Last weekend I did a day of service and worked with the local Salvation Army collecting school supplies for kids who have little. While there a man approached us and started talking about a program offered by the Salvation Army. After he left I asked Major Jason Poff (third from the left) about what is known as the ARC. Because so much of the world is dark, I thought this piece might be helpful.
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on Google Play, PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday at 2pm on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.
As the United States gets ready to celebrate Independence Day 2019 there are other people in other places that are not accorded the same freedoms we enjoy. Recently I came, quite by accident, on a demonstration being held on the west side of the Iowa Statehouse. Over 100 people where there to bring awareness to some dire issues in their home country of Sudan. What you'll hear are their words about what is going on and what they want the world to know. Featuring Rev. Ekram Kachu, Anna Gardoud, Esha Gardoud and Khadiga Agbna.
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday, hour-long business podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday starting at 5pm Central. You can subscribe on Google Play, PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday at 2pm on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.
Just to prove we're all just "big kids" we were excited about the opportunity to tell you more about the Iowa League of Heroes. This is a group of people who look every bit the part of the Super Heroes we all grew up with. To learn more about what they do and why we visited with Spiderman and Batman (The Dark Knight). You're going to enjoy this too. Here is our conversation:
Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is heard Monday - Friday from 5PM to 6PM on 1350-KRNT, Des Moines. Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page
The project has its roots in economic development by increasing the visibility of the Raccoon River Valley Trail and creating a gathering point in the rapidly growing community of Waukee, Iowa.David Dahlquist, Jim Miller and Cooper Riley visited the IOB Studios to talk about the million dollar pergola (you can click on the image to enlarge) that, they say, will create a landmark destination much the same as the High Trestle Bridge between Madrid and Woodward. An interesting conversation:
Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is heard Monday - Friday from 5PM to 6PM on 1350-KRNT, Des Moines. Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page.
We stepped outside of the Des Moines Metro to have a conversation with Jeff Pingle of Save the Webster Theater, an iconic movie house built in 1906 that sits in the middle of Webster City, Iowa. Jeff tells us about how they created a non-profit to raise funds for the effort and how you can help by supporting the project with crowd funding. It's a great story! Thanks to our good friend Deb Brown from the Webster City Area Chamber for putting this on our radar! Here is that conversation:
Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is heard Monday - Friday from 5PM to 6PM on 1350-KRNT, Des Moines. Connect with us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour and, for more fun, here is our Facebook Page.
Each Friday morning we check some of the news stories from the world of advertising and marketing, share them with you along with our comments. Some you may have seen...others you might have missed. It's our way to help out a little. If you would like to leave a comment here, feel free. And/Or here is our Twitter Feed: @InsightADV and our advertising agency Facebook page is right...here. Happy Friday and let's get to it:
But, How Do They Find You?
We were having a chat with a potential client who has an Internet based business that has lots of competition. They are expanding their efforts to selected cities in the US. The most recent being in Des Moines. I asked what they had been doing to market the company expansion: "We beef up our SEO, buy Google Ad Words. That's pretty much it." So...how do people find you? "They just go online and type in the selected words." OK, so how do you rank? "We usually come up on the first page of a search." OK kids...lesson time. Their marketing strategy is full of...holes. Notice some key words in his reply: "selected words" and "usually". In a highly competitive field wouldn't you want to better target your core consumers? And, is being on the first page of a Google search, among all of your competition, really the way to target? Nope. Forgetting traditional media allows your launch to rely on...way too much chance. That's what we think...you?
So You Wanna Reach Men?
What do men say about traditional media and online media efforts? What do they like, not like and what stereotypes turn them off? All solid information and this piece from Advertising Age will help you figure out some surprising trends across the age spectrum. For example, did you know 71% of men say keeping a neat and orderly home is a top priority for them? No? Some other key indicators from the study...if...you are marketing to men. Here is the link to Advertising Age.
AXE Grows Up
Simple story line...nice images and a great read make this new piece for AXE a winner in our eyes and ears.
What you can learn from this: Stop shouting, take the time to set up the story (this is a minute long), use creative images, and build to the brand. Demanding that the ads be done in a week or demanding "energy" and "more copy" kills most creative. We liked this piece...a bunch. Having Kiefer Sutherland do the voice ain't a bad choice...either.
Brainstorming Bad for Creativity?
