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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 Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - Mark Twain on Advertising

Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - Mark Twain on Advertising

03/15/2017

"Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertising." -Mark Twain.

Its Wit & Wisdom Wednesday here at The Specialist Works US and we are focusing on the importance of advertising today in the office. Effective advertisings purpose is to reach out to a targeted audience and successfully get your message or product across to them. Twain is correct in saying no matter how small the thing, it can become large through a skilled advertising campaign. 

Here at TSW US, we all share the same vision for the company - "Build our clients business and ours will grow alongside it." To do this, we must be strategic in our approaches to get our clients businesses properly acknowledged. Some tips for an effective advertising campaign include: keeping your ads relevant, describe what sets your product apart, include a call to action, and to list the price of your product or service.


Blog Image for Art Tuesday  - Texas in a Nutshell

Art Tuesday - Texas in a Nutshell

03/14/2017

It is Art Tuesday, and this week we are celebrating the launch of our Houston office, and our SXSW sponsorship on Thursday. Music, books, hats and longhorns are all  "de rigueur" in Texas, but there is something even more quintessentially Texan. A pair of blue jeans on a barbed wire fence. We are fortunate to have this image evoking the spirit of Texas by Bob Calbert. His amazing ability to capture a moment in time, and a feeling of both comfort an belonging resonate well with us here at TSWUS. The fact that he also often shoots in black and white makes it even better! 

We welcome the Lonestar State team to the fold with open arms, and can't wait to see how the adventure unfolds as we "Go West Young Man".


Blog Image for Wit and Wisdom Wednesday - Guillemets on Goals

Wit and Wisdom Wednesday - Guillemets on Goals

03/08/2017
Visualize your long-term goals to paint your short-term action on the canvas of now. -Terri Guillemets

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. 

Blog Image for Wit & Wisdom Wednesday  - Susan B. Anthony

Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - Susan B. Anthony

03/08/2017
I do not demand equal pay for any women save those who do equal work in value. Scorn to be coddled by your employers; make them understand that you are in their service as workers, not as women. 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.

Blog Image for Cocktail Friday: Carnival Punch

Cocktail Friday: Carnival Punch

03/03/2017

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.


Blog Image for Fortune of the Day  - March 1st

Fortune of the Day - March 1st

03/01/2017
"A friend believes you are good, even when you are bad."  Very intriguing.

Blog Image for 40 Days of Giving

40 Days of Giving

03/01/2017
One of the great elements of the TSW culture is a commitment to giving back. From the top of the organization down, there is a genuine desire to put muscle behind the idea of corporate giving. From the launch of very original Goodwill Rocks, to small insular efforts on an ongoing basis, the commitment is realized not just discussed. Enthusiasm breeds enthusiasm, so weve decided to throw out a challenge. 40 days of giving. Starting today, TSWUS will be Giving every day for the next 40 days. Our acts of charity may not be ground breaking, but they will be heartfelt, and hopefully contagious. Joins us for the challenge! If you too can manage to fulfill 40 Days of Giving, we will recognize you with a very special gift. (Although we are pretty sure the Giving will feel like a gift in and of itself).   Get your face on our Team America Wall of Fame! Sign up for 40 Days of Giving. Wed love to hear what you are doing! Cheers all!

Blog Image for Laissez les bons temps rouler - It is Mardis Gras!

Laissez les bons temps rouler - It is Mardis Gras!

02/28/2017
Let the good times role. It is "Fat Tuesday". 

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.
Tags: Holiday

Blog Image for Cocktail Friday: Margaritas!

Cocktail Friday: Margaritas!

02/24/2017
Its Cocktail Friday here at The Specialist Works US and we are celebrating with margaritas! National Margarita Day 2017 took place on the 22nd, but we are keeping up the holidays spirit by continuing on through the week. National Margarita Day was founded by Todd McCalla to spread his love for margaritas around the world. 

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.

Blog Image for Throwback Thursday - Dairy Queen

Throwback Thursday - Dairy Queen

02/23/2017
Its Throwback Thursday here at The Specialist Works US and this weeks ad shows a Dairy Queen ad from 1956. Talk about a super sweet Sweet 16! This ad beautifully uses white space and well-illustrated pictures to welcome all Dairy Queens customers to their 16th birthday celebration. This ad uses a fantastic method of making the consumer feel a part of the company.

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.