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Let's Talk About Stuff.
Our Blog
Our goal in posting our blogs is three fold: To introduce timely industry news that is relevant to our clients; to post items we find interesting and entertaining, and finally, to give you a glimpse of TSW US “Behind the Curtain”. We take the business aspects of what we are doing very seriously, but we like to have fun, hopefully that shines through here.
Our Blog is a puzzle being assembled. Sometimes the individual pieces of the puzzle don’t look like the whole picture once completed – You have to keep adding pieces one at a time to make the image clear. We hope you keep coming back to see how the TSW US puzzle takes shape.
Wit and Wisdom Wednesday - Guillemets on Goals
Setting a goal is important with any plan. However, it is the constant strives and dedication that make any goal possible. To reach your long-term goals, you must focus on the now and create short-term goals to further yourself to success. This is a prominent ideal within our company.
Here at The Specialist Works US, understanding goals is important. Our core philosophy states we will treat each client like our partner, strive to understand their long term goals, and spend time and effort to create tailored solutions that work. This is a promise based off goal-setting. We take the time to truly understand what it is our client wants as a result and we take the now steps to achieve it. A mountain is not climbed quickly, but with time and hard work you will get to the top.
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - Susan B. Anthony
It is International Womans Day, and it is also Wit & Wisdom Wednesday. Handy! Today we have decided to post an insightful comment from Susan B. Anthony. As a woman in business, I have been an employee, a partner, and an outright owner. I have always believed that the above quote rings true. Prove yourself as a person, not as a woman. Respect is earned, not handed to you. I am proud of my team of both men and women at TSWUS. I hope that as their team leader they know that there is not only no gender bias, but there is no limit to what they can achieve if they put in the effort.
Instagram For Brands
Theres a noticeable trend in advertising from Twitter to Instagram for brands? We at i-transact recognize this because, ya know, were cool like that. Maybe its a USA thing. Maybe its the organic, human-made feel that Instagram content seems to have compared to the more complex, curt, robotic nature of Twitter. Its really incredible to see just how many brands are coming alive to the Instagram stage! Even more traditional brands have taken to the simplistic approach that IG facilitates. Twitter is still the original brand/content pusher but we at i-transact would like to recognize IG for its commitment to mere photography and text. Thats it! Maybe words and images are enough to produce a good, branded message. Other Instagram Apps like Boomerang (playing a moment over and over and over again) also retain the same simplicity that IG is known for. Its fascinating that brands are finding so much integrated yet authentic advertising space on Instagram with palatable images readers can relate to. Its almost as if other humans actually control these pages. Great job, Insta!
Cocktail Friday: Carnival Punch
Its Cocktail Friday here at The Specialist Works US and while Mardi Gras might have occurred earlier this week, we are continuing the celebration with some Carnival Punch. It is no wonder the recipe for Carnival Punch earns itself a top position on many different Mardi Gras Cocktail lists. With its vibrant color and tropical taste, it falls high on our list of cocktails as well.
The Carnival Punch cocktail markets itself in relation to Mardi Gras. This is a great example of how the advertising world works! One concept can certainly tie back to another. Celebrations and drinks can go hand-in-hand, as can companies and advertising. While its just as important to value vibrant colors and unique flavors in a drink, its equally important to use vibrant aspects in an ad as well.
Want to make this cocktail for a Mardi Gras celebration, a fun afternoon with your coworkers, or just for a party of one?
Ingredients:
1.5 ounces pineapple infused vodka
1/2 ounce PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur
1/4 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
Ginger beer as needed
Lime twist for garnish
Preparation: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice then add the vodka, PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur, and lemon juice and shake well. Strain over ice into a rocks glass, top with the ginger beer and garnish with the lime twist.
The Story of Team Texas
It all started with a plan: simple, easy to accomplish goals.
Step 1. Introduce Transactional Media to the US Market (and make it SEXY).
