What I Did on My Summer Vacation

And What Publishers Can Look Forward to

Posted by Phil Johnson on 08.18.08 @ 02:08 PM

Phil Johnson

About 10 years ago, my wife persuaded me to spend most of August in Chilmark on Martha's Vineyard, a tradition that we have continued every year since. It took a little getting used to -- about 10 minutes to be exact -- but I have finally mastered the art of doing nothing for days on end.

Agency Reviews During a Recession

It Sure Is a Little Wacky Out There

Posted by Noelle Weaver on 08.15.08 @ 12:34 PM

Noelle Weaver

I don't know about you but my RSS feeds sure are depressing these days. A recent sample of news headlines told me which American cities were dying, the steep decline in retail sales, that the foreclosure rate in America has climbed to 55% in the past year, ad spending was further being cut and as a result of all of it, joblessness is up and layoffs are increasingly happening at both the corporate and agency level.

Are You a Partner or a Vendor?

Living With the V-word

Posted by Millie Olson on 08.15.08 @ 10:41 AM

Millie Olson

Recently I got a call from a major client. "We'd like to get more of our vendors certified as women-owned businesses," she said. "It will be good for both of us." I thanked her but inwardly cringed. The V-word.

10 Ways to Increase Your Marketing IQ This Summer

Take Advantage of the Dog Days of August

Posted by Marc Brownstein on 08.13.08 @ 11:57 AM

Marc Brownstein

You never know what postings will stir a strong response. I recently wrote about the importance of getting away from the office and taking vacations. I got more personal e-mails and phone calls about that posting than any one in recent memory. Truth be told, some of the inquiries were resumes. Some people figured I run my shop on a school calendar, with summers off! Not exactly, though I stand by my comments about encouraging my team to take vacations.

Buckle Up; It's Going to Be a Bumpy Ride

What You Can Do During a Recession

Posted by Bart Cleveland on 08.11.08 @ 11:58 AM

Bart Cleveland

As optimistic as I am about how well our agency is doing this year, the constant bad news from Wall Street makes me realize that my agency will be feeling the effects at some point in the near future. So in the spirit of Bette Davis, we are buckling down. That is not the equivalent of hunkering down. Buckling down means we are focusing even more intently on being what we intend to be. We are investing to expand our capabilities and refine the ones we have. We are renewing our vow to do what it takes to be the very best in this industry.

Advertising 5.0: Who Will You Be?

As Upheavals Continue, Many Could Be in for a Rude Awakening

Posted by Tom Martin on 08.01.08 @ 04:30 PM

Tom Martin

What will the world of advertising look like for small agencies in five years? More important, what will your agency look like in five years? My crystal ball says many of us are in for a rude awakening.

Everyone is saying it (or, to be more accurate, whining about it). The advertising business is in a state of upheaval. Everyone is blaming it on technology and the rapid rate of change it is causing. Hello -- it ain't the technology, folks. The technological change is simply making it easier to diagnose the real challenge. The one that has been around since the dawn of our industry but that, thankfully, we've been able to sidestep.

Promotional Items: Stash or Trash?

Sometimes the Cheap Ones Stick Around the Longest

Posted by Doug Zanger on 08.01.08 @ 11:16 AM

Doug Zanger

In cleaning out my home office this week, I came across a bunch of promotional items that have accumulated over the years. They ranged from the fairly useless (mouse pads) to the somewhat useful (pads of paper) and everything in between.

Dealing With Stage Fright

Not All of Us Were Born Into Public Speaking

Posted by Phil Johnson on 07.30.08 @ 03:32 PM

Phil Johnson

I'm writing this from United 123, on my way from Boston to San Francisco. Later today, a couple of us are going to present a new brand strategy to the executive team of a client company. I believe we've done our homework. I'm confident that the thinking and the strategy are good. We've got some beautiful work that we'll be proud to show. But I've learned that it can all fall flat if we don't engage with the audience and bring them along. Once again, it strikes me that in our business, presentation skills can make or break an agency.

Success Rarely Happens in a Comfort Zone

Push Your Clients, Your Employees and Yourself

Posted by Bart Cleveland on 07.30.08 @ 01:11 PM

Bart Cleveland

We all have a comfort zone. For example, people who make ads tend to first create the ad in a voice that appeals to the audience they know best: themselves. This makes for some interesting creative reviews when the assignment is to sell health insurance to geriatrics -- since few of us have geriatrics on staff. I remind my staff that just as a great actor can convincingly portray characters much different from himself, ad makers must be able to communicate to any audience with their voice. To succeed at this particularly difficult task, they must get out of their comfort zones.

Vacations Aren't Just for Wimps

There's No Award for 15 Years Without a Day Off

Posted by Marc Brownstein on 07.23.08 @ 01:26 PM

Marc Brownstein

I am getting ready to head off to Maine for a much-needed summer vacation. If you've never been Down East, it's a special part of the world this time of the year.

Yet as I pack my suitcase, I can't help but think of all of the people I know in advertising and public relations who pride themselves on not taking vacations. Or at least a real one that lasts more than a few days. It's true. I know a handful of colleagues who brag about their "workhorse" ethic. Some of these folks, who I believe are very talented but short-sighted, haven't been away in 15 years. They consider the rest of us who take our vacation time wimps. Can't handle 52 weeks a year without a break!