Marketing and Communications, Columbia IL
After more than 20 years in the industry, I’ve learned there are undeniable truths about me, professionally. I love to write – time passes quickly when I type. Running a growing business is a fun, daily challenge. I enjoy the variety, freedoms and trials that it brings. Work/life balance truly matters. People of solid foundation are fun to be around and I treasure working with them – whether as an employee or a client. Nothing completely engages me at work as much as a conversation with a business leader or true professional in their craft. I prefer a handshake and a look in the eye to a 10-page contract. It’s almost always better to be outdoors than inside. I smile when achieving results for others. I’m proud of our team.
BS – Ag Communications, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
MA – Business, Webster University, St. Louis
I read a Yahoo News article yesterday about the “most useless college degrees.” It listed agriculture as number one, animal science at number four and horticulture as number five. It also made my own personal list as probably the most uninformed piece of “journalism” I’ve ever read. Yes, ever. As our country and world population Continue Pouring …
Communicators are fascinated by – or at least notice – weird things in the written and verbal word. I’m no exception. Lately, I’ve been fascinated by people using the word “right” at the end of a sentence. As in someone starting an obscure story with, “So, we were headed to the restaurant last night, right?” Continue Pouring …
There are a number of industries that require specialized technology for their websites. A good example is the banking sector, which obviously requires a tremendous level of security in enabling their customers to access online account info, bill payment, etc. But just because an industry-specific Web vendor has superior security or technology, it doesn’t mean Continue Pouring …
I have the honor of serving on our county’s Economic Development Council (EDC). Monroe County (Ill.) is a hidden gem in the metro St. Louis area with relatively low unemployment, strong household incomes and a very high/nice standard of living. Those who’ve discovered our area love it, as do I. As a member of the EDC, Continue Pouring …
There’s still something about a high quality corporate or product brochure. I’m not talking about the el-cheapo tri-folds that someone put together in Word (or worse, PowerPoint) and printed on really bad paper. I’m talking about the ones that scream QUALITY, tell a story (quickly), grab your eye and feel good to the touch. Key Continue Pouring …
Finally, finally, finally. Agency founder, Ron Scherer, always used the saying about the cobbler’s family having the most worn shoes in town and that certainly applied to us when it came to Marketicity.com. The old site served us well, but she was out of date and needed a new look to reflect our knowledge of Continue Pouring …
I’ve seen two changes for well-known brands taking place in recent weeks — one local, one global — that have made me think about the good/bad in changing your brand. I believe one brand came through the change in a positive manner. I’m afraid, however, the other brand may have made a move they’ll regret. Continue Pouring …
PR pros will tell you to establish your key messages and stick to them as part of media interviews. This is particularly important for unannounced interview requests. Our local FOX affiliate, KTVI, recently aired an interview conducted by their well-known investigative reporter, Elliott Davis, that demonstrated this point. The subject of the interview was St. Continue Pouring …
I believe all professions have their pet peeves. Carpenters can spot a crooked wall, house cleaners see the lint in the corner of the room, accountants notice columns that are not right justified, etc. For me, it’s spelling and grammar. I’ll also be the first to admit that I make spelling and grammar errors. I Continue Pouring …
