Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications

Rural Lifestyle Radio Sunday Morning At 8

Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications business blog from our full service advertising agency based in the "Middle of the Midwest".

Just a reminder for those of you who want to learn more about the rural lifestyle crowd. Our weekly radio show, Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country is on in the morning here in Central Iowa.  Each Sunday at 8 we're live from the studios of 98.3 WOW-FM.  If you don't live here in Central Iowa you can listen live if you head to their website and log on.  It's easy.

This week on Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country we'll be talking about the wage issue between rural and urban workers.  We'll also talk about what we believe will soon be the increase in Methamphetamine Labs in Rural America.

We'll spend some time talking with Deb Hoyt about the plight of unwanted horses and share some first hand information about what she is seeing in her role as a rescuer of horses.

Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country...Sunday Morning at 8 only on 98.3 WOW-FM

Rural Lifestyle Radio - Highway 6 - Sunday Morning

A brief reminder for those of you interested in small farms or acreage living.  This nation's only full hour live radio show about the rural lifestyle can be heard here in Central Iowa at 8 Sunday morning.  If you're in the area you can pick it up live on 98.3 WOW.FM.  If you're living out of the area you can still listen.  Just click here and sign up to listen on your PC.

Our guest Sunday morning will be Mary Lou Garcia from Wildwood Hills Ranch.

We'll talk about the issues that impact rural lifestyles of folks living on acreages and small farms.  To see our line up all you need to do is head to our Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country radio blog and you can read all about it.

Enjoy...and hope you catch us Sunday morning.

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...

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

Radio - Ain't What It Used To Be...

We love radio advertising.  Maybe because that's where I got my start in this crazy business of advertising...or maybe because it has such magic.

The beauty about radio is the reach and the ability for the listener to actually "see" what is being discussed.  But so much has changed.

We're doing some radio placement for our client The Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship (Download eab_psa_60_moving_wood.mp3 )and I think they are glad we're doing the work. Go ahead...listen...and come on back.

You see, once upon a time, radio stations were owned by individuals rather than corporations.  While it's true there are still some single or family owned outfits...the majority of stations now belong to major communication corporations...and that can be a problem when advertisers attempt to place their own ads.

Let's say you want to reach a specific market segment in Illinois.  Your target is men who hunt and fish...and travel.  You're using radio...where do you go?  Who do you talk to? 

It's a job sifting through all the data and most companies just don't have the time...the material or understanding of the markets to make the buy from one station over the other.

Local radio buys...may seem easier...but there are hidden traps here as well.  Just remember, EVERY radio station in the nation has SOMEBODY listening to it.  But...they may not be the people your product or service should hit.  And, sadly most radio sales people are great at "bending" the numbers in their favor.

But...radio is a GREAT medium with it's reach, frequency and ability to engage the customer.  Go for it!

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where we enjoy creating the radio ads...as well as placing them.

Rural Lifestyle Radio - On This Morning!

Heads up...Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country the rural lifestyle radio show on 98.3 WOW-FM here in Des Moines hits the air at 8am!  (You can also listen in using your computer!)

We're the only hour long live program dedicated to living on small farms and acreages.

Here's the line up and what we talked about this morning!  Enjoy

Thanks for reading...and for listening.

Michael Libbie - Host and Acreage Owner

Rural Lifestyle Radio - This Sunday Morning

For those of you who've never heard of The Rural Lifestyle...this program might not be a fit.  However, once you realize that the ONLY growth in rural population are these folks that live on small farms or acreages.  That might interest you.

In fact, here in Central Iowa, folks that live on small farms and acreages outnumber "traditional farmers" by...oh...500%!  No doubt you know somebody that lives on a small farm or acreage? Those are the folks we target with this only full hour live radio show in the nation that covers those issues.  Do us a favor and tell 'em about us?

We're Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country and you'll catch us on 98.3 WOW-FM each Sunday morning at 8.  Or, you can pick the show up online by going here and signing up.

This week, along with lots of news and information that impacts the rural lifestyle, we're going to visit with some folks from the Midwest Border Collie Rescue.  Frankly, I had no idea they existed and couldn't figure out why.  Until Karla Kurth from the association gave me the lesson.  She'll be in studio to talk about it.

And, we hope you're listening.

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where we specialize in rural lifestyle marketing and agriculture...hey, somebody has to!

So, Do You REALLY Know Agriculture?

We have an advertising agency.  We tend to specialize in rural lifestyle and agriculture. 

Our agency is located in Des Moines, Iowa.  We know a little about agriculture here in Iowa.  We are the number one production state for corn, soy beans and eggs.  Yes..eggs!  And, we've helped dozens of clients bring new products to market both in and outside of ag.

We also know more about the stats than most folks.

So, when media types, who have little to no ag experience, try to sell us a way to reach farmers and ranchers they have to do their homework.  We just know the market...better than they.

