**This post originally appeared on SpinSucks.com on 8/12/10. Our office is open 47 hours a week. During that time, our team members come and go, adhering to a variety of schedules, some full time and some part time. But each of us works 24 hours a day. I insist on it and if you can’t or don’t want to, there’s not a place for you on our team. As harsh as that sounds, consider this: The average consumer is exposed to thousands of marketing communications messages every day. The exposure is generated by the obvious channels like mainstream media and the online …Continue Reading...
“Small Project” could be sign of big issues
Earlier this month, Rodger Roeser of PR and brand development firm Eisen Management Group asked PR agency owners what they would you do if a client hired a competitor for a “small project.” Honestly, this would put me into panic mode as I worked myself into a tither wondering, “Is the client thinking of dropping us?” After a few deep breaths I’d meet with the client to make sure they understand the full scope of our team’s capabilities and point out that because we know the client’s business so well, ramp up time on new work is always minimal compared to what …Continue Reading...
Wed Nov 10
Ken again, mining for data
Last spring I met Ken Miner of Spiral 16 at Free State Social. As we were talking, we discovered we’d see each other again soon at the PRSA Counselors Academy spring conference. We’ve stayed in touch (primarily through a variety of social networks) and were able to connect again today as Ken drove through Wichita on his way to a college football game in Oklahoma. Because I enjoy connecting people, I offered to put together an informal lunch. There were 13 of us and we had a good time talking about a variety of topics revolving around digital media, including how …Continue Reading...
Fri Nov 05
Graphic Design for Kids– and Adults too
Today, professional communicators are expected to be a lot different things. Many of my young colleagues earned degrees in Integrated Communications and as they enter the workforce, are expected to be proficient in many elements of communication– advertising, marketing, public relations, digital media, website design, research, event planning, graphic design… The list is endless. Personally, I don’t think it’s fair to expect a single person to be able to execute at expert level across more than a handful of these areas. However I do think it’s fair to expect professional communicators to be well versed in all components of communication. Consistently, …Continue Reading...
Thu Nov 04
Big Wheel Keeps on Turning
The big wheel kept on turning at our group fitness session today when Robbie (that’s him in the red shirt) partnered us up and had us shuffle from one end of the gym to the other while pushing a huge tire back and forth. This is one of those activities that you’re willing to do for a long time because is seems like more fun than work. Then the next you find yourself scratching your head asking, “What did I do to my body?” Continue Reading...
Fri Sep 03
Intern Job Description
INTERNSHIP DESCRIPTION COMPANY PROFILE: Start-Thinking, LLC, is a marketing, advertising and public relations firm headquartered in Wichita, Kansas. We emphasize a strategic and integrated approach to communications planning and implementation and rely heavily on social media and rich media to keep brands top of mind. In addition to providing all the services expected of a full-service agency, we offer custom web application development, and special events and experiences. PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The Start-Thinking internship for fall 2010 will be focused on promoting the agency, with additional responsibilities in these areas: CLIENT SERVICE • Works …Continue Reading...
Mon Aug 23
Intern Learn
Start-Thinking has always focused on ways to help our interns learn. One of the techniques we developed this summer is a weekly, hour long meeting called Intern Learn, where our staff give presentations and discuss various current events in the world of integrated communications.Continue Reading...
Thu Aug 12
Thinking Fit on the go
Our Thinking Fit blog is filled with recipes and tips on eating well while at home, but Thinking Fit doesn’t stop at home. Even when you are on the go, there are ways to maintain a healthy, Thinking Fit lifestyle when you are away from your normal surroundings. One significant way is portion control. We have all fallen victim to unhealthy dining while on the road and eating large meal portions while eating out at restaurants. To combat this, consider splitting a meal with your dining companion. It’s a cost-effective way to enjoy a meal and allows you to leave the …Continue Reading...
Thu Aug 05
Social Media: What Would Don Draper Do?
Mad Men hysteria has officially kicked in with the premiere of their fourth season, appropriately titled, “Public Relations.” In one scene, a reporter asks Don Draper, “Who is Don Draper?” Caught in between his present life as Don and his past life, Dick, he is troubled by this question, wary of the intentions behind the question. It is only after he makes an executive decision at the agency, that he realizes that he is in control of his own identity. Don is in complete control over his public persona and has crafted it so well, as to make sure the past …Continue Reading...
Thu Aug 05
Author: Kris Schindler