Tag: advertising in Hawaii

I Have Anna Delvey’s Credit Card

Front of Card

When I opened up my latest New York magazine I bumped into a few ads for the Inventing Anna Netflix series. They were all good. Nice headlines touting how much money she spent at a hotel or on dinner. Then to my surprise, I landed on the ad That gave me her credit card.

It’s not a cheap flimsy card. It’s made of the hard plastic just like the real thing. Even has a chip image, secret code and to top it off her SIGNATURE!!

I would compare it to getting the McLovin HAWAII drivers license, when it used to come on the real life DVD.

Marketing Genius. Immediately I put the card on my Facebook post, then made a fun story on IG using music from the movie (Google Me). And now I’m writing this blog post. So just from my end many extra impressions of FREE advertising. One of my followers even said they’d go watch the series after reading my post.

If you can’t read the fine print it says: This card is no longer the property of Anna Delvey. Use of this card by anyone other than the issuer is strongly encouraged.

Very well done magazine ad. I carry my card in my wallet. Will be fun to try and use it at the next dinner I go to. If you haven’t seen Inventing Anna yet, it’s a really fun show, over the top dramatics and awesome music that matches the show spot on!

The series is on Netflix. If you saw the show what did you think of it? What do you think of the marketing campaign with the free credit card? Let us know in the comments section

Back of the card with Signature!

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Simple Effective Tips for your Office Return

Photo by Philipp Birmes on Pexels.com

Poised to return to the office? Ready or Not, here it comes! Whether you’ve returned to the office or are getting ready to do it. Listed below are some useful & tested tips upon your return to the “real” office.

  • BRING CASH/DON’T FORGET YOUR DEBIT/CREDIT CARD: Some Bodega’s only accept cash now. While some trendy coffee curators only take cards. It’s a bit strange where I work in Downtown, Honolulu, but it’s usually one or the other not both. And you may need your cash, to split the bill if you go out to eat with friends or co-workers. Or a Card if you are treating your customers. So, Bring them both, cash and card back to the office.
  • WATER: Prepare your Hydroflask the night before with ice cubes. Or buy a bulk batch of bottled water. You are gonna’ need it at the office. You don’t want to waste $2.50 a day getting it from your cash only bodega. And wearing a mask all day makes you extra thirsty, you gotta stay ahead of the game and hydrate all day from daylight til dusk. Unlike my home refrigerator, there’s no free water where I work. *My doctor has recommended I drink 2 of the big Hydroflasks each and every day. I’m doing my best by bringing water to the office.
  • JACKET/HOODIE/SWEATER: This isn’t your home where you set the thermostat exactly where you like it. The office dictates the temperature. It can on occasion get a bit warm, but it’s mostly cold. And now, colder than before since they think that colder air brings less germs. The office is more frigid than it was pre-pandemic. Be prepared with appropriate attire. *Pro Tip: Bring it once and use as needed, then change out each month or as you would your gym bag.
  • FLEXI SCHEDULE: Returning 100% to the office can be a challenge for some. If you can, see if its ok with your boss to do a combo of in office and outta’ office or work from home (WFH). Personally, I know I can get all my work done from 9a-5:30pm at home. Many times at the work office it takes me from 8:45am-7:30pm to get the same amount of work done. The Flexi Schedule is Nice if you can procure it.
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com

I’ve been back in office and Flexi-Schedule/WFH for a few weeks. It was awkward and strange at first. Then was fun to see people, catch up with folks and be in a social setting. Now, at times it seems weird and useless. The time it takes to get there and back. The abrupt interruptions. ETC. After what was it? 16 months of WFH, a lot of it just doesn’t make sense anymore. I personally like the Flexi-Schedule. A portion of work in the office, like weekly meetings and free food days make sense. And a portion of outta office to get paperwork done, do proposals, go on meetings and the occasional “safe” lunch.

The world we were in is gone. Change is Good. I vote for the Flexi-Schedule to stay way down the line. I remember some nights in 2018-19 staying till 9:00pm and thinking that was normal. In 2021, that just doesn’t make much sense. Turn the computer off at 5:30 or 6:00 and binge some shows, go exercise, or cook a nice healthy dinner. Well, Unless it’s the occasional Large Project to Earn the Big Bucks, to stay (very) late on occasion is still ok with me.

