Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications

New Orleans and FEMA

Since our visit to New Orleans this past week I've been asked by nearly everybody I visited with, "So, is the city back to normal?"  And, "Is it OK to visit New Orleans?"

The answer depends on who you ask.  I know this post isn't maybe about advertising and marketing...but in a sense it is.   And, I'll try to answer your questions...

Make no mistake about it...downtown New Orleans is just fine.  The meeting for the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association (FEMA)was held at the Sheraton Downtown and I had the opportunity to walk several blocks around the property. 

Bourbon Street is...well, the same as I remember Pre-Katrina.  Lots of people having a great time and making quite a party of the days, and nights.

The problems are outside of the city center.

On our trip back to the airport I asked my driver what it was like in the 9th Ward.  After all, it had been over two years.  He looked at his watch and said, "We've got a few minutes.  I'll show you."

It's not a pretty sight.  While there are many homes that have been rebuilt there are also entire sections of the area that are still a major mess.  Next door to a home that has been rebuilt might be a vacant lot with trash and left over items from the flood.

There are homes with the markings still painted on the front that tell how many bodies of dogs, cats...and humans...were found there.

It's sobering and more than pitiful.

I flew out of New Orleans sitting next to a young woman of 30 who has deep roots in the community.  Her family had been in the city for five generations.  She is the only one left.  Her other family members all moved out. "It tore our lives apart", she said.  "My parents, my grandparents, aunts, uncles are all gone.  And we used to be so close.  Every Sunday dinner at my Grandmothers for 25 people! Thank God everybody made it out safely but I'm the only one that has returned to New Orleans full time."

She added that her grandfather is rebuilding the family home but it's been a slow process.  "Daddy", she said, "loves two things, fishing and playing domino's. His boat was destroyed during Katrina and all that is left of the house is the front porch.  He drives back every couple of weeks from Baton Rouge to work on the rebuilding and to play domino's on that wrecked porch with his friends."

She told me her family is going to surprise him with a new boat come Father's Day - 2008. "He'll be really happy.  Now if only our entire family could move back..."

So, is it OK to visit New Orleans?  Sure...and maybe by visiting you're helping folks get back on their feet.  Go for it.

Micheal P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications

Farewell Big Easy...From FEMA

It's been an interesting couple of days here at the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association (FEMA) Fall Meeting.  Warning...this is a very LONG post from our Advertising Agency...

The members who make up the association are downright "giddy" at their performance in 2007.  At one time, not that long ago, folks were RUNNING away from agriculture because there was zero profit margin.  Today people who have never worked the "ag crowd" are joining so they can get a piece of the profits generated by an outstanding farm economy.

But, this post is about some of the people and things we experienced in our three days in New Orleans.  And, where we can, we'll give you a visual.

The long time Executive Director of FEMA, Bob Schnell and wife Marcie were on hand as they have been for years.  Bob still thinks there is "no future" in the world of blogging and tells us that "nobody reads this stuff anyway".  OK...Bob.  Nice to see you again...he is such a "tender guy".

This is Ashok Singh Garcha of Safe Engineering.  He won my annual "Impress Them With A Minimal Display" award.  Ashok came with his "stuff" packed in his pockets.  "Why bring so much stuff?" He asked.  Hey....if it sells...what the heck.  BUT, don't tell our clients that we create high end displays for...

This is Kari Warberg who founded Crane Creek Gardens.  It's pretty cool...she's cooked up a way to keep tractor cabs smelling nice while chasing away the mice. (nice ring to that huh?) I've been in plenty of tractor cabs that could use both.  We'll have her on our radio show one of these days.

Here is the outside of Pat O'Briens.  This joint has a very special place in my heart.  I have a photo, I'll share it with you someday, of my Father (may he rest in peace) sitting with a bunch of his buddies...all Navy guys from WWII.  Every time I get to New Orleans I go here...it's kind of like a shine and I imagine my father when he was all of 24 having a beer with his best friends and somehow it helps.  I miss him greatly.

