A recent study from Frank M. Magid Associates, Inc. and Hearst Television, Inc., sends a hopeful message to local news media–and an educational message to advertisers (local and otherwise), I think. The study, reported by Marketing Charts, indicates that 49% of respondents consider local news as the Continue reading “Local News – Where It’s At For Advertisers?”
Category: Advertising
Different Strokes For “Special Folks”? Good Idea or Bad Promotional Move?
Look up the phrase “new customers only” on Google and you’ll turn up more than 38,000,000 results. Look up “existing customer deals” and you’ll find 19,000. It comes as no surprise that companies often turn to special incentives when trying to lure new customers to their fold. Chances are, most of us have even taken advantage of those deals from time to time. But, when you’re an *existing* customer Continue reading “Different Strokes For “Special Folks”? Good Idea or Bad Promotional Move?”
The Value of an ELetter or Newsletter
| During a recent conversation with a client, while talking about her new web site and ways to use the site to interact more with prospects and clients, she recalled that I had recommended an eletter at one point. But, she admitted that she really didn’t see the value of using a tool like that for her audience (and that may well be true given her communication goals and specific market). Still, the conversation made me reflect on all of the reasons that I feel that eletters (or even the old, traditional, print newsletter) can be very useful communication tools for marketers and why it’s worth the bother to create one on a regular basis. Continue reading “The Value of an ELetter or Newsletter” |
What Makes a Brand Strong: Consistency and the Ability to Deliver on Brand Promise
I was excited to see the annual Interbrand Top 100 brand results released today. Almost as excited as Naven R. Johnson was about the release of the yellow pages in The Jerk.*
I’m always curious about what brands showed up on top and also curious to see the impact that both positive and negative PR issues had on brands over the course of the year. A few of my burning questions, that the results answer, were: Continue reading “What Makes a Brand Strong: Consistency and the Ability to Deliver on Brand Promise”
Tips for Choosing an Ad Agency
There comes a point in the life cycle of many businesses when advertising needs outgrow the “homespun” and it’s time to call upon the services of a professional agency. When you’ve reached this point, whether you’re looking for a partner to help you implement a major campaign, or a “boutique” agency to focus on just one marketing niche, you want to make sure that the choice you make is a sound one. Continue reading “Tips for Choosing an Ad Agency”
Are Phonebooks – and Other Print Directories – a Dying Breed?
I was at a meeting of small business owners recently where we shared our experiences and ideas about marketing effectiveness – what works and what doesn’t. I was surprised at the vehement reaction Continue reading “Are Phonebooks – and Other Print Directories – a Dying Breed?”
Advertising in Healthcare – Driving Up Healthcare Costs?
Some media coverage recently by NPR and AdvertisingAge addresses the issue of advertising in the healthcare industry – whether it’s a good use of healthcare dollars and whether it is money well spent. I’ve often asked the same question. Continue reading “Advertising in Healthcare – Driving Up Healthcare Costs?”
What Advertising Images Go Best With Your Product?
Does a talking fish make you thirsty for iced tea with citrus? Lipton’s marketers must think it does – their TV ad shows a weary woman shopping at the market. It’s part of their “Drink on the Bright Side” campaign. She pulls a Lipton gree tea with citrus from her bag and, as she takes
Continue reading “What Advertising Images Go Best With Your Product?”
Be Careful How You Read Those Numbers!
I was recently catching up on some reading and came across an article in Fast Company that made the assertion that: “major consumer brands still have a lot to learn as social tools continue to proliferate.” The author shared some data comparing Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts in terms of the percentage of people who hear positive things about the brands and percentage of people who would never recommend the brands. Here’s how it shakes out: Continue reading “Be Careful How You Read Those Numbers!”
Progressive – an Ad Campaign That Works!
OK – so I’ve blasted the E*Trade babies because, although attention-generating, they don’t seem to be achieving results. But here’s an example of a campaign that is clever, memorable – and working! Continue reading “Progressive – an Ad Campaign That Works!”