Step 2. Win big new contracts
Step 3. World Domination!
So we began building Team Texas. Yeehaw!
With just 3 people, i-Transact Media may be small now but we're not alone in the US.
We've got a fantastic team in Atlanta and across the globe supporting us in our goals.
After meeting up with our Atlanta friends, it was time to start the adventure!
We were off to introduce ourselves to our partners across the pond, i-transact UK.
It was like the movie, "Planes, Trains and Automobiles." We had some minor transportation snafus.
This didn't bother or irritate us at all after 30 solid hours of traveling. : - )
But the UK folks were extremely welcoming immediately throwing us a party at noon their time!
There was even food and alcoholic beverages like some sort of buzzing paradise. Or maybe it was just the sleep deprivation.
Exhausted and jetlagged, we had the time of our lives meeting so many amazing advertising professionals.
We had a blast! We even tried to smuggle a few of our British buddies back to the US with us.
Alas, it was time to go home...
Then we quickly realized we didn't yet have a work home! We scrambled to sign a lease, get an office and get started!
We literally started logging on daily with our laptops in Rob (President of i-transact, US)'s garage.
After what felt like an eternity (about a week), we got the keys to our renovated warehouse/loft studio office in downtown Houston!
Then it was moving day and with a lot of blood, sweat and tears things finally started coming together.
They say everything's bigger in Texas... hopefully it's big enough for us!
"Houston, we are go for launch!"
Fortune of the Day - March 1st
40 Days of Giving
Laissez les bons temps rouler - It is Mardis Gras!
According to History.com, " Many historians believe that the first American Mardi Gras took place on March 3, 1699, when the French explorers Iberville and Bienville landed in what is now Louisiana, just south of the holidays future epicenter: New Orleans. They held a small celebration and dubbed the spot Point du Mardi Gras. In the decades that followed, New Orleans and other French settlements began marking the holiday with street parties, masked balls and lavish dinners. When the Spanish took control of New Orleans, however, they abolished these rowdy rituals, and the bans remained in force until Louisiana became a U.S. state in 1812.
Louisiana is the only state in which Mardi Gras is a legal holiday."
Mardi Gras, and it's unique relationship to Louisiana, is a great example of how culturally different the US is from region to region. Advertising to New York and to New Orleans isn't apples to apples. If that is the approach it won't resonate for both audiences. Response patterns, collections issues, offer sensitivity and imagery may all need to be adjusted depending on the geographic and demographic targets you are trying to reach.
Cocktail Friday: Margaritas!
The classic margarita was invented during the 1930s or 1940s in Mexico. There are many different theories of when and how exactly the recipe was created, but no matter the case we are thankful it came to be! Frozen margaritas were later invented in the 1970s in Dallas when a bartender converted a soft serve ice cream unit into a frozen margarita machine. Whether you prefer a classic margarita on the rocks, straight up, or frozen, its the most common tequila-based cocktail in the United States today.
The day is meant for friendships and fun. Its Friday! Grab your co-workers and enjoy a nice cold margarita over delightful conversation to kick-start the weekend.
Want to make your own to celebrate?
Ingredients:
3.5 cL (7 parts) tequila
2 cL (4 parts) Triple Sec
1.5 cL (3 parts) lime juice
Preparation: Rub the rim of the glass with the lime slice to make the salt stick to it. The salt should stay on the rim and never mix into the cocktail. Shake the other ingredients with ice, then carefully pour into the glass.
Throwback Thursday - Dairy Queen
The first Dairy Queen logo was simply the company wordmark on a blue background. Signs at DQ locations also added an image of their signature soft-serve cone. Both can be seen in this image and it is even said for customers to stop at the sign of the cone with the curl on top. This ad embodies the 1950s vibe because lets be honest, ice cream and milkshakes were huge. It is also apparent that Dairy Queen was effective in this approach because today there are more than 6,400 stores in more than 25 countries.