Marketing with Jennifer

Long Time, No Talk!

2011-09-21T10:50:00.000-07:00

I have certainly been on hiatus from my blog for a good long time. But more on that to come later.

I was watching TV last night and LOL'ed at this ad. The message (though 100% silly and exaggerated) is completely true.

Stay tuned...I will post more about my hiatus and what's to come soon!

Kindest,

Jennifer

The New Low of Pop Music?

2011-03-18T11:51:00.000-07:00

"I wrote a song about dental floss but did anyone's teeth get any cleaner?"
~Frank Zappa
(Response to Tipper Gore's supposition that music incites people toward certain behaviors)

Well, some parts are a bit...creepy

I have to say I feel bad for poor Rebecca Black. One second she's an innocent young teenage girl chasing dreams of pop stardom and the next she's the ridicule of the web-o-sphere.

I guess the song is fairly awful. And...so is the video to boot. Then again, it depends on how you look at it.

Rolling Stone has an interesting perspective, and it could just make sense. If Rebecca Black were to run with the viewpoint in the article, do you think she could turn it around?

Maybe she won't have to "turn it around." Apparently she's also now on the iTunes Top 100 list.

A co-worker aptly summarized the iTunes fact. "I would buy the song to play over and over again on Friday and annoy the hell out of my roommates." Fair point indeed.

With that, she's making a lot more money (or soon will be) than most of us combined. But she'll always be known as "that girl with the worst song ever."

So, is the song really all that stupid? I think not.

~J

I could just die...

2011-03-11T12:32:00.000-08:00

"They say such nice things about people at their funerals that it makes me sad that I'm going to miss mine by just a few days."
~Garrison Keillor

You could just drop dead after winning!

This article, found via MSN.com this afternoon, details a very interesting radio contest in Germany.

Apparently, radio hosts held a contest where the person with the best epitaph wins a complete funeral, death insurance, or a lovely grave marker.

The idea? "Raise awareness of this difficult topic amongst young people."

May the best epitaph win.

~J

The Internets and Girl Scout Cookies: A Match Made in Samoa Heaven

2011-02-23T16:56:00.000-08:00

"Are they made from real Girl Scouts?"
~Wednesday on the Addams Family

A far cry from the cookie sales of yesteryear...

This great article from Advertising Age discusses how Girl Scouts are more enterprising than ever. They're turning to digital technology to promote their wares.

If you are a slow adapter to digital technology, take note: The Internets aren't going anywhere. When Al Gore invented the internet...(ahem)....when the internet came into everyday life it could have been mistaken for a fad. Except fads, like Zubaz and Crystal Pepsi, go away.

Adapt...or perish. (Read that last line in an super-villan bad-guy voice and you'll get the full effect)

If Girl Scouts are making strides and selling cookies with digital technology, what could you be doing for your business?

Aside from buying cookies, ok? Yeesh.

Check out this video about the social media revolution that has already taken place. Convinced yet?

My real point here is that these girls get it. If your business isn't doing something in the digital realm (radio streaming spots, banner ads, Facebook pages, etc) you are falling behind. I'll spare you the R. Lee Ermey-style of bantering, but you're falling behind a bunch of little girls.

And now, just because, here's a video of a kitten riding a turtle to the tune of Ridin' Dirty by Chamillionaire. Evidence of The Internets and social media at work. And it's the best 25 seconds of your life, I promise.

The "Groove" Mentality: Not So Groovy?

2011-02-14T08:37:00.000-08:00

"Advertising, like almost every profession, suffers from a groove mentality. We tend to listen only to ourselves, to see things only in familiar frames of reference. To grow, to be more effective, it is important to stop and ask 'Why am I doing what I am doing?'"

~Tony Schwartz, author of The Responsive Chord

As an advertiser, or prospective first-time advertiser, I think this quote is the sum of what the advertising equation aims to solve.

It is important to remember is the "why" of your advertising campaign.

With the advertising endeavors you take, how will you reach your "why?" Will you aim to do something that will make you stand out from the rest?

I find a lot of great information from Roy Williams' weekly e-newsletter, and today's post came as a result of what The Wizzo had to say in today's newsletter. Subscribe here and every Monday you'll be treated to advertising bliss.

Super Bowl...or Super Flop?

2011-02-08T10:48:00.000-08:00

"I'd run over Russ Grimm's mother to win the Superbowl, too."
~Raiders LB Matt Millen, Superbowl XVIII
(After hearing that Redskins OG Russ Grimm had said that he would run over his own mother to win the Superbowl)
Or...is Stupor-Bowl more fitting?

I watched the Superbowl on Sunday. I was unimpressed by everything but the game itself.

This comes as a shock to me, as I am the eternal optimist. I find something to like in everything, but for the second year in a row I was disenchanted by the joke that the Superbowl has become.

I have to give props that they chose a more relevant half-time act in the Black Eyed Peas, though I thought the performance by the Top-40 chart-busting group was completely lackluster. Note to Fergie: your voice is certainly not Ferga-licious live.

I guess we are starting to forget about the infamous "wardrobe malfunction" now that a current artist was featured.

Last year, a certain Snickers commercial is what I would whole-heartedly consider a success. It brought a gem like Betty White back into the fold, and America fell in love with her again (hello SNL!). This year's attempt, starring Roseanne Barr, was only ok. The best part was that she was knocked over by a log (IMHO). But...who was the other guy? I wasn't sure--I had never seen the guy before. A quick Google search yielded that it was Richard Lewis, a comedian that starred in Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Am I alone on this? Was anyone else wondering who the guy was? Perhaps that was the point.

I understand the power of the Superbowl. Are we trying to resurrect careers for people that are unknowns or, at best, C-List actors?

My final thought is that if these marketers are going to spend millions of dollars on ads to air during what was the most-watched televised event in history, I figure they could come up with something far more clever.

For the record, I did like something on the marketing front. And the game itself was a good one, too. I wouldn't want to you think I lost all my optimism.

For your viewing pleasure, this is my favorite Superbowl commercial of all time.

Now that's what I call a bonafide first-class Superbowl ad.

~J

Compact Cars and Mannequins=Mutual Exclusivity

2011-01-31T14:34:00.000-08:00

"You're travelling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind; a journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of the imagination. That's the signpost up ahead--your next stop, The Twilight Zone."
~Intro to Season Two of The Twilight Zone, airing 1960-61

I remember....

When I was a kid my mom and I used to watch old episodes of The Twilight Zone together. I vividly remember one episode where the mannequins in the department store came to life at night after all the "living" people left for the day. For many years as a child I was terrified of mannequins. I could only imagine the debauchery they were up to after-hours, which could include leaving the confines of the department store to look in my bedroom window at night.

What if I were a mannequin like Marsha White? Who would take care of my horse?!

I suppose you could say I had an active imagination.

This memory came to me whilst logging on to YouTube this afternoon. I saw a campaign called "Compact Conspiracy" and had to check it out.

It was really pretty funny.

They made the entire campaign look as though there were a huge conspiracy theory surrounding compact cars. The only thing I missed were instructions to make your tin foil hat to prevent the compact car makers from hearing your thoughts.

The site was designed to look like a Blogger account or other basic blog site, including out-of-date graphics that fit well with the theme. If you've ever had the opportunity to look at hare-brained websites with lots of flashy, glitzy, seizure-inducing graphics ala MySpace, you'll immediately recognize what I mean. You know, MySpace. That other social networking site nobody uses anymore.

Check out the conspiracy for yourself here.

Turns out, it's a campaign to promote the new 2011 Hyundai Elantra. It took me a minute to figure out what on Earth was being promoted. The site did a great job of sucking me in to it's loopy content.

Another great attribute of this campaign is that Hyundai used YouTube to promote the unveiling on 2/6/11.

Love this idea. Here's to being creative, people!

Just for fun, here it is...

Skin in the Game

2011-01-24T18:35:00.000-08:00

"Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer."

~Mark Twain

They've done it again...

No doubt you're familiar (at least somewhat) with MTV.

Music Television. Or is it?

The network's deviation from music-based shows to programming more pop-culture in nature has no doubt garnered them a reputation for pushing the envelope.

Skins, MTV's most recent "based-in-reality" show, certainly has folks up in arms. The show is about the lives of teenagers and how they deal with complex issues such as sex, drugs, and explicit language (and maybe even some rock n' roll for added flavor).

Oh yeah...the teenagers portrayed on the show are actually played by real teenagers (read: under the age of 18), calling into question moral and legal issues with using actors under the age of legal consent acting in mature adult situations.

Under pressure from The Parents Television Council, marketers such as Subway and Schick have pulled commercials set to air during the Skins time slot, and have taken the step to have the show added to their list of "controversial" programs they prefer to not be aligned with (along with personalities such as Rush Limbaugh and Randi Rhodes in the radio world).

I get it--the actors in the show are under the age of 18 and are shown in risque situations. I suppose I would even ask the question to make certain that the demo being targeted was the 18+ crowd, which I hope would be able to somewhat handle the mature content of the show. Perhaps the television show is airing too early (10pm) for the kind of content it contains, even in cable television.

But does that mean advertisers really need to remove themselves from this time slot?

From a PR standpoint it does make sense. The last thing any business needs is a boycott order from a watchdog organization that will be widely publicized and scrutinized for years to come. Let's face it--I wouldn't want to tick off a bunch of moms that decide the after-game-after-school-Friday-night-fast-food-frenzy.

From an advertising standpoint I have always been of the church of thought that even people/programming you may not like can bring you money. However, a large company like Taco Bell isn't in need of "gaining" business in the same sense that a local boutique might be.

My final conclusion: For the PR skin that these companies have in the game, Skins just doesn't make a whole lotta sense.

Them's Fightin' Words!

2011-01-07T10:52:00.000-08:00

That's QUITE the accusation...

Ok, I am back to the subject of Ted Williams. I know--another post to add to the pile of stories and posts in the past couple days.

What prompted yet another post about this story? This article on the Radio & Television Business Report website.

The author is accusing the mainstream mediums and media strategists of being unable to create fully integrated success stories.

And I agree...to a point. Yes, success indeed comes from a full integration of numerous mediums to create buzz about a specific topic. In this case, it created enough buzz to net the star of the video a new lease on life.

Larger companies and media strategists that place business in multiple mediums have a lot to learn from this story. But what does this mean to smaller-scale local advertisers that have a *much* smaller marketing budget than these large companies?

It means there is a take-away lesson about how the integration of media works when properly executed. However, with a limited budget the best success comes when one sticks with one medium and REALLY makes the charge to do it the right way. That means investing properly in time and money.

Diluted messages won't get you anywhere. So pick one strategy to start with, and do it well. Then someday choose another medium to add once success can really be measured. Just make sure you do it equally as well.

Happy Friday and happy strategizing!

~J

The Importance of Being Viral

2011-01-05T08:25:00.000-08:00

Somebody once said I had a face for radio and a voice for newspapers.
~Jerry Springer

This is an amazing story for so many reasons.

I first caught wind of this video yesterday afternoon when my manager emailed the link.

"This is well worth your time."

So I watched it. This morning the video and the story were all over the major news outlets.

When I watched this yesterday at about 4:30 this video had about 140,000 hits. As of this morning the number tops 4 million.

One simply cannot argue the power of viral videos and other social media. It can't hurt that it gives such a wonderful, positive light to good ole radio at the same time.

~J

The New Living Dead of Marketing Land

2011-01-04T08:18:00.000-08:00

From age to age, nothing changes, and yet everything...is completely different.
~Aldous Huxley

The Living Dead....at least in marketing-land

Yesterday a colleague emailed me a link to an interesting article on CNNMoney.com titled Killing the Myth of the 18-49 Demo. The Author, Michael Schulder, made an interesting point. Turning 50 means the death of your "marketing desirability."

Ok, so maybe that's not exactly a bona fide academic concept, but really makes sense. If you were to believe what marketers were subliminally saying, businesses shouldn't care about earning the business of those over the age of 49. Heck, even the beloved 25-54 demo means that once you turn 55 you probably won't spend another red cent.

Puhleese.

Schulder's article corresponds nicely with a front page article from The Oregonian on New Year's Day. In case you haven't noticed, we have officially entered the age of the baby boomers turning 65 and officially entering into senior citizen status.

Need more figures?

- There are currently 79 million baby boomers in the US, accounting for 26% of the total population.*
- The boomer years span from 1946-1964. That means the youngest boomers are turning a mere 47 years of age.
- Senior Journal states that boomers will be spending upwards of $2.45 trillion by 2015.

As a business, would you be willing to wash your hands of the huge amounts of dollars that these people, many of which are not even close to senior citizen status, just because they fall outside the atypical "money and population demographic?"

It is an appropriate time to start reevaluating what we consider to be the "money maker" in demographics. Perhaps that bejeweled 25-54 target isn't broad enough. So, if you want a piece of that $2.45 trillion pie, it's time to broaden your horizons.

~J

2011-01-03T11:18:00.000-08:00

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?"

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine, as children do.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It is not just in some of us, it is in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

~Nelson Mandela

This is probably one of the longest quotes I have used to preface a blog post, but I find Nelson Mandela's words to be very powerful and befitting for the entry into a new year.

I have this paragraph taped to the corner of my monitor so I can see it every day. I like to think it will serve as a constant reminder to be my best each and every day without compromise.

With that in mind, I dare not call this my "New Year's You-Know-What." We all know what happens to those.

Here's to a positive, enlightened, and liberating 2011.

Thanks for being my readers, and I look forward to the journey with you!

Make your contribution to holiday awkwardness!

2010-12-22T08:51:00.000-08:00

"Mail your packages early so the post office can lose them in time for Christmas."
~Johnny Carson

Just in time for Christmas, I wanted to share a personal favorites list with all five of you. It's my...

Top 10 Greatest White Elephant Gifts of ALL TIME!

These are an accumulation of things that I have received, given, and seen that would make an amazingly fantastic white elephant gift. Here goes--in no particular order.

1. The Slap Chop Anything starring that Vince guy has to be good. This has even more of the awful factor since TruTV's "The Smoking Gun" widely publicized his "Slap Chop Bust."

2. The Better Marriage Blanket This has to be one of the most ridiculous inventions. Ever. If Billy Mays were still around (rest his merry soul) I would love to see him pitch this item. Yesterday being my official five-and-a-half year wedding anniversary I thought the (ahem) problem this blanket solves was just a part of life, but now that there's an easy solution my life will instantly improve. By the way--this also makes a great anniversary or wedding gift. After all, you owe it to your marriage.

3. Scratch-Its I have a hard time finding something bad about this gift idea. Who doesn't love scratching that weird metallic junk off a wax-coated paper? And, what other gift could offer the promise of gaining more than the actual invested white elephant spending limit? The only part that really bites is the gifter guilt that comes when the eventual recipient wins a boatload of money. Burn.
4. The Shake Weight Uhhh....I know where your mind goes when you see this commercial. The sad part is that the inventor probably had the most innocent of intentions when this was thought up. But come on--you mean to tell me the company producing this marketing piece didn't have your lascivious thoughts in mind when the spot was produced?

5. Sobakawa Pillow I have indeed used one of these. If you want the recipient of your gift to have many nights of unrestful sleep, by all means give that gift. How can a pillow filled with buckwheat be comfortable? Hardly.

6. Pajama Jeans Conan O'Brien recently exposed the trend of jeggings to the world. So why not give the lady in the white elephant pool the comfort of jeans and pajamas combined?

7. One-off Box of Candy Confections consumed during the holidays mean the creation of many a New Year's resolution to lose weight. A good way to deter anyone from eating delicious chocolates and gaining the Christmas weight? The gritty price point chocolate assortment that even the kids won't eat. Now there's a white elephant gift that keeps on giving (or not).

8. Anything Sports-Related Not everyone shares your affinity for the Jugville Juggernauts, but you can still give the collectable tin filled with three different types of stale popcorn that never gets eaten! That's something anyone could love, sports aside.