This is Charlie Glass.  We've written about him before.  He is smart, on track and usually way ahead of others.  His program on Trade Shows was excellent.  We wrote about many of the Trade Show Woes we did in other postings.  It was great to know, according to Charlie, we are on the right track.

I sit on the Board of Governors for the Supply Section of FEMA.  That is like the "associates" who sell stuff to the manufacturers like steel, tubing, insurance, print, and advertising agencies.  Here is our Board working...and at 8:30am.  In New Orleans yet!  At the head of the table (holding court) is Dave Laughlin of Primary Steel.  A good friend and a great guy.

I had no idea you could get this close to a train!  Running yet!!  And this is right downtown!

What?  Did I make it to Bourbon Street?  Ahhhh.... well, let's see...that is an excellent question.  Yes, but I am grateful my good friend Jeff Griggs of All State Ag Parts was not with me.  We would have been out until very early in the morning.  Maybe.  Jeff, remember this place?  I bought the round there too...as usual.

Best speech of the event?  James Lloyd.  Really...very, very good. If you are looking for an opening speaker.  Give Jim a call.  He not only has a great gift...but also a wonderful story.  Tell him we sent you.

OK...so, that's it.  It's a wrap.  I'm outta here.  Oh...one more tiny thing. If you come to New Orleans and you want some top end service at a chain hotel.  Call Dennis Doherty of the Sheraton New Orleans.  I had what was maybe the worst stay of my career.  And I did complain.  Then, Dennis called as I was writing this and made it right.  And...said he would take this up with their staff and policy people to make sure future guests had a better experience.  Thanks Dennis...now make it happen!

Thanks for spending more time than usual with us...

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where we're grateful that you came buy for a read.  But...as BOB Schnell says, "Nobody reads that crap!"

FEMA - New Orleans

The Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association  (FEMA) heads into "The Big Easy" this week to discuss a very exciting year in the manufacturing of agricultural equipment.

Manufacturers, dealers and distributors are all "giddy" with the booming farm economy...thanks mostly to the high grain prices and large export market.

Our advertising agency is here to mix, mingle and discuss the market with the people who are on the ground in short-line manufacturing.  Who knows...somebody just might hire us as well...

A couple of quick observations.  We flew Southwest Airlines out of Kansas City rather than Des Moines.  Why?  We saved over 250 dollars on the round trip airfare.  And their passenger screening at KCI by the TSA is the very best as far as customer care that I've come across. EVER!  Here is our post on that from April.

Shift gears...now to a lesson that all of us can learn from: 

It's about OVER PROMISING and then UNDER DELIVERING.  Huge danger...

When we booked our rooms at the Sheraton New Orleans we got a very nice confirmation.  Personalized yet!

A week ago we received yet another colorful and personal e-mail from the manager of the facility, William McCreary.  Telling us how glad he was that we were coming and how much his staff was looking forward to being of service.  Nice we thought...almost wrote about it! 

Our expectations were very high at that point:

However...here is the danger in over promising:

On arrival to my room on Wednesday at 3pm I, right away called down to get a suit pressed (love flying you know..).  I was told it could not be done.  "Must be in before 9am to be out same day."  OK...not a big deal...unless you have experienced service much better at other facilities.  Like within an hour?!?!?  Marriott - Memphis & MGM Grand - Las Vegas.

Next...little deal but:  No limes for a drink at the reception last night.  "Sorry sir, but we have lemons."  Sorry...tonic with lime works better and there was no movement to accomidate me...or the others in our party.

Finally...the "Business Center" here closes at 6pm!  Bill, our business may not end at 6pm...after all we just got here at 3!

Little stuff?  Maybe...but remember our expectations?  Very high. 

It's a lesson in marketing.  If you can not deliver...don't suggest you can.

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where if we screw up (like we did today) we try to make it right.  Honest.

Flying High - SUX

It's one thing to run...it's another to recognize an opportunity and seize it.

