AdTalk Online

2012-01-10T09:59:00.001-05:00

Pre-judging clients...New article at www.avizagroup.com/LetsTalk. Why in-house and advertising agencies need to strive for better creative.

2012-01-07T12:37:00.001-05:00

new article. How to inspire creative talent to do their best work...Go to www.avizagroup/Letstalk.com

2011-11-18T09:34:00.001-05:00

agency client retention article. What's your thoughts on the subject? Read it at www.avizagroup.com/LetsTalk/ please RT

2011-11-16T09:43:00.001-05:00

How to maximize your ads visibility. new article at www.avizagroup.com/LetsTalk/ Go check it out for "three options to consider"

2011-11-15T09:31:00.001-05:00

The top ten newspapers in America will they survive?
add to the question. What's your opinion Visit www.avizagroup.com/LetsTalk/

2011-11-09T09:34:00.001-05:00

Survival of print, whats your prediction. new article @www.avizagroup.com/LetsTalk/ Need a guest blogger for your site? Call me.

2011-11-07T13:37:00.001-05:00

New article on "Postive Mental Attitude" how this change can affect everyone around you. www.avizagroup.com/LetsTalk Please RT. Thanks

2011-11-04T09:56:00.001-04:00

New article about bagging a big client and what to do next. Go to www.avizagroup/LetsTalk/ Check it out.

2011-11-02T09:58:00.001-04:00

"Retargeting" new article posted on www.avizagroup.com/LetsTalk/ If you visit a site and show interest you get a cookie on your pc. Creepy?

2011-10-31T12:04:00.001-04:00

Are you held accountable when you recommend someone? Heck yes! read more at: www.avizagroup.com/LetsTalk/ Please RT Thanks

2011-10-24T10:08:00.001-04:00

Just posted a NEW article on celebrity endorsements.
Check it out at www.avizagroup.com/LetsTalk?
Tell me what you think.

2011-10-19T23:53:00.001-04:00

Just wrote a new article about funny ads in advertising. go to www.avizagroup.com/LetsTalk? Tell what you think. Hope you like it.

2011-10-11T08:15:00.001-04:00

Launch a new article about the word FREE in advertising. www.avizagroup.com/LetsTalk? Need a guest blogger? email me "lets talk"

2011-10-06T16:08:00.001-04:00

new blog article discussing "lack of creativity in advertising" go to: www.avizagroup.com/LetsTalk/

2011-09-30T09:10:00.001-04:00

new article at www.avizagroup.com/LetsTalk/ Five tips to become a better salesperson.

2011-09-22T09:02:00.001-04:00

New article on why simply advertising is best. Go to www.avizagroup.com/Letstalk/ follow me on LinkedIn, facebook or twitter

2011-09-15T08:25:00.001-04:00

Word of mouth advertising power. An article that suggest the viral nature of customer storytelling. Go to www.avizagroup.com/Letstalk/

2011-09-12T08:22:00.001-04:00

New article on marketing budgets, a simplified reference for a complex subject. Want to write a guest article? avizagroup.com/letstalk

2011-09-06T21:30:00.001-04:00

Companies should stop using interns. Based on a CBS show about college interns. A source of free labor.

The More Things Change...

2011-07-21T11:17:00.004-04:00

In my last post, I not only quoted the philosopher Ferris Bueller, I talked about how much things have changed in public relations over the course of the past several years. While it is always important to stay ahead of the technology and communication curve, it is far more important to have a sound base for any PR initiative. These are among the things that have NOT changed in the past several years.

The need to plan. You’ve heard the old saw, “If you don’t know where you are going, then ANY road will get you there!” It was true when I was a young pup in this business, and it remains true today. Planning is essential. Set objectives, outline strategies, assign tactics to those strategies (including all of the new social media platforms), determine what success will look like, and set measurement matrices. A good, sound PR plan is like the score for an orchestra; each instrument knows when and what notes to play, and the end result that emerges is far greater than the sum of its parts.

The necessity of the media. To paraphrase another modern-day philosopher, Mr. T, “I pity the fool who thinks you should disregard traditional media.” In most cases, there is still no better and more credible way to connect to your audience than with traditional media. The New York Times remains the number one most quoted and referenced site on the Internet for a reason. And what people see on television or in the news (even if it they receive it tweeted, emailed or posted on Facebook) is often seen as holding far greater value and gravitas than a piece that originates solely on the net.

Content is still king. I don’t care how many “friends” or “likes” you have on Facebook or followers on Twitter. If you are not delivering solid, relevant, useful content, you will not be able to engage with your audience for long. And speaking of engagement…

You need to engage. Public relations is the deliberate, planned and sustained effort to establish and maintain mutual understanding between an organization and its public. That takes engagement. And while connecting with various publics is often accomplished in a very different ways today than it was 10 years ago, the end result should be the same: to create and maintain connections. In other words, engage.

Yes, things have absolutely changed for PR agencies and practitioners. We would be among the fools that Mr. T would pity if we were to think or act otherwise. But a solid foundation that starts with a good, sound and well-vetted plan, that employs the strengths of both traditional and social media, that delivers good and useful content and makes and nurtures connections is still the way that excellent PR is practiced today.

Life Moves Pretty Fast

2011-07-11T19:43:00.004-04:00

by John Lonsdorf, R&J Public Relations

One of the great modern-day philosophers, Ferris Bueller twice said (at the beginning and at the end of the iconic 1986 movie, so it must be important), “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

The same can be said generally about all businesses. But in particular, the Public Relations business has moved incredibly fast.

