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# Strategic Insights

Brand Marketing

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://strategicinsights.net/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [Blog](https://strategicinsights.net/advertising-marketing-blog-posts/)
- [Strategic Insights is off with the Pixies!](https://strategicinsights.net/pixie-award-for-animation/) - You may be thinking, “but wait, isn’t that an Irish phrase that means ‘mentally unsound or eccentric, not in touch with reality, or incapacitated by alcohol?'” And our answer would be “all three!” But in this case, it means we’ve been awarded a Gold Pixie in the video animation category for work we completed at the request
- [Strategic Insights delivers a "positive outcome" with new website for AMS.net](https://strategicinsights.net/strategic-insights-delivers-a-positive-outcome-with-new-website-for-ams-net/) - In marketing and advertising, enduring relationships are as elusive as they are valuable. Especially these days, when businesses often feel no remorse for "taking things in-house," going with an unverified offshore source, or--both comical and insulting--simply telling their loyal, long-term agency, "We found a guy." So it lifted our spirits to get a call from
- [New Eaton partner website for Stoof, launched without a goof](https://strategicinsights.net/new-eaton-partner-website-for-stoof-launched-without-a-goof/) - Strategic Insights has launched an Eaton partner website or two (or a lot more than two) over the years, and it was precisely that experience that Pittsburgh-based R.M. Stoof & Associates was after. It's a natural extension of our long-running relationship with Eaton itself, a century-plus-old company who sells its products and services through a
- [Madame President: Career branding as a business memoir](https://strategicinsights.net/madame-president-career-branding-in-book-form/) - Strategic Insights has gotten back in the publishing business, with a career branding project. Fresh off the success of the "Hey, Honey!" children's picture book series, we had the good fortune to be referred by those books' author, Paula Carr, to a formidable leadership force in the Washington, DC. business community by the name of
- [Built for speed, new car appraisal website is driving traffic](https://strategicinsights.net/built-for-speed-new-car-appraisal-website-is-driving-traffic/) - Matt Oleksiak's career has been a road filled with twists and turns. His first stop after college was the US Army, where he spent nearly a decade in military intelligence. From there, he served as a director of sales operations for a number of companies before striking out on his own as an independent automobile
- [Brand Identity Case Study: TheftZapper](https://strategicinsights.net/theftzapper-brand-identity-strategic-insights-brand-marketing/) - Make no mistake, "Perimeter Security Systems" is a GREAT set of keywords in the category of electrified perimeter fencing. However, as a memorable brand identity, we felt there was room for improvement. [Disclaimer: we understand the name "Strategic Insights Brand Marketing" doesn't give us much room to talk, but it has literally decades of equity
- [10 Ways to Improve Your Website on a Budget (Pt. 1)](https://strategicinsights.net/10-ways-improve-website-budget-pt-1/) - 10 Ways to Improve Your Website on a Budget (or, "Don't Rebuild It – Trick It Out!) Just in time for the holidays, or 2015, or whatever reason you want to attribute to it–it's time to take a good, hard look at your website. Did you build it yourself? Congratulations! Did you pay someone to
- [10 Ways to Improve Your Website on a Budget (Pt. 2)](https://strategicinsights.net/10-ways-improve-website-budget-pt-2/) - 10 Ways to Improve Your Website on a Budget (or, "Don't Rebuild It – Trick It Out!) Welcome to 2015! I hope you took the suggestions in my last post to heart and are busily working to get that website up to snuff for the new year. Remember, websites are living, breathing entities in need of constant attention and
- [Nurturing socially distant relationships through ShareDirect](https://strategicinsights.net/sharedirect-animated-video/) - It's not often that something comes along to so severely disrupt the business status quo, let alone a global pandemic. But concerns over hygiene will persist long after things are "back to normal," and an age-old gesture like the simple handshake may never make a full comeback. Enter ShareDirect, scalable outreach technology that enables customer
- [Exeld logo puts a friendlier face on industrial manufacturing](https://strategicinsights.net/industrial-logos/) - Industrial logos aren't something one goes out and seeks--at least we don't. Where would you start? However, smart industrial manufacturers like Australia-based Iluka know that the less "mainstream" your product is, the more a solid logo can help people understand its purpose--and yes, personality. With roots dating to 1954, Iluka is an international company with
- [What's your Vibrant Brand Personality?](https://strategicinsights.net/vibrant-brand-personality/) - When Strategic Insights developed the concept of Vibrant Brand Personality, we did so from the perspective of products and services. But lately, we've realized it also applies to individuals as well. We spend a lot of time marketing others around here, figuring out just what sets them apart from their competitors and trying to convince
- [Strategic Insights adds KH Advisors as a client.](https://strategicinsights.net/consultant-branding/) - As a consultant, branding can lift you above the competition or push you deeper into the mob. We've long believed in the power of branding, whether it's for a box of cereal, a break room or a boutique corporate turnaround firm. Speaking of boutique corporate turnaround firms, Strategic Insights has added KH Advisors as a
- [Phoenix Commercial Properties takes flight with new logo/website](https://strategicinsights.net/commercial-real-estate-logo/) - Strategic Insights just launched a new website and created a commercial real estate logo for Phoenix Commercial Properties, a firm founded in 2011 by established Raleigh realtor John La Rocca. Phoenix Commercial Properties is a third-party commercial brokerage firm specializing in office, industrial, land and investment properties. The new website makes ample use of the new
- [Strategic Insights named agency of record for Healthy Diets Medical Nutrition Therapy](https://strategicinsights.net/nutrition-marketing/) - Strategic Insights will be enhancing its nutrition marketing expertise, as the agency has been named AOR for Healthy Diets, Inc. (now known as New Leaf Nutrition Counseling), a therapy practice providing medical nutrition therapy to individuals and corporations. Strategic Insights will provide Healthy Diets with strategic marketing and branding efforts, including a competitive positioning, a new
