Tag: Utah
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| Mary Yedlin |
| Learning from the Pros in a Challenging Economy |
| 04.06.2009 23:31:27 | |
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The morning of April 21, small business owners and executives gathered at SLCC’s Miller Campus for Thriving in Today’s Economy and left with practical ideas for running their businesses is this tough economy. MarketStar Chairman and Entrepreneur of the Year Alan E. Hall kicked off the morning with thoughts about the critical elements of building a solid organization. In general presentations and breakout sessions, Jim Bennett and Laura Guthrie of NOW Advisors addressed financial and risk management techniques; Jeff Jones of Durham Jones Pinegar reviewed a wide array legal risks and opportunities for these times, and Sprout Marketing’s Bruce Law presented multiple ideas about making big marketing impacts in focused ways.
Join us at our next seminar on June 24, which will cover new topics. Check out the details at utahbusinessbuilders.com. Tags: Marketing | Utah | CEO | Utah CEO | Random Acts of Marketing | small business | startups | Alan E. Hall | Jim Bennett | Jeff Jones | Bruce Law | Business Builders Series | Free Seminar | Finance | Legal Affairs Hits: 633 | Read more... |
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| Tia Hejny |
| Social Media and Viral Campaigns |
| 11.05.2009 20:03:20 | |
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Striking a balance between traditional PR and social media can be difficult, but when done correctly it can have viral effects. I have found this to be true as we conclude a highly successful campaign and red carpet event for one of our clients, Goldsmith Co. Jewelers. Pre Campaign: Low brand awareness, low to no online presence with a new web site and blog still under construction. Post Campaign: Multiple prominent blog posts and facebook profiles. A flurry of tweets, broadcast and radio segments and significant print coverage. All attention leading to dramatically increased foot traffic. In the weeklong campaign, thousands of people visited Goldsmith Co. Jewelers.  People waiting inline to get thier free pearl necklace.  The campaign was weeks in the making, beginning with focus groups and participant identification. Partnering with a private consultant, we identified and followed multiple influential social media gurus. We approached each of them individually and offered compelling value. We strategically arranged and framed a red carpet event highlighting Goldsmith Co. Jewelers’ generosity and unique approach to business. The evening consisted of pampering, networking and jewelry education. Each blogger received a beautiful PANDORA bracelet, freshwater pearl necklace, swag bag, jewelry cleaning and plating and amazing food. Supporting images and reference materials were also provided.   Dark yellow PANDORA bracelet. Additionally, each participant received a coupon for a free strand of freshwater pearls ($100 retail value) to give away to their blog, facebook and twitter followers. The pearl coupons and media coverage effectively perpetuated the campaign into a viral model by providing value to both the media and consumer.  Pearls. Our aim was to increase store foot traffic and awareness for PANDORA and Goldsmith Co. Jewelers in preperation for Mother's Day, which we did. We took a balanced two-pronged PR approach. First, we reached out to and facilitated an event for a very influential group of mommy bloggers, tweeters and facebookers. Second, we followed up with a heavy round of traditional PR. This campaign is a great example of how using social and traditional media can help PR professionals achieve success for their clients. Watch for more details, statistics, and coverage links in my next post. Cheers! Tags: bracelets | necklace | freshwater | coupon | free | Goldsmith | Jewelers | jewelry | pearls | media | the press | Twitter | Facebook | Public Relations | Utah | Research | Viral | PR | Marketing Hits: 958 | Read more... |
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 Brandon Carter
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| Be a Hero - Buy Local |
| 26.03.2009 05:28:18 | |
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Growing up in the south, I was exposed to a ton of great food. Especially in Texas, where it seems every small town has a run-down gas station or general store that's been converted to a great BBQ or TexMex restaurant. I can remember wasting valuable college dollars at Harold's in Abilene, the Lowake Steakhouse and Perini Ranch in Buffalo Gap. We would still hit up the national chains on occasion, but if I was looking for more than just "flair" then I had to go local. Now as an adult and someone with vested interests in the well-being of my community I see buying local for much more than just an enjoyable meal. Buying locally is also much more than just restaurants. Pretty much every national business has a local counterpart doing a better job and offering more personal service. But restaurants are amazing examples of conduits for local