When I started R&J back in 1986, the same year that Ferris gave us his great advice about life, I had an IBM Selectric typewriter on my desk, and the only Gekko we ever heard from was Gordon, who was telling us (convincingly) that “greed is good.” We didn’t even have a fax machine; they were just then gaining widespread utilization. Back in that time, our role as public relations practitioners was clear and simple: to get publicity – and lots of it – for our clients. We did this by writing lots and lots of press releases (and mailing – yes mailing – them out to the media, usually with 5” X 7” glossy photo prints), establishing personal relationships with journalists (and there were a lot more of those covering much narrower “beats” back then), and pitching like crazy. It was a great business – fun and rewarding in so many ways.

But a funny thing happened along the way. Life moved pretty fast.
Business changed, and with that change, came the need for a far greater degree of strategic, forward-looking business counsel and strategic thinking. To accommodate these business needs, the public relations industry also underwent tremendous change. And the transformation of our business and our industry that was necessary to stay ahead of our clients’ needs has been incredible – often happening at break-neck speed.

Today’s successful PR firm is far more than a publicity shop. Today, we often play a central role in brand development, market strategy and business-building for our clients. We’re called in at the beginning of discussions on positioning, market strategy and brand personality. We consult on the ins-and-outs, and the potential ramifications of every communication tactic – both traditional and in social media. We prepare, and when needed, execute crisis management plans. In short, we are important counselors and marketing partners for our clients, and not simply “publicists” (although publicity is still a very important deliverable for many of our clients).

Firms like ours welcome this never-ending change. We thrive on it, and look forward to engaging with new media channels and outlets, and new techniques. It’s actually become fun to learn how express a full marketing thought in 140 characters or less! And I am very fortunate to have surrounded myself with a lot of smart, curious and insightful people, who don’t hesitate to remind me how fast things change, and how if we aren’t riding the wave, then we risk being swallowed up by it.

Yes, Ferris had it right: Life does, indeed, move pretty fast. We are happy to have evolved along the way, and to have helped our clients through many of these changes. We continue to look ahead for the next inevitable round of changes.

2011-03-31T10:21:00.001-04:00

When it comes to bad service be selfish and complain. You may want to use the service again.
Go to for article www.avizagroup.com/letstalk

2011-03-11T08:35:00.001-05:00

One reason to advertise. New article talks about a bunch of excuses a person has not to advertise. Go to:www.avizagroup.com/letstalk

2011-03-06T08:57:00.001-05:00

Bad boy Charlie increased his brand cred. We can learn a lot. Go to www.avizagroup.com/letstalk
What do you think? Send me an email.

Look who's this week's "Made in New Jersey" featured company!

2011-03-04T10:48:00.001-05:00

55 and Forgotten?

2011-03-03T14:06:00.003-05:00

What do you think?

Thoughts and feedback are always appreciated.

2011-02-26T11:10:00.001-05:00

The great debate: New article on Adv Art or Science? www.avizagroup.com/letstalk. What's your opinion, I'd like to hear it.

2011-02-22T09:32:00.001-05:00

New article: Creativity is it a part of your DNA? Can you acquire it? go to www.avizagroup.com/letstalk.
What's your opinion?

"Ford Kicks off Social-Media Push for Explorer"

2011-02-10T10:39:00.002-05:00

Social media campaigns aren't something rare these days. So what's so unique about this one? Check it out!

2011-02-08T15:50:00.001-05:00

The Future of Advertising

"Advertising is on the cusp of its first creative revolution since the 1960s. But the ad industry might get left behind."

http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/151/mayhem-on-madison-avenue.html

2011-01-27T10:44:00.001-05:00

Negative advertising why it doesn't work. go to www.avivagroup.com/letstalk. Thanks

2011-01-21T09:14:00.001-05:00

How important is a logo? See www.avizagroup.com/letstalk for short article, your comments appreciated

2011-01-14T09:37:00.001-05:00

Great advertising books and cool blogs, just posted at www.avizagroup.com/letstalk Go check it out

2011-01-06T11:47:00.001-05:00

Logo schmoogo Maybe, you don't even need one now days. It works for the SoHo Restaurant called "Food"

2011-01-06T11:43:00.001-05:00

Howard Schultz is a very smart guy. Maybe he is going to pull a Martha Stewart, and use the new logo for everything food connected?

2011-01-06T11:42:00.001-05:00

What would Al Ries say about Starbucks logo change? If you don't know Al read 22 immutable laws of marketing. You' ll get an insight.

2011-01-06T11:38:00.001-05:00

Hey Howard: It is not the logo silly. Check out my thoughts at, www.avizagroup.com/letstalk.

2011-01-06T11:35:00.003-05:00

Did you think anybody will care if Starbucks changes their logo?

2011-01-06T11:35:00.001-05:00

Will Starbucks back down? If their customers revolt.
Tell me what you think?

2010-12-30T11:15:00.001-05:00

Groupon: Not every thing it's cut out to be...article www.avizagroup.com/letstalk. Tell me your opinion.

2010-12-26T18:06:00.001-05:00

See my new article @www.avizagroup.com/letstalk
Screw ups and typos. please comment!

2010-12-26T17:58:00.001-05:00

My article on How to handle typos once it is posted.
Go to: avizagroup.com/letstalk

2010-12-26T17:44:00.001-05:00

I made a BOO BOO on my last post at www.avizagroup/letstalk

2010-12-21T23:05:00.001-05:00

I am taking an unofficial survey. What do you think big co. or small co. first job. Your comments please. go to www.avizagroup.com/letstalk

2010-12-21T22:53:00.001-05:00

Groupon an incredible business model, as an advertiser you give away 50% of your average cost, then you split 50/50, so you make 25%. Yeah!

2010-12-21T22:48:00.001-05:00

How can it be the largest group on the internet is the 55 + crowd. But only 20% are posting. Maybe they are grabbing all those Groupon deals

2010-12-21T22:43:00.001-05:00

Beware! I went on a 4 mo sabattical from posting.
It cost me a serious drop in ranking. What a mistake that was never again. Be careful.

