I LOVE MAKING MISTAKES. Why? Because, like silly putty, the slinky and post-it notes – all the result of fortuitous mistakes – they offer an opportunity for break-through opportunities. In advertising, when we make a mistake for all the world to see, it’s embarrassing and makes us take a hard look at our proofing process. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
Five Things Direct Marketers Should Be Doing in the Experiential Economy YOLO (You Only Live Once) and FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) are phrases often associated with Millennials. They suggest that you should enjoy life and take risks because there may not be another opportunity. Both reflect a key insight for today’s marketers: For Millennials, […]
My husband and I are on a quest to downsize and get rid of “stuff” that serves no purpose in our lives. This includes our two sets of beautiful Wedgwood china that we lovingly chose many years ago. But, to our dismay, no one wants it. Not even our sons. And it’s not just me. My […]
5 Reasons Why E-surveys Should Be Part of Your Marketing Program At J.Schmid, we constantly preach that you can never know enough about your customers. That’s not a new concept and we’re certainly not alone in that belief. At the same time, we hear any number of reasons why companies don’t reach out to their […]
