QC Biz Journal column: Planning and Executing Effective Public Relations

by Ann McGlynn - Public relations director Comments (0)

An effective public relations plan starts with setting your goal, identifying the specific objectives to achieve that goal, and then choosing the general strategies and specific tactics that will get you there.

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Tags: public relations, plan

Make the Most of Your Marketing Budget

by Nancy Nehlsen - Owner Comments (0)

One of the best things you can do for your business this year, if you haven’t already done so, is to have a pen-to-paper, real-live, strategy-filled marketing and public relations plan. A plan is all about building presence. Our great history makers talk about them. “It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

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Tags: marketing, strategy, public relations, plan

More is (measurably) better with web updates

by Brian Oster - Business Development Comments (0)

Business websites are long past the principle of “build it and they will come.” It is vital to engage the viewer, to be interactive. That engagement can have immediate, measurable results.

Read the rest of "More is (measurably) better with web updates"

Tags: website updates, small business, traffic

Safety with a Laugh and a Smile

by Brian Oster - Business Development Comments (0)

Safety messages can be horribly boring. Eye protection, job site rules, workplace harassment and machinery precautions do not make for riveting copy -- usually. But what if safety messages were crafted into movie posters, drawn as a Superhero comic, or morphed into game show format?

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Tags: graphic design, non-traditional marketing

The Case for Google Places

by Brian Oster - Business Development Comments (1)

There are many “business listing” websites available to list your company, claim your page and draw people to your business. However, there are so many of these sites available it may be overwhelming for business owners to know where to start. Don’t let that deter you from doing anything at all.

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Tags: B2B, B2C, business, trends

The Land of Misfit Brands

by Ann McGlynn - Public Relations Manager Comments (2)

Businesses today must choose the message they want to convey with their name, logo, slogan, marketing, web site, public relations, social media. Are you fun? Trustworthy? Inexpensive? Your brand must carry through everything you do, so your name doesn’t end up on a proverbial New York City auction block.

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Tags: brand identity, integrated marketing

Not Just Handshakes Anymore: Building Thriving Business Relationships Online

by Ann McGlynn - Public Relations Manager Comments (0)

Is Facebook taking over face-to-face meetings? If you want to create a link with your client, must you be on LinkedIn? Must you be all atweet on Twitter? The vast quantity of social media options can leave a business owner’s head spinning. But, think of it this way: Social media is just like the good old-fashioned handshake. Social media builds relationships.

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Tags: business, social media

Google’s Gmail Priority Inbox: Business Application

by Brian Oster - Business Development Comments (0)

Businesses that market directly to consumers will want to know the business application for Google's Gmail Priority Inbox. Don't let your emails get demoted. Ensure your emails stand out. More specifically, for the millions of Gmail users, businesses need to give recipients very compelling reasons to open and reply to their emails.

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Tags: business, B2C, email marketing

500 Million Facebook Fans: Business Application

by Brian Oster - Business Development Comments (0)

Facebook for Business? What is the business application for Facebook reaching 500 million users? We are rolling out a new blog series discussing what the impact of current events have on marketing your business.

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Tags: facebook, social media, viral marketing

I AM A WOMAN, and I Own the Business

by Nancy Nehlsen - Owner Comments (0)

Nehlsen Communications has been a woman-owned business since the days of writing radio and TV scripts from her kitchen table in 1972. Nancy finally decided it was time to be recognized as a woman-owned business.

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Tags: personal branding, brand identity

4th of July Fireworks

by Woody Perkins Comments (0)

4th of July fireworks are always fun – and always fun to photograph.

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Tags: photography

Producing Effective Web Video - Part 2

by Guest Blogger, Geoff Kelly of Pic Two Comments (0)

Video on the web. It isn't just the world's greatest time-suck anymore (I mean who doesn't want to watch "David after Dentist" for the hundredth time?) More and more companies are using videos on their websites as a way to engage their customers. In part 1 of Producing Effective Web Video we'll take a look at pre-production and what goes into preparing a successful video project.

Read the rest of "Producing Effective Web Video - Part 2"

Tags: video, marketing, web development

Producing Effective Web Video - Part 1

by Guest Blogger, Geoff Kelly of Pic Two Comments (0)

Tags: video, marketing, web development

How Do You Build a Personal Brand?

by Nancy Nehlsen - Owner Comments (0)

A personal brand isn’t something you just create out of thin air. It’s something you have already, whether you know it or not. So to start your personal branding campaign you have to be brutally honest about who you are.

