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Five tips to help you proof

July 22, 2008

Hey, we've all been there – so pressed for time that we hit the send button before we've actually looked at what was written. But, in doing so, we've jeopardized our message and our ability to make a good impression. So here's a list of quick proofing suggestions that you can use to help prevent your audience from laughing at you.

5. Know your weaknesses. Be conscious of the mistakes you usually make and watch for these situations in your work.

4. Spell checker isn't all-knowing. Watch for correctly spelled words that are simply misused – your vs. you're, there vs. their, etc.

3. Complete your thoughts. When drafting materials, we all have the tendency to skip around – especially if we're waiting on information. Remember, you're not finished until everything is correct – www.yoururlhere.com probably isn't the web site you're hoping to send your customers to.

2. Crossing your fingers or flipping a coin isn't a valid solution. Use your resources. Ask a colleague for help or check dictionaries, style guides, and the web for answers.

1. Take your time – even if it's just a few minutes. Scan your message, give it to someone else to review, or read it aloud. By giving your project the once-over, you can help ensure you're representing yourself and your company at its best.

The tagline vs. the positioning statement

July 16, 2008

From time to time, we've been called upon to clarify confusion surrounding two valuable parts of brand strategy – the tagline and the positioning statement. While some people consider these two things the same, they are different. And here are four important reasons why...

1. Audience. A positioning statement is aimed at your internal stakeholders, whereas the tagline is targeting your customers.

2. Purpose. Your positioning statement provides direction to your business and is the basis for all marketing efforts. Your tagline sums up your brand and helps you connect with your customers.

3. Communication. Because you're speaking to two different audiences, the language you use in each should be different as well. A tagline is a short, compelling statement that sums up your positioning statement in a way that attracts your customers. Your positioning statement is a more intensive description of your place in the market, why you are unique, and where you are headed.

4. Timing. The positioning statement should always come first. Only after you have clearly identified what your product/organization is, does, and for whom, can you develop a strong and meaningful tagline.

Talk about "Get some nuts."

July 15, 2008

Snickers has nuts.

Middle East creative tensions escalate

July 14, 2008

As we know, Iran test fired three missiles last week, and Photoshopped in a fourth to make it look scarier. Check out the free world's creative response.

Our top 10 tips for using viral videos to market to women

July 8, 2008

After some informal office polling, we've uncovered what women really think about viral videos. And the answers may – or may not – surprise you.

10. We're busy. Cut to the chase and don't waste our time or intellect with long or overly complicated videos.

9. Hey, we like sports almost as much as any guy. But we really don't want to see your bruised, broken, and battered bodies.

8. Live TV. Because we love the unexpected.

7. There is such a thing as a good fake. If you can pull off an engaging spoof, skit, or prank, we'll forward it to everyone we know.

6. Kids say the darndest things.

Ready for the top 5?

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Have we really come to this?

July 3, 2008

Do you think movies like The Running Man and Idiocracy are the ultimate horror flicks? Are you aghast by those predictions of brainless TV shows that pander to the lowest common denominator and incite mob-like imbecility? Because that future may be coming true.

Indie channel G4 is about to debut a new gameshow called Hurl, where the winner is the person who eats the most and then withstands the most physical torment without, you guessed it, hurling.

Because everyone likes to laugh at vomit jokes, right? Here's hoping a show about getting hit in the groin isn't next. Oh well.

Actually, you're not wanted after all.

July 1, 2008

We interrupt this kinda regularly scheduled blog for a quick movie review.

Thinking about seeing "Wanted" starring Angelina Jolie? Don't bother. It's weak (at best). Watch "Fight Club" and "The Matrix" again instead.

We now return you to your kinda regularly scheduled blog.

What's Rolex to do?

July 1, 2008

And in today's "No, really?" department, AdAge reports that youngsters are now telling time on their phones instead of their wrists - which could spell doom for watch makers.

You don't say?