Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications

Don't Eat Yellow Snow...And Other Wise Words

When we're kids we get all kinds of advice from wise people.  Usually our parents are the first to sit us down and start the process. 

As we age our parents words seem to have more credibility.  And, we find ourselves saying many of the same things.  You know it's true.

Over the past year we've written 322 articles about advertising, marketing, public relations and observations about the social condition of life.

It's been a blast and none of it could have been done without the wise advice of the hundreds of people we've listened to and learned from.

We figured, for the final article (it might get a little long) for 2007 we we'd say "Thank You" to many of the folks who've crossed our path.  Thanks for not only being here...but for the wisdom you've shared with us.

I've always had a passion for writing.  While getting published in magazines and newspapers had been fun.  Publishing this has been a blast.  (It must be the "control issue"?)  We get to thank Mike Sansone for his help in getting us started.  Early on it was Mike who encouraged us to believe in the world of the Business Conversation and the power of the blog.  Thanks Mike.

Andy Priestly of DWebWare has also had a huge influence on our work.  We love the passion that he and Matt Mann have for creating some of the very best in web design.  We've been together for several years.  It's been a good relationship and we appreciate all the extra help and encouragement.

Carol Hunter from the Des Moines Register.  It's not that she publishes the letters or articles I send in.  It's just that she keeps in touch.  She always answers my e-mail and I know how busy she is.  In addition..I'm not sure who...but somebody there reads our stuff.  Must.  Either that or we are connected via some sort of extra sensory perception.  That does not mean I'll caucus for Hillary though.  Big thank you too to Richard Doak...same paper...similar ideas.

Gale McKinney has been a friend for nearly 20 years.  He's the CEO of Heartland Communications Group the organization that gave our company its start.  We visit several times a month...and there is always a pearl of wisdom in the conversation.

Chubby Checker...we know him as Earnest Evans (his real name) and every time we talk it's an education.  Need somebody with a real opinion...about everything?  Chubby's your man.  A great guy with huge energy and a neat company, The Last Twist.   So, tell us Hy-Vee when are you coming on board?

My Mom...June.  She has really NO idea what it is that we do here but she always has sound advice.  Like..."Michael, don't eat yellow snow!"  Thanks Mom...I'd pretty sure I've not done that...yet.

Andy Brudtkuhl from REL Productions.  Thanks to Andy we're part of the network of Iowa Bloggers and read by folks all over the nation.  Sure we have competing businesses...as we do with Drew McLellan from McLellan Marketing Group.  Words of wisdom...on a daily basis along with some great Insight!  (Had to Drew!)

We also spend time reading the words of so many others:  Liz Strauss (I feel like we neighbors!), Doug Mitchell (sometimes we just don't 'get it'...but fun reads), Rush Nigut (he's a lawyer...and we like him?), Sandy Renshaw (like fresh air!), Larry Lehmer (he's got a 'way with words'), Chris Woods (politics all the time Chris?), Andy Drish (I read him so I don't appear TOO STUPID to folks 35 years younger than me!)

Thanks too to some of the guests we've had on our Radio Show, Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country.  Jack Payne from ISU Extension, Doug Bakker from the Iowa Grape Growers Association & Madison County Winery, Robin Prusiner from the Iowa Department of Agriculture, Tom Barns from the Association of Iowa Fairs, Dan Duffy from United Country Real Estate, Joe Leisz from the 4-H Foundation, Rep. Mark Kuhn from the Iowa Legislature, Sean Skeehan from Iowa Farm Crawl - 2007, Tom Covin from the Iowa Animal Rescue League, Willie Suchy from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Robin & Rick from the Des Moines Police Department Mounted Patrol, Adam Steen from Transitional Capitol Management, Sherry Borzo from DSM Buzz and the list goes on and on!  Thanks...

Thanks to our team of Aaron, Mike, Christi and Mark who put in some crazy hours but do wonderful work.

