Embracing SWAG!

It's sometimes very hard to describe what we do for a living, and all of our clients have different monikers for what we provide - ad specialties, trinkets and trash, tchotchkes, giveaways, or Swag.  Some people in our industry cringe when they hear these terms, but for me, I always say that I play with toys all day, its a great gig!  We don't really get a whole lot of respect, let's face it, we are kind of a shadow industry in and of itself, but last week the Wall St. Journal had a front page article on Swag - please read below:

The Sultan of Swag

Gen-Y Marketing Tips

Yes, the youngsters born between 1982 and 1993 got the best of technology - they had the better computers, that crazy thing called the Internet, and were already accustomed to social media before we Gen-X'ers knew what hit us.  So how do you market to this demographic, the one with 80 million consumers and a spending power of over $200 BILLION?  Here are 5 tips to accomplish just that!

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What is Agile Marketing - and Why do I care?

Since communication has now jumped into hyperspace in terms of the speed information travels, marketers must now move just as quickly in order to stay ahead of the game.  So how does a savvy marketeer become a quick-on-the-feet mover and shaker?  By becoming best buds with your development IT teams!

Here are several key ways to implement and sustain an Agility marketing program:

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Positive Friday: Marvel Comics' New Superhero

This story came across my desk the other day, and really showed what an impact a company can have on  just one life.  When a four year old, who is hearing impaired, told his mother that Superheroes don't wear hearing aids, it prompted his mother to write Marvel Comics.  Well, Marvel Comics took this note and created a Superhero that answered this boy's complaint.

What's remarkable is how quickly Marvel took to this cause simply out of responding to one of its customers remarks, and yes showing real empathy and emotion, which is rare for a company.  The result is a PR coup for what is seen as an "old school" media.

Read more about this, and see how empathizing with your customers can pay off for you.

Marketing - The Classical approach

Sometimes, as marketers we get too gimmicky or enthralled with the latest technological trends.  But, just like in fashion, you can never go wrong with the classics!  Here are four tried and true marketing approaches for your next campaign!

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Winning tips for Pinterest

Hey, we all know that Pinterest is huge, we've talked about that before.  But how can brands, especially brands who are targeting women, utilize this social tool to drive business?  Here are 4 tips that will do just that!

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Honoring - and helping - a Hero

Today I wanted to talk to you about heroes.  We all have heroes in our lives - ballplayers, action figures, parents, etc. - however it's sometimes goes without saying that there are everyday heroes out there, especially those who protect us in the military.  Now, we all know that Cristina Zakis, my living donor, is my personal angel on Earth, but there is one other that I want to recognize, and request your help about.

SPC Justin Lansford was severely injured in an IED attack on April 23rd in Afganistan.  Yes, another Wounded Warrior, big deal right?  Well, not exactly.  Justin was injured coming to the aid of his fellow soldiers engaged in a firefight.  He was getting out of the Humvee when the IED went off, flipping the vehicle onto his legs, where he lost not only his leg - but almost his life.  Today, he's at Walter Reed, still fighting for his life, but is on the upswing which is good.

The compelling part of this story is the outpouring of help from the Gwinnett County community, and the unbelievable power of prayer which has helped the family and Justin get through this ordeal.  Justin is the nephew of a friend of mine, and to watch a family go through the agony of this is hard at times, but a community effort to assist this family really shows the goodness of our souls as human beings.

I ask that you all visit Justin's Facebook site, and continue to send positive thoughts and prayers his way.  And remember, Captain America is not just a comic book character, he is the epitome of every Soldier and Wounded Warrior that fights for our freedom every day.  Pray for our troops.