9. Holiday Towels I do like to decorate my home for the holidays, and everyone needs towels. Why not give holiday-themed towels that probably won't be used in time for this year's season? The recipient will then think of you next year when they break out the holiday goods--and dry their hands.

10. Anything Requiring Work I will admit that I had a hard time being creative for my last white elephant exchange. I wandered around Target for a long time before it dawned on me. One statement to preface what the gift was (and was the note tied to the gift bag): "Ladies: This is for him to use and for you to enjoy."

That person received $10 worth of cleaning supplies.

Merry Christmas to all, and here's to a wonderful New Year!

~J

Nary a finer invention to be found...

2010-11-29T09:02:00.000-08:00

"Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you the wheel was a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza."
~Dave Barry

Shucks! You mean I cannot add this to my holiday shopping list?

Here is a new invention from Heinz that is sure to fire up masses of consumers. Take a look:

Though not available (yet) to the public, this could revolutionize office lunch-making as we know it. No more shared microwave with who-knows-what growing inside? Check.

So that's how you get from Japan to the US?!

2010-11-05T11:21:00.000-07:00

Google Maps: you have effectively made my day.

Thank you to an old friend who originally hails from Japan for sharing this.

(Click the image to enhance bigness)

Happy Friday, everyone!

Keep on keeping on,

A Dog and a Chevy...What Else Could You POSSIBLY Need?

2010-10-27T16:39:00.000-07:00

"There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face."
~Ben Williams

This is a toughie for me...

You see, my husband is a bona fide Ford guy. His family members drive nothing but Fords, he works for a Ford dealership, and hence I drive a Ford Fusion.

All five of my blog readers will gladly attest to the fact that I love dogs. I love my dog far more than I love my Ford. It is, after all, a pretty nice ride. Don't get me wrong, I love my husband too.

Because of all this familial stuff, I find myself caught in a dilemma. You see, a Chevrolet ad I saw this afternoon has me reconsidering my inherted Ford affection. And it all has to do with dogs.

The video below is one of Chevrolet's latest ads to debut tonight. I love everything about it. Check it out: Chevrolet CRD Dogs and Pickups

The Hank Williams, Sr. soundtrack is great. The vintage footage is priceless. Chevrolet nails it right on the head by including the trusted sidekick found in many an American truck: the family dog.

This smart ad comes to us courtesy of Goodby, Silverstein, and Partners. Chevrolet has done a great job of branding themselves as all-American like apple pie and baseball. What's more American than the canine buddy?

Americans spend billions of dollars a year on goods and services for their pets, so it's fairly obvious we have a soft spot for our four-legged buddies. Dogs especially have become a mainstay of the American family, and Chevrolet really capitalizes on this peice of Americana.

Nicely done, Chevrolet. You have taken a piece of the Ford pie outta my heart.

Speaking of canine sidekicks....

Yeah. He really likes the sunroof. :)

To Infinity....and Beyond! In an Earth-orbiting space hotel!

2010-10-19T16:42:00.000-07:00

"The dinosaurs became extinct because they didn't have a space program. And if we become extinct because we don't have a space program, it'll serve us right!"
~Larry Niven, quoted by Arthur Clark at Space.com, 2001

A monkey in space, a man on the moon, and now...

That's right, everyone. Soon you will have the chance to partake in the thrill that is space flight. No longer can we say that space exploration will be limited to NASA or government programs from around the world. At this point it's pretty obvious the private sector is the only conceivable way to fund this idea, and that is just the case.

Enter Virgin Galactic, one of the many business branches started by one of my heroes, Sir Richard Branson.

In many ways I genuinely liken Sir Richard to a modern-day Howard Hughes, sans psychological meltdowns (that I am aware of, at least).

Last night on National Geographic I watched an incredible show on the test flight of the VSS Enterprise.

At this point, it will cost you about what many average Americans might spend on a modest home to fly the great galactic airline. Sir Richard is already talking big about building space hotels that orbit the Earth.

For now I figure that the elite and a select few world dignitaries are on the first list. If you are interested in learning how to book your flight with Virgin Galactic you can do so here.

I like how they have a comments section where you can note what you'd like to discuss about your flight. I would ask about the in-flight snack and beverage service. Do they serve peanuts or pretzels?

I am excited to see where their future marketing efforts take them, especially after the opening of the world's very first space port in New Mexico.

Stay tuned. This is going to be really, really cool.

If Bears Driving Dump Trucks Could Speak, What Would They Say?

2010-10-13T12:01:00.000-07:00

"You're only given a spark of madness. That's why you mustn't lose it."
~Robin Williams

If you haven't heard of this guy....

...you will. Not just because of what I am writing, but I think his tipping point is about...NOW.

I first came across Matthew Inman about six months ago when I stumbled upon his website, The Oatmeal. Considering my oft-wacky sense of humor, I immediately loved everything I found on his site.

Oh, and regarding the title of this post: Matthew has a comic that references bears driving dump trucks. It's really quite hilarious and I encourage you to find it and laugh as well.

Aside from that, the guy is a genius. Watch this video to find out why.

Matthew does something very, very well, and that is use the power of titling web posts and pages to draw viewers. It's akin to writing really amazing ad copy in that it has to capture the imagination and attention of any possible consumer of media. He does it in a wacky way, much like ad innovators like Wieden+Kennedy do with many of their campaigns (including the Old Spice guy, a personal favorite as you all are aware).

He also has a knack of finding commonality at which silly comics can poke fun.

Matthew Inman, you are my hero. Kudos, and I look forward to seeing a lot more of what you do in the future.

~J

Cars: Sans Disney/Pixar Animation. And now with more destructive power!

2010-10-06T15:39:00.000-07:00

"Here in my car, I feel safest of all. I can lock all my doors. It's the only way to live. In cars."
~Gary Numan

There could be a whole sociological report regarding the things we Americans do in our cars.

As a matter of fact, Kelley Styring, a local winery maven and market researcher, took a road trip across the US investigating the things people carry in their cars. The book is titled In Your Car: Roadtrip through the American Automobile. The stuff she found is evidence to what Americans do in their vehicles.

She was also on Adam Carolla's Carcast this summer. Good stuff! But note that some language later in the show may not be work appropriate.

Back to what people do in their cars. I am certain you have seen some strange things.

Car makers have been quite good at adapting their product to meet the needs of the American consumer. Think about it: how long do you typically spend in the car on a given day or week? Hours? That's why you find things like cupholders and vanity mirrors in modern vehicles.

We are a massive multi-tasking society, as we are a nation of the "get there and get it done yesterday" mentality.

Car makers' motives for designing vehicles stem from these facts.

But Oh. My. Gosh. People do some weird stuff while driving.

I once saw a man driving down I-5 north outside of Woodburn playing a piccolo trumpet with the music score on the steering wheel.

Many women decide to put on their makeup in the car. I cannot imagine anything more dangerous than Lashtastic in the eyeball as traffic comes to a halt in the Terwilliger curves.

Finally, one that really spoke to me was the individual that used the time to set their hairdo with hairspray. Whilst a cigarette dangled precariously from the hand on the steering wheel.

I am sure those are things that car makers will not design around to make vehicles more driveable.

~J

Advertising Success Story!

2010-09-13T11:36:00.000-07:00

"Virtue is not knowing but doing."
Japanese Proverb

Extolling the value of radio advertising!

A tremendous thank-you is in order for my friends at Tri County Temp Control. Not only do I appreciate their continued presence on KEX but also their relationship and willingness to contribute to my personal success story.

Barry Robinson is the Sales and Service Manager at Tri County Temp Control. In this video he discusses advertising on radio, results with KEX, and also working with me.

Since he deals with customers that call in every day, he has a good idea of where people have heard about Tri County Temp Control.

And...if you (or someone you know) are in need of a heating and/or cooling system or system service this is the company to call. Check out their website for more information!

~J

Without speech on this one...

2010-09-08T08:20:00.000-07:00

Need I say more??

Have a wonderful day, everyone! Happy back-to-school and unofficial entry into fall.

~J

Drive-By Voters Pamphlet

2010-08-30T12:59:00.000-07:00

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

~Martin Luther King, Jr.

If only McDonalds ran political campaigns...

Ever wonder who to vote for? Fear not, for the latest of trends in political advertising is the...

Drive-By Voters Pamphlet!

Make a decision in as little as five seconds or less! Takes the agony and indecision out of making your candidate selection, especially since you need to think quick or crash into the car in front of you!

As candidates jockey for the largest signs and best positions, voters win!

****

Ahem. Moving right along.

This is a photo of the not-so-green-anymore space near the Main Street exit off I-5 in Vancouver. I was rather, ah, compelled enough by the signage appearing en masse to take a photograph.

It's all in a day's work here, people.

Yesterday a Dumbphone, Tomorrow Even Smarter!

2010-08-25T08:12:00.000-07:00

"Technology...is a queer thing. It brings you great gifts with one hand, and it stabs you in the back with the other."
~CP Snow, New York Times, March 15, 1971

Practically driving your car while making coffee and flipping off the driver next to you we have the....SMARTPHONE

I will preface this post with the fact that I always wanted an iPhone. I am also a huge fan of my Mac, so the idea of having everything be matchy-matchy was rather attractive.

So when my pre-existing Verizon contract was nearly up, I realized how much I didn't want to change carriers. I opted for good service and reception and ordered the Droid Incredible. So far, it has been a pretty decent phone. To think that 50 years ago computers were the size of entire rooms, and today we have tiny pieces of technology that can do everything short of make your morning coffee.

In all my smartphone-laden bliss, I find myself extremely annoyed. It all stemmed from a radio spot I heard this morning.

My Droid Incredible was supposed to be the latest and greatest of things being offered by Verizon. So you can only imagine my malcontent when I realized they a touted "better and upgraded" version made by Motorola that does more than my Driod "already does" phone. That was about a month ago.

Back to the commercial. Now there is another version of the Driod I will call "So awesome and great that it already did, does some more, and then some."

Let's juxtapose the "Droid doing more and mo' better more than you can keep up with" with the iPhone. I have one line to describe what I am thinking:

How many versions of the iPhone have we seen in the past few years? FOUR.

What does this mean? It keeps its value in the hearts and minds of Mac-heads everywhere who will eagerly await the next release. Yes Steve Jobs has achieved iconic status and Apple products showcase a bit of technological snobbery, but iPhone users are not continually disenfranchised by upgraded versions when they buy the latest iPhone.

So yes, you could say I am a bit depressed and even guilty that I made the change I made. I could have kept my sorry little dinosaur-esqe Blackberry but I was tempted by the low-hanging fruit offered by Verizon.

And I still want an iPhone.

*Insert curse words here*

~J

Of all the places to see before you kick the bucket...

2010-08-20T11:04:00.000-07:00

I had to laugh at the ad I saw on Facebook this morning.

It read, "Things to do in Salem before you die."

(pondering, thinking silence ensues)

Rather than click out of interest as to what I should be doing in Salem, Oregon before I buy the farm, I clicked to see if there was something I was missing.

And...I really wasn't missing anything. True to my suspicion. I was delivered to a link for "deals" in the Salem area. Where I would have to enter my email address and be spammed into oblivion. Needless to say, I didn't enter my email address.

The ploy worked on me and the advertiser got me to click through, even if it was out of stupid questioning that there would be anything worth seeing in Salem before one's ultimate departure from our realm. You know, things to add to the bucket list like K2, the Taj Mahal or the Eiffle Tower.

Don't get me wrong--places like one of the world's smallest city parks (Waldo Park) are sure to draw visitors far and wide.

The Saga of Re-Winning My Business

2010-08-07T17:02:00.000-07:00

Oh, how I would like to tell you to pound sand, solicitors of products I purchased at one time.

While going through the mail today I had a true epiphany--there's a lot of junk mail out there dedicated strictly to regaining the business "Product X" once had from me.

It's like I am another one of those nameless sums of dollars on a marketing contact list. Ick.

I, in my desire to help the neighbor's kids with a school fundraiser, bought a subscription to Cooking Light Magazine. It was a bad idea, since I never read them and they piled up in the magazine bin along with my husband's countless JC Whitney catalogs. Today's mail brought me a notice that my subscription was about the expire.

G.A.S.P.

Like I really cared, anyway. Stupidest use of $15 in my life, or at least a close second.

Here's where it gets really good. On the outside of the envelope, in faux-handwritten letters, was a message saying this was the only attempt the publisher was going to make to get me to re-up my subscription.

Sheesh. They're only gonna tell me once, and they mean it. They pulled out all the stops, using the faux-handwriting font that looks a lot like the Dakota Handwriting I have on my Mac. Boy am I ever compelled to take action! Just as long as you don't tell on me, Cooking Light!

The beauty of the whole deal is that in another few weeks I will get another letter from the publisher, and I will interpret the attempt as "Oh, just kidding! We will give you another chance, this time offering a much better deal to get you back because we miss you baby!"

And I will LOL again.

Part two of the saga is much more interesting. A few years back I used Proactiv Solution and had one of their subscription programs where they shipped the product to me every so often. I grew tired of the fact that most of my towels were bleached from the stuff, so I gave up and cancelled. Never really heard a peep outta Guthy-Renker. So be it.

A few weeks ago I get this card in the mail, and I really thought it was a wedding invitation where someone had printed the address on the outside with a printer (like many brides do). The card inside certainly held some weight, and I immediately thought, "Huh, who do I know that's getting married?"

...and I was wrong. It was a sob-infected "We Miss You!" card from the nice folks at Guthy-Renker. With a little mouse holding a sign on the inside that read "Please come back!"

I have to admit that the little guy was cute, with it's huge, disproportionate cartoon eyes brimming with big, wet tears.

I found it to be more effective than the cheaper method taken by Cooking Light. At least Guthy-Renker cared enough to pull out the heartstring-yanking mouse graphic for this attempt to win me back. They really banked on the fact that I am a sucker for cute little cartoon animals.

And maybe they would have won me back. Except all those stupid bleached-out towels I have.

The moral of the story is this: if you want to win someone's business back you have to do more than just use fake handwriting script to warn me of your giving up on me.

Use the cuddly critters with massive eyes, holding hand-written signs. Or puppies. And then I might be sold.

2010-08-05T09:39:00.000-07:00

THE BRAND YOUR BRAND COULD.....SMELL LIKE!!!!

All three of my blog readers would know by now that I am a bona fide fan of the Old Spice Guy. Yeah, yeah, yeah. The man is brimming with muscular, manly, testosterone-laden attractiveness in a refined Lacoste sweater vest holding a picnic basket woven by reeds from a wild river containing that wine you drink in a gondola captaineered by a real Italian singing the song from your first date.

Brands in the personal-care aisle have always targeted women, and the last really great effort from that vein came from Dove when they showcased real women in their ad campaign.

I feel that the Old Spice campaign, which was always on the cusp of reaching mega social media buzz, has finally tipped the scale for brands to target a new audience traditionally overlooked in this category.

Men.

It's not being done by directly targeting the men, though. The target is still the women since (think about it) women still do the buying of that junk for their guys. It is a back-door approach, but I think it's effective.

Reminds me of that movie starring Felicity Huffman where she was a woman playing a man trying to be a woman. That kind of approach.

Think of it this way, too. A few years back there was a serious lack of toiletries specifically designed for a man's special needs beyond the latest gimmick offered in shaving cream. Now Dove has entered the marketplace offering the latest in men's skincare needs.

At this my husband would still say "LAME sauce. Bring on the regular soap, you bunch of pansies."

That's why the guy is not the direct target. Guys will use stuff if their gals buy and bring it home. Why would they let it go to waste? My husband would protest and roll his eyes, but I bet he would use it eventually.

The looming question is if the Old Spice guy was effective at selling product. I suppose that remains to be seen, but I can say one thing.

The cat's outta the bag, and Old Spice was the tipping point into a whole new trend.

This ain't the last we'll see of men's products.

I will leave you on that note.