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Tags: personal branding

News Releases VS. Media Advisories

by Nehlsen Staff Comments (0)

Two of a public relations specialist’s best tools are the news release and the media advisory. Because both are used to convey client information to the media, business associates often ask, “What’s the difference”?

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Tags: public relations

Social Media Stampede

by Brian Oster - Business Development Comments (0)

Where did this social media stampede come from? Twitter’s 105 million registered users, Facebook’s 400 million active users, and more than 140 million unique visitors each month from the U.S. alone. Is your business there yet?

Read the rest of "Social Media Stampede"

Tags: social media, youtube, business, facebook, twitter

Customer Service Outside of Your Screen

by Theresa Bowman - Project Manager Comments (0)

It’s important to remember that as efficient as our technological advancements have made us, they can’t replace an old-fashioned hand shake or smile when greeting our clients. Providing customer service to a client, or at least good customer service, should involve more than quality work.

Read the rest of "Customer Service Outside of Your Screen"

Tags: customer service

Does Your Website Say it ALL?

by Mary Kellenberger - Account Executive Comments (0)

Does your organization’s website provide what your potential customer is looking for? Employees may be stifled by their own internal knowledge of what is really important, or the agency developing a website may not ask the right questions.

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Tags: advertising, web design

Are You Missing the Right Ad Space?

by Brian Oster - Business Development Comments (3)

Virtually anything anywhere can be used for advertising purposes. Are you missing out on the right advertising space for your organization? Brainstorm with us or share your best ad space success here!

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Tags: advertising, non-traditional marketing, social media

Don't Get Left Behind

by Nehlsen Staff Comments (0)

No matter our industry, we all strive to be trendsetters, but simply staying current on industry trends can be a challenge in and of itself; and while it requires a commitment of both time and resources, the cost of not doing so can be detrimental to your company’s future success.

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Tags: trends, twitter, marketing

Five Steps to Greater Business Growth

by Nancy Nehlsen - Owner Comments (0)

Successful companies never get complacent when it comes to increasing business. In good times and in bad, business development must be an ongoing priority. Here is a five-point plan to help your business to grow without a huge investment of time or money.

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Tags: marketing, business

What is Guerrilla Marketing?

by Nehlsen Staff Comments (0)

Using unexpected and unconventional methods to get your marketing message seen.

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Tags: non-traditional marketing

The Power of RAW

by Nehlsen Staff Comments (2)

As I look through photo albums from Flickr or Facebook I am amazed at how smart our cameras have become. For less than $200 you can get a camera that figures out all of the settings in a matter of seconds. In the past, that would have taken a professional using a film camera hours to set up with professional lighting, and at least a dozen trial photos to get the same results.

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Tags: graphic design, photography

Does Your Organization Need a Brand?

by Brian Oster - Business Development Comments (2)

Volvo’s brand is its promise of safety and security. Disney stands for family fun. Wheaties is the breakfast of champions. Many companies today have a brand, but you may not see the need to brand your organization.

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Tags: brand identity, business, marketing

It's the Right Thing To Do

by Nancy Nehlsen - Owner Comments (1)

We are so fortunate to have clients we really like doing business with. Our clients are truly good people trying to make a difference in the world. Marketing is more fun when there’s a purpose and passion behind the work instead of simply a desire to make money.

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Tags: integrated marketing, radio, video, charity, youtube

Rebranding: Being our own Client

by Nehlsen Staff Comments (0)

We’ve talked about the importance of brand evolution, but it wasn’t until our recent Gold ADDY award that we thought to showcase our own rebranding campaign as an example.

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Tags: brand identity, integrated marketing

2010 Quad Cities ADDY Awards

by Nehlsen Staff Comments (0)

Nehlsen Communications attended the 2010 Quad City ADDY Awards last night to celebrate the most creative and effective advertising achievements over the last year. We were delighted to walk away with a Gold, Silver, and Bronze award for our innovative work submitted -- we really do have a great team at Nehlsen, and it was nice to be recognized for the work we do together.