That's why when a local radio group started to make noise that they wanted to "get into farm broadcasting" we cautioned them against such a move.

We had two major reasons:

First, the Central Iowa agricultural market is already "over served" and second, there simply are not enough "Class A" farmers in the Central Iowa listening area to go around.

There is a dominant farm station in the market.  They broadcast markets several times daily and devote a 90 minute "farm block" each weekday starting at 11:30am. In addition, every little station in a 60 mile radius has some sort of farm news and information program.  Lot's of "ag talk" going on in the radio market place already.

In the nine broadcast counties around Des Moines there are a total of 5,643 farmers.  Those are farms that have from ONE DOLLAR in gross sales to over one-million.  But, if you look at producers that have GROSS income of $100,000+ there are only 1,745 farmers in the Central Iowa Area.  By the way, gross farm income of $100,000 will net a farmer about $20,000 a year.  Hardly a "full time" farmer.

The dominant station and other outlying stations have about 80% of this market.   So...MAYBE this new farm market station will pick up 350 farmers.  At 5:30 in the morning?

Nope.

We thought we had a better answer for them:  The Rural Lifestyle Market.  Our figures indicate there are 150,000 such people in the same market area.  And, NOBODY is marketing to them using radio...other than us with our Sunday morning show, Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country.

It's the only growth segment of agriculture and rural population in the nation.

They were not buying the idea...I guess they know better.  Or they'll be able to talk a better line then me.  Or...they are praying for a quick buck.  We'll see.

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications.  It's what we do...everyday.

Rural Lifestyle Radio - Sunday Morning 8am!

Rural Lifestyle Radio - It's On...Sunday morning at 8 on 98.3 WOW-FM here in Des Moines or available on line by clicking here and registering.

Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country is this nations only live, hour long radio program dedicated to the rural lifestyle.  We talk about the issues that impact rural folks from education to health care.  From volunteering for your local county fair to tips on horses, cattle, dogs...

We know the lifestyle...and we're grateful you've come by for a peek...and maybe a listen.

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications (acreage owner and host)

Rural Lifestyle Radio - This Sunday Morning

Quick reminder:  The nations only full hour rural lifestyle radio show, Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country, comes to you on Sunday morning at 8 only on 98.3 WOW-FM (here in Des Moines) or on your PC by signing up and listening!

Each week we talk about the issues that effect folks living on small farms and acreages and this week is no different.

We'll visit with Tom Barns the executive director with the Association of Iowa Fairs.  His group oversees the 107 county and regional fairs that take place in Iowa...and impact the economy by over 200 million dollars!

We'll also talk about the most prosperous counties in Iowa and a host of other issues of rural concern.  Nope...it's not a farm show...but a show built around people living on small farms and acreages.  The Rural Lifestyle! 

All that and more...catch the show on Sunday morning at 8. On 98.3 WOW-FM or on your PC by clicking here.

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing and Communications - acreage owner and host.

The Iowa Sportsman Radio Hour

Some of you know that we also do a hunting and fishing show on 98.3 WOW-FM here in Des Moines.  The show gets underway at 7pm and you can, if you want, listen using your PC.

This week we'll be talking with Alan Foster from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.  Alan will be in studio discussing deer movement and vehicle/deer accidents that seem to be on the upswing in our state.  We'll ask him about this and about safety tips for motorists now that deer are really on the move in this part of the country.

We'll also visit with our friend Jeremy King who is a DNR officer in Grundy and Marshall Counties.  He'll kick off the show talking about his overall experiences since last week.

Also, we'll welcome, by phone, Adam Steen (kneeling R) of Transitional Capitol Management during the second half hour of the show.  Adam, a fellow blogger and friend of the Des Moines Bloga Nostra recently took part in the Governor's Annual Pheasant Hunt.  We'll ask Adam about his time with Governor Culver and learn more about what went on this past weekend during this "The Great Iowa Chicken Hunt"

All that and more tonight with The Iowa Sportsman Radio Hour on 98.3 WOW-FM where you can also listen on your PC by simply clicking here!

Thanks for reading...and for listening...

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing and Public Relaltions...where you never know where we'll turn up!

Rural Lifestyle Radio Sunday

A reminder that the nation's only full hour rural lifestyle radio show kicks off Sunday morning at 8am on 98.3 WOW-FM here in Des Moines.  Even if you're not in the area, you can listen online by heading here and logging on.

We'll be talking rural news and information and our special guest is Kari Warberg founder of Crane Creek Gardens of Stanley, North Dakota. 

Hope to have you join us...Sunday morning at 8am on 98.3 WOW-FM.

Kerri Houston - Sunday Morning Radio

Rural Lifestyle Radio!  That's what we're about and we take to the air again this Sunday morning at 8am to talk about the issues and items that impact folks living on small farms or acreages.

