I saw an interesting article in the Dec 12^th Adweek, “A Holiday Tale: The Christmas Tree Wars.”

The article does a good job of framing the business and marketing aspects of the competition between “mom-and-pop” tree sellers vs. the “big box” stores that sell fresh trees in their garden departments. What’s missing in the discussion is what may be mom and pop’s best advantage: tradition. No other time of year is so built on maintaining tradition like the Christmas season. We don’t even like most new Christmas songs, although we also complain that there are so few Christmas songs. Why? Tradition.

What buying a tree from a “big box” store offers in convenience, it lacks in the ability to reinforce good old heart-warming traditions. I’d hate to see mass retailers kill the Christmas tree tradition and I think this might be one case where emotion will win out over practical convenience.  Merry Christmas!

Judson Luke | Post a Comment

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“Words have meaning and type has spirit,” says Paula Scher. “And the combination is just spectacular.”

Typography is used in advertising and marketing to give “meaning and spirit” to a company’s brand identity.

Part of the PBS web series, “Off Book,” is the short film “Type,” exploring the diversity of typographic expression through conversations with iconic graphic designer Paula Scher, font designers Tobias Frere-Jones and Jonathan Hoefler, the experimental young designer Eddie Opara, and cutting-edge info-graphic creators Deroy Peraza and Julia Vakser.

Watch the full episode. See more Off Book.

Type is the visual representation of our language. It adds shape, texture, mood and feeling to our messages, creating subtle layers of nuance and meaning. As it shapes your brand identity, it also enhances its emotional intangibles. Next time you look at an advertisement, a sign or a logo maybe you’ll see it a little bit differently.

Julie Meidam | Post a Comment

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Recently, I’ve started training to ride the Door County Century bike ride. For those unfamiliar with biking lingo, a century is 100 miles. I’ll be honest with you, it’s been five years since I have trained to ride that distance (I once did Ironman Wisconsin back in 2005, but that is a long time behind me). But a new challenge sounds fun! Albeit a bit crazy, right? I found a plan, developed a strategy, and started training.

A few weeks in and it was time for my first 50 mile ride. Twenty-five miles each way out and back, totally do-able. Well, the “out” was great but at the turnaround, my seat clamp broke beyond repair and I had to ride the 25 miles back on a saddle that resembled the Tilt-A-Whirl at the Wisconsin State Fair.

With a bike now not fitting properly and a seat that was misbehaving, it made for a challenging ride home (and a few choice words to communicate my displeasure)!

The next day I was discussing the ride’s misfortune with a cycling friend of mine, who offered some very wise advice:

“That misfortune made you a stronger rider.”

His comment hit me hard, and made me realize that at first glance what may seem a failure is indeed a lesson in what it takes to not only grow, but eventually succeed.

This same sentiment certainly applies to marketing as well. Not every strategy or tactic is going to meet your expectations. The key is to learn from those missteps by evaluating where they fell short, making the proper adjustments and moving forward.   

So, I will leave you with this thought: when things go sideways, remember to keep focus and pedal on!

Ride Strong. Ride Safe.

Gregg Kerttula | Post a Comment

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Albert Einstein: hands-down, one of the most brilliant men ever to have lived. My coworker, Karen, quoted him in a meeting this week and it spurred me to do some research. However, it wasn’t his Theory of Relativity or his Nobel Prize that got me to thinking this week. It was his thoughts on value.

One of my favorite quotes of his is, “The value of achievement lies in the achieving.” Einstein found his greatest enjoyment in life in the discovery process. Pure creativity; unbelievable ingenuity. He understood that sometimes it takes time to get to that final “a-ha” moment –  to be able to proudly stand back, look at your work, and say “Yes, I created that”. He didn’t need to worry about the end of the day deadline, the bottom dollar, but rather he focused on what truly mattered: the end result.

I want to strive to be a person of value – my own level of Einsteindom. This doesn’t mean I plan on blowing deadlines or budgets, but it does mean I will take the time to stay on the right course for our client – providing marketing solutions that make sense and create awareness for our clients.

Photo credit – http://famousartistsandpainting.com.

Angela Mork | Post a Comment

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This week I had the sad task of taking our family dog to be put to sleep. Greta was a beautiful and very sweet German Shepherd mix that we got as a rescue from the Wisconsin Humane Society. She has been a wonderful addition to our family for the last six years and we loved her very much. I especially want to thank the veterinarians and staff at Bluemound Animal Hospital (Brookfield, WI). You cared for Greta through her good times and helped ease her pain at the end. We will always be grateful.

Judson Luke | Post a Comment

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Although it sounds ominous, it wasn’t a foreshadowing of things to come. Still, the morning was dark, overcast and lightly misting. My brother and sister got up early and we said our good-byes in the kitchen of our house, giving them hugs as they wished me luck.

My parents drove me to the Reuss Federal Building in downtown Milwaukee. On the 15-minute drive there I was thinking “what have I gotten myself into?” But I think most people have that thought at one time or another. They parked the car near the entrance, got out and gave me more hugs good bye. My mom, with tears in her eyes, told me she loved me. I told them the same, turned around and off I went into the wild blue yonder. (more…)

Steve Staedler | Post a Comment

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Most parents brag about their children; it just comes with the territory. Sometimes you don’t realize that’s how it comes across and in some cases, it may be intentional.  For me, I’m kind of my dad’s whole world. Or, I was, until I had a child of my own, and now I think I’ve been replaced (that’s a different story for another time). Dad’s efficient with keeping our little hometown appraised of “my doings” as he calls them, whether it’s when I completed my first triathlon or publishing a piece of writing. At morning coffee or his weekly Sheepshead tournament, his friends are well aware of what the current status is in my life. (more…)

Angela Mork | Post a Comment

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Zagat, the omnipresent restaurant raters, recently came out with their list of the best 20 movies ever made. 

I know everyone is thinking – what’s mine? Good question. Here’s my top 20:

1. The Godfather.  The wedding scene alone is worth the price of admission.  It’s the best movie.

2. Casablanca.  The original classic film.

3. The Searchers.  The best western ever made.  Period.

4. Gone with the Wind.  Epic story and great stars; who needs more?

5. Lawrence of Arabia.  Broad canvas.  A big picture that works. (more…)

Steve Wilcox | Post a Comment

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It started with a simple question from Gregg, the creative lead here at the agency.

“You want to do the 300 challenge?”

“What is that, some type of bowling tournament,” I asked. Ah…no.

The 300 challenge, as I soon learned, was anything but bowling. Modeled after the popular movie 300, the challenge is a workout…more of an extreme workout in my opinion…in which you do a series of seven exercises that total 300 repetitions. And the seven exercises are done one after another with no rest. The goal is to see how fast you can get through it. (more…)

Steve Staedler | Post a Comment

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Just a few short months ago I was saying hello, and now it’s time for me to say goodbye and head back to school in the Big Easy. I have really enjoyed my time at LePoidevin Marketing, and am thankful to everyone here for this opportunity.

My goals this summer were to learn more about B2B marketing, receive hands-on experience with researching and writing, and to gain a better understanding as to how I might fit into the field of marketing upon my graduation. (more…)

admin | Post a Comment

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