That's exactly what the Sioux City Gateway Airport did...finally.  And, their decision is all over the news today.  It is a public relations and marketing story that everybody is talking about.

The Sioux Gateway Airport has as it's FAA identifier the three letters of SUX.  They were not happy about it.  City leaders complained to the FAA...and said, "Hey, we don't SUX!  We're Sioux City!" 

in 2002 the FAA offered several alternatives...including GAY.  The airport turn them down.  The mayor called it an "embarrassment" to have SUX attached to Sioux City.  Oh my...what to do?

"Market it!" was the suggestion of airport commissioner Dave Bernstein.  And so they have...right down to their website (FlySUX.com) where you can buy a "Fly SUX" T-Shirt, cap, etc.

Brilliant.

We once suggested to a potential client, the Farm Equipment Manufacturing Association (FEMA), to capitalize on their decades old "trade name" of FEMA.  Even more so as FEMA, this week, will hold their annual fall meeting in, of all places, New Orleans.  We even had the graphics ready to roll...

They turned down the offer..."Too problematic. Too political. Too negative..."

Too scared?

Often we get what what is dished out to us and try to run the other way.  Sometimes it's best to embrace the negative and turn it into a positive.  That is what Sioux City did...congratulations!  You never know when the next opportunity might present itself.  Think about it...Sioux City?  Seems like everybody in the advertising and marketing world is talking about it....and so did we.

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where we understand ya sometimes just need to capture the opportunity.

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

John Ratzenberger...Tipping At Windmills?

Wednesday night John Ratzenberger headlined a hard nosed and compelling event in Des Moines.  The topic:  How America Is Losing Our Manufacturing Edge.  And it was very well done.

Over 200 people packed the event and we would guess the audience was a pretty good mix of union workers, small manufacturers and the curious coming to hear Ratzenberger.

The event was sponsored by the Alliance for American Manufacturing a non-partisan, non-profit partnership made up of manufacturing corporations and the United Steelworkers.

The message of the evening was that people who are really interested in the economy and the future of this country need to hold the presidential and Congregational candidates feet to the fire as they "look the other way" as America outsources more and more jobs to Mexico, China and India.  Ratzenberger pressed the audience to ask, and keep asking these questions of politicians seeking their vote:

• As President how will YOU save American jobs?
• What specific policies will you support to strengthen the American manufacturing base?
• What steps will you take to enforce our existing trade laws?

A panel (above) made up of the Mayor of Newton, a small business owner, a student in the DMACC tool and die program and a worker from Bridgestone/Firestone all commented on their personal experiences and the need to get involved.

Following the meeting dozens waited to meet and talk to Ratzenberger.  Perhaps fans from "Cheers" and his show "Made in America"...but most were fans of the message they heard:

• 22,000 Manufacturing Jobs in Iowa lost since 2001
• 17,700 of them to China
• Protect Manufacturing - It is our heritage and future

Is it protectionist?  Ratzenberger says, "Hell yes, and there is nothing wrong with protecting our country and our family.  When are we going to get the guts to stand up for the American worker?"

I had my time with Ratzenberger and was amazed at how common a guy he is.  He took the questions well.  I was most impressed by his answer to my question:  "John, do you feel like you are tipping at windmills, given all the money that is demanded by business who offshore their manufacturing to satisfy the demands of stock holders?"  His answer:  "Maybe, but that should not stop us from trying to bring back what made this country so great.  If we don't it could very well end up being owned by somebody else.  I don't want that for my kids...and I doubt you do either."

Well said John.

This Sunday morning at 8am we'll continue this discussion with Kerri Houston a policy annalist for the group on our Rural Lifestyle Radio Show, Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country on 98.3 WOW-FM.  You can hear it at 8am Sunday.

A quick sidebar...the Des Moines Register must had thought the event was not worth a report.  Other than a BLOG article in Thursday's paper...nothing.  Makes one wonder...

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications

John Ratzenberger In Des Moines

Just a heads up.  Tonight John Ratzenberger will speak at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines.  The topic of his speech will focus on keeping industry in America.

