Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications

Oh...The Pain!!!

This week I sat in a room of men and women attending a free Business Seminar hosted by a local business group and sponsored by Congressman Leonard Boswell.  The focus of the event was staying in or creating a new business.  The panel members each made an opening statement about their respective areas of expertise and later the attendees were allowed to ask questions.  In all, it was a nice attempt at helping individuals learn more about what goes into the creation of a small or mid-size business.  My critique isn't aimed at any sponsor, person or group.  I think you'll get it as you read on.

The first speaker introduced herself and told about her business that she has owned for 25 years.  Then she dropped this bomb:  "My biggest source of competition and frustration is the Internet."  I perked right up...  "When you search for my business we come up on the third page and people don't go that far down looking for me."  (She is right.)  "And, because I don't have control over my Internet site (It's a page hosted by a national company.) I can't change things and add my own flair.  I'm wanting to change it...."

The next person who spoke talked about "professionals" that every business should consult with.  "You need an attorney to help you set up the company.  You'll need an accountant to help you with the books or at least understand how to better run the software.  And you also need...." (I thought to myself...here it comes.  She is going to say you need to visit with an advertising and marketing professional.  Somebody to help these fresh faces 'get found'...see above.)

But it never came.

Fifty minutes later after hearing about the SBA, USDA, SCORE, and other letters....a young woman in the audience said, "I can help you get your business found!"

All eyes went to her.  "Have you heard of Twitter, Facebook or YouTube?"  (Social media that we embrace and have our clients use..)

Blank stares...

"And, for your Internet.  Why you can throw up a free site by using a template it doesn't cost a thing.  Why, you can do it all yourself."

Smiling faces....

Except mine.  I just shook my head wishing the pain would go away.

Sure, you can do it yourself and depending on what you are selling...it might work.  Might.  But is that what you want?  Do it yourself attorney, do it yourself accounting, do it yourself market research, do it yourself advertising...really?

In the end I did not approach the business person struggling to get found.  I didn't visit with the lady who loves professionals, well...the important ones.  I left because...I'm not sure they would have understood.

My rates were already out of line...because I'm not free.

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communicationsyou can follow us on Twitter @MichaelLibbie and our site www.InsightCubed.com

 

Catch The Passion

This past Saturday night we sat through the world premire of The Sparks Fly Upward.  Our company is the agency of record for The Sparks Project so we'd been to several events, seen the rehearsals and we were at the dress rehearsal.  Needles to say we were pretty much familiar with the cast, the music and the mission.  This story is not so much about the musical but about passion.

Now there is a word, "Passion".  It's a word folks tend to throw around without much consideration to its depth of meaning.  Our society has also done the same for words like, "amazing", "awesome" and "fantastic".

And, it's too bad.  Because that is the first word that came to mind when LeAnne Freeman-Miller (above) stepped onto the stage in the lead role of Lina Rosenbaum.

I guess I should have caught on prior to opening night but I didn't.  I should have caught on to her level level of talent when downloading photos from a shoot, two nights before the opening, it was her character that dominated so many of the pictures.  Something kept drawing me to her work.  It must have been her passion.

That is not to say the others in the cast lacked anything.  It was a great performance by Tim Robinson (pictured above with Freeman-Miller), Tana Field and the wonderful voice of young Anthony De Meglio.  They, and the others, took their craft to a level that had ticket holders wondering out loud how in the world Des Moines could field such a professional cast.  (Here is the Des Moines Register review.) So, thank you for your energy and your dedication and for making a difference.

And, LeAnne, thank you for your passion.

My job is to ask those of you reading because you are "into" advertising and marketing...have you got it?

Michael Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications

 

 

The Sparks Fly Upward - World Premiere

Last March when we signed on with the musical production of The Sparks Fly Upward we had no idea of what to expect.  It's always like that with a new product, service or in this case, a musical.   Last night was the dress rehearsal and we took some publicity shots for the future.

The story line follows three German families, two Jewish and one Christian, through the days before, during and after the Holocaust.  The interesting thing about this piece is the focus on doing good rather than the "Final Solution".  It is also historicaly accurate and the detail is amazing.  While  mo st of The Sparks Fly Upward is set in a time period between 1939 and the end of World War II,  the message about standing against genocide, in our day, is very real and timely.

