever. Technology, especially. Maybe it’s always felt that way, […]
We interrupt your regularly scheduled blog post to bring you a chilling tale of Halloween horror. But all is not what it seems. For between the screams lies a cautionary lesson for marketers. Read on, if you dare… A rusty hinge creaks, its metal scream cuts through the howling wind. You feel a cold drop […]
“Nailed it!” “Love it!” “No changes!” Oh, what writers and designers would give to hear these words every time we submit creative work. Our client is happy, our work is done, high fives all around. Yeah… it doesn’t usually work that way right off the bat. Nor do we expect it to. As creatives, we […]