We often sit down and do some "group think" when it comes to new campaigns. Sometimes it works but...then again not. It all depends, according to this article, when the "group think" happens. Here's an interesting article by Wayne Turmel. Those of you into technology will love it.
Speaking of Technology - Getting in the Way?
Sometimes something really cool can end up getting in the way. That's our view of the new "really cool" soda machine from Coke and Wendy's. Gone are the rows of choices and in their place is this single machine which boasts "100 drink flavors". While we think it's pretty will "fast food" get...slower? Here's the article we wrote this past week. As always, interested in your take.
Out On The Town...
This past week we were out shooting video for a client. One of our stops was in the tiny rural community of Verdigre, Nebraska. We did some exploring...just for you...Czech That:
Insight on Business News Hour with Michael Libbie is our look at a number of stories that cross our desks revolving around advertising, marketing and consumer trends. Our goal is to share with you our experience and point out what works...and what needs more work. Perhaps we'll be able to give your business an idea or two...and you'll sell...more. Thanks to NatraTurf and Bindery One for their continued support of this project. Let's go:
If The Economy Stinks...
Smart marketers are paying attention to who is working...rather than who isn't. We wrote about that last week (Focus on These People) and we're continuing to see movement among higher end brands that also believe it's better to build a better market base than to contract. The latest piece of news is that our friends at Starwood Hotels and Resorts and their upscale Luxury Collection are going to launch a global campaign that talks about the "little things" that make a hotel stay...memorable. In print you'll be seeing them in Forbes, The Financial Times and others.
Sometimes Odd...Wins
In that same post from last week we mentioned that all marketing doesn't need to be...serious.KIA thinks so too and later this month it's the return of "The Hamsters" as they kick back and promote the SOUL nameplate. I dunno...maybe I'm out of the demographic but I found it odd...sort of like the ads for Quiznos. Since they aired...I never went back. Odd...just...odd:
Stuffed and deformed "Spongmonkeys"... Odd...
Vehicle Wraps - Drive By Ads
They are all over the place. Folks are finding that in a saturated world of marketing why not add...something else like rolling billboards. We see them all over the metro but...you want to be very careful. The other day we saw a vehicle wrapped with Kosama logos. The guy driving it exited a Kum & Go with a Twinkie and a fountain drink. And...he looked more like me...than a Kosama Guy". Might that be called... "Brand Confusion" or maybe it was the "before" image? Anyway, the cost for what are called "Drive By Ads" is low ($200 - $400) and that's what is fueling the local...trend. Here is a story from our friends at Media Daily News.
So, How Is Business...HP?
One of the interesting things to watch is how some companies...self destruct. Or how some companies change their entire market focus...because??? Usually it's a new VP of Marketing who comes in and must put his or her "stamp" on the company and changes stuff that doesn't make sense. Or, in the case of Hewlett-Packard it might be "knee jerking" and silly moves. Textbook case on leadership gone...wrong from our friends at The Wall Street Journal. The lesson here is stay focused...focused...focused and don't let outside/inside silly ruin your business model.
Insight on Business News Hour with Michael Libbie is our Monday - Friday look at our world of marketing, advertising and consumer trends. Thanks for coming by. It's made possible by the support of our friends at Bindery Oneand NatraTurf. Let's go:
A Video Blog on Cutting Costs:
We're offering up something different today...a video blog featuring Kert Henning from Henning's Cheese based in Wisconsin. I caught up with Kert who was doing product demos at Des Moines Metro Hy-Vee locations.
So many business people are concerned with the economy and rather than focus on who is employed (as we did in this post) they choose to "join the recession" Not Henning's Cheese. In this clip I asked Kert about marketing and development during tough economic times. I think you'll find his reaction...spot on:
Thanks for viewing, I hope it's helpful. If you would like to leave a comment here, please do. Or we can connect on Twitter @MichaelLibbie or @InsightADV. And, if you would like to join us on Facebook, where you'll get these updates first plus other interesting advertising, marketing and consumer trend thoughts...Here is our agency Facebook Page. Have a superior weekend! - Michael
It's a brand new week and welcome back to Insight on Business News Hour with Michael Libbie. Our goal is to share with you our thoughts, opinion and offer up what we think works...and what needs more work in our world of advertising and marketing. Today we've got a shortened edition...because I'm beat. Thanks to our friends at NatraTurf and Bindery One for their support. Let's get to it:
Earlier you may have caught our video about how we used the Iowa State Fair to engage a wide range of consumers as we test marketed some concept art for pet treats. Over the past week I shared that story with several people and more than once heard, "Oh, well, the state fair crowd is sorta different." Wondering what that means? In our research we spoke with people from all walks of life and of all ages. Seriously, if you're looking for a great cross-section of the Midwest...it's a great place to connect. Why more companies don't is a wonderment to us.
