5ives: A Name History

by | Nov 3, 2008 | Placement, Strategy

Now that you have some background on how to name a business and have shared your own personal story, check out the history of some of the most famous brand names. Google Google was originally called “BackRub” by founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin because...

Zombies: Advertisers After An Apocalypse

by | Sep 30, 2008 | Strategy, Writing

Let’s assume for a minute, the worst is going to happen. Glacier melting leads to floods more epic than that Kevin Costner bomb, Waterworld. Aliens invade. Volcanos erupt, while the tectonic plates slam into each other like they were in a Nirvana mosh pit circa...

How to spot a hack

by | Sep 29, 2008 | Strategy, Web

Looking to contract a freelancer? Here’s a few things to keep in mind. 1. Cost. As a general rule, experience and quality cost more, but money shouldn’t be a measure of ability. For example, a lot of very talented and young freelancers charge pennies...

Smile and Nod: Marketing When Clueless.

by | Aug 18, 2008 | Strategy

Originally from Fargo, ND I can’t call myself a city slicker, but I sure felt like one this weekend when I attended the Medora Musical in Medora, North Dakota. As I perused the shops of homemade taffy, embroidered horse sweat suits and Native American themed...

Marketing to Your Existing Customers

by | Jul 23, 2008 | Strategy

You’ve spent good money to draw consumers into your business. The designers and marketing professionals you may have worked with talked at length about branding, building and maintaining your company image. At last, droves of customers pile into your business....

Totally like talking to youth, dog.

by | Jul 21, 2008 | Strategy

At 23, even I feel out of touch with youth culture. But as I sit here on my Mac, drinking a Mountain Dew, watching Cooking with Coolio on YouTube, I’ve had an epiphany of sorts. You can’t outsmart teens. After all, they know it all right? To quote Thomas...