- [Strategic Insights launches identity/website for HangTime Fit n’ Fun Zone](https://strategicinsights.net/startup-identity-package/) - Strategic Insights created a startup identity package, including a website for HangTime Fit n’ Fun Zone, a kid-friendly business in Wallace, NC providing camps, parties, open play sessions and a wide range of fitness-oriented activities. After developing a positioning, then a name and logo for the business, Strategic Insights designed and built a website to serve
- [ARTS Wake Forest logo reveal follows new name announcement](https://strategicinsights.net/arts-wake-forest-logo/) - Founded in 1990, ARTS Wake Forest has been supporting and enhancing a strong, vibrant community through the development, promotion and coordination of arts and cultural activities in Wake Forest and the surrounding areas. In 2018, the non-profit organization resolved to literally put the "arts" first and changed its name from Wake Forest Arts to ARTS
- [Artisanal​ hemp remedies embodied in new MiH Farm hemp farm logo](https://strategicinsights.net/mih-farm-hemp-logo/) - MiH Farm is a Middlesex, NC-based hemp farm established in 2018 to create small-batch hemp products that utilize the extract of the entire plant. The farm maintains sanitary, “beyond organic” conditions from seed to shelf. All their products are tested by third-party labs and are free from pesticides, molds and harmful microbes. Working with owners
- [Heavy metal inspires new Zacura logo](https://strategicinsights.net/heavy-industry-logo-design/) - Heavy industry logo design isn't a term that scares us, because Strategic Insights firmly believes that through carefully considered graphic design, any product, service or process can be branded--and therefore differentiated. Headquartered in Perth, Western Australia, Iluka is an international mineral sands company with 60+ years' expertise in exploration, development, mining, processing, marketing and rehabilitation.
- [Feed company bails on previous generic identity](https://strategicinsights.net/agricultural-logo-design/) - Agricultural logo design has been lately on our radar. Blake Haley, the eponymous "Blake" in Kittrell, NC-based Blake's Feed & Hay, set up a meeting with Strategic Insights because he was frustrated working in a commodity-driven industry. To hear Blake tell it, hay is hay (we've also heard hay is for horses, but that's another
- [New logo/identity for Complete Pet Care Animal Hospital](https://strategicinsights.net/complete-pet-care-veterinarian-logo/) - Complete Pet Care veterinarian logo? You can already see our tails wagging. After providing research, marketing, advertising and branding services for Raleigh-based CareFirst Animal Hospitals, Strategic Insights continues to serve the same role for the newly established Complete Pet Care Animal Hospital. With locations in Wake Forest and North Raleigh, Complete Pet Care was founded
- [Strategic Insights website honored with Davey Award](https://strategicinsights.net/davey-award-winning-website/) - Strategic Insights can now count "Davey Award-winning website" as another goal achieved. Chosen from thousands of entries, Strategic Insights' new website, unveiled earlier this year, has been honored with a 2007 Davey Award. Overseen by the International Academy of Visual Arts (IAVA), The Davey Awards are an international advertising competition that honors the achievements of
- [Strategic Insights wins Silver Addy Award for pro bono pet shelter advertising](https://strategicinsights.net/pet-shelter-advertising/) - Thanks to a recent pet shelter advertising campaign, Strategic Insights brought added a silver Addy Award to the mantle. In past years, Strategic Insights has had a strong showing at the local Addys, sponsored by the Ad Club of the Triangle, bringing home multiple awards in various categories. 2008 was more of a "quality over
- [Loblolly Root Rot](https://strategicinsights.net/loblolly-root-rot/) - "Loblolly root rot" is the next SFW curse! We shot a spot called "Trophy Room" a few months back for the North Carolina Department of Forestry. The message was meant to convince landowners to "Plan for Your Land" lest it get out of control and bleed them dry with fire or disease. The action revolved
- [The Greatest Show...within Five Square Miles.](https://strategicinsights.net/truth-in-taglines/) - Truth in taglines used to be something I took for granted, until a century-old one lied to me. Took my kids to the circus recently. Not Cirque du Soleil or some generic tent-in-a-parking-lot circus, but THE circus. Thanks to P.T. Barnum (whom I indirectly probably owe my career to), the one also known as "The
- [Silence--to the power of X](https://strategicinsights.net/lost-marketing-opportunities/) - Lost marketing opportunities surround us. Hypocritical as it may seem for an advertising professional, I listen to a lot of XM radio. Not just because it’s commercial-free, but because of its sheer breadth and selection. On any given day, I could punch a few buttons and sample stuff by George Jones, the Ditty Bops, Oscar
- [How memorials teach us about brands](https://strategicinsights.net/memorials-have-an-agenda/) - by Reid Overcash Memorials have an agenda. I never used to think in such terms, but a recent trip up the east coast gave me reason to reflect on several issues and how it can be a learning opportunity as it relates to marketing and branding. My wife, Susan, and youngest daughter, Adrienne, and I
- [Great headline! Now write another.](https://strategicinsights.net/quantity-begets-quality/) - Quantity begets quality. It's not the only means, of course, but one thing is certain: headlines you haven't written will have no impact at all. Very few of us are geniuses, those with the unerring ability to crank out one brilliant idea after another. The good news is, the more you crank out, the higher
- [Brand mascots live forever!](https://strategicinsights.net/brand-mascots-live-forever/) - Brand mascots live forever, never ask for a raise and never get arrested for lewd and/or lascivious behavior. David Ranii’s recent article in the News & Observer (6/13/06, Business Section) exposed the pitfalls of using real people or even actors as brand spokespeople or icons such as the Maytag repairman. As the article stated, people
- [Blog advertising](https://strategicinsights.net/weblogs-advertising/) - You have probably heard a lot about weblogs, or blogs, in the past few years. Seems like each time we read the newspaper or watch television, someone is mentioning or referencing blogs. Originally, weblogs were considered “personal journals published on the Web.” Many people rushed to put their thoughts and opinions, covering a whole range
- [Ignorance as an asset: lessons from Heron](https://strategicinsights.net/ignorance-is-an-asset/) - While it might not be bliss, as some argue, we definitely believe ignorance is an asset. When you assume your audience knows nothing about your subject, you'll give a more thorough explanation. Heron of Alexandria was one of the most innovative thinkers and inventors of his time. He was a teacher at the Museum of
- [The student strikes back](https://strategicinsights.net/looking-for-design-inspiration/) - Looking for design inspiration is both an active and ongoing process. But I didn't always think so. I have a four-year-old bone to pick with one of my design professors. I can't remember which one, I can't remember the project this associates with, but I do remember the bone and the reason behind it. And,
