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04/25/12 Verdin Qualifies as National ADDY® Award Finalist

 

02/14/12 Are you in love with your brand?

 

01/12/12 QR codes and mobile marketing

 

11/10/11 New Google tools help businesses strategize, plan

 

11/04/11 PSA uses humor to reach audience

 

10/03/11 5 Tips to Writing an Elevator Speech

 

09/21/11 Verdin launches new brand

 

08/26/11 Rabobank Helps to Bring Music Education to 16,000 County-wide Each Year

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  • 04/25/12 Verdin Qualifies as National ADDY® A...

    We’re happy to announce that Verdin is now a 2012 National ADDY® Award finalist. As a 2012 winner of the American Advertising Federation (AAF) District ADDY® Awards for its rebrand campaign, Verdin is eligible to move on to the National …View More

    Verdin Qualifies as National ADDY® Award Finalist

    April 25th, 2012 - by Whitney Diaz

    Verdin Rebrand (collateral)

    We’re happy to announce that Verdin is now a 2012 National ADDY® Award finalist. As a 2012 winner of the American Advertising Federation (AAF) District ADDY® Awards for its rebrand campaign, Verdin is eligible to move on to the National ADDY® Awards competition, the largest of its kind in the country.

    The Verdin Rebrand Campaign won a gold ADDY® Award at the regional level in March, which qualified the local company to move forward in the competition to the district level, where it won a Silver ADDY® Award. Any entry that wins gold or silver at the district level is eligible to advance and compete in the national competition along with over 1,500 other finalists.

    Verdin, formerly Verdin Marketing Ink, rebranded itself in fall 2011 to convey an evolution that has taken place over the past eight years. Complete with a new logo, tagline, blog, social media presence and more, the rebrand showcased Verdin’s sophistication and personality using a friendly, creative design with a surprising color palette.

    Verdin Rebrand Up Close

    “We have worked with many clients on their branding and rebranding, so our own rebrand was an opportunity to refine our process. We feel the final product really represents who we are as a company, and look forward to applying this same evolved process in branding for our clients,” said Mary Verdin, the agency’s president. “Everything goes back to our clients, including this rebrand and this award. It’s all about them and what we can do for them.”

    The National ADDY® Awards will be chosen from entries from across the country May 4 through 5 in Washington, D.C., by an illustrious panel of judges. National winners will be presented at the National ADDY® Awards Show in Austin, TX on June 5 at the Hilton Austin, as part of the AAF National Conference.

    For more information, or to see samples of other marketing campaigns and materials created by Verdin, peruse our website or “like” the Verdin Facebook page at www.facebook.com/verdinvision.

    Verdin Rebrand (Mailer Set)

    About the American Advertising Federation
    The American Advertising Federation (AAF) is the nation’s oldest national advertising trade association, and the only association representing all facets of the advertising industry. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., it acts as the “Unifying Voice for Advertising.” The AAF also has 15 district operations, each located in and representing a different region of the nation. The AAF’s mission is to protect and promote the well being of advertising by coordinating a unique, national grassroots network of advertisers, agencies, media companies, local advertising clubs and college chapters. For more information, visit www.aaf.org.

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  • 02/14/12 Are you in love with your brand?

    Let’s face it. Any good relationship is built on trust. The same is true for a brand and its relationship with consumers. Let’s take a look at the relationship a brand has with its consumer. The first date Ah the …View More

    Are you in love with your brand?

    February 14th, 2012 - by Whitney Diaz

    Let’s face it. Any good relationship is built on trust. The same is true for a brand and its relationship with consumers. Let’s take a look at the relationship a brand has with its consumer.

    The first date

    Ah the first date. What a wonderful thing. It evokes joy beyond measure and a nervous giddiness that leaves us breathless. When was the last time you felt that way about your brand? Like any good first date, that first introduction to a brand is aimed at captivating you, the consumer, with its vibrancy, confidence, value and style.

    Long-lasting relationship

    True Love Red

    One of our brand's colors.

