by Miriam Hara | Apr 30, 2013 | Advertising, Latest, Social Media
Most people know about social media and its distinct ability to help advertisers get out their messages. Unfortunately, as the rapid pace of the social media technology keeps evolving, it’s no wonder that advertisers can’t keep up on the latest and greatest… and how best to get these messages across. Keeping up with the speed of change is all consuming, but a necessity. You only have to look to Facebook and LinkedIn, and how they are constantly evolving their presentation, adding features, removing features, monetizing their applications. It is obvious that computers help get advertisers messages out to people, but when, where and how people receive this information is vital to the success of a brand and product.
The Smartphone gives advertisers the ability to operate in real-time and in niche marketing. This is key on so many levels when launching campaigns, opening a retail outlet and getting brand attention when it matters most… when consumers want or need to make the purchase. The generation of technology that is being launched today is user-friendly technology, all geared toward making the consumer aware of their entire surroundings. Consumers are given information on their favorite coffee shop, new products, like unique electronics, as well as restaurants, and nightclubs…and advertisers need and want to tap into this.
Kindles, iPads, notebooks, and other hand-held devices can display amazing graphics, and play outstanding videos that make content jump off the web and into the thoughts and minds of the consumer when they are looking for it… and therein lies the beauty of technology!
With up-to-date technology advertisers can adopt marketing – tech platforms, target multiple consumers across many technologies, being able to harness real-time data. Using various technologies one can measure growth and performance of your product.
The Internet itself is an ever-changing format for advertisers to promote their products. The downside to this is consumers can compare prices even as they shop. A store may lose a customer’s entire shopping purchase because the store does not stock a particular item. A brand may lose a consumer at any time in the buying cycle. People purchase new products and services together via technology, with their set critera whether it be a lower price, or a new feature… or colour!
Imagine for a moment that we are back in the days of MadMan, where ideas have to be written or typed. That pictures can only be created by hand, and presentations were not given by means of PowerPoint. And, the only way to get out your content was by the television, newspaper, magazines, or an insurmountable amount of flyers. Not to mention the gift we have given back to Mother-Earth by not using nearly as many paper products. Technology has made it a game changer for advertising.
Since one can use advertising in real-time, compared to how it was done in the past the targeting demographics as well as psychographic has not only become accessible but has become a science.
Technology, with the use of PVRs has allowed us to skip commercials on television, so that advertisements are obscured. Amazingly enough, a study posted in The Economist shows that the Brand name does get observed.
Hitting the key audience is paramount for launching your advertising campaign. Information gathered by using social media, researching and gauging the public reaction could be make or break a product. By using technology one can track one’s product, to see where, it was bought, how it was bought, when it was bought, and who bought it. Advertisers can go as far as understanding what made them purchase… through the use of AB testing, and multiple targeted offers.
Advertisers Beware: Technology has allowed marketing and advertising to have limitless applications. It has pushed the envelope, and it will no doubt keep pushing it with newer and newer technology… are you ready?
by Daniel | Apr 29, 2013 | Advertising, Creative, Design, Latest
Flyers, brochures and catalogs are used globally and on a massive scale. They are a very cost-effective way to market your product, service, brand or event, and they produce some amazing results if they’re done well. The only problem is that with so many flyers out there already (literally millions), and so many more being produced and distributed each week, it can be very hard to produce something which stands out from the crowd, grabs the attention of the reader and makes an imprint on their memory.
In order to make something like this, which produces the results you’re looking for, you need to make sure your design is different. It needs to be fresh, original and unique – the more different from everything else it is, the better it will perform. In this post I have rounded up some awesome flyer designs to help you in your design project. Try to pinpoint which elements of the designs are consistent throughout and then incorporate that into your design. What is it about each design that draws your attention, are any more memorable than others for you? If so, why. It’s thinking and designing like this which will make the difference between a successful flyer and a complete disappointment.
On to the inspiration:
These flyers should have given you plenty of inspiration, ideas and pointers to take away and incorporate into your own flyer design. If you have any amazing examples of flyers, catalogs or brochures, then please feel free to share them in the comments section!
Once you’re finished with your design and you’re looking for a company to print a catalog, flyer or brochure for you, make sure you select one who provide a manual quality check process every order. Companies that offer this will check your order by hand to make sure it looks exactly as it should, and just as good as it looks on the computer screen. After putting so much work into your design, you don’t want it to fail at the last hurdle, so go with a reputable company.
Stay creative, and good luck with your flyer design!
Author Bio:Daniel has worked in design and marketing for the past 10 years. He enjoys keeping up to date on everything to do with design, print, technology and creativity, and you can find him blogging about these things regularly here and at other top blogs around the web
by Stephanie Fasulo | Apr 26, 2013 | Latest, Social Media
The sharing of “the visual” over the internet is now widespread. When developing an internet campaign on Facebook or Twitter, there is one thing that media savvy writers take for granted and it is usually the visual effects. Twitter has proven you can lock interest and develop followers on good, solid content. But is that all it really takes? The internet landscape with the introduction of social media has evolved throughout the years and increasingly the importance of clear, crisp visuals paired with engaging content is vital. Instagram, YouTube, Tumblr, Pinterest and Flikr are all platforms purely based on sharing videos and photos personally and business wide.
Nike’s business platform has a strong visual internet platform on Instagram.
Although Instagram was developed and still primarily used as an app on a mobile device, after Facebook purchased Instagram last year, they have integrated a more web-friendly site. Here you can see the heading of Nike’s Social Media Site with over 570 pictures being shared worldwide.
