Villing Articles for 2009
When It Comes To Holiday Traditions, Baby Boomers Aren't So Different Than Their Own Babies.
Thom Villing (December 29, 2009)
In light of the holiday season, as well as our recent discussions in this space about generational issues, I thought I’d share with you some interesting statistics I recently came across.
Baby Boomers: Experiences Matter
Lesley Langfeldt (December 22, 2009)
The Baby Boomers are the largest and wealthiest demographic segment in America. Because of this, it is critical that marketers understand how to effectively communicate with them.
Reader Reply: Are Traditional Marketing Methods Relevant?
Scott Howard (December 18, 2009)
In response to this week's Point/Counterpoint article, our first guest author provides a little more information and an alternate perspective about the controversial future of traditional marketing methods.
Point/Counterpoint: Are Traditional Marketing Methods Still Relevant?
Nathan DeSelm & Thom Villing (December 16, 2009)
Most people agree that marketing and the media used to disseminate marketing messages are changing. In this special "point/counterpoint" post, we debate the extent and nature of this change.
Tech Tip: Use Google Trends to Gain Valuable Insights for Free
Nathan DeSelm (December 11, 2009)
It's important for marketers to keep their finger on the cultural pulse. One way to do that is to use Google Trends.
Concept to Completion - Creating a Kinetic Typography TV Commercial
Brad Rosier (December 4, 2009)
Brad Rosier explains the process of putting together a TV spot using kinetic typography.
Preparing for Launch: Social Media's Place in Marketing Cyberspace
Mathew Siecker (November 30, 2009)
I think we should be looking at social media as more of a satellite instead of a launching pad. Satellites gather data, connect sources of information and deliver messages to a wide range of media.
Gen X: Adaptable, Flexible & Reachable
Lesley Langfeldt (November 18, 2009)
As a follow up to my article on Generation Y, this article describes Generation X and even provides a comparison between these two somewhat similar generations.
Do You Have a Brand Cause?
Thom Villing (November 13, 2009)
Lately I've been very involved in several projects and discussions involving what we refer to as brand trust. Fortunately, there are ways to increase the value of your brand and they are as elementary as the golden rule.
Happy Holidays!
(November 6, 2009)
Take a little break from all that work and try our new holiday game: The Great Gobbler GetAway.
Tech Tip: The Four Critical Questions Every Home Page Must Answer
Nathan DeSelm (November 2, 2009)
Your home page is one of the most important pages on your Web site. To be effective it must quickly provide the answers to four basic questions.
Why Gen Y? Attracting Them, Speaking Their Language, Telling It Like It Is
Lesley Langfeldt (October 28, 2009)
Most Gen Y-ers have never known a world without video games and computers. Therefore, they have different expectations than any other generation before them. Knowing a little about them can help you become a successful marketer to them.
'Tis the Season: How the Holidays Provide a Perfect Branding/Image-building Opportunity
Scott Tingwald (October 23, 2009)
For most marketers, the holidays represent a unique opportunity, but the nature of that opportunity varies by business and deserves careful thought and consideration.
The Demise of Arrested Development and How it Relates to Long Tail Marketing and Niche Demand for Higher Quality
Brad Rosier (October 19, 2009)
Arrested Development died because it couldn't find its audience. However, recent developments make it easier for entertainment and marketing professionals to connect with valuable niches online.
Don't Fail to Plan Your Marketing Efforts. Seven Steps to Help You Plan... to Succeed.
Thom Villing (October 14, 2009)
As we approach the end of a year that many people would just as soon forget, it may be a good time to remember to work on your marketing plans for 2010.
Tech Tip: Don't Underestimate the Importance of Your Subpage Design
Nathan DeSelm (October 9, 2009)
There's something that's always bothered me about the traditional Web site design process. The focus is too often on the home page design, with the subpage design thrown in as an afterthought. This is dangerously misguided.
Social Media and the Economy
Scott Tingwald (October 5, 2009)
It's no coincidence that the meteoric rise of social media occurred during the worst recession in decades. How might social media be affected by an economic rebound?
Breaking Through the Clutter
Mathew Siecker (September 30, 2009)
Breaking through the clutter in marketing and advertising these days can be a huge challenge. After the big Kanye West hoopla that went on, I came upon a statistic that made me think about branding.
Who Says 18-34 is the Most Coveted Marketing Demographic?
Thom Villing (September 25, 2009)
When I first got into the business, everyone said 18-34 was the most sought after demographic for advertisers. Does that still hold true today?