Our Clients:  You bet!  Calcium Products, Inc., FOTON-Mayer Farm, NTPDA, Allied Information Services, Country Vet Pet Foods, The Iowa Sportsman, Running Horse Elite Equine Feeds, Beth El Jacob, The Iowa Department of Agriculture and the many folks who have taken a look at coming on board...we're still here!

Jason Cochran who is the producer of our weekly radio show on 98.3 WOW-FM.  OK...maybe it's not wisdom that he give us....he just knows how to keep the program on the air and the run that "thingy" that makes us sound ok.  He is an Online Gamer...kind of guy maybe that explains it?

My wife is amazing.  Not only a talented writer and photographer in her own right...she takes many of the studio shots for our clients.  She also never seems to mind when we're at a location and I'm up at 3:30am writing.  She even cuts out topics from various publications and sticks them to the laptop...so I won't miss the opportunity to call them out.  You the best.

And...YOU!

Thanks for reading our rants and raves.  Sometimes we hit...other times we miss by a mile.  But, you have no idea how important this method of communication is.  It's a way to encourage the art of communication.  Business to Business.  We get to learn from each other and we're really grateful.

Have a fantastic 2008.

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications

Iowa - Living at the Epicenter

Living at the epicenter of all things political is great...if you are a political junkie.  OK...I admit it and yes I'll be BUSY on January 3rd...at the caucus even.

Moments ago I got "Push Polled".  I've got a hunch it was from Mrs. Clinton because they were banging pretty hard on Obama and Edwards.

Anyway...I honestly don't mind the polling, the goofy questions or the lame attempts at hiding whom the poll is really for.

What I got such a kick out of was this poor young man who had to ask the questions. 

He could not read them.  Really.  I had to help him along and I didn't even know what the questions were. 

But, there were some hard words like:

• Strategy
• Specific
• Relationship
• Governmental
• Financial

So, when this poor guy got to one of those words (or several others) I helped him out.  When we finished the session he thanked me for my assistance.  He didn't say "assistance" he said "help"...I'm not sure he could have said it anyway.

Oh my.......

Brilliant Public Relations!

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications...that would be like speaking "an stuff like that...ya know."

Nobody Wants to Say It....We Will

The nation's farmers have drunk the Kool-Aid and so has Washington.  We're all just a little tipsy.

Months ago we started asking questions about the rising prices of grain.  We were told it was good for farmers.

Months ago we asked about the relationship between the rising price of grains and the increased food prices.  We were told we should not worry and there was no relationship between the two.

Today we're not so sure.

I just got off the phone with one of our clients who told me that between the increased price for fuel (transportation) and the increased price for grain (corn, soybeans, wheat, take your pick) they can't raise prices fast enough.  "Michael, if we could, we would be raising prices twice a week."

Let me say that again...a national client that is in the business of making a consumer based product has told us they can not raise prices fast enough to keep up with their costs of production.

We think they are not alone.

This is not a rural vs. urban debate.  This is becoming a national concern.

Last week I paid twenty-one cents for an egg.  One egg.  Six months ago that egg cost me eleven cents.

In a matter of months we have seen grain prices increase by 200%.  You think that will not have an impact on lots of products?  Last time I checked we eat a bunch of corn-fed beef. If six or seven months ago a rancher was feeding grain priced at $1.98 a bushel and they, today, are feeding the same ration at $4.35 bushel. Think that might impact price?

Look, our bottom line is focused on agriculture and rural lifestyle both have been good for us and we are grateful.  But...we think we're headed for a major backlash as the rest of the country (the 95% who are not farmers and ranchers) get real antsy about the cost of everything from eggs to dog food.

Maybe it is Gods way of telling us to go on a diet?  What do you think?

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications....we love farming...and cooler heads.

Having Fun...Part of Your PR???

Our advertising agency belongs to the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce.  So we get to go to plenty of events linking us with other members and the general public.  Each one is carefully crafted and done well.

That's where we were last week and asked Tiffany Menke (center) if we could take a photo of her and the staff (Sue Wengert - left and Amber Wagner - right)  We lined 'em up...all the staff in their proper business attire and snapped a shot or two.