Nothing Goes With Tuesday Quite Like....Kittens and Quiznos

2010-07-27T14:46:00.000-07:00

"If toast always lands butter-side down, and cats always land on their feet, what happens when you strap toast on the back of a cat and drop it?"
~Stephen Wright

While I was ironing my clothes this morning I saw this commercial:

Here are some thoughts that came to mind:

This is really quite dumb. How on earth do kittens--singing a dorky song about Quiznos' lunch offerings to the tune of "Three Blind Mice"--make sense?

Then, as it constantly does at all given times, my mind continued to spin.

How exactly do marketers go about attracting attention these days?

Hm. Jack Trout talks a lot about this in his latest book titled Repositioning. We, as consumers, are exposed to hundreds of ads each day. People are so jaded when it comes to advertising that out-of-the-box thinking is mandatory when it comes to ads. So my inner conversation continues.

Hate it or not, this spot does a good job of attracting my attention to a commercial that I might otherwise ignore. It must be the squeaky-voice and strange meter of the song, both of which are not things attractive to the human auditory system.

AHA! That's what did it for me. That's how I noticed this commercial and forgot about the ones before and thereafter. It left me thinking.

Doing things that are not the most normal can certainly attract attention. Had this been a normal voice without the strange song I probably would have ignored it completely.

Needless to say, while I was scratching my head over this commercial initially I have actually come to enjoy it in all it's kitten-laden glory.

The Importance of Being Earnest

2010-07-09T16:08:00.000-07:00

"Oh! It is absurd to have a hard and fast rule about what one should read and what one shouldn't. More than half of modern culture depends on what one shouldn't read."
~Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest, Act I

Who is Earnest?

Ok, the title does not imply that it's important for you to be this guy...

Who knows what Mello Yello is anymore? If you have seen it anywhere do share.

To clarify, here's how good ole Webster defines Earnest:

"Seriousness; fixed determination; reality; eagerness; intentness."

I had an "AHA!" moment this afternoon and I just had to share.

With any marketing endeavor you decide to take, it is of utmost importance that you devote not only an investment in money but also in time. There really are two sides to the advertising success equation, and a willingness to invest in both will yield the best results in the long term.

This is the case with any form of mass media that you choose to employ.

Overall, approach your decision to advertise with earnest and realistic expectations. Depending on the immediacy of the product you sell, things may not start to roll in for awhile. All good things come to those who wait.

Yes, I did just resort to a cliche to make my end point.

Here's to a lemon-limey sweet punch with a kick-in-the-shorts energy zazz in your business!

The Crispness of Ocean-Going Men Mixed With, Um, Manliness

2010-07-06T17:44:00.000-07:00

"If the world were a logical place, men would ride side saddle."

~Mae West

How'd you like your man to smell like this guy?

The new Old Spice man oozes sex appeal. He has two tickets to that thing you love that turn into diamonds.

Now for the follow-up:

Love this.

Way to go, kid. You now have a role model in the Old Spice Guy.

Swagger--Suburbia Style, Baby!

2010-06-09T08:05:00.000-07:00

"A suburban mother's role is to deliver children obstetrically once, and by car forever after."
~Peter DeVries

Two things you'd never think to put together....

If you have a little over two minutes to dedicate to pure goofball bliss, then I suggest you watch the following video for Toyota's latest marketing efforts regarding the Sienna Minivan.

The whole campaign works because they make a complete mockery of the minivan. And it's hilarious. This one was featured this morning on VH1.

You'll find yourself saying "Where all the MotherFathers at?"

Media Darwinism Can Happen in Major Service Disconnect

2010-06-01T09:37:00.000-07:00

"The important thing is not to stop questioning."
~Albert Einstein

Qwest Serves Up Major Disconnect

This article from OregonLive.com got me thinking this morning. That's something considering that the end of the long weekend has given me nothing short of a weekend hangover.

Take a second to review and you'll get the picture.

I am in radio, so my natural recommendation for advertisers is to use radio (call me biased). And more often than not I still come across businesses spending a boatload of money on advertising in the Yellow Pages (name your publisher/poison).

Hm. Isn't a boat just a hole in the water into which you pour money?

There are a lot of things going on in the article that are troublesome, including not delivering what was promised, not actually fixing the problem when it was brought up the first time, and plain ole lies.

If Qwest were smart, they would realize that they are already losing business to online interests beyond what they offer in listings. There is still discussion that in order to receive phone books an individual needs to opt-in to receive them at all certainly doesn't help their cause.

"If" they were smart....that is the concern.

Qwest receives the F in client accountability. Nicely done, going-extinct medium. Keep up the good work.

iPad: Old Skool Cash Too Outdated for Apple

2010-05-19T08:11:00.000-07:00

"Sometimes I am two people. Johnny is the nice one. Cash causes all the trouble. They fight."
~Johnny Cash

Bad Move, Apple. Bad Move.

I love my Mac. No doubt about it.

I do not, however, love this story.

Apparently Apple's solution to people pirating the iPad is to not take cash for the item. That means honest people like Diane Campbell that want to buy ONE iPad cannot purchase it the old fashioned way--with cash. No plastic, no iPad.

Ok, so I suppose she could have purchased an Apple Store gift card and then have gone back to the store to buy what she wanted. But why would you, Apple, inconvenience her like that?

This is a stupid policy that makes you look bad, Apple. Your technology and support might be incredible, but you are not matching that with the ease of doing business with you. This is bad PR.

What will you do to fix it?

Lesson learned: how easy do you make it for customers to do businsess with you?

Dogs Rule, People Drool

2010-05-18T13:16:00.000-07:00

"I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive."
~Gilda Ratner

Man's Bestest Friend

What would the world be like without dogs?

I have made it fairly apparent in earlier posts about my affection for dogs, namely my very own Tucker. He is such a good boy.

(I absolutely love this photo. What a ham!)

But anyway, on to what I aimed to talk about today.

I have blogged about Pedigree and their effective marketing. I have absolutely loved everything that I have seen from them for about the last two years. The ads do a bang-up job of combining compelling imagery and an emotional story that really tugs at the heart strings. Even if you are not a fan of pets or animals I think you will still find the spots to be fantastic.

Another thing Pedigree does well is their website (aptly titled "dogsrule.com"). It uses the bright yellow color from their dog food bags combined with the latest video spot. There's definately a concerted effort on the behalf of the company to help shelter dogs, so you can become a fan on Facebook of the Pedigree Adoption Drive. For every Facebook fan they receive they will donate a bowl of food to shelter dogs.

You can also purchase really cool leashes and collars and even people and dog tees with "Dogs Rule" emblazoned on them, and a portion of the proceeds go toward helping shelter dogs.

They have done a fantastic job of growing awareness of the Pedigree brand and also attaching the company to a philantropic cause. This marketing is fabulous as it has taken the brand from being known as a price point dog food company to a brand worth buying on two levels: it's good food for dogs and hey, we'll even help dogs in the process.

If you can watch the following videos without feeling even the tiniest of emotions, you are cold hearted indeed. Or just in a place where bawling your eyes out would be wholly inappropriate.

So now dry your eyes and get back to work. And tell everyone about the Pedigree Adoption Drive!

Superfluous Ridiculosity: Web-O-Sphere Offends Me!

2010-05-11T14:35:00.000-07:00

"Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake."
~Napoleon

The Web-O-Sphere and Optimization Galore!

Ok, let's see. As a business you have many options available to you for online marketing: yellow pages/directories, Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon, Google, SEO/SEM, etc.

SEO/SEM? Aren't those upper-level management positions? Not exactly.

Today's lesson comes from yet another business website I happened across. Upon further inspection I thought the whole site looked contrived and ridiculous, all due to the phrases and bold words in the text body.

All I seemed to see everywhere were multiple sentences with Portland Oregon X Y Z (even the supposed "Client Testimonials!) in them. In the title of each page the same words were used. Any words that could come up in a Google search were in bold and scattered throughout the text.

Quite the shoddy job, methinks.

There was a link at the bottom of the page that when clicked directed me to a company that specializes in SEO/SEM marketing in Portland, Vancouver, Seattle, and Puget Sound (obviously their own efforts to SEO market themselves). Apparently this Portland Oregon X Y Z business had chosen to pay somebody for something they very well could have done themselves.

This was an "A-HA!" moment for me. It really looked cheesy and way too obvious. I can hardly believe that this business paid for what they received.

When I googled the words out of the aforebolded phrase but in a different order, the company did not even appear on the first page. Rather, a number of their biggest competitors did. The silly bolded words, when searched in the exact order as what's listed, only nets them the "Sponsored" link section. I honestly believe that the results that appear next to the map are as likely to be noticed as often as those yellow-box results (that I perceive to be rip-off companies).

Here's what you can do: manifest your own destiny and control your web content yourself. If you have the ability to write what you want in the body of your web text, then you CAN indeed do SEO/SEM all on your own.

Ok, I make it sound so easy. But if you were to google search "seach engine optimization," the first entry is one from Wikipedia. And it's free information that should give you a place to start.

Or head to your local bookseller and buy a book on how to do it. You might be out the dough for the book but essentially your time is free.

I have posted about the downfalls of believing everything from everyone on social media platforms like Twitter. The same applies here. Exercise caution when believing everything these SEO/SEM companies claim they do, especially when it comes to spending the heck outta your marketing budget. The results this poor business received were laughable and classless, and I have seen far superior and better worded search engine optimized pages from people who just did it themselves.

Many businesses are spending their entire marketing budgets just on SEO/SEM technology. Just remember--Google does nothing to create need or generate interest like other mass-media technologies.

Nor does it tell people why they should call your business when the need for your product or service arises.

Happy SEO-ing!

~J

Observe a lot--just by watching!

2010-05-11T14:13:00.000-07:00

"My definition of redundancy is an airbag in a politican's car."
~Larry Hagman

They started off on the right foot from the beginning.

How often are you guilty of it--saying things twice without realizing that you have done it?

I made up some new lyrics to a popular 90s song. Can you guess which one it is?

"Isn't it redundant? Don't you think? A little too...redundant. It's like on a plain, on level ground. It's deja vu, all over again. It's the unexpected surprise that you didn't see coming."

Ok, so I won't make you guess right this second. There is a lesson to be learned from all this that stemmed from a phrase I saw on a local website.

"Free estimates."

Ok, service providers of the universe. Riddle me this, Batman: do you happen to charge people for bidding on their business?

No?

So why then mention that the estimates you give are "free?" Isn't that implied? Do you think it's a fair way to differentiate yourself from your competitors? I highly doubt that those competitors arrive at a potential customer's home or place of business just to bid on a project and then ask for a non-refundable $49.95 estimate charge.

Is my point silly and trivial? Yes, perhaps it is. Is it valid? I sure think so. Now is a great time to think about something different to say that will attract these customers to call you. Everyone is used to seeing "Free Estimates" that it's a given. Quit talking about it already.

It's time to move one from the comfort zone. Have fun!

~J

In case you just had to know the tune of the song I tried so haplessly to write lyrics for:

My thoughts? Those things aren't ironic at all--just really, well, crummy circumstances.

T-T-T Telephone

2010-05-07T08:59:00.000-07:00

"Hello hello baby you called? I can't hear a thing. I have got no service in the club, you see, you see. W-W-What did you say? Are you breaking up on me? Sorry I cannot hear you, I'm kinda busy."
~Lady Gaga, "Telephone"

The Game We Call, Well, Calling

*Sigh.*

If you were to formally name my career you might say I am a sales person. For many people the very thought of a sales person makes them shudder, a cold shiver in the midst of the work day where they might possibly be interrupted by....

SHREIK!

A cold call.

I know--it's a scary thought, and the world is a cruel and awful place in so many ways. Yadda yadda yadda.

But come on.

I am writing this post today to discuss my angst in the mechanism that many people employ to ward off said cold calls. The phone tree.

Today's world is chock-full of technological innovations that make our lives easier and enable us to accomplish so much more during the day. It also can be the biggest hinderance known to mankind. Whatever happened to actually talking to a real live human being?

I cannot begin to tell you how many places I call that use a recorded message with "Enter the extension you wish to reach" and "Press zero to reach an operator."

So I press zero. Here's what I hear:

"You have reached the general voice mail box for Widgets Unlimited. Please leave a message and we'll never call you back because we don't care enough about interpersonal human communication to take your brief phone call. And if you're a potential customer of our business we may not get a chance to call you back because you are one of a bazillion voicemails on this machine that we have to return. Thank you for calling and have a nice day."

Ok, so maybe that last part was a bit contrived and from my imagination.

What would you think if you were a potential customer of a given business and this is what you hear? Do they not care enough about gaining my business to just answer the darn phone? When can I expect someone to call me back so I can move on with my life?

If you are a business owner, think long and hard about this. Yes, it is an excellent gatekeeper for people of my ilk but it also is a gatekeeper for money to flow through your doors. Have you considered that?

There are solutions and then there are excuses as to the reason you should never answer the phone. Time. Paying someone to field phone calls. Being too busy.

Alright, then.

Sleep in the bed you make then, and leave the business for people that actually care enough to answer the phone. It is a simple gesture that really can go a long way.

And...for your viewing pleasure. Because you put up with my ranting today...

Well, did you?

2010-04-12T14:09:00.000-07:00

What do you think? Was this a good commercial, facilitating in the renewal of the image of Tiger Woods?

Forever in Infamy

2010-04-06T10:46:00.000-07:00

"Let us so live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry."
~Mark Twain

Creativity will live on

Growing up, my dad listened to 940 KWBY AM while he worked. In the background you could hear the crooning of Hank Williams, Jr, Ernest Tubb, Bill Monroe and the other founders of modern country music at any job he was working on.

I was often chastised as a teenager for my love of rock n' roll. Which, of course, meant that I would do anything in my power to continue listening to it. Ah, the rebellion and thought-process of teenagers.

"County music is the music of the working man. Ain't no rock n' roll star that ever had to work hard a day in his life like folks like us have had to." In the Miller household, there was only two kinds of music: County and Western.

Dad has worked hard his whole life as both a full-time farmer and often as a self-employed carpenter. I can still point out all the houses nearby that he built for people as if they are standing works of art. His perfection and attention to detail will mean that these homes will stand the test of time.

KWBY as it was when I was a kid is not the same format, favoring instead Mexican-Regional music as "La Pantera." Though the grandfathers of country music have no station to call their own, they still live on. Timeless as they are, their music reveals heartbreak, hard work, and simpler times.

Country music has a bad reputation, wouldn't you say?

Just in case you weren't sure, here's a video of Bill Monore performing one of his better-known songs.

Everyone knows Johnny Cash. He was a rock star, right?

Well, it depends on who you ask.

To those followers that became fans of his music in his later life when it was suddenly cosmopolitan he is.

To those folks like my father that have been fans since the 1950s he is a country music giant.

You could make arguments all day long about this point, but I don't think anyone could argue about the amazing creativity that comes from The Johnny Cash Project, a music video project set to one of the artists final recordings.

It is an incredible living work built from the creations of visitors of the site.

The power of Cash will live forever, especially with powerful songs such as these: a cover of Nine Inch Nails "Hurt."

2010: The Year of the _______?

2010-03-23T16:33:00.000-07:00

Wow. Here we are coming to the eventual end of Q1. My mind reeling from the ride that has been the last three months, I have to ask myself:

"What is to become of the year 2010?"

According to the Chinese 2010 is the year of the tiger, signifying strength, courage and bravery.

According to Wikipedia the world's tallest building was announced. The Burj Khalifa in Dubai now holds the title.

The technocrati of the universe will likely proclaim that 2010 is the year of the tablet. Not chewable nor ink-friendly, they are undoubtedly talking about the advent of the iPad.

The Roman notation for this year is easy: MMX.

What has 2010 meant to you so far?

Well, if you use my photo-narration as a clue of what I think, you might believe that I have a penchant for lore and fairy tale-esque towers mixed with a bit of uber-hip techno trendiness.

I hate to say you are thinking too hard, dear reader.

Dog-Gone Good!

2010-03-12T10:43:00.000-08:00

"You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, 'My God, you're right! I never would have thought of that!'"
~Dave Barry

This made my day!

I loved this short video that I saw today. I love the creativity. I love the detail in the dogs' fur. I love that it's a dog food commercial.

