Insight on Business

Insight on Business - August 4, 2011

Insight on Business News Hour with Michael Libbie is our daily look at the world of advertising,  marketing and consumer trends made possible by the support of NatraTurf and Bindery One.  We'll share some stories and some marketing tips that you can choose to develop for your product or service...and it's all...Free!  WHOOT!  On tap today:

Being Responsive to Consumers

Listening, learning and reacting to consumer requests, ideas or input through social media channels is both the blessing and curse for those of us who use the media for business.  The curse is...more work.  We won't tell you it's easy and cheap...nothing of value is.  If you don't do the work and communicate with your social media savvy consumers your brand will suffer.  However, the blessing (and there are many) is that, if you get it...and you work it...it can have a lasting impact of good will and provide you with a wealth of information about your customers and your product/service.  Quick example:  We attended an Iowa Cubs baseball game last night. (Cubs win 9 - 4 over Fresno!)  Toward the middle of the game I tweeted to @IowaCubs, "Say, can you mention my Bride's birthday on the big screen?".  Minutes later:  "Happy Birthday Georgie Libbie from the Iowa Cubs!" flashed.  Somebody was watching and reacting...and today I get to write about it as a quick example of being "connected".  Residual value.  If you use it...and get it...do it...right.  Thanks...again!

Success Without Being Connected

Yesterday I had the most interesting interview with a perspective client.  She called our offices and for an appointment on a referral from another client.  She wanted to talk about websites, social media and general marketing for her thriving business.  Fifteen minutes into our visit with this outgoing 39 year-old I learned that she doesn't own a computer...other than her iPhone.  I'm sharing this with you because I found it...astounding.  She now wants to go from 0 to 60 and branch out beyond her local area.  I think it's going to be exciting...and she's in the perfect niche market.  We've got a little work ahead of us.

Passing Along A Little Fun - Sexy...Weather

OK, here are some inadvertent sexual weather-casts from our friends at "Happy Place".  We found these this morning and including them...because folks tell me I'm too "serious".  Hey, it's business...

Slamming The Competition

I remember my early days of broadcasting, back when I worked for Marconi, (the reference is for those folks who may not know who Marconi...was.) and many times I'd hear the "talk" about what one station was doing that "sucked" or what another station was doing that rocked.  I'd always pay attention to what was good but decided to forgo slamming the competition.  I was better, I reasoned, to pay attention to what we were doing and how to get better at delivering a quality service with high value.  I thought about that when I read this quick piece from Jim Connolly, "The Truth about Bad-Mouthing Your Competitors".  It's as true today as it was...way back...then.  Focus on making your product or service better...it works.

Budweiser Can Change

For only the 12th time since 1936, Budweiser is changing their can design to include what InBev calls the "Bow-Tie".  In a move designed to slow the sales slump of the brand (Budweiser sales volume slipped 7.5% last year and 9.5% the year before) the marketing folks bring you the "new look" particularly "younger drinkers".  Uhm...I dunno.  Nice design but...really, this will drive younger drinkers?  What do you think?  We think somebody wanted to make their mark on The King of Beers.

On That Note...Thank You and Let's Connect

Thanks for coming by for a quick read.  If you wish to leave a comment here, feel free.  We can also connect on Twitter:  @Michael Libbie (personal & business) or @InsightADV (business...) and here is our Facebook Page Thingy.  Have a great Thursday! - Michael

 

Logos and Ladies - Insight on Business - December 14, 2010

Insight on Business with Michael Libbie is our Monday - Thursday look at the world  of advertising, marketing, business practices and consumer trends.  We're LIVE at Noon Central here at Webcast One LIVE and because we want to hear from you the show is interactive by using "The Chat" or by visiting on Twitter, I monitor @MichaelLibbie before, during and after the show.  Today:

I want to hire the guy that "sold" the Big Ten on their new logo and the "Leaders" and "Legends" idea.  Actually the "sell" is the most exciting thing about the new "look".  And know what?  It wasn't just one person working on this project there were SEVERAL.  Two partners and five (yes 5!) designers.  I am green with envy...love to see the billing for this piece of work from our friends at Pentagram.  Yikes!

Never mind...back to work:

New study out that says a bunch of restaurant owners "don't have time" for social media.  While 43% have "invested in" and "use" social media 23% say they don't have the time.  Two questions:  Wonder, of the 43%, how many are using SM well?  And of the 23% that don't have the time:  Seriously?  Here is our take on the issue.  With a real world example of an owner who told me he has "no time".  We still love his place!

We've got "The Ladies" in studio today - Our good friend and Webcast One LIVE host Liz Nead is doing a special project tonight and we asked if she might be   interested in coming on and talking about it.  Liz is bringing Sarah Bonefas from the Food Bank of Iowa to our studio to talk about her work for a non-profit and about this special event. 

Having spent years working in the non-profit arena I can tell you it's a different game but in many respects so much easier than for-profit.  We'll talk about that and more today with Liz Nead and Sarah Bonefas with Insight on Business.

