October27

Unique Promotions: Hearty Pet

By: Ashleigh

The marketer in me is always looking for unique promotions and incentives. I continually stress to businesses that the “next best thing” in technology may not always be the best strategic marketing decision for them. Social media and technology offer phenomenal opportunities, but each individual company must determine a strategy to actively attract and engage current and potential consumers.

That being said, I am thrilled when I see companies thinking outside the box to attract attention. It can be very tough to break through the noise of social media – everyone is vying for your attention, while trying to do it in a one-on-one approach. Yesterday, though, I was struck with a really unique approach that Hearty Pet has taken to build its fan base on Facebook while giving back to local communities.

By hosting a voting contest to encourage new fans to vote, Hearty Pet is aiming to grow its fan base to a total of at least 8,000 fans. The “catch” or “incentive” is that the 3 non-profit organizations who receive the most votes will receive funding from Hearty Pet. Not a bad idea – and a great way to give back to the animal community.

The question becomes, then, how will Hearty Pet maintain the interest of these new fans. Once November 24 hits, how many of these fans will remain fans? What is their approach to keeping these new fans invested in their company and the company’s outreach? Since the incentive to “like” Hearty Pet was for the good of a non-profit, how can those new fans now become interested in the products and social goodwill offered by Hearty Pet?

It will be interesting to follow Hearty Pet’s outreach once Thanksgiving has come and gone. Social media, after all, is about engagement and interaction. How engaged will these new fans become and how many will remain?

Posted in: Social Media0 comments

October26

UTSA Lecture – Fall 2010

By: Ashleigh

The pace at which technology continues to emerge is astounding. That being said, it has become all the more important for businesses to have an Internet (and mobile) presence to reach and interact with current and prospective customers.

I am speaking again this morning to Dr. Utecht’s Advertising students at the University of Texas at San Antonio. The lecture will be a 30,000 foot view of online marketing. While I won’t have the time to get into the nitty-gritty and specific technological apps, I will provide a lot of information that is unfamiliar territory for most students. With the rate at which online marketing opportunities evolve, it’s nearly impossible for academia to stay up to date with the latest tools and technologies, so I’m always happy to share my real-world experiences.

The online environment is exciting and cutting-edge, but marketing does still have important fundamentals. Advertisers should by no means drop everything they are doing in favor of the “next big online trend.” Different mediums work for different clients, and your budget will dictate what you can and cannot do.

There are numerous online resources that provide much more detail than time will afford me today. I’ve included various online marketing resources as well as my lecture slides.

Online Sales Promotion Lecture Slides (PDF)

Snapshot of my RSS Reader
Search Engine Land
Search Engine Watch
Social Media Today
PR Squared
Web Marketing Today
HubSpot’s Inbound Internet Marketing Blog
Understanding Google Maps & Local Search

Local Resources/Groups to learn more:
Social Media Club, San Antonio
BMPR

Students: Additional questions or comments about today’s lecture are more than welcome. I anticipate time to run short, so if I was unable to get to you, don’t hesitate to post a comment. Your feedback helps me to tailor my future lectures.

Posted in: Online Marketing0 comments

September1

Summer Client Happenings

By: Ashleigh

The blog updates have been slow-going to say the least. One of the challenges I face is keeping my website up-to-date through announcements while maintaining my primary focus on clients.

These past few months have been extremely exciting with web redesigns and a new product launch for Maihar Design, a partnership with my sister. Prior to the launch, we spent countless hours planning, scouting and styling our photo shoot. We were blessed with an amazing venue with the Landmark Lofts in New Braunfels, an incredible photographer, proficient makeup and hair stylist and eight awesome models. Here’s a snippet of what we captured:

The response to the new line has been fantastic, and continued media relations outreach efforts are in full force. On the Maihar Design front, we’re also styling and coordinating a summer 2011 wedding for a family friend. On that note, I could definitely use an intern – any takers?

Web redesigns have been overwhelming (in a good way) this summer. I’ve wrapped up most of the websites (there are a few new web design case studies in my portfolio). I’ve been truly blessed with amazing clients and a growing networking of extremely talented professionals.

Posted in: Client Happenings0 comments

July1

Inspired Thought: Quick Wit

By: Ashleigh

There are so many pessimistic people in the world, that it’s often difficult to find someone who can lift your spirits and help you to remember what it’s like to truly relax and enjoy life’s blessings. However, we’ve all known at least one person whose extremely witty jokes were a tad beyond your level of understanding.

We’ve all been there; everyone is laughing and we don’t quite get the wit. It may even be days later that the message finally clicks, and you break into a fit of giggles. It’s okay, I’m slow sometimes, too.

And, that brings us to our inspired thought. Not so much inspirational from an inspiring standpoint, but quirky enough to bring a smile to your face.

photo courtesy Carl Zoch

“He who laughs last…thinks slowest.” – T-Shirt Wisdom
(courtesy of my friend Barbara’s Facebook page)

Posted in: Inspired Thoughts0 comments

May27

Marketing Excellence Award Winner

By: Ashleigh

This year just continues to get even better with recognition for my first year of work. I must admit, the first 18 months of Ashford Davis have been nothing short of stressful and exciting at the same time. When I first launched my company I was convinced I’d lost my mind – an upstart in the middle of a recession? To add to that, my sister came to me to help her launch Maihar Design – two upstarts in the middle of a recession.

Last night I was announced the winner of the San Antonio chapter of the American Marketing Association’s Marketing Excellence Award for the ‘Under $25,000′ category. My entry was the work I’ve completed for Maihar Design during the course of the first year of operations.

Having been selected a finalist was really all the honor I expected – and I was thrilled with that recognition. To have my name called, though, in a room full of incredible marketing professionals was out-of-this-world exciting.

Thanks so much to the judges who encourage me with the honor, and for all the professionals from whom I continue to learn. The local community and online community is gracious and always willing to share ideas and experiences. It’s from these groups that I continue to educate myself and push forward with achievements.

Here’s to many more years!

Posted in: Online Marketing1 comments

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