I have found of late that Pedigree has some pretty dog-gone good commercials. This being just another....

Cheers!

~J

A lesson in relevancy

2010-03-02T08:21:00.001-08:00

"A good basic selling idea, involvement and relevancy, of course, are as important as ever, but in the advertising din of today, undless you make yourself noticed and believed, you ain't got nothin'"
~Leo Burnett, American Advertising Pioneer (1891-1971)

How relevant are you?

Here's a great video asking consumers from all over the globe what is important to them. Take note!

...and yet another video that demonstrates the power of standing out.

Thanks to Trendwatching.com for these great videos.

The point today?

What are you doing to assure that you are a part of what people care about and that you are relevant and memorable?

~J

I (Heart) Dorky Product Ads!

2010-02-17T17:02:00.000-08:00

"When a thing is funny, search it carefully for a hidden truth."
~George Bernard Shaw

We have all seen them...

...lurking in the shadows of a normal day's TV watching experience. At night their longer versioned counterparts festoon the airwaves hawking products like the Gazelle and Jack Lalaine's juicer.

I'm not sure what it is, but there is a whole counter-culture that I am fascinated by when it comes to these uber-silly ads.

I love the exaggerated situations people find themselves in. I love the over the top acting of the endorser, a person that I am usually and completely unfamiliar with (you say they were an extra on Hee-Haw? No way!).

I have decided to pay homage to a few of these silly, silly ads.

I really find this one to be gross, but demonstrates my point beautifully.

The Gazelle.

A follow up...

You'll be happy to know that my friend "Bernice" still works at the Walgreens in my hometown.

I went there last weekend for eyedrops and I had the pleasure of Bernice ringing up my purchase.

She upsold me on two new candy bars: that Milky Way bar with just carmel inside and some Three Musketeers truffle crunchy bar. Three for a mere two dollars.

I bought three.

By the way, Walgreens has a wonderful assortment of As-Seen-On-TV products.

The Stupor Bowl

2010-02-11T08:20:00.000-08:00

Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before.
~Mae West

Wow, is it February already?

Yeesh. I find that I have been completely absent from the blog world for quite some time now, and I am here to make a glorious return in writing about the, well, let's just start on this note:

Hmmm.

Ok, I admit that I did not watch the Super Bowl in its entirety that fine Sunday as other things called my interest. If you want to catch the ads good ole YouTube does the job just fine.

Perhaps I fib a little. I did watch the first quarter with my parents (avid Colts fans, mind you) and we were able to experience the Boost Mobile Shuffle for the first time.

I just remember my father looking at my mom and me with this look of complete dissatisfaction.

"These commercials just aren't as good as they used to be." If you even knew my dad for a minute, he generally cares less about these sorts of things.

I don't know whether to laugh or shake my head. Is this the best we can do for the Super Bowl? As much as I love love love The Who I strongly disagree that they are relevant Super Bowl Halftime Show material these days.

Even for all its marketing glory and gazillions of dollars that come from ad space during the game, I find that the Super Bowl is not doing as good a job anymore in entertainment factors beyond the game.

It has been six years since the infamous "wardrobe malfunction." I think we can move beyond the pseudo-geriatric performers of days gone by and move into greater relevancy, methinks.

Granted the game was amazing, my grade on this year's Super Bowl would have to be a C-.

The commercials? I would have to say a C+. Only slightly better since one featured Betty White (who can't adore her?).

~J

The Good, Bad and Ugly of 2009

2009-12-31T09:04:00.000-08:00

"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend. Those with loaded guns, and those who dig. You dig."
~Blondie/The Man With No Name (Clint Eastwood) in The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

A Whole New Decade On The Horizon...

It's time for me to wax poetic about the year that was 2009. There were some great things that happened and some not-so-great things. Ok, maybe more than some but I am not going to complain (refer to my last post).

What was so great about promotion and marketing and all that jazz in 2009?

There were lots of things, but I think that....

Social Networking wins the award for being worthy of praise in 2009.

Here's why:

1. It's a great way to stay in touch with people that have done business with you in the past year.

2. The legions of people that have Facebook and Twitter accounts have grown exponentially in the last year.

3. Have you seen some of the videos that went crazy in 2009?

Keyboard cat?
Ouch that really hurts, Charlie!
Where the hell did Matt dance?
The wedding entrance that started it all

4. It's all about word-of-mouth power. Social networking is a way to faciliate that.

So you have a low marketing budget going into 2010. What should you do?

I strongly suggest that if you choose to heed my advice that you not call it a "resolution." We all know how those end up after a few months. It's akin to going to the gym with scores of others only to find that most quit shortly thereafter. I guess the treadmills these people have are forgotten about completely especially since they are likely covered up with clothes that don't fit anymore. Call it the curse of the New Year.

I am the queen of tangents, am I not?

So you say your marketing budget is low or next to nothing for the foreseeable future. Here are a few things you can do by incorporating social networking of some kind.

Best of all, it's FREE except for the time you put into it. FREE is a very good word, don't you think?

1. Make a Facebook fan page for your business. If you are already on Facebook with your personal account, become a fan of your business. That's step one.

2. Create a Twitter account. It's easy too, and requires a bit less set-up with information. Quality of followers and followees is the key, not quantity. As I have mentioned before, most people with "social networking entrepreneur" in their bio with their 20,000+ followers only have that many so as to look more credible (they come across rather scammish to me). If they have something you think will be of value, follow them. You need not pay these people for "social network platform development." All you need is the free account. Follow local organizations like the police force, school systems, newspapers and other media outlets.

3. Create an E-Newsletter you can use to keep in touch with your existing and past customers. There are companies like Firedrum and MyEmma out there that specialize in this, and for a small set-up fee can design your template for you including click-through links to your Facebook and Twitter pages. Just be sure that you allow people to opt-in/opt-out of your newsletter or risk that your email be regarded as spam (and not the canned meat variety). Make certain that your E-Newsletters are sent out consistently and provide value to your readers more than just an advertisement for your services. Provide tips and information people can actually use, and if you're lucky they might just forward it to a friend.

I know, it sounds easy. Do a little at a time, and over time it will add up to something.

Now, for the grand finale!

Though this one is a little long on the draw (hehe..pun intended), it's worth it. I love the epic and ever stoic characters that Clint Eastwood has portrayed throughout his career and none are more amazing than the Man With No Name, signature cigar maintaining its position without fail. Epic.

Follow the advice of the last line. Be sure to stay on top of people's minds by loading your gun with all resources you can afford. You certainly don't want to be in the group of people that dig.

Happy New Year!

~J

You want some cheese with that whine?

2009-12-29T08:11:00.000-08:00

If you have time to whine and complain about something then you have the time to do something about it. ~Anthony J. D'Angelo, The College Blue Book

You can overcome anything if you don't bellyache. ~Bernard M. Baruch

The people who live in a golden age usually go around complaining how yellow everything looks. ~Randall Jarrell

What's the best meal pairing with my whine of tears?

We've all been there.

When things just aren't going your way the first sympathetic ear you come across is assualted with tidbits of malcontent, disappointment, gossip and other things and emotions of that ilk.

These are trying times after all. It's often easier to talk negatively than it is to say nothing. Why is that?

This morning I was reading an article by Ellen Rohr pertaining to whining. Referenced in the article was a website for A Complaint Free World. What a great concept.

....and while you're at it, be sure to check out Ellen's blog here.

How much energy could you save on a day-to-day basis if you decided to quit complaining about they way things are and do something about it? Ever notice that when you find yourself thinking negatively it takes three times as long to snap out of it?

And Ellen makes another great point. Even in this economy, there are people that still make beaucoup dollars. Instead of getting caught in the cycle that nobody is spending any money in this economy, what are you doing to attract the business of the people that can still spend their money?

It's just another lesson that if you fall off the face of the earth in the marketing and promotion of your business that these exact people--whose lifestyles flourish even in times such as these-- will take their money and business to someone that they hear from and know more about.

Remember: even the simplest things count.

Here's to staying on the complaint-free wagon. Try not to make it a New Year's resolution, since we all know how those end up.

Truly yours,

~J

Precious Words to Live By!

2009-12-15T15:57:00.000-08:00

Tidings of comfort and joy to all during this wonderful winter season!

I don't know about you, but I am thrilled to ring in the New Year and all that 2010 will bring. I think everyone is ready to wipe the slate clean and have a fresh start. Anyone beg to differ?

I read some very poignant words this afternoon that I just had to share. We all need some insight on occasion, as we seem to be so caught up in the everyday samey-same moments.

This wisdom comes from Denis Waitley, and you can subscribe to his E-Newsletter here.

From Be Committed to Keeping Your Personal and Professional Life in Balance by Denis Waitley.

"It is so important to be living in prime time, rather than watching TV in prime time. On your way to success make certain you grow friendships, not just bank and mutual fund accounts. Life is a collection of memories, not of material things. The Egyptian pharaohs were buried with all their treasures, and were mummified in the hope that they could enjoy their bounty in the next life. But we are only caretakers of possessions. There is a big difference between standard of living and quality of life. Standard of living is based on income earned. Quality of life is the enjoyment of the thousands of minutes between accomplishments.

Having money is only one aspect of wealth. To the sick person, wealth is health. To the lonely person, wealth is someone to talk to and share with. To the estranged person, wealth is hearing words of love and forgiveness.

Borrowing the free verse style from Brother Jeremiah’s classic poem “I’d Pick More Daisies,” here are a few things I’d do, the second time around.

I’d laugh at my misfortunes more. Spend more time counting my blessings than my blemishes. Spend more time playing with my children and grandchildren and less time watching performers in the arena. More time enjoying what I have, less time thinking about the things I don’t have. If I could live my life again, I’d walk in the rain more without an umbrella and listen less to weather reports. I’d spend more time looking at trees and climbing them, less time flipping through magazines made from dead trees. I’d spend more time fully involved in the present moment, less time remembering and anticipating. I’d smile more, frown less.
And most of all I’d be more spontaneous and active, less hesitant and subdued. When some spur-of-the-moment idea came up to go hiking, play Frisbee, color Easter eggs, sing in a chorus, go kayaking, or watch an eclipse, I’d be less likely to sit in my chair objecting, “It’s not in our plan.”

I’d be inclined to jump up and run out the door next time and say, “Yes, we can!” Although I can’t live my life again, I’m still going to live the new way every day anyway. I’ll never have all the moments I’ve missed, but I do have all the time remaining.

Action Idea: Choose one activity this month that you really want to engage in, but that you have been putting off because it isn’t a priority. Schedule that activity in your planner, as if it were a “must do” business or financial commitment. When you have done it, while you are still feeling good, schedule one for next month, and do it as long as you live."

These are treasured words to live by. For all the hard work we do, how often do we take the opportunity to step back and gaze at the sheer wonder of the moments we live in?

May the joy of the season become you!

~J

The SLIGHT Enjoyment of a Cold...If there is such a thing

2009-12-02T17:41:00.000-08:00

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great."

~Mark Twain

Just sick with a great experience.

Is it possible to have a great experience buying cold medicine?

Usually I would associate some degree of dread of having to go to the corner Walgreens to buy cough syrup, Cold-EEZE and DayQuil.

Feeling like a cold was coming, I went to Walgreens in my hometown the other day to buy the aforementioned remedies for myself. I was not looking forward to the oncoming stuffed nose and whatever else would be unleashed.

When I went to check out, I was greeted by a lovely lady named Bernice who called me 'hon. She had to have been in her late seventies. Bernice wore sparkly blue eyeshadow and her white hair, perfectly done mind you, was in tight little curls. If you remember the movie Office Space, you could say she had a considerable amount of Walgreens "flair" on her vest.

Bernice was pleased as punch to help me. And she asked me about all my holiday gadgets I have at home.

"You need batteries for all those things, don't you? We have a special on batteries--24 for $4.99! Would you like to take some for all your lights at home?" Of course, Bernice said all this with great enthusiasm.

Though I did not need batteries, I almost didn't want to say no because she was just so adorable!

Walgreens should be ecstatic that they have an employee like Bernice. Up-selling a mondo pack of batteries to someone who came just to buy cold medicine...

Ok, what's the moral of the story?

The attitude that people carry at your business plays a huge part in marketing. First impressions are created when people call in or stop by, and if it is a negative one you can bet these folks will tell their friends. That's word of mouth for you. It CAN work both ways, for better or worse.

And since word of mouth is the best FREE marketing you can receive, why would you want it to be negative? Be sure that the image you project at the most basic level (starting with the front desk!) is in line with the product you sell and what you want people to think of your business.

Bernice did a great job. I am telling you about my great Walgreens experience, am I not?

Specialize, You Say?

2009-11-25T16:42:00.000-08:00

"Man: An animal so lost in rapturous contemplation of what he thinks he is as to overlook what he indubitably ought to be."

~Ambrose Bierce

Wow! It's already Thanksgiving!

Yeah, I know. I say that every year. Same story. I sincerely hope that the year that has been 2009 brought some degree of success. I know that it's hard to find that "glass half full" mentality!

At any rate, I hope that my mind's meanderings have thus far been a) fun to read and b) maybe a tiny bit insightful.

So, on to the REAL topic I was hoping to cover...

Last week I sat in on a great videoconference with Jim Doyle and Associates discussing the automotive industry. While a lot of the information was great and certainly applied to the auto business, there were a lot of take-away points that really could be applicable in any business.

One thing that really stood out to me was the idea of being everything to everyone. Have you ever tried that before?

*Sigh.*

Jim Doyle was discussing the current auto market and how a lot of disenfranchised GM/Chrysler dealers are turing to 100% used car sales. The problem with this: they try to be everything to everyone.

And there are going to be a ton of these used car dealerships around, creating a very massive competitive market. And with the demand for used cars increasing, it will make for some very messy fights over market share.

The shining examples were those that specialized in one certain chunk of the market, like used pickup trucks, or imported Asian luxury cars. These were the folks that had the most to gain, and were doing swimmingly well.

The lesson to be learned for everyone else (not auto dealers)?

You can do well if you can narrow down what you do to the basics. Get back to what made you the most successful in the beginning. Be the people that do X well and not do XYZ somewhat ok.

After all, when you try to be everything to everyone you end up be nothing to no one. Sounds depressing, doesn't it?

Fear not! Perhaps this will cheer you up!

When this video reaches 1,000,000 views on YouTube, Medline will make a HUGE contribution to Providence St. Vincent Hospital in Beaverton, OR and will provide free mammograms to the local community.

This video really made my day, and it's things like these that allow us to remember that we all have something to be thankful for.

All the best,

~Jennifer

Yippie-Ei-Oh-Kai-Yay

2009-11-17T08:26:00.000-08:00

Jack in the Box certainly has entertaining commercials.

In my half-awake stupor this morning (come on, it was 5:30!), I saw this spot and knew I had to share it with you.

It's just so silly.

When Old is New Again

2009-11-09T12:59:00.000-08:00

Come my tan-faced children,Follow well in order, get your weapons ready, Have you your pistols? have you your sharp-edged axes? Pioneers! O pioneers!

For we cannot tarry here,We must march my darlings, we must bear the brunt of danger,We the youthful sinewy races, all the rest on us depend,Pioneers! O pioneers!

O you youths, Western youths,So impatient, full of action, full of manly pride and friendship,Plain I see you Western youths, see you tramping with the foremost,Pioneers! O pioneers!

Have the elder races halted?Do they droop and end their lesson, wearied over there beyond the seas?We take up the task eternal, and the burden and the lesson,Pioneers! O pioneers!

All the past we leave behind,We debouch upon a newer mightier world, varied world,Fresh and strong the world we seize, world of labor and the march,Pioneers! O pioneers!

We detachments steady throwing,Down the edges, through the passes, up the mountains steep,Conquering, holding, daring, venturing as we go the unknown ways,Pioneers! O pioneers!

We primeval forests felling,We the rivers stemming, vexing we and piercing deep the mines within,We the surface broad surveying, we the virgin soil upheaving,Pioneers! O pioneers!