How has it been for you? What tips would you add to the list? Let us know in the comments section below.

Email tips for August 2021

Photo by Ivan Samkov on Pexels.com

5 Tips for 2021

1. Change the Subject Line: Whether it’s business or personal email. I always change my subject line before sending an email. It’s simple, easy and one of the most effective ways to communicate better. Erase the whole subject line and replace it with a more up to date subject line. Or just erase a word or 2 and replace it with “update”. This simple step will help your communication tremendously. Who wants to see an email trail with last weeks subject line? No one. It makes zero sense when it’s so simple to change the subject line.

Take responsibility and be the person to change the subject line. Many don’t, do it and see how much easier it is to communicate with someone. Who wants to see Lunch on Friday? When lunch was last week and this week, you’re already doing the project for your customer. Changing the subject line may feel like it’s taking time out of your day. It’s not, it’s helping you and others communicate better, easier and less confused.

2. Don’t put the Content of the email in your subject line: Some people I work with ask me to do something with the first portion of the to-do info in the subject line and the 2nd part in the body of the email. I’m like you and don’t always see the subject or my email program doesn’t show it to me every time. So I reply to what is in the body of the email and not to what is in the subject line. It’s not saving you or the other person time by using the subject line with info that goes in the body of the email. It’s actually using up more of your time because it can confuse people.

3. Respond + Acknowledge each other: Even if its a quick Thank You, Got it or a more lengthy response. People need to feel that their actions and input are valued. Don’t leave them hanging. If someone helps you do something at your work. Acknowledge it with a response. It can be two words or two sentences. But it needs to be something. They went through the effort to help you. You can make the effort to acknowledge it.

4. Start with their Name/End with something Nice: Even if you’re in a hurry. Start your email by saying Hello with the persons first name. “A person’s name is to him or her the sweetest and most important sound in any language.” – Dale Carnegie. It’s the polite and right thing to do. Not saying Hi or mentioning someone by name at the beginning of an email, tends to give you a rushed/moving to quickly vibe. Even if you’re in a hurry, take time to acknowledge the recipient by their name. And end your email with something nice. Like Have a nice evening, Enjoy the rest of your day/week. Whatever makes sense. End your email with something positive, nice or both. And change it up. It won’t carry the same meaning or Umph! if you use the same ending every time.

5. Proof it before sending: Re-read your email before sending. Check for flow, spelling and grammar. Some of the newer spell check programs can tend to add words you didn’t need and automatically change spelling on words that don’t need changing. And if you’re forwarding an email, make sure you erase sensitive information. Unless it’s needed, I tend to erase all superfluous info to keep things clean and to the point.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

With APEC in Town, You Might want to skate to work?

If you need to get around Waikiki, Why not try some alternative methods from your usual car? You could walk, Bike, jog, Rollerblade, hoverboard, sail or boat, Heliport, teleport or even skateboard your way around town. Any of these modes might help you ease your stress of getting stuck in traffic in your car or truck.

Actually, Since I write a few different blogs, I run into many different trends, New gadgets, lots of modes of advertising, and many really cool new exciting things. While I was checking for something to write about on streetzblog.com I found this video. And I decided it was much better for advertising in Hawaii.First-It gave me the idea of alternative ways to get around town this week during APEC. Second and most importantly This Vimeo Video matches my advertising blog the best because, lately I’ve been seeing some GREAT video work coming out on YouTube and Vimeo. These video’s are like mini movies, they are professional looking, usually come with great music and sound effects and give the viewer a great vibe of the brand being portrayed. Like this video, one can totally breathe and feel the brands vibe in less than 3 minutes. I actually bought a pair of Jump sneakers after watching a really cool Vid done by them. I’ll try to dig it up on the net if it’s still there.

The video above is for a skateboard company in NYC called 5Boro. It has a real nice NYC vibe, plus some pretty awesome tricks and I totally love it when they show the guy skating while filming the other skater, that just plain amazes me every time I see something like that. And for once, someone actually does wipe-out in the Vid!It adds some real cool reality to the vid and Not everyone is a perfectly awesome street skater and Yes, they do fall..at least sometimes.