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Tags: Awards, integrated marketing, web design, graphic design

Broken Links mean Business

by Mary Kellenberger - Account Executive Comments (2)

If you don’t venture out much beyond Facebook and YouTube, you may not encounter the problem of broken links. However, broken and misdirected links are still an issue for many organizations and their web sites, even in this tech-savvy world today.

Read the rest of "Broken Links mean Business"

Tags: web development, business

Social Media 101 for Small Businesses - Part Six

by Lee Brinckley - Web Marketing Director Comments (0)

Part six of the six-part presentation given by Lee Brinckley at the Bettendorf Chamber of Commerce "Knowledge at Noon" on November 3, 2009

Read the rest of "Social Media 101 for Small Businesses - Part Six"

Tags: social media, business, marketing

Social Media 101 for Small Businesses - Part Five

by Lee Brinckley - Web Marketing Director Comments (0)

Part Five of the presentation given by Lee Brinckley at the Bettendorf Chamber of Commerce "Knowledge at Noon" on November 3, 2009

Read the rest of "Social Media 101 for Small Businesses - Part Five"

Tags: social media, business, marketing

Social Media 101 for Small Businesses - Part Four

by Lee Brinckley - Web Marketing Director Comments (0)

Part Four of the presentation given by Lee Brinckley at the Bettendorf Chamber of Commerce "Knowledge at Noon" on November 3, 2009

Read the rest of "Social Media 101 for Small Businesses - Part Four"

Tags: social media, business, marketing

Social Media 101 for Small Businesses - Part Three

by Lee Brinckley - Web Marketing Director Comments (0)

Part Three of the presentation given by Lee Brinckley at the Bettendorf Chamber of Commerce "Knowledge at Noon" on November 3, 2009

Read the rest of "Social Media 101 for Small Businesses - Part Three"

Tags: social media, business, marketing

Social Media 101 for Small Businesses - Part Two

by Lee Brinckley - Web Marketing Director Comments (0)

Part Two of the presentation given by Lee Brinckley at the Bettendorf Chamber of Commerce "Knowledge at Noon" on November 3, 2009

Read the rest of "Social Media 101 for Small Businesses - Part Two"

Tags: social media, business, marketing

Social Media 101 for Small Businesses – Part One

by Lee Brinckley - Web Marketing Director Comments (2)

Recently, I spoke at the Bettendorf Chamber of Commerce “Knowledge at Noon” on the subject of using social media for business (Social Media 101). It was the highest attendance for the chamber event with over 50 attendees. I made several new connections and met some wonderful people.

Read the rest of "Social Media 101 for Small Businesses – Part One"

Tags: social media, youtube, business, facebook, twitter

2010 - The Year to Give Back

by Nancy Nehlsen - Owner Comments (0)

I have a great staff! Not only are they all extremely talented in their various creative fields, they are like family to me. For Christmas they didn’t get me a Montblanc pen or a clock for my desk – they gave me an oversized check for $150 to donate to my favorite charity, K9 Kindness Rescue.

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Tags: charity

Tchotchkes can help your tradeshow message spread virally

by Nehlsen Staff Comments (0)

We all know that a funny video can spread faster than a California wildfire, but how can we get similar results with a tradeshow message?

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Tags: tradeshow, viral marketing

A MINI Head Turner

by Nehlsen Staff Comments (0)

When was the last time that you stopped walking with your child, both turned around to get a closer look at an ad?

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Tags: non-traditional marketing, viral marketing, advertising

Observation - Photo Sharing

by Nehlsen Staff Comments (1)

Over the holiday break, I made an observation. While waiting to see Santa with my two year old, I noticed a number of parents and grandparents, also waiting in line, showing pictures of their other kids/grandkids on their various mobile devices –smart phones, camera phones, and even some iPods.

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Tags: social media, photography, facebook

For the best photos of children and animals – get on their level

by Woody Perkins - CFO Comments (0)

I began my career at Nehlsen Communications as the company photographer and videographer; that experience gave me insight into the importance of composition.

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Tags: photography

Still Plenty of Life Left in News Releases

by Nehlsen Staff Comments (0)

Despite public relations publications and media mavens declaring the news release an outdated communications tool that will soon be extinct, a recent poll of media professionals by MediaPost found that 49 percent of PR professionals found the news release “as useful as ever”. I couldn’t agree more.

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Tags: public relations

The Wisdom of David Ogilvy Is Timeless

by Nancy Nehlsen, Owner Comments (0)

David Ogilvy who has been called "The Father of Advertising" gives timeless wisdom in his book, Confessions of an Advertising Man.

