We see you. Tired. Having trouble concentrating. Uninspired. But we’re not here to call you out for being lazy and procrastinating. We’re here to tell you you’re just burnt out.

What is burnout?

The World Health Organization defines burnout as a “syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.” Although first defined in 2019, the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has not only brought more attention to burnout and its long-term effects but has also shed light on just how rampant burnout is among working individuals. Read More

The pandemic has made a substantial impact on the marketing and advertising industry, that’s no secret. But in this episode of Marketing Then & Now, we sit back down with one of Bozell’s owners, Kim Mickelsen, to get her take on the past couple of years, as well as her predictions for what’s to come. Having personally seen our agency survive three major crises during her 20 years of ownership, she offers a unique perspective on the matter. Read More

There has been a lot of conversation recently about the interconnectedness of profits and purpose – the idea that a business can do well by doing good for its customers, employees and community, not just its shareholders. For example, I recently read this statistic:

“Globally, 94% of consumers said it is important that the companies they engage with have a strong Purpose, and 83% said companies should only earn a profit if they also deliver a positive impact.” (Forbes, Read More

Being a copywriter back in the Mad Men era was a lot different than it is today. Responsibilities now include anything from social content creation to guerrilla marketing to SEO. Join us in this episode of Marketing Then & Now as our senior copywriter, Kerrey Lubbe, explains the modern-day copywriter. She’ll talk us through brainstorming, how she stayed creative during the pandemic and, of course, the complex process of creating and implementing keywords and phrases that can help your website outperform your competitors. Read More

When people think of “market research,” most associate it with the quantitative type, which deals with numbers, graphs, surveys and statistics. While those methods are great for identifying or validating “the what,” qualitative research is better for explaining “the why.” And according to Keith Navratil, founder of needledrop, “Everyone needs the why.” From self-described “failed copywriter” to highly acclaimed market research consultant, Keith is the quintessential qual research guru, and we’ve partnered with him on many client projects. Read More

Two months into this new year, marketing can still feel too much like a round of Russian roulette. The Capitol riots and, more recently, the implications of February’s polar vortex added to an already exasperated nation dealing with sickness, joblessness, and unprecedented social isolation. It’s no wonder some brands continue to pull back on advertising. They’re struggling to know what to say and how to say it. Read More

You might think you know social, but we guarantee you’ll learn something new from our guest on this episode of Marketing Then & Now. Bozell’s very own social media specialist, Christie Do, shares some insights on how to get the most out of your social platforms. She discusses the importance of setting goals and staying true to your brand values – especially during the cancel-culture era. And she also introduces us to 360 Listening—a service that Bozell provides that combines search listening, Read More

Being a successful woman in business is no easy task. And in this episode of Marketing Then & Now, Bozell President Robin Donovan is sharing all the struggles and successes she faced along the way – from “sexual tensions” while working in media buying during the Mad Men era in New York City to moving to the Midwest and becoming co-owner of a completely women-owned agency. Join us as Robin offers stories and advice to the many eager women who are looking to pave their way in this industry and get a seat at the table. Read More

Let’s face it. Creativity has taken a bit of a hit ever since the pandemic started. Working from home, virtual brainstorms – it all takes its toll on our artistic minds and spirits. But with a new year comes the chance for a new start. So I’ve asked members of our creative team at Bozell to share with me how they reignite their creative flames. And here’s what they had to say. Read More

If you’re looking for a good laugh, type “Jan. 1, 2020 headlines” into your search engine. Some of my favorites are “the most anticipated buildings set to shape the world in 2020” from CNN, “the bull market is charging into 2020” from The Wall Street Journal, and “12 things our critics are looking forward to in 2020” in The New York Times’ Arts section.

This time last year we were all blissfully ignorant of what was to come – marketers included. Read More