Then the ladies got a little silly so we just kept shooting.

I know of a bunch of places where work is....work.  I'm sure the staff from the Urbandale Chamber have their moments.  But, one of the major reasons we continued our membership is that these folks are not only good at what they do...they are really nice people and they seem to enjoy their jobs and have a good time with it.

Sometimes we seem to forget that a little laughter is good for business.  We tend to be a little intense around here and sometimes for good reason.  But when you mix a little "good cheer" in the day...clients notice. 

Hey...it's one of the reasons we came back as members.

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications...where everybody here laughs at me...I've got to lighten up!

Rural Lifestyle Radio & Dan Duffy

Snowing like crazy today here in Des Moines...

But, we're warming up for this nations only full hour, live rural lifestyle radio show that takes place Sunday Morning at 8 on 98.3 WOW-FM.  If you're elsewhere you can listen live by using your computer.  Just head to the station site and sign up.  It's that easy.

We've got a great show lined up for Sunday morning that includes news and information for folks living (or wanting to live) on a small farm or acreage.

No doubt you've seen the reports on the 22% increase in land prices here in Iowa.  It's the result of a couple factors:

1. The corn and soybean prices continue to increase and now that the Renewable Energy Bill has been signed by the president...don't look for prices do drop.
2. The increased demand for recreational ground.  People are buying up hunting and fishing sites like crazy and we don't see much of an end in site for that either.

In addition, the number of rural lifestyle people continues to grow. 

So, who do we call on when we want to know about rural land prices and what the future might hold for folks wanting to move or already living in Rural America?  How about the CEO of the nations largest rural real estate company, Dan Duffy of United Country Real Estate.

Dan will be on the show Sunday to talk about the trends he's seen and give us some perspective as to the future of rural development.  We'll talk about the economic impact, the reason why so many people are making the move to Rural America and how technology is making much of this happen.  This is going to be an excellent show...make sure you're listening!

All that and more on Highway 6 -  Your Road to the Country Sunday morning at 8!

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Public Relations...where we know rural.

Being Mom...Tough Public Relations

My Mom is well, thank God, and 86 years old.  I'm sure that when she looks back on her job as a parent there must be those moments when she wonders if she did the right thing.

You know what I mean.  Sometimes kids do some really stupid things or use lousy judgment.  I know I have...  And it's usually at times like that some parents might doubt their "parenting skills".

Some of the stuff my brother and I pulled have made her very happy that she never was sought out as a giver of advice on parenting.  Much less write a book about her efforts.

But, that is what somebody sold Lynne Spears on.  Writing a book about parenting.  Until yesterday the yet to be published book was due out on...Mother's Day.

"Mother Lynne" has a couple of rather famous daughters, Britney and Jamie.  We've all grown weary of the antics of the elder Spears "wild child".  And then, yesterday Jamie Lynn (16) announced that she is several months "with child".

The publisher has pulled the book, "for the time being".

But here is the real public relations NIGHTMARE....Little Jamie Lynn is the star of a squeaky clean Nickelodeon (yet) school drama, "Zoey 101".

As a marketing and public relations person, how would you like to sit in on that meeting?  Let's pretend we're the PR firm for Nickelodeon.  A couple of "trial balloons":

• "We're proud that we can offer a television show that has issues as real as the problems faced by America's teens."
• "This isn't about a child getting pregnant.  This is about the failure of abstance only education!  It's the president's fault."
• "For some this might come as a shock...but in the trailer park it's called 'coming of age'."

So, how about you?  Give us your answer to this PR dilemma?

Me?  I'm just relieved Mom never even thought about a book!

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications...sure we do PR too!

Grocery Store Advertising...What's Up?

Have you been paying attention to the shift in grocery store advertising?

For months we've watched newspaper ads here in Iowa and there is an interesting shift taking place.

Often the ads, like the one here, are being replaced with full page ads featuring only one or two items. 

Really.

Gone are the full page ads featuring twenty different items that sell price.  Enter the "new" look of featuring one item like a "Spiral Cut Ham" will full color photos of a prepared dish with very little text.