2010-12-21T22:40:00.001-05:00

Have you ever made a mistake? I mean a big one. Did you try to hide? Or come clean early an admit it. What's the worst, you'll get fired

2010-12-21T22:35:00.001-05:00

Check out why advertising is a great career choice. 10 is my favorite. Would love to hear comments. Go to www.avizagroup.com/letstalk

2010-12-21T08:33:00.001-05:00

New article on the crazy advertising business and why it's a great career choice. Go to www.avizagroup.com/letstalk. Please comment!

2010-12-18T12:00:00.001-05:00

Want a job in advertising? College graduate or advting student. Check out my blog. See 2 articles
that can help. www.avizagroup.com/letstalk

2010-12-17T08:15:00.001-05:00

Cliche 10 "You just can't wait to know" what my last cliche is. Now that is a big lie. You don't give a...
Your wish is granted. The end.

2010-12-17T08:06:00.001-05:00

Cliche #9 When you meet an old friend or co-worker.
"Lets do lunch". Another fat lie. You don't do lunch you have lunch. It's just an excuse

2010-12-17T07:59:00.001-05:00

Cliche#8 When corporations do a take over. "Nothing will change" That's BS and you know it. It's a lie.
You need to add another word "until"

2010-12-17T07:53:00.001-05:00

Cliche #7 (One of my favorites) Nothing for nothing.
That's got to be an untruth. because it means nothing. It's just words.

2010-12-17T07:51:00.001-05:00

Cliche #6 "Rules are meant to be broken" Really. Then what is a rule anyway? Something that doesn't exist? Its make believe.

2010-12-17T07:47:00.001-05:00

Cliche #5 "Thinking outside the box". What box are you talking about? The truth, thinking ahead is more of a straight line. Forget the box.

2010-12-16T08:29:00.002-05:00

We missed you last night. The big Marcom holiday party at Mayfair Farms was great.
With about 300 beautiful people in attendance, good food and a lot of buzz at the ad club membership table. I am sure you had a good reason for not attending. But do yourself a favor mark it down for next year as an event not to be missed. It's a great way to jump start the new year. John Howlett

2010-12-16T08:19:00.001-05:00

cliche #4 " Everyone has an opinion" Not true some people don't give a poop!

2010-12-16T08:17:00.001-05:00

Cliche #3 "first impression is a lasting impression"
Does that mean there is no such thing as a second chance?

2010-12-16T08:14:00.001-05:00

Cliche #2 "first to market owns the market" Oh yeah!
Then what happened to Apple computer? They were first with the PC. Today they have 6% ?

2010-12-16T08:11:00.001-05:00

Cliche #1 You get what you pay for. I disagree. Did you ever get a bargin or over pay for an item? Only to have it fall apart later. I did.

2010-12-16T08:00:00.001-05:00

I am going to disagree today, especially with cliche's-
those trite sayings that have become accepted as truth.

2010-12-16T07:28:00.001-05:00

I disagree with Seth Godin's blog today "he is sure Lady Gaga doesn't read his stuff" Then how did she get to be such a great marketer ?

2010-12-14T09:54:00.001-05:00

A new article: Want a job? Be more creative in your resume. Standout an grab their attention. See www.avizagroup.com/letstalk

2010-12-14T07:57:00.001-05:00

Did I hear it right on CBS Sunday Morning? Groupon Customers split 50/50 with an already discount 50% off coupon. That could hurt your biz.

How to get an advertising job, even before you graduate.

2010-12-13T15:34:00.000-05:00

I am actually quite surprised that more students and college graduates that major in advertising or marketing don’t use this simple technique. It’s almost ridiculous to write an article about it.
In fact of all the colleges in America, only one that I know of makes this concept a requirement for graduation. I am sure there are other colleges.
When the question comes up
As a speaker at colleges, I often talk about advertising related topics. The question comes up: “How do I get a job with no”… You know the rest of the sentence.
When this happens I pause, not to intimidate the student, but to get the attention of others who also might want to know the answer.
My answer is simple, one word. Internships.
One tenth of one percent
Throughout my twenty years in advertising, I was seldom approached about internship at my agency. Conservatively, based on all the colleges in my area, I would calculate it to be less than one tenth of one percent. Almost no one ever asked about internships.
Five simple ways to pursue an internship
• Research ten agencies within ten minutes of your home and ask if they hire interns. If yes, inquire when can I come in for an interview?
• Join professional associations. Network, network dude. If you are too shy, maybe you should think about becoming an accountant.
• Ask your college professors about local advertising firms. Many times they freelance for them or at least know the cool ones.
• Identify two or three agencies and choose their worst client. Tactfully, convince the head of the agency how you could make it better. Note: Don’t criticize- his daughter or new son-in-law may have done it.
John’s rules about getting and doing an internship.
DO NOT work for FREE. You’re not an indentured servant. You’re part of the staff, Min wage is OK
Work your booty off even if it’s just twelve weeks. This is work; get your assignments done on time.
Be a total sponge; absorb everything you can from everyone around you. Ask questions, be interested.
Show up on time, or better start 15 mins earlier. No BS excuses about your car. Walk, or run to get there!
Most important when it’s over, ask for a referral. You’d be surprised who they might know.

Some people will do anything to get attention?

2010-12-13T15:26:00.001-05:00

I remember it well. It was a large vivid photograph of a young guy. He was down on all fours with his eyes clearly focused on a bunch of pigeons eating the leftovers of someone’s lunch. It appeared to be in a public park with benches in the background.
The caption under the 8 ½ X 11 sheet of paper that the photo was printed on said “I’ll work for crumbs”.
In the upper left corner was the ubiquitous staple holding page two. When I flipped the page, I was surprised and then I smiled. It was a resume, but not your typical resume.
Economy of words
The content was different, short, bulleted and to the point. But best of all: It spoke to some of the things he can do for the company. It was not self-serving as many that you see. For instance, under the standard objectives heading: “I want this or I am seeking a...” That is a mistake I have seen 95% of the time on resumes.
I was very impressed
This kid was smart. Every word was chosen carefully. For good reason, he was looking for a copywriter position. I was impressed. But I didn’t hire him. I just didn’t need another copywriter.
Uber famous ad man David Ogilvy said “An ad does not need to look like an ad” to get attention.
‘not-so-famous ad man John Howlett says” If you want a job in advertising, be creative to get attention. You will leave a lasting impression for the future”.

