Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications

Advertising/Marketing & THE Bike Ride...

This is a cool story about the difference between "advertising" and "marketing" and WHY you, as a busines person, need to not only know the difference...but consider "how to" do it.

RAGBRAI - For those of you not in Iowa, is an annual bike ride across the state.  This year was the 35th year of the ride.  There were 10,000 riders, several thousand more support people and 477 miles to cover in less than a week.  (Did we mention Lance Armstrong was also along for the ride?)

Our office was represented by Georgie who, four weeks earlier, had gone on a much smaller ride of 1,500 people in Illinois.  Needless to say, the SIZE of this event was staggering.  But there was more...her story:

"All along the 477 mile route people had stands where they were selling everything from sweet corn to water to even pork chops!  By day two of the ride I started noticing the "advertising".  Sometimes the operators of these stands would just put up a sign next to their booth and let us riders know what they had for sale.  Pretty passive.

But, the smart operators started their signs miles before you got to their booth.  Like:

• Pork Chooooooooooop - 10 Miles!"
• (Think "Mr. T"):  "I pity the fool that don't eat Pastafari - 5 miles!"

That was advertising.

And then there was this water stand...eight miles out the signs started:

• "See Cuddles & Buy Water - 8 Miles"
• "See Cuddles Eat Grass & Buy Water - 5 Miles"
• "See Cuddles Chew While You Enjoy Water - 2 Miles"
• "See Cuddles Poop - Just Ahead"

The signs were the "advertising" and Cuddles was the "marketing".  And it worked...dozens of people were buying water and watching Cuddles.  While down the road fifty yards at another stand, nobody.  We saw this all along the route. 

The people that "advertised" did well.  The people that also were out "marketing" did better.  Yep, advertising works...but when you throw in a little marketing savvy...it's golden!"

Thanks, Georgie.  So, the question to you:  Are you simply advertising or are you marketing too?

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where we think Cuddles made the story...and, yes...Georgie DID get to say "Hi" to Lance...

Rural Lifestyle Radio Sunday Morning

Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country is on Sunday morning at 8am here in the Des Moines, Iowa market.

We've got a pretty full line up of news and information important for folks living the rural lifestyle.

Nope, this is not a farm show...it's all about the rural lifestyle of living on an acreage or small farm.

In the second half hour of the program we've got a special guest who'll be here to talk about the surprises she saw while on RAGBRAI 35.  My wife will be on to visit about her experiences in the many small towns they went through this past week on their 477 mile trip across Iowa.  (Maybe a Lance Armstrong story or two?)

Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country is heard each week at 8am on 98.3 WOW-FM.  Visit with you Sunday...tune in already!

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where we think we'll also hear a little about "sore butts"!

Magazine Ad Placement - Front or Back?

Look, nobody really cares about magazine ad placement...so I thought I'd send you a photo of me and my friend.  OK, OK...she is Catharina Evans Miss World from 1962!  And, she is also Chubby Checker's wife since 1964.  Thanks for the photo Chubby!

Hey, I thought I'd "dress up" a business blog on marketing and advertising!  (And do a little name dropping...)

Enough fun...let's get to it.

So, when was the last time somebody called your office and tried to sell you "position" in a magazine.

The nearly breathless sales call goes something like this:  "Hello, Michael?  Thanks for taking my call!  Look, we just happen to have page three of our magazine open.  Yes, right hand position and up in the front of the book.  It would be a great position for your client!  Usually this spot goes for $15,000 but we just had a cancellation and we can get it to you for $9,000.  What do you say?"

Now...the moment of truth...like admitting "Cat" is Chubby's wife!

Do I rush to buy the ad?  Or...do I ask:  "So, what is the matter with page 83 where we purchased an ad for $4,500?"

(Breathless answer):  Oh...well, more people read the ads in the first part of the magazine.  It's a better position."

Bunk!

In a study by READEX Research, people were asked to indicate which ads they remembered reading.  The scores from 3,105 one page full color ads show that readers are no more likely to read an ad in the front of the publication than they are to read one in the back!

What is the difference between remembering and forgetting?  The creative nature of the ad. 

