Pinterest Interest

Have you checked out Pinterest – the new online bulletin board? It’s like a scrapbook where you post ideas and interesting images on custom-designed boards. Pinterest allows you to organize and share your uploaded info. Visitors can follow your boards, add comments and you can allow them to post to your boards. There are lots of photos and comments that tend to keep you on site longer than you planned. In fact, the average time spent on Pinterest is 88 minutes – the third longest behind Facebook (394 min.) and Tumblr (147 min.). Since most of the pics on the site are linked to the poster’s website or blog, you should consider using it to increase traffic to your site. Who knows if Pinterest will catch on and thrive, but so far, so good. For now, it is at least, an entertaining way to kill some time.

Social Media Super Bowl

Going to the Super Bowl in Indianapolis? Yeah, me neither. But, if we were going, we would have the advantages of their first-ever “social media command center”. From a 2800 sq. ft. space in downtown Indy, a team of specialists will monitor digital fan conversations via Facebook and Twitter. The team will tweet directions, direct them to attractions and generally help make their experience in the city more enjoyable. It’s a big undertaking with over a mile of Ethernet cable, 150 sq. ft. of networked screen space and 20 people working 15 hour days. It’s an interesting new development that could spread to other events around the country. Just think of the possibilities!

How do you “LIKE” this?

There is yet another tool to increase the number of fans for your Facebook page. It is called “Like –Gating” and it involves giving exclusive content to those folks who “like” your business Facebook page. Like-Gating takes those folks to a seperate page that features special offers just for them. The only problem is that Facebook users don’t know that you offer special content for liking them so it’s up to those folks who like you to pass the word that special content awaits those who hit the like button. Maybe it’s not perfect, but it is another relatively painless, inexpensive way to increase your Facebook fans. Remember, however, that once you offer this exclusive content, you need to continue to make your fans feel special with new info and offers. Want to discuss this further? Talk to your EKA representative today.

Lost and Found

The whole idea of marketing is to reach out and find potential customers…right? Well, not so much today. Today’s marketing is more about making yourself “findable” to customers searching for a company that does what you do. They are doing this right now – as you are reading this. They are using Facebook and web searches to find the goods and services they need. That’s why it is vitally important to be right there at the top of web searches and ever present on Facebook. Once they do find you, traditional advertising can make sure they recognize your brand and establish credibility for your products or services. REMEMBER – If they search and don’t immediately find you,  it’s time to re-think your marketing plan.

The Business Journal “Book Of Lists” ranks EKA 12th

It’s here! The book is here! We’re finally somebody! (Paraphrased from the Steve Martin movie classic “The Jerk”.) The bad news is we are still ranked number 12 – same as last year. That’s also the good news. It was a challenging year in the ad biz. Some agencies lost clients, laid off personnel or just folded their tent and headed for the hills. We managed to make it through relatively unscathed so I guess showing up squarely in the middle of the list of the top 24 agencies ain’t nothing to cry about. Where, oh where will we place in 2012?  Early indicators are that clients are anticipating an upswing in sales due to three years of pent-up demand. We are working on fresh new marketing approaches for several of our clients. We think it’s going to be a good year for them and for us as well. Stay tuned for updates!

Is 3-D Direct Mail Your Secret Weapon?

In our history as an agency, we have mailed out a colorful array of 3-D items on our client’s behalf. Used strategically, dimensional mailings can certainly cut through the clutter and get your message noticed. The key is finding the right item. It should be completely relevant to your message or promotion. In August we sent out a marketing flyer printed directly onto a piece of sustainable oak veneer for our client New Oak. The piece was tactile and fragrant, helping the viewer really connect to the reality of the message.

New Look for Taylorsville Savings Bank

We have just wrapped production of a new branding campaign for Taylorsville Savings Bank. The campaign is designed to increase awareness of TSB’s long history serving the citizens of Alexander County. It includes a new logo design, newspaper ads, radio spots and outdoor designs. EKA has represented the Bank for the past 15 years. Under the leadership of President Tim Keever, TSB has become the largest, most successful financial institution in Alexander County.

Bringing Home The Gold!

We won a Gold MAC Award in Comprehensive Marketing Strategy for our web, direct mail and advertising work on behalf of The Boys and Girls Clubs of North Carolina at the 2010 BGCA National Conference.

Gearing up

Here at the agency, we’re in the process of gearing up for what we feel will be a significant increase in business in the near future. For the last couple of years, we’ve been treading water – holding our own until the economy caught it’s breath and started moving again. It’s still early in the recovery, but business seem to awakening from a long period of hibernation. Business people are once again talking, making new plans, designing new products and gearing up for a better business environment. We have added a new associate to our staff – Leigh Ann Venable – to help Tony and I introduce EKA to potential new clients. We just hired Seth Peters, an upcoming junior at Appalachian for our summer intern program. And, we’re completing a remodeling plan that was directed by our designer (and Brent’s wife), Carla Taylor. Carla was an artist and fabric designer in a previous life (before kids) and has been a huge help with paint, furniture, artwork and accessory selection. So, just as business is starting to rebound, Ed Kemp Associates is ready to respond. How can we help you?

EKA Welcomes Leigh Ann Venable

We are proud to announce the addition of our newest associate, Leigh Ann Venable. Leigh Ann is the former owner of 360 marketing in High Point, NC.  Leigh Ann brings with her several valuable clients and a vast depth of knowledge. In addition to client service, Leigh Ann will also lend her expertise in new business acquisition.

EKA President, Jon Kemp, says “we are so lucky to have her as a part of our team. Leigh Ann has a great reputation in the industry and our partnership allows her to offer her clients a wider array of services. She will play a valuable role in the continued growth of our agency.”

Leigh Ann lives in High Point with her husband, Terry. She has two daughters, Allison, an upcoming sophomore at N.C. State and Emily who just graduated from State with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

Welcome to the EKA family Leigh Ann!