Thoughts

Observations, analysis, and a dose of Creative Wisdom™. You'll find it all here.

Growing in a Pandemic

One of the biggest obstacles brought on by the pandemic and remote working has been learning how to interview and onboard new hires in a fully virtual way. Finding the right fit for any position is difficult enough as it is, but doing it through a screen poses additional challenges.

Connecting from a Distance

Connecting from a Distance

Over the past year, being physically distant from each other has required changes in the way we communicate and stay connected. While this has been a challenge, it has also allowed us to re-consider not only how we communicate, but how we might improve, even beyond the pandemic.

Building Engagement Into Your Content Strategy, Part 1

Building Engagement Into Your Content Strategy, Part 1

There are few topics as hot as content marketing in the digital marketing world right now, and for good reason—great content sells. But it can also be a trap. Too often we see businesses creating content simply because they’ve been told they should do it. Without a strategic plan, businesses can spend huge amounts of time and resources on content that never resonates and never makes an impact on the bottom line. That’s a tough call to answer when marketing budgets come up for discussion.

Working Together but Apart

Working Together but Apart

Like everyone, COVID flipped us on our heads, changing the way we live, play, and work. And, like everyone else, Simon/Myers was forced to make big changes to our work routines. But in this industry, change is frequently the only constant you can count on. In this second installment of our series about change in the workplace and the world, we’d like to share two video projects that demonstrate how we and our clients adapted to imperfect circumstances and still delivered the attention-getting work our clients deserve.

I gave up on work-life balance, and you should too.

I gave up on work-life balance, and you should too.

From CEOs and Executive Directors to close friends and co-workers, I’m often asked why I spin so many plates. And it’s a fair question.

The awkward dance of digital and retail, and the day QR code marketing changed the music

The awkward dance of digital and retail, and the day QR code marketing changed the music

I came up through the design side of shopper marketing. As a creative at heart, I relish attacking a brand's problem in a physical space. Today I get to do that at arm’s length as our team at S/M does all the heavy lifting – and honestly does it better than I ever did. But...

Day-to-Day Living

Day-to-Day Living

Our journey though COVID-19 has been an emotional roller coaster for us all, and we think it warrants some reflection. With that in mind, we’ll be sharing a four-part series detailing the ways our agency has changed as a result of the pandemic, starting with our everyday lives.

Meet Mike. And bring along your toughest digital challenges.

Meet Mike. And bring along your toughest digital challenges.

Simon/Myers adds digital leadership

Bigger, yes. Better, definitely.

Bigger, yes. Better, definitely.

Simon/Myers hires 9 as client needs expand

Kichler Lighting joins the Simon/Myers client roster

Kichler Lighting joins the Simon/Myers client roster

Simon/Myers is thrilled to welcome Kichler Lighting, a leader in the home lighting industry since 1938, to our roster of leading brands.

2020 forced us all to get phygital.

2020 forced us all to get phygital.

In February of this year (so about 100 years ago), Michael Kristofka shared his thoughts on brands getting phygital. Now he takes a look at how the pandemic has changed things—or should we say massively accelerated them. The events of 2020 had businesses racing to board the phygital-first train. And many realized they were running way behind.

The world may have changed, but the challenges of homelessness have not.

The world may have changed, but the challenges of homelessness have not.

While 2020 put much of our lives on hold, hardship didn’t take a moment off. That’s why we’re bringing back “Knickers in a Bunch,” our long underwear drive for those experiencing homeless. And we’ve made it easier than ever to participate.

The uncanny way that coffee brands shape digital innovation.

The uncanny way that coffee brands shape digital innovation.

It’s no surprise that the pandemic has massively changed digital consumer behavior. One major area? Coffee. So what have coffee brands done in the past to shape such ritualistic behavior, and how will they innovate for the new era of coffee consumption?

KBIS 2020 Trend Report

KBIS 2020 Trend Report

In one direction, a master suite dripping in Zen influences. In the other, a revitalization of art deco. And that’s just the first five minutes. The Kitchen and Bath Industry Show is a tour de force of what’s trending. We never miss it. And thanks to this report by Kathleen Carron, our Associate Director of Experiential Design, neither will you.

My PM just reminded me this article is due tomorrow.

My PM just reminded me this article is due tomorrow.

The role of Project Manager is not high-profile. In fact, the best PMs have a knack for working under the radar. But what they do is vital to strategic marketing agencies like Simon/Myers. So how do they adjust during this time of forced remote work? Our own PM, Bryan Panek, shares some thoughts and tips.

How to be a digital marketer in a COVID-19 world.

How to be a digital marketer in a COVID-19 world.

COVID-19 is rapidly changing what “business as usual” looks like. While some of the world’s biggest brands are using their powers for good to fight the impact of this pandemic, many more are wondering what to do when no two days are the same. Here’s what we think.

Do digital marketers have a goldfish problem?

Do digital marketers have a goldfish problem?

The average person is exposed to thousands of online marketing messages a day. It simply isn’t possible to absorb them all. So how do digital marketers get noticed? Some say shorter attention spans are the problem, and shorter content is the solution. We think it’s more complicated than that.

Pajama productivity: Our take on working remotely.

Pajama productivity: Our take on working remotely.

Art director Kaity Burns loved working for our Chicago-based agency, but wanted to raise her family in North Carolina. Thanks to Kaity’s pioneering spirit, and the progressive thinking of our founders, our agency took the leap into the world of working remotely.

I shot the serif. But I did not want homogeny.

I shot the serif. But I did not want homogeny.

We seem to be moving towards a “corporate logo singularity.” How did we get here and what do current trends mean for a brand looking to update their identity in 2020?

Data meets the faucet aisle. Sparks fly.

Data meets the faucet aisle. Sparks fly.

The in-aisle retail shopping experience for faucet category products was inconsistent and confusing - making comparisons and verifications difficult, resulting in overwhelmed and frustrated consumers, as well as lost sales.

Ready, shoot, aim: The problem with tactics before strategy.

Ready, shoot, aim: The problem with tactics before strategy.

You wouldn’t shoot a photo before focusing your lens. You wouldn’t shoot a gun before aiming at your target. So why would you execute on tactics before defining your strategy?