Colorado men are we,From the peaks gigantic, from the great sierras and the high plateaus,From the mine and from the gully, from the hunting trail we come,Pioneers! O pioneers!

From Nebraska, from Arkansas,Central inland race are we, from Missouri, with the continentalblood intervein'd,All the hands of comrades clasping, all the Southern, all the Northern,Pioneers! O pioneers!

O resistless restless race!O beloved race in all! O my breast aches with tender love for all!O I mourn and yet exult, I am rapt with love for all,Pioneers! O pioneers!

Raise the mighty mother mistress,Waving high the delicate mistress, over all the starry mistress,(bend your heads all,)Raise the fang'd and warlike mistress, stern, impassive, weapon'd mistress,Pioneers! O pioneers!

See my children, resolute children,By those swarms upon our rear we must never yield or falter,Ages back in ghostly millions frowning there behind us urging,Pioneers! O pioneers!

On and on the compact ranks,With accessions ever waiting, with the places of the dead quickly fill'd,Through the battle, through defeat, moving yet and never stopping,Pioneers! O pioneers!

O to die advancing on!Are there some of us to droop and die? has the hour come?Then upon the march we fittest die, soon and sure the gap is fill'd.Pioneers! O pioneers!

All the pulses of the world,Falling in they beat for us, with the Western movement beat,Holding single or together, steady moving to the front, all for us,Pioneers! O pioneers!

Life's involv'd and varied pageants,All the forms and shows, all the workmen at their work,All the seamen and the landsmen, all the masters with their slaves,Pioneers! O pioneers!

All the hapless silent lovers,All the prisoners in the prisons, all the righteous and the wicked,All the joyous, all the sorrowing, all the living, all the dying,Pioneers! O pioneers!

I too with my soul and body,We, a curious trio, picking, wandering on our way,Through these shores amid the shadows, with the apparitions pressing,Pioneers! O pioneers!

Lo, the darting bowling orb!Lo, the brother orbs around, all the clustering suns and planets,All the dazzling days, all the mystic nights with dreams,Pioneers! O pioneers!

These are of us, they are with us,All for primal needed work, while the followers there in embryo wait behind,We to-day's procession heading, we the route for travel clearing,Pioneers! O
pioneers!

O you daughters of the West!O you young and elder daughters! O you mothers and you wives!Never must you be divided, in our ranks you move united,Pioneers! O pioneers!

Minstrels latent on the prairies!(Shrouded bards of other lands, you may rest, you have done your work,)Soon I hear you coming warbling, soon you rise and tramp amid us,Pioneers! O pioneers!

Not for delectations sweet,Not the cushion and the slipper, not the peaceful and the studious,Not the riches safe and palling, not for us the tame enjoyment,Pioneers! O pioneers!

Do the feasters gluttonous feast?Do the corpulent sleepers sleep? have they lock'd and bolted doors?Still be ours the diet hard, and the blanket on the ground,Pioneers! O pioneers!

Has the night descended?Was the road of late so toilsome? did we stop discouraged noddingon our way?Yet a passing hour I yield you in your tracks to pause oblivious,Pioneers! O pioneers!

Till with sound of trumpet,Far, far off the daybreak call--hark! how loud and clear I hear it wind,Swift! to the head of the army!--swift! spring to your places,Pioneers! O pioneers!

~Walt Whitman, Pioneers! O Pioneers!

On TV I have seen commercials that use this powerful piece of classic literature, but in the beginning I don't know what they are for.

The beginning is amazing! The imagery as grand as could be imagined.

The commercials are for Levi's. And the ad imagery is, in style, very Weiden + Kennedy.

See for yourself...

PPM: New, Improved, & With Live & Active Cultures!

2009-11-05T12:44:00.000-08:00

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
~Winston Churchill

There are a ton of different details regarding the PPM Device. We'll start with the easiest to digest.

Let's call it....PPM strained peas.

Part One of the PPM Saga

Something old is new again!

To put the device that is the PPM into perspective, it looks like a beeper. You know, those things that doctors used to clip onto their belts, as did other nefarious individuals that shall remain unlisted.

Ok, so the device is like that. Except it tracks radio signals audible to the human ear and sends that data to Arbitron.

Before, people in the study would have to write down their listening habits and snail-mail the survey back to Arbitron. Now it's all done electronically.

So what's with the change?

Well, the diary was inaccurate. People would write down the stations they listened to and maybe fudge the numbers. Something like "Oh, I started listening at 8am and listened *about* all day." Habits like these would be documented, wholly accurate or not. And, to make things biased, only stations the person chose to listen to would be recorded in the diary.

Now the PPM tracks exactly how long a person listens to each station. Plus, unlike the diary method, the PPM catches times when you listen to a station someonw else chose (like in the car or in a store). Now you have data with actual cases of incidental listening.

The idea is that this will be a more accurate way to record what radio users are actually doing. Hence, the data is more reflective of people's true listening patterns.

Ok, so then what?

The way that numbers each station brings to the table will look different.

BUT...remember that people are still using radio in the same ways they always have. The same types of people (age, gender, etc) will gravitate to a given station just like they always have. We just have a new way of measuring what these people are actually doing with their radio habits.

Stay tuned. The post to follow will talk about the changes in measurement and what that means.

PS: I want to be very clear with what I present, and I hope this won't happen in my discussion of PPM...

They're Heeerrreee....Almost.

2009-11-05T12:18:00.000-08:00

"Science cannot solve the ultimate mystery of nature. And that is because, in the last analysis, we ourselves are part of nature and therefore part of the mystery we are trying to solve."
~Max Planck

Much Ado About The PPM

It is swift on its approach. It will come at midnight at the eve of the New Year, when all are unawares and celebrating like fools.

....And most will have no reason to care. But you, parton of radio, have reason to care. For the PPM (Portable People Meter) is in the Portland market and will go to currency on December 31, 2009 at midnight (which I suppose would technically be January 1, 2010).

That means no more Arbitron Diary Data ever. Ever ever ever. So don't even think about asking for it, for ye shall not receive it. Really. There are rules, I promise.

So, say your goodbyes to the old Diary. It's ok, "See 'ya, wouldn't wanna be 'ya!" is an appropriate farewell.

Stay tuned: I have a few posts coming that will break down some of the bare necessities for you.

~J

PS: I promise, you won't experience anything like this.

Talk about viral....

2009-10-12T16:09:00.000-07:00

I always always always laugh at this.

I seriously thought that this was so over, and it still keeps on.

The ultimate viral experience, all at the click of a mouse.

The best thing this guy could have asked for.

~J

Business Buzzword Buzzkills!

2009-10-06T17:09:00.000-07:00

Now, this one is just for fun. I think that just about any professional in the universe can relate to this.

It is related to marketing, as I had the inspiration to blog this blog all thanks to a Clear Wireless commercial that references two of my choices.

My Top Annoying Business Buzzwords (...or Phrases)
By none other than Jennifer

One. "Touch Base"

Yes. I will admit, I am an offender of this barf-encrusted business follow up phrase. To my five (highly valued and amazing) clients that are reading this, how many times have I called you and said this phrase in my voicemail to you?

How deeply I regret that. Really.

And overused it is. Now that I notice I say it, I hear it EVERYWHERE! What's next: cheesy sports-to-business analogies?

Two. "Move the football down the field"

Ugh. I love football as much as the next guy or gal. And while the football yard-by-yard example can be completely relevant to business, how UNORIGINAL it is.

Similar offenders are "Move down the field" and "We're close to goal."

Thankfully, I have not yet used a sports analogy to describe my business.

Three. "Circle Back"

This is one I have began to hear more and more. It is one of my inspired buzzword buzzkills that I heard in the aforementioned Clear Wireless radio spot.

"Touch Base" has morphed into the protozoan glob that is "Circle Back."

We are not running bases anymore. We are running in circles.

My karma thanks me for not conveying the message to my five (highly regarded and extra special) clients that are actually reading this.

Four. "Sell Solutions"

In many ways, I am an unabashed offender of this one. But how true it is. You really can sell solutions, but it is so cliche that nobody cares.

For example: I am looking for a manila folder, not a slightly-tan-colored-yet-slightly-vanilla-half-folding-card-stock-keeper-of-important-files-by-client-or-other-important-topic.

Five. "Value-Add"

*Sigh.* Terrible liar that I am, I too choose to use this sugar-coated buzzword that purports that we have more to offer than meets the eye.

Slightly related to "Sell Solutions," "Value-Add" is a great term. So overused.

Six. "Reach Out"

Now that I am looking at these in complete satyrical sense, they all make me laugh (out loud, at that). I conjure up visuals of what some of these might look like.

So, here I am. I am in radio advertising and I am...FALLING into a deep abyss and only this phone message where I "Reach Out" to you will save me.

(Wow. It is after 5 o'clock and I must be a bit rummy...)

Seven. Fluffed-Up Titles

Ok, ok. So this isn't exactly an annoying phrase or buzzword. I find they do, however, fall into related territory just above "water cooler news" and "what's growing mold in the office fridge."

Apparently, being in "Sales" would automatically precede you with a bad reputation. So, insert "Specialized Product Consultant" or "Account Specialist."

If we are going to have silly, fluffy-as-Cool Whip titles, let's at least be fun and original.

Well, there you have it. I welcome your suggestions as to anything I may have missed that takes the cake for you. I hope this could at least bring you some laughs!

~All my best,

Jennifer

Lesson Learned!

2009-10-06T08:26:00.000-07:00

"Hyundai is one of the few companies that aggressively stepped up its marketing to take advantage of its competitors retreating in the weak economy. And it has worked."

~ Jeff Caponigro, president of Caponigro Public Relations Inc., on Hyundai's emergence as one of the top performers in 2009's devastating downturn in auto sales, The Detroit News, Oct. 6

One phrase says it all.

This applies to any industry, really. As more companies cut back on expenses (including the marketing budget), they also cut back on their exposure in the marketplace.

So, riddle me this: What happens to these businesses when the economy does bounce back?

Answer: Lost market share.

What are you doing to maintain your market share when your competitors are scaling back?

Herding Cats

2009-09-25T14:50:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday!

This is one of my favorite commercials of all time.

The only problem: it was too funny. And I don't have a clue about the company that the commercial was supposed to represent.

But for the sake of pure enjoyment, I love it.

Presenting...Another Blog Post About Social Marketing!

2009-09-17T07:53:00.000-07:00

"All I really need to know I learned in Kindergarten."
~Robert Fulghum

Is Social Marketing ALL It's Really Cracked Up To Be?

It's the latest craze. It's trendy. And EVERYONE is doing it.

If you're not doing it, well, way to be behind the eight ball.

Of course, I am just kidding. In all my tweets and such, I often wonder if social marketing is all it's cracked up to be.

I have talked to a few people that think this is the greatest gift to mankind since sliced bread. This is the wave of the future, and hence social marketing is the only thing they need to do to bring in more business.

If you are on Twitter, don't you see those folks all the time? You know, those people with, like, 20,000 followers and followees, touting how they have made "thousands of dollars for their business just using Twitter!"

Puhleeeze.

Well, A) this is a scam, and B) really?

The marketeer in me says that you need to diversify your marketing efforts if you care an ounce about getting business from people everywhere, and believe it or not, there are countless numbers that are not on Twitter or Facebook.

But, Twitter is great...as a tool to communicate with possible customers/current customers about what's new and how things are going. Plus, you can find some really cool links on there!

Onward, and upward!
~Jennifer

Not Quite the Faberge Egg of Commercials....

2009-09-10T08:39:00.000-07:00

Good morning!

Here is another really, uh, interestingly bad commercial that we can add to the solid gold list.

And I might add that it's a bit on the creepy side.

Introducing...Eagle Man. This is a commercial for a Chicago-area insurance company.

Stay tuned...I am working on a post that has more substance. Really.

~Jennifer

Solid GOLD!

2009-08-27T10:59:00.000-07:00

For your viewing pleasure...

Out in the web-o-sphere there are a ton of really bad and/or hilarious commercials. Yet again, I have found one that really takes the cake.

Prepare to take about 2 minutes of your time. Let it all sink in.

If you haven't seen this, there is no better time.

A New Take on Political Ads

2009-08-20T15:36:00.001-07:00

Hello!

Here is a new take on political advertising that I have not yet seen from the Republican National Committee.

Take a look. Thoughts?

Marketing Wars!

2009-08-18T11:49:00.000-07:00

"Size matters not... Look at me. Judge me by size, do you?"

~Yoda

Spare you the cheesy movie comparisons I shall not...

Every once in awhile, do you find that you have a complete "AHA!" moment that you have to share? Well, I am sharing one with you today.

It all started when I read a caption somewhere on the web-o-sphere that made me think.

"Marketing Wars."

Cute. I'll spare you the Comic-Con musings and cut right to the chase.

I have talked to a number of businesses recently when it comes to marketing their business, and a lot of the stories I hear are all strikingly familiar.

"We just can't compete with the 'Big Dogs' anymore, at least not with a multi-million dollar ad budget."

"It seems people just don't care about local business these days when it comes down to saving a buck."

And yes, they are all right. To a point. Indeed, the case is that gianormous national companies with a tremendous ad budget and the resources of mega-ad agencies are going to slather the air waves and print with cute little amphibians selling insurance and creepy mannequin-like monarchs delivering cheesburgers. But I digress.

Truth be told, people do care about local business. Local businesses are the bread and butter of communities, and do garner support from many especially in uncertain economic times.

Perhaps you could ask yourself the following when it comes to your business:

What are you doing as a business to garner support from these loyal localistas?
What avenues are you using to attract future potential business from these folks?

Think deep, now:

How are you and your business remarkable?
How expendable is your business?

Prepare to take these challenges head-on because as soon as things start to look up and marketing dollars become a-plenty, the fight will be on again to regain the market share that was once lost during the downturn.

Now is the time to increase your presence in local radio, TV, and print ads. Get in on that share of local business that you know should be yours. Focus that effort right down to the right audience, and be sure that your efforts are worthwhile. And get in while the getting is good.

After all, the local marketing world could be the small-fry Jedi versus the big business Death Star.

Now, "Marketing Wars" sounds rather fitting, wouldn't you say?

Ok, I will leave you on that note.

Regards,

~Jennifer

For Your Viewing Enjoyment

2009-08-17T09:37:00.000-07:00

Hmmm....

I happened across these when I was looking for ideas for a local furniture store.

Enjoy.

2009-08-11T19:41:00.000-07:00

"Many people take no care of their money till they come nearly to the end of it, and others do just the same with their time."
~Goethe

Your Business is ALL About the BIG Idea

This evening I was channel surfing, hoping to find something of value on my many-channeled cable package. I happened upon the CNBC show "The Entrepreneurs" and watched a profile of TOMS Shoes.

If you are not familiar with TOMS, check out their YouTube videos and their website.

TOMS Shoes' founder Blake Mycoskie had a BIG idea back in 2006 when he started TOMS Shoes. Why not give a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair sold?

People laughed, but Blake kept going. By word-of-mouth alone, TOMS Shoes is growing, and so is the BIG idea that started it all.

I am in the business of creating advertising campaigns and marketing solutions for my clients. Sometimes, the best advertising you can get for your business is solely (no pun intended!) by people telling others about your BIG idea. This is proof that if your business idea has legs, it can walk all on its own.

~Jennifer

Russian Hearthrob or President? Both?

2009-08-05T11:10:00.000-07:00

"We can lick gravity, but sometimes the paperwork is overwhelming."

~Wernher von Braun

Putin v. Ivan Drago: Who shall be the victor?

I saw a story on the web-o-sphere today, and I had to laugh. What a great PR stunt for the guy who might just go back to being Russia's president.

Complete with a slideshow, to boot.

What do you think? Is this a good PR stunt? If you had the choice, would the macho self-promotion sway you to vote for Putin if you lived in Russia?

Click the photo, and you can see for yourself.

Click here to subscribe to Marketing with Jennifer. Your Karma will thank you for it!

How We Love You, Dear Snuggie!

