BORING Branding

WOW...what happened to November? Did December sneak up on us or is it just me!

Speaking of WOW...How do we cause folks to go "WOW!" when they think of us, when they see our "stuff", when we interact with them. A big piece of what we do revolves around marketing products...check out this brief video on some decoration techniques that can by used by any company, organization, school....serious WOW factor...let me know if you agree. Click here and brace yourself.

New things coming from Neat Stuff World for 2010...we are partnering with several other RESULTS-oriented firms to bring you 59 Marketing Tips in 59 Minutes (working title). Quarterly through the coming year, we will be joining with several folks including IMG Pro (video and creative services) and Skyline (Tradeshow Marketing) to offer a Marketing Blitz (while you eat!). Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro will be the blessed cities for this cool event.

First Friday Continues - Great time of food and fellowship the First Friday of each month. January will NOT feature a First Friday...the Neat Stuff team will be in Orlando at the annual Neat Stuff show getting great ideas for our clients. One minute and 53 seconds of what you're missing.

God Bless America!

JULY 1, 2009 - Live from the Mecklenburg County Courthouse - JURY DUTY! A great way to celebrate the upcoming Fourth of July. As "Truman" (the fellow in charge of the jury room) gave us an orientation at 8:30 a.m., I was reminded of our system - though not perfect - that allows a person accused of a crime to be judged by a jury of twelve. I would certainly prefer that (especially knowing that I would be innocent!) to having one man-an Ayatollah, perhaps-determine my fate. How about you?

Marketing thoughts-The hits keep coming from David Meerman Scott and Web Ink Now...check out the Marketing of the Grateful Dead. Scott shares his thoughts on the Dead's "counter-culture marketing" that begs the question, "How are we marketing our business...Are we doing it pretty much the same way our competitors are?"

Game Plan for Life-The Super Bowl and NASCAR champion Coach Joe Gibbs is releasing a book this month billed as "Your Personal Playbook for Success." Joe commissioned a research firm to ask the man on the street what "success" meant. From the results, Coach Gibbs recruited 11 experts to each write a chapter on subjects including Finances, Health, Relationships, God, Purpose. Check out the website for more of the scoop on this project. And putting his money where his mouth is, Coach is buying breakfast for 1000 men at the Westin in Charlotte on July 31 to talk about the book while sharing his heart and spiritual journey.

"When you are through learning...."

"....you are through." So said John Wooden, perhaps the most respected coach in the history of intercollegiate athletics.

There's no excuse for not learning when folks like David Meerman Scott, author of a book we featured in our early blogging days - The New Rules of PR & Marketing, continues to put out great stuff....for FREE! Check out his excellent site and download some of his latest content including Lose Control of Your Marketing and The New Rules of Viral Marketing.

Portions of Scott's latest e-book appear in his soon-to-be released World Wide Rave. What is THAT? Glad you asked. According to the author, "A World Wide Rave is when people around the world are talking about you, your company, and your products-whether you're located in San Francisco, Dubai, or Reykjavik. It's when global communities eagerly link to your stuff on the Web. It's when online buzz drives buyers to your virtual doorstep. And it's when tons of fans visit your Web site and your blog because they genuinely want to be there."

Scott gives you the RULES of creating a World Wide Rave...FREE...look 'em up on his site.

Speaking of RAVES.....our Neat Stuff Production crew is jazzed about our latest HIT video featuring the highlights of the 2009 Orlando ASI Promo Show - Episode One. We feature a handful of the COOLEST new promotional products with - hold your breath - more to come in later Episodes. Check it out and help us start the World Wide Rave.

Sunshine in '09!

It's the first Monday morning in January and the Neat Stuff/Western team is wrapping up a great four days at the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) Show in Orlando. It goes without saying that the multitudes (that's you) are anxiously awaiting the Neat Stuff Production videos featuring all the latest and greatest from the show. As always, our focus in not on "stuff" but on helping you get results. We're planning on a great year in 2009 and our primary objective is to assist our clients in having a great year as well.

Stay tuned.