We've got some time scheduled with Mr. Ratzenberger and the folks from the Alliance for American Manufacturing.

We'll post the story and we'll also ask some questions of the Farm Equipment Manufacturing Association...blend it all up and serve it up on a post tomorrow.

The event in Des Moines gets underway at 6:30 tonight (Wednesday).  We understand quite a few bloggers will be covering the speech...should be interesting.

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications

Stop The Tired Slogans...

One of the many things advertising agencies are asked to do is come up with creative slogans for our clients.  Sometimes it takes awhile, sometimes it comes really easy. 

What we do all the time is stay away from tired "over used" slogans.  Or slogans that were very popular for another company.  It's not right to "borrow" somebody else's tag line.

I guess that's why we were surprised this past week when we saw both of these "cardinal rules" of advertising broken by Dahl's a local grocery store.

Dahl's bills themselves as, "Your Hometown Grocer Since 1931".  They are, and they have twelve very nice stores in the Des Moines area. 

However, whoever is doing their advertising must not be paying attention.

Last week a print ad came out in the Des Moines Register that used the very tired tag line, "Your One Stop Shop..."   Creative?  Nope.  Overused...yep.  We would have expected something like this at "Earl's Bait & Tackle" not a fine store like Dahl's.  Go ahead, Google "One Stop Shop"...it is so common that there are several pages dedicated to the slogan.

Then we saw a television ad where their perky spokes-model looks at the camera and says, "You expect more from Dahl's, and you get it."

HUH?

Somebody it the ad department must have found an old Standard Oil (Which later became AMOCO) commercial and thought, "Gee, sounds like us!"  You see, for a generation the Standard Oil tag was, "You expect more from Standard, and you get it."  Of course that was years ago...no doubt before many of the target audience was born.

It's not that odd to see a company use a slogan from another company...but twice in one week?  We were impressed!

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where it's more difficult to keep things fresh...slogans...NOT vegetables!

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

Made In America or Made By America?

There is a difference...

Coming to Iowa on October 17th is the "Keep It Made In America" tour with television personality John Ratzenberger.  The event will take place at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines at 6:30pm.

So...why are we writing about it?

Two reasons:

The first was that the Alliance for American Manufacturing put out the call to many of us who are Central Iowa Bloggers to cover the event, live.  The remarkable thing is the endorsement and recognition of this influential form of communication.   

The second it's a subject we are keenly interested in due to our membership in the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association (FEMA) which will be holding their annual convention later this month in New Orleans.

The vast majority of the members of FEMA are small manufacturing companies, many of whom are family owned.  They realize the value of American Made products and services...but the pressure is on.  That pressure is in the form of increased revenues if the American company purchases parts and finished products outside of the United States.

We'll be attending this event and offer our thoughts on our Blog and our radio show the following Sunday where we'll visit with Kerri Houston of the Alliance.  Kerri has an impressive resume and it will make for a spirited show.  More on that as we get closer to the 21st.

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.

Free Marketing Ideas...From An Attorney Yet!

The smiling face belongs to attorney Rush Nigut who is a member of the Central Iowa Bloggers (Central Iowa Blogga Nostra) and attorney for the Des Moines Law Firm of Sullivan & Ward.

This morning my friend posted a great BLOG for those of you interested in marketing...  While the reference is from the American Bar Association (ABA) Journal and is called 50 Ways to Market Your Practice it is a great mixture of ideas for any business.  All you need to do is replace your business name for the word "practice".

OK...so there are a couple of ideas that are specific to lawyers...but even if you pick up one or a dozen ideas it will help you in your continued efforts no matter if you make farm equipment or have a service oriented business.

One major oversight Rush points out was they did not consider Business Blogging...but should have.

And, this consultation is....free!

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications - Hey, some of our best friends are lawyers!

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.

Burning Through Your Ad Dollars?

It's the Fourth Quarter and many companies are finding more "advertising opportunities" then then funds to pay for them... 

