Hayes Martin Associates Blog ~ Smart Marketing Matters

“If you bungle raising your children, I don’t think whatever else you do matters very much.” This famous quote from Jackie Kennedy is definitely relevant this Mother’s Day weekend, as many of us reflect on our relationships with mom as well as the unbridled joy and yes, the challenges of raising our own children. Mothers are our strongest and most emotional connection to the world — they nurture us through the tender years of childhood, offer support and encouragement through the roller coaster of adolescence and give us the wings to fly.

On a very personal note, I want to thank my own mother, Marti, who has always been a source of tremendous strength and resolve in extremely difficult times, especially when I lost my dad. She was always there for me and the invaluable lessons I learned from her have invariably shaped my relationship with two of the greatest loves of my life, my son and daughter. Nicole is a smart, beautiful woman and being an adoring grammy to her young daughter Gabriella has brought me incredible happiness. For Jonathan, who just finished his freshman year at Boston College and who was at the marathon right before the horrific bombings, the fear of that day was so intense, I just prayed and hoped and knew you would be safe — and you were. My children are grown, but know my love for you grows with each passing day, and to my own mother, thank you for everything. And to all the moms out there who balance family, career and everything in-between, Happy Mother’s Day!

Sandy Keedy, President and Creative Director

We all have our favorite brands of coffee, jeans and even social media, but lately, there has been a dramatic shift in the business world. Consumers are being exposed to a new generation of exciting brands and as a result, many are abandoning established companies with heritage and history. Believe it or not, popular brands people normally gravitate to are now considered baggage, with tired or tainted products they no longer feel compelled to purchase. For now, it looks like Clean Slate Brands are the new ‘IT’ for marketing.

It may seem surprising that consumers are drawn to unproven and unknown brands, but there are several notable factors motivating this trend. For example, Clean Slate Brands are newer, better, faster, cleaner, more open and responsive, and consumers are increasingly shifting their attention and valuable dollars in their direction. Today’s society is driven by a desire for new, which for many of us, truly means better, plus, there is a growing distrust of big business. It’s also important to consider the other meaningful forces driving this trend — personal recommendations from family and friends, the appeal of ‘new business values’ that emphasize higher environmental, ethical and social standards, as well as practices that are more transparent. Clean Slate Brands are especially well versed in social media and they connect with consumers in a way that older brands often struggle to achieve. Let’s face it, the business world is changing at a dizzying pace and it looks like the upstarts are making waves where it counts — in our hearts, minds and wallets.

Sandy Keedy, President and Creative Director

All the news that’s fit to print, well kind of. Gone are the days when you could go online and read the Orange County Register for free. This major news publication recently launched an online paywall and that means readers have to buy a subscription or pay a daily rate to access the website. While the paper is by no means abandoning their print version, which is still extremely popular and circulation is growing, they recognize the value of digital content. If you’re wondering how this latest development can boost marketing, consider that online content is sophisticated, banners can be animated and sliding billboards are great for promoting big homebuilding events. It’s also important to recognize that people seeing your new homes ad already have a vested interest in frequenting the website for information on residential real estate and could present a more qualified buyer. The Register also believes that expanding their engaged subscriber base is also the strongest means to enhance their advertisers’ business.

With more than 400 newspapers in North America implementing paywalls as of March 18, according to News & Tech, The Register is just the latest publication to get onboard with having readers ‘pay to play.’ It’s an exciting time, so pick up the paper at the newsstand or get behind that paywall on your smart phone or iPad for the latest news updates and advertising campaigns — we’ll be there!

Sandy Keedy, President and Creative Director