Choosing a brand name or changing your existing brand name is challenging. I’m always looking to develop a name that has “Bark” — grabs attention and stands out from the crowd and also“Bite” — it grabs you with emotion or some other connection. There is much speculation out there as …
Farris Marketing recently completed marketing projects on behalf of VacQua Industrial Services. This Youngstown firm specializes in hydro excavating, dry ice cleaning, industrial vacuuming, water blasting and pressure washing surface cleaning. Farris designed a new, visually appealing website for VacQua and also created direct mail materials. All Farris-designed websites include …
Penn-Northwest Development Corporation (PNDC) is an agency whose goal is to bring new businesses to Mercer County by connecting them with government programs such as loans, tax incentives and low-cost land. PNDC selected Farris Marketing for several initiatives to help them achieve that goal. Farris created a microwebsite (MakeItInMercerCounty.com) that …
Mill Creek MetroParks is one of the largest local parks in the United States. With the appointment of a new Executive Director in January 2015, Mill Creek MetroParks is entering a new era that will be marked by increased visibility and community outreach The MillCreek MetroParks board turned to Farris …
When I saw the campaign logos for Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush — two of the early front-runners in the 2016 presidential election — I was struck by how unusual they were. So I sent them — along with logos from the campaigns of Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio and Rand …
If you happened to be one of the more than 23 million viewers who tuned in to watch NBA finals featuring the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors, you may have noticed noticed a pretty amazing sight. Almost every fan was wearing a matching T-shirt. Yes, the fans, not …
But only one in four websites are mobile-ready. If your website has not been optimized for mobile viewing, it’s difficult to view and links don’t work well. Worse, Google lowers your search ranking. Prospects who do find your website leave quickly and end up on your competitors’ mobile-friendly sites. A …
It was a $5 drill bit. I ran in into Sears, grabbed the drill bit and handed the clerk my cash. I didn’t even want a bag. I wanted to grab my receipt and run. But I had to wait while the register spewed out a half-dozen pieces of paper. …
Every website needs a facelift from time to time; subtle additions to the site or its features should be done on a regular basis. But at some point your website will need more drastic changes — a redesign or revamp. Maybe you sense you’ve squeezed as many miles out of …
A few nights ago, I had a strange dream. My wife and were eating dinner and she asked how my day went. “Let me check,” I told her, and picked up my iPhone. “Hmm, I got four stars from an employee I let leave work early to bring her dog …
A few weeks ago, I was invited to join an elite group that was embarking upon a special mission to save the world and bring all villains to justice. There were three of us: my grandson Nico, age three and a half; my granddaughter Ava, age two; and me. Nico …
These four small pieces of advice can make a big difference for you and your organization. …
When Dorothy stepped out her tornado-blown house in the movie The Wizard of Oz, she saw a landscape that was drastically different than the one she saw growing up on a farm. “I don’t think we’re in Kansas any more, Toto,” she said. If you compare the American consumer market …
There’s a scene in the blockbuster movie Raiders of the Lost Ark that everyone loves. Indiana Jones, played by Harrison Ford, has just arrived in Cairo when his partner Marion Ravenwood is kidnapped by the Nazis. Indy starts running through a crowded Egyptian bazaar, desperately searching for her. Suddenly, the …
I have a question for you. When snow covers your driveway in copious amounts — as it has done to mine many times this winter — have you tried (a) shoveling it (b) paying someone to plow it (c) driving back and forth over it to tamp it down (d) …
What was the best TV commercial during Super Bowl XLIX? What was the worst? Depending on who you ask and what criteria you use to judge the spots, the opinions differ quite a bit. So sometimes it helps to look at the overriding themes. One theme you might have noticed …
Yes, this is the only marketing plan you’ll ever need — and if it seems simple, that’s because it is. But even though it’s simple, it’s not easy. In fact, this plan is a real challenge. And remember, this just the bones; you have to add the meat. If you’re …
Non-profit organizations play a critical role in in America. The dynamics of their growth are unique and different than commercial, for-profit ventures. But they become more alike once the non-profit organization grows to a certain level. As few as ten years ago, branding, marketing and paid advertising was rarely discussed, …
