The RBS Ad Report Card: Certain voices are instantly recognizable. Think Bob Dylan, James Earl Jones and John O’Hurley. That last guy isn’t particularly famous, but his voice is. He played the catalog honcho J. Peterman on Seinfeld. Perhaps you’ve also heard him on local radio station 98.9 Liberty, spouting 5-second tidbits about Richmond and… Read more »
Media/Marketing/Advertising
Eye on the General Assembly: House budget bill tunes out public broadcasting
The House Appropriations Committee has recommended eliminating the state’s contribution to public broadcasting stations, and the PBS organization in Richmond is seeking viewers’ help to save its funding.
Former Martin Branding partner launches own firm
Local marketing consultant Jake Crocker has left Martin Branding Worldwide to start his own firm, Crocker Strategic Marketing. Crocker was a partner and director of brand marketing at Martin Branding. He left in December and decided to go into the new year with a new beginning as his own boss.
Former Wachovia Securities workers open consulting firm
The trend continues: Two more Wachovia-ers have started their own business. Deanna Lorianni and Meghan Codd are the founders and sole employees of Zuula Consulting, a copywriting firm that offers a broad range of services and specializes in financial writing, ghostwriting and promotional materials. They opened in July, a few days after their last day… Read more »
RBS Ad Report Card: VCU Hospital’s strong dose of scary
The ad’s goal is is to make sure people know that the new $184 million facility is available, but might the ads just be too darn depressing?
Bracing for the ad pullback
It comes as no surprise that local marketing firms and sole practitioners are bracing for a slowdown, and the outlook will probably get worse as state and local nonprofits slash 2009 budgets amid declining revenue.
Printing money one newspaper insert at a time
You know those little inserts that you find affixed between the pages of the newspaper, peeking out from the edges? Thank Taradel, a Richmond-based flyer printing and design company. The company, which provides self-service marketing to small and medium-sized businesses, was founded in 2003 by CEO Jim Fitzgerald. He funded the venture himself.
Window’s Latest Ad Falls Flat, Despite Gates and Seinfeld
What’s the deal with commercials starring people who have nothing to do with the product? Windows latest attempt to win back the market from punky Apple comes in the form of a series of commercials starring Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld. Apple’s ads have had success because they combine humor with a common message: Apples… Read more »
Governor Kaine’s wandering eyebrow now on T-shirts
The Democratic Party of Virginia took a joke about an over-expressive politician with a rebellious left eyebrow and turned it into a money-making opportunity. T-shirts featuring Virginia Governor Tim Kaine’s “Smilin’ Eyebrow” logo are for sale at $30 a pop on the party’s website. As are buttons, bumper stickers and posters that show the logo.
Now playing: a story about a Richmond actor who’s raising money to produce films
Local actor/producer Mark Joy said in an interview yesterday that he’s seeking $20 million to finance six films. All of the movies would be filmed and produced in Virginia under the production company Story Teller Pictures. Joy part of the leadership team of the company.