Speaking of the State Fair
Each year the Fair Board contracts with a number of free musical acts. Last year we were amazed at the number of people who went to see Tone Loc and Vanilla Ice (here's that short video). This year we went back to see "Here Come the Mummies". It was a pretty adult show and the A&E Stage was packed. Here's a video we started 90 minutes before showtime...watch it build.
I'd never seen "The Mummies" before but, I'm a fan. All original music and loved the horns. Thanks for bringing them to Des Moines.
Thanks & Let's Connect
Yes...short today. You might say that during the 11 days of the Fair we were there...too much. Well, never enough. It's back to work. Should you want to connect you can leave a comment here or our agency Facebook Page is here and on Twitter it's @MichaelLibbie (personal & business) or @InsightADV. Thanks for coming by and have a great Monday! - Michael
Insight on Business News Hour with Michael Libbie is our daily (M-F) look at our world of advertising, marketing and consumer trends. We'll share our opinion on what's making news and give you some tips along the way. Why? It's our attempt to help your product or service gain better market traction in this economy or any. Thanks to our sponsors NatraTurf and Bindery One for helping make this possible. Let's go:
Ride Sharing and Technology
It's not a big thing here in the Midwest. Maybe if and when fuel gets to $5 a gallon we'll see more interest in climbing into a car with a stranger. And, you can bet there are several ways to make it more convenient than word of mouth. Here's a review of four ride-share apps from our friends at Fast Company. Just in case.
Will Madonna and Smirnoff...Mix?
Yes, she has name recognition and so does Smirnoff but how will this new combination go down with younger demos? This week Smirnoff announced that Madonna will front a new series of ads pushing a contest to become the next dancer for the singers tour. It's part of a larger promotion called the Smirnoff Nightclub Exchange Projectthat seeks to "unite the globe" in one big party this fall. (Rosh Hashanna? Who knew?) Anyway, we've got our doubts. This is the second interesting campaign we've seen in the past month where established brands (the other was Bud Light with their label tweak.) are seeking to connect with younger demos. But, Madonna? If it were Lady Gaga might make more sense... Maybe. Thought you might like to see a 1967 ad featuring ZaZa...for Smirnoff. Just for fun!
Keeping Your Message...Clear
We've written and spoken about this many times: Businesses that hammer home clear, simple and relevant marketing messages...win. When clients come to us we're always trying to steer them to...simple and un-cluttered messages that stay on point. Sometimes it's tough and we'll argue with them. The companies who listen...win. But, you've heard us say that way too many times. Perhaps, if you read this great piece from our friend Diane Helbig for American Express Open, you'll see our point. Go ahead...we'll wait.
Using LinkedIn for Trade Shows
Savvy companies that do trade shows can boost their connections by using LinkedIn. Think about it, with millions of B2B connections on LinkedIn you can use it to promote your relationship for a face to face meeting at an industry focused trade show. Warning, for B2C events it might not be as powerful but...it you've already got an online relationship with decision makers in the industry you want to target...why not use it? One other thing. Many industry decision makers tend to think of LinkedIn as a better "business tool" than say, Twitter or Facebook. To them it just feels more like, business. Use it?
Healthy Pet Message
We've been having discussions with a client for nearly four years. The basis of our push is this: "People who have pets will, for the most part, spend more money on healthy, natural products." It's a trend that has been rolling for years and I think we've finally gotten some traction as we're designing packaging for a new line of "natural/health" products. But...just to push the point further, have you seen the new Petco logo? Uhm...told ya.
The Stuff We See - "Fly Me!"
Finally a trip down "Memory Lane". We stumbled on this nostalgic video about National Airlines... Just in case you want to see how flying was like a several decades ago. Enjoy.
Thanks - Let's Connect
Thanks for coming by for a quick read. If you want to leave a comment here...please do. Or we can connect on Twitter: @MichaelLibbie (personal and some business) or @InsightADV (business baby, business) and here is our ad agency Facebook Page. Have a great weekend! - Michael
