Calmstock

[Originally posted at 'Round the Square]
I operate in two worlds. By day (and often into early evening) I craft brand-focused communication programs for a variety of mission-driven organizations. By night (and often into early morning) I write, perform and record with a band as part of Boston’s vibrant independent music scene.
There’s always been a synergy [...]

[Originally posted at 'Round the Square]
Have you ever thought of your brand that way?
Think about it…
Independent media channels provide a distinct voice, and view the world through a particular lens not shared by others. Independent media channels engender trust and loyalty, giving audiences reasons to connect above and beyond particular programs.
Your brand can––and should––do the [...]

[Originally posted at 'Round the Square]
Putting customers first, and brand second, can be somewhat of a tough pill to swallow for marketers.
Sure, most understand the need to build communities around their brands, and to nurture those who cluster around the experiences their brands enable. For many, however, it largely remains lip service. Marketers talk about [...]

[Originally posted at Marketing profs]
You’ve done your homework and designed a strategic brand program. You’ve found insight through research, learned what makes your constituents tick, established a strong brand foundation, developed a framework for messages, and evolved a system for visual expression—all necessary to help your organization realize its goals and vision.
Now it’s time to [...]

[Originally posted at Marketing Profs]
Know whom you serve, and why they care.
Much more than just “your customers” or “your audience,” your constituents are all the people for whom your work is meaningful—the internal and external populations whose interest, participation, and advocacy are important to your stability, growth, and long-term success.
Many of these people know [...]

[Originally posted at 'Round the Square]
Back in December I posted an entry entitled, “What carbs can teach us about branding.” With the holiday feasts around the corner, I thought it would be good fun to walk through brand relationship strategies using snack isle brands as examples.
To briefly recap, businesses—for-profit and nonprofit alike—typically manage a family [...]

[Originally written for Sametz Blackstone Associates and later posted at MarketingProfs.]
Is the social media explosion a “big bang” that’s creating a whole new brand communications paradigm, or is it part of an ongoing evolution where focused brand-building principles are not only still relevant, but more important than ever?
The more things change…
Social media is indeed changing [...]