I’m still a big believer in using traditional media to get things done for you, to direct people to take action, promote a concert or event, and TM is especially effective as the best way to let people know that you or your website, blog, Facebook, vimeo or YouTube sites actually exist! I suggest trying a radio campaign with enough frequency on the right station to fit your brand and I will tell you right now-it will work in getting people to your other means of advertising. We recently did a campaign for Bespoke Custom Tattoo and their Facebook likes increased each day the spots ran. We also included a pretty topical Wiz Khalifa promotion to go with it, but that’s what we do and that’s another reason it worked.

As I continue to write these blog posts, I am finding that the quality on the videos are getting better and better and are quite a nice way to brand your product. The point here is it’s another great tool to use or add to your arsenal. And I like it!

Note: From a Blog I wrote a few weeks ago. I still think it makes sense to pick 3-4 modes of advertising and do them well. Like Radio, Facebook and Videos. Or TV, Facebook and twitter. Or newspaper/billboards, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. As you noticed, for now at least I have Facebook in everything-that is the one constant I would use no matter what. Last I checked 800 Million ++ people are using it, the numbers are just staggering. And at least as of today, November 8, 2011-I don’t think you want to do 11-12 different modes, unless you have a really, really big passionate staff or no life. Things change so quickly, but for now, I’d go with the 3-4 modes of advertising and do them well.

If you’re looking for some marketing ideas or want my team to work on a campaign for you, just call or text me at 808 479-9928 or email me at scott.mackenzie@coxradio.com ..Hey and if you decide to skate to work this week, wear some safety gear, I don’t want you getting hurt from something I recommended. Peace!

What Day is It?

What Day of the Week is the 24th?

In the Late 80’s, when I was first in radio, I remember writing a :10 Live event commercial for the DJ’s. It said something like “Join us on January 24th at Masquarade to see…” Well, within a couple of days I got called into the bosses office. He told me some of the best advice I’ve ever heard when writing copy and some of  the best advice that I still use to this day, but has not been passed along to enough people.Its a pretty simple, yet mostly overlooked “RULE” in copywriting. here it is:
PEOPLE DON’T THINK IN DATES, THEY THINK IN DAYS” Especially for people like me who think in pictures, I can barely remember what day it is let alone what date it is. And I am not the only one who doesn’t always know what Day a certain Date is. Thus, if a print ad, TV or Radio commercial is telling me to be somewhere on November 24th with no Day listed next to it, It’s going to be extra hard to advertise to me.  I actually just mentally tallied it up and came up with Thursday.  Not totally sure if that is correct, but pretty sure.

This poster is an example of someone who didn’t use a Day. It only says the date.  And they have been putting ads like this in my elevator for months, DATES with no DAYS listed. It’s pretty frustrating for someone like me and probably you too? It’s really not their fault, no one mentored them or called them into their office to explain this easy “trick” to better remembrance of when to be somewhere. Please use Days to help your advertising in Hawaii or around the world become more effective.

Even today which is Halloween I was listening to the radio and a couple of the commercials  didn’t say “Join us Tonight” Or even “Join us Monday October 31st”. It was playing today and just said “join us on October 31st” ugh! Yeah-I know,  it’s a bit different since most people know October 31st is Halloween, but you get the point, if it was next Monday and it said “Join us November 7..” it would have been pretty easy not to know that it was That Monday night and not some other day since Tonight nor This Monday Night were not used in the commercial.

Here’s how I take care of updates for all of my clients.

1.  A couple weeks out:   Join us Thursday November 24th

2.  The Monday before the Thursday:  “Join us This Thursday” or “Join us this Thursday November 24th”  Up to you on that one. I personally go for the simpler “Join us This Thursday”

3.  Wednesday all day:  Join us TOMORROW NIGHT ..How many radio spots do I hear on a daily basis that are still saying “join us November 24th EVEN the Day before the event!  double ugh!

4.  Thursday November 24th:  “Join us Tonight” People think in days and even simpler-use tomorrow night the day before the event and Tonight the day of the event. Totally throw your dates out the window now!