The World of Webinars
Lesley Langfeldt (September 21, 2009)
Technology has brought many conveniences into our lives. In my opinion, webinars are one more convenience to add to the list.
Social Media: Think Before You Drink the Kool-Aid
Thom Villing (September 16, 2009)
Social media is being touted as a magic elixir for marketers — providing incredible impact at little or no cost. Sorry, but that’s not reality.
Concept to Completion - Building a High-Impact Financial Web Site: Part 2
Nathan DeSelm (September 11, 2009)
In the previous article, I discussed the planning and design stages of building the Lake City Bank Web site. Of course, you can have the coolest design out there, but if the site doesn't work right, or is difficult to maintain, it just won't be useful.
Concept to Completion - Building a High-Impact Financial Web Site: Part 1
Nathan DeSelm (September 9, 2009)
Villing recently launched a Web site that may be one of our most ambitious projects to date - the Lake City Bank Web site. This article gives a behind-the-scenes look at the project.
Social Media: Hype or Hindrance?
Thom Villing (August 28, 2009)
All those who are sick and tired of all the hype about social media, raise your hands! It's not that the end game isn’t worthwhile. It just needs some perspective.
At 30,000 Feet, Timing is Everything
Nathan DeSelm (August 24, 2009)
I recently traveled to Europe for vacation, which obviously required several very long flights. During that time, I learned a little something about timing your marketing efforts.
The Importance of Customer Satisfaction
Lesley Langfeldt (August 19, 2009)
While shopping one day, a store manager refused to accept a purchase I wanted to return and ended up with one angry customer. In the end, was it worth it? Definitely not.
Observations On Working Remotely as a Digital Artist
Brad Rosier (August 14, 2009)
For the last year, I've been working full time for Villing & Company from home. Overall, the experience has been surprisingly positive...for the most part.
When Did Creativity Become a Commodity?
Thom Villing (August 10, 2009)
As the marketing services industry has changed due to media fragmentation and technological advances, my one solace has been that there would always be a market for ideas. Now I'm not so sure.
Tech Tip: Advanced Search Techniques To Help You Google Like a Pro
Nathan DeSelm (August 4, 2009)
Using special keywords and operators in Google's normal search box can greatly improve the quality of your results. You may have heard of some of these, but my guess is that some will be new.
The Other Uses of Twitter
Lesley Langfeldt (July 29, 2009)
The popularity of Twitter is unbelievable. But why on earth would anyone want to know every mundane detail about your day?
Slow Down and Appreciate Life
Mathew Siecker (July 24, 2009)
People mention every day how fast time goes and how there is just never enough time. However, if you learn to slow down and appreciate the little things, it may just help you connect with your target audience.
Phoning It In
Scott Tingwald (July 17, 2009)
A recent Internet and e-mail outage at our office on Monday due to a weekend storm took me back to the 1990s. You don't realize how much communication is by e-mail until you don't have it.
Nonprofit + Event Planning x Public Relations = Success
Becky Hayden (July 10, 2009)
Incorporating public relations into your nonprofit event planning may not solve all of your budget problems, but if all the elements are executed properly your event can be extremely successful!
Tech Tip: Top Four Web Optimization Myths
Nathan DeSelm (July 6, 2009)
Myths about web site optimization can often lead to unnecessary usability restrictions or inappropriate goals. These are some of the more common web optimization myths that I run across quite frequently.
O-ver-ra-ted (clap, clap,...clap, clap, clap)
Thom Villing (July 1, 2009)
The relative success of McDonald's versus Burger King reignites the debate over the value of creativity.
Concept to Completion - Behind the Scenes on a Motion Graphics TV Commercial: Part 2
Brad Rosier (June 26, 2009)
In the last article I explained the preproduction and production process in creating a motion graphics TV spot for McDonald’s. Now let’s talk about what I consider the really fun stuff: postproduction.
Concept to Completion - Behind the Scenes on a Motion Graphics TV Commercial: Part 1
Brad Rosier (June 22, 2009)
In this article and the next I’ll be taking you behind the scenes on a motion graphics-driven commercial that we recently created for McDonald’s.
Tech Tip: If You Use Google for Everything, You're Missing Out
Nathan DeSelm (June 17, 2009)
With the recent release of Microsoft Bing and WolframAlpha, I thought I'd discuss some situations where Google isn't your best choice for finding information online.