You'll find us on 98.3 WOW-FM here in Des Moines.  Or, if you would like to listen on-line.  Simple just head to the station site and create an account and listen in.  We'd be pleased to have you.

Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country isn't a farm show but it is about the rural lifestyle.  This week we're going to touch on a host of items from the big push going on in Rural Iowa particularly with the John Edwards campaign.

We'll talk about the rush in land prices and perhaps there is a SUB-PRIME issue in the rural parts of the country?

We'll also have as our special guest Kerri Houston from the Alliance for American Manufacturing.  Kerri a regular on television, print and radio will be in to discuss what is going on in Rural America as more and more companies choose to have their machinery made off-shore.  If you missed the John Ratzenberger event (Keep It Made In America) this past week.  This should bring you a new set of issues to talk about later at church.

All of this and so much more...this Sunday at 8am only on 98.3 WOW-FM

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications

Rural Lifestyle Radio - This Sunday

Here's your weekly reminder that Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country airs this Sunday morning at 8 on 98.3 WOW-FM here in Des Moines.  If you're not in this area you can always listen in using your PC.

Our show is not a farm show...but it is about living in the country.  It's about living on an acreage or small farm.  It's about rural towns and the people who live there.

On this week's show we'll do a quick follow up from the event held last weekend, Farm Crawl 2007.  It was held last Sunday and was a huge success.  We're hoping for some numbers from the event.  We can tell you we met dozens of people from the city that made the trip to the five small farms.

We'll also talk about several issues that have come up over the past week or so and report on rural lifestyle issues across the country.

Our guest this week is Jennie Deerr who is the Director of Marketing and Communications at Living History Farms in Urbandale, Iowa.  She'll spend some time talking about what goes on at "The Farms" during the winter months and give us a preview of the many special events that are held all year long.  In addition...we'll hear about what is going on now...during harvest.

Jennie is also going to visit about the tragic fire that occurred this past month that destroyed so much of a historic building on the grounds.  We'll talk about the damage and what their plans are to rebuild.

All this and much more on the only full hour rural lifestyle radio show, Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country...hope you tune in.

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications

Know Your Audience...And More!

An advertising agency, like ours, not only needs to be aware of our clients target demographic. We also need to be aware of other "publics" or demographics that might have an influence on the "message".

Here is a real life example of what happens...when you don't.

The image (above) is from a recent public relations and marketing campaign for KGGO-FM a classic rock radio station in the Des Moines market.  When we first saw it we thought it matched the station pretty well and is on track to impact their prime target audience of adult (if there are such...) males. 

Needless to say, it's got "the look".  And, we suspect that was what the station saw.  "Perfect!  It not only attracts our prime target demographic but it also mirrors the style of music we play."

The trouble is when the campaign went public...on 33 billboards in Des Moines...it didn't play well.  In fact the station was forced to remove them.  Public pressure was too much.

The next week the same station got into hot water with the Iowa State Fair Board over their "erotic corn dog contest".  This is where young ladies are invited to "demonstrate" their "oral talents" on the staple of fair food...corn dogs...in order to win tickets to shows.  The Fair Board is reviewing the event...and it may get canceled.  "It's not family friendly", says the Board.

Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll...well, two out of three anyway.

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where we try to help our clients understand not only their target...but also the folks that target them.

Rural Lifestyle Radio - Let's Talk About It

We do that every Sunday morning at 8 on 98.3 WOW-FM here in Des Moines.  If you would like to pick up the show on your PC...just click over to their on-line service, sign up and we'll be there.

This morning we'll talk about food vs. biofuels...and you won't believe who said what.

YouTube and getting young people interested in making a move to rural communities.  Neat stuff.  And we also discussed our time with three young people from New York who visited Iowa for the first time...ever...this past week.  What did they think?  We talked about it.

Richard Doak from the Des Moines Register wrote a great article about Iowa.  Top stuff about the beauty of the rural lifestyle and we talked about it.

OK...so we've banned horses from slaughter...can deer be far behind?  Watch out hunters!  We also talked about goats in Seattle...

All of this and so much more.  If you own a small farm or acreage this is the show that talks about you.

If you would like to read the BLOG for Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country, the only full hour radio show in the nation dedicated to the rural lifestyle, we would welcome the visit.

Thanks for reading...and maybe for listening!

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications a full service advertising agency proudly based in Des Moines, Iowa.

Lots Of People "Talk About It"...We Know It!

I guess that if I received a dime for every time I've been at a seminar and been forced to listen to folks "try" to explain the rural lifestyle...I'd retire from our advertising agency.

It happens all the time.  An editor from a "farm magazine" or a broadcaster from a "farm radio station" or a marketing guy from a "farm equipment company" stands in front of a room full of marketing and advertising types and tells them about the "rural lifestyle market".

