An agency is only as good as the client relationship it has manufactured. Today's brands deserve access to knowledge, industry experience, genuine know-how, and a trusted partner to help deliver messages that resonate with audiences. The right agency should act as a bridge between a client and its target market.

The benefits of hiring an integrated marketing communications agency partner are numerous. From specialized experience to unique industry exposure, the reasons for selecting an outside agency to handle your marketing and communications needs are varied but no less important.

Speed

Access to tools, connections, industry trends, and insider know-how make the process of generating creative ideas and relevant strategies a more refined and efficient undertaking for an agency specialized in brand building.

Dedicated Focus

Great insights are found at a thousand feet. A good agency has the big picture perspective and ground level attention to generate relevant results. Stay too close to the action and you miss the grand scheme of things.

Objectivity

A good agency isn't afraid to point out flaws and can serve as an advocate for transparency and tangible results. The agency partner isn't afraid to ruffle the feathers of stakeholders which can prove valuable in helping brands overcome the status quo.

An integrated marketing and communications partner should be focused on a process of adding value to the client/agency relationship and recognize the dynamics of synergy.

It really does take a village to build a brand.

Businesses are curious about maximizing opportunities on Facebook. At least they should be. The network commands over 800 million users and is expected to reach a billion users this year!

Relevant?

We think so.

For many businesses, getting a grasp on the best practices for marketing and engagement can be somewhat of a challenge. Enter Facebook's first ever Facebook Marketing Conference and its excellent resources center.

Facebook Marketing Conference Key Takeaways

Timeline for Pages is here and brands will have to adapt..

Say hello to Reach Generator

This new tool allows or 'guarantees' that you "reach 75% of your fans each month and an estimated 50% of fans each week in a simple, always on way."

Premium on Facebook

Here the network promises to help you share your most compelling stories.

Premium on Facebook helps you maximize the number of people interacting with your brand and talking about you, while unlocking the power of fans and their friends.

• Guides to Success
• Videos to Learn More
• Real Success Stories

As with any marketing tool, the first step towards brand engagement and ultimate resonance lies with a firm approach to evaluation what's best for your business and selecting the tools for maximum impact. Facebook has taken a step forward in helping you communicate with your audience and turn customers into brand advocates.

It's time for your brand to get social.

For more fresh insights feel free to sign up for the only newsletter you'll ever need. 

Pinterest is a 'Virtual Pinboard."

"Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes." What about brands?

The potential for interest on Pinterest is unique.

We've come up with a few ways to use Pinterest to engage your audience and connect with your crowd.

Ideation

Pinterest makes it easy to share possibilities which is an important part of generating new ideas and inspiring action.

Research

Investigating the interests of your audience leads to insights and greater attempts to capture attention. Figure out what people are 'pinning' and move on it.

Measurement

Some brands own quite a bit of real estate on Pinterest. If people are pinning your logo, products, or services that's a good thing. This allows for your brand to gauge its place in popularity and measure impressions.

The potential for success on Pinterest is an opportunity for brands to take full advantage of.

So...what are you waiting for?

Start pinning!

A great video by Simon Sinek on the power of Why and how it helps organizations of all types to break the status quo.

Please allow us to take you on a little journey to a place oh so very familiar...

Our destination?

Brandtopia.

Yep...that place where mission statements, value propositions, and meaningful attributes collide to form your unique story.

Maybe you've spent hours upon hours fine tuning your brand voice or perhaps you have the chuspa and unique ability to conversate with anyone anywhere but the honest (and let's be honest) truth is that some questions are just a tad bit more difficult than others.

Following, are three important questions that each of us regardless of our industry must be able to answer with ease and the excitement of a kid in a candy store.

Who Are You?

This question is probably the easiest because it usually begins with something like "We are..." or "The leading..." and so forth. Answering this question is usually accomplished by stating the obvious.

What Do You Do?

This one's a little bit more difficult. We all do a variety of things but the real winners are those who are able to convey what it is they do in a specific, concrete, and interesting manner. For this very reason, being able to identify and own your niche is so key.

Why Does It Matter?

Being able to answer this question depends on your ability to recognize the intangibles (knowledge, processes, market position) of your brand. Why is your company, product, or service so important? What makes it different from the million other entities offering the same widgets? The ability to capture, define, and communicate your unique selling position is of the utmost importance in being able to answer this difficult question. 

Knowing your raison de'etre* is a surefire way to be ready to answer these three important questions facing today's individuals, organizations, and brands of all types.

You have a unique story to tell. Share it with the world.

*rai·son d'ê·tre: The most important reason or purpose for someone or something's existence.