It's all visual.

What really got me thinking was what came today as an insert in the Des Moines Register for Midwest grocery chain HyVee.  It's a die cut insert on card stock (expensive) with six words on the front.  "INSTEAD OF GOING OUT FOR A GREAT STEAK,"

Inside the flap of this tri-fold we get the finish: "STAY IN."

Open it to fully expose some great photography (one image) and a coupon worth $2,00 off a meat purchase.

So, why would a grocery store start to move in this direction and away from their traditional ads?

We think two reasons:

First, eating out is big.  "Home meals" tend to be, we believe, whatever you can throw in the microwave.  Eating out means a "real meal".  This piece suggests that you can have a real meal and stay home.  Really?

Second, and perhaps more important, is the whopping increase in food prices.  When prices get so high...can you really advertise price and still retain a high end image for your store?  We don't think so...  So, what do you do?  Sell the image, not the price.

This was clearly image...and a coupon for $2.00 off.

Pretty classy stuff for a grocery store...

You see this happening in other places?

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications were we think trends are fun to watch...

Got Your Back!

The other day friend and fellow Blogger Brett Trout had a wonderful piece called, "Is Your Marketing Firm Looking Out For You?"

Brett, an attorney, and a "go to guy" for many folks in the social media always has some great stories to tell.  (He's also an author...so it figures!)

When an agency or marketing firm works for a client making sure you have their best interests at heart is critical.

Brett's post reminded me of a quick story about our client Country Vet Pet Foods out of Sioux City.

A couple of years ago we were hours away from launching their website and some print to push consumers to the site.  Long before us they had decided their slogan would be, "The Best Food For Your Best Friend". 

Cute...speaks to people and their love for their pets.  They liked it (so we liked it) and we figured it was solid.  So...we put it on everything.  Everything!  Hours...we mean hours...before we launched one of our design folks came in and asked me if we had checked the slogan to see if they really owned it.  (Thank you Aaron!!!)

We had not.   

But we did minutes later.

Turned out the slogan had already been marked by none other than Dick Van Patten (you know...TV's Dick Van Patten?).  We were sure his pockets were much deeper than ours or our client.  Even though we could not find where he had used it...we scraped the slogan...quickly.

In less than a day we had a new slogan "Loved by Pets - Trusted by Owners" (we like it better),ran it by legal, and had a very happy client.

Brett makes some great points in his post...and something that we all can learn from.  Making sure you have your "Clients Back" is critical.  This can be some tricky stuff...

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications.

Knowing Is Better Than Guessing...

The Rural Lifestyle - It Ain't Sexy. 

Maybe that's why it has not caught on even though it is the fastest (really only) growing segment of the rural landscape.

I'm about to do some shameless self promotion so...if you want to bow out at this point.  We understand. (Here we are picking up small bales for horse hay.)

I'm a member of the National Agricultural Marketing Association (NAMA), have been for years.  NAMA is made up of advertising agencies, media, and company folks who market to agricultural types.  That, traditionally, has meant farms and farmers and that has usually meant row crop farmers.  (Corn, Beans, Grains...)

As the "Traditional Farm Market" shrinks (less farms and fewer operators) media types have recently discovered individuals who can be described as"Rural Lifestyle" folks.  These people are:

• Living on Small Farms or Acreages near urban areas,
• Living in small towns on larger plots of land,
• Often escapees from urban life who seek a more quiet lifestyle,
• Engaged in a wide variety of rural lifestyle activities.

Over the years there have been a handful of individuals in the NAMA group who "get it".  Among them are Mike Gustafson from John Deere.  He's been lecturing on the rural lifestyle for some time.

Now...the "media types" of NAMA want to learn more. 

This has been like turning the Queen Mary II in The Plaza of Kansas City.  The boat is there...everybody sees it but it seems nobody can figure out how to make it work. 

Now, all of a sudden it's the "next big thing".  NAMA is even discussing having a "one day seminar" to better understand this market.  About time.

