Thoughts

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

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?

Storytelling: It’s not just for bedtime.

Storytelling: It’s not just for bedtime.

The interconnectivity of storytelling and brands is nothing new. When brands follow a few simple guidelines for storytelling, the brand story becomes more meaningful. And in turn, more successful.

We’re here, but we’ll never fully arrive.

We’re here, but we’ll never fully arrive.

We’ve been in business since 2007, evolving from a pure creative firm with a laser focus on Shopper Marketing to a brand strategy and creative agency executing in several verticals. As we repositioned and rebranded, we did some things right... and one thing definitively wrong.

Don't lay off your copywriters just yet.

Don't lay off your copywriters just yet.

Copywriting algorithms have been a reality for a few years now. In fact, from the gushing reviews they’ve been receiving lately, you might get the impression that human copywriters are on the verge of obsolescence. Are they?

Is agile still buzzworthy?

Is agile still buzzworthy?

Whether you’re already an avid proponent of agile, or you’re new to this flexible project management philosophy, you’ll appreciate the following lucid rundown of agile’s evolution—and its future. Creative Director and UX Designer Brett Casey talks about how agile can improve your company’s workflow.

Your social media strategy might be stale if...

Your social media strategy might be stale if...

To help you evaluate your social media marketing strategy, we asked our talented strategy team to put their heads together. The result is the following article, with five probing questions to jumpstart your thinking.

Going Phygital: Not Just for Retailers Anymore

Going Phygital: Not Just for Retailers Anymore

Companies continue to invest in digital experiences. Whether it’s an evolution or transformation, they seek to deepen their relationships with customers with each release or new feature. However, customers are going elsewhere to seek authentic brand experiences.

How The Best Brands Find Their Voice

How The Best Brands Find Their Voice

Brand voice is the element that is woven through all aspects of a brand. It speaks for the brand’s persona, humanizes the brand’s communications, empowers the brand’s consumer appeal. So how can you create a brand voice that cuts through, clarifies, and drives preference? We’ll show you.

Online and Trade Schools: Is Age Just a Number?

Online and Trade Schools: Is Age Just a Number?

In Part 2 of our two-part series, Brian zooms out to examine a key difference between these two types of institutions’ students and what that difference means for industry marketers.

Online and Trade Schools: The Impact of Gender

Online and Trade Schools: The Impact of Gender

In Part 1 of this two-part series, S/M Director of Strategy, Brian Gee, dives deep into the world of higher education to explore the surprising differences between university students. The result? A stereotype in need of overturning, and some insights into how change can be effected in the industry.

KBIS 2019 Trend Report

KBIS 2019 Trend Report

Once again, the Simon/Myers team attended the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) in Las Vegas, NV. KBIS is North America’s largest trade show dedicated to kitchen and bath design. We spotted some new interior design trends along with a few enduring themes. Take a look, and see what's coming and what's staying.