Doubt me?

OK...try this...what is the name of the woman whom I am "cheek to cheek" with?  (No cheating..no looking back!)  Would it have mattered if I posted that photo here? Or at the front of the article? 

Neither...it's the creative that matters....not the placement.  Besides, I couldn't resist posting the photo again!

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where we hope to lift the veil of misinformation.  (And we sorta like "Cat" too!)

The "B Word"!

We got an e-mail from a perspective client yesterday.  We followed up with another telephone call.  I don't believe her company is a client today.  The reason?

I said the "B Word"!

(NO, not THAT "B" word...you are soooo bad!)

B-U-D-G-E-T...the word that makes most advertisers shake and quake.

"What, exactly, do you mean by an advertising budget", she asked.

I said, "Well, we've talked several times and you have a couple of marketing/advertising needs.  What have you budgeted for this line item in the past?"

She said, "Budget?  Well, we spent roughly $28,000 on advertising last year."

Me: "Is that your budget number for this year?  And what was in that "advertising line item?"

She:  "Well, we don't actually budget funds for hard advertising and marketing.  We prefer to make those decisions as we go along.  But I think we'll be in that area this year. But we may add 5%."

Me:  "You told me once you do four trade shows.  Were expenses for trade shows in your numbers from last year?"

She:  "Oh no, those were under 'Trade Shows'."

Me:  "I see...  What about brochures and signs for the shows."

She:  "Yes, the signs were under trade shows but the brochures were under printing."

I asked how much steel they planned on buying next year and how much paint and...labor costs.  All of those she had a budget line item for and could make a stab at forecasting.  But marketing/advertising?  Nah...they "sort of shoot from the hip".

We offered to play...but I think the BUDGET may have gotten in the way.  You see, we wanted to help with that FIRST.

Other agencies might have taken them on...but our experience is that if you don't have a solid plan and if that plan is not shared...well.   We think she'll be back at the same place next year wondering why they spent in excess of $60,000 (which I think is her 'real' marketing/advertising cost) and will not have much to show for it.  Worse yet...is she doing the "right" things with her available dollars?

The first line of our website is, "The year is half over, made your plans for 2008 yet?"

Have you?

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where we too hate the thought of being "ruled" by a budget...but understand the need for a flexible plan.

The Market at Jordan Creek

About a week ago there was an article about this high end grocery store called The Market at Jordan Creek.  The headline was not encouraging.  Seems that after four months in operation the owners are considering closing "the struggling market".

My friend, Doug Mitchell already did a short piece on this and his insight is worth a read.

I'm not wanting to "pile on".  My job is to offer another question.  Do you really think the folks that are being targeted to shop at this "high end grocery store" really have the cash to spend on specialty items? And, the second question...are there enough of them?

It's an honest set of questions.

Over the past six months two "up scale" wine shops have closed.  Victim, it seems, to poor management...not experience or desire.  But, here again we've got to ask the question, "How many upscale wine shops can a metro area of 500,000 have?  Especially when now even the supermarkets and Target have better products and produce on their shelves than they had ten years ago.

In his post, Doug has a solid suggestion to help pull out the people and get them to this market.  I'm all for it...and hope it works.  But, you've got to wonder if the ground work was done in the beginning. 

Frankly, I know plenty of "upscale folks" who might shop at this store...but are struggling to make the payments on their 5,000 square foot house and the two BMW's in the garage.  Bet they buy their wine and produce at Target...

The reality is no matter if you are selling farm equipment or $75 bottles of wine...you can never do enough advance work to make sure what you have...people can/will buy.

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where we've actually seen $75 bottles of wine.  Ahh...no, we didn't make the buy.

It's Just A Bike Ride....

Well, not really.  It is THE Bike Ride across Iowa with 10,000 of your "closest" friends and another three to four thousand day riders and workers.

Sunday in Iowa is "Bike Day".  Actually it's been "Bike Day" for the past two weeks as thousands of riders have been gearing up for the week long, 477 mile trek across the state.

The 35th "Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa" (RAGBRAI) is a ride of monster proportions and it is also a great lesson in marketing.