It's a real problem.  There are countless ways for you to spend your advertising dollars.  We know that because we get 15 - 20 calls a day from folks pitching their magazine, newspaper, TV, radio schedule to our advertising agency clients.

Here are two important considerations:

First:     The Fourth Quarter is NOT the time to run out of advertising dollars.  If your projected revenues are not where they should be, cutting back on your marketing opportunities is usually the wrong "first step".  A clear Marketing Plan is essential and if you do not have one...now is a good time to start for 2008.

Second:  We listen to all the "pitches" from advertising sales people.  Why?  Because somebody might have the exact match for our client...even if it is not in the budget and even if we've not done business with them before.  We never say, "We don't want to speak with Company X."  Who knows...they may have the "magic bullet".  If we fail to listen...we might miss it.

To things:  Plan & Listen

Thanks for reading!

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications...where we help our clients Plan and Listen.

 

Are You Among The "Five Percent"?

Yes?  No?  Maybe?  Need more information don't you?

A couple of weeks ago I attended an early morning seminar on advertising and marketing.  (Yes, we try to keep learning...)

The presenter was my friend Drew McLellan and he did a great job in front of about 75 eager business folks. 

When he got to the part about marketing/media planning he asked the group if they realized that only 5% of the corporations in existence today had a written marketing plan that they followed.

It was a stunner to the audience and when he asked, who in the room, had a written marketing plan...only six or seven hands went up.  Proof.

We've written about this before (several times) but it was nice to know somebody else sees the importance in the old sage: "What gets written...gets done."

Ready to start writing your marketing plan for 2008?

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where we're buying additional printing cartridges...just in case.

Working With The Competition

As an advertising agency part of our job is to assist our clients with promoting a positive image through public relations projects.  Here is a story that is on point...

There are roughly 700,000 people in the market area for the Iowa Stars to draw from.  The American Hockey League team is just now starting their third season in Des Moines.  (2nd pre-season game against the Quad City Flames above.  Iowa won both 6 - 3 and 2 - 0)

There is another team in Des Moines.  The Des Moines Buccaneers (a USHL club) has been in the market for years and have a dedicated fan base.

They haven't gotten along well.  And, they don't even play each other.

That's not to say that the players don't respect each other...they do.  But management and fans of both clubs have had "issues" over the past two years.  That acrimony has led to some public "in-fighting" that hasn't helped either cause.  Monday night the "competition" got together to raise money for youth hockey in Des Moines.  The Stars needed a place to play (seems a conflict in schedules kept them off the Wells Fargo Arena ice) and the Bucs Arena was available.

It's a good move and a positive sign for the new management team heading the Iowa Stars...and...it's something many of us in business can learn from.

In the highly competitive business world companies often spend way too much time "worrying" about what the "other guys" are doing vs. having mutual respect and even working together on projects that would boost their respective images.

Winning is a good thing.  While youth hockey got a boost from the money raised last night.  The two hockey clubs also got a boost in their public relations image...winning is a good thing.

In the end...both sides win the public relations battle.

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where we help our clients with their public relations issues...every day.

Pictures Tell The Story....

For the past four years we've been fortunate to have Calcium Products, Inc.  as a client, for our advertising agency.

The company, which began over 15 years ago, crushes calcium and limestone and then makes uniform size pellets from the crushed rock.  Farmers use these products to adjust soil pH and soil structure so they might use LESS fertilizer and improve the quality of their soil.  It's an excellent product and we're proud to have them on board.

Traditionally, however, producers have used ag-lime to adjust their soil pH.  But, one of the major problems with ag-lime is the amount of waste associated with the product.  If it is too fine...it blows away.  If it is too course...it just doesn't work.  Here we're talking about the drift problem.

Nothing works like photos.

Here are two photos taken by Calcium Products staff member, Craig Dick that shows the drift issue clearly.  There is no denying the fact that these clouds of dust, created by spreading ag-lime, is not only an issue of waste.  It might also be a lousy public relations problem and when used near a road...a public safety issue.

