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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.
Cocktail Friday Gilding the Lily
06/13/2014
The gilded transfer on this cocktail shaker was someone’s idea of adding “pizazz” to a functional item. Sometimes I wonder if adding more is just “gilding the lily?” In advertising, there is a lot of “lily gilding.” Don’t get seduced by the bells and whistles when what matters is ROI. But don’t walk away from something because of it either. The shaker is still fully functional even with the decorative additions, and many media – if you peel back the “gilding” of their sales collateral – are strong performers when well negotiated. #CocktailFriday
Throwback Thursday Driving with Hitler
06/12/2014
Check out this World War II poster encouraging Americans to conserve fuel. Could we get away with this today? Which campaigns you have seen in the past few years that pushed the envelope? #ThrowbackThursday
Happy Holiday Father's Day
06/09/2014
With Father’s Day around the corner, I have been reminded of the valuable business lessons my father taught me. They weren't business lessons at the time, but rather character lessons that I now try to employ in my business life. There are some real gems among them (some not repeatable outside of the family).Of all of the core business values I learned at my dad’s knee, the one that has always resonated most with me as a manager of people was the following: “Kelly Danielle, you don’t need everyone to like you and be your friend, but you do need everyone to know that you are fair.”As a business owner, I often think of a 3x3 resin square that sat on his desk with a quote that read, “The world isn't interested in the storms you encountered, but whether or not you brought in the ship.”My father was dedicated to his job, but even more so to his family. He raised, educated and loved us. He gifted us his values, both business and otherwise.Thanks for everything, Dad!
Cocktail Friday Seasonal Swings
06/06/2014
It's #CocktailFriday! Seasonal swings can make it feel like your whole business is “on the rocks." Sometimes taking a deep breath, along with a sip of your favorite cocktail can help give you the perspective you need to move forward without fear.To avoid feeling as though you're "on the rocks," it is imperative to look at how business was this time last year. Then, compare results based on the time of year and note swings that typically occur so that you can anticipate these swings rather than react when they happen. Happy Friday!
D-Day - Business Lessons from The Greatest Generation
06/06/2014
"On June 6, 1944, also known as D-Day, some 156,000 American, British and Canadian forces landed on five beaches along a 50-mile stretch of the heavily fortified coast of France’s Normandy region. The invasion was one of the largest amphibious military assaults in history and required extensive planning. By late August 1944, all of northern France had been liberated, and by the following spring the Allies had defeated theGermans" (http://bit.ly/LQKAuH)."The beginning of the end of war in Europe” was a success because it was expertly planned. The plan was thought through, the costs anticipated, and once the plan was set, the leadership never wavered from pursuing the direction outlined.We are fortunate today to be able to succeed and fail in business largely because of the success of the D-Day campaign. The fact that it is a valuable business lesson in and of itself is an added bonus.What can we learn from D-Day in the business world? Plan, anticipate the costs, both financial and otherwise, communicate the plan with precision, don’t flinch from the short term pain, and you will succeed.God Bless America, where we are free to try and fail, and try again and succeed. We salute those who have served in our armed forces and sincerely thank you for your service.
Throwback Thursday Too Skinny Ad
06/05/2014
At Elarbee Media, we certainly appreciate curves on a woman! Today's#ThrowbackThursday ads show just how different mid-century ideals were versus today's beauty standards. Back then, being too skinny was a problem that women worried about, and Wate-On was there to help them achieve the “glamorous curves” of “popular” girls. What do you think of these ads? Are there any products for women who think they are too skinny today?
Continued Business Editing
06/04/2014
An update on the peach harvest and the importance of continued business editing:After resurrecting our peach trees through aggressive pruning, I realized that I had also created a strong parallel for my business practices. By editing out the “dead” wood and cutting back the branches that were not going to produce fruit, I saved a fruit tree. Similarly, by editing out some bad practices and jettisoning plans would not produce fruit, I continue to refine the direction for Elarbee Media.What I had not thought through, but was reminded of by a horticulture loving friend, was that I also need to “thin” the fruit. Although I have an abundance of peaches growing, if I reduce the number of peaches and allow a smaller number to grow larger, I will end up with the same fruit yield overall. The peaches I do allow to grow will be more stunning, rather than a lot of smaller, less attractive fruit.It can feel counter-productive to edit so aggressively; however, in the end, the results will be telling. Fewer projects, more focus, better results.
Art Tuesday Green Advertising
06/03/2014
We’ve seen an increase in client interest in advertising the “green” nature of their products. Do consumers see this as an advertising strategy? Or are they genuinely interested to learn how businesses are embracing change and more environmentally conscious practices? Overall, results are mixed in the marketplace.Either way, this compelling painting by one of our favorite artists, Brian Barnard, prompts us to consider the issue.Let us know what you think. #ArtTuesday
Why is everything on the Elarbee Media website “vintage?"
06/02/2014
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, vintage is an adjective with varying definitions: —used to describe a wine usually of high quality that was produced in a particular year which is identified on the bottle - (What I like to drink)
—used to describe something that is not new but that is valued because of its good condition, attractive design, etc. -(What I like to think of myself)
—used to describe something that has the best qualities or characteristics of the things made or done by a particular person, organization, etc. - (What I hope sets the tone for Elarbee Media)
C&D County Media
05/27/2014
Country singer Kip Moore tells us there is “Somethin' 'Bout A Truck." We agree. The image of a pick-up truck evokes thoughts of rural America, of farmers, cowboys and of fields. These days, you also see suburban moms and men in ties behind the wheel, but in terms of sheer imagery, it is the rural market that comes to mind. In print media, reaching the rural market can be a difficult task to accomplish with efficiency. But with proper planning and research, it can be done. Keeping an open mind as to the media channels you use is vital; reaching the rural market requires a carefully crafted media plan. Let us help you reach the audience that believes there is “Somethin' 'Bout A Truck."