Numerous articles abound focusing on specific strategies for driving engagement and increasing revenue. Oftentimes, these helpful forms of content focus on the steps necessary to accomplish a unique set of objectives. Allow us to take the alternative route and offer a collection of equally important "what not to do's" and marcom "no no's":

Day 1

Forgetting to say hello.

Clients are special. Treat them as such as soon as they walk through the door or visit your digital storefront. It's the little things that count.

Day 2

Spending too much time in the mirror.

We understand and appreciate the fact that your widgets are game changing but let's not forget about being selfish. A quick way to lose fans, followers, and patrons of all types is to simply offer a nice little taste of neglect.

Day 3

Failing to offer a smile.

We have moved long past the days of creating brands. In today's crowded marketplace, the real secret lies in an organization's ability to move people. Smiling and being friendly can help open the doors to making an emotional connection.

Day 4

Unleashing the weapons of mass boredom.

Clients want to be enchanted and go home feeling like they've just been hand picked for the ultimate V.I.P. experience. Companies that reach this level have an outstanding opportunity to create raving fans.

Day 5

Offering a little T.M.I.

Information overload can bring a rollercoaster of a ride to a screaching hault. Simplicity in design and communication help to create a winning user experience.

Day 6

Throwing around a bunch of gang signs.

Otherwise known as jargon and techy mumbo jumbo...spreading overly used technical terms and industry lingo can seem a bit much to visitors who are pressed for time and bombarded with the same old marketing messages.

Day 7

Moving too fast.

Let your Twitter followers and Facebook fans come to you for additional goods and services.

Day 8

Moving too slow.

Interest does not equal loyalty. Keep your audience engaged.

Day 9

Being dishonest.

Promise big. Deliver big. That is all.

Day 10

Losing site of what matters.

It's all about value. What are you offering clients that the shop next door isn't already broadcasting?

A few good tips and no no's for those looking to make a splash in marketing of any kind.

Benchmarks and setting a strong foundation are key drivers of success. Agencies must recognize their role in serving as an advocate and adding value to the client relationship. Just how do agencies add value to client's business?

1. Developing and producing creative ideas that are fresh and appropriate.

2. Ensuring that agency disciplines and functions are integrated and that agency teams and divisions collaborate well on behalf of the client.

3. Working in a collaborative way with the client by creating an environment of low egos and high mutual respect.

4. Developing ideas and programs that can be integrated into multiple communication channels.

5. Assigning its best people to the client's business and making its top executives available when needed.

6. Evaluating brand drivers like awareness, consideration, and purchase intent.

7. Providing guidance and solutions in new media and technologies.

Source: Report on the Agency-Advertiser Value Survey," American Association of Advertisers and Association of National Advertisers, August 2007.

These days everyone is a social media pro. Your neighbor, that gal sitting over at the local coffee shop, the guy doing killer ab crunches at the gym, and pretty much all who tout having a Twitter or Facebook account. But you're smarter than that and you deserve better. Anybody who says they're an expert in social media has yet to realize that there's much more to social media than understanding how to tweet, chirp, tout, post, poke, send, click, and any other form of digital distraction.

The truth of the matter is that social media is merely a channel and an outlet for communicating with diverse audiences. There is much to be learned and most of today's thought leaders are barely exploring the dynamics of new media.

A strategic approach to driving conversation, sparking interest, and communicating with your audience can help propel your brand into new levels of recognition and preference. A simple social media strategy won't work because there's lots more to this new media arena than creating some accounts and calling it a day.

So, before you go empty your wallets on that guru expo or pro conference be sure to ask for some pudding...

Why? You might ask...

Because...as they say...the proof is in the pudding!

And remember,...we're not pros. We are Hub 81.

Serving Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and beyond!

Today's newspapers are at a crossroads as they struggle to grasp the concepts and best practices surrounding new media. The world of social media can be a bit tricky to explore as organizations move beyond the simple steps of setting up accounts on the more popular networks and into the arena of strategic measurement and execution. Newspapers recognize the popularity of sites such as Twitter and Facebook and are in a rush to add these elements to their own media outlets.

However, the bus stops there.

Newspapers are struggling to figure out the role of social media in spreading news, creating awareness, and truly engaging an audience. An interesting dynamic is the idea or decision on whether or not to allow journalists some room for conversation...and...

"...the continued focus on preventing journalists from being human, or from showing that they have opinions"

Facebook Studio offers today's individuals and organizations an excellent opportunity to learn about best practices in Facebook marketing. Fostering a strong community around your brand and connecting with your customers is a fundamental component of maintaining a social media presence. If used correctly, Facebook offers brands an outstanding opportunity to drive awareness and increase engagement.