NJ Certainly Has Talent...AJ Khubani - NJ Biz Article

2010-10-21T19:39:00.001-04:00

Finding new channel for retail success

Telebrands CEO keeping firm tuned into buyers’ demands

Monday, October 18, 2010 12:00 AM
By Jared Kaltwasser

A.J. Khubani has built a multimillion-dollar marketing business on a 90 percent failure rate.

The founder, president and CEO of Fairfield-based Telebrands Inc. has made a career out of finding and marketing inexpensive gadgets on television and in retail stores. But the products that become a hit — like AmberVision sunglasses, the Pasta Boat and the Windshield Wonder — are easily outnumbered by the misses: Nine out of 10 products chosen for a test marketing run fall flat.

“I have 27 years of experience,” Khubani said. “You’d think that I would be right more frequently. Sometimes the products I like the most are the ones that fail. And the ones I don’t think are going to make it, like PedEgg, end up being very big.”

Success for Khubani, 50, came quickly. In 1983, he bought an ad in the National Enquirer to sell a $10 portable radio. He broke even, and was hooked.

“It was very exciting to write the ad, place the ad, and then have people actually respond to what you’ve written,” he said. “It feels good. Based on what I wrote, people were sending me money.”

In 1985, Khubani turned a profit. In 1987, he bought his first TV ads.

The next year, Khubani set his sights on selling his top product — AmberVision sunglasses — on retail shelves. “As Seen on TV” was unheard of then, and Khubani’s concept wasn’t well received until he made his pitch to Carteret-based Herman’s Sporting Goods. The buyer was about to say no, too, when his boss walked by and asked what Khubani was selling.

“His boss said, ‘I see it all over TV,’” Khubani said. “‘Give him a test.’”

Herman’s ordered 200 pairs. The glasses flew off shelves and days later, Herman’s ordered 200,000. Other retailers took notice.

These days, Khubani’s the one deciding which products to take a risk on. Inventors flock to Khubani, whose fame has been magnified by his recurring role on Discovery Channel’s “Pitchmen.” He now holds “American Idol”-style Inventors Days, where the most promising of the thousands of submissions he receives annually get five minutes to try to sell the product to Khubani, his wife and a third judge.

Avinandan Mukherjee, marketing professor at Khubani’s alma mater, Montclair State University, said Khubani’s willingness to be the face of his company has benefited Telebrands. “Very few companies have got a CEO as presentable and as active and out there in the media as he is,” Mukherjee said. “He really consciously goes out and does this PR on behalf of his company, and has done it remarkably well.”

Mukherjee said Khubani, who regularly speaks at MSU, freely discusses his successes and failures, including the company’s 2000 filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after over-producing what turned out to be an under-selling abdominal exerciser.

Khubani has also lent his name to the New Jersey Ad Club’s “Choose Jersey Talent” campaign, which encourages businesses to hire home-grown talent.

“It’s rare to find somebody who has been so successful who maintains his balance, his approachability and his gracious leadership,” said Daryl Rand, Ad Club board member.

Next month, Khubani will be inducted into the Advertising Hall of Fame of New Jersey. Gary Denburg, an Ad Club board member and past president, said Khubani revolutionized direct-response marketing.

“He certainly has redefined it and proved that it can be extremely profitable as well as a successful form of entertainment,” Denburg said.

Lately, business has been booming: Recession-weary retailers are devoting more shelf space to Telebrands’ low-price gadgets, and TV stations — which run Telebrands’ ads for lower rates when they have unsold ad time — have been awash in “remnant” time, quadrupling Telebrands’ ad runs and sending sales on a dramatic upswing. All told, the brand has seen an estimated 80 percent increase in sales since the recession.

Take Steps to Ensure That Your Brand is the One That You Want

2010-10-01T17:26:00.005-04:00

by John Lonsdorf, President, R&J Public Relations

When speaking to many marketing people on the subject of branding, I often hear an exasperated response along the lines of, “We don’t do any branding, and as a matter of fact we don’t even have a brand!”

I try to remind them that, of course they have a brand, because a brand is, by definition, a mark of distinction that is representative of how your product is perceived by its intended target audience. Like it or not, every organization and every product out there has a fundamental “brand” in the eyes of its consumers.

Sadly, it may not be the brand they want!

It is important to realize that the branding of your organization is happening, with or without your participation. Perceptions of your brand are being shaped through experience, word of mouth, and every public act undertaken by the organization and its people. Even though you may not be actively shaping the perceptions of your brand in the marketplace, strong (and lasting) perceptions are still being formed.

This begs the question, if you are not actively managing your brand, then who or what is?

If you are not actively shaping and nurturing your intended brand message in the marketplace, then you can be sure it’s being shaped either by consumer scuttlebutt or worse, by your competition. Either way, are you content to let someone or something other than you determine what the marketplace perceives about your organization?

An appropriate (albeit graphic) analogy might be a car hurtling down the highway. The driver has chosen not to drive -- he may be napping or is busy doing something “more important” -- but that does not mean the car will not arrive somewhere – it will – we just don’t know where it will arrive, how suddenly it will get there, or whether we will need a tow truck, an ambulance or a hearse to clean up the mess.

The bottom line is you DO have a brand, and it is essential that you know exactly what your consumers’ perceptions of that brand are. If you are happy with those perceptions, then your next step is to develop a strategy to defend and enhance it. If, however, you need to change your brand perception, a strategic and comprehensive program to move public perception in your favor is in order.