- [Home alone on Saturday night](https://strategicinsights.net/new-business-requires-new-thinking/) - New business requires new thinking. Apparently the universe doesn't like it when things get too comfortable. So the fish aren't biting. It happens. But what's the appropriate response--pack up your bait and go home? Expect the fish to follow you and ring your bell? Hardly. Yet that's the response many retailers and manufacturers are having
- [What makes the perfect client?](https://strategicinsights.net/client-trust-inspires-better-work/) - Client trust inspires better work. When we operate under the impression that clients value our expertise, we take more chances and produce better results. We have a lot of good clients, but one of them deserves to be singled out for praise. Naturally, I won't name names, but when we were discussing the color scheme
- [Building your brand is YOUR business](https://strategicinsights.net/outsourcing-brand-building/) - Some companies believe that outsourcing brand building to paid professionals is the way to go, and they're half right. In the absence of an internal focus on a company's brand, the flag could be planted far off the mark. "Other than brand building, what's the point of devoting resources to Twitter activity?" The above quote
- [Strategic Insights delivers web portal solutions to enterprise companies](https://strategicinsights.net/custom-web-portal/) - A custom web portal is an online platform that collects information from different sources into a single interface to present users with the most relevant information for their context. Over time, simple web portals have evolved into portal platforms that support digital customer experience initiatives. As a brand marketing firm, Strategic Insights has been riding the digital
- [If you can't say something nice, don't be in our video](https://strategicinsights.net/client-testimonials/) - Client testimonials are a lot like Uber ratings: when they're good, they help both parties. Marketing is all about building relationships. Between the brand and the consumer. Between one consumer and another, in the form of communities. Between the brand's "ambassador" and its loyalists. But, first of all, a relationship needs to be forged between
- [Strategic Insights rolls out new website for Colony Tire](https://strategicinsights.net/more-traffic-means-more-tires/) - More traffic means more tires, only in this case, we're referring to website traffic. Since people have been buying tires for more than a century “offline,” one would think a website needn’t be a critical element of a tire dealer’s business model. However, more and more people are relying on the Internet to make purchase
- [Consumers' emotions affect your brand](https://strategicinsights.net/managing-consumer-anger/) - Managing consumer anger is no longer a low priority for companies. Bill Cokas posted an informative article last week about the importance of managing your own VBP (or Vibrant Brand Personality)—steps you should take to project the proper image for your own (or your company's) self-image. Today, I'm going to share an example of how
- [Remember TV? It's the "tube" in YouTube.](https://strategicinsights.net/online-video-is-the-new-tv/) - Online video is the new TV. Poor old Philo T. Farnsworth. He must be rolling in his grave with all the news about the "demise of TV." Since visual entertainment is now available literally anywhere, given the right connection and device, who needs to rot in a La-Z-Boy in front of the Zenith console? Lots
- [Messing with your brand: no laughing matter](https://strategicinsights.net/humor-in-advertising/) - Humor in advertising can be a double-edged sword. Remember those funny Bud Light TV spots? No, not those--the old ones. The ones that led everyone's favorite Super Bowl spot list for the past 20 years or so. Whatever happened to them? I won't pretend to guess at the how or why, but I can tell
- [The Marvel of Disney](https://strategicinsights.net/buying-a-new-audience/) - If your efforts aren't wowing your audience the way they used to, should you consider buying a new audience? Today Disney shelled out $4 billion in cash and stocks to purchase Marvel Entertainment. While the ink on this deal has yet to dry completely, fans of both companies are already voicing their concerns over what
- [Why Johnny can't read: not enough time in Food Lion.](https://strategicinsights.net/logo-consistency/) - Logo consistency can mean the difference between a brand fading into obscurity and securing a place in our lexicon. When I think of all that time I wasted watching Sesame Street when I all I had to do was pay more attention as my mom wheeled me around the A&P. Guess I was too focused
- [O...M...J. (Sorry, that should be "G")](https://strategicinsights.net/accuracy-in-advertising/) - Accuracy in advertising can be lost in the rush to "push out" content on every viable platform. If you can handle the irony, I'm about to use a blog to vent about social media. Are you LOL? Perhaps ROFL? You would think that with the rise in computer-based communication over the last 10+ years that
- [Common problem, uncommon insight](https://strategicinsights.net/humanizing-a-problem/) - Humanizing a problem should be the first step if you hope to appeal to humans with the solution. I do some of my best thinking on the run--literally. I do a few miles most every lunch hour and am consistently amazed at the directions my brain takes. It's not always quality stuff, mind you, and
- [Inspector Q front and center in new website for RapidXchange](https://strategicinsights.net/successful-advertising-mascot/) - Successful advertising mascot Inspector Q dominates the new website Strategic Insights designed and built for RapidXchange, a propane cylinder exchange service based in Clinton, NC. Created by parent company Parker Gas, RapidXchange allows propane users to buy new propane cylinders or “swap” their empty cylinders for full ones at locations such as Ace Hardware and Han-Dee Hugos
- [Campbell Family Dentistry launches new positioning and website](https://strategicinsights.net/dental-practice-website/) - Strategic Insights has just developed a new positioning and launched a new dental practice website for Dr. Vanessa Campbell of Campbell Family Dentistry, a full-service practice located in Holly Springs, NC. Campbell Family Dentistry offers a full range of family dental health services, including pediatric, cosmetic and restorative dentistry. The website can be found at campbellfamilydentistry.com
- [Sales video mines pop culture, humor & music to "Catch the Wave"](https://strategicinsights.net/entertaining-corporate-video/) - If you need an entertaining corporate video, you've come to the right place. Using a combination of music, parody and internal industry humor, Strategic Insights, a full-service marketing and web services agency located in Wake Forest, N.C., provided British Standards International (BSI) with a video designed to invigorate its sales and marketing teams for 2013.
