communications

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Social Media – A Tool for Marketing or A Whole New Category?

June 16, 2011 in Marketing, Media Services, Social Media by Jill at Omni | No comments

I have noticed an uptick in some of the marketing forums I review, where debates about defining  social media are taking main-stage.  What’s interesting is how long we seem to have been talking about this “new trend”, although I would propose that this does not really qualify as a “trend” any longer; it’s part of our daily experience.

Consider it was only a few decades (and several questionable fashion trends) ago that there was no such thing as TV advertising. Today, TV advertising is not discussed as separate from marketing, it is discussed and evaluated, (along with all other promotional options), as one part in the potential marketing mix for a client. It seems time to make social media more like that.

Rather than create entire plans around only social media, or talk about it as an add-on, it would seem more beneficial to clients if  we simply treat social media as one more marketing tool, evaluated for how it can help the client along with every other marketing tactic. Social media, broadcast  tv and cable advertising, radio, outdoor, direct mail, e-blasts, websites, blogs, tweets, facebook, interactive, display – the list grows, the opportunities increase. The challenge is selecting what works best for clients, not just relying on the latest trend, which in the end, may very well be the right tool.

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A little creativity goes a long way.

May 2, 2011 in Creative Services, Graphic Design, Marketing by Jill at Omni | No comments

A friend sent these to me and they feature European product bags. I love how these are made to just be fun, attention-getting, but also used for cause-marketing. To whomever created these – great concept!

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Keep Your Face in the Place

April 25, 2011 in Marketing, Marketing in Management by Jill at Omni | No comments

These were the wise words from a respected boss years ago. He was speaking to the issue of improving sales, but as Omni advises clients on marketing integration WITHIN the workplace as well as outside of it, we find this maxim to hold true as a leadership goal. When leaders can keep ‘their face in the place’ and engage their team, it can reap big rewards.

A recent article in the Harvard Business Review supports this, and explains that it is not just about in-person, all-staff meetings, but reaching out in a variety of ways to help keep the connection between leadership and staff strong. Some ideas include regular emails to staff from senior team members,  a leader’s blog or tweets, and just being present in the place and acknowledging the team. Maximize those marketing moments, and remember, those moments can be small but mighty!

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Omni Launches Redesigned Website

August 10, 2010 in Creative Services, Omni News by Kathy at Omni | No comments

Omni Communications Group cordially invites you to visit our recently redesigned website .  President Jill Schuller notes the latest internet incarnation of the marketing communications company marks the third update in the last ten years. 

“Tweaking our image and clearly communicating our corporate message in an aesthetically pleasing manner while embracing ever-changing digital technology is critical in our industry. Omni is committed to evolving with the times.” 

The new website incorporates a minimalist, less-is-more concept effectively utilizing white space and effortless site navigation to convey the philosophy, services and professional flair of the advertising agency and its staff.  The highlight of the website is the impressive digital portfolio, proudly displaying a large sampling of Omni’s creative marketing solutions and graphic design skills across a wide variety of industries and mediums.

Have a look around and let us know what you think!

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Marketing Communication Twice Removed

July 10, 2008 in Client Services, Marketing by Jill at Omni | No comments

Jill Schuller, Omni Communications GroupMarketing Communication Twice Removed, By Jill Schuller

The name of my marketing firm has the word “communications” in it. Why? Because while considering our role and mission, it boiled down to the fact that marketing is just an exercise in communicating with an audience. All businesses communicate their strengths, benefits, and their compelling reasons to choose their company or product over a similar one. Communication is external and internal, and it affects every facet of every organization.

 

For marketing, we focus on communicating a message that resonates with the end customer. But the key to unlocking that effective message is more complex than filling out a few answers on an intake form: it relies on understanding what problems a company has to overcome, interpreting those problems, having clarity about their target audience’s needs, matching the problem up to a solution, and then finding the best vehicle to drive the message to the buyer and the buyer to the client’s door.

 

In years past, face-to-face meetings to do ‘discovery’ to develop an understanding, as well as to review creative strategies and solutions, were the only way we did business. Now because so many companies have clients well outside of a quick driving distance, we use teleconferencing and emails and text messages and ftp sites. We have a whole slew of communication tools to make things more convenient and timely, but sometimes go too far and remove us from the face-to-face contact between client and provider.

 

Which raises a conundrum: Are all the latest communication tools improving communication or complicating it? Is there any business person out there who has not, at least once, expended triple their time trying to re-explain an email to someone that may have misinterpreted the intended message?

Read the rest of this entry »

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To Build Strong Business Relationships, Play Ball!

June 4, 2008 in Client Services by Jill at Omni | No comments

Wrigley FieldWe had the privilege (well, depending on your Cubs/Cards affiliation) last week to go to a Chicago Cubs game as part of a business meeting with one of our top clients,  courtesy of one of their key publishing partners. It was a tough call – spend two days out of the office to build a client relationship, or stay here and get the work out. For any of us at Omni, and pretty much all small businesses, the one thing we all have precious little of is ‘time’. So where and how we spend it is critical.

But, time spent with a great client uninterrupted by phone calls, text messages and emails makes for better communication and ultimately a better appreciation for their challenges. We made the time to attend so we could really focus on issues our client is facing.

As we sat in a strategic meeting with the top editors and media representatives of Hanley-Wood, we were able to uncover opportunities to help our client that might never have surfaced otherwise. I felt we created a stronger bond with our client by taking time to support them and work together on a strategy for their business issues. In doing so, we were able to hear from some very intelligent and savvy editors about their perceptions and suggestions to help our client. It occurred to me that THIS group of people took time out of their very busy days to educate, entertain and demonstrate a partnership attitude with us as well. And that is one of the many reasons we, and our client, like working with them. Taking time makes a difference.

One last comment; I personally did my part to stimulate the local economy by purchasing a ball cap from Wrigley Field when it started to rain at the game. Of course, I cannot wear it at home since my daughter is a Cards fan, but who knows – it may have been just the good luck charm the Cubs needed to win that game.

 

 Cubs Baseball Cap

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