Consider this: Strong brands are sought out by consumers, who are willing to pay a premium for those brands. Studies show that strong brands command price premiums of, on average, 7% over lesser brands. That HAS to be worth the effort!

Let me know what you think. Respond or email me at Jlonsdorf@RandJpr.com.

2010-09-06T23:43:00.007-04:00

MEET NEW ADCLUB MEMBERS

2010-07-18T20:49:00.002-04:00

Welcome new members:
Ed Mazzella, VP/GM, Franco Zito, Dir. Marketing & Research, Mike Guarasi, Area Sales Dir. &
Sarann Jennings, Dir. of Sales from Comcast Spotlight

Glenn Dolce, President, Ed Parker, Sr. Sales Executive, Ralph Antonelli, Sr. Account Executive
& Eric Dederding, Account Executive from Dolce Printing

Diane Litterer, Executive Dir., Lisa Daly, Program Dir., Diane Liga, Development Dir. &
Rob Lightfoot, Member Services Associate from New Jersey Prevention Network

Glad you have chosen to join us, it has been my pleasure to have worked with Ed and Franco and I look forward to meeting the other new members at upcoming events.

NJ MARCOM SUMMER NETWORKING EVENT

2010-07-18T20:25:00.004-04:00

By all accounts Wednesday's networking event was a huge success for all eleven organizations and their members. Great opportunity to meet new business partners, discuss the world of advertising and catch-up with some old friends. Special thanks to Wendy Flanagan, Chairperson of the NJ MarCom Council and Pat Hanley, NJ AdClub for all their hard work.

Met an interesting cross-section of new contacts from Trish the Dish (voice-overs), Anastasia Pleasant (photo editor) and Donna Coney Island (actress); I hope you all join the ad club.

Look forward to seeing everyone at the holiday event.

Upcoming Events Calendar

2010-07-12T21:20:00.002-04:00

SEPT. 29, 2010 — Wake-up Call, Niki Fielding, President, Digital Brand Expressions,
"Forecasts for Findability Marketing in 2011." Cosi’s, Rt. 10 East, Livingston, 8-9:30 am

NOV. 17, 2010 — Wake-up Call, Allan Gorman, President, BrandSpa,
"Brand Renewal — Making the Leap from Commonplace to Cool."
Cosi’s, Rt. 10 East, Livingston, 8-9:30 am

DEC. 15, 2010 — Annual MarCom Joint Holiday Networking Party, Mayfair Farms, 481 Eagle Rock Ave., West Orange, 5:30 pm

42nd Annual Jersey Awards

2010-07-12T21:16:00.002-04:00

Brushfire Wins Best of Show at 42nd Annual Jersey Awards Celebration

Two hundred and seventy-seven awards were distributed by Fox 5 News and My9 News co-anchor Harry Martin and emcee Herb Barry to agencies, designers and non-profit groups at tonight’s Annual Jersey Awards dinner and exhibition at The Chart House in Weehawken.
Cedar Knolls-based Brushfire Inc. earned Best of Show trophy for its "Shore Store/Fall Store" public relations campaign on behalf of the New Jersey Division of Travel & Tourism, which also won Best of Public Relations. Additionally, Brushfire walked away with Best of Radio trophy for its "Ballad of Red Ball" commercial, for a total of seven awards, including two second and two third-place citations.
Top winner for the evening was S3, Boonton, with 26 awards, including Best of Interactive for its "Mad Man Ads" for Eight O’Clock Coffee as well as 11 first, eight second and six third-place commendations.
For a complete list of winners visit the NJ Ad Club website - www.njadclub.org

AdTalk June 2010

2010-07-12T21:11:00.002-04:00

37th Wake-up Call Features
Mobile Marketing with Shira Simmons
Shira Simmons, president and founder of Ping Mobile, addressed an audience eager to learn about marketing on the telephone or "mobile marketing" at the 37th Wake-up Call April 21at Cosi’s in Livington.
Discussing retail marketing, for the most part, she traveled verbally well beyond the avenues most of the audience was accustomed to, using terms like MSS, double opt and MNS. With an IVR or Interactive Voice Response, she said, one is able to purchase tickets, book hotel rooms and request wake-up calls.
Using the process, bank customers can deliver messages, purchase items, open accounts, check existing accounts and wire funds. When asked how camera companies will benefit from mobile marketing, Simmons indicated that distributors are able to deal directly with customers as well.

The process, she said, works for physicians and for pharmacists, insurance companies and trade show operators. She added that successful studies have shown that the process is and can be very effective, especially when ads in large type are strewn across pizza boxes in enormous cities like San Diego.

How to Be a Good Client

2009-12-22T11:48:00.007-05:00

Here's an early Christmas (or a late Hanukkah) present for those of you out there who hire agencies.

Ryan Greives writes a quick primer on what it takes to be a good client (click here) for a PR firm. Almost all of this is certainly applicable to ad agencies, design firms, and interactive shops as well.

If you hire any type of marketing communications firm, this Top 10 list is required reading. By following these simple suggestions, you will get your firm to work harder and to always do their absolute best for you.

If I might add an additional point: Know that all we want is to make you look good. We are not out to take your job (we are on the "agency side" because that's what we love to do). And we are not out to grab the glory. No, our "glory" comes from having a satisfied and appreciative client who pays our bills in a timely manner. Making you look like a superstar to your CEO, your Board, or whomever signs your paycheck is the best possible outcome for us.

Hope you have a very happy holiday season, and my best wishes for a very successful and rewarding 2010!

Posted by:
John Lonsdorf
President
R&J Public Relations
www.RandJpr.com

Asset Allocations for Dummies Book Site

2009-11-25T17:42:00.001-05:00

With today's financial market in flux, the Wiley book Asset Allocation for Dummies makes a great holiday gift for the 'do it yourself' investor or for anyone who wants to better understand investment vehicles. Murray is thrilled to have designed and launched this microsite for author Jerry A. Miccolis, partner at Brinton Eaton Wealth Advisors.