But, have they lived it?  Nope.

Do they really know the market?  Ahhhh...nope.

Here is what they know:  There are 2.2 million "farms" in the United States.  A "farm" according to the USDA is any production facility that reports gross sales of over $1,000.  From experience let me tell you it does not take a lot of land to reach sales of $1,000.  Two foals sold from three acres of land...bingo you are over the limit and a "farm".

Here is what most folks just don't get:  While there are 2.2 million farms there are over 40 million households living on 3 - 100 acres of land.  These may be folks who have lived the rural lifestyle for generations or they may be "Ruralpolitians" who live on an acreage or small farm but work in town...full time...at white collar jobs.

Often the only thing one "rural lifestyle" person has with another is their love of the LIFESTYLE.  Not commodity farming.  And, that is what most rural marketers simply don't get.

We do...and we've been doing this for a dozen years.  Now we even talk about this group of people on the only full hour live radio show in the nation that speaks to the issues of living a rural lifestyle.  (We even help plant wine vineyards...)

If you are interested in marketing to this group...make contact with us.  If you're interested in listening live to the show you can do that by going to the 98.3 WOW-FM site and signing up.  We'll stream live to your computer every Sunday morning at 8.

Thanks for reading....and now for listening!

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where the rural lifestyle rules...

Rural Lifestyle Radio Show Link

The link for our rural lifestyle radio show, Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country is up.  You can follow the stories we talked about on the show this morning.

Our thanks to Iowa DNR Wildlife Research Supervisor Willie Suchy for his involvement in the show.

Head over to our BLOG Post about the show...and enjoy.  And, remember, even if you live outside of the Des Moines, Iowa area you can listen live by going to 98.3 WOW-FM and registering.  We'll stream it to you...live...or as live as we can get at 8am!

Thanks for reading and for listening.

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

Willie Suchy - This Week on Highway 6

Join us this Sunday morning at 8am on 98-3 WOW-FM for news and information for folks living...or wanting to live...the rural lifestyle.  Highway 6 -  Your Road to the Country is the only full hour radio show dedicated to acreage and small farm living.

Our guest for the full hour will be Willie Suchy, Wildlife Research Supervisor for the State of Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Willie has over two decades of information and wildlife experiences.  We'll talk about the deer population, common issues that acreage and small farm folks have with all sorts of animals and some tips on wildlife health.

This will be a great hour of information from a guy who knows his "stuff".  Got a critter question?  Be listening this Sunday morning at 8 and take part in the calls to the studio.  It's going to be a great show.

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications we're the folks that have the experience to help you market to people living the rural lifestyle.  Oh...and if you want to listen but don't live in Des Moines...click here and sign up.  We'll stream to you online.

Sunday Morning Coffee - 9 September - 2007

Sunday mornings are a great time to pour a cup of "Joe" and get caught up on the happenings of the week and just visit. (If you want to see more detail in the photos...just click on 'em for a larger image.)

Hope you were/are able to catch the radio show we do each Sunday morning on 98.3 WOW-FM. It's called Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country. If you're not in the Des Moines area you can always listen on line by signing up.  No excuses Texas!

By now you know that Fred Thompson has entered the presidential race.  It will be fun to watch, from a marketing perspective, to see if this late entry and further scrutiny into his life (public and private) will stand the test.  One thing is certain, and this according to my Republican friend Harlan "Bud" Hockenberg of Des Moines, "Nobody seems really moved or wildly excited, yet, by any of the announced candidates."  Can Fred turn the tide?  We'll see.

Not long ago we published a couple of articles about perception vs. reality in marketing.  We referenced McDonald's and "McAdvertising" and another study about wines/restaurant perceptions featuring Charles Shaw wines otherwise known as "Two Buck Chuck".  Art Dinkin is a regular reader of our Blog and this past Friday during the "BlogaNostra" meeting gave me a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon....by, of course Charles Shaw.  Who says this blogging isn't worth something...and my wife thanks you!

Last week I was at the Farm Progress Show on behalf of a client (Mayer Farm Implement) and LOVOL/FOTON the largest manufacturer of agricultural and construction equipment in China.  I spent three days with six guys from China.  Lot's of stories but this "road tale" is one that made an impact.  We were driving to the show when one of the marketing guys who could speak a little English asked if all the farm houses we were passing had, "water".  He meant, "Do all of these houses have plumbing?"  When we answered, "Yes.  And some have two or more bathrooms per house."  Their cameras started to record the phenomena as they, with great excitement, narrated their findings.  Humbling.

Cameras are ROLLING!  Here is a tip for your company:  If you are considering a video (and that could be a thirty-second television ad all the way to a fifteen minute "sales tool") know that 75% of the work to create this video goes on before the shoot, with setting the "video treatment", and after the shoot with the editing.  Knowing "what" needs to be shot and "how