I came to Iowa in 1979, several years after the first RAGBRAI.  In those days riders numbered only a couple of thousand.  Still, it was large enough that the founders of the ride (several journalists/bike riders) from the Des Moines Register were minor celebrities  I was doing morning radio here and "the guys", Karras, Kaul and Offenburger were always good for an interview or two.

I'm sure they really didn't think it would get so big that in year 34 and 35 Lance Armstrong, who is to the world of cycling as Gordie Howe is to hockey, would tag along for the ride and raise thousands for his cancer foundation "LIVESTRONG".

But it has.  In part the success of RAGBRAI are the people who ride.  People from nearly every state in the Union, and far flung countries like Uganda, come to ride and make a statement.  And then go home and tell others of the wonder we call Iowa.

But, more than any event in the state (outside of the Iowa State Fair) RAGBRAI has figured out the secret to success.  They get as many people involved in the event as possible.  From town councils who will see the population of their "cities" double or triple (and struggle to find housing) to churches where members will gather to bake pies to sell to hungry riders.  All along the 477 mile route people get involved...and prosper.

It's a lesson in success and positive public relations and for those of us in business or politics.  It addresses what is sometimes elusive...inclusion in the process.  Even if it's only baking pies.

And, if things are a little slow around our company this week...blame Georgie.  She and Lance have a week long date...or so she says.

Program Note...Sunday morning at 8am the rural lifestyle radio show, Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country is on...if you're in the area you can catch us on 98.3 WOW-FM.

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing and Communications, where we've been  oiling chains and gears...and living through the excitement of the great adventure.  Thanks to The Register for the Photos.

If ONLY We Ran Our Business PR Like This...

Last week I crossed off another item on my "To Do List".  For nearly three years we've intended to join the local Urbandale Chamber of Commerce.  (Voted the 39th Best Place to Live in the United States!) So far so good.  So good in fact that there is a lesson here for your business.

Chamber functions are not new to us.  Been there, done that. So, I had this pre-conceived notion about "The Chamber".  But, we joined anyway.

That was Wednesday.

Since Wednesday, at noon, I've received several e-mail notes from other members, all saying "Welcome".  There have been three phone calls to the office by members of the Board and no fewer than five notes from Tiffany Menke, Urbandale Chamber Executive Director.

Ahhhhh....  OK, I realize all of this does not just happen and the "gushing" is not just because our business is wonderful and they are ALL so glad we joined.  It is a coordinated mission of welcoming a new member...or new customer.  And it is worth mention.

So, who on your staff (should be you!) is leading the charge to make welcome your new customers?   The real question here is, "Do you have a coordinated plan of action to make your customers or clients feel welcome and special?"

Remember, people have many choices...what sets your company apart from the rest?

Nice going Urbandale Chamber...

PROGRAM NOTE!  (For those of you in the Des Moines, Iowa area.)

This Sunday on our rural lifestyle radio show, "Highway 6 - Y our Road to the Country", our guest will be Kate Klein.   We first met Kate several weeks ago at a "speed networking" event and were impressed with not only her personality but also her business.  So...Sunday morning at 8 listen in. We're on 98.3 WOW-FM.

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where we're always impressed by positive people doing a great job.

Water An Issue In Iowa? We Told You...

Several times in fact.  On one of our very first rural lifestyle radio shows back in January we had Lyle Asell from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources on.  He went into great detail regarding not only the QUALITY of water in Iowa but also his concern regarding the QUANTITY of water due to ethanol production.

We also blogged about this very issue, but some of you may not have seen it.  (Maybe because we started out with a Paris Hilton photo...many seem to get sidetracked when they see her.)

Today in the Des Moines Register...smack on the front page was a story about water concerns...because of ethanol production.

Are you feeling a breeze?  If so, it may be the result of you wearing the Emperor's New Clothes.  (Thanks for the line Mike Sansone!)  In other words...nobody can dare come out with these questions...because corn is the new gold for agriculture.

We brought this issue before the Iowa Corn Board several months ago at a chapter meeting of the National Agri-Marketers Association.  They told us it was not an issue.  Really?

