“We’re in this together.”

“In times like this.”

“Now more than ever.” 

“We’re here to help.”

Not long after the spread of COVID-19 in the U.S., we became bombarded by TV commercials and Facebook ads from various brands saying these same phrases. Over and over. So much so, that one of my co-workers pointed out we could be playing advertising bingo every night with all of these now mundane phrases.

COVID-19 has instilled fear in everyone worldwide, and drastic measures are being taken to ensure the highest level of medical safety and keep this dreaded disease from spreading. The basic tenet behind these measures is known as social distancing – i.e. stay at home alone unless you need to shop for the basics to survive, and then plan carefully so you can get in, get what you need and get right back out and home again.

Here’s why you’ll never look at blogs the same again.

What’s his story? What’s her story? What’s your story? Hey, want to hear a good story?

Of course you do. We all want to hear a good story. We have since we were children.

Oh, the Places Your Brand Will Go: Why Parents Should Read to Their Children, and Why Your Business Should Care

Here’s a fun stat: Kids who are read one short book per day enter kindergarten hearing 290,000 more words than kids whose parents didn’t read to them. Read More

So, you think you want to rebrand. After all, companies rebrand all the time, right?

Maybe you feel like you’ve lost touch with your customer base. Or maybe you want to expand market share. Maybe your brand isn’t capturing and representing your core values as much as you would like. Or maybe your company needs to make a clean break with a troubled past and introduce itself anew to the marketplace.

But do you know how much of a change you’ll need to make to your brand? Rebranding carries risks as well as rewards, and it’s important to create your rebranding strategy around your actual business problems.

This is a scary time right now. There are a lot of unanswered questions. New information is being revealed every day. Things are changing constantly. People’s lives and daily routines are being turned upside down. That’s all a given. But here’s another …

Now is not the time to go silent.

People really do want to know how brands are responding to this pandemic. A couple weeks ago, our CEO, Kim Mickelsen, mentioned that now is the time for overcommunicating. And she’s absolutely right. This is the time to listen and have a respectful dialogue with them. Show consumers that you’re in this too – that you understand and have their best interest at heart.

How to turn your annual event and/or fundraiser into a digital success.

As we are receiving daily updates from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) on COVID-19, it’s clear that we’re in a constant state of change and uncharted territory. For me personally, this means many of my loved ones are experiencing cancelation or postponement of exciting events like baby showers and weddings. But professionally, I’m seeing an impact on industries across the board and thinking of what the proper next step is. For many, it’s going virtual.

How to manage your brand while managing your bravery.

Clickbait never feels right, but right now the profiteering verbiage slices its serrated blade particularly deep. The coarse edges of badly framed infomercial-type ads cut into our collective purview like an angry fart. Read More

“Flatten the curve.” Thanks (or no thanks) to COVID-19, this phrase has become part of our daily vocabulary. It’s everywhere: in headline news, on social media, and chats between co-workers and friends. Just one month ago, we hadn’t even heard of it, even though this debilitating disease was sweeping through Asia.

Fast forward to today and we are in the midst of a global pandemic. For me, it feels unworldly. It’s like we’re trapped in an apocalyptic sci-fi movie except there’s no Brad Pitt in sight to save us. It’s overwhelming and brings on that sense of helplessness when we feel that there’s nothing we can do.

Q. What can businesses do during the global crisis caused by the pandemic?

A. I know it sounds strange but think and imagine. When times are good, we don’t take the time to think because we are busy getting things done. Now is the time to think and analyze. Worry and anxiety won’t get it done. The business world will be drastically different in a few months. Step back a bit and prepare for that future.

As an expressive extrovert who rarely turns down a chance to spend time with friends and family, it crushes my soul a little to think there will be no hugs and high fives during these uncertain times of Coronavirus. (Though I know it secretly makes my introverted friends very happy.)