- [Strategic Insights joins Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce](https://strategicinsights.net/wake-forest-chamber/) - Strategic Insights Brand Marketing recently made a move that would have been unthinkable just a year ago: it joined the Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce. We know it's easy to get stuck in a rut--but sometimes moving beyond one's comfort zone can have surprising results. At this point, we should make it clear that that
- [Tired pop culture fads can drag down your brand](https://strategicinsights.net/celebrity-relevance-in-advertising/) - Celebrity relevance in advertising is everything. Don't marry your brand with a fad just to get a quick spurt of attention. It takes away from your message and runs the risk of doing more harm than good. Remember the end of 2012 when Psy's pony-riding "Gangnam Style" was everywhere? And by everywhere, I mean ABC
- [Why should you blog?](https://strategicinsights.net/benefits-of-business-blogging/) - Benefits of business blogging can be achieved through consistency and a long-term view. At Strategic Insights, we've been talking a lot lately about our website. Part of those discussions has been reaffirming our commitment to blog and why we should be blogging in the first place. I'll admit, one of the best reminders of why
- [When storytelling advertising works best for your audience](https://strategicinsights.net/storytelling-advertising/) - Typical ads need to not only convey a message, they need to first grab your audience's attention. But, what could an ad do if it already had the luxury of a captivated audience? What if it broke the mold of "x seconds or less" and instead took its time building to a cinematic climax? What if
- [Website goals: being specific works better than simply "Contact Us"](https://strategicinsights.net/specific-website-goals-better-than-contact-us/) - Ideally, your website will be the exact opposite of trying to play Solitaire. Visitors don't want to try to guess or pre-plan their next move in order to finish the game (er, complete their task). They want a path that's so easy to follow, they don't even have to think about what to do next.
- [Social Media marketing strategy: should YOU have one?](https://strategicinsights.net/social-media-marketing-strategy/) - It's easy to feel like having a social media marketing strategy is key to engaging with your customers today. But, is that really the case? Do you have something to share with your customers or potential leads that can't be achieved through your existing marketing efforts? If not, social media may not be truly "missing" from
- [Getting things done in Washington](https://strategicinsights.net/government-contract-advice/) - Government contract advice can hard to find. In a town and culture known for bureaucracy, Garland Consulting offers straightforward procurement guidance. Garland Management Consulting simplifies the buying and selling of Information Technology for commercial companies and the U.S. Government. Strategic Insights simplifies how Garland Consulting communicates its benefits to prospective customers. Through its founder, attorney
- [Even when our business is technology, it still comes down to people](https://strategicinsights.net/satisfied-clients/) - Around here, satisfied clients aren't exactly “news,” since it’s a daily (if not hourly) goal of ours. But every once in a while, a client articulates their satisfaction so eloquently, that we can’t help but bask in it ever so briefly. And then of course, it’s back to work. All that basking can leave other
- [Marketing advice: maintain your style guide](https://strategicinsights.net/maintain-your-style-guide/) - "Maintain your style guide" should be every company's unbreakable New Year's resolution. Now that the champagne buzz has had a chance to wear off, and all our own resolutions have been properly made (and broken), I find that a lot of self-assessment is still happening. Around the office, Chris is asking each of us to
- [Advertising during hard times (spoiler alert: it's cheaper)](https://strategicinsights.net/advertising-during-hard-times/) - Advertising during hard times might appear to be a Catch-22. Sales are down, customers are staying home--why throw money out the window? to paraphrase Kevin Costner, "make them aware of it and they will come." Your brand's constant presence during a crisis can offer a degree of comfort, by being something else that hasn't changed.
- ['Eye Candy' adds perceived value](https://strategicinsights.net/commercial-art/) - You don't hear the term "commercial art" much anymore, but it's very much alive and well--or it should be. Visually pleasing design - termed "eye candy" - is often treated as an afterthought to form, function, and usability of a product or service, particularly online. An article found at the blog A List Apart explains
- [Alternative font use for the web](https://strategicinsights.net/alternative-font-use/) - Or as the title might read... Alternative font use for the web. Alternative font use is an option more web designers should be exploring. Are you sick of the "web-safe" fonts as much as I am? Well, there are some options. Here is an interesting article about it by Ross Johnson called "8 FONTS YOU
- [Yellow-Bellied Pages](https://strategicinsights.net/finding-your-audience/) - To hear the Yellow Pages tell it, they're every bit as relevant as they were in 1992, and they've got the anecdotal evidence to back it up.