The reason we posted this is to call the attention to what some simple photography can do to tell a story.  And, in this case...it's only two photos. 

Are you using the right photos in your advertising and marketing efforts?

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications.  Who needs a lot of words when the right photo will work....and, yes, we also do photography.

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...

You Shoot...Video Too?

Sure!  It's one of the options our advertising agency clients have.

We could "farm out" the production to other folks but we think the best work comes from people we already know and work with all the time.  That's not to say other companies that specialize in television or video production are not good.  Some are simply great!  It's just that when we're involved from the "video treatment" all the way through final edit the close relationship we have with our clients shows.

Here we are setting up for a shot on location in Missouri with Lyle Steinman spokesperson for Country Vet Pet Foods of South Dakota.

One of the things many clients don't understand is the TIME that goes into video production.  They are surprised that a four minute video or a thirty-second television commercial takes hours and hours to plan, shoot and then edit.

It's all part of the process.  The the final reward is putting our client's product or service in front of thousands, if not millions, of consumers with a well thought out and attractive piece of film.

Want to learn more?

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where our shooting is usually confined to film...

Wine Making...In Your Own Winery?

The advertising agency business can be fun.  New, innovative and different is what we live for.

There are many things we enjoy.  Among them is finding new and exciting ways to build a business and then passing that information on to like minded individuals (You!).

Here's one that we thought was very clever.

There is a section of Des Moines called "Sherman Hill" that was once a blight on the city.  Today that same area has dozens of restored Victorian Era houses.  It's now a tourist destination.

This past Sunday the Sherman Hill Neighborhood held a tour of homes.  For $10 you could walk the route and visit homes that were being restored or had been completed.  Fun stuff.

One of the homes on the tour also had a business that hit our passion for innovative.

"Vines to Wine" is all about having individuals make their own wines from juice imported from California.  We're not talking sweet grape juice but some of the finest varieties available.

Here is how it works:  Get a group of friends together, make a reservation, decide on what type of wine the group would like, pay the money, sit around learning about wine while "making" your own.  Slap your own label on the bottles two months later and vola!  You've got wine!

Marketing the unique idea has not cost much and word of mouth has brought dozens of groups to the home.  Wines cost between $10 to $12 a bottle.

Neat idea and kudos to Eric and his family for bringing this idea to Iowa.  So, what do you think?

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where we're always looking for innovative ideas...and we share.

Your Address Matters...Honest!

At the risk of offending some folks we need to offer some advice regarding your e-mail address.

We'll get right to it...  If you own a business, and we honestly don't care what kind of business, you need to get a business e-mail address to become credible.

No, we're not kidding.  And, yes it is real.

We'll be the first to admit that not every business out there can, at first, get their e-mail address to match their business URL.  But, seriously, if you want to be taken seriously, you need to do this quickly.

Why?  It shows you have a permanency to your business. 

We're constantly surprised that some emerging business people don't seem to understand how important this is.  For some reason they think an "AOL", "MSN" or "Yahoo" address is just fine.  It isn't and if you allow this to go on it says something about "your brand".  Ready?

C-H-E-A-P - There is just no other way to describe it.

Look, a nice site with e-mail is not a drain on your business it is an investment.  Pure and simple.

Are we wrong about this?

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

Rural Lifestyle Radio...Is On

Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country is on...this morning at 8am.  Highway 6 is the only radio show that spends an entire hour talking about issues of importance to the rural lifestyle

If you own an small farm or acreage you'll want to tune in to 98.3 WOW-FM or come on-line to listen over your computer.

We're on every Sunday morning at 8am!

On this mornings show we'll talk about compact tractors...what the heck has been happening to the sales numbers?  Look for dealers to start cutting prices and giving more incentive to come and buy those under 40 horsepower units.  We told you why...

We also talked about the Midwest decline in population and what is going on there.

Food prices getting to you?   There are up again and they may keep rising.  What in the world is going on?

We also discussed the latest additions to your local McDonald's...watch for some exciting changes soon.