Issue or not the urban rumblings are there.  Remember...there are more urban dwellers than corn producers.  And, because perception can become reality, the Ethanol Industry better get on top of this...now.

Oh, and turf professionals and golf course owners and managers...you listening?

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where water is never wasted...only mixed.

Blogging About Corn Yields?

Often, when talking to somebody who does not understand business blogging, they think "blogging" is something teens do on "My Space". Or they think blogging is like those goofy anonymous message boards (that are full of pop-ups) that exist in the world of newspapers and even sports.

That's why I'm so excited about our client's new business blog at Calcium Products.

You see...Calcium Products and Craig Dick are blogging about increasing corn yield.

And they are doing it well.

Today in a post Craig hit a home run about the increasing cost of "ice cream"...and then related that to farmers who need to cut costs to stay competitive.

It's really one of the best posts I've seen...and from a newcomer to the art. 

Well done Craig!

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where we love it when the students out shine the teacher!

Rural Lifestyle Radio - This Sunday

Hey, a quick reminder for those of you living in the Des Moines, Iowa radio market.  Our rural lifestyle radio show, Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country is on Sunday morning at 8!

You can hear the show on 98.3 WOW-FM.

Each week we talk about issues of concern for those folks living on small farms and acreages.  With roughly 150,000 of 'em here in the Central Iowa Area...it gets to be an important program.

And...we have guests!

This week our special guest is Sherry Borzo from DSM BUZZ.  I've known Sherry for some time and she is a wonderful example of somebody who always has something good to say...about everything.  Her business, DSM BUZZ is all about buying local. 

Come on by for a listen...8am.  Sunday...on 98.3 WOW-FM.

Thanks for reading...and for listening.

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where we're always excited about living the rural lifestyle!

Image, Image, Image...Got Yours?

Thanks for coming by.  Our Blog efforts here at Insight Advertising, Marketing and Communications are meant to be a free (WOW....that word!) resource for people in the business of trying to sell their product and/or service to consumers.

I guess I could have put that at the end...but often we get that question.  "Why do you Blog?"  One reason is the answer above the other, frankly, is to allow existing and potential clients understand how we think.  And, perhaps somebody that does not use us...may consider our talents and sign on.  (Shameless Plug!)

So, let's get to your image.

Here is a great story of how you can visually capture what your product is for and to whom it is marketed.

Our client is Country Vet Pet Foods.  And we have a very close working relationship.  The dog food bag you see above is their new look for this particular brand.  This brand of pet food is marketed in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and further west.  We think we captured that "image" pretty well.

Here is an image of their old bag.  When they asked us to come up with a new design the first thing we did was get rid of the "dairy farm" look.  Sure, it could have been a "ranch" but it looked like it came from someplace close to Devlin, Wisconsin...not Libby, Montana.

It matters.

Take a closer look at the image of your product or service.  Does it "match" the name?  Does it "match" the target audience?  Are you marketing the product to the correct demographic.  Are the colors right?  Does it capture the "imagination" of the consumer?

All of it matters...in fact all of these things are critical to the success of your marketing and advertising process.

Thanks for reading...

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where we work with our clients to better understand how to promote both product...and image.

Penny For Your Thoughts...

On Tuesday voters in and around Des Moines loudly said "no" to a proposal increasing the sales tax from six to seven cents on the dollar.  This is not a Blog about politics...remember we're interested in marketing and advertising. 

And Trust...

The proponents of the measure (mostly large business interests) raised over $770,000 to push the one cent local option sales tax.  If the tax passed, supporters said the money would be used for property tax relief, cultural attractions and help in bolstering various government bodies.

The opponents spent $4,000

The vote?  85% of the people voted "No".  $770,000 didn't buy much.

The "no" vote did not mean these people didn't want property tax relief.  Did not mean they did not want to increase the quality of life in Central Iowa.  Did not mean they did not want better streets, fire and police protection.  They did...and still do.  But the reason so little money won the day over BIG BUSINESS and BIG POLITICS...  TRUST.

The people had enough...where there is no trust...there is no support.