A photo from Nike’s Instagram account featuring its line of baseball equipment and apparel. Comments and Likes show that Nike’s decision to focus on artistic advertising – like images works very well and is widely becoming the new normal. With over 1 million followers already, Nike has developed an Instagram space that solely shares its product, defines its target audience and successfully incorporates artistic photography, its current fashion appeal and its promise to be the best fitness apparel out there. So why does this matter? It matters because while you’re writing, someone else is writing and sharing a picture. It’s all about being up to date and keeping engaged with what people want to see, learn about and connect with. Visuals on a social media campaign can increase followers, likes, quality, authenticity, and generally attract more people and interest to your online brand. So start building those high-quality visuals and pair it up with your message. On many social platforms it is a must and sometimes you won’t have a choice.
by Lisa Wedmann | Apr 20, 2013 | Advertising, Branding, Business Success, Latest, Social Media
It’s important to have a social media strategy. As Marketers it is important to get your message out in a consistent and timely basis; but how do you handle that when a tragic situation occurs within your community? Does your team have a crisis plan in place within your social media strategy?
Recently there have been some very tragic news stories that were rampant throughout mainstream media. When the horrible explosions occurred in Boston at the Boston Marathon finish line we at 3H, along with the brands that we represent, chose to extend our sympathies and then remain quiet in our social media streams. In light of the situation that was the appropriate and respectful thing to do and we were happy to see that many companies and brands chose the same approach.
Alas common sense is not so common and sadly there is always at least one company that puts out a message that the general public is offended by due to poor timing. https://twitter.com/stringsn88keys/status/324139615852298241/photo/1
Epicurious took a beating over these tweets and have since deleted them and apologized.
We can all learn a lesson by unfortunate situations like this. Here is a great checklist that your social media team should keep on hand:
- Turn off scheduled tweets/posts
- Listen to what your community is saying
- Just as you think before you speak (or should), think before you type and hit enter
If you happen to say something that you probably shouldn’t have:
- Don’t delete your post and then go into hiding
- Own up to it and do it quickly
- Be honest and genuine in your apology
If you approach your Community with honesty and integrity, even if you made a mistake, your Community will respect you for doing what you can to make things right. Once the dust settles your true fans and followers will still love you.
by Lisa Wedmann | Apr 3, 2013 | Branding, Business Success, Latest
Networking: Where Business Meets Social
Networking should be an important part of your Marketing mix. It provides a great opportunity for relationship building, brand awareness and lead generation. Networking in itself can be a full-time job if you let it. Time is a scarce commodity these days. People are so busy these days that they are looking for ways to combine their business with socializing, and looking to attend networking events that will help them achieve their business goals while building effective relationships at the same time. So how do you choose which events to go to? It is important to attend the events that will provide you with the best value for your time. Effective networking demands that you know who you are and what you want before you can effectively communicate and establish a mutually rewarding, sustainable relationship with someone.
I am constantly amazed by some people that lack common sense, so here are some tips (in no particular order) that will help you with successful networking.
Be Minty Fresh
Have you ever talked to someone after they’ve had a tuna fish sandwich and raw onions? It’s not pleasant! Brush your teeth. Suck on a mint. Chew gum. Just don’t be that stinky breath dude.
Listen
When you’re in a networking situation it is not all about you. Focus your attention on the speaker and concentrate on what is being said.
Don’t Sell
You know how it drives you crazy when you walk into a store and the clerk immediately jumps on you and tries to sell you on something when you don’t even know what you’re looking for yet? Don’t be like that crazy clerk and start pitching right off the bat.
Ask Questions
Find common ground and see how you can be of value to the person you are talking to. Ask people what they do, who they know, where they’ve been, how can you help them. They may not be in the market for your particular product or service at this time but you may be able to connect them with someone that can help them with what they are looking for and vice versa.
Mingle
It is great catching up with old friends and acquaintances; but if you really want to maximize your result see out someone that you have never met before and introduce yourself.
Be Yourself
People like to do business with people that they like, so be genuine.
Be Prepared
Make sure you have enough business cards for everyone in the room. There is nothing worse than making a great connection and not having a single business card left to give them.
Take Notes
Jot a note on the back of the business card about your conversation. This will make the follow up process much easier!
Follow Up
Send a follow up email, or pick up the phone and call, within 48 hours of meeting. Remind them of where you met, what you discussed and set up a time to have a more in depth conversation of you can be of assistance to them. So many people forget this step. Don’t be that guy!
Connect
Follow them on Twitter and/or Facebook. Send them a request to connect on LinkedIn. You never know what kind of opportunities that you may attract through a networking event!
by Lisa Wedmann | Apr 1, 2013 | Advertising, Branding, Creative, Interactive, Latest, Social Media
CASE STUDY: A Quebec Brand: Adrien Gagnon Part II
A new Adrien Gagnon for today’s Quebecer!
Adrien Gagnon, the Quebec Natural Health Products provider for over 60 years, found themselves losing their relationship with Quebecers. As such, they needed to reposition their brand to the Quebecer of today, providing a contemporary and youthful image.
The first step was to re-brand their logo and their positioning (click here to find our more).
The Second step was to take that new look and feel and establish its presence throughout the social media channel and enhancing a stronger online presence.
1. Website
Adrien Gagnon is all about health and wellness so we re-designed the website to embody their brand values and represent the companies main selling point of Natural Products. To accompany the logo’s new look and feel we created a fresh looking website with new colours. The goal was to create a new vibrant look that speaks to health and vitality.
2. Social Media
We revamped Adrien Gagnon’s social media presence by changing their Twitter, Facebook and Youtube look. Creating banners and profile pictures to mirror the look and feel of the website and new logo gave a boost to the social media efforts already visible for Adrien Gagnon. In February, we participated in Hearth Month and created a month of themed posts that represent Adrien Gagnon’s health and wellness values.
From concept development, graphic design to positioning statements, we deliver solid re-branding strategies that are sure to embody your brand values and get your brand noticed!