People think in days not dates and this also goes back to the KISS principle..”Keep it Simply Simple” or as us Ol’ Schoolers used to say the politically incorrect KISS principle: “Keep It Simple Stupid”..LOL

You May not want to get this involved in your copywriting, In Such a fast passed world, many get lazy on these simple updates. But it really is the right thing to do. It’s what I do to be as effective as I can for my clients. However, if you remember one thing from this blog, remember that people remember DAYS much easier than DATES. I would recommend adding in Days to all of your print, TV and Radio Commercials.  Even if you forget to all the different updates, for a better remembrance of your event ad, please add the day to your commercials, promos, and Ads.  Have a Great November!!

If you need any ideas for upcoming events or promotions, send me an at scott.mackenzie@coxradio.com and I’ll get you a bunch of free ideas for your upcoming marketing dilemma.

Action, Results and Knowledge..an interview with Marilyn Cariaga from Ark Marketing

Hi,

As you can tell somedays I like to write about advertising in Hawaii and other days just advertising and hot tips and trends pertaining to advertising, promotions and marketing around the world. We’ll today, we start our “once every couple of weeks or so Interviews”  And for now at least, these will be people working in the advertising, marketing and promotion areas who are doing business in Hawaii or just living in Hawaii doing business all around the world via the net. Today, We interview the President of Ark Marketing Group-Marilyn Cariaga:

 Questions and Answers for the interview with the Ark Marketing Group for: advertisinginhawaii.com

Tell us a little about the ark marketing group?

Ark Marketing Group is based in Hawaii.  We provide services in all aspects of advertising, marketing, and community relations.  Our primary goal is to lead clients to success by applying the win, win, win concept incorporated with the values of Aloha.

 Who have been and who are some of your clients?

To name a few.  Shiseido Cosmetics America based out of New York have used our services for commercial productions that were used locally and nationally.  Couture Jewellers-Roberto Coin is a company that uses our graphic and communication services. NALU Studies a non-profit organization commissioned our branding services.

Can you tell us about some of your Success stories that you would like to share with our audience?

We have Many.  One that I would like to particular highlight was  “Complete Our Streets: Waialae Avenue rally and media implementation” was succeeded in less than a week.  Media coverage reached major local televisions and newspapers. It encompassed a small team to work hard and cooperatively to ensure the outcome of success.

 How did you come up with the name-Ark?

The acronym represents Action, Results, and Knowledge.  It’s a repetitive process necessary to ensure success in any endeavor.

How do you think the present economy is doing in Hawaii?

Businesses are looking for new inexpensive ways to market versus traditional style marketing. The primary interest continues to focus on increased profits with minimal investments. 

I’ve seen your you tube channel, tell us a bit about what you are trying to achieve on there?..Is is working?

It absolutely works.  Burgado Fine Woods benefited in a huge way.  Although reluctant at first, they now understand the power of communicating their services.  They were able to receive immediate financial results, increased foot traffic and phone calls.

This is a great way for positive messaging.  It’s in its infancy and will cover stories on communities, individuals and companies.  Its primary purpose is a newsworthy mini-documentary communicating its mission, impact and positive contribution it offers to individuals, companies and communities. You can find Marilyn on you tube here.

What are your thoughts on Newer media like Facebook, Linked In, You tube and twitter? 

Necessary. This is by far the most effective way to inform your clients, colleagues, and family instantly.  It’s a great tool for building customer loyalty. However, the information displayed must be strategic.  Otherwise, a company or individual will come across as using every opportunity to sell and or reduce their positioning/brand image. If not used wisely, it can damage their reputation and business.

 And your thoughts on traditional media like TV, Radio, newspapers, Magazines and Billboards?

Traditional media is important for companies who are looking to establish long-term success.  Its ability to create top of mind awareness, reach and impact continues to be valuable for existing clients and to gain new clientele.

 Where do you see ark marketing in 5 years?                                                                                                                            

Serving local, nationwide clients and having an impact globally. Another component for Ark Marketing Group is to be visible in the Hawaiian Islands by leading and establishing standards that pursue excellence.

What is your favorite restaurant on Oahu?                                                                                                                                                I Enjoy Japanese cuisine.