Sometimes the Medium is the Message
Thom Villing (June 8, 2009)
Recently I've noticed full-page ads in local newspapers attempting to reinforce the medium's continuing relevance. I have to wonder if they are simply preaching to the choir.
Thom Villing Elected to IAN Board of Directors
(June 3, 2009)
Thom Villing, president of Villing & Company marketing communications, was elected to the Intermarket Agency Network (IAN) Board of Directors at the organization’s recent meeting in New Orleans.
Role Playing: How the Economy Allows for Role Reversal by PR Practitioners
Scott Tingwald (May 28, 2009)
PR practitioners have often longed for the chance to switch places with reporters and write the feature we are pitching ourselves. Well, courtesy of the sagging economy, we now have our wish.
Tech Tip: How to Hire a Web Developer and/or Web Firm
Nathan DeSelm (May 21, 2009)
Hiring an outside web developer or firm can be very challenging. It often feels like you're wading through acronyms and certifications when all you really want to know is "Will this developer do a great job on my site?"
Protect the Mothership: Everything you do in online marketing should orbit around your Web site.
Thom Villing (May 15, 2009)
An organization’s Web site is truly its mothership on the Internet. And any online marketing initiatives are only as powerful as the mothership around which they orbit.
The Fox TV affiliate in South Bend-Elkhart had questions on best marketing practices during a recession. Agency president, Thom Villing, had answers.
Tech Tip: How To Check the Quality of Your Web Site Code
Nathan DeSelm (April 22, 2009)
Most marketing managers and coordinators don't understand HTML. So how do you know if your programmer is doing a good job?
Not for the Faint of Heart: The impact of social media can spell heartburn for marketers. Just ask Domino's.
Jeannine Villing (April 17, 2009)
In recent years, viral marketing through the Internet and social media has been all the buzz. But if we ever needed a reminder of the dark side of Internet marketing, it became painfully real this week to Domino's.
Making Words Look Better!
Mathew Siecker (April 13, 2009)
Words words words. We all use words. Now there's a way to pull all of these words together and make something worth looking at.
Senior Art Director, Ron Doyle, Wins Painting Competition
(April 7, 2009)
A piece of art created by Ron Doyle, senior art director at Villing & Company, won first place in The Artist's Magazine's 2009 All-Media Online Competition in the pastel category.
The Day the Newspaper Died: Implications of "paper"-less journalism
Jeannine Villing (March 31, 2009)
I’m worried. As more and more of our newspapers disappear altogether or move to digital versions only, I have started having real concerns about the impact on our society.
History has proven that companies which continue marketing during a recession are usually rewarded by increased market share that translates to increased sales and profitability when the economy recovers.
Social Media - Should I or Shouldn't I?
Lesley Langfeldt (March 23, 2009)
Wondering if you should be participating in social media like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn? Find statistics on who is using this new media and how they are using it.
Join the Madness
(March 17, 2009)
OK, the big guys have big sites, big prizes and big ways to get lost in the big dance. Not us. We just want to have fun. Fill out your brackets on our web site and follow along every day of the Men's College Basketball Tournament.
March Marketing: When it comes to the four Ps of marketing, March Madness is the ultimate slam dunk.
Thom Villing (March 16, 2009)
Just for the heck of it, let's apply the classic four Ps to a marketing analysis of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.
Tech Tip: Useful Tools for Marketing Professionals (also, they're free)
Nathan DeSelm (March 10, 2009)
Over the years, I've found quite a few useful tools that marketing people might not realize they can use for free.
Don't Call it a Comeback
Scott Tingwald (March 2, 2009)
Invigorated by social media, PR evolves with the times.
When the Fish Get Finicky...
Thom Villing (February 25, 2009)
TV still works. It just works better with better creative.
Villing & Company Honored With Eight ADDY Awards
(February 19, 2009)
Villing & Company was awarded with eight ADDY awards during the Michiana Ad Club’s (MAC) American Advertising Federation (AAF) Awards Program on February 12.
Look, Mom, I'm Going to be in a Commercial?!?
Samantha Marra (February 16, 2009)
I haven’t even been at Villing & Company a month and some exciting things have already happened. My name is Sammy and I am an intern here at Villing & Company.
If I had a million dollars…
Thom Villing (February 6, 2009)
So, who won the Super Bowl? Not the game. The game within the game. The advertising. It depends on whom you ask.
Tech Tip: So, You Want Online Animation?
Nathan DeSelm (January 28, 2009)
Web site animation can greatly enhance a visitor's experience on your web site. But you need to be careful or it could do more harm than it's worth.