Against the Grain: Advertising

Round two of "A Day in the Life..."

8–8:45 a.m. –– Caught up on emails and voicemails. Discussed upcoming client information for the week with Trilix’s media director.  

8:45–9:15 a.m. –– Worked with designer on special ad copy for client. Met with a project manager to get the ad copy finished and ready for the client. Sent to client for approval.

9:15–10 a.m. –– Worked with project manager to get client ad copy ready for ads due this week in the Council Bluffs/Omaha area. Double checked the sizes of the ads, sent ad copy to the media reps at the newspapers and confirmed the run dates. Marked off ads sent on orders and updated production calendars.

10–11 a.m. –– Collected signed insertion orders from newspaper reps after placing schedule for February print ads. Revisions to prices were made on one of the orders in the client’s favor, so revised order and resent to the client.

11–11:45 a.m. –– Continued placing entire 2012 print schedules for client to lock in rates and dates now. Sent out orders to the media reps and collect signed insertion orders.

11:45am–1:15 p.m. –– Lunch with media rep from Farm Progress.

1:45–2:30 p.m. –– Met with media reps from the Des Moines Register. Learned about a new opportunity for a client, and updated the rep on the status of current clients and plans for 2012.

3–3:30 p.m. –– Met with Trilix team members for a quarterly client review. Brainstormed new ideas and opportunities.

3:30–4 p.m. –– Printed off media invoices emailed from various media vendors and filed into client invoice folders to be reconciled, entered and paid.

4–5 p.m. –– Entered remaining print orders for client for 2012 schedule. Sent a few more emails, updated timesheet and closed down for the day.

Super Bowl Sunday is fast approaching, and millions of Americans are looking forward to an exciting game, entertaining halftime show, delicious food and maybe a couple of beers. And for many of us, the Super Bowl ads are the most anticipated, and best part, of the game experience.

After 111 million people tuned into last year’s game, more people than ever are expected to have their eyes glued to the tube in a few weeks. With those expectations, some of the nation’s savviest and largest companies scrambled to purchase their ad slots before the NFL season even began, leaving just five openings by early September (USAToday.com). 

With the average ad package around a hefty $3.5 million price tag, we think it’s safe to say consumers should be in for a real show this year. Common favorites like Budweiser –– who purchased four and a half minutes of air time –– GoDaddy, Pepsi, Coca-Cola and M&Ms are expected to be back.  

“In recent years, we’ve seen a lot of ‘safe’ comedic commercials featuring kids, babies and animals,” says Trilix President Todd Senne. “That was especially true during tough economic years. Now that the economy is starting to improve, we should see a lot more humor and risks as companies try to differentiate themselves. I’m looking forward to seeing who ventures outside the comfort zone.”

With anticipation rising, we at Trilix are gearing up for our seventh annual Super Poll Iowa, a fun and easy way to track the best Super Bowl ads. Look for a registration email from us in a few days so you can cast your vote and be entered for a great prize, to be revealed soon!

Tell us which Super Bowl ads are your all-time favorite on our Facebook page.

Ever think you might like to work at an agency? Maybe you’re not a designer, copywriter or web programmer, but you have great client skills, big ideas, can manage budgets and are always (or at least mostly) organized. The account services department could be where you belong!

Here’s a look at a day in the life of Trilix Senior Project Manager Janelle Steinkamp:

8 a.m. – Routed several client jobs to creative team members so they are on their desk when they get in.  Also routed jobs with copy to be proofed to our stellar proofreader.  

8:30 a.m. – Worked with a web designer on several updates for a client website and emailed ad proofs to another client for approval. 

9:05 a.m. – Discussed projects due today in our status meeting with the creative team. Then, met with our interactive team to discuss web projects and deadlines. 

9:45 a.m. – Routed a job to a designer for a client print ad, as well as a copy request for a new client sales sheet. Double checked revisions on a catalog and sent to client for final approval. Also made updates to an e-newsletter and sent off for client review.

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Break for lunch!

1 p.m. – Entered new client jobs into our tracking system. Routed more ads to a designer, and sent others to a different client for approval. Checked deadlines that are still due this afternoon. Sent approved ad off to a magazine for publication. 

3:30 p.m. – Filled out my timesheet, and entered several POs and invoices into our system.

4:30 p.m. – Wrapped up, logged off and headed home!

Google+ is a topic that’s been buzzing around the water coolers for the last couple months, but has anyone really grabbed the latest social media platform by the horns? Although it doesn’t have 800 million users like Facebook, it has caused much media attention, and a few early adopters are trying it out. Not sure if you’re ready to jump onboard? Let us take you on the Google+ grand tour:

• Google+’s Stream is just like Facebook’s timeline and Twitter’s feed. Here, you can see updates, pictures, videos and links.
• If you think Facebook’s chat feature is great, you’ll love Google+’s Hangouts. Perhaps the most technologically advanced feature (“it changes who’s on camera based on who’s talking,” according to Mashable), Hangouts allows you to video chat with multiple people from your Circles.
• People are reporting they love Google+ Circles. A creative way to group friends, Circles allows you to designate who sees your posts. Want to share an article related to your industry? Share that link to your “professionals” Circle. Want to post something, but you don’t want your mom to see it? Post to your “friends” Circle.

Most recently, Google+ launched brand pages that have encouraged companies like Pepsi, Toyota, Amazon, Starbucks, McDonald’s and Wells Fargo to share their company messages with their Circles.

Google+ boasts many features that we think will create and engage a large group of users. What do you think about Google+? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page!

Are you considering hiring an advertising agency? Before you send out an RFP or start shopping around, determine what kind of relationship you’re pursuing. Do you need a vendor to fulfill orders or a partner to generate new ideas and help guide your strategic marketing efforts?

Vendors help you meet your marketing goals; partners help you set and exceed them. Vendors cut ties during economic challenges and leadership changes; partners weather the storm together. Vendors complete your projects on time. Partners fill a need you never knew existed because they understand your customers and industry.

To maintain a competitive-edge in today’s ever-changing market, you should move beyond the project-vendor relationship and explore an agency partnership. An experienced account team can help you set achievable goals and create a strategic plan to turn an idea into an award-winning solution.

Successful client-agency partnerships are built on trust, and it must be earned. Your agency should demonstrate an unwavering commitment to help you succeed. They should invest the time to get to know you, your company and industry. In turn, you should notify them about internal and external changes and challenges affecting your business. They can analyze the situation objectively and may be able to spot an opportunity.

In any relationship, partners run the risk of growing complacent. Don’t let your marketing efforts get stagnant. Your brand, company and products evolve over time and so should your marketing campaigns. Challenge your agency to bring you creative solutions. Be willing to take risks. Trust your agency to guide you through the rebranding process.

Do you still want a vendor? Consult Google. If you’re looking for a partner, give Trilix a call. We combine innovative ideas with marketing expertise. Together, we can form the sweetest partnership since Ben and Jerry—without the ice cream headache.