If you were a tourist coming to Hawaii, name the top 3-5 places you would recommend and why? (any island)               If you enjoy nature, my recommendation would be to visit the island of Hawaii.  Particularly, Kilauea Volcano, Waipio Valley and Kona.  The beauty and different terrains are simply magnificent and you’ll find yourself in awe.  Waikiki on the island of Oahu is a great place to experience sand, surf and shopping.  Pursue the meaning of “living aloha” the Hawaiian way.

 What would you recommend someone to do if they were planning a career in sales, advertising and marketing?         To seriously think about their level of commitment.  In this field, its essential to constantly observe, network and understand the dynamics of being successful.  It’s a great career for someone who is creative and has a lot of positive, think big, energy.

What is your favorite part about Marketing?

Seeing an idea become a reality and succeed in its purpose of implementation. Dreams come true.

 Any thoughts on the future in the economy, marketing, the world in general?

Our Hawaii State, will be hosting the 2011 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) on Oahu.  This is an opportunity that literally will not come by for another 21-24 years.  Members of the community are ensuring the success of this conference.  Our intentions are to have Hawaii be considered as a place for discovery, connections and quality of life. As an APEC trainer for over 1200 volunteers it’s an amazing opportunity to participate and contribute back into the community.

Thank You Marilyn for being our first interviewees on  Advertising in Hawaii Dot Com.  Best wishes on your future with the Ark Marketing Group.  If you’d like to contact Marilyn or the Ark Marketing Group click here or remember to check her out on YouTube.  Have a Great rest of the week and if you’re going to the KCCN FM100 Birthday Bash this weekend, stop by and say “Aloha” text or call me when you’re there at (808) 479 – 9928

  http://www.youtube.com/user/believewords  
Marilyn M. Cariaga | ark marketing group | believe & succeed  
350 Ward Avenue Suite 106-215 | Honolulu, HI  96814 | 808.265.6906

Hey-Watcha’ Doing on Facebook at Work?

Today’s information comes from a message I received on Facebook earlier today from a friend of mine named Charles.  He asked “why was I on Facebook” instead of out selling.  I know he asked Jokingly-but there are many out there who still think that it is inappropriate to be on Facebook at work. Which leads me to today’s subject which is:  “Know How your clients communicate best and what’s the best way to reach them quickly?”

14 months ago, I tried to reach a client of mine quickly-not to do advertising, but to offer her a quick, easy job, it was something I know she would want to hear about!  So, I emailed her, then I emailed her again, then a 3rd time I called and emailed her.  No response each time.  So, I had remembered her posting a lot on Facebook, thus I went there, said “Hi, What are you doing today?”  and within 2 minutes I received a response back and went on to give her the pertinent information for her to get some pretty easy $$ from a quick job.  After this, I went on to ask her why she hadn’t responded to any of my emails. She said she rarely if ever checks it. It’s just something she has in case she needs it to fill our forms or buy something on-line.  ME-I check email every half hour or so all day and night unless I’m in a meeting or in a class.  Was I shocked! but it woke me up to the fact that many out there use Facebook, Twitter, or Foursquare for their communication needs.

It took me almost a week to get in touch with her, but now knowing how to reach her quickly, I can get her to respond within minutes.  I take many daily brain notes on how my clients like to be contacted.   I can go on with examples all day..Here’s just a quick run down of my family, it just shows a quick unabated research project on the diversity of communicating in June 2011. Hey, the way things are moving so fast, in a month or two this could all be way out of date!

Sister:  Doesnt ever answer the phone and if she does you need to listen to 2-3 minutes of some stupid pop song before she answers.  Doesnt respond to Email either.  Does Respond to Texting-Quickly and immediately.   Just reads Facebook, never posts, but does change her picture pretty often.

Stepsister:  Email.  I never see her posts on facebook..ever.

Dad:  Never ever answers the cell phone-but does return calls pretty quickly.  Gets confused between the difference between texts and the emails. Thus, Texting is best. Is on Facebook, but doesn’t understand why “all these people want to be his friend”  thus he never says yes to them unless they are really good friends or family members.

