Villing News and Views
The Death of Advertising: A Contrarian's View
Thom Villing (May 15, 2012)
Maybe we've been too quick to accept the conventional narrative that claims mass marketing in the form of advertising is dead.
Mr. Publisher: Tear Down That Paywall!
Scott Tingwald (May 9, 2012)
It's common to hear complaints about paywalls being added to more and more news sites. Scott Tingwald explains why they aren't going away anytime soon.
Like, for Sure: Maintaining Facebook Engagement Through Experience
Andy Fuller (May 2, 2012)
I have to admit I'm a little Facebooked-out. It's not the tool itself causing my burn out; it's the constant droning I hear from businesses shouting at me to become a fan of their page.
Timeless Tips for a Successful Trade Show
Lori Headley (April 26, 2012)
Over many years of working trade shows as a brand manager and assisting clients with their show plans, I have identified a few key factors that are crucial to maximizing your return on this investment.
Concept to Completion - Making 2D Photographs Appear 3D
Brad Rosier (April 20, 2012)
Our video producer discusses what it takes to make still photographs come alive by using digital trickery and lots of creative imagination.
Video Killed the Radio Star. So What's the Life Expectancy of the Medium?
Thom Villing (April 16, 2012)
When you combine satellite radio with Pandora, Spotify and other online music streaming services, there are plenty of companies nibbling at the market share of traditional radio.
Don't Communicate Like a Toddler
Nathan DeSelm (April 10, 2012)
My daughter is a little over 17 months old and she's already making the same communication mistakes that I see in the business and marketing world. Of course, she has a better excuse.
Rambling Reckonings
Thom Villing (April 4, 2012)
Thom Villing shares some quick thoughts on everything from college basketball to Buzz Lightyear.
Four Tips for Choosing Your PR Battles
Andy Fuller (March 29, 2012)
Call me strange, but I find that warfare offers a great deal of metaphors applicable to the public relations industry. It's probably because I cut my PR teeth in the political world.
Journalism 2012 Motto: Sensations Sells (or Who Cares About the Facts)
Jeannine Villing (March 23, 2012)
What in the world has happened to honest, fact-based reporting of new stories? And, maybe more importantly, what has happened to taking the time to do something right the first time?
How to Succeed in Business Presentations: Accounting for Individual Communication Styles
Lori Headley (March 19, 2012)
Even the best ideas with thoughtful strategy and awesome creative executions can go down in flames if not presented properly.
How Marketing Will Make or Break Our Public Library System
Nathan DeSelm (March 15, 2012)
Will our public libraries survive the shift to digital books and media? Or will publishers and other copyright holders use this opportunity to take them out?
QR Codes: Good, Bad or Just Ugly
Thom Villing (March 5, 2012)
If you think QR codes are just a fad, you may want to think again. I found all kinds of statistics about the growth of QR code usage.
Social Media 2.0: What Happened in Vegas Shouldn't Stay in Vegas
Andy Fuller (February 27, 2012)
Ever wonder why social media is exploding the way it is? Andy Fuller relates some takeaways from the recent Social Media for PR and Corporate Communicators event he attended in Las Vegas.
If Frederick the Great Ran Your Marketing Department
Thom Villing (February 21, 2012)
One of the great challenges facing modern marketers is the proliferation of communication channels and outlets. Perhaps the famed King of Prussia has some worthwhile insight that still applies today.
MSRP? More Like Manufacturer's Suggested Ripoff Price!
Nathan DeSelm (February 16, 2012)
Maybe there was a time when the manufacturer's suggested retail price meant something. Those days are gone because aggressive marketers have traded long-term credibility for short-term "monkey business."
A Giant Boost for All
Scott Tingwald (February 8, 2012)
The city of Indianapolis proved to be just as big a winner as the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI. But who else benefitted from Super Week in Indy?
Are Consumers Really Brandwashed?
Lori Headley (February 6, 2012)
Lori discusses a recent book about the tricks companies use to manipulate our minds and persuade us to buy.
Ads: The New Super Bowl Pregame Show
Andy Fuller (February 1, 2012)
The Super Bowl is on the horizon. If you're a fan of one of the 30 teams not playing in the big game, you're probably as interested in the famous Super Bowl ads as you are in the game.
Which Comes First, the Culture or the Brand?
Thom Villing (January 27, 2012)
When considering truly iconic brands, like Nordstrom, Zappos or Apple, a classic chicken-and-egg question arises: Which comes first, the culture or the brand?
The BCS: Brand Championship Series
Andy Fuller (January 23, 2012)
The elegance that was once found in names like the Citrus Bowl, Orange Bowl and heck, even the Tangerine Bowl seems to be lost forever, buried under a pile of awkward sponsor-touting titles.
Why We're Dropping Support for IE6
Nathan DeSelm (January 18, 2012)
It's 2012, so it's time to make some changes. First on the list: we're no longer going to put much effort into supporting Internet Explorer 6. Are we crazy?
The Fallacy of the Funnel: Revisiting Conventional Marketing Wisdom
Thom Villing (January 13, 2012)
The marketing funnel has been as sacred as the four P's of marketing for a century. But now some of the industry's foremost thought leaders are starting to question its relevance.
Holiday Lessons for the Workplace
Lori Headley (January 9, 2012)
Lori discusses the parallels between her plans to improve next year's holiday season and her approach to providing excellent client service in 2012.