We've been in the business of marketing to rural lifestyle folks for over a decade using print, Internet, radio (even doing our own full hour live radio show) and television.

(Quick Sidebar: Want to know who they are and what type of acreage they are buying?  Call Dan Duffy the CEO of United Country Real Estate...he's even in Kansas City.)

Eight years ago, In a radio interview done in Evansville, Indiana, I told the host we were in the business of marketing to "Ruralpolitians".  She thought it was a weird term...so we actually created a trademark on the word.  Never used it...but it's there.

So, why this rant?  Simple.  We don't know "jack" about "Fine French Perfume" but...If you are in the business of trying to market to rural lifestyle folks give us a shout.  We don't have to guess as to who, what, where and why. 

We figure it helps if you've actually lived the lifestyle, don't you think?

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications - Sorry for the outburst...sometimes we just shake our heads...

Loyality...It Works Both Ways

We're big on client loyalty.  As an advertising agency we know plenty about the workings of our clients.  Sometimes we know more than we perhaps should.  But we're loyal to them and their mission.  Our goal is to help them in every manner we can.  And, we get paid for what we do.  That is the nature of this business.

We're often treated as a "member of the team" but to be "honored guests" at an event is something quite different.  But, those are the words used by our client and friend Larry Moore (center) the president of Calcium Products.  He had invited us to come to the companies 20th Anniversary and Holiday Party at the local country club.  To be included was very nice and we were honored.

But then he stood up and said some very nice things about us and our work on behalf of Calcium Products in front of the entire staff.  We were touched.

But we were not surprised.

Larry Moore is like that.  He and his wife Susan have a fierce loyalty to their people and they are not afraid to tell others.  And their people return the message.

One of the long time employees, Jim LaVelle rose towards the end of the evening to remind all of us about that fact.  He said, "Each of us goes though our daily lives buying groceries, sending our kids to school, making house payments and rarely do we stop to consider how we're able to do those things.  The reason we are able to make a living, and a good one, is sitting here in this room.  Larry and his wife Susan never tire of thinking, creating and developing new products.  Our customers and those of us here in the room are the recipients of blessings realized by those dreams.  Their dreams help make ours come true.  And we are grateful."

It was stunning and at the same time...welcome.  But that's the way we are here.  Loyalty is a big thing.

And Larry Moore's reaction?

He's not only loyal...he can be pretty humble too.

Thanks Larry...we're grateful for the work and even more grateful for having the opportunity to come, listen and learn.  Here is to yet another outstanding year of growth.

Loyalty...it really does work both ways.

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications

Ever Have One Of Those Days?

We figured we had it DOWN!  We had written the radio show for this morning (98.3 WOW-FM) that's the show about small farms and acreage living.  We made sure our BLOG for Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country was ready to go just in advance of the show.

We spent the entire show promoting the BLOG for a place where people could go to learn more about each story we were talking about.

Then, two hours after the show...we got an e-mail asking where this listener could find the BLOG...because he wanted to do some follow up on the story.

We looked...it was not there.

It is now...but our apology to anybody who went looking for us this morning.  One of those days!

Michael Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications....gotta remember to hit the right button!

Agricultural Marketing Mystery....NOT!

Yesterday I was in a meeting with a large national company talking about agricultural marketing.  You know, trying to get a message to farmers, ranchers and rural lifestyle types.

To say the least, they are frustrated.

I was told, "We think we've got a handle on agriculture but we get so many different answers.  Who and where are these people?"

This company is not alone... 

But like so many others they have drunk the "Koolaid of Agricultural Myths"  It is frustrating.

Myth Number One:   "If I want to reach row-crop farmers by using television or radio I need to buy a "farm block" early (between 5 and 6) in the morning."

Reality Check:  That might have been the case 40 years ago when farming was completely different than it is today.  Once upon a time farmers would rise early in the morning to complete their "chores".  And, what were those "chores"?  Mostly checking and feeding livestock.  In the row crop agricultural world of today there is no need to get up early.  Fully "diversified farming" is mostly gone.  Corn and soybeans don't need much tending.  So, unless you've got kids to put on a bus for school, early rising is becoming less a factor.  Add to that the average age of the American Farmer is approching 60 years old.  Doubt they have many kids in school.