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Tags: marketing

Atomic Fireball + Slo Poke

by Lee Brinckley, Web Marketing Director Comments (0)

What do you get when you put Atomic Fireballs and Slo Pokes together?

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Tags: non-traditional marketing, direct mail, marketing

Where are we going? How do we get there?

by Nancy Nehlsen, Owner Comments (0)

Where are we going? How do we get there? That was the theme we gave this year’s MCA Business Conference in Cancun. Through the knowledge of expert speakers, and limitless networking opportunities, those questions for the mechanical construction industry were answered in a beautiful, tropical setting.

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Tags: business, marketing

The Beauty of Integrated Marketing

by Lee Brinckley, Web Marketing Director Comments (0)

The beauty of integrated marketing campaigns is the creative power and flexibility to build brand awareness and consistency. It can take form across different media like print, web, video and guerrilla marketing. It can also take form through different platforms in one media.

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Tags: integrated marketing, web design, social media

Conforming Social Media to your Brand

by Lee Brinckley, Web Marketing Director Comments (0)

With the rising popularity of social media, many businesses have started using platforms like Twitter, Facebook and blogs to promote their product and services, but you will find, many times, there is no consistency between the look of each platform. Information on each platform may be wonderful, but there is a disconnect between them visually or even with general information. Brand consistency has been neglected.

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Tags: social media, brand identity

Photos: "Social Media 101 for Businesses" Presentation

by Lee Brinckley, Web Marketing Director Comments (0)

Each month the Bettendorf Chamber of Commerce puts on the "Knowledge at Noon". On November 3, 2009, Nehlsen Communications gave a presentation to over 50 business professionals. We saw representatives from financial institutions, casinos, schools and colleges, engineering companies and contractors.

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Tags: social media, marketing, business, photography

How do I use social media for my business?

by Lee Brinckley - Web Marketing Director Comments (2)

Lee, our web marketing director, will be giving a presentation on using social media for small businesses on November 3rd at the Bettendorf Library through the Bettendorf Chamber of Commerce “Knowledge at Noon” series. He will define what social media is in layman’s terms and how to get started.

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Tags: social media

How SMART are you?

by Jayna Gallagher - Special Assistant to the President Comments (0)

At Nehlsen Communications we try to make goal setting for ourselves, and our clients, the first step when implementing any new campaign, strategy or plan. As part of the HR team, I’ve learned simple strategies that make goal setting easier for our clients, and for our staff. We use the SMART goal system: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely. Following are some helpful tips...

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Tags: strategy, business, marketing

Jumping on the Social Media Merry-Go-Round

by Lee Brinckley, Web Marketing Director Comments (0)

Social media is everywhere! Besides the obvious (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, etc.), there seems to be a social media site (or sites) for everything. There are sites for runners (Athlinks), mothers (CafeMom), artists (DeviantArt), gamers (GamerDNA), Christians (MyChurch), book lovers (LibraryThing) and the list goes on.

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Tags: social media, twitter, facebook

Roots and Growth

by Lee Brinckley - Web Marketing Director Comments (0)

In an earlier blog post, Jason talks about brand evolution as necessary and a natural progression in the life of a business. Well…I suppose you could say that we practiced what we preached.

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Tags: brand identity, green, non-traditional marketing

A Designer’s “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” Syndrome

by Lee Brinckley - Web Marketing Director Comments (2)

So you have a great graphic designer who consistently creates creative, well-designed ads and brochures for you. Stands to reason he can do great websites, too – right? When you mentioned web design he said he could do it! Why wouldn’t you have all the confidence in the world that you’ll get a great looking, fully-functioning site?

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Tags: graphic design, web design, integrated marketing, web development, strategy

SEO: An Ongoing Process

by Lee Brinckley - Web Marketing Director Comments (0)

When consulting with clients about a website design or web marketing strategy, Search Engine Optimization is always a part of the conversation. In the course of the meeting, I usually have to debunk the myth that “SEO is a one-time deal”. Clients are often surprised when I lay out the plan and it doesn’t have a project ending date…because, well, it is not a project.