In typical Wiley 'break it down' process, Jerry reviews every aspect of asset allocation and management of taxes, finance, investing, stocks, bonds, retirement strategy, corporate benefits administration, generational wealth, foundations, trusts, and much more. The Asset Allocation for Dummies book makes an affordable gift and a great investment for a loved one, or for yourself!

Google reinvents the Internet, again

2009-10-01T07:47:00.001-04:00

They dare other search tools to keep up! Install Google Sidewiki to your browser today and enjoy the power of wiki on every site you touch. http://www.google.com/sidewiki/

in reference to: Google Sidewiki (view on Google Sidewiki)

Measuring the Right Metrics

2009-09-25T14:00:00.004-04:00

I'm reading through the October 2009 issue of Destination CRM (I know, you're fascinated) and enjoying the article called "Mistaken Metrics" by Lauren McKay. An interesting article about CSR satisfaction measurement, and something that resonated with me.

You don't realize how critical the CSR part of a company is until you deal with a firm where the CSR is deliberately trained to manipulate the conversation to 'supposed' service, without actually solving the problem. You can see this type of training all the time (not to bad mouth companies or industries)... insurance providers, tv providers, auto or appliance warranties. If you've ever had a problem in those areas, you know exactly how frustrating the call can be.

That type of customer service model must cease to exist.

How can you continue to grow a brand and great culture internally if you are frustrating and infuriating customers? In an attempt to minimize out-of-pocket expenses in correcting mistakes or making good on promises, these companies focus on the fact that their call center folks can use several tactics to make certain NOTHING gets fixed. Here's some of the all-time low CSR responses:

I'm not showing any record of that account
Can you hold please
I can have my supervisor call you back some time in the next 72 hours
I can only give you my first name
I don't have a direct extension
You'll have to call a different number for that
I can transfer you to that department if you like, click
I'm sorry, I'm not showing any record of that account
My computer is slow today
I can't give you my supervisor's name, but he will call you back within 72 hours
I can't credit your account, you have to call a different number for that
I can't see your payment information
Was I able to answer your questions?
I can't schedule that service directly, I can only put in a ticket
I can't credit your account until the ticket is resolved
I see someone canceled that ticket at 4 am
No, I can't see who canceled the ticket at 4 am, just that it was canceled
You must have canceled the ticket
I only have available people Mon-Friday 9-5
I see here that we previously gave you the opportunity to schedule that service
It says here that you canceled the service
We are going to have to charge you for canceling your service
If you want to contest the charges, I can't help you
There is no one to address your complaint to, just write to our address
It says that you ordered the service, so we will charge you for it, and there will be a surcharge for canceling
I'm sorry that no one called you, but we can re-schedule your service now

If you're one of the companies that participates in these carefully crafted anti-customer care tactics, I recommend some great suggestions for marketers from David Raab, author of The Marketing Performance Measurement Toolkit. (Obviously, I'm having a difficult time trying to be constructive, and David does a great job).

The only point I could make is that no amount of $100 offers for referring a friend could ever influence me.

I would NEVER do that to a friend, or even an acquaintance.

Mobile Media gets interesting and useful

2009-09-08T07:55:00.003-04:00

Things are starting to move in mobile media.

Chuck Beardsley, Soal Marketing, points out that he now uses www.jott.com quite regularly to update facebook and twitter through voice translation on his mobile.

www.layar.com was recently featured in Advertising Age highlighting their developer platform that allows layers of statistical information to integrate with any media. Geotagged information will feed through real-time mobile video, seeing links, photos or text projected over specific locations, pulling information from flickr, wikipedia, twitter, yelp and more.

Social Media: Ethics and Workplace Survey from Deloitte

2009-09-03T17:26:00.001-04:00

"While the decision to post videos, pictures, thoughts, experiences, and observations to social networking sites is personal, a single act can create far-reaching ethical consequences for individuals as well as organizations. Therefore it is important for executives to be mindful of the implications and to elevate the discussion about the risks associated with it to the highest levels of leadership."

Sharon L. Allen
Chairman of the Board
Deloitte LLP

Deloitte has recently released a 2009 survey on Ethics and Workplace in relation to Social networking and reputational risk in the workplace. With the rapid growth and acceptance of social media and networking, the ways people choose to communicate and collaborate are varied and beyond the normal control of business. Even workplace policies banning the use of FaceBook or MySpace cannot stem the personal use and chatter existing on the Internet.

"Deloitte LLP’s 2009 Ethics & Workplace Survey shows that there is great reputational risk associated with social networking as 74% of employed Americans surveyed believe it is easy to damage a brand’s reputation via sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube."

The Deloitte survey reveals that only 15% of executives have elevated this discussion to the board room, although 58% agreed that it was necessary to do so. And, more importantly, one-third of employed respondents never even considered how their boss would feel about content posted, indicating that it is none of their business (freedom of speech anyone?)

Although our natural response, as communicators, is to put policies in place to serve as guidelines for social networking and publishing, only 50% of respondents indicated that such guidelines would impact their behavior.

How does your company manage the new rules of social media?

Wendy Flanagan

AMA B2B Sig Chair
Co-President, Murray

908-362-8174 x111

cell 908-619-7204

LinkedIn Facebook Twitter

Chairperson, NJ MarCom Council
Board Member, NJAdClub
Member AMA, MENG

Upcoming lecture: Using Social Networks to Leverage Your Networking and Drive Your Business on behalf of the charitable Garden State Woman’s Education Foundation on September 17 at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Register Online

CBS/Pepsi Max to Use Video in Print Ad

2009-08-20T07:07:00.003-04:00

--As appeared in this week's PROMO Magazine online--

Aug 20, 2009 6:05 AM, Patricia Odell for PROMO Xtra

CBS and Pepsi Max have partnered in an exclusive marketing partnership to use video in an upcoming print advertisement. The two claim the ad marks the first use of such technology.

