Does the word “brag” in the headline above bother you? Does the idea of “bragging” about yourself or your brand make you uncomfortable? That’s not surprising. Many people put bragging in the same category as the “G word” (Greed). Neither is illegal, but many of us are of the opinion …
If the April Fools gag works, the benefits to the brand of a well-thought out and successful April first joke are numerous. You get publicity. The brand name is mentioned in social media and around the virtual water cooler. If done right, you can increase awareness, generate interest and revenue, …
“Leadership” is an often-used word in job descriptions and the mission statements of companies and non-profit organizations. Great leadership is usually linked to the success of the organization. That’s appropriate. But many successful people will tell you that leadership goes beyond the bottom line. Leadership is also about teaching, sharing …
By Anthony Farris and George Farris Small colleges all across America work hard to recruit new students each year. Their marketing teams set up displays at college day forums, host open house events, send direct mail to qualified prospects, post clever and inspiring billboards. They appeal to alumni to encourage …
I walked into the tiny reception area of my friend Jimmy’s office and saw the receptionist Marge at her desk. She’s a Russian immigrant in her early 80s who thinks retirement is for lazy people. Marge’s brass blonde hair is spun into an amazing beehive hairdo. We chat for a …
If you were asked to name a marketing genius, who comes to mind? Would it be Apple’s Steve Jobs, who created beautiful consumer tech and our desire to own it? How about Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, who literally changed the way the world shops? Or, SpaceX and Tesla’s Elon Musk, who …
“Never pick a fight with people who buy ink by the barrel.” is a quote often attributed to Mark Twain. It’s a warning, telling us to stay on the good side of newspaper publishers. The people who ran newspapers were powerful and could make you a hero or a reprobate …
Words of advice from George Farris, President/CEO of Farris Marketing, are cited in a popular annual list of the nation’s best marketing quotes. 365 Marketing Quotes to Keep You Fired Up All Year is published online each year by skyword.com, the leading content platform company for national brands such as Campbell’s …
George Farris, CEO of Farris Marketing teams up with his son Anthony Farris, an accomplished independent sportswriter, to discuss whether sports teams rebrand because of ethics… or money. …
What drives changes in fashion? Is it changing tastes, art, environment or functionality? Nope. Those are the consumer excuses for purchasing the new items. Most changes in fashion are generated by entrepreneurs who envision an opportunity. Looking back, the women and men who are the founders of some of these …
Who do you picture when you hear the word “disloyal?” Benedict Arnold? He accepted 10,000 pounds sterling ($2.6 million in today’s dollars) and a commission in the British army to betray the U.S.A. How about mob boss Lenny Strollo? He broke the Omertà— the Mafia code of silence — when he turned …
Marketers— whether working in-house or for an agency — rarely get to determine the marketing budget for their employer or client. Oh, we suggest, we recommend, we even put together elaborate presentations to explain why paid media are necessary to achieve the strategic goals. But in the end, the amount …
Before Steve Jobs, there was George Westinghouse. Westinghouse, who was from Pittsburgh, became a popular figure in the U.S. when his company was among the first to provide long-distance transmission of electricity. His firm demonstrated its expertise by lighting up an entire city — Great Barrington, Massachusetts — for the …
In the 2002 movie “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” the bride’s father, Gus Portokalos, would choose a word from just about every conversation and point out its Greek origin — even if it didn’t have one. “Kimono is come from Greek word himona, is mean winter. What do you wear …
Magicians have an unofficial code that prevents them from telling the public how a trick works. But the prestidigitators who stick to the code are not doing so out of some sense of honor or duty. They keep “how it’s done” under wraps because it makes good economic sense. After …
Remember waiting for a commercial break in a TV show? You could count on it hitting at a certain time in your favorite show every week. When it did, you sprinted for that snack or drink or bathroom. Sure, Clara asking “Where’s the beef?” was funny the first dozen times …
When I first became a young homeowner, there was no Google. If I needed something, I called my father. It didn’t matter if I needed a car, a refrigerator or my drain unplugged. My father, who passed seven years ago, would tell me to call a certain place and ask …
Social Media Marketing — one more marketing panacea that isn’t. Ask most small-business owners what they really think about handling their social media marketing themselves, and most will tell you they would rather do something else — anything else. Social media takes tons of time. It’s aggravating when customers complain …