Reality Action:  Look most media sales people also buy the fact that "farmers get up early".  They know little about farming and most advertising agencies know even less.  So, what sould you do?  Target your market.  This is not to say that TV and Radio don't have a place.  You just need balance.  Electronic Media is great for some things...like selling trucks, appliances and a host of consumer driven items. (Farmers are consumers too you know!)  It's just that selling seed corn using TV?  ....right.

Myth Number Two:  In a farm state (go ahead pick one) like Iowa you can't swing a dead cat and not hit a farmer.

Reality Check:  Here in Iowa there are roughly 60,000 full time farms (USDA Census).  Of those fewer than 28,000 have gross sales of over $100,000 per year!  (The White House Christmas Card List is bigger than that.)  But, I'm giving it away...

Reality Action:  Doing a shotgun approach for high end row crop farmers is very costly.  Why not engage them with a direct mail piece or even a Business Blog directed to them?  Remember not all "farmers" are...farmers.

There are plenty more "Agricultural Myths" out there and because we've been on both the selling and buying end...we've heard a bunch of 'em.  As always...know the target and know your limits.

What say you?

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where we know this stuff...really.

Dr. Flinchbaugh...Remember Him?

Those of you who are FEMA (Farm Equipment Manufacturing Association) Regulars have got to remember our friend from Kansas State.  He spoke to our group and I remember his feisty nature and "take no prisoners" pronouncement regarding the Farm Bill.

Remember?

Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh, when he spoke to FEMA (and I was also on board to hear him speak to the American Bankers Association in Las Vegas with our client Calcium Products) was downright sure that congress would pass a multi-billion Farm Bill without so much as a sneeze.

It's not working out that way and today (Monday) Dr. Flinchbaugh had some harsh words for Congress while speaking at the Indiana Farm Bureau Convention.

Our friends at Brownfield have the entire story.

You have to love a guy like Barry Flinchbaugh who has been in on all the Farm Bill discussions since...what...Earl Butz?  Who, by the way, said should be back in charge because he would force the issue and get it done. "Earl Butz would straighten them (Congress) out."

We have too few Barry Flinchbaughs in the world today.  Folks who just speak their mind and don't cow to others. 

I like him...can you tell?

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Public Relations...hey...we also like Ag!

Customer Service - Advertising Media

The post we wrote about Matt Coniglio from Fastline got some traction...from others in the business.

We heard, via e-mail, from several other advertising agencies and even some clients about how poor most advertising media people are with their follow up. 

And it's true.

Our phones ring daily with calls from media sales people pushing "last minute deals" or "special pricing opportunities".  Sometimes...depending on the client and the "deal" we can make a buy.  Remember, media plans should be flexible to do just this.

However once the ad is placed we rarely hear from the sales person again.  In fact...I'll wager that only three or four people have ever called back to check with us about our client reaction or even just to...call.

We recently placed $30,000 worth of business with a company for a two month run.  We've not heard a word from them since the original order.

It's not that we want to be fawned over...but this isn't retail where you buy a scarf and never set foot in the place again.  (However at Von Maur...one of the very best upscale department stores in the nation... sales people will usually send out a personal note following a sale....)

It should be about relationships...but sadly it's often the quick buck. 

What say you?

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications...thanks for reading.

So, Does It WORK?

No...Kate Walsh has NOTHING to do with this post.  It's just that I thought it was once again time to post her photo.  Sorry if I have offended anybody.

At our agency we're always looking for that advertising medium that "works".  Does it produce calls?  Does it help sell products or services?  Does it help produce an awareness of our clients product or service?

Look, I just got back from a full day at a Farm Show in Lincoln, Nebraska.  So...NOW do you blame me for posting this picture of Kate?   Didn't think so...

We tend to work a lot with agricultural clients.  That is good...and GOOD.  The GOOD is that we actually know about farming and ranching.  Many agencies don't. 

