Going back to the basics…

As I was thinking about what the next blog post should cover I started thinking about rewards, loyalty and customer service. I also thought about how this translates into relationships.

In a relationship, everyone wants to have a sense of belonging, appreciation and loyalty. You want to feel like “you’re part of the group” if it’s with friends or feel appreciated by your significant other. The same can/is said about businesses and their relationships with consumers.

As communicators (PR/Marketing/Advertising, etc.) we have to go back to the basics sometimes. A new buzzword, listening, is one of the first steps. Then it’s time to ask some questions – of yourself and them.

Check out the entire post at TwiTip!

Reasons Why PR is a Strong Brand Builder

I couldn’t agree more with Public Relations Blogger more on this one… They recently posted an article on their blog about why PR is a better brand builder than advertising.

While I believe in advertising, as posted in other blog posts, there are some attributes only PR can claim. One such, is believability and trust. We’ve mentioned before that readers trust articles more than advertising. Perhaps we as consumers are just jaded, now knowing (to some extent) that advertising is just a ploy for money by retailers. Or, perhaps there’s a sense of word-of-mouth or recommendation when a journa list writes about a business or product. The end user or reader never knows if that article came from a press release or direct research and writing by the author.

Another big plus on the PR pro/con list is speed. If PR is done correctly (and the business or product is as cool as the CEO/Owner/Developer thinks it is) than PR can boost a product or business very quickly. Look at the Snuggie (I’m not saying this is a cool product AT ALL), but they did PR and experienced incredible, and fast success. There’s just no guarantee how long it will last…

Nevertheless, check out the Public Relations Blogger post for yourself. I’d love to hear your feedback. Which do you think is a stronger brand builder – PR or advertising?

The Young Shall Rule the Future

Dan and me with the High Tech North students and Mr. Hawk

Earlier this year,  I was asked to participate in High Tech North’s graphic design advisory committee. I specifically attended the breakfast and meeting at the school, learning about the incredible things the class is doing.

Under the leadership of Mr. Kevin Hawk, these students are being prepared to enter the work force, with a knowledge and understanding of graphic design and production. I was so pleased to see these young people (mostly high school students with a sprinkling of adults) engaging in the field and preparing to enter the work force.

While at the advisory meeting, the talk of a field trip came up and we offered to have them come visit our office, and tour the neighboring printing company, Presstige Printing, who happens to be in the same building. The day came today for us to give the tour and what a treat!

High Tech North Students, Mr. Hawk, Dan, Nick and I before the tour

A group of about 15 students came for the tour. We started off with the best of breakfast snacks – Dunkin Donuts Munchkins – before moving on to see the digital machines, large presses, bindery, finally heading up stairs to see the graphic design area.

Nick discussing the digital machines' capabilities

Dan talking about the presses and what graphic designers need to know about them

One of the Presstige pressmen getting a sample, hot off the press!

Dan reviewing graphic design tips, trade insights, etc.

So many questions were asked and I could see the students were really learning a lot from seeing how their work would eventually translate into printed materials, etc.

A big kudos goes to Nick Weidenmiller and Dan Venditti for being co-hosts for the tour. They provided so much information.

Dan and Nick, my fellow tour guides

Another big thanks goes to Derek Scott, my husband, who happens to run the digital printers, for taking our group photo and then printing copies for each student and Mr. Hawk before they left!