Mom:  Phone.  Yea!  I still like to talk on the phone, not too many out there left who use their phone to talk on.  She almost always answers or calls back pretty quickly. Do not text her, she still thinks that having a cell phone off saves money even if you aren’t using it. Thus, she never EVER has it on. Her cell phone is in case of emergency..like getting stuck in the car in the snow.  Doesn’t use it for anything else.  Second way to get a hold of her is snail mail and never with email.

Stepmom:  Email period!  She loves Apple and always has her I Pad, I phone or Macbook handy ready to email.

Daughter:  Texting only.  You can email her, she will read them, but texts back. You can text her and she’ll text back only when she wants to or needs something. Phone-rarely answers. Facebook-Oh we are not friends on there. not Cool.

Just a couple other friends to have a bit more fun on this subject and to show you it’s not just phone, text and Facebook that you will find people fastest: (You may want to take brain notes on your clients/friends/family members too or you can write them all out.  You’ll be amazed at what you find out!  and how easy it is to find them once you know where they hang and what they prefer!!!!!

Friend Bill:  @DadBillC on Twitter.  Bill is the first of my friends to be the most and easily accessable on Twitter first and foremost.  He went straight from phone to Twitter. Skipped Facebook and email all together. But,  I can get him in less than 5 minutes on twitter unless he’s sleeping.

co-worker Brandi:  foursquare.  I can actually shout down the hall to get her the quickest. But If I need to get a hold of her, I just go on to foursquare, do a check in with a fun note next to it and there she is!

Friend Ed:  He rarely answers the phone, rarely returns an email. But, Always within 10 minutes gets back to me on Facebook

Find out where your clients are and what they are using, it will make your day so much easier when you need to find them.  Make a list on paper, in your phone or just mentally.

My future prediction for the day:  Facebook will continue to grow to be the number one place you can find someone where you live, in another state or another country. It will be the fastest overall.  But the key is to find our where your clients are and what they use the most of, me-I still like the phone-but actually prefer my land line at work the best, somehow i feel more connected with the cords and lines and all that. weird, but fastest way to get me would be on my work email or my gmail, then my hotmail, then twitter, on my blog, one of my websites,  then foursquare, then Twitter… oh man oh man..just call me at 808 479-9928 or shout my name down the street.  And I bet when I write this similar subject on my blog next year or next month, it will be a lot different.  “Got to keep up to keep up.” Aloha for today! You can find me at:  alohabros@gmail.com  @scottmackenzie3 on twitter            At  foursquare/Scott Mackenzie  scott.mackenzie@coxradio.com        Facebook/Scott Mackenzie in Hawaii or on Oahu will get you to me.    (808) 275-1106-0r-(808) 479-9928   Snail mail:  Scott Mackenzie 900 Fort Street 7th Floor Honolulu, Hawaii 96813  Scott Mackenzie 1403 Makiki Street B301 Honolulu, Hawaii 96814  click on my QR Code    or text me 24/7 at 808-479-9928

Some funInformation from Tom Asacker’s Newsletter from 6/6/11:

19-year-old Autumn Braden of Michigan put her “adorable”2-year-old cousin up for sale on eBay for $1,000. When police showed up, Braden said, “All I was trying to do was see how eBay worked.”

In 1989, there were 1.8 million email accounts. Today, there are more than 3 billion. Over 100 trillion emails were sent in 2010.

Facebook could be worth as much as $100 billion when it eventually goes public, making it larger than tech rivals Amazon and Cisco. That’s twice the value analysts calculated from the price Goldman Sachs paid last year for a share of the company. Facebook expects to make over $2 billion in earnings this year.

And the Many ways to reach Tom: (try to figure out the fastest way to get a hold of him..LOL)

Tom’s new book: http://www.opportunityscreams.com

Some interesting reviews: http://amzn.to/gpI7iX

Tom’s home page: http://www.acleareye.com

About Tom: http://www.acleareye.com/about

Subscribe at: http://tinyurl.com/5oba4t

Tom on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/tomasacker

Note: in case you were wondering:  When I answered Charles’ question about “Why I was on Facebook instead of out selling advertising”, I wrote back to him “I’m looking for some of my clients”   Have a Great Week!!

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