The good is that the agricultural based market is a very narrow focus.  Remember, there are only 2.2 million farms in the United States.  Unlike general consumer based advertising we, and our clients, know right away when an ad works...or when the media works.  How?

Phone calls, website visits and general interest in the product at a special event. It's pretty grassroots stuff.

I just returned from a Farm Show in Lincoln (remember Kate?) and we had a great amount of interest at our client booth for Calcium Products, Inc. In addition, over the past couple of weeks we have watched the number of visits to the Calcium Products website increase...at a rapid rate.

Why?

It might just be the reaction to the magazine company this guy works for.  (OK...it's not Kate...and it is an odd photo of a guy standing next to a lit up ice cream cone!)  This is Matt Coniglio who is the National Accounts Manager for Fastline, an agricultural equipment magazine.  I've known Matt since he assumed that position with Fastline.  He's always been honest with us and upfront with the pride he has in his product.

Best of all, he keeps in touch.  Never, right away asks for an order but offers some piece of information or simply asks us our advice about a project or a plan.

Customer Service.  Maybe it's a tactic other media sales people should learn.  And...when something really works for our clients...we don't mind taking the calls.

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications

Rural Lifestyle Radio - Sunday Morning

Back from a very successful Farm Show in Lincoln, Nebraska.  The Iowa/Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association put on an excellent event.  Our thanks and a tip of the hat to Andy, Tom, Donna & Will for their hard work and effort.

We were there to assist our client Calcium Products, Inc.  Our thanks to Craig Dick the Nebraska rep for Calcium Products for allowing us to work the booth for a bit.

Coming up on Sunday morning we'll be on with our rural lifestyle radio show, Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country. This is NOT a farm show.  It is a show about living on small farms or acreages.  Folks can listen live to 98.3 WOW-FM here in Des Moines or follow this link and get yourself hooked up using your computer.

We'll talk about the issues and events that impact folks living in the country and we'll also spend some time with the owners of Sand Creek Post and Beam.  They make Barn Kits!  No kidding...

Find out how building your own wooden barn can help build a community with an old fashioned Barn Raising...all that and more about wooden barns and adding value to your property.

Remember, Sunday morning...8am.  On 98.3 WOW-FM...or on your PC.

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications a full service advertising agency.

Let's Hear It For Holiday Inn Express

When traveling communication is critical for an advertising agency...like ours.

Clients have questions, demands and sometimes only the person who "writes the checks" can answer.

That's why we carry all kinds of things to "keep in touch". 

We've posted before about how the higher priced hotels rip us off with "Internet Charges" for the room.  We hate that and don't know of many people who don't.

So...today I am in Lincoln, Nebraska at the Holiday Inn Express posting from their Business Center.  For FREE!

Cost of the room:  $86  Having access to the Internet, at high speed and secure from the FREE Business Center:  Priceless.

We'll have our review of this first ever Farm Show sponsored by the Iowa Nebraska Farm Equipment Dealers Association.  This is their first attempt here in Nebraska...following years of doing an excellent show in Des Moines. 

Our client, Calcium Products, Inc. is here with their booth...we we'll be shaking babies and kissing hands (watch it!) most of the day.  Our review tomorrow.

Guess who is signing up for the Holiday Inn Express Rewards Program?  Yep...just "Staying Smart".

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where we are grateful for the little things in life.

"Let 'em Go...They'll Be Back"

IF...and it is a BIG IF...the folks at the Iowa Department of Economic Development were listening to our radio show banter this past Sunday they no doubt felt a little uncomfortable...or angry.

Mark True of REL Productions and I were discussing the angst so many in Iowa feel when the topic of outward migration of our youth comes up.

Everybody from Governor Culver to our state universities bemoans the fact that so many young people leave Iowa.  Commissions study the issue, educators suggest new ways to lure young people from other states and the legislature comes up with goofy tax incentives to keep "Twenty Somethings" in the state.