2009-08-04T17:22:00.000-07:00

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body,but rather to skid in broadside, throughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'WOW! What a ride!'"
~Robert Wickman

Well, the Snuggie makes a second appearance!

The Snuggie is back, and this time it's going to the dogs.

No, really. It's going to the dogs.

The goofball favorite of as-seen-on-TV products, revered for their cheesy commercials where people sat on bleachers looking like monks clad in red and blue, is now making an entry into the pet product arena. There is now a Snuggie out there for your doggie.

And the commercial is equally as silly, with the model dogs shown with their owners in their matching Snuggies.

For a cheeseball product, its marketing has done a great job selling the product.

This one goes down in the history books as ad and product gold!

Best regards,

~Jennifer

Click here to subscribe to Marketing with Jennifer. And your conscience will abide.

To Photo or Not to Photo

2009-07-24T14:27:00.000-07:00

"I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I will be sober and you will still be ugly."
~Winston Churchill

To photo or not to photo: that is the question

Forgive me as I wax philosophical this Friday afternoon. I have been pondering the usefulness of photographs of oneself on social networking sites, blogs, and other business related websites.

Do I post my photograph, or not?

I suppose there are a few arguments about why I should. For instance, people may want to know what I look like and hence know who they are dealing with. But why should it matter what I look like if first impressions and assumptions have the opportunity to make or break you? I guess this is one of the misgivings of online dating sites.

My husband would take a very protectionist stance on this one. What if I should acquire a stalker from said posted photograph? I then say "Oh, Chicken Little, is the sky falling?" Though I feel he is justified in his lack of trust in the internet.

Many business coaches and authors would argue that the most successful of business people are neat, clean, and fit. Yes, I would have to agree that personal hygiene and neatness are fantastic.

Yet again I must ask, who in the heck cares what I look like?

It's simple: everyone.

People like to associate the people they are working with to a face. It makes the connection more human and personable, especially in a world where companies send their customer service overseas and deal with online feedback forms.

And perhaps it is not so much that they care about what I look like as much as knowing that a real human being is on the other end of the communication.

And there are those times when you go to meet someone for the first time at that local Starbucks and you have to let the other person know what to look for, so you describe your height, weight, haircolor, attire, last place of employment, three personal and business references...et al.

Wouldn't it just be easier to say, "Visit my (insert webpage, etc here) and you will see what I look like."

That means you have to be truthful, and a picture of your dog is not going to cut it.

So, I am sure you are asking why I don't have my photograph on here?

Well, who the heck cares what I look like?

Just kidding. I am working on it, trust me.

Many kind regards,

~Jennifer

Nothing worse than being called "late for dinner."

2009-07-07T16:52:00.000-07:00

"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known."
~Carl Sagan

I'm Baaack...

Yes...after a brief hiatus from contributing to my blog I am making a return. I wanted to share something I thought was really funny that I stumbled across today. And my thoughts that manage to flutter about in my mind that may or may not be funny at all.

It is especially relevant if you own or operate a restaurant. They came from this article ...and here are a few for you.

From "Nine Phrases to Ban From Restaurant Menus"
Courtesy of the Chicago Tribune

1. Grilled to perfection.

I have to agree here. Be careful...my idea of perfection is not the same as yours. You like grilled like "passed through a warm room" where I prefer "charcoal briquettes."

2. World Famous.

Unless a fairly chosen statistical number of people from across the world both recognize and adore what it is you serve, don't use this one.

3. Kobe Beef.

Well, I didn't know exactly what this one meant to begin with. I always thought Kobe Bryant was working on the side as a cattle rancher with great success.

In case you were wondering...

I have not yet started my Q & A session yet as I have not any questions with which to provide an answer.

Here is a query for all 5 (if I am lucky) readers of my blog: if you happen to have a marketing question or dilemma that you would like some information or advice on, just find me on Twitter
and send me an @ reply. Or, if you have not a clue what that is, just send me a regular ole email (JenniferSchurter@ClearChannel.com).

With fond memories...

You have seen my photos of the dogs that I have put up here from time to time. I spend a lot of time with my parent's dogs (mostly playing Chuck-It--they love it!). I am sad to mention that Vader the black lab passed away a couple weeks ago from a lung infection.

May you play "Chuck-It The Ball" for all eternity, dear Vadesky! Good boy!

It's ALL In A Name

2009-06-15T17:13:00.000-07:00

"An army marches on its stomach."
Napoleon Bonaparte

The taste of memory...

Seeing this story takes me back to junior high when I had a friend originally from the United Kingdom. It was at her house that I first tried the, uh, beloved Vegemite.

My reaction? I think I gagged a little. I mean, read the label: "Concentrated Yeast Extract."

And they ate this stuff for breakfast on bread? (shudder) Even with the mentioned tomato or avocado, I am not sure if there is a way to make this stuff tolerable to most palates.

Which brings me back to the article. Apparently, Kraft wants to add cream cheese and a "secret" (read: equally disgusting and/or repulsive as original Vegemite) ingredient to the old Aussie standby. Yet a name for this new concoction Kraft has not.

How exactly do you name Vegemite with cream cheese and a "secret" ingredient? Some have suggested "Cheeseamite" or "Moomite." Kraft has the idea that they should release it under the fitting handle of "Name Me."

Would you buy something called "Name Me?" if it were a food product? In reality, it is probably a bad idea that they release a product without having a proper name affixed to the label. They "mite" just get some really bad, ill-fitting suggestions to slap on there.

I would highly suggest, in fitting modern form, that Kraft go with "iMiteVomit."

I'm just saying....

Fast Food and Menopause

2009-06-08T12:03:00.000-07:00

Here is another one for you...

I was watching the national news this morning and they were discussing one of the latest Jack In The Box commercials. Take a look...

The news casters posed a question to the audience: did Jack In The Box cross the line? Was this commercial offensive? What do you think?

2009-06-02T10:06:00.000-07:00

Good Morning,

In the news...

GM released their latest commercial post-Chapter 11 filing yesterday.

What do you think? Is this just another "feel-good" campaign or a true mission statement to the American consumer?

Just a thought...

Holy Holistic Business, Batman!

2009-05-28T16:34:00.000-07:00

"I think the one lesson I have learned is that there is no substitute for paying attention."
~Diane Sawyer

A New Approach to Marketing

I suppose you could say that I had an epiphany today. Of sorts, I suppose.

I have been speaking with a naturopathic physician about advertising on KPOJ. I really wanted to explain in familiar terms how we evaluate the business from all angles to come up with the best radio options to work with.

I saw a glimmer of similarity somehow. So, I decided to double-check the definition of "holistic," and what I saw surprised me.

ho·lis·tic
Pronunciation: hō-ˈlis-tik
Function: adjective
Date: 1926
1 : of or relating to holism 2 : relating to or concerned with wholes or with complete systems rather than with the analysis of, treatment of, or dissection into parts.

That is where I said, "Aha! Why couldn't any business develop a marketing plan that does just that: look at the business as a whole system and create a plan accordingly?"

Sounds complicated, you say.

Marketing is only one part of the business system. As the definition would suggest, different parts of the business all work together for the overall function of the organization. I think these two things should be addressed when looking into any marketing plan from a holistic approach:

1. What are the ultimate goals of the organization? Ok, sales and driving new business are always fantastic goals, but I am certain you would have more than just that. What about being the leader in your field or being known as the innovator of your product or service? Educating people about certain issues? Believe it or not, these things should be considered when you look at your marketing plan, whether or not they are primary or secondary goals.

2. What areas of your business will be impacted by adding a marketing plan? Once you start, the idea is that things will happen. That means accounting, sales, administrative services, etc. all could potentially have increased duties from the response to your marketing. Think of how these areas and other areas of your business could be affected. And, are you prepared for whatever happens....

Businesses are complex in the same ways that living things are complex: everything works together so life (or the organization) can go on.

For a recap: Just looking at marketing only addresses one aspect of the business. In order for marketing to be the most effective, we have to make sure it can compliment the other parts of your business. It has to benefit all areas, and not just satisfy one goal alone.

Though this "Aha!" does not help you with that persistent fatigue and stomach issues you may have, I simply can offer a diagnosis to help your business holistically.

May business come naturally to you,

~Jennifer

For your radio advertising needs on KEX and KPOJ, feel free to call or email me!
JenniferSchurter@ClearChannel.com or 503.323.6594

Network Your Heart Out!

2009-05-14T14:56:00.000-07:00

"Virtue is a state of war, and to live with it we always have to combat ourselves."
~Jean-Jaques Rousseau

Here is an idea...

If you are reading this blog, it is because you are looking for ways to market your business. As a reminder, this is my personal committment to myself to do better for you, my potential or existing clients.

So I have a great idea for you, gentle reader.

I attended a great networking event today arranged by Women Empowering Women (WEW), a small Portland-area organization committed to helping ladies of all walks of life and of any business persuasion network with other ladies. It was great, and a lot of fun! The theme was "speed networking," and was a great opportunity to practice my elevator pitch (or lack thereof).

There are a lot of great organizations out there that are all about supporting the development of business. If you know where to look, there are some out there that do not require a large financial committment, year-long agreement, or that you must bring a friend with you to each one.

If you are on LinkedIn, there are a number of groups listed. Among them is Portland Connect.

If you are a lady in the business world and would like to network, check out Women Empowering Women.

How does this relate to marketing?

If you are of the school of thought that every little bit of promotion counts, then this is right up your alley. For a very small cost (or no cost at all) you can start a word-of-mouth following for your business. After all, it is the most affordable (read: FREE) form of marketing and advertising you can invest in!

Have you any questions for me?

If you have been reading this blog, you probably know that I am seeking marketing dilemmas and questions from you. Send 'em over, and I will be your marketing version of "Dear Abby."

After all, I would not want to hear that your dilemma went unanswered and your business ended up:

DE-RAILED!

Email your questions and dilemmas to JenniferSchurter@ClearChannel.com, and I may just blog about it.

All the best to you,

~Jennifer

Marketing Chuck-It...

2009-05-06T16:10:00.000-07:00

"Act as if it were impossible to fail."
~Dorthea Brande

I have a few questions for you:

1. Are you one of the businesses that is going gangbusters these days? Do you have positions you need to fill?

A: Clear Channel Portland is still looking for businesses to participate in our career fair on May 20 at Clackamas Town Center. The fair is going to be promoted on all seven of our stations, as well as on four Spanish stations in town.

2. Are you a business that would like to venture out into radio advertising but want a fun way to maximize exposure on numerous stations at once?

A: Clear Channel Portland, the innovator of the Half-Price Thursday program, has many weeks available through the year to participate. Your business will be promoted on all seven stations, and in exchange you provide gift cards.

If you want to learn more about these and other programs that can be used to boost your business in Portland, just let me know.

Do I have your attention?

Come on, now. I really hope I can keep your attention as well as I can keep this pack of dogs (from bottom right: Maggie, Pete, Tucker, and Vader) here. Amazing what a Chuck-It can do (they love playing "Chuck-It the Ball").

Have I captivated you, dear reader, with the "Chuck-It" that you so desire?

I am here for you, and I want your feedback. Are there any pieces of information about marketing, radio marketing, or even KEX/KPOJ that you would like to know? I will be happy to take your suggestions and blog about them here. A bit like "Dear Abby," or, if you prefer, the marketing "Chuck-It" that keeps your attention.

Send your questions to me at JenniferSchurter@ClearChannel.com, or call me at 503.323.6594.

Much obliged, as always!

~Jennifer

The Dodo Bird and The Newspaper: A Saga

2009-05-04T16:21:00.000-07:00

"As long as newspapers were essential to readers, they were essential to advertisers...but news is now available in many other venues."
~Warren Buffett, May 2009 Berkshire-Hathaway Shareholder Meeting

Very interesting point, coming from a person that holds himself as a newspaper man.

However, his statment is very true. As major newspapers in the nation fight for readership and financial strength, they are losing their footing as the premier meduim for advertisers to use. Remember a little paper by the name of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer? And, did I also hear rumors today that the Boston Globe is also going the way of the dodo--that is, straight for extinction?

It is always important to diversify your marketing mix to reach the critical mass of potential customers. If you are an avid newspaper advertiser and this is your primary means of advertising, perhaps now is the time to start looking around at your other options.

Which opens the shameless plug...radio is clipping along strong and is a hugely powerful medium by which to promote your business, au contraire to what you may have heard in the news.

Visit The Portland Area Radio Council website for more fuel to this fire.

All the best,

~Jennifer

NPR Says to Use Radio to Advertise! Really!

2009-04-29T17:17:00.000-07:00

"When it's a question of money, everybody is of the same religion."
~Voltaire

If NPR said it, then it must be so!

Yes, NPR mentioned that businesses should be buying radio ads to support their business.

It is still affordable, very effective, and you can get to people in ways that you can't with TV or other forms of media.

Take a listen to the interview with Mr. Warren Berger, and find out for yourself.

Business may be down...

...but it is also different. So many things have changed in the past few months it is almost hard to count everything. Everyone has had to adjust something, not excluding business people.

It is time to shift away from doing things the old way and embrace change. Try something different.

Yesterday I attended a seminar where a gentleman from Weston Kia gave a great case study on the power of using radio to bring more car buyers to their tiny little Kia dealership in Gresham.

The odds were stacked against them, including the fact that precious few people knew about the Kia brand. It was really a do-or-die scenario, and they needed to do something fast.

So, Weston Kia gave radio the old college try. They went from selling something like 7 cars a month to over 70, which was the average for the entire Portland Kia market. he verdict: radio works.

Today, Weston Kia is a major player in the car market in the Portland area, and has consistently won national awards.

They tried something different at a time when things did not look so good and they were able to grow and prosper in the face of a do-or-die situation.

If you want to know more about how you can use radio to bring great results to your business, call me.

JenniferSchurter@ClearChannel.com
503.323.6594

Kudos!

Jennifer

The Internet is the Future of Radio

2009-04-27T13:26:00.000-07:00

"Basic research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing."
~Wernher von Braun

Newsflash: The Internet is not going anywhere.

I have numbers listed below, but I have tried to make them tolerable for you.

The Center for Media Research recently released numbers on online radio listenership in the United States.

Truth be told, it is not just for kids. Unless you are a really big kid.

Here are some of the demographic numbers:

-54% of weekly online radio listeners are employed full-time.
-16% live in homes with an income of $100,000 or greater.
-37% have a college degree or higher education level.

One in five radio listeners surveyed in this report said that radio has a big impact on their lives. That means 20% of the survey participants feel that radio is important, relevant, and with the times.

Our streaming listenership was studied by Ando Demographics Lab and from a total of 8,865 survey respondents, over 4,000 of them were in the age range of 25-64. These are people that certainly fit into the demographics above.

Here is the good news: you can reach an educated, upscale, and affluent online audience by using radio.

If you want to know how AM 620 KPOJ and News Radio 1190 KEX can help you with this, call or email me.

JenniferSchurter@ClearChannel.com
503.323.6594

Business Velcro...

2009-04-21T10:20:00.000-07:00

"After one look at this planet any visitor from outer space would say 'I WANT TO SEE THE MANAGER.'"
~William S. Burroughs

A Worthwhile Fellow to Follow

I have never found a better time than now to learn from the successes of others and glom onto them as mentors (hence "business velcro"). Even those from afar, who are both living and those that have passed, many wise people have paved the way for success all these years. Obviously they have done something right.

Of late I find that I really admire the glitz and appeal of Sir Richard Branson of the Virgin Empire. Here is what I find so attractive about Sir Richard from a business standpoint:

1. His business philosphy is simple and straightforward.
2. He may not have been an A+ student, but excels in common sense and work ethic.
3. The business empire that he has built started small and grew to what it is today with his vision.
4. Sir Richard sets lofty goals and sets out to obtain them and invites the challenge.
5. Sir Richard Branson is the Virgin Empire. Without him, the company wouldn't be the same.

From a marketing standpoint, I believe number five is of particular importance. He has successfully branded his business as a part of himself and his vision. The name "Virgin" has become synonymous with his name, after all.