It did not help that the "Yes" crowd spent lots of money on California consultants and other "well connected" Iowa consultants.  It didn't help that it was the area "fat cats" that were out in front of this with donations up to $25,000 each.  It just amplified the disconnect.

Let's turn to you and your product or service.  Have you built and maintained "trust" among existing and potential clients?  From the message to the label...it's important you know.

As this proved...you can't build a following with money alone.

So, penny for your thoughts...what think you?

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where we attempt to build trust between ourselves and our clients...and their customers.   Every day.

HUNGER & Waste! What to do?

I have a question for all of you who read our Blog.  Maybe you can help me understand what to do.  A diversion from advertising and marketing for a moment.

The other day in the Des Moines Register there was an article taking to task schools who do not participate in free lunch programs during the summer.  Yes, kids do get hungry in the summer as well.

But, do you know of the waste that goes on daily and nobody can or will do anything about it.

Our office is near a grocery store.  Each day staff from the store dump food.  We didn't think much of it...at first.  But, as time went on we would see more and more people coming by and picking through the garbage and taking what they want.

Then, I started visiting the dumpster myself.  I was amazed.  At least twice a month they will toss 40 - 60 loves of bread and donuts and cake.  Daily there are dozens of canned goods, trays of tomatoes, fresh meat, baked goods, fruit...enough to have daily garbage pick up.

I asked the store employees about giving the food to charity.  They told me they could not.  "It was past the expiration date."  I asked them to let me know when they were going to throw stuff away.  They said they could not.

Remember, this is ONE dumpster from one rather small store.  The waste must be enormous.

So, what do we do?  Are there really kids in local school districts going hungry?  I don't know.  But I do know we are a wasteful bunch of folks.  And it is sad.

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where we keep busy wondering how we can make a difference...for lots of people.

The Cost of Marketing...Peanuts or Dollars?

Everything is a "trade off".  If you are trying to market a niche product your costs can be higher or actually lower depending on "how" you are going about the work.

I'm going to answer the "cost question" by sharing a story with you. 

Last year, here in Des Moines, a group got together to push for an additional penny increase in the sales tax.  The increase would move the sales tax to seven-cents on the dollar.  How it works, what it does or might do isn't the point of this post. 

The cost to market is....

In the target market area for the tax increase (Polk, Warren & Dallas Counties) there are 318,200 voters.  In the 2006 General Election 183,426 people in these counties voted. About 42%.

The orginizers of the campaign have raised $770,000 to seek a win.  Much of that money, $350,000 has been spent on external (California) and internal (Iowa) "consultants".

Keep in mind most votes of this type pull much less than 30% of the registered voters.  So if 95,500 voters make it to the polls on Tuesday and 48,454 (or a simple majority) of them vote for the measure: SUCCESS!

So, to target 51% of the likely voters in a very small geographic area...we'll spend nearly $800,000.  That ain't peanuts.

Now, look at your marketing and advertising campaign...

Oh...the "other side" has spent about $8,000 on the "No New Tax" message.  Smart money would be "with the money"...but maybe not in this case.  We'll let you know after Tuesday.

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Public Relations where we also try to break down the numbers for our clients...but for $350,000?  Sign us up!

Rural Lifestyle Radio - For Sunday Morning

Hey...before you get too far into the weekend here is your invite (if you live in the Des Moines Market) to take a listen to our weekly radio show on 98.3 WOW-FM.  Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country is on each Sunday morning at 8am we talk about the issues and news that affect living the rural lifestyle.

If you're on an acreage, small farm or just want to be...this show is for you.

For a complete line up of guests and some of the topics we're going to cover...head over to our Highway 6 BLOG.

Have a great weekend!

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where we love the rural lifestyle!

Hey, A Little Help Here With Phone Messages?

A "wise man" will move over when asked by a woman.  Especially when that woman is having "issues".  Oh my...

So...this is Georgie and she has taken over the BLOG CHAIR this morning.  You are warned...proceed at your on risk.

ARGH!!!  I can't take it anymore!

Sorry for the outburst, Michael's secretary here.  Move over, Michael, I'm doing the Blog today.

