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    Let's Talk About Stuff.

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.


Blog Image for Independence Day in America

Independence Day in America

07/02/2017
Our offices in the US will be closed on Monday and Tuesday of this week in celebration of Independence Day. As not all of our offices are in the US, we thought we would highlight the nature of the holiday, and assure everyone in our home office in the UK that we are still on On the Bus!  

With the help of Military.com: On July 4, 1776, the thirteen colonies claimed their independence from England, an event which eventually led to the formation of the United States. Each year on July 4th, also known as Independence Day, Americans celebrate this historic event. Conflict between the colonies and England was already a year old when the colonies convened a Continental Congress in Philadelphia in the summer of 1776. Richard Henry Lee of Virginia presented a resolution with the famous words: "Resolved: That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved." Lee's words were the impetus for the drafting of a formal Declaration of Independence.  On July 1, 1776, the Continental Congress reconvened, and on the following day, the Lee Resolution for independence was adopted. On July 4th, the Declaration was officially adopted. John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, signed the Declaration of Independence. It is said that John Hancock signed his name "with a great flourish" so England's "King George can read that without spectacles!"
Tags: Holiday

Blog Image for Independence Day in America

Independence Day in America

07/02/2017
Our offices in the US will be closed on Monday and Tuesday of this week in celebration of Independence Day. As not all of our offices are in the US, we thought we would highlight the nature of the holiday, and assure everyone in our home office in the UK that we are still on On the Bus!  

With the help of Military.com: On July 4, 1776, the thirteen colonies claimed their independence from England, an event which eventually led to the formation of the United States. Each year on July 4th, also known as Independence Day, Americans celebrate this historic event. Conflict between the colonies and England was already a year old when the colonies convened a Continental Congress in Philadelphia in the summer of 1776. Richard Henry Lee of Virginia presented a resolution with the famous words: "Resolved: That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved." Lee's words were the impetus for the drafting of a formal Declaration of Independence.  On July 1, 1776, the Continental Congress reconvened, and on the following day, the Lee Resolution for independence was adopted. On July 4th, the Declaration was officially adopted. John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, signed the Declaration of Independence. It is said that John Hancock signed his name "with a great flourish" so England's "King George can read that without spectacles!"
Tags: Holiday

Blog Image for Cocktail Friday - the Impact of Patriotic Branding

Cocktail Friday - the Impact of Patriotic Branding

06/30/2017
It is Cocktail Friday at TSWUS, and we are headed into a long weekend celebrating the birth of the United States of America. What better post could we make, than one highlighting the "artfully" redesigned "Patriotic" packaging that seems ubiquitous on these American holidays. What impact does re-packaging have on sales during patriotic holidays? Can the re-packaging stand alone, or does it need to be combined with advertising support to maximize product sales? Do patriotic holidays impact sales more significantly than family holidays like Halloween or Christmas? Why am I compelled to buy the Red, White and Blue six-pack? 

These are all key questions to ponder when walking down the beer aisle this weekend. Just in case you are curious, we are attaching some research from Kidd.com on the Purchasing Power of Brand Patriotism. http://www.kidd.com/branding/purchasing-power-patriotism-businesses-shift-american-branding-summer/

Blog Image for Newspaper Readership: Print or Digital?

Newspaper Readership: Print or Digital?

06/09/2017

This article is a great read which highlights that print is still the core way to digest news. With huge levels of discussion about the newspaper industry falling by the wayside, it is great to read an article that clearly outlines the importance of newspapers to the news industry. 

In the US alone, 169 million people are engaging with the news and 81% of them engage with a printed product. 

In an era where we are told printed advertising is dead this clearly outlines that it just simply is not. To find out how you can advertise to this target market please get in touch with Christian at christianprosser@thespecialistworks.com, you can also follow this link to our website and view the plethora of US newspapers with whom we currently work. 


http://us.thespecialistworks.com/channel/newspapers

https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/291865/newspapers-record-strong-readership-print-or-digi.html


Blog Image for Wit & Wisdom Wednesday   - John Adams

Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - John Adams

06/07/2017

 Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence. John Adams

Our founding fathers are not only a fount of wisdom, but are quite witty in their delivery as well. John Adams is one of our favorite wits. This quote about Facts is so applicable to marketing and advertising it hurts. When you examine advertising based on performance, you look at facts. Attribution is not nebulous and yield is calculable. The smoke and mirrors approach that used to work is out the door, and none too soon. We are ready to confront facts. 


Blog Image for Art Tuesday - Dubiousness

Art Tuesday - Dubiousness

06/06/2017
It is Art Tuesday at TSWUS and todays focus is fun. Sometimes Art is not designed to be serious. Sometimes it is meant to lift the corners of your mouth, either in a full smile, or just a quirky What is that supposed to mean? gesture. We are featuring one of our more comical pieces today, which is a painting on board with silkscreen overlay. It is by Nathan Henry of New Orleans. It is worth taking a closer look, and it makes us smile while gracing our break room area. 

Blog Image for Sunday Musings

Sunday Musings

06/04/2017
Fortune Cookies don't lie. 

Blog Image for Memorial Day

Memorial Day

05/29/2017
Normandy. May 2017. Our offices are closed today to allow our staff to honor Memorial Day.
Tags: HolidayUS

Blog Image for Cinco De Mayo

Cinco De Mayo

05/05/2017
Q: Is Cinco de Mayo the same thing as Mexican Independence Day?   A: No, Mexican Independence Day is on September 16, but Diez y Seis de Septiembre was too clunky to catch on with beer distributors.   Q: Why is Cinco de Mayo so popular in the United States?   A: Over 30 million Americans are of Mexican descent, and the rest will take any opportunity to celebrate a French military defeat.   To quote the satirical newspaper The Onion  
Today we mark Mexicos defeat of the French in a day long battle at Puebla. Why do a multitude of Americans celebrate a minor military victory in a neighboring nation? Honestly, because we like a good party.  We like to learn about our neighbors.  We like eating tacos. 
It doesnt really matter why at this stage of the game. 
What matters is that we DO. 
In a big way. 
Sometimes advertising is about creating a movement where there really isnt one. The Tecate Beer and pitchers of Margaritas consumed today are testament that it works.   

Blog Image for Throwback Thursday - You've Come a Long Way Baby

Throwback Thursday - You've Come a Long Way Baby

05/04/2017

It is Throwback Thursday at TSWUS, and we are highlighting a vintage Virginia Slims ad in honor of our Womens Network Series Spring Session today. While attitudes about smoking have changed dramatically, these ads still resonate. In a large part, this series is about everything but the product. Embracing the idea that glass ceilings no longer exist for women, (especially at TSW) is embodied in the story told in this series. What was it like historically, where are we today, and whats next are all focused in very limited copy, and heavy imagery. The ads project positive movement to a more opportunity rich future for women. The enthusiasm behind the idea leads to the product being embraced as a symbol of that momentum. Is this about cigarettes? Yep. Is it an amazing brand campaign that still resonates today? Yep. "You've come a long way baby."