The technology, called video-in-print (VIP) uses a paper-thin interactive video player that will be packaged in a co-branded spread in the fall TV preview issue of “Entertainment Weekly.” The player is developed and manufactured by Americhip, Inc.

The ad talks up CBS’s Monday night comedy lineup and new dramas, and promotes the diet cola for men, Pepsi Max. The video in the Sept. 18 issue includes five channels of CBS and Pepsi Max content.

--end--

What I like about Americhip is their "Multisensorize(R)" approach to marketing, embracing sound, sight, touch, smell and taste. By engaging human senses, they make messages more memorable in experience marketing and nostalgic emotions. Only by generating favorable emotional response does a brand break into iconic stature.

I'll be first in line to pick up my copy of "Entertainment Weekly" to see this video in print for myself. How sturdy will it be? How big can they make it? How thick will it feel? Americhip is touting 45 minutes to an hour of content. How smooth will it run? Check them out on YouTube.

While we advertise, the law works to shut us down

2009-08-19T10:28:00.007-04:00

We do our jobs to bring online marketing and advertising to meet the needs of business and consumers. While we are diligently trying to turn results and make numbers, the forces of politics can sometimes be working to negate the freedoms that NetChoice.org refers to as "Convenience, Choice, Commerce". The following is an excerpt from their site.

NetChoice is dedicated to fighting these attacks on core Internet principles. Through this site, the Internet Advocates' Watchlist For Ugly Laws (iAWFUL) will track dangerous legislation and mobilize citizens to defeat bills and proposals that threaten the future of ecommerce and online communication. The list will be continually updated to reflect the most immediate dangers, based on regulatory severity and likelihood of passage.

I encourage you to review the legislation that has been pushing into our world, to keep an eye on what is and is not legal for yourself and your company. If you have other legal insight to add from your industry, I encourage you to add to this discussion!

New Jersey Business Still Fast According to Fortune

2009-08-18T17:01:00.003-04:00

I am thrilled to see New Jersey rank in the Fortune Fastest-Growing 100 Global Companies (even more poignant because we currently have an all-time high unemployment rate).

Congratulations to:
Celgene, #22 out of Summit, NJ;
Foster Wheeler, #29 in Clinton, NJ;
Schering-Plough #54 in Kenilworth, NJ;
NRG Energy #60 in Princeton, NJ; and
Cognizant #90 in Teaneck, NJ.

Such incredible performance continues to highlight NJ's relevance as business, advertising, marketing and communications leaders in our 'State' community. That 5% of the Fortune Top 100 are here in NJ is a huge tribute to the hard work and innovation that resonates throughout our workforce.

Where sales and marketing converge

2009-08-02T09:39:00.003-04:00

Sales and marketing have a great deal of overlap. From a business operational view, sales is viewed as a revenue center and, sometimes, marketing is viewed as a cost center. This is seen in times of economic downturn as costs get cut and marketing is tasked to do more with less.

However, logic and metrics demonstrate that the impact of marketing and advertising increase the funnel volume for sales, provide consistent messaging, and help target the right audience for conversion. Sales force management tools and CRM systems are a great place to start in establishing the ultimate question, “Who is our best customer?”

Typically, there is not a single answer. If you are interested in the rest of this post, click here.

Time to "Re-Balance?"

2009-04-24T17:08:00.003-04:00

OK, so the economy sucks, and we've all lost a good amount of money in our investment portfolios. And yet, a whole lot of television commercials, billboards, print ads and radio spots are hounding us about "re-balancing our portfolios."

It got me thinking. Shouldn't smart marketers also consider re-balancing their marketing budgets as a result of these trying economic times?

Just because you've ALWAYS done something one way doesn't mean you need to go on repeating the same thing over and over. Remember Einstein's definition of insanity -- doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.

If you want to change your marketing results, it just may be time to re-balance your marketing portfolio.

Several new and existing clients have come to us recently asking us to take a look at their overall marketing expenditures. In every case we were able to point out a large number of wasted expenditures -- primarily advertising buys that remain on schedules because they've "always been there," or because "the ad rep buys me a bottle of Maker's Mark every Christmas."

But the world has changed. Unless you are confident that ALL of your marketing and communication expenditures are delivering a real return on your investment (and not just another cost headed straight to the wrong side of the balance sheet), it's probably time to change your way of thinking too.

In flush times, it's easy to just continue doing what you've always done, because, well, we were all making good money, right? And what "worked" from a marketing standpoint wasn't nearly as critical as it is now, during the "Great Recession."

Posted by John Lonsdorf
President
R&J Public Relations
www.RandJpr.com

Riding the Social Media Wave

2009-04-09T17:27:00.006-04:00

The wave of social media options is very real and connected. Why would you blog... unless your insights might change the thoughts and patterns of behaviors, generating traffic to your offering.

Why would you need a podcast... unless you are a speaker and your off the cuff presentations go undocumented. Why would you want to tweet... unless your prospective customers are identifying themselves with quick keywords showing their need. Why do you need a youtube video... unless your sincerity and knowledge, whit and humor transcend the attention-span of an over-saturated audience. People like the spontaneity, accessibility and control of the Web. the ability to click where they want... surfing in a seemingly random pattern.

...But we know the truth about the Internet. True randomness evaporates under the crush of data-driven marketing and user pattern identifiers. If you doubt that randomness is gone, think about the google of yesteryear. When you used to be able to search something and get various papers, and expert opinions from academia, researchers, and government resources. Now, paid placement exerts its muscle, racking up the first 500,000 organic returned searches. (Oh, it's not 'paid' as in, 'I bought an ad'... but certainly paid to an individual or firm that specializes in ranking.)

