Currently, X does come before Y. But, what if we there were a new, more trendy alphabet? Stick that thought in your think bank and ponder it for a minute...or two.
Is it true? Are we; the young and the restless, the social networking addicts, the iPod worshiping Millennials, truly beginning to take over advertising?
OMG! It looks like it.
I was born in 1985. I cannot recall many dramatic, historic National events, nor did I have the opportunity to rock fanny-packs and ridiculously colored pants – I am 23 years old. To most, I am thought of as young and inexperienced. To me, however, I am skilled, knowledgeable and prepared.
I recently read an article titled, "War of the Ages,” in the August Issue of ADWEEK. The article focused around the generational change in advertising and marketing. More so, how Millennials are pushing (shoving) Baby Boomers out of their way and relentlessly dashing to the top of the advertising mountain. For years, Boomers have controlled and managed the industry. However, as the media world and considerable consumer society is changing due to the drastic technological transformation, many are beginning to feel the youthful push (punch).
Hold on – I am not saying that Boomers are not in tune with new technology or our Generational trends. Sure, they can text message, create Facebook accounts and party like it’s 2008. But, does this mean Gen X-ers are hoping on board? Maybe, maybe not. The fact is that as Millennials, we are impatient and will stop at nothing to get what we want. Even if that means taking over a business industry.
One thing I want to note that is I DO NOT believe that you must be hip to produce killer creative. I DO believe that in order to connect with specific niche audiences, you must be in-tune with their verbiage, trends and overall mannerisms. Does being hip help – sure, but only if your audience is.
Despite what some think, Generation Y is not all about text messaging, social networking or rocking sweet gear and accessories. We’re about understanding how people are starting to receive messages through new mediums. We’re about relating to the changing phenomena of interactive and digital work. We're about using our innovative strengths to achieve measurable goals. We are not smarter or necessarily more trendy, but we do have certain skills that can help clients move their needle.
Maybe we are hybrid thinkers and maybe we are just hybrids. Either way, we get it.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
The Reality of Advertising
It wasn’t that I didn’t realize it was the week of October 20th, I think it was the shock that in a recent communication with a valued HMA client, we both realized - WOW there is only 10 weeks left in 2008. Yeah, that’s right, only 10 weeks to bring the year in, and get ready to roll out plans for 2009. 2009?! I just got used to writing 2008.
The reality is most of us have a whole lot on our mind. From the market, to the election, to the credit crunch, to the whole idea that if you pay too much attention to the national media you may want to skip Vegas because if you’re a business owner/CEO you are already going to have your fair share of gambling thrills in 09.
So what is the reality? It’s tough, but so what. The majority of our clients fall into the $2 million to $20 million range. Some are smaller, some a larger, but that’s pretty much the spot HMA plays at. Most are privately held firms, that have won, or are winning, the battle because they have great people, have had a consistent and well crafted marketing and advertising message over the years, and give exceptional service to their own customers. Plus, many of them are innovative and entrepreneurial. Which means, quite honestly, the have a crisis to perform and expect the same from vendors. I love it.
The reality is when times are good you should advertise, when times are bad you MUST advertise. The fact is, that companies that maintain or increase their advertising spending during a recession get ahead.
Here’s an excerpt from the Wall Street Journal:
Studies by the American Business Press examined the relationship between advertising and sales in 143 companies during a sever downturn. They found that companies that did not cut advertising had the highest growth in sales and net income during the two study years and the following two years. The studies also proved that companies that cut advertising during both years had the lowest sales and net income increases during the two study years and the following two years. And, not surprisingly; companies that cut advertising during only one of the recession years had sales and net income that fell in between
A study by McGrall-Hill of the 1974-1975 and 1981-1982 recessions confirmed the long-range advantage of keeping a strong advertising presence. It found that companies that cut advertising in 1981-1982 increased sales by 19% between 1980 and 1985, while companies that continued to advertise in 1981-1982 enjoyed a 275% sales increase. The results of the studies are consistent, clear and unequivocal: Those companies that advertise during a recession have better sales than those companies that don’t.
The reality, and it probably hurts a little, is the way to minimize a downturn and take maximum advantage of the upturn is to maintain a strong communications link with your customers and the buying public. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.
The reality is most of us have a whole lot on our mind. From the market, to the election, to the credit crunch, to the whole idea that if you pay too much attention to the national media you may want to skip Vegas because if you’re a business owner/CEO you are already going to have your fair share of gambling thrills in 09.
So what is the reality? It’s tough, but so what. The majority of our clients fall into the $2 million to $20 million range. Some are smaller, some a larger, but that’s pretty much the spot HMA plays at. Most are privately held firms, that have won, or are winning, the battle because they have great people, have had a consistent and well crafted marketing and advertising message over the years, and give exceptional service to their own customers. Plus, many of them are innovative and entrepreneurial. Which means, quite honestly, the have a crisis to perform and expect the same from vendors. I love it.
The reality is when times are good you should advertise, when times are bad you MUST advertise. The fact is, that companies that maintain or increase their advertising spending during a recession get ahead.
Here’s an excerpt from the Wall Street Journal:
Studies by the American Business Press examined the relationship between advertising and sales in 143 companies during a sever downturn. They found that companies that did not cut advertising had the highest growth in sales and net income during the two study years and the following two years. The studies also proved that companies that cut advertising during both years had the lowest sales and net income increases during the two study years and the following two years. And, not surprisingly; companies that cut advertising during only one of the recession years had sales and net income that fell in between
A study by McGrall-Hill of the 1974-1975 and 1981-1982 recessions confirmed the long-range advantage of keeping a strong advertising presence. It found that companies that cut advertising in 1981-1982 increased sales by 19% between 1980 and 1985, while companies that continued to advertise in 1981-1982 enjoyed a 275% sales increase. The results of the studies are consistent, clear and unequivocal: Those companies that advertise during a recession have better sales than those companies that don’t.
The reality, and it probably hurts a little, is the way to minimize a downturn and take maximum advantage of the upturn is to maintain a strong communications link with your customers and the buying public. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Ulnar Nerve Relocation Surgery
Last fall I lost a considerable amount of muscle in my right hand, and my pinky and ring finger were "clawing". Evidently my Ulnar nerve was getting pinched/damaged. The ulnar nerve is one of the most exposed nerves on the human body and is also called the "funny bone" because it is located on the elbow. My Orthopedic surgeon moved my ulnar nerve above my elbow so it would not be stressed, and it would be less prone to injury, and heal. How does this even happen? I hear you cry? many things could have provoked it, overuse, sudden trama, constantly having arms bent(using a computer) lots of stuff. It is projected to take about 2 years until I see full results given that the nerve heals at a wopping 1mm a day!
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