Some even want to hire famous folks like Tom Arnold and Ashton Kutcher (both left Iowa...we doubt they are coming back) to encourage people to move here.  Silly.

We said, "Let 'em leave.  Or better yet, encourage them to get out of Iowa...they'll be back."

For many the wanderlust of youth is overpowering.  "Mom, Dad, don't be upset but I just know the grass is so much greener in (you can fill in the blank)!  So, I'm leaving Iowa.  I'll be back for Christmas."

And they leave.  They get jobs, use most of their paycheck to rent a 500 square foot apartment and come home to re-charge (and get more money).

Then it hits them..."Iowa, ya know it's a pretty good place to raise a family."  They come back.

Smarter.

You know, if we were really thinking we would change our marketing plan and simply go with, "Iowa - A Great Place To Raise A Family".  It is you know.

Today there's a piece in the New York Times about Des Moines being a cool place.  And it is.  It's also written by a guy who has been coming here for years. While the article is heavy on "what is cool" you can also tell he seems to understand that we've got something going here. 

We like to think of it as a sense of community...and a great place to raise a family.

What think you?

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where we love it in Iowa, it's just that kind of place.

(Photo of East Village - New York Times)

The Iowa Sportsman Radio Hour

Some of you might know that we have The Iowa Sportsman Magazine as a client.  We've done their radio show on 98.3 WOW-FM for well over a year.

If you are into hunting, fishing, biking, walking, skiing or any number of great outdoor sports we have here in Iowa.  We hope you'll tune in.  It's a good time and we even through out some interesting marketing and advertising messages.

For example, tonight in one of the segments we're going to talk about the financial impact hunting and fishing has on the national economy.  It's no wonder more and more big box outdoor stores like Cabela's, Sportsman's Warehouse, Scheels and Bass Pro are popping up all over the country.  This is BIG business...and getting bigger all the time.

We'll also discuss out of state hunting tags.  Should the state increase availability to out of state hunters?

We'll get into the issue of the Second Amendment and what the Supreme Court may decided in the Washington D.C. case they have agreed to hear.

My co-host is Thomas Allan who is the Executive Editior of the magazine.  Hope you have a few minutes tonight at 7 to catch the show.  Either live at 98.3 WOW-FM or you can stream it live by clicking here and logging on.

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications....Yes I know...we're doing a bunch of stuff.

Don Imus Is Back...Now What?

"Imus in the morning on...."  He's back...and starts his gig tomorrow on WABC and other Citiadel Broadcast outlets.  His eight months in radio limbo are over and everybody is betting on what he'll say, if anything.

Frankly, we don't care...it will be good to have him back.  I met Don thirty years ago when I was just starting out in radio.  Rather than shake my hand and say, "Good luck kid." He glared at me and said, "So...what the hell makes you think you'll be any good?"

I liked him right away.

If you want to read the entire story please do...but what we found interesting in all of this is that he will be simulcast on RFD-TV!  "Huh?", you say.  Yep...RFD-TV that hits a very rural crowd usually more comfortable with guys like John Lyons and Craig Cameron.  (Go ahead...you can look EM up if you want - horse trainers.)

Imus...on RFD-TV.  Now that is a mix for you.  Maybe they figure it will work toward his favor...with the ranch link and all? 

Anyway...the airwaves will be richer tomorrow morning at 6am Eastern Time.

Welcome back Don...think you'll be any good?

Rural Lifestyle Radio - Mark True - Sunday Morning

Coming up Sunday morning at 8 is our rural lifestyle radio show, Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country. 

It's the only full hour, live radio program in the country that features issues of importance to folks living in Rural America.

We'll have some great stories and some great ideas for those of you living on a small farm or acreage...or just wanting to.

Our special guest Sunday morning is Mark True from REL Productions.  He's got loads of ideas that help create a more sustainable community or rural region.  This should be fun.

Our thanks to Adam Steen for hooking us up on this one!

Join me...and Mark...Sunday morning on 98.3 WOW-FM here in Des Moines...or listen by using your PC.

Thanks for reading...and for listening.

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications