Insight on Business - July 21, 2011

Insight on Business News Hour with Michael Libbie is our look at the world of  marketing, advertising and consumer trends.  We'll put an hour into the writing and you put in ten minutes learning and, perhaps, building a stronger business by better understanding what's new, what works and what doesn't.  And know what?  It's all...Free.  I'm not going to ask you to send me your e-mail or your cash.  We do this because it's our craft and we love it...  Today:

Business is Good...

For all the whining and crying we hear about the economy from politicians (who's job it is to whine and cry and keep your focus on getting them re-elected) business must be...good.  Yesterday I became aware of two events in separate parts of the state (Iowa) where actions speak louder than words.  One business from the world of agriculture, Art's Way of Armstrong, Iowa posted $1.1 million increase in sales for Q1 - 2011.  That's a 16.3% increase.  Meanwhile a privately held finance company out of Central Iowa had a meeting where they handed out a total of $30,000 in gifts to their employees.  Saying, "We're not out of the woods yet but we are doing so much better and it's because of your hard work.".  Nice...thought you might like some positive stories to start the day.

But, Then There is This...

Do your employees trust you to make the right decision?  A survey of 2,000 employees conducted by Maritz Research finds that only 10% of them trust management to make the right decisions in tough economic times.  Meanwhile, only 14% believe their their company's leaders are honest and ethical.  Finally it's getting worse rather than better.  The research also suggests that 25% of employees have less trust in their business leaders than...last year.  What's going on?  We think that when  your values conflict with the values of your workers...you're going to have serious issues.  And, those values need to be addressed more than once a year during the Christmas Party.  See we balanced out the good and bad...

Say It Ain't So!

This week we learned that Old Spice has replaced Isaiah Mustafa with...hold on...ready...Fabio.  Fabio!  OK...so maybe the joke is on us...but talk about something...tired.  We're hoping the entire campaign is "tongue-in-cheek" giving us all a laugh while trying to understand what the hell the Italian is trying to say.  Just goes to show you that when you have lots of money you can do almost anything in advertising...

 

So, what do you think?  Never mind...at least we're talking about it and that is brilliant.

Mobile Mom Marketing

You see them everywhere...grocery store with a tablet.  Gym with a smart-phone.  Driving a "Soccer Wagon" with a smart-phone.  And marketers know Mom is on the Go so increasingly new mobile marketing campaigns are targeting these "Mobile Moms" with deals, messages, tips and more.  Mostly it's the BIG GUNS in advertising but there is nothing to say that you can't get into the loop as well. Here is the story from our friends at the Washington Post.  Which begs the question...your website is...ready for mobile viewing...right?  No?  Call us...

Thanks and Let's Stay In Touch...

Thanks to our friends at NatraTurf and Bindery One for helping our agency make this daily look at advertising and marketing a reality.

Thanks for coming by for ten minutes of what we do.  If you would like to leave a comment...feel free.  Also if you want to connect on Twitter it's @InsightADV or our Facebook Page Thingy.  Have a fantastic Thursday - Michael 

Comments

[Georgie]

Fabio? Seriously? Talk about old and tired. Bring back Mustafa! I don't want to look at some old dude who looks ridicules in long hair! ICK! (Obviously I'm not a fan)