I'm pretty frustrated right now.  You see, one of my pet peeves is when people don't return a phone or e-mail message in a timely manner or perhaps not at all.  But, what if the person who gets your voice mail...can't return it?

You see, I just finished listening to some messages on my voice mail and for a couple of them I had to listen to, two and three times each.  Know why? Because, for some reason the person leaving the message feels as though they have to talk at the speed of light.  They rip off their message and phone number as if they were being chased by and about to be eaten by space aliens with giant forks!  Like I said, I had to listen (to the entire message) up to three total times to understand the phone numbers they were leaving.  UGH!

I've decided today that from now on, I'm going to listen to a message one time (well maybe).  If I can't get it, then I suppose they will call back.  Don't get me wrong, I'm a fanatic about returning emails and messages and getting them to the proper person - that is so important in any business!!  It's just plain rude not to - what kind of message does that send to your clients or business associates if you don't return calls and emails?  But...isn't it just as rude when you leave messages that aren't "legible"?  It's frustrating to the person that is listening to it and trying desperately to write down the message and number correctly.

Do me, and other "message takers" a favour and please slow down and repeat the phone number twice.  It's such a simple thing. 

Do I hear an "Amen"?!

P.S.  By the way, if you really were being chased by space aliens when you called - my apologies.

Selling GM via Transformers? Oh my....

We've got a pretty "small potatoes" advertising agency.  We couldn't afford the rent in just one of the offices here at the GM Headquarters in Detroit. 

But, we think we have some common sense...maybe?

So, that's why a recent story out of Detroit caught our eye. 

According to the article GM is betting HUGE sums of money on product placement in the movie "Transformers"  hoping it will transform  sluggish sales among 18 to 34 year old consumers.

Will spending "millions" on "Transformers" tie-ins work?

Ahhhh...maybe.

One thing is certain, you can't step anywhere in a GM showroom and not be "run over" with the images.

In the movie the Camaro, Pontiac Solstice, GMC TopKick (truck) and the Hummer H2 are the "actors".

Here is the problem...it's all flash...no substance.  Maybe if you are 27 years old you don't care about substance.  Maybe.  But, if you are 35...will you really purchase a car based on a cartoon?  We don't think so.  But, when you're looking for an answer...any answer...because your industry has failed the consumer.  You'll even bet on cartoons.

Maybe their marketing team knows more than we do.  Maybe.  But, if you are in the business of trying to capture your target market one of the very best things you can produce is a solid "reason" to buy.  And, follow that up with quality.

We'll watch this...should be fun.

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where we are always transforming our clients programs...into winning messages.

Independence Day - 2007

Des Moines, Iowa is such a cool place.  OK, so you already know I think this is the best city in the best state in the best country on the planet.

And, it's Independence Day.

We write about advertising, marketing and communications in our business blog.  Today we'll stretch a little.

It started at 6am.  One of my favorite things to do is have a cup of coffee and read the Des Moines Register.  I love the Opinion Page.  I save it, like dessert, until the end of my reading.

Carol Hunter and her staff placed on the page the full text of the Declaration of Independence.  I started to read it.  Some of the words were familiar.  Much of it I read as if it were the first time.  

I wonder what the men who signed that document might make of the government that now controls us.  About the politicians who come to Iowa and leave behind a swath of adoring "fans" who are played like puppets.

I read the document and wondered what they would make of an executive branch that deems it is above the law.  About a legislative branch that makes a career of being lawmakers but can not or will not listen to the people.  About a judicial branch that is used by the same politicians to tear further at the fabric of this country.

After that depressing thought process I reflected on a great story on the front page.  It's about a 78 year old woman in the town of Early, Iowa (pop. 600) who, for months, has waged a one-person protest against the war.  She marches down the street and stands for 90 minutes with her hand-made sign.

What courage.

Today she becomes the face of the Declaration of Independence.  And, it reminds me that we do live in the greatest country.  But, do we as a nation, have her courage?

Then it was on to the computer and I read Doug Mitchell's Blog.  Great stuff...and you should read it too.  Maybe add your items to his list.

