blog

we won some awards at the 2009 richmond show!

We won one bronze for Bubba’s Barber Shop:

and another for Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation “Syke Video Game” :30 TV:

You can see our balls after the jump. [read more]

reaching out and giving back

A while back, a few of us here volunteered to man the phone banks in order to collect donations for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

It was one of the best experiences we’ve ever had. You could hear genuine concern, kindness and a sincere desire to help. True generosity cannot be measured by the amount of money donated. We could tell that some of the donors weren’t wealthy, but they shared their pension or salary because somebody needed their help. They reached out to the less fortunate, and we think we’re all the better for it.

barber martin agency wins chartway federal credit union account

April 21, 2010 ( Richmond, VA) – Barber Martin Agency has been selected as the advertising agency of record for Chartway Federal Credit Union in Virginia Beach, VA. The agency was one of four vying for the business, and the only one to be headquartered outside the Tidewater area.

“This is a big win for us and we are excited to be working with Chartway,” said Robyn Deyo, agency president. “I am confident that Barber Martin’s retail branding and advertising capabilities coupled with Chartway’s industry expertise will help position Chartway as a leader in the financial category.”

Chartered in 1959, Chartway Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial institution with over 190,000 customers and assets of $1.6 billion. Barber Martin
will begin working immediately on a new advertising campaign that will leverage Chartway’s unique offerings at a time when they are most needed.

Barber Martin will provide Chartway with strategic planning, brand development, print and broadcast advertising, social media, design, production, and media planning and placement services.

“We were very impressed with Barber Martin’s knowledge and creativity. We think that Chartway and Barber Martin will make a fantastic team and we look forward to building a strong business relationship with them,” said Phillip Richards, Vice President of Marketing & Strategy for Chartway.

Founded in 1988, Barber Martin is one of the largest advertising agencies in Virginia, listing Wendy’s Restaurants, Southern States Cooperative, Cato Fashions, Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation, and The Port of Virginia among its other clients.

whew! it sure is dusty in here

There have been many, many things happening ’round the farm these days. We have so much to tell you! We’re sorry we’ve been gone for so long. There’s new work, and a new hire, and a puppy or two, and even a few stories! To apologize for our long absence, please accept this video of a cat. Standing. In boots. Set to mariachi music.

We’ll see you soon! Maybe even this weekend, or at the very least Monday! Extraneous exclamation points!!!

do we need research to justify everything?

Two articles were placed in my mailbox recently. The first was called, “Emotional Advertising is More Effective Than Rational Appeals.” The second, “Emotions Will Unlock Your Wallet, Study Finds.” This is new news?

The first article was put out by the 4A’s and was a fairly serious bit of research with more than a dozen citation references. The latter was an article that appeared in the Kansas City Star, and was based on a larger article that will appear in the August 2010 edition of Journal of Consumer Research. Interestingly, both validate what every reputable ad-person already knows: that logic will never win someone’s heart. But emotion, used logically, will. This has been the one indelible truth behind effective advertising since advertising became, well, effective so many moons ago.

[read more]

are great ideas becoming an endangered species?

In 1905, Oscar Wilde stated that “All great ideas are dangerous” – and he was right. Because great ideas are transformative. They disrupt the status quo, force us into areas we may be resistant to visit, and demand a level of attention many are reluctant to give. But a great idea can also ignite our passions and expand the very meaning of life itself. Think I’m being high-falutin’? Then consider the men who first walked on the moon in 1969. All because President Kennedy had a great idea. One that changed the world forever.

[read more]

what i’ve learned from a little polka-dot dress

My mailbox is out of control. Every time I open it, there are piles and piles of promotional fliers from all kinds of retailers. Different retailers, but exactly the same message: best value! You can just switch the names on the fliers and nobody would notice the difference. There are not many differences in methods they use to deliver the value message: 50% off the original price, cash back, buy one get one free, free shipping, one day only special discount, etc. As a result of such promotional practices, consumers are trained to think that the lowest price equals the best value. I think this is the main reason why discount retailers like T.J. Maxx and Marshalls that offer rock-bottom prices are thriving in this economy.

But the truth is that low prices are not always the best indicator of value. Let me tell you a little story:

Ever since I was a little girl, my mom used to say to me, “Buy nice, not twice.” That’s why eight years ago, when I landed my first U.S. job interview, I splurged on a beautiful 100% silk polka-dot dress from Dillard’s. I got the job and the polka-dot dress became my favorite dress. Any time I need to look nice and professional, this dress is my “guaranteed good looks insurance policy.” I think every woman has a piece of clothing like that. [read more]

• flickr'd!

  

  

  

  

  

  

• tweet!

  • McDonald's releases brilliant gay ad in France, manages to avoid PR firestorm. We're just as surprised as you. http://bit.ly/aDGT1x 03:14:54 PM June 02, 2010 from web
  • M. Bay, hero of our times. http://bit.ly/b6QQrk 02:42:11 PM June 01, 2010 from web
  • We love Lady Luck. Really. But the image of Lady Luck "bustin' out all over" is one that no sane person should readily entertain. 02:37:10 PM June 01, 2010 from web
  • Sometimes, this industry gives you the opportunity to do great work. http://bit.ly/9ahOJe (via @AdFreak) 01:45:25 PM June 01, 2010 from web

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