To learn more about Sir Richard Branson for yourself, check out his blog. I am adding his book Business Stripped Bare to my reading list.

Which leads me to....

On Sir Richard's blog, he has a number of postings called "Pitch TV" where people have submitted videos of their pitch for a product or cause. A few have been selected, and you can vote for the one that you think is best.

These are great examples of what to do and what not to do when pitching your product or service. There are a few that are supposed to be more like elevator pitches and others that are just plain ole commercials. Some are good, but there are a few that need some help. what do you think?

For a pitch of my own...

Your elevator pitch to your probable purchasers (aka customers) is a well crafted ad that makes people "get" what you are all about in a short time frame. Plus, radio works! Call me and I can help you get going on KEX and KPOJ.

503.323.6594 or JenniferSchurter@ClearChannel.com

Best of business to you on a fantastic sunny 80-degree Oregon day!

~Jennifer

Time to Get Smart!

2009-04-15T08:23:00.000-07:00

"Nothing travels faster than the speed of light with the exception of bad news, which obeys its own set of laws."
~Douglas Adams

It's all a matter of principle...

Which type of person are you when it comes to confrontation or trouble: batten down the hatches and take it on the forefront or mouse away into a hole and wait for it all to breeze over?

Which makes more sense when it comes to dealing with an economic downturn?

Advertising Age (April 2009) has another article I thought I would summarize called "10 Principles for Bad Times That Work in Good Times, Too" that really lays out guidelines as to how you can batten down the hatches and hang on.

1. ADAPT. There is no better time than now to fix problems that had plagued you in the past. If that means making the necessary changes to transition to lean manufacturing of your product, do it while you are slow and reap the benefits later when things pick up. Make the assessment of what you need to change and get to work. Your business will emerge stronger than ever.

1. MOTIVATE. You hired your people for a reason, now give them a reason to have faith in the company they work for. Poor morale leads to a poor performance, judgement, and eventually losses. You cannot afford to lose the biggest asset you have to attitude. Instill faith by being real about what is going on. Your mother was right when she said to tell the truth all the time--now is the time to heed that legendary advice.

3. FOCUS EFFORTS. Advertising Age summed it all up in one phrase: not all companies will survive this downturn. Do you want to be a survivor? Get back to your core business.

4. STAY TRUE TO YOUR VISION. As the proprietor of a business, you most likely know better than anyone else where you have always wanted your business to go. When you wrote your business plan, you knew where you were heading. So, take that vision and focus it on the recovery and where you want to come out when this downturn is all said and done.

5. COMMUNICATE. Build that bridge between all parties involved in the business now. Tell them (truth again!) about what is really going on and what that means. And communicate with your customers, current or prospective. Keep your foothold in the market now to emerge after the downturn with that same footing or better.

6. INNOVATE. Ever hear of the "Garage Economy?" If not, here is your wake up call. If your business has decided to cut R&D on new products, that is a bad idea. After all (I could be off here so correct me please), wasn't Microsoft or Apple started in a garage? Image what a startup of that caliber in your industry could do to derail you after the recession. Keep that investment alive!

7. SEIZE NEW OPPORTUNITIES. ...only if they are going to make sense and bring more value or necessity to your business. Otherwise, buying up another business could be a bad idea.

8. INTEGRATE MARKETING. Communicate with your customers. Advertising Age summed it all up again when they said that smart marketers that maintain or increase their ad spending emerge with a real upswing after the recession. Think back to the Great Depression. Advertisers that kept their message fresh in the minds of customers came out and were still going strong.

9. RETAIN CREDIBILITY. Communicate again (is there a theme here?). If things aren't looking so good, explain why that is and what you are going to do about it.

10. INSPIRE CUSTOMERS. Be optimistic. People like that.

And always remember:

"'Tis better to be silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt."
-Abraham Lincoln

Good tidings of business to you!

~Jennifer

Radio Nets Results!

2009-04-14T09:57:00.000-07:00

"Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do."
~Dr. Benjamin Spock

Recrutiment Results with Radio

Today's economic environment leaves a lot of people that are having a terrible time finding a job. With Oregon's unemployment rate at 12.1%, the state is number three in the top states with the worst unemployment in the nation. See the Portland Business Journal's article on the subject.

Though these numbers are quite staggering, many businesses still seek to hire qualified candidates even in a downturn. Not to rub it in, but there a lot of businesses that continue to do well in a recession (or, rather they do not choose to participate).

Clear Channel is sponsoring its second career fair of the year on May 20th at Clackamas Town Center. If you are an employer that is interested in recruiting potential employees, this is a great opportunity. Not only will Clear Channel's seven cluster stations be promoting this event, we have four Spanish stations that will also promote this event. As a participant, you would have access to a very diverse group of job-seekers.

To attest to the power of radio in recruitment (and radio in general), here is a YouTube video/client testimonial from a Portland client.

If you are interested in learning more about our career fair or how radio can help you recruit qualified job seekers, call me at 503.323.6594 or email at jenniferschurter@clearchannel.com.

Happy "Day Before Tax Day!"

Oh, and if nothing else, you can get a free taco at Taco Del Mar to ease your tax worries.

All the best!

~Jennifer

More About The "R" Word

2009-04-10T13:48:00.000-07:00

"It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important."
~Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

How are YOU doing?

Yesterday's news says that the times are tough. No kidding! No doubt you, humble business proprietor, are feeling the pinch that the "R-Word" has brought to the economic table.

With that in mind, how are you doing? Hanging in there, but barely by the skin of your teeth? Perhaps your business is one of the few that blossoms in such dire times. What are you doing to keep those customers rolling through the door?

To those that have been surely losing faith, fear not!

(Enter the cheese-ball motivational poster here....)

Those that are doing it right...

Take a look around--the signs are everywhere. You can see businesses that are doing it right and others that are failing miserably. In the most recent copy of Advertising Age (April 6, 2009) is an article that talks about five brands that are doing "it" right. Here they are:

1. Bounty. The quilted, quicker picker-upper. According to the article, they are continuing to innovate with new premium products while also maintaining a value message with their price point "Bounty Basics" line.

2. Hyundai Motor Corp. Thanks to their new "Hyundai Assurance Program," they have become the innovators of drawing business in a downturn to the automotive industry. Apparently Ford and GM have taken notice: within the last week or so each company has announced their own program on the heels of Hyundai's success.

3. Miller High Life. The "Champagne" of beers, right? No matter what the times can bring, rest assured that people are going to imbibe on booze. If it is of the cheap variety, even better. Remember their Super Bowl commercials? I am not even sure if these were ever on the air...

4. JetBlue. Come on, jet happy! Yet another company offering assurance to their customers: if you book a flight and then lose your job, JetBlue will refund you.

5. XBOX. Netflix is now available on your XBOX, and can reside on your machine aside your Guitar Hero and Halo collection. The idea is to add to your entertainment dollar.

On the other hand...

The "yin" to this "yang" is that there are also five brands that are doing things all wrong, according to the same Advertising Age article.

1. De Beers. And yes, a diamond is forever as long as the marriage lasts. Sorry De Beers, but it appears that your increased spending in a downturn has not reaped any results. The idea was that consumers will turn to gifts that endure, but apparently that has not been the case.

2. EBay. Amazon.com is heretofore eating your lunch, EBay! According to the article, EBay has been unable to offer shoppers a unified shopping experience. And they don't have anything cool to their name like the Kindle, either.

3. General Motors Corp. I figure most of us already knew they would be on the list. Rather than attempt to change consumers visualization of the company, GM has instead focused on driving sales. And they continue to make the negative news headlines of the day....

4. Stein Mart. Honestly, I had not a clue who this retailer was until the other day when I saw a commercial on cable TV (kinda like Sonic here about 5 or so years ago). I am not certain there are any locations in the greater Portland area, but I understand it to be a chain much like Ross or TJ Maxx. According to Advertising Age, they have done too little too late. Their focus has been on "More for Less" messages, which are a dime a dozen these days.

5. Wendy's. Where's the beef? The competition in the fast food arena is fierce these days, and a too-late promotion of their 99-cent value burger offering is too little too late as well.

Speaking of fast food...

Some time ago, I was visiting with some friends about Halloween costumes (for whatever reason). One of the people had dressed as Mac Tonite, the moon-head piano man mascot of McDonalds circa 1988. I had no idea what this was, as I was too "knee-high to a grasshopper" to pay any attention. So I did some research, and for your flashback retro enjoyment I have Mac Tonite.

It is just so creepy, I don't know where to begin. Perhaps I don't remember because I blocked the memory from my wee-head?

I will leave you on that note. Have a great weekend!

~Jennifer

For Everyman, a Day in Honor

2009-04-08T16:20:00.000-07:00

"Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has many; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some."
~Charles Dickens

I just have to say it.

"Happy National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week!"

Were you aware that this was the week that you could celebrate this? Fantastic, I know. I am sure you were aware, gentle reader, that there is a day, week, or month for darn near everything in the universe.

For example...

April just happens to be Straw Hat Month, and the month of May has been dedicated to hamburgers, clean air, and vinegar (of all things). June has the honor of "Fighting the Filthy Fly" and celebrating dairy alternatives during its time on the calendar.

While many of these are a bit obscure and off-the-wall, there are many that are legitimate and make a lot of sense. And that leads me to the relevance of this subject to marketing.

If you are an auto dealership or auto service facility, April is National Car Care Month.

If pest control is your game, you can promote your business within National Pest Control Month (which happens to be in June), and perhaps you can tie in "Fight the Filthy Fly" while you are at it.

A garden center might be interested in using National Perennial Gardening Month (also June) as a way to promote their products.

Perhaps a landscape company could use Smart Irrigation Month (August) as a way to promote their services in planning yard landscaping smartly with plants that are water misers.

These are just a few ideas, and these listings can be found anywhere. If not useful for everyone, at least you can find out when National Talk Like a Pirate Day takes place.

Happy trails,

~Jennifer

Greenwashing 101

2009-04-02T14:37:00.000-07:00

"There is no worse lie than a truth misunderstood by those who hear it."
~William James

As for the latest trend in marketing....

Everywhere you look these days, you see products being marketed as "green" or "ecofriendly." Have you ever had a hard time equating the product itself with its touted green-ness? Take, for instance, water bottles that are called "earth friendly" because of the shape of the bottle and/or the reduced amount of plastic material that went into the bottle's creation.

Kind of a bit like "Win the battle, but not the war," methinks. These days, though, every little bit does indeed help.

Green marketing has become a bit of a stickey-wicket these days. Since more and more consumers are demanding products that are earth-friendly, green, or sustainable, manufacturers and producers are having to do what they can to create the products are in demand.

Great opportunity to make a buck. Who can argue with that?

And this applies to the water bottle that employs a new "eco-friendly" shape with X% less material used. Most of the time, it still ends up in a landfill. But with less plastic. Win the battle, not the war....

With all the best intentions at heart, the term "green" has become more of a buzzword than actual changes made with companies to move ahead with cleaner products and practices. This leads me to the concept of "greenwashing."

Another key examle I am sure anyone is keen on: the hotel that leaves you a little note asking you not to launder your towels after only one use. After all, they are trying to save the planet. We all know that "save the bottom line" is more like it. But who am I to judge?

With these kind of practices in mind, the marketing firm TerraChoice released a study in December 2007 called "The Six Sins of Greenwashing" in regards to businesses that claim to have clean, green products but have really just changed the label or do it as a means to generate more revenue and attract more customers. Here are the sins as they listed:

1. Sin of the Hidden Trade-Off: As Terra Choice mentioned, "energy-efficient" electronics that contain hazardous materials.

2. Sin of No Proof: Certified organic without verifiable certification, for example.

3. Sin of Vagueness: ...when most naturally-occurring substances are very hazardous, this is not noted.

4. Sin of Irrelevance: If CFC's were banned two decades ago, why is it still noted on items that they are "CFC Free?"

5. Sin of Fibbing: When a product falsely claims to be certified by an internationally recognized environmental standard.

6. Sin of Lesser of Two Evils: As noted in the article, "Organic Cigarettes" or "Earth-Friendly Pesticide."

This information courtesy of a Wikipedia article, all sources cited.

At least with Sin Six above, I suppose the truth is that "organic cigarettes" is a trickle down effect, as the production of the tobacco was done in a more sustainable way.

The lesson to be learned from all this is that as a marketer, it is of the essence that you do not falsify claims that your product is indeed one of the "green" categories when it is not. While many consumers may be quick to jump on the bandwagon, there are a lot of savvy consumers (read: Portlanders) out there that keep a close eye on the realism of the green movement. Before you know it, your product could be featured on a "rip-off" report somewhere if you are not careful in choosing how you market your product as "green."

On the other hand, not all businesses are out there just to mislead people following the environmental movement. As my disclaimer above reads every little bit does help, but to attract the truly eco-minded customer proceed with caution and touch all the bases when you hit a home run (spoken truly by Babe Ruth).

I have a fantastic green product, but now what?

So, Mr. or Ms. Businessperson, you have a truly green product and you care about furthering the cause to save the planet. How do you reach these educated consumers?

Not too long ago I had a discussion with a gentleman that owns a business selling green cleaning products here in the Portland Metro-area. A pretty neat business with a lot of great green products under one roof. He said he really didn't think the Portland market was as "green" as it is known for. After all, most of his orders come in from folks in California. And nobody in Oregon was buying his products.

When asked about what he is doing to promote his business here locally, he said, "Not really a whole lot right now. I just don't see the orders here, so I can't justify it. Boy, I sure am disappointed in the so-called green crowd here in Portland!"

What was that movie with Kevin Costner? Field of Dreams? I vaguely remember something muttered to the extent of "If you seek them, they will come." Pretty decent advice for an advertiser in any market, really.

Unless customers know where to go for the products you are selling, how are they going to be motivated to find you? Sure, word-of-mouth is some of the best advertising there is. And it's free. But do you always have time to wait for your loyal Number One customer to tell someone about you? In some cases, it pays to make the investment in a well-tailored advertising campaign.

If you want help reaching the true "greenies" in Portland, give me a call at 503.323.6594 or email me at JenniferSchurter@ClearChannel.com.

By the way, AM 620 KPOJ is a fantastic vehicle by which to promote products that are green and local!

All the best,

~Jennifer

Not exactly Mount Sinai, but I suppose it will do.

2009-03-31T10:39:00.000-07:00

"I wish there was a knob on the TV to turn up the intelligence. There's a knob called 'brightness', but it doesn't work."
~Gallagher

Almost like the 10 Commandments...

In my last post, I referenced the Wizard of Ads, Roy Williams. You were able to have a snapshot of what his philsophy is, and I thought I would post a rundown of his "Ten Things Never to Do in Your Advertising (Never Never Never)" article for you. These are some great tips that I am using, and when you think about marketing your business they can come in handy for you, too.

1. "Never promise everything you plan to deliver." Roy mentions that surprise is the foundation of delight. The idea is to leave something to the imagination of the potential customer. And also leave something that will surprise them when they visit your place of business.

2. "Never begin a sentence with the word 'Imagine...'" The idea is that you want to allow your customers to use their imagination, so choose words that allow the potential customer to create images in their mind's eye.

3. "Never include your name in an ad more than it would be spoken in normal conversation." According to Roy if you want your ad to be history, structure it like it were from the 1940s. Not only will your ad be ignored or seen as silly, you may have lost a potential customer. You want to make sure your ads are taken seriously, so stay away from "AdSpeak."

4. "Never conjure an unpleasant mental image." As basic as it sounds. You don't want a negative image or attitude attached to your name.

5. "Never respond to a challenge from a competitor smaller than you." Roy Williams says in doing this, you are giving face time to the small-spuds competitor. This then takes the attention away from your business, and gives them advertising on your dollar.

6. "Never claim to have exceptional service." This kind of claim sounds like a great idea, right? Wrong. Use facts and objective evidence rather than anecdotal phrases to verify the service and/or product that your business provides.