- [Designing for user expectations: changing behavior on the sly](https://strategicinsights.net/website-functionality/) - Website functionality contains the word "fun," and that's what we aim for as we approach each new website. Web designers have one audience in mind when beginning a new web project. No, I'm not talking about our clients (sorry, guys). I mean the end-user. The person who will sit on the "other side of the
- [Let's talk mobile](https://strategicinsights.net/mobile-website-or-app/) - Mobile website or app? Before you answer, it might be a false choice. It feels like it's on the forefront of everyone's mind these days - how to engage visitors on your website while they're using mobile devices. Apps are no longer limited to games, note-taking, to-do lists or email, but are being embraced by
- [Big Time Beer gets Small Town Support](https://strategicinsights.net/wake-forest-beer-marketing/) - Until recently, marketing a beer made in Wake Forest was impossible, because none existed. White Street Brewing Company changed all that. The town’s first-ever brewery has selected Strategic Insights to assist them with various aspects of their branding and marketing. The agency’s first contribution to the White Street brand was its tagline, currently in use:
- [19 legit reasons to keep blogging (regardless of if anyone reads it)](https://strategicinsights.net/19-legit-reasons-to-keep-blogging/) - This post is killing two birds with one stone. Bird 1: it's a follow-up to my last post about why we should all be blogging in the first place. Bird 2: it's a response to this guy over on Linkedin who told us all why he's not reading our corporate blogs (spoiler alert: they're boring
- [Using website analytics tools to guide website maintenance](https://strategicinsights.net/website-analytics-to-guide-website-maintenance/) - We recommend that every website undergoes routine maintenance. But, how do you decide what needs work when your website is constantly being worked on? The answer lies within your website analytics tools. The trick is in knowing which tools to use—and where to look within them. What tools should you use? All website analytics or
- [Website redesign for Builders Mutual: construction completed](https://strategicinsights.net/website-redesign-for-builders-mutual-construction-completed/) - Website redesign is part of the job around here, and it's even more gratifying when we're asked to redesign our own sites. Repeat business, right? Builders Mutual Insurance Company is a long-time client of Strategic Insights - our history together as client and agency extends back almost 17 years. So when they asked us to
- [Branding and storytelling make a colorful match in children's picture books](https://strategicinsights.net/picture-book-illustration/) - Picture book illustration can make or break a story's impact. At Strategic Insights, we've always tried to build entertainment value into our work whenever possible--kind of like that "spoonful of sugar." In fact, within the industry, the announcer section in the middle of some commercials is often referred to as "the poison," which you need
- [Looking out for the underdog](https://strategicinsights.net/chihuahua-rescue-campaign/) - Chihuahua rescue campaign? That was the question posed to Strategic Insights recently. The result, a pro-bono multimedia effort for the Peninsula Humane Society in Birlingame, California, came about through an interesting series of connections, some of which go back decades. Award-winning, San Francisco-based photographer Mark Rogers met with representatives from PHS and they expressed concern
- [Solid STEM resources empower Bright Futures](https://strategicinsights.net/middle-grade-career-guidance/) - Middle-grade career guidance has comprised much of Diane Lindsey Reeves career. Familiar with Chris Griffin's formidable design work, Bright Futures Press author and publisher Diane Lindsey Reeves contacted Strategic Insights to help create multiple series of middle grade-oriented books as well as a website where school administrators could order them directly. Bright Futures author and
- [Local couple builds on shared love of history](https://strategicinsights.net/hospitality-branding/) - Hospitality branding is industry-speak for "doing fun work for restaurants or hotels." Strategic Insights has a long and decorated history working in hospitality, most notably with Raleigh-based Rocky Top Hospitality. Through a referral, we were introduced to Collin and Deanna Crossman of Rhea Hospitality. After meeting at Duke, dating, and purchasing 18 historic homes in
- [Marketing is riding a wave of sea-change: is design paying attention?](https://strategicinsights.net/marketing-by-design/) - What is going on with marketing? It used to be so simple: create a compelling message, design equally compelling creative around it, push it out into the marketplace, then watch the sales roll in. (okay, maybe not that simple, but you get the idea!) No more. Due to the rise of cloud-based computing and the
- [Intelligent Power Manager video: Eaton knows how to stay cool](https://strategicinsights.net/eaton-software-videos/) - Eaton software videos are always welcomed at Strategic Insights. Preventing racks and servers from overheating isn't a problem many people face, but for those who do face it, it can be critical and lead to power outages, severe downtime and data and revenue loss. Fortunately, Eaton has an automated way to monitor and correct for
- [General questions for NC State Auditor Beth Wood](https://strategicinsights.net/nc-state-auditor-beth-wood/) - NC State Auditor Beth Wood appears in a new video created by Strategic Insights. North Carolina State Auditor Beth Wood is campaigning for re-election this November to win what will be her fourth term watching over how the state government spends its taxpayers' money. Brigadier General George Walls (USMC, ret.) recently sat down with his
- [I can describe that service in one word!](https://strategicinsights.net/motion-graphics-video/) - To convey a single word, we produced a motion graphics video full of them. How ridiculous was the show "Name That Tune?" They played songs with a house orchestra, or worse, a lone piano. Your success on that show was entirely dependent on your encyclopedic knowledge of twentieth-century sheet music. All that aside, sometimes it
- [Hiring a website company? Read our eBook 'Fast, Friendly, Findable!'](https://strategicinsights.net/hiring-a-website-company/) - Hiring a website company can be intimidating. Ever sit in on meetings with your web agency and just nod along as they yammered on and on about things like markup, visibility or standards? You're not alone. In fact, I'm sure our clients would admit to that in the meetings they sat in with us. We can't help it. You're
- [Law firm brochure promotes Consumer Protection practice](https://strategicinsights.net/law-firm-brochure/) - Cohen Milstein's recently requested a law firm brochure to promote their highly respected Consumer Protection team, led by some of the most experienced attorneys in the field, including former Justice Department officials. Cohen Milstein’s Consumer practice is at the forefront of protecting consumers across the United States from corporate wrongdoing, including false and misleading advertising,
- [Your call is very important to us. No, really.](https://strategicinsights.net/customer-service-is-your-brand/) - Customer service is your brand, as much as any product you sell or that logo on your letterhead. Do companies still think they can get by with lousy customer service? Apparently. I ordered a Star Wars poster (Episode IV) from a movie poster website nearly three months ago for my son’s birthday in late June.