So, my turn at our Blog.  Later today we might go to a parade.  Later still grill a bit, have a beer and reflect on how lucky we are to live here.  And, lucky that we still have the freedom to ask why things can't be better.

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where we'll return to the world of advertising, marketing and public relations later on.  Thanks for reading.

Calcium Products - A New Baby!

Last week we launched a new website for Calcium Products.  The site we replaced (go ahead...take a look) is one we created seven years ago.  Seven years in the world of the Internet is almost a lifetime.

We're fortunate to have Calcium Products as a client mostly because they seek our advice, make a decision and move on it.  This website was no different.

They wanted a "change" but left it up to us to create the image.  Our first goal was to allow visitors to know, right away, what Calcium Products does.  In this case Calcium Products is an input company and the primary customer group is agriculture.  Specifically farmers in the area of corn, soybeans and alfalfa. 

They also wanted a Business BLOG to be part of their site.  And, just like we did with the National Tractor Parts Dealers Association we created one here as well.

They are also about to launch a new product that will be a huge boost for turf professionals and will impact golf course care and athletic turf projects.

OK...so we're tooting our own horn here but the real story is about the client.  They gave us their overall needs.  We, and our strategic partner DWebware, answered with the design and function.  The result?  Everybody wins.  What made it work so well?

Trust.

Calcium Products has been a client for several years.  We communicate with their operations staff, management staff and sales staff several times each month.  We call them or they call us.  It's a partnership.  And everybody realizes that.  That's how we run this advertising agency...and we all win.

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where we think business should be a win - win - win.  A win for the client, the agency and the consumer.

Is There Truth In Advertising?

We're in the advertising and marketing business.  We're often asked if there really is truth in advertising...and what the effects might be.

The simple answer is, "Yes!"  We know when we are coming up with an advertising slogan, image or brand we always make sure we're telling the truth to the end user.  Does it work?

We hope so. 

But, to better tell you the story about Truth in Advertising let's re-visit a scene from my OLD RADIO DAYS.

We had a guy who worked for the station as a "part-timer".  Those of you who have worked in radio know that the "part-timer" is on the next to the lowest rung in at the station.  The lowest position is reserved for the Sales Manager.  Well, at least that's the way it was with us "on-air and production types".

His name was "Chris" but we called him "Goat-Boy".  It was "Goat-Boy" that we sent out on some of the more...entertaining...(yeah, that's it!) missions for our morning show.

We'd have him "miked up" and send him out to ask drive up restaurant people for dates or cash a three-cent check.  Lot's of goofy stuff that, at the time, we thought was really funny.  (And this was before Jackass The Movie.)

Once we decided to send "Goat" out to a street corner to hold a sign that said:  "Money For Food".  He was dressed in his finest "street person" clothing.  We mentioned that he was out there...but didn't to say it was "Goat".  We just said there was some "homeless dude" on the corner with a sign and to "check him out".

As I remember, "Goat" collected $1.48 for food.

The next day we sent him out again.  This time his sign read:  "Money For Beer".  Once again we told the listeners there was this strange guy on the city street corner holding up a sign.  We couldn't read it from where we were...but they should maybe check him out.

"Goat" collected $15.98 for beer.

$1.48 or $15.98.  Truth in advertising.

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where we'll hold up your sign...anytime!

Rural Lifestyle Radio & A New Baby!

For those of you living in the Des Moines, Iowa area...our rural lifestyle radio show, Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country gets underway at 8am.  For a complete re-cap of the show, visit our BLOG site.  Interesting reading for rural and non-rural folks.

And, for those of you who can appreciate a great looking website.  We've given birth to a new baby. 

On Friday we launched the new site for Calcium Products, Inc.  Calcium Products is in the business of creating agricultural inputs that save farmers loads of money on fertilizer while at the same time improving their crop yields.

The two products for agriculture are SuperCal 98-G and SuperCal SO-4.  And, the will be announcing a new product late this fall designed for saving water.  Great for golf courses and turf professionals.  Have a look and let us know your thoughts.

That's it for today...we're coming back tomorrow with an interesting story about "Truth in Advertising".  A great way to kick start your Monday!

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where we're always "kicking around" something.