You might think, in reading this, that I object. Not a chance. For every media that becomes commercialized, my work evolves. My company's offerings are adapted to meet the constantly evolving needs of marketers for strategy, design and technology combinations that accurately convey their offerings to their audiences. Marketing plans are more diverse, integrated, and results-driven. In a very short time, marketers have changed from asking, "How do I get a Content Management System (CMS) for my Website?" to asking "How can my CMS drive my mobile, print and eNewsletter promotions?"

Social media marketing supports sales basics. Like, trust, use. It takes the giant funnel of people and, based on data, drives the connections to the ones who might use your product or service. the creativity, language and design allow an individual to like the offer (or the person). The virtual connections and validity of network can demonstrate a foundation on which transactional trust can exist. The online user is lulled into thinking they ever had a choice which way the current was headed... Truly strategic marketers have taken this into consideration. Money once spent on prime time advertising has been diverted to virtual currents.

I'm certain the next wave is rapidly approaching.

Wendy Flanagan
Co-President
Murray
http://www.murraymedia.com
908-362-8174 x111

Ad agency increases client base using Social Media

2009-04-09T14:28:00.002-04:00

Here's another interesting article by the same guy as my last post. In this article he writes about a small ad agency in Lafayette, LA which is increasing their client base by leaps and bounds using social media. They are not going on pitch meetings, but are fielding calls from all over the country due to their expertise in leveraging social media.

Check it out. Interesting case study.

Social Media Impacts Ad Agency New Business

2009-03-12T13:09:00.003-04:00

Here's an article that had a name and subject that jumped off the page as my first post for the Ad Club Blog-an article about Social Media and Advertising. It's an article by Michael Glass from his Blog "Fuel lines-fueling ad agency new business."

Fuel Lines

This is a guy I follow on Twitter-and today he twittered this article. So, thanks to me, you don't have to follow him or figure out Twitter to get the benefit of this work-just take a look at his article.

As you can see if you go to his page he has a lot to say about how social media and advertising are changing together. He compares how social media marketing and "traditional marketing" gain a prospects attention, control the message, and how important measurement and ROI are in the new scheme of things. I found this little article to be a good start if you're wondering what's happening to ad agencies as a result of social media marketing.

Chuck B.

A Reputation is a Terrible Thing to Waste

2009-02-23T17:43:00.002-05:00

Ted Pincus, founder of The Financial Relations Board, as well as a finance professor at DePaul University and a business columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, recently published a paper on the deepening financial mess. It appeared on the O'Dwyer's PR website. While Pincus doesn't offer much hope for a quick fix by the Obama administration, he does conclude with a cautionary tale for anyone considering cutting their marketing budgets to save money in the short-term.

Pincus writes:

"I sense that the short-sightedness of old has been replaced by a new recognition that a reputation — the most prized asset of all in the long run — cannot be turned on and off with the flick of a budget, and can only be protected by the one specialist who knows how to achieve sustainability."

Sure times are tough. But if you want to be ready to blast out of the gate when the inevitable economic revival comes, make sure you keep your good reputation intact.

And remember the words of Warren Buffet who once famously said, "It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently."

NJAdClub President's Message

2009-01-01T20:20:00.004-05:00

’Tis the Season. Not just the holiday season, but the season of New Beginnings, for making resolutions and planning the future. These are exciting times we are living in, no matter on what side of the fence one resides. Certainly, the market made this past year a turbulent one that we’re happy to leave behind. Yet most people, I think, sense anticipation in the air for a brighter future on many fronts. And NJAd Club folks did have some terrific moments: winning Jersey Awards and celebrating three new inductees into the New Jersey Advertising Hall of Fame!

Permit me to remain philosophical for just a few more lines as I think it is important to realize that whatever times we live through, these are our finite times, and we have a responsibility to ourselves, our families and perhaps God and country too, to make the best out of every moment.

So what does all that have to do with NJAdClub? Simple. This is one of the best organizations and “group of people” providing support and the means to make the best out of all things. Our varied programs, including Wake-Up Call Workshops and Smartalk events, help members and other guests experiment with the latest industry know-how, sharpening new tools for being the best at our jobs. Through our educational outreach efforts, such as the Advertising/MSU Career Day, we help up-and-coming young professionals discover what advertising and marketing is all about, a mentoring event that satisfies our need to give back. Then there are our Marcom networking events (summer and winter), where we mix and mingle with new colleagues and longtime acquaintances. Without such a support network, I don’t think anyone can function successfully. Maintaining a network is a lifelong and enjoyable process — an NJAdClub specialty.

Best of all, organizations such as ours provide the stage so we can accomplish things that are infinitely bigger than our everyday jobs and lives. Pause with me now to remember such giants in our club who are no longer with us, in particular Lew Kraut and Pat Tesman. There are many others, individuals who really believed in this club and what it stood for and helped make it what it is today. We are all better for knowing them.

Looking ahead to 2009, there are, without exaggeration, exciting plans in the works, which I think will make a memorable year for NJAdClub — such as redesigning our website to expand our influence in the NJ advertising community and beyond. And you can be a part of this excitement! Without you, without our members, strategic partners and sponsors, we could not do all that we do. So thank you for your continued support and for your time, our most precious commodity. Happy Holidays to all — those celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or just the New Year! However we celebrate, be sure to share the good cheer! ’Tis the Season.

Michael Schumacher
NJAdClub President
Marketing Communications Manager
The Newark Museum

2009 - Agency Activity Bolsters NJAdClub

2008-12-31T18:13:00.000-05:00

While all industry reigned in activity to close out 2008, the NJAdClub has bolstered its activities and extended its reach to all New Jersey Agencies large and small. The robust hub of NJ business supports a wealth of various agency models and suppliers: advertising, industry specialists, interactive, graphic, media, broadcast and more.