economies. Most of them staff local servers and cooks, they buy fresh produce from local growers, they employ local accountants and get marketing from local firms, and on and on. All of the money stays in the economy and goes to profit our neighbors and ourselves. And let's be honest - (Insert national chain restaurant here, any of them) is okay. The food is fairly safe, in that you know what you're getting every time. They design it that way. Some of it is engineered by highly-paid scientists to taste that way. But why not go for GREAT food? You'll only find that in the local places. You risk finding the occasional stinker now and them but the risk is worth it. America was built upon - and will thrive once again because of - the hard work and ingenuity of entrepreneurs. Forget bailing out the fat cats in New York, and instead take a seat at your favorite local eatery. In fact, let me make a few recommendations from Salt Lake City. Please tell me yours in the comments, especially if you're from Utah County, Ogden or elsewhere in Utah. Pat's BBQ - 155 W. Commonwealth Ave (about 2125 South) I'm a BBQ fiend, and this place is as good as any I've been to. They've hit that perfect timing for smoked foods, where it's not dry and not soggy. Check out their Friday special, the burnt ends. They. Are. Awesome. The Red Iguana - 736 W North Temple Mole mole mole mole Ganesh Indian Cuisine - 777 E. Fort Union Blvd (7200 South) I was never really into Indian food, mainly because I was never able to find a place with the right balance of authenticity and "Americanization." This place has helped a great deal, and I've sort of adopted it as my go-to local place. Try the butter chicken, Thali-style. For about $13, you'll get two meals out of it, guaranteed. Squatters - 147 West Broadway (Downtown SLC) My Okie friends are always shocked when I tell them about the great beers that are produced in this area. Squatters, with locations in Park City, SLC and the airport, is one of the best brewpubs I've been to. The beer, particularly the Full Suspension Pale Ale, is fantastic and the food matches it (go for the Reuben). Lest I get angry comments from one of them, other brewpubs where the food and beer are worth your attention: The Bohemian - 94 E. 7200 South Red Rock - 254 S. 200 W. Desert Edge - 602 S 500 E. Other links worth checking out: -Local First Utah -Slow Food Utah -Utah's Own (A HUGE list of food companies here) Alright folks, comment your favorite local place, and I'll add it to the post. Tags: Utah | Park City | Buy Local | Restaurants | Food | Brandon Carter
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| Jed Morley |
| Potato, potato, potato—but with a local accent |
| 07.06.2008 14:43:20 | |
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The look and feel of new Timpanogos Harley-Davidson store in Lindon is on brand in a soulful way that is already paying dividends for Harley and its owner. I’ve been watching the store come into focus for the past several months, exiting I-15 on my way home from work. I’m impressed with the store’s attention to detail. Its industrial-looking architecture and materials are appropriate for the industrial heritage of its neighborhood. Groups of riders are already gathering there, even though the new building is still under construction. I thought that Harley corporate might have mandated a “worked in” patina for this new store, but I was impressed to find out that Dave Tuomisto, the owner, chose on his own to use reclaimed materials as part of his plan to turn the store into a resort destination for Harley enthusiasts from around the country. The oxidized steel water tower, steel girders and weathered brick give the store an authentic feeling that is more than skin deep. The found materials salvaged from nearby Geneva Steel’s demolition, among other sites in Utah, help to reduce the store’s carbon footprint, but more importantly, help to weave local legend into Harley’s brand mythology. The store will also showcase video footage Dave shot of some of Utah’s best rides, including Highway 128, the Alpine Loop and Indian Canyon, along with a gourmet restaurant and workshop with customer-friendly bay windows. Now that Dave has built a compelling stage, it will be interesting to see how he infuses that space with meaningful customer brand experiences that keep the Harley faithful coming back. The most important component of sustained success may be the way in which Dave facilitates interaction among riders. If he can make his store become a third place where the tribal council congregates, self-organizes, rides together and rekindles Harley’s brand promise of freedom, he will have truly transformed his store into a destination. Dave’s website is starting to show signs of regular communication and organization. Hopefully, he will bring the same sense of authentic localization to the information, events—and most importantly, customers—featured there as he has to the store.     Tags: Carbon footprint | green marketing | Harley Davidson | Lindon | Geneva Steel | Timpanogos Harley-Davidson | Utah | Marketing Hits: 1204 | Read more... |
