Ad Envy: A PSA You Can't Ignore

This very simple but effective public service announcement from AT&T proves that advertising doesn't always have to be flashy to be memorable. Sometimes the simplest method of delivering your message is the most powerful.

Ad Envy: Uptown Community Clinic

Did this ad make you read the copy clear to the end? It did us.

This ad (click to view larger) from a series created by a Minneapolis-based agency cleverly plays off research findings which revealed that people were more likely to have a sympathetic reaction to images of abused animals than to photos of abused children.

It works on several levels:

1. The headline and the photo are arresting, and evoke an immediate response—drawing the reader in.
2. The copy is compellingly written, and does a fine job of telling a story and making a point with limited words.
3. It’s simple, and pared down to the most necessary elements.

This didn’t require an expensive photo shoot, but just a big idea that was executed well.

Ad Envy: Mt. Sinai Medical Center

This ad created by DeVito/Verdi was featured in Communication Arts Advertising Annual Volume 51. Here are some reasons we think it works:

1. An effective use of white space draws your eye to the important elements on the page.
2. Although it doesn’t use the typical photos of smiling doctors and patients, it’s still clear this is a health care ad because of the prominence of the words “Doctor” and “Hospital.” Also this ad boldly breaks two design guidelines—avoid centering text and using all capital letters—but in this case, you can see that ignoring these rules makes for a very striking composition.
3. The ad is suggestive of a joke, and uses that to get our attention. It then juxtaposes the joke into a serious topic, and makes us want to read more.

But we have to ask what you think about the use of this particular image. How does it play into the overall ad’s effectiveness?

Happy Thanksgiving!

During this time of Thanksgiving we send each of you warm wishes. We count our readers and clients among our blessings during this holiday and always.

Quote of the Day: Each Moment We Decide What We Are Becoming

Those of us who are planners need to be reminded of the truth in this wise insight. It is not tomorrow, but this very moment, that defines me.

Quote of the Day: Change Begins Here

All ideas—about the world, business, ourselves—reside in our minds first. What thoughts do you have today that give rise to creativity, virtue and innovation?

Mayo Clinic Leads the Way with Social Media Marketing

Ed Bennet, author of the Web site Found in Cache: Social Media resources for health care professionals from Ed Bennet, advises health care organizations not to get into social media because you think you’re going to get more patients, but because you’re helping be responsive (not responsible) to people reaching out looking for answers.

The Mayo Clinic, a front-runner for using social media in the health care industry, uses it in a variety of ways:

Facebook:

• Patient questions and comments are monitored and responded to by their experts

• Video contests

• Informational videos on various topics

• Patient testimonies

• Automatic blog posts

• Visit the Mayo Clinic's Facebook Page

Blogs:

• newsblog.mayoclinic.org—Features news updates from the Mayo Clinic

• sharing.mayoclinic.org—Features stories from patients, family, friends, and staff of the Mayo clinic

Twitter:

• Tweets about health tips, news updates and patient stories

• See their Twitter page

YouTube:

• Videos feature physicians, patient stories and news stories

• Visit their YouTube Channel

Color Shift and New Design Directions Characterize 2011 Logo Trends

Like fashion, design trends are dynamic. Logolounge.com lists these trends in their 2011 report on logo trends:

• Soft gradients 

•  Monoline

• Series Logos

• Brown and grey are being seen more frequently as replacements for the neutral black.

• Loopys

For the full report, click here.

Sometimes change is an improvement, and sometimes it's a step backwards. Which of these trends do you think work best?

Corporate Image Must Reflect Reality

 

It's our business to help other businesses with their corporate image. But our work only builds upon what the company already is. In some cases, a company has more to offer than its customers recognize—and that's when a strategically developed communication plan can really help grow the business. Upon occasion, a company wishes to position itself as something more than it is.

 

While communication can drive corporate culture, there must be parity between what a company wishes to convey—and what they really are. Successful companies know that they must put sustained effort into both to retain the trust of their clients and sustain a thriving business.

A Dog's Day

This was a busy week at CMBell Company—so busy that I recruited any and all the help I could find. This is Blitz, our resourceful Shitzhu, taking his turn at typing. Or was there a treat on the keyboard?

It was good week, and I'd like to end with a shout out for my staff. I really do have the best team one could hope to work with. They consistently exceed my expectations for creativity, resourcefulness, and thoughtful insights, inspiring me and teaching me in countless ways. Plus they're all just remarkable people—smart, kind, hard-working, honest and willing to tackle anything for our clients. I always say that one of the reasons we run our own business is because we get to pick the best people in the world to work with—and to work for.

So here's to you—Team CMBell. Yeah, and you too, Blitz. OK, you can go back to your rug now.