- [Oldest established temporary frozen billboard in New York](https://strategicinsights.net/direct-marketing/) - Direct marketing doesn't get much directer when it only targets an audience within twenty feet. Forget podcasts, banner ads, RSS feeds and blogs--just give me snow up to my nostrils and a big ol’ stick. That’s what some clever, industrious folks have been saying in upstate New York recently. Faced with nine feet of snow
- [Strategic Insights praised in the Triangle and Denver](https://strategicinsights.net/strategic-insights-scores-a-pr-win/) - Strategic Insights scores a PR win with dueling writeups in two separate publications. The Triangle Business Journal and the Denver Business Journal both praised Strategic Insights for our innovative solution to Cisco's partner channel marketing needs. Our sister company, SharedVue, was born from this solution, and is now available to any company in need of
- [Twitter: finding the light side of the force.](https://strategicinsights.net/playing-the-twitter-long-game/) - Playing the Twitter long game is only possible once you realize that the social media platform is not a bullhorn. It's a conversation. Twitter's little bluebird escaped Pandora's box not too long ago, asking the question, "What are you doing right now?" To some, it's a new media addiction. Others, a great way to keep up
- [Taglines, branding & tourism](https://strategicinsights.net/tourism-advertising/) - Tourism advertising can be some of the most inspired work out there at any given time. It can also be some of the most generic. Don't get me wrong--I love taglines. I've written more than my share through the years, for brands like McDonald's, Heinz, Samsonite, Nintendo, Fidelity Bank and Builders Mutual. A few even
- [Cloud marketing firm SharedVue relies on Strategic Insights for website, lead-gen and social media results](https://strategicinsights.net/marketing-software-as-a-service/) - Marketing software as a service presents a unique challenge, as the "product" can never be touched, smelled, tasted or even owned. Despite this, more and more people are becoming familiar with the concept of “cloud marketingTM”—hosting marketing resources online where clients can access and control them. And where there’s cloud marketing, there’s SharedVueTM. “Cloud marketing”
- [New Builders Mutual logo takes the cake, while employees enjoy a "break."](https://strategicinsights.net/internal-branding/) - Internal branding is one of those solutions hiding in plain sight--and one that can have a profound effect on positive corporate culture. When Builders Mutual Insurance Company approached Strategic Insights to develop a logo for their employee break room, the agency decided to raise the stakes. “We took the term ‘break room’ literally,” said Creative
- [Write Your Own Copy in 5 Easy Steps!](https://strategicinsights.net/talking-about-your-customers/) - Talking about your customers may seem awkward or even intrusive. But provided you don't do it behind their backs, it's the best way to advertise. The other day I came across a 5-step guide to more effective copywriting. It made some valid points. I'd like to take things even further, because after I finished it,
- [What do you bring to the table?](https://strategicinsights.net/agencies-working-together/) - Agencies working together can deliver results that are greater than the sum of their parts. Think of a company's marketing output as a table set for Thanksgiving dinner. For every Butterball nailing the entree, there's a Pepperidge Farm acing the side dish. While meeting with a business development resource the other day, we got into
- [Learning from T-Mobile: don't let your insecurities run the show](https://strategicinsights.net/loyalty-is-color-blind/) - Loyalty is color blind. That simply means a customer's allegiance to a brand is independent of its style guide. Bad products can't save themselves with distinctive graphics. This morning I read a fascinating article on the shrinking color palette available to us designers. TL;DR: it is virtually impossible to separate a brand from its color.
