In our last installment we shared a few thoughts about what to do when your media partner announces an advertising rate increase. In the initial meeting with your sales rep, you should listen to what they are proposing and find out what’s driving the price hike. After that, it’s best to evaluate your leverage, based

I’ve heard many people refer to advertising as a “necessary evil” over the years, and while it always brings a smile to my face (after all, who wouldn’t want to be a necessary evil consultant?), I usually hear an underlying current of frustration in that statement. When you manage advertising on your own, it’s easy

There may have been a time in the not-so-distant past when your business and advertising agency were in perfect sync. The campaigns fired on all six cylinders and customers came running through your door every time. And then one day you realize things aren’t what they used to be. Your budget has increased, but the

If you’ve ever surfed the web and noticed a retail site you visited a few days ago popping up everywhere – you’ve already seen retargeting in action. People love to call this form of advertising “creepy” or “Big-Brother-ish,” but, generally speaking, people are used to being chased by advertisers online. They also respond to it,

Food service is one of the toughest industries to compete in. Increasing costs, employee turnover and stiff competition keep constant pressure on restaurants, and many of them don’t make it far. Despite the challenges, we’ve helped some restaurants break out of the pack and flourish over the years. Here are just a few things we’ve

Radio advertising is still a great business driver, especially in small markets where listenership has an intimate relationship with local station personalities. A 2014 Nielsen report claims that more than 90 percent of American consumers are still listening, which is good news for businesses like yours. Radio advertising is efficient, powerful and fun when it’s done

Your logo is the face of your business, and sometimes that face needs freshening up. Or all-out plastic surgery. That’s okay. Every brand needs a little freshening up sometimes, but too many small-to-medium sized businesses put this task off too long, and eventually it starts to hurt their image. Here are some signs your logo

It’s a conundrum every online business has faced. You finally manage to get people to visit your website, but most of them end up leaving before taking that “next step” down your sales funnel, whether it’s making a purchase, signing up for an event, opting-in for a newsletter. Visitors don’t always do what we want

Some people think good ad design is a subjective thing. After all, everyone has own tastes. You might love country music while I hate it (unless we’re talking about Waylon, Willie, Kris and Johnny. I’m good with the Highwaymen.), but that doesn’t mean the music itself is good or bad. The same principle must apply

Knock, knock. Who’s there? Your ad sales rep! And I’ve got a great special for you, but you have to sign up today! Let me just have two minutes of your time… Sound familiar? I know, I know –  not all ad sales reps are like this. We have our favorites too, people who’ve been