    The beginning of a beautiful and long-lasting relationship starts with trust. Color, pattern and repetition builds that trust between consumers and the brands they love. One of the colors we use in our Verdin brand is something we like to call “True Love Red.” You can see it in nearly ever piece of collateral or advertising we create for our brand. We have other colors, sure, but this particular red is meant to evoke desire and passion in the consumer. Because we use this color repeatedly either on its own or in patterns with other colors in our palette, consumers begin to recognize the vibrant color as a part of our brand.

    As I said before, any good relationship is built on trust. And trust in a brand is built on understanding the meaning of a recognized pattern. Because patterns are memorable, once understood and applied, a brand’s pattern can actually help that brand grow by creating an efficient and stable model for growth.

    But while your brand’s image creates that initial trust, it’s the message that helps create a lasting relationship with consumers. Branding is the process of creating a consumer-oriented promise, and keeping it. If you want to grow your brand, promises must be kept. Think about the promises your brand has made to consumers and ask yourself if the message is clear and if you’ve kept those promises.

    Your brand is something that should fill you with joy and pride, something you should love wholeheartedly. Are you in love with your brand?

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  • 01/12/12 QR codes and mobile marketing

    You’ve heard of QR codes, but do you really know what they are or what they do? As more people use mobile devices (smart phones, tablets, etc.) to access information via the Internet, QR codes will become a standard way …View More

    QR codes and mobile marketing

    January 12th, 2012 - by Whitney Diaz

    sample qr code

    Scan this QR code and like us on Facebook!

    You’ve heard of QR codes, but do you really know what they are or what they do? As more people use mobile devices (smart phones, tablets, etc.) to access information via the Internet, QR codes will become a standard way to provide timely information or special offers.

    So what is it? In short, a QR code is a quick response bar code, originally created in Japan, that allows people to retrieve content quickly on a mobile device. Essentially, it’s a way to rapidly connect users with the content you want them to see.

    Strategies for QR Codes

    Before you start slapping QR codes on your business cards and print ads, think about what your audience and customers, or potential customers, can get out of it. Every aspect of a marketing campaign should tie back to business goals. This is where strategy comes in.

    What are you trying to provide your customers? Are you attempting to reach a goal by using the QR code?

    By clearly defining your goals, you’ll not only provide a great interactive user experience, but you’ll forge a new medium that will help your business reach its goals. Take a look at your customer base or your audience and determine if a QR code is really the right fit for a particular campaign.

    Clearly tell your audience what they can expect when they scan the code. For example, if the code leads back to your business website, include text that says, “Check out our website for more information.” But DO NOT connect your QR code with a website that isn’t mobile-friendly. When people scan QR codes, it’s a safe bet that they using smart phones. So make sure that wherever your QR code leads is safe, mobile content that is both easy to read and engaging.

    Best Uses

    The best uses for QR Codes, according to CRW Graphics, are in print advertising, flyers, posters, invites and other ads.

    If you’re creating a marketing or advertising campaign, think about how you can insert a QR code to provide additional product details, videos, contact details, special offers, links to social media pages, event details and so much more. But have a mobile-friendly landing page or site specifically designed for the campaign so that the user sees the value of that QR code right away.

    Other ways to use QR codes include:
    ·     On business cards (link to your LinkedIn page, or other information about you)
    ·     Scavenger hunts (fun ways to engage audiences)
    ·     Labels
    ·     Promotions, giveaways
    ·     Stickers
    ·     T-shirts

    No matter how you choose to use QR codes, be creative and useful. Your business is unique with unique goals. Try to align your marketing efforts with those goals and you’ll see great success. And remember that QR codes are still relatively new to users, so it’s a good idea to have a line of instructions with the code.

    QR Code Generators
    Here is a list of QR code generators we like to use
    ·    qrcode.kaywa.com
    ·    QR Stuff
    ·    GoQR.me
    ·    delivr.com

    For more information or for help on your next marketing campaign, contact us at (805) 541-9005 or e-mail verdin@verdinvision.com.