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Tags: seo, web development

Homeless Pets and Viral Marketing

by Nancy Nehlsen, Owner Comments (0)

This morning I got word from one of my favorite charities, K9 Kindness, that our vet bill from spaying, neutering and emergency care for our rescue animals had reached $5,695.06. Our checking account balance had dwindled to $1,597.47. Although I have made it a practice not to impose upon friends for contributions, this was a crucial need, and K9 Kindness does an awesome job of helping dogs that have been abandoned, abused or separated from their owners due to financial crisis or health issues. So, I quickly sent out a personal plea to animal lovers on my email list asking them to send $5 or $10 to K9 Kindness Rescue, Inc.

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Tags: viral marketing, marketing

Fearless Business Growth

by (courtesy of) Ruhl Business Comments (0)

ARE YOU BECOMING a "shrinking violet" in this economic downturn? Do you find yourself controlled by a "wait-and-see" attitude, hoping the future will magically get better? Do you realize that, if you don't put the brakes on this no-win thinking soon, the rest of 2009 will be more of the same or worse?

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Tags: business, marketing

Choosing a Marketing/PR Firm

by Nancy Nehlsen, Owner Comments (0)

Marketing firms are not created equal, and neither are the customers who use them. It’s as important for us to have clients that are right for us as it is for them to have a marketing firm who can actually achieve their goals. How do you know which firm is right for you?

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Tags: marketing, public relations

Applying Eye Shadow to Your Marketing Efforts

by Nancy Nehlsen, Owner Comments (0)

I approached the makeup counter at the local department store in my usual distracted state. I was startled when the young girl behind the counter greeted me by name. I stared at her with a look of utter bewilderment, trying to remember...

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Tags: customer service, marketing

The Challenge with Direct Mail

by Nehlsen Staff Comments (0)

The challenge with direct mail is getting the right information to the right person. If you’re sending unwelcome or irrelevant information to an unqualified list, save yourself the time and simply flush your marketing budget down the toilet.

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Tags: direct mail, graphic design, integrated marketing

The Importance of Brand Evolution

by Nehlsen Staff Comments (0)

We see it every now-and-then -- a major brand or company gives their logo a makeover, or in some cases, a complete overhaul (you have probably seen it most recently with Pepsi’s logo redesign, earlier this year).

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Tags: graphic design, brand identity, marketing

Raster Logos – A Recipe for Disaster

by Nehlsen Staff Comments (0)

A frequent design issue, when dealing with printed pieces, is that of pixelated artwork -- most commonly, a client’s logo. Providing your designer with the proper files can save everybody time and money.

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Tags: graphic design

MODx: My Content Management System of Choice

by Lee Brinckley, Web Marketing Director Comments (0)

Made in MODx When I came to Nehlsen Communications, one of my top priorities was to take a look at ways to make web development more efficient and flexible while maintaining high levels of quality in user-friendliness, search engine optimization (SEO), and other website standards.

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Tags: cms, web development, seo, vocabulary

The UA is a Hit at Camp Pendleton

by Nancy Nehlsen Comments (0)

I just returned from Camp Pendleton, where I attended the Marine UA VIP graduation. What a fabulous event! Our client, the United Association of Plumbers, Fitters and HVAC Service Technicians, created an accelerated welding program to train veterans and place them in jobs quickly when they return from active duty.

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Tags: integrated marketing, youtube

I can’t wait for the next 37 years

by Nancy Nehlsen Comments (0)

Things have changed a bit since I started this business in 1972. We didn’t have computers then. We had a Corolla and carbon paper, which meant you never had a clean copy of any document you gave a client...

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Tags: marketing, strategy

Adscape-Breaking Strategy

by Nehlsen Staff Comments (0)

Strategy is the workhorse behind any effective communication, be it a tri-fold brochure or a full-on integrated marketing campaign. And while design and content help establish tone, and is many times what attracts the target to the message, if the strategy isn’t breakout, results will not be driven and the piece fails to effectively communicate its message...

Read the rest of "Adscape-Breaking Strategy"

Tags: advertising, social media, non-traditional marketing

Most Recent

QC Biz Journal column: Planning and Executing Effective Public Relations
by Ann McGlynn - Public relations director

Make the Most of Your Marketing Budget
by Nancy Nehlsen - Owner

More is (measurably) better with web updates
by Brian Oster - Business Development

Safety with a Laugh and a Smile
by Brian Oster - Business Development

The Case for Google Places
by Brian Oster - Business Development

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