Every Consumer in ConsumerVille liked Christmas a lot, But it was rumored that Marketing — simply did NOT! ConsumerVille Leaders claimed “Marketing hates the Christmas season!” But they never said why…never gave us a reason. They said what Marketing was doing was just not right. It had a grip on …
“Our customers are different,” says a prospective client in our first meeting. If I’ve heard that once, I’ve heard it a hundred times. I’ve been told “Our customers are different” by retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, medical professionals, brokers, bakers and consultants. “Our customers are different,” says the owner of the limo …
In Cool Hand Luke, the famous 1967 film staring Paul Newman, the captain of the prison guards tells a prisoner named Luke that the sound of his chains clicking should remind him that what he was being told was for his own good. The wise-cracking Luke replies, “I wish you’d …
Most of us have been on both sides of the fence. We’ve been treated poorly — or at least with indifference — by a customer service rep, manager, retail worker or phone person. And if you’re in business, you’ve probably had the occasional upset (or maybe even unreasonable) customer to …
In this age of reality TV shows like SharkTank and viral videos on YouTube — everyone is becoming more aware of marketing. That represents a giant increase in awareness, because until about 15 years ago, most people thought marketing was a trip to the grocery store. Of course, marketing could …
It’s a very rare thing: a true story about a successful company or organization in which marketing is the recognized hero. Usually, successful organizations like to point to “getting into the market at the right time” or “answering a need” as the reason for the cash register’s continued ringing. That’s …
July is usually the hottest month of the year in Ohio. In July of 1966, I was just a kid, and it seemed especially hot. Air conditioning was still a rarity. If you wanted A/C, you went to a movie. In cars and in homes, it was practically nonexistent. But …
It’s five o’clock. You’ve had multiple text messages from friends urging you to join them for a drink at the local watering hole. You’d like to go. You could use a drink. But you also need to do some laundry tonight or you’re going to be wearing YSU sweatpants and …
I like being alone sometimes. I’m not a hermit or a monk. But I could be Elton John’s Rocket Man or the guy that does a solo crossing of the ocean. Of course I want to come to back to civilization, but I don’t mind leaving for a good stretch. …
I drink a lot of coffee. So I have those Keurig coffee machines at home and in the office. I’d have one in my car but I’m pretty sure K-Cupping would be more distracting than texting. You know how it works. You just put your cup underneath the spout, press …
American’s love dogs. More than 83 million of our four-legged friends call the U.S. their home. Well, they would if they could talk. The percentage of U.S. households with dogs has tripled since the 1970s. According to the American Pet Products Association, 47 percent of American households now own at least one dog. …
“Scott, did you murder your wife?” shouted the reporter. Scott Peterson ignored the question and hurried to his car. Rumors started to surface that he was going to be arrested and he didn’t want to answer questions. Most business owners and executives will never face a scenario like Scott Peterson, …
If you want the best chance of being successful at social media marketing, you need to first understand and acknowledge that you’re using social media as a tool. This is work, not play. It will take time and effort. That’s not to say you can’t have fun with it, or …
Your brand is not your product, service or company. Your brand is how people recognize your product, service or company and what they think about it. Branding is a function of marketing. And let’s face it, the super brands usually become super brands because of their marketing. A super brand …
Your business is not special. I’m sorry if that hurts your feelings, but it’s not. I don’t care how many people you employ, how long you’ve been in business or how many awards you’ve received from Rotary or your trade association. Consider these facts: According to SBA.gov, there are 23 …
We decided to have a little fun with the print advertising that we place in The Business Journal to bring attention to an issue that is slipping by many organizations. A large portion of the people that view the organization’s website are viewing it on a cell phone or tablet. Both …
“What kind of animal is this?” asks my 2 1/2 year-old grandson Nico. He and his one-year-old sister Ava are sitting on my lap while we’re reading a children’s animal book. Nico is pointing to the photo of a strange-looking creature. “That’s a platypus.” I say after double-checking the caption. …
For more than three decades, they have been known as MVEDC. But they were not known by many and even fewer knew what services they offered. That’s a shame because they do important work. The Mahoning Valley Economic Development Corporation is a partnership of public and private interests focused on …
Could your organization continue marketing its products or services during the annual 24-hour “Digital Detox” known as The National Day of Unplugging? Maybe the question is “Should you?” Would your efforts be effective without electronic and digital media? This year’s event started Friday, March 7 at sundown and ended at …
OK, everybody sing along with me to the tune of “The Locomotion.” (Check YouTube if you want to hear it.) Everybody’s doing a brand new thing now Come on baby, do some Social Media I know you’ll get to like it if you give it a chance now Come on …
Were the 2014 SuperBowl mistakes or money makers? There were plenty of both. None of the spots hit it out of the ballpark like the first E-Trade baby spots, but everyone had favorites. A good TV spot should stand out, connect with the audience and have some call to action …