    Sources and more information:
    ·    13 Creative Ways to use QR Codes for Marketing
    ·    How NOT to use QR Codes
    ·    How to Integrate a QR Code into Marketing Campaigns

     

    • QR code is a great invention people made. I'm making mobile apps currently and find it really cool to implement QR codes into them. I'm amazed at QR code coupons www.Snappii.com app builder allows to create. They are really helpful for small businesses.

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  • 11/10/11 New Google tools help businesses stra...

    Have you ever wondered what time of year consumer demand for you product peaks? Now you can find out, based on search history. Google’s new Think Insights with Google is a great new tool for marketers. The site has latest …View More

    New Google tools help businesses strategize, plan

    November 10th, 2011 - by Whitney Diaz

    Have you ever wondered what time of year consumer demand for you product peaks? Now you can find out, based on search history. Google’s new Think Insights with Google is a great new tool for marketers.

    The site has latest insights, facts and statistics, a research library, planning tools and trends for the future.

    Are you in the tourism industry and wondering about the 5 Stages of Travel? Google has that information. Are you wondering what other marketers are doing to increase ROI? Google has that information, too.

    And perhaps the most exciting new tool, still in beta, is the Real-Time Insights for Search. Using this tool, you can compare search volume patterns across specific regions, categories, time frames and properties. You can use it to help anticipate demand for your business so you can budget and plan accordingly. You can know where to find your customers (it shows which regions search for specific terms in higher volumes).

    Most businesses will likely find it very useful in strategizing and planning for the future.

    Questions? E-mail me at whitney@verdinvision.com.

    • Nice post, Google routinely innovates and provides great resources and marketing tools.

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  • 11/04/11 PSA uses humor to reach audience

    Public Service Announcements don’t always have to be boring to convey a serious issue. Take recent PSAs for the Central Coast Partners for Water Quality, for example. They take a serious problem like water pollution and use humor to try …View More

    PSA uses humor to reach audience

    November 4th, 2011 - by Whitney Diaz

    Public Service Announcements don’t always have to be boring to convey a serious issue.

    Take recent PSAs for the Central Coast Partners for Water Quality, for example. They take a serious problem like water pollution and use humor to try and change behavior.

    Most of us know that contaminants carried by storm drain water are the top sources of water pollution. But these PSAs actually show us why, without being preachy. They take yard waste, pet waste and over watering our lawns to a whole new level.

    For a laugh, or to learn something new, watch the PSAs below.

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  • 10/03/11 5 Tips to Writing an Elevator Speech

    Do your employees know what your company really does? Could they tell someone in 30 seconds or less? By developing an elevator speech, you’re creating a consistent message for employees to use and strengthen brand awareness. What is an elevator …View More

    5 Tips to Writing an Elevator Speech

    October 3rd, 2011 - by Whitney Diaz

    Do your employees know what your company really does? Could they tell someone in 30 seconds or less? By developing an elevator speech, you’re creating a consistent message for employees to use and strengthen brand awareness.

    What is an elevator speech? Also know as an “elevator pitch,” an elevator speech is a carefully planned, concise and well-practiced description about a company that anyone should be able to understand in the time it would take to ride up an elevator (about 30-45 seconds). It should be enlightening, answering crucial questions about your company (i.e, who, what, when, where, why) but should also captivate your audience, leaving them wanting more.

    Here are a few things to consider when developing an elevator speech:

    1.    A “grab,” or positioning statement. This tells your audience why they should care about you, your company, or your product. It should pique their interest.
    2.    What sets you apart? Include something that makes your company unique and distinctive. This will lend credibility to your elevator speech.
    3.    The basics.  Don’t forget the who and what. Who does your organization benefit? What does it do or how does it do this?
    4.    Passion. Be sure to include language that showcases your energy and dedication.
    5.    Initiate action. Get your audience to do something, like visit your website, check out your Facebook page or blog.

