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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.

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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….

The Marketing Lesson of Lance Armstrong

Ouch! Lance Armstrong finally comes clean after lying for so many years. But how did we totally find out about the truth? Oprah Winfrey! Here is an inventive way to get the word out. However, the ratings failed. Let me put it in perspective: 34 million watched Bill and Hillary Clinton in regards to Gennifer….

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20 Years Later, Start Up Lessons From a Chicago Advertising Agency

Typically when you start a new business, you have no idea what you are getting into or the curves along the way. Being in this position today and having survived 20 years, I feel this list will help any new business start-up. 1. The manager is incompetent Most small businesses fail because the owner does….