In order to create marketing of a different color, it's important to always look at the big picture. Before you dive into any new effort, be sure to take...read more»
why you shouldn’t be married to one media or platform
In order to create marketing of a different color, it's important to always look at the big picture. Before you dive into any new effort, be sure to take...read more»
Facebook Graph Search: your next marketing tool?
The next big "thing" in social is here, at least Facebook hopes so. Introducing Facebook Graph Search, another asset that savvy marketers...read more»
the “perfect” message may not be perfect
In the movie "Elf," there's a scene in which Buddy the Elf (Will Ferrell) sees a sign that says "World's Best Cup of Coffee" hanging...read more»
what’s the price of a good idea?
As the internet takes over the world, we find that advertising will not get results if...read more»
So far, the kick off weekend to the holiday shopping season has everyone...
At the 2012 Central Mass Business Expo, I was happy to...smart political advertising
Okay, we are all sick of the mud-slinging political advertising that only seems to be getting more frequent and contentious leading up to election...read more»
10 nuggets from a weekend with seth
I’ve never been more excited than I was the week leading up to my weekend with Seth Godin, famed author and marketing guru. Of course,...read more»
be on the look out (2012)
For those that aren't in the know, BOLO (which stands for Be On The Lookout) is a conference about cutting edge digital marketing. It's held...read more»
websites: what’s the best technology?
We've spoken with many companies about building their websites. Frequently the website is relegated to a line item in an overarching marketing...read more»
marketing and margaritas: have the right mix
When determining the right mix of marketing tactics for your brand or promotion, it's important to consider all of your options. While there are thousands available...read more»
be proactive with your analytics
Most marketing managers agree: measuring website performance is critical. Unfortunately, marketers regularly fall into the habit of using analytics only to establish past performance: while they look...read more»
the 80/20 rule for social media success
Want to more effectively engage with your audience and stand out from the competition? Employ the 80/20 rule in your social media strategy. Post content that is...read more»
not your average outdoor advertising
A recent Adweek report highlights this year's Cannes winners in the outdoor category...and, boy, are they really out there. No longer is it enough to have...read more»
the number one thing you should be getting from your ad agency
Effective ideas. Any agency worth their salt can deliver with regards to a traditional media plan, development of a print ad campaign, or even dabble in...read more»
the Penn State brand and (un)truthfulness
One essential aspect of a strong brand is truthfulness. Clearly define what your brand stands for, then be certain that the culture of your organization clearly understands...read more»
social media is a cocktail party [infographic]
Using social media on a personal level is easy: Connect with your friends, be yourself, and share freely (or as much as makes you comfortable). But how...read more»
getting into character to create great marketing
At smith&jones, we often use the term "bringing a brand to life" to describe how a company communicates its brand values to a target consumer. In the...read more»
utilizing foursquare for your B2B
If you're familiar with Foursquare, you probably think of it as an application for consumers to check-in to brick-and-mortar businesses. Foursquare is a location-based, social networking website...read more»
format content for customer conversion: the 3-30-3 rule
Website content is one of your business' most important sales tools, but getting your audience to read it takes more than just stellar content. Think about how...read more»
social media listening: tools to guide you
Social media has changed the way brands and customers communicate. Users are talking about your product, your business, and your industry whether you are involved or not....read more»
Miami Marlins and effective brand communication
As a communications professional, I’ve spent the past 20+ years advising companies big and small how to engage more effectively with their constituents through verbal and written...read more»
10 key benefits of strategic planning
Planning is one of the most important tasks for business success. Whether you are new to the market, unveiling a new product, refocusing your brand, or...read more»
horror vacui, a.k.a. fear of white space
When creating marketing of a different color, don't forget to consider one of the most subtle of the design elements. One that can so easily make or...read more»
not your mother’s department store
JCPenney has rebranded, and they’ve done it right. As a kid, JCPenney was another department store where my mom shopped, occasionally passing along something pink and corduroy...read more»
succeed in business, Draper style #7-8
The three little words that are so hard for us to say, "I was wrong." When Don says to Peggy, “There’s not one thing you’ve done...read more»
succeed in business, Draper style #5-6
Strong leaders have clear visions ... but simply having a vision doesn’t mean much if you’re not willing to “stick to your guns” and that is something...read more»
Facebook timeline to enhance brand experience
As you may know, Facebook brand pages change over to the new timeline layout on March 30th. The change in layout is really quite drastic and, while...read more»
succeed in business, Draper style #3-4
Walk into any office and you can feel the culture. Culture is important, as we've previously discussed. As witnessed in the beginning of their new start-up, Cooper,...read more»
succeed in business, Draper style: #1-2
With season 5 of Mad Men just around the corner, we wanted to pay homage to Partner and Creative Director of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce: Don Draper....read more»
what business are you really in?
As I spent a few days on the Disney property during a recent conference, it dawned on me that while, obviously, they are in the family entertainment...read more»
the magically consistent branding of Disney
As I sit here at Disney's Grand Floridian, approximately six hours after arriving, I find myself wanting to strangle anyone else who tells me to have a...read more»
truthful brands stand out, win awards
Meryl Streep took home her third Oscar Sunday night. Recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for her performance in The Iron Lady,...read more»
to understand your brand is to look in the mirror
We spend a lot of hours helping our clients cultivate their brands. As we embark on the process, we first look inside the company to find what...read more»
six attributes of a strong brand (part 2)
One of the most important things your company needs to succeed is to carve out a distinct space in your industry. Focusing on characteristics and abilities that...read more»
one Super Bowl pooch that stood out from the pack
I have to admit it. I actually woke up this morning, not lamenting the Patriot’s loss, but instead, fantasizing about what life would be like with my very own...read more»
become the big cheese in your marketplace
Every year we try to get to a Fancy Food Show (and in a good culinary year, we get to two!). This year, while strolling through the...read more»
when mistakes happen, flawless communication a must
As the parent of a high school senior who has just lived through the not-so-pleasant college application process, I can feel the pain of the 76 ...read more»
collaborate, create, contribute.
Make a resolution for your company this year – band your talents together to benefit your community. Think about what your core competency is, what your corporate values are...read more»
six attributes of a strong brand (part 1)
As an idea agency, we are completely invested in our clients' brands. We help distill, hone and focus their brand messaging and then devise a plan to get that...read more»
use an umbrella to protect your brand
Complex media landscapes. Diverse audiences. Multiple business initiatives. These are just a few of the conditions that provide the perfect storm in which your brand could erode. That’s...read more»
make your next event more social (media, that is…)
Participating in or organizing an event is a powerful way to engage with your audience. Whether it's an office open house, a public service seminar, industry trade show or...read more»
going over-the-top to resonate with customers
The 2011 holiday ads for Target don't disappoint. If the antics of "the Christmas Champ" didn't catch your attention last year (or in 2009), they are sure to...read more»
beyond demographics part 3: creating & working with personas
Like many agencies, we often use personas to help visualize who the clients' audience is. We use demographics and as much research as we can access to round...read more»
beyond demographics part 2: zoots knows the who and why
Zoots knows its typical customer is female, very well-educated and often making more than $100,000 a year. But that’s not all. Zoots knows why their customers like them...read more»
beyond demographics part 1: understanding consumer motivations
Some people look exactly the same on paper. Same age, household income, educational level...perhaps they even live in the same neighborhood. But this is just a small part...read more»
QR codes of a different color
We're kicking off our new blog with a hot topic that we are asked about all the time. QR codes. Because this blog — marketing of a different...read more»
christine tieri | president, creative strategist at smith&jones idea agency shares ideas, insight, and inspiration to help your marketing stand up, stand out and get noticed.
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