“Did you get my letter Santa?,” my kids would ask. “Of course!” he would lie. Then he’d wink at us parents and say, “But Santa gets so many letters, it’s hard to remember. Why don’t you tell me what you asked for?” Typically, Santa would officially arrive in most large …
Every Consumer in ConsumerVille liked Christmas a lot, But it was rumored that Marketing — simply did NOT! ConsumerVille Leaders claimed “Marketing hates the Christmas season!” But they never said why…never gave us a reason. They said what Marketing was doing was just not right. It had a grip on …
“Our customers are different,” says a prospective client in our first meeting. If I’ve heard that once, I’ve heard it a hundred times. I’ve been told “Our customers are different” by retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, medical professionals, brokers, bakers and consultants. “Our customers are different,” says the owner of the limo …
In Cool Hand Luke, the famous 1967 film staring Paul Newman, the captain of the prison guards tells a prisoner named Luke that the sound of his chains clicking should remind him that what he was being told was for his own good. The wise-cracking Luke replies, “I wish you’d …
Most of us have been on both sides of the fence. We’ve been treated poorly — or at least with indifference — by a customer service rep, manager, retail worker or phone person. And if you’re in business, you’ve probably had the occasional upset (or maybe even unreasonable) customer to …
In this age of reality TV shows like SharkTank and viral videos on YouTube — everyone is becoming more aware of marketing. That represents a giant increase in awareness, because until about 15 years ago, most people thought marketing was a trip to the grocery store. Of course, marketing could …
It’s a very rare thing: a true story about a successful company or organization in which marketing is the recognized hero. Usually, successful organizations like to point to “getting into the market at the right time” or “answering a need” as the reason for the cash register’s continued ringing. That’s …
July is usually the hottest month of the year in Ohio. In July of 1966, I was just a kid, and it seemed especially hot. Air conditioning was still a rarity. If you wanted A/C, you went to a movie. In cars and in homes, it was practically nonexistent. But …
It’s five o’clock. You’ve had multiple text messages from friends urging you to join them for a drink at the local watering hole. You’d like to go. You could use a drink. But you also need to do some laundry tonight or you’re going to be wearing YSU sweatpants and …
I like being alone sometimes. I’m not a hermit or a monk. But I could be Elton John’s Rocket Man or the guy that does a solo crossing of the ocean. Of course I want to come to back to civilization, but I don’t mind leaving for a good stretch. …
I drink a lot of coffee. So I have those Keurig coffee machines at home and in the office. I’d have one in my car but I’m pretty sure K-Cupping would be more distracting than texting. You know how it works. You just put your cup underneath the spout, press …
American’s love dogs. More than 83 million of our four-legged friends call the U.S. their home. Well, they would if they could talk. The percentage of U.S. households with dogs has tripled since the 1970s. According to the American Pet Products Association, 47 percent of American households now own at least one dog. …
“Scott, did you murder your wife?” shouted the reporter. Scott Peterson ignored the question and hurried to his car. Rumors started to surface that he was going to be arrested and he didn’t want to answer questions. Most business owners and executives will never face a scenario like Scott Peterson, …
If you want the best chance of being successful at social media marketing, you need to first understand and acknowledge that you’re using social media as a tool. This is work, not play. It will take time and effort. That’s not to say you can’t have fun with it, or …
Your brand is not your product, service or company. Your brand is how people recognize your product, service or company and what they think about it. Branding is a function of marketing. And let’s face it, the super brands usually become super brands because of their marketing. A super brand …
Your business is not special. I’m sorry if that hurts your feelings, but it’s not. I don’t care how many people you employ, how long you’ve been in business or how many awards you’ve received from Rotary or your trade association. Consider these facts: According to SBA.gov, there are 23 …
We decided to have a little fun with the print advertising that we place in The Business Journal to bring attention to an issue that is slipping by many organizations. A large portion of the people that view the organization’s website are viewing it on a cell phone or tablet. Both …
“What kind of animal is this?” asks my 2 1/2 year-old grandson Nico. He and his one-year-old sister Ava are sitting on my lap while we’re reading a children’s animal book. Nico is pointing to the photo of a strange-looking creature. “That’s a platypus.” I say after double-checking the caption. …
