Got Over It?
By John Houle Back in 1993 the Got Milk campaign for the California Milk Processor Board was brilliant. It raised awareness and helped make milk cool again like other packaged beverages. But it’s time we Got Over It – at…
The most powerful tool in new media is right in front of us all day long
By John Houle I have heard the drum beat from the younger masses that email is dead, but if you’re serious about reaching business people in new media, then email marketing is still King. Email has 2.9 billion users worldwide.…
Real life examples of how social media can benefit your business
By John Houle If you are still on the fence regarding the effectiveness of social media for your business, then I urge you to read on to learn about some real-life examples of how social media can help your community…
A Tale of Two Kisses
Shock Advertising Versus Effectual Branding "Bravery. It's what defines us." This is the tag line from the Audi commercial called "Prom," which debuted as a one-minute spot in the Super Bowl and continues to run as a thirty-second spot today.…
Don’t try to entertain me in your advertising
Clearly tell me why I should buy from you Claude Hopkins, the author of Scientific Advertising, and one of the greatest marketing minds who ever lived, once stated, “People don’t buy from clowns.” The same exact statement was echoed by…
New Year’s resolution to reinvigorate your marketing
Time to develop a workable marketing-communications strategy Now that you've already been bombarded with all the New Year's clichés, it’s time to see the New Year for what it is – a fresh start for your marketing. If you continue…
If the 2012 Presidential Election proved anything, it’s that TV is still the Reigning King of Media
By John Houle The two presidential candidates, their respective parties and all the Super PACs spent an unprecedented $1.08 billion on one million ads, primarily in ten battle ground states. This extraordinary level of advertising was up 40 percent from…
Integrating your marketing maximizes your results
Your website, email marketing, advertising, PR, and internal and outside sales should all be in concert By John Houle Every business owner or manager has gotten that sales call. It’s that silver bullet answer for all your marketing. It’s that…
Advertising Admissions from a Marketing Guy
By John Houle If you're reading this article, then you validate my first point: EVERYTHING IS IN THE HEADLINE. In articles, press releases, and ads, people are enticed by the headline and will then decide to continue on if the…
Striking that ‘responsive chord’ in your advertising
by John Houle I was watching my favorite TV show on DVR, when I was captivated by a commercial, which struck me even more than the fantastical melodrama about the world of advertising I’m so drawn to. Instead of fast forwarding,…