“I took a marketing class when I was in college,” said the newly promoted CEO of a small Ohio-based bank. “Uh-oh,” I think, “here it comes.” He’s spent the last 21 years working on spreadsheets, payroll and policy — but he believes that one marketing class made him an expert. …
It’s time to deal with that monster hiding under your bed — online reviews. It seems like a monster because it’s powerful, unpredictable and can occasionally attack. But according to BrightLocal.com: Reviews will happen whether or not you make them a priority for your business. We live in an age …
Political divisiveness is sure getting nasty, isn’t it? American political parties punch it out on every issue — lying, cheating and seeking to cripple the competition. Well let me tell you, American politics are child’s play compared to American business. Some of America’s most recognized companies have surprising back stories. …
The recent pandemic stirred a surge of panic buying of toilet paper, resulting in empty store shelves and even a few fistfights over the few rolls that were available immediately after that. Some people called it a “shortage,” but that’s a misnomer. Americans use about three rolls a week, and …
Not long ago Starbucks in Canfield, Ohio opened its doors. The Canfield location is on Rte. 224 — the same road as the Starbucks in Boardman 5.5 miles to the east. However, you also can stop at Target or Barnes & Noble — located on Rte. 224 between the two …
Have you ever known someone who appeared to be very normal, but was involved in a very serious criminal activity? I can tell you, it’s shocking and upsetting. At least that’s how I felt when my friend Marty got involved with laundering money for a drug cartel. It seemed so …
Are you ready to watch a movie and eat some popcorn someplace other than your couch? Believe it or not, under the guidelines recently released by the White House, cinemas would be allowed to reopen in the first of three phases. As expected, it will be left largely up to governors to …
When I was 10 or 11 years old, my cousin won a local radio contest and was chosen to take a coveted ride on an elephant during the Ringling Brothers circus show at a local venue. “Why can’t I ever win a contest like that?” I complained to my mother. …
When the COVID-19 crisis winds down and you reopen, it’s not going to be “business as usual.” You’ll be starting over. Customer loyalty levels will be lower, because your customers weren’t being served. No relationships were being built or strengthened. No branding was reinforced. But if you’re ready, you can make up …
Farris Marketing produced an upbeat TV spot on a short deadline to help WRTA get critical service information out to riders and the public about their upcoming switch to offering only Countywide bus service. With a very short turnaround time, Farris had to think and work quickly while still maintaining …
What can marketers do during the COVID-19 health emergency? That’s what every marketing consultant, every member of a marketing department, and every owner, CEO or manager who directs and/or creates marketing for her organization is asking. There is no playbook for this situation, because this specific situation has never been …
Lay’s Potato Chips, part of PepsiCo, spent about $100 million on advertising in digital and national TV last year. In return, they received $1.7 billion in sales of the salty snack — making it the top player in the $8 billion potato chip market. Democrat Mike Bloomberg spent about $500 million on advertising his …
I first read Selling The Invisible, a best-selling book by marketing consultant Harry Beckwith, 20 years ago. His book illuminated the difference between selling a product and selling a service. Selling a service can be more of a challenge because you are selling the invisible. The book has become a …
Clients Joe and Mike Thomas, owners of Whistle & Keg Brewery and Beer Hall, pose with life-size cutouts created by Farris Marketing for the Youngstown, Cleveland and Columbus locations. The plaques on the cutouts explain how to access Whistle & Keg’s Mile-Long Wall of 50 Taps with WK wristbands and …
26-year old Vanessa watched the TV commercials during the 2020 Super Bowl game so she didn’t have to listen to her boyfriend complain about the lousy officiating. Many viewers watched the spots hoping to be entertained. However, most of the approximately 100 million viewers watched the spots because they didn’t …
There are few types of businesses that can trace their beginnings back as far as breweries, pubs, and taverns. Brewing beer or ale is a process that is 4-5,000 years old, according to most references. Wikipedia says: “Ale was an important source of nutrition in the medieval world. Table beer …
As a reader of this blog, you’re interested in marketing and pay attention to what’s going on in our industry. You have a good idea of what works and what doesn’t. One thing you would never, ever do is overtly stereotype gender roles in marketing you create. Your ads wouldn’t …
There are always situations when creativity isn’t needed to sell something. Maybe you own the only gas station on a 100-mile stretch of desert between Las Vegas and L.A. Perhaps you’re selling beachfront property in Florida after Brad Pitt moves in next door. Or maybe you decide to dump your …