THIS JUST IN:  It's ironic that Templeton Rye - Born of Prohibition now causes some folks to engage in Bootlegging.  Here is the story from our frieinds at the Des Moines Register.  I must hand it to my friend Scott Bush from Templeton...they really know HOW to get ink!   Nice touch my brother!

Insight on Business is a production of our advertising agency, Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications and made possible by:

The Iowa Sportsman & The Iowa Sportsman Outdoors Show - Coming in January the show is at the Iowa State Fairgrounds -Varied Industries Building: www.TheIowaSportsmanShow.com

 

NatraTurf - Chemical free lawns and gardens - Good for you, your kids and your pets...not to mention the planet:  www.NatraTurf.com

Exceptional Specialty Products - Let Cindy Taylor help your business get...noticed:  www.ESP4All.com

Lotus Moments - Unique, high quality wedding invitations and business announcements from our friends at www.LotusMoments.com

Thanks for coming by!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Metro Monday - Insight on Business - November 15, 2010

Insight on Business with Michael Libbie is our Monday - Thursday look at the world  of advertising, marketing and consumer trends.  We're on starting at Noon Central here at Webcast One LIVE and...a little later if you want to see the re-broadcast.  Because the show is interactive I hope you'll use The Chat to ask, answer or give your input.

It's the Metro Monday Edition of Insight on Business but...I don't get to be in "the chair" today.  My very talented friend Brooke Benschoter will be your guest host.  Brooke, who has loads of marketing experience and is on staff with Drake, has a fantastic mind and I'm grateful that she said "Yes" to help us out.  Brooke Benschoter with Insight on Business...today.

And...on the show today we're talking miracles with Jan Burch and Bob Mitchell.   The Kiwanis Miracle League is a big deal...so big the Des Moines group has built their own baseball field just across from Principal Park the home of the Iowa Cubs.  With help from the Iowa Cubs and thousands of people the Kiwanis Clubs have built a place where kids who want to play but have disabilities can enjoy playing our "national sport".

Bob Mitchell and Jan Burch have been involved in the fund raising and building of the Kiwanis Miracle League Park and they're in to talk about the project and what is going on all over the nation.   Join Bob and Jan and Brooke and find out more about what's been going on in the shadow of Principal Park...today at Noon Central.

That story and more today with Brooke Benschoter and Insight on Business.  Insight on Business is a production of our advertising agency, Insight Advertising, Marketing and Communications and made possible by:

NatraTurf - Chemical Free Lawns and Gardens is a reality, learn more:  www.NatraTurf.com

Exceptional Specialty Products - Let Cindy Taylor help your company get noticed:  www.ESP4All.com

Lotus Moments- A family business that creates stunning wedding invitations and business announcements, www.LotusMoments.com

Thanks for coming by!!

 

 

John Pettit - Insight on Business - July 21, 2010

Back from a day out of the broadcast chair!  Insight on Business with Michael Libbie is our Monday - Thursday look at the world of advertising, marketing and consumer trends.  You'll be able to catch the show LIVE at Noon Central Time on Webcast One LIVE!  And, because it's an interactive event you can use the chat to ask questions or make comments.  I also monitor Twitter @MichaelLibbie before, during and after the news/webcast.  Here is your link to WebcastOne LIVE!

On the show today my friend John Pettit the General Manager of the Iowa Barnstormers...and Matt Swim also from the Barnstormers

Watch live streaming video from desmoineslocallive at livestream.com

 

On tap is a discussion of arena football, and AHL Hockey.  We'll talk about the difference in marketing, fans, sponsorships, the future and more.  It will be a great visit with a guy that knows the sports business.  John Pettit and Matt Swim today with Insight on Business.

In other stories:

You know I do not do politics...but the question is what damage has been caused in the very controversial firing of Georgia USDA worker Shirley Sherrod?  Smack in the middle is former governor and current Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.  Did he over-reach, now what, damage control and a business lesson you should already know.  Who wins...who loses?  We'll talk about it.

I was at a home inspection this morning.  Our son is buying a home in the Des Moines Area and the experience led me to marketing and advertising.  (I told you we think "different".)  When business people buy advertising time or space are they doing the "inspection" of the media before...or just take the sellers word?  You can lose loads of money and potential customers if you fail to do the background work.  How do you do that?  We'll talk about it.

Those stories and our friend John Pettit from the Iowa Barnstormers today with Insight on Business which is a production of our advertising agency, Insight Advertising, Marketing and Communications and made possible by:

NatraTurf - It's time to do your part for the planet by stopping with all the chemical applications on your lawn or garden.  Learn how at www.NatraTurf.com

Lotus Moments - For business announcements and wedding invitations that will have folks going, "WOW!" visit www.LotusMoments.com

Exceptional Specialty Products - Cindy Taylor can help your business get noticed.  Visit her at www.ESP4All.com

Thanks for coming by and we'll check you at NOON live only on Webcast One Live!