amy crissman

complacent vs. driven

Que sera sera—what will be will be. Many just wish and hope that someone will knock on their door, find their amazing website, and send them an email saying, “I just can’t wait to do business with you. When would you like to meet?”  That email just isn’t going to come unless you are intentional with your communication.

People who encounter your company or product will determine what they think about you. You won’t even need to say a word or purposely communicate a message for someone to build an opinion about you. And the normal tendency for people’s opinions is that they usually tend to be negative. So it is important to influence that opinion with intentional communication through branding and marketing.  That way, those around you will get the message you want them to have about your business, and form positive opinions.

Don’t let your brand become powerless, predictable and outside your control. You have the ability to create such an effect with your brand that you can choose your customer and your message. Customers decide where to shop; your brand influences them to pick you.

No Comments | In: Advertising, Branding | tags: Branding, choice, communication. | #

“Limit your exposure,” the most memorable spot during Mad Men.

Normally I’d say the same of television sponsors who repeat their same crap during each commercial break. But I have to say, I’m impressed by how purposeful, creative and non-repetitive the BMW spots were for the frequency. Each BMW spot told something different, it had a new way of saying the same thing—BMW is all about performance, “Ultimate Driving Machine.”

Is it true diesel can be a interim solution to our carbon-energy crisis? That is one BMW concept that made me ponder. I would never have thought this to be believable, except the credibility of BMW, who sold it well and I believe them. Diesel and BMW were never two words I thought I’d hear at the same time. Finally, a private company making an innovative change.

Maybe someday, I’ll drive a BMW.

No Comments | In: Advertising, Media | tags: BMW, Diesel, Mad Men, Media. | #

MetLife Blimp

Today outdoor media greeted me indoors. I sat at my computer and was distracted by this large white blimp floating past my window. I smiled; it brighten up my day. Not everyday you see a blimp. I’m not sure what it is about a blimp they always seem so exciting, like there is this urgent message that you must see and respond to. In reality, all it said was MetLife. Slightly disappointing since, I already use MetLife.

The message: when you have an urgent need, MetLife will be there and make it more fun.  Although it is very indirectly communicating it, the message is there. I think it works.

No Comments | In: Advertising, Branding, Media | tags: blimp, Media, message, outdoor. | #