7. "Never mention the recession." You certainly don't want to remind your customer that they shouldn't be spending their money, especially when it comes to your business...

8. "Never make a claim you don't immediately support with evidence." The proof is in the pudding. Back up what you say with facts! Testimonials work great, too!

9. "Never use humor that doesn't reinforce the principal point of your ad." Use humor so it can help people recall the message of the ad. According to Roy, humor that does not allow for message recall will make your ad less effective. People will remember the humor, but not what the advertiser was trying to say or even who they were.

10. "Never say things in the usual way." Roy cited the Yankelovich study that showed that the average American today is exposed to over 5000 ad messages per day. No more cliches: use new and exciting ways to say things that will catch people off guard.

Thank you to Roy Williams, the Wizard of Ads, for always having great tips like these.

I can help you put the above advertising "Nevers" to good use. If you are struggling with ways to be effective with your marketing messages, call me at 503-323-6594 or email me at JenniferSchurter@ClearChannel.com.

On another note...

I picked up a copy of Psychology Today with the intention of learning something new that might apply to marketing. I did find something in the April 2009 issue after all.

Apparently, more and more men are going with the trend to be "swimmer chic" (as coined by the author of the quick article) and taking hair removal to the next level. There are new products out these days that specifically target men hoping to be more like Mike Phelps. Hmmm....interesting trend. Perhaps Schick can target their new male clientele with a masculine version of the ladies' TrimStyle razor/trimmer? (An earlier blog posting has the YouTube link to watch the TrimStyles commercial. Decide for yourself the tacky factor...)

The best of business to you,
~Jennifer

Simplicity of Form and Function

2009-03-26T19:36:00.000-07:00

"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there."
~Will Rogers

I received a copy of the 2008 Rosey Awards' program from one of my potential clients back in December. I was astounded with what I saw.

Portland is a stinking cool place to be if you want creative advertising ideas. Take a look around at a lot of local places, and it isn't hard to tell that Oregon has its own distinct advertising style.

One that I am especially impressed with is the simple campaign that is currently being used by the Oregon Humane Society. Not only is the "End Petlessness" campaign catchy and cute, it was a Rosey Award winner a couple times over if I'm not mistaken.

It really goes to show that as a business, you can create a simple message and still have people notice.

Check out the YouTube video. This should give you a pretty good idea of what the rest of the campaign looked like.

If you want to know more about the Rosey Awards, click here.

When you want to write an ad...

Roy Williams, the Wizard of Ads, gives three steps to writing a really great ad. For those of you that are looking to advertise soon, these are some great things to keep in mind. Though you may not be writing the ad itself (your advertising representative may assist with this), it is always a good idea to visualize what you want your beginning, end, and everything in between to be like.

Here are Roy William's Three Steps for writing great ads:

1. How to end. Begin thinking with the end in mind. What is the last thing you want your potential customer to remember about you? Take any communications or speech classes? Remember how the teacher would always say that the last things you say are what people recall the easiest after a speech or talk? This is really about the same concept. Give them a good ending, and work backward.

2. Where to begin. Start with something interesting, but not cliche. The last thing you want to do is make the potential customer more jaded with how you approach them. Think of all the ads that annoy you from the beginning, and take those as examples of how not to start your ads.

3. What to leave out. The idea here is to leave something to be desired in the imagination of the customer. Tell just enough to engage the person that hears your ad, but at the same time leave them wanting to know more. This is probably the most challenging in my opinion, and with some thought and time things come together.

On a related note, or at least somewhat....

On TruTv, there is a show called Speeders. Have you seen it? Basically, it is a show where the camera follows a cop around and documents the happenings whilst a person is pulled over for, well, speeding.

If you want an idea of how not to sell yourself into innocence for the offense of "traffic infraction," watch this show. First impressions are key, and these folks sure aren't making a good one. "I was racing some other idiot." "I want to get my license but I don't have my birth certificate." "I don't normally eat tacos (BELCH)." I am sure the show is popular because of the ensuing train wreck with each driver, but we want to make sure your ads do not have this effect on your potential customers.

Call me, and I can help you get your message across the right way. If you want to get out of a speeding ticket, well, I suppose you're outta luck. In the meantime, watch Speeders and get a few laughs for yourself.

Email: JenniferSchurter@ClearChannel.com
Phone: 503.323.6594

All the best to you,

~Jennifer

The Close Shave of Creativity

2009-03-23T11:45:00.000-07:00

"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources."
~Albert Einstein

To preface what I am going to discuss today, please view this commerical, and continue reading thereafter:

Ok, so some of you may need to view it at least 3-4 times before you understand what is going on. And that is perfectly fine.

If your reaction to this, ah, commercial was anything like mine, you are probably scratching your head. Imagine being the head honcho at Schick and having an advertising expert present this as the best option to promote the new product to be offered in women's personal care.

What are your thoughts? Do you think this ad is funny? Or, repulsive? Do you think this commercial was supposed to lend humor to an, ahem, area that was previously kept within the confines of the private home?

Tell me what you think. Have advertisers gone too far with this commercial and others like them? Or, are we as a society overly sensitive?

By the way...

I am also on Twitter, if you would like to track me down there: Jen_Schurter is my domain name. If you would like to share your opinions of this, you can send me a direct message.

Targeting the RIGHT Customer

2009-03-17T13:08:00.000-07:00

"Don't take life too seriously. You'll never get out of it alive."
~Elbert Hubbard

Business is going to the dogs. Literally.

We, as Americans, are crazy about our pets.

I mean, who can help it when faced with critters like this:

Here are some interesting facts about pet owners in the USA:

1. The most popular answer for owning a dog--90% say "someone to play with." (American Pet Association) Note how the dog is personified as being a "someone."
2. Consumers spend an average of $17 on a gift for their pets. (APPMA) That's about the cost of one of those gigantic rawhide bones, for example.
3. The groomer down the street charges an average of about $35 bucks to wash your dog. (PetGroomer.com) Adding Fido's special suds for their breed will be an up-sell.

Where am I going with all this, aside from shamelessly plugging how great my dog is (I don't have kids, so I must brag about something...)?

Take note: the pet industry was well aware of the emotional connection we make to our pets at home. Pets (especially dogs) have a funny way of emulating the behavior of humans so we feel like that dog is just another family member. By tying Christmas presents, doggy clothes, and special "spa" treatments to our furry friends, the pet industry has effectively pulled the rug out from under consumers and we have fallen hard in love with spending on our pets.

Most purchases are done out of that emotional want or need, as we all know, so targeting to such an emotional portion of life has really been effective for the pet industry. Portland is a great example of how pet businesses have honed in on the population. A few years back, Portland was named "Dog Town USA," and it isn't hard to tell. Specialty pet shops are about as bad as a Starbucks: there's practically one on every corner in town of one sort or another. An article in Portland Monthly really summed it up for me when they talked about doggie deep-tissue massage, hydrotherapy, psychic readings, and four-star meals. Jeeze, most humans I know (myself included) are not afforded such lavish treatments! You can find this article in the February 2009 edition of Portland Monthly, aptly titled, "The Lap of Luxury."

Are you hitting the bullseye?

Targeting the right potential customer can be a huge challenge for many businesses. Perhaps many feel like they have tried just about everything to no avail. These days, the old "standby" demographics of your customers may no longer apply. If, for example, you own a handyman business who would you think to target? The generic homeowner?

Or, would you think to be a little bit more specific?

Unlike the days of yore, the snapshot of the typical customer has been shaken up a bit. More than half of all people who have used an exterminator in the past year were women. The same goes for plumbing, air conditioning, and auto repair.*

So, gentle reader, where am I going with this?

The pet industry did a fantastic job of singling out a specific portion of the population to bring more sales. My suggestion is that you should do the same. These days, women are the consumers to target. They want to feel like they can trust the service they are hiring to do a good job, be respectful of the space they are working in, and be fair in pricing. Incorporating this mentality into your marketing can brand your business with a trustworthy image.

If you have missed the mark, I can help you target the right people to drive more sales to your business. Unfortunately I have been unable to develop ESP so you are just going to have to call (503.323.6594) or send me an email (JenniferSchurter@ClearChannel.com). The closest I have is ESP...N, at least for the time being.

The sales version of "Jock Jams"

I ended my first blog on here with a short playlist, and to continue the tradition:

"The Wanton Song" by Led Zeppelin

"Can't You Hear Me Knocking" by The Rolling Stones

"The Seeker" by The Who

"The Zoo" by The Scorpions

Kindest regards,

~Jennifer

* Data courtesy of Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration News 2008 and MRI/Mediamark Research & Intelligence LLC 2008.

The History of Your Business

2009-03-16T17:18:00.000-07:00

"Advertising may be described as the science of arresting human intelligence long enough to get money from it."

~Stephen Leacock

Does your business have a story to tell?

The year 2009 is shaping up to be an interesting one in Oregon. After all, it is the famed Sesquicentennial (or 150th) birthday for the State of Oregon.

For more than that 150 year span, business has been in Oregon shaping the state we know and love today. It all started with Hudson's Bay Company operated at Fort Vancouver by the domineering (and equally scary looking) Dr. John McLoughlin beginning in 1825. The initial outpost was at Fort George in Astoria and was moved to Fort Vancouver some years later.

Since 1825, commercial business has been plugging away in the Oregon Territory (and later the State of Oregon) and making quite the name for itself. Oregon has a number of great products that have become distinctly Oregon, like pinot noir, hazelnuts, berries, and so on.

I recently picked up a copy of the Oregon 150 Official Collector's Edition publication earlier this month. I learned a lot of neat things about Oregon, but one thing that I found to be of particular interest is how a few well-known businesses are using the Sesquicentennial as a means to market the heritage of their business. The entire back section of the magazine was a special advertising section where the stories of each business were told. From Fred Meyer to the Portland Art Museum, I felt I was reading the story of the business moreso than being targeted for advertising. And to boot, I learned something about the history of Oregon.

Any time you can add value beyond the actual product you are selling is a great win in your column as an advertiser.

Have you thought about using the Sesquicentennial as a unique means to promote your business? Does your business have a story to tell in the history of Oregon that you want to use in advertising? If so, I would like to hear from you. I can help you create a campaign that showcases the historical elements of your business along with the message you would like to tell prospective customers. Even if the history of your business is short, it is good enough to say "Congratulations, Oregon! We'll be with you for the next 150 years."

Email me at JenniferSchurter@ClearChannel.com.

Are you LinkedIn?

2009-03-14T08:49:00.000-07:00

"Don't find fault. Find a remedy."
~Henry Ford

The Tangled Worldwide Web We Weave (Or not...)

Are you using the internet to promote your business? If not, what is your reason?

This is definately old news to many, but I cannot tell you how many times I come across a business that has a great product or service to offer a consumer but does not have a website. When a potential customer for a business is looking for a place to call, they head to the world wide web. So if it came down to Brand X and their biggest competitor (that happens to have a website), who would have the upper hand based on service, customer testimonials or photos of past jobs, for example? The internet is a tool that can provide all those things for a prospective customer.

A webpage will act as a salesperson in your absence. These days, it is not as intimidating nor as expensive as you may think to get started. All it takes is something simple to start with. Websites such as GoDaddy.com allow you to search for available domain names and register them for as little as about $5 a year. You can also add their hosting feature, which is great for beginners to have. "Hosting" allows you to build content on your page, and you can do it all through GoDaddy if you like. For less than $100 a year, you can have a simple web site. I recently did this for myself as an experiment, and I am working on the content right now. Check out JenniferSchurter.com to view the progress of my experiment.

Networking Like a Pro Online

The old cliche "it's not about what you know but who you know" is a popular saying for a reason. Knowing the right people can certainly make life in any business a bit easier, and will hopefully set up the opportunity to exchange referrals with cohorts.

Yes, there are social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace. However, if you want to stay away from something that is too social there are sites like LinkedIn. Consider it the MySpace or Facebook for business people.

I am working on building my LinkedIn network, and you are welcome to find me.

To get an idea of how you can use LinkedIn, read Guy Kawasaki's "10 Ways to Use LinkedIn" blog.

What does this have to do with radio, exactly?

I hope I have been able to make the point that the internet is not going anywhere, but in fact is growing more and more. With the advent of the iPod and iPhone, personal technology is now portable and more accessable than ever before. The future of radio is moving toward the internet.

Many radio stations are adding online streaming capabilities to their web pages, so a listener can tune in from their desktop and hear programming just as it occurs on terrestrial radio. This is a great opportunity to reach people that listen via the web during the work day rather than on a regular radio.

In addition to this, many station websites have the option to advertise with banners or leaderboards. I have seen some really neat leaderboards that are animated with interacitve graphics and lots of color. It has been argued that they are not effective unless the customer is compelled to click through to the website. According to John Potter's article "I Tried Internet and It Didn't Work," the leaderboard or banner can be quite effective as it imbeds a message in the subconscious mind. Dually noted is the fact that the graphics must appear as though they belong in respect to the site's content. Selling sewing machines on a youthful Top 40 station's webpage may not be as successful as posting the same ad on an Adult Contemporary or News Talk website. John Potter is the Vice President/Interactive Revenue Development for the Radio Advertising Bureau.

I can help you sort through the ins and outs of advertising on the internet utilizing radio websites here in Portland. Feel free to email me at JenniferSchurter@ClearChannel.com

Here is the reason designers of jeans can command a $150 price tag....

Regards,

~Jennifer

Welcome!

2009-03-13T12:56:00.000-07:00

"Always bear in mind that your resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing."
~Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)

I love a good quote, especially when it inspires me to do something better for myself. The one above came to me courtesy of a lovely cup of tea one winter afternoon. Sometimes tea makers decide to make the tab at the end of the tea bag string useful by posting such nuggets of golden wisdom. Little things like this can sometimes provide the greatest inspiration to us all. To this day that small paper tab is hanging on my bulletin board, providing me a bit of wisdom on a daily basis.

This blog is my my first step to fulfill my personal resolution to succeed, but it is only part of the equation. I cannot succeed without the success of my clients, so I want to use this as a forum where you can learn a bit more about what is going on in the world, tips, tricks, and nuggets of wisdom that I happen across.

Here is my first suggestion to you all: if you have not read any materials or attended a seminar with Jeffrey Gitomer, I strongly advise that you jump on the bandwagon now. I was able to attend a seminar here in Portland this morning, and I have made the decision to be the best that I can be for my clients, my business, and myself. It was quite powerful!

I am going to read his books and apply his knowledge and wisdom. I hope you will join me. The "Little" books are indeed little, with large print and are quick, easy reads (no more snoozefest business texts that you read to fall asleep). It is a lot of common sense, and is the kick in the you-know-where to change the habits we all have when it comes to daily business. After all, we are humans and old habits die hard.

If you would like to discuss the ways that advertising with News Radio 1190 KEX and AM 620 KPOJ add value to your business, you are always welcome to send me an email at JenniferSchurter@ClearChannel.com.

Just for fun....

It is always great to get to know new people, and breaking the ice with something humorous seems to make it a bit easier. I am a salesperson, but heart of stone I have not. Growing up on a farm gave me the biggest heart for furry critters.

I have the greatest dog ever, and his name is Tucker (according to the vet records), aka "Bubba." I wanted to post this photo because I have to laugh everytime I see it. It is posted on my desktop so I can remember not to take things so seriously, as being too serious can hinder our ability to be the best we can be (thanks again, Jeffrey Gitomer!). A little bit of humor never hurt anyone, after all.

This photo was taken on a very hot weekend at Lost Creek Reservoir east of Medford. The ole Bubbatron was having a fantastic time running in the water, as evidenced in his big dog smile.

For your motivation....

When I am out and about, I love to listen to the best tunes out there. It puts me in good spirits and the right mind-set to get things done. Rock snob that I am (self-professed), here is a playlist that I suggest for you to get started with:

Where You Going by Gomez

Life by the Drop by Stevie Ray Vaughan

Gone to Carolina by Shooter Jennings (son of the legendary Waylon)

Sultans of Swing by Dire Straights

Best regards,

~Jennifer