- [Is your web designer a jack-of-all-trades?](https://strategicinsights.net/designing-for-function/) - Designing for function is an elusive skill that sets effective designers apart from self-indulgent ones. To put it in better terms, it is knowing and understanding the development process that comes after the design stage of a project. Good designers know in advance what it will take to make that design happen and design for
- [Upgraded award-winning site attracts clients and new employees](https://strategicinsights.net/award-winning-website/) - An award-winning website can usually be attributed to two things: an inspired design/development team and a trusting client. When Precision Machine Fabrication, a Raleigh-based company specializing in close-tolerance metal fabrication, launched its last website, it was met with wide acclaim. Designed and built by Strategic Insights, and featuring a splash page with state-of-the-art flash animation
- [How easy-to-use is your website?](https://strategicinsights.net/user-testing-for-websites/) - User testing for websites is a step that is often overlooked or intentionally skipped during the development process. I read a fantastically well-detailed post this afternoon over at Smashing Magazine's blog. The article discussed the author's online experience in shopping for sheets by comparing the buying process of three major retailers - Macys.com, Target.com, and
- [How a company 'gets personal' via social media](https://strategicinsights.net/connecting-with-customers/) - Connecting with customers via social media can be immediate, personal and effective. I had an interesting experience yesterday. I ordered lunch from Jason's Deli: a cup of soup, a tuna melt, and some baked Lay's potato chips. After eating half my sandwich, I decided to do some research on the nutrition information in my lunch,
- [Web contest invites Eaton partners to upload tales of efficiency and compete for prize](https://strategicinsights.net/internal-marketing-boosts-brands/) - Internal marketing boosts brands in a way more expensive outbound marketing cannot. Everyone wants to do more with less, particularly in this economy. One way of achieving that is by being more efficient: cutting out waste, running lean, employing talented, versatile individuals who can self-motivate and multi-task. Strategic Insights has long been familiar with this
- [It looks great, but is it usable?](https://strategicinsights.net/form-can-destroy-function/) - Focus too much on design over usage and form can destroy function. There's no denying, this LED clock design is definitely slick looking. But, is the basic function of the clock—you know, to tell time—actually lost in the design? Can you tell what time it is at least as well, or preferably better, than a
- [Happily marrying personal brands with company brands](https://strategicinsights.net/when-brands-collide/) - When brands collide, it could result in Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. However, it could easily end up being the next Boston Red Sox coffin. Undoubtedly, the Internet at large has at least heard, if not contributed to, the conversation about the appropriateness (or lack thereof) of the November GQ cover. You know the one. It
- [Strategic Insights named agency of record for CareFirst Animal Hospital](https://strategicinsights.net/animal-hospital-marketing/) - Strategic Insights has been awarded the animal hospital marketing for CareFirst Animal Hospital, a network of veterinary clinics serving the Raleigh and Morrisville areas. In this role, Strategic Insights will provide CareFirst with strategic marketing and branding efforts, including but not limited to, collateral design, advertising and a revamped website. “Having Strategic Insights in our
- [Never. Stop. Learning.](https://strategicinsights.net/value-of-continuing-education/) - The value of continuing education can be reduced to that three-word motto. I feel that we can never stop learning, in terms of as a society, and of course in terms of design, programming, and web development. Chris is even quoted around here as saying: "Long gone are the days of the set-it-and-forget-it mentality for
- [Why aren't you reaching out to customers?](https://strategicinsights.net/service-after-the-sale/) - Service after the sale should really apply to any transaction. There's a trend I've been noticing lately with a few companies: dropping the opportunity to reach out to customers in favor of making them do some legwork in order to receive loyalty rewards. Now, I get that we live in an age where people are
- [Back pain relief front and center in new spinal surgeon website](https://strategicinsights.net/spinal-surgeon-website/) - Strategic Insights has just launched a new website for spinal surgeon Dr. Sameer Mathur, with Cary Orthopaedics in Cary, NC. While Dr. Mathur is represented on the main Cary Orthopaedics website, he was looking to bring some more visibility to his own specialties and attract more patients directly, independent of that site. Strategic Insights agreed
- [Clients can be the best source of new business](https://strategicinsights.net/kindle-referral-program/) - Our Kindle referral program isn't a scam after all! Just ask Kelly Lewis, Marketing Director for Carolina Back Institute. We've worked with Kelly and Carolina Back for a number of years, helping develop their new website and graphic design for other materials to help them help their patients. If you know Kelly, you know she's
- [Strategic Insights launches new website for Carolina Back Institute](https://strategicinsights.net/medical-practice-website/) - Strategic Insights completed an extensive redesign and rebuild of a medical practice website for Carolina Back Institute (now known as Wake Spine & Pain), a longstanding and well-respected back pain facility with locations in the Raleigh area. “We are thrilled with the finished product and foresee it to be a valuable resource for both us
- [Serious sausages served up amidst cartoons exposing "the conspiracy"](https://strategicinsights.net/hospitality-qsr-branding/) - Hospitality & QSR branding has always presented us with the most rewarding challenges. In one of its most unusual--and enjoyable--projects to date, Strategic Insights has launched a branding/interior decorating effort for Firewürst Flame-Grilled Sausages & Dogs, the first location of a new QSR concept devoted to "the other side of the backyard barbecue." According to
- [Hanover researches options, selects Strategic Insights](https://strategicinsights.net/hanover-research-website/) - Hanover Research's website, like many others, had aged out of its design and functionality. Strategic Insights collaborated on a powerful new online presence. While what we know will always be paramount for our clients--and we are enhancing what we know on a regular basis--sometimes who you know can push you over the edge. Strategic Insights
- [State Auditor's website comes in on budget](https://strategicinsights.net/political-campaign-branding/) - Political campaign branding has been a regular, if sporadic, part of our business for years. The North Carolina State Auditor is a non-partisan, elected position charged with exposing fraud, waste and misspending in our state government. Beth Wood has been NC State Auditor since winning election in 2008 (using campaign materials developed by Strategic Insights).
