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Today’s is a world that is ever-changing and always advancing. To keep up, you must stay ahead of the industry and consumer trends. Understand your customer. Know your competition. And explore strategies for sustainable growth.

Immersing yourself in news, articles, books, and hands-on experiences is important. But so is getting out and interacting with others. Sharing insight, learning from each other, and always pushing to grow. Here you’ll find the ways we continue to move forward as thought leaders. Check back here frequently to stay up to date on the latest news, events and press across every market we serve.

The Connection Between Search Engine Marketing and Social Media: How They Go Hand-in-Hand to Enhance Results

It may not be surprising that search engine marketing is the greatest way to drive traffic to your website. In fact, take a look at your website analytics right now and I can almost guarantee that search engines are among the top five producers of website traffic. Now consider this: social media—overall content, interactions, and….

New 5 unique packaging

5 Unique Household Packaging Designs You’ll Never Expect

Mark Beebe | October 23, 2013 | Stevens & Tate Have you ever heard the phrase “Don’t judge a book by its cover?” These days product packaging has become so intricate and unique that it can entice customers to purchase the product. The new wave of product packaging and design has a big impact on sales…..

Are Smart Phones Making Us Dumb?

Mark Beebe | September 18, 2013 | Stevens and Tate As you know or might not know I am a fact guy. Love and eat facts all day. I am fascinated as to how many people use the smart phone to send texts, check email or watch a show in the car. Let’s start this….

Did The Tivo Revolution Destroy The Metric System?

Remember the big THREE…CBS, NBC, and ABC? These three companies were running the demographics back in the day and competing for shares. ABC Roots in 1977 was watched by 36 million viewers, still the third-most watched U.S. TV program ever. ABC made one smart move when in 1970 it aired Monday Night Football. 667 games….

When In the Windy City, Do as the Chicagoans Do.

There is something to be said for Chicago natives. For as much as we hate the city sometimes, we love it twice as much. Saying where you’re from comes with a sense of dignity unique to the Windy City. Your El stop is a badge of honor. The Sears Tower will always be the Sears….

Will Apple’s iTunes Radio Put a Lock on Pandora’s Box?

Apple recently announced an addition to its new iOS7 software, which will incorporate its own version of Pandora’s Internet Radio service titled, iTunes Radio. The service will function very similarly to Pandora, but will harness the data accumulated through the user’s iTunes account in order to see what music the listener currently likes, has liked….

In Life and Advertising, Can Less Be More?

We are busy. Everyone is busy. Each of us manages many different tasks throughout the day, but how often do we pause to think about what we’re really doing? Are we just checking things off our never-ending To Do list, or are we engaging mindfully in actions that will bring us closer to our goals?….

The Biggest Marketing in the History of Marketing is to get you relaxed

So a common conversation I hear often begins with “Does marketing work”? If marketing didn’t work, how did you know about the new shows or movies coming out? What signaled you that the new iPad minis were shipping? Marketing is everywhere from bands to what telephone service you choose. But in my estimation the greatest….

Is Crowdfunding as a Social Media Strategy Here to Stay or Just a Passing Fad?

Have you heard about the Veronica Mars Kickstarter miracle? In just 11 hours, the ever-loyal fan-base of the cancelled show guaranteed that their favorite adult Nancy Drew-esque sleuth would return, this time to the big screen, to the tune of $2 million. The excitement for some is palpable. What exactly is crowdfunding? Is this the sign of a….

5 Keys to Successful Social Media Marketing Campaigns

There are no hard and fast rules for social media marketing campaigns. What works well for one company could fail magnificently for another. Searching for sure-fire techniques is like searching for Amelia Earhardt, answers are out there, but they’re just really hard to find. You want buzz. You want a unique message that says, “This….