Blog

Beeps and Bounces: How Important Are They?

Beep. Beep. Beep. There it is again. That faint, tinny-sounding noise. Beep. Beep. Beep. It’s difficult to hear because oxygen deficit is causing my ears to ring. I’m “sucking wind,” and my labored breathing is the sound I hear the loudest. Beep. Beep. Beep. It’s my heart rate monitor telling …

Video Killed the Radio Star… But Brings Marketing to Life

It was a Friday night (technically, Saturday morning) at one minute past midnight on August 1st, 1981 when MTV (Music Television), a new cable channel, debuted its first music video. The first video featured the song “Video Killed the Radio Star” by a British New Wave duo called The Buggles. …

How to Write Like Lincoln

This column contains about 600 words. I would prefer it was only about 350 words. That’s because I can cover most of the relevant points I have to make on just about any subject in about 350 words. After that, my concentration and my writing gets kind of weak. Don’t …

Healthcare Learns Customer Service Is Good Marketing

The first time I was behind bars I was terrified. I didn’t believe I belonged there. I wanted out. “Wait, wait! Come back!” I yelled as I watched my loved ones walk away. Pretty tough situation for a five-year-old. No, I wasn’t some pint-sized Mafia kingpin. I had rheumatic fever …

The Spy, The Barista, T-Mobile Girl and Me

Get Your Point Across with Creativity FADE IN: INTERIOR, COFFEE CAFE — DAY The cafe, located inside the bookstore in a suburb of Ohio, called Boardman, is nearly empty. GEORGE, a professional marketing consultant, is the only customer. He’s sitting at a table by the window. Laptop open. Staring at a blank screen. …

Carmstrong: You can have Lance… I’ll take Carmine

Until recently, millions of us held a guy who wore yellow Spandex in high esteem. He beat the odds and won the Tour de France a record seven times. He rode his custom-built bicycle to championships in exotic locations all over the world. But consider Carmine Cassese, owner of Cassese’s …

An Image. A Story. A Connection

I looked across the dance floor of the typical large Youngstown-style wedding reception. Past the cookie table that is so unique to our area. Among the men and women in suits and gowns is a young male Marine, maybe 27 or 28 years old. About the same age as one …

Want to Sell More? Smile More

The Science of Smiling and Sales “I don’t really enjoy coming here.” said the bank customer. “What makes you feel that way?” I asked. “I don’t know,” she replied. “I guess it’s because the people never smile.” The customer I was speaking with was one of many we were interviewing …