cat[&]tonic

Month: July 2013

Humble Minnesota?

The great city of Minneapolis has received a great deal of kudos recently from various semi-useless, semi-pride-inducing rankings. Being a non-native Minnesotan, I’ve taken it upon myself to celebrate all the props my new home has received. Here are a few examples:   We’re in Shape For the third year [...]

By |July 24, 2013|Categories: General|Tags: , , , |

5 reasons to test your value prop

What do consumers value? What makes them sign up for a particular credit card? Credit card marketers are testing heavily to find the sweet spot. Whether it’s educating customers on card value by offering comparison tools or value proposition testing (miles vs. cash back vs. points or…?) with focus groups, [...]

By |July 23, 2013|Categories: Newsletter|

2 Clients Celebrate

U.S Bancorp Celebrates 150 Years in Business U.S. Bancorp celebrated its 150th anniversary by ringing The Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on July 12. U.S. Bancorp Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Richard Davis and Chief Financial Officer Andy Cecere took the stage at the NYSE [...]

By |July 23, 2013|Categories: Newsletter|

Our favorite summer foods (or drinks)

Maureen: Corn on the cob Mary: Peachy Drink 4 ripe peaches, skins and pits removed 6 oz lemonade concentrate (not diluted) 6 oz vodka 2 cups ice cubes Combine in blender.  Server in clear glasses. Garnish with fruit. Hint: The peaches must be ripe. Do not use canned peaches. This [...]

By |July 22, 2013|Categories: Newsletter|

Management Perspective: Choosing A Dance Partner

One seemingly complex issue often facing marketers is how to go about picking the right agency with which to work.  True to my obsessive drive to simplify, I’ve attempted to break the process down to something easy – ergo, the “Three C’s.” Cost, Capability and Chemistry are my “Three C’s”.  [...]

By |July 22, 2013|Categories: Newsletter|Tags: , , , |

5 Trends in Financial Services Design

The economic recession that began in 2008 has changed the way that financial services companies represent their brand. In an effort to re-establish trust and confidence with their customers, providers have dramatically reduced the use of imagery and messaging depicting aspiration and conspicuous wealth.  Here are five of the main [...]

By |July 22, 2013|Categories: Newsletter|Tags: , , , |

Read, Reflect and Relax

Technology is amazing. It can help us make great presentations, keep us up-to-date on what is going on in the world and we can now be connected 24/7 and 365 days a year. Our phones are almost always within reach. This brings me to the question: when do we give [...]

By |July 22, 2013|Categories: Newsletter|Tags: , , , |

Social Media: Brands Celebrate Newsworthy Events

With social media’s ever-growing influence over the past decade, brands have been able to more quickly align themselves to major news events or human accomplishments than possible in the past. Using social channels and digital advertising, brands can reach the masses almost immediately after a relevant news story breaks. For [...]

By |July 10, 2013|Categories: General|Tags: , , , , , , , |
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