    Here is an example:
    Verdin helps businesses, nonprofits and individuals market themselves in creative and cost effective ways. Unlike other companies that provide similar services, Verdin always ties everything we do back to our clients’ business goals. We take a professional, friendly, creative and surprising approach to all of our advertising, design, marketing and public relations services, which is why Verdin has seen such tremendous growth in the past eight years. Check out VerdinVision.com for more information.

    For more information on how to best market your company or organization, call Verdin at (805) 541-9005 or email verdin@verdinvision.com.

    Want to learn more? Review these other resources:
    The Perfect (Elevator) Speech, Bloomberg BusinessWeek
    Distill your pitch into short, compelling elevator speech, USA Today
    3 steps to a great elevator pitch, Microsoft

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  • 09/21/11 Verdin launches new brand

    Verdin Marketing Ink has dropped the Marketing and the Ink, but in title only. The San Luis Obispo-based marketing firm has rebranded itself to convey an evolution that has taken place over the past eight years. The new brand, complete …View More

    Verdin launches new brand

    September 21st, 2011 - by admin

    Verdin Marketing Ink has dropped the Marketing and the Ink, but in title only. The San Luis Obispo-based marketing firm has rebranded itself to convey an evolution that has taken place over the past eight years.

    The new brand, complete with a new logo, slogan, website, blog, social media pages and more, showcases Verdin’s professionalism using a friendly, creative design with a surprising color palette.

    “We have a unique vision for what we can do for our clients, and in this business, our clients’ success is our success,” said Mary Verdin, the agency’s president. “We are partners with our clients, and will continue to push ourselves and remember that everything we do should tie back to our clients’ business goals, effectively reaching those goals in professional, friendly, creative and surprising ways.”

    These four words – professional, friendly, creative and surprising – were identified as descriptors of the agency when it bought and built-out its offices at the corner of Tank Farm and Broad. “Our architect asked me to describe the company. Those four words stuck and we try to apply them to everything we do,” she added.

    The new brand was launched on Thursday at a special celebration honoring Verdin clients for their support and business. Now just Verdin, the sleek new name and branded look brings a contemporary sophistication to a company that has seen tremendous growth since it was founded in 2003. And this new brand positions Verdin for the additional growth it plans to experience in the years ahead.

    New logo
    The new Verdin logo is derived from the old ink splat logo, but has morphed into a modern version. The asterisk represents the ink splat and represents all of the core values and characteristics of Verdin. The agency, its employees and its clients are:

    • *Honest
    • *Smart
    • *Strategic
    • *Proactive
    • *Preventive
    • *On target

    The new contemporary logo design offers greater visibility, energized by a bright color palette. The ink splat in the previous logo represented public relations, but the firm’s services have grown to focus on much more than that. So the logo progressed from the organic logo into a more concise, geometric form that is at once professional, playful, creative and surprising.

    This represents the natural progression of Verdin overtime, and symbolizes its expansion not only in PR services, but also in branding, marketing, design and advertising services. And all hold equal weight.

    The logo color is primarily brown, but it can also be seen in four other colors, using Verdin’s friendly color palette. It’s part of the new notion that brands are temporal, not definitive, and are formed by multiple voices, existing in multiple mediums through multiple contexts.

    The Squirrel

    Verdin SquirrelMeet The Squirrel. He doesn’t have a name yet, though he will in time, but he has a winning personality. Fun and engaging, The Squirrel is Verdin’s mascot. Why have a mascot? Well, because mascots make people happy. No, really. Studies show that mascots induce positive, happy feelings in people, and help them better identify a brand.

    We think he ties the whole brand together. Our social squirrel keeps the community and Verdin connected. He’s energetic in his work and play and is always well-prepared for the future. Social and resourceful, this little squirrel adapts to change well and helps Verdin clients by giving them the resources they need for their future.