In addition it's "home grown".  The Sparks Fly Upward has been written by Cathy Lesser Mansfield a law professor at Drake University here in Des Moines.  The production takes 20+ actors, a 37 piece orchestra, a 30 member chorus and a projected photographs of the period.

But, most of all it is compelling, gripping and hopeful. 

The Sparks Fly Upward will see it's first performance Saturday evening at Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines.  Coming to see the production are professionals from New York, Chicago, Cleveland and Israel. 

We think it's got legs...hope you can come.  There are still a few tickets available for the 8:00PM show.  For tickets...click here!

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing and Communications

The Sparks Fly Upward - November 8th Premiere

Word is starting to trickle out about the new musical drama The Sparks Fly Upward which will have it's world debut here in Des Moines on November 8th.

Our group has been working on the Media Day and pre-event publicity and while our goal is to put as many folks in the seats of Hoyt Sherman as possible we've been impressed by the reaction we've received.

The work, which will be performed by a 37-piece orchestra, a full choir, actors and a fantastic visual presentation of images from the Holocaust is impressive.  But, what we've been learning is how current this production is to contemporary issues like the genocide in Darfur, Rwanda, Sudan and Eastern Europe.  As shocking as was the Holocaust...more shocking is the fact we have not displaced the idea of killing people simply because they are different or don't figure into the political agenda of the time and place.

Cathy Lesser Mansfield has spent years doing research and the necessary writing to bring this event to life.  And, behind the scenes we're watching some amazing things unfold.

Us?   We're proud to be associated with such a major project.  Our goal, and the goal of The Sparks Fly Upward Foundation, is to take this piece beyond regional.  With your help and with you being in the seats...we'll make it happen. 

Thanks for reading and we urge you to take the opportunity to learn more about this meaningful project and the impact it can have, educating us all.

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications

It's Stressfull In Kansas City!

So, I've now met with my client the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association and visited with their members.  And...now...

It's a toss up.  Tomorrow I stand in front of lots of people and tell them they need to re-focus their energy to capture another market...if they are to grow.

I'm really not sure how this will go.  It's never easy to vision.  And, when corn is selling on contract at $5.20 it's even more difficult to look toward the future when "today" is looking just fine.

But, that is what we get paid for.  Advertising agencies, like ours, look beyond today...and help our clients see what the future might hold.  We then set out a series of ideas and plans.  Some may take it and run...others might just say "no thanks".

We'll see how it goes...

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

Listen Up: Most Radio Stations Are Lousy Marketers

Now that I have your ear! 

(I'm sorry...but we had to!  OK...we're from Iowa!  OK??)

Ever listen to a radio station market themselves?  They are usually really (no we mean REALLY) bad.  It's kind of like somebody at the station says, "Say, we've got all this time to fill...let's say some dumb stuff that will entice business people to advertise with us!"

Here are a couple of examples:

Somebody, usually the Sales Manager, (often the least creative person on the planet) instructs his/her sales people to take a page out of 1964 and voice a message about "making those cash registers ring!"

Here is the script:

"Hi, I'm Michael Libbie, Senior Account Executive (It's more impressive to be "senior" than say....I've been here three weeks!) with K-Splat.  Ever considered Radio Advertising?  (Often it's not a good idea to ask this question...some folks can just say "no".)  Give me a call (Here we give the station phone number...sometime we'll write about phone numbers and radio advertising...but not now.) I can make your cash register ring!"  (Really?  Do cash registers "ring" anymore?)

D-U-M-B

Here is another one:

"Coming up 55 minutes of commercial free music!"  Or:  "Join us for 104 minutes of continuous music on More Music Monday!" Or:  "More Music - Less Interruptions!".

Here they are telling listeners (business people listen too) that commercials are a bother.  Gosh, wouldn't you love to advertise on a station that says your ad is "getting in the way of the Spice Girls"?

S-I-L-L-Y

You see, for all the creativity that can be housed in most radio stations, these folks are often just plain lazy.  They don't "get it" but they are trying to "sell it".

There are some neat ways to say many of the same things...but it takes creativity, thought and direction.  It takes time.

My point here is that these are often the same people many companies trust to write and then produce their radio ads...if they can't market themselves how in the world can you expect them to be serious about your message?

Your turn.

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where we love radio but think you deserve more...