- [Race relations documentary grows its audience online](https://strategicinsights.net/race-relations-documentary/) - During the volatile summer of 1971, Ann Atwater and C.P. Ellis come together to co-chair a community summit on the desegregation of schools in Durham, NC. People working together to effect change is always a welcome sight, however, these two people couldn't have been more opposite. Atwater was an African-American outspoken civil rights activist while
- [Feeling​ the squeeze, Strategic Insights delivers](https://strategicinsights.net/dog-squeeze-treats/) - "Dog squeeze treats" yields 6 million results in a Google search. However, independent, solopreneur Hedda's Squeeze Treats is #1, owing to its Strategic Insights-designed website. We often take on clients and projects that begin with these four words: “I need a website.” But when is a website not a website? When it also serves as
- [New website relies heavily on Greene](https://strategicinsights.net/insurance-adjuster-website/) - An insurance adjuster's website plays a big part in establishing credibility and trust with its customers. James C. Greene Insurance Adjusters and Strategic Insights have a long relationship, owing to the friendship of James C. Greene, Jr. and Reid Overcash. While Greene is the current president of the James C. Greene Company, it was his
- [Raising awareness of fresher, cheaper ice](https://strategicinsights.net/fresher-cheaper-ice/) - Fresher cheaper ice is just a short drive away, thanks to NC Icehouse. Did you know that the pre-bagged ice available in grocery and convenience stores may have been there for weeks? Neither did Strategic Insights, but after NC Icehouse shared this cold reality, the agency designed and built a new website as well as
- [Generous jugs and 42 taps: that's Growler Grlz](https://strategicinsights.net/north-carolina-breweries/) - North Carolina breweries have an enthusiastic champion in Karen Poulsen. After a successful career in the tech and fashion industries, Karen was inspired to bring the thriving growler culture of the Pacific Northwest to central North Carolina. With a partner, she opened the first Growler Grlz location on Hope Valley Road in Durham, offering 42
- [Haste makes waste–and jobsites unsafe](https://strategicinsights.net/construction-safety-website/) - Since its inception, the Jobsite Safety Institute has funded significant research and educational tool development through grants with local, state and national partners. Founded with an initial contribution from Builders Mutual, JSI plays a critical role in the reduction of jobsite injuries and elimination of jobsite fatalities. Research methods for JSI projects include real-world testing
- [Showcase: Buffalo Film Festival promotional materials](https://strategicinsights.net/film-festival-promotion/) - Film festival promotion is a much sought-after gig in advertising. While we honestly love what we do (hey, we wouldn't do it if we didn't), it's still safe to say that some projects have a bit more fun sprinkled in them than others. The recent posters, landing page, and YouTube channel update we did for
- [Can art solve...anything?](https://strategicinsights.net/art-solves-problems/) - "You're not an artist. You solve problems." I didn't say it. Don Draper did, to Peggy. He was just reminding her that advertising is a business, like any other. But unlike most others, words and pictures are the tools of our trade. Words and pictures! That's so close to...literature and art! Some advertising does transcend
- [North Carolina Academy of General Dentistry drills deep, fills hole with Strategic Insights](https://strategicinsights.net/dentistry-graphic-design/) - In a bit of a belated announcement, Strategic Insights Brand Marketing is handling the graphic design, collateral and email marketing for the North Carolina Academy of General Dentistry, and has been since 2015. Founded in 1951, the Academy of General Dentistry has 37,000 members from the United States and Canada. Among the Academy's many goals are offering
- [Textbook design challenges Strategic Insights to "find its future"](https://strategicinsights.net/textbook-design/) - Textbook design is a highly specialized niche within graphic design. Bright Futures Press, through its founder Diane Lindsey Reeves, has had a long relationship with Strategic Insights and recently enlisted the agency to help her prepare an extensive series of textbooks for elementary and middle-grade readers. The objective of Bright Futures books is to help
- [Instructional corporate videos keep Eaton partners up to speed](https://strategicinsights.net/instructional-corporate-videos/) - Quickly, economically-produced instructional corporate videos can keep your salesforce or customers educated and on top of industry developments. Given the choice between downloading and (ugh) reading a PDF or watching a 3-minute video, which sounds more appealing? We are living in a visual age, and even education is turning more toward image- and video-based learning
- [Hunting dog training facility launches website for NC location](https://strategicinsights.net/nc-hunting-dog-website/) - This is an excerpt that provides a summary for each post. Ideally it would just be a couple of sentences long. I'm using these as a quick summary that appears before the actual post.
- [Won't you guard my data?](https://strategicinsights.net/entertaining-corporate-videos/) - Entertaining corporate videos have long been one of Strategic Insights' secret passions. Many of them remain secret because they're so "inside," it's hard to share these projects with a general audience. Just before lockdown commenced, we collaborated with worldwide power protection company Eaton on a video for their sales network. The information itself was a
- [At MiH Farm, business is growing](https://strategicinsights.net/whole-plant-hemp-solutions/) - Whole-plant hemp solutions are taking root in North Carolina. Once a tobacco powerhouse, the state has been seeking ways to re-tool its economy for a post-smoking society. Though not a former tobacco farmer, Dave Palmer, of MiH Farm Organic Medicinal Extracts, had a vision of working with his wife to leverage her science background and
- [Bulldog accessory website launched without a wrinkle](https://strategicinsights.net/pet-products-website-design/) - Pet products and website design intrigue us alike, dog lovers that we are. We recently helped startup brand Squishface take its message and product line to the next level. Our web development and graphic design teams came through with a new website and accompanying package designs. Squishface develops proprietary pet products for specific breeds of
- [Your website is NOT an ad](https://strategicinsights.net/your-website-is-not-an-ad/) - Your website is not an ad. But, that's not to say that your website isn't a sales tool. What's the difference? Advertising breeds interest. It brings your prospects in the door, so to speak, so that you can interact with them, learn their needs, and explore in-depth how what you provide meets them. Sounds a
- [Geico: missing the mark](https://strategicinsights.net/geico-missing-the-mark/) - Geico has a history of staying memorable with offbeat commercials. And while I feel the gecko has lost some of his luster in recent years I admit I used to love that little lizard. Their new commercials, however, leave me with a feeling of discomfort. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pm8vn7EY9FA Oh boy. I'll begin with the positive: The song
- [Maybe it's a mission from God.](https://strategicinsights.net/maybe-its-a-mission-from-god/) - The man who directed Animal House, Trading Places, An American Werewolf in London (personal favorite), Thriller and yes, The Blues Brothers is now available to shoot the storyboard for your client's anti-fungal toe cream. Although it came to my attention only recently, apparently John Landis has been directing commercials for a while now, albeit mostly

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