    On Verdin’s website, www.VerdinVision.com, he gathers nuts from our blog tree and consumes them, indulges in them, uses them for wisdom and sustenance, and shares them with others. He helps remind Verdin and its clients that play is just as important as work. A healthy balance is the key to happiness for this little guy.

    “Fun, hopeful and engaging, the new brand seeks to engage the community in a lively relationship through color, pattern and a mascot,” said Verdin Art Director Caroline Plasencia. “The new brand is flexible, playful and positive, but the underlying core characteristics of the agency are still intact and represented. These core values and characteristics are what fuel the relationship between a brand and the consumer.”

    For all of these reasons, the new Verdin logo can be seen sitting in a sea of one of it’s branded colors with its pet squirrel scampering by, or in a pattern of asterisks that convey the firm’s values and allow the consumer playful interaction and ownership all at once.

    Slogan
    “A vision for your brand.” This new slogan is an important part of the new brand, as it signifies eternal and infinite creativity and possibility.

    “We have a unique vision for what we can do for our clients, and in this business, our clients’ success is our success,” Verdin explained. “We are partners with our clients, and will continue to push ourselves and remember that everything we do should tie back to our clients’ business goals, effectively reaching those goals in professional, friendly, creative and surprising ways.”

    Verdin’s goal is to empower, captivate and delight.

    What drives your message?

    • My spouse and I stumbled over here from a different page and thought I may as well check things out. I like what I see so now i'm following you. Look forward to looking at your web page yet again.

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    • i love your blog, i have it in my rss reader and always like new things coming up from it.

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  • 08/26/11 Rabobank Helps to Bring Music Educati...

    SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA ― Fully one third of the San Luis Obispo Symphony’s annual budget goes to support extensive Music Education Programs serving the county of San Luis Obispo. More than 16,000 children and adults take part in one …View More

    Rabobank Helps to Bring Music Education to 16,000 County-wide Each Year

    August 26th, 2011 - by admin

    SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA ― Fully one third of the San Luis Obispo Symphony’s annual budget goes to support extensive Music Education Programs serving the county of San Luis Obispo. More than 16,000 children and adults take part in one or more of these programs, which are based on California State educational standards, every year.

    Rabobank has been a Symphony supporter for over a decade, sponsoring the popular “No Ties Allowed! Free Dress Rehearsals” at the Performing Arts Center. Rabobank’s generous $10,000 donation also earns them the title of “Signature Music Education Sponsor” for their support of the infrastructure that makes the Symphony’s Music Education programs possible.

    Nine distinct programs comprise the Symphony’s music education continuum, including Everyday Etudes, Strings in the Schools, The Music Van, and a range of professional training and performance opportunities offered through the Symphony and Youth Symphony.

    “When you consider the way schools are struggling, especially in the current economy, these programs become critically important,” said Symphony Music Education Director, Andrea Stoner. “Rabobank’s continuing generosity helps us to fill that ever-increasing need.”

    Perhaps most recognized for their support of the Symphony’s immensely popular pre-concert dress rehearsals, Rabobank has sponsored the “No Ties Allowed! FREE Dress Rehearsals” since 1997. Last year, more than 4,000 people stood in line outside the PAC to attend these casual and entertaining afternoons of music.

    “Rabobank is proud of our long term affiliation with the San Luis Obispo Symphony.  We are one of their many community partners and enjoy sponsoring the No Ties Allowed! Free Dress Rehearsals” said Steve Harding, Regional President of Rabobank, N.A.  “Rabobank supports the SLO Symphony and other nonprofit organizations that make a sustainable difference in the community.”

    The first No Ties Allowed! FREE Dress Rehearsal of the 2011-2012 Season will take place on Saturday, October 8th at 1 pm at the Christopher Cohan Center. All are welcome to attend absolutely free of charge.

    For more information about the San Luis Obispo Symphony, the upcoming concert season, their music education programs, and “No Ties Allowed!” please call (805) 543-3533 or go to www.slosymphony.com.

    • I must say your blog is outstanding! I will undoubtedly can be found back again again!

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