Tag Archives: Marketing Communications

JOIN US IN WELCOMING OUR FALL INTERNS!

This fall, we are excited to welcome our new marketing communications intern, Michael Morgan, and new graphic design intern, Cienna Tohme, to the Ideaworks team! 

Michael is a senior at the University of Scranton, majoring in strategic communications with a track in advertising and a minor in business communication. Last spring, he worked as a social media marketing intern and is the active president of the University of Scranton’s advertising club. Michael is a basketball fanatic and enjoys going on long hikes in his free time. Marketing is a strong passion of his; Michael cannot wait to begin his career in this exciting industry. 

“I am grateful to be a part of the Ideaworks team and cannot wait to get started!”

Cienna is a senior graphic design major at Wilkes University. She loves nature, enjoys creating art and is fascinated by astrology. Cienna is a talented individual who cannot wait to make her presence known through her work.

“I am so excited to begin creating, along with gaining practical work experience in a professional setting.”


Not a Place, But a Feeling

This month, Ideaworks Marketing celebrates its 22nd anniversary, and that has me thinking about home.  Over the last few months, I’ve missed our office at 197 Wyoming Ave. As grateful as I am for the technology that allows us to work from our own homes, there is something special about being together under the same roof.

197 is not a sterile workplace, but a vibrant, homey space where we share a significant part of our lives together. I miss the faces, the hellos and goodbyes, the encouraging words. And I especially regret missed opportunities to gather in our conference room for celebrations large and small – a birthday, a holiday, a special recognition or – this month – an anniversary celebration.

There’s always a bright side, however, and for me it’s been this: Our weekly Zoom meetup gives us all a unique insight into each other’s lives and homes. We’ve met each other in new contexts – in makeshift offices in living rooms, kitchens, and porches. We’ve been Zoom-bombed by children and significant others – including Peter Steve’s beloved Portuguese Water Dogs, Crispin and Dante. And through the magic of green screen backgrounds, we’ve been transported to Alyssa’s honeymoon in Italy, an airline lounge at JFK, and even the Simpsons’ living room!

And, of course, we’ve all been grateful to spend more time with our loved ones. Carla Henry was able to spend a week working from her parents’ house in Kentucky, and I welcomed family, including my two favorite people in the world – 3 ½ year old Harper and her new baby sister Hazel – to come for a visit (in a socially-distant mobile home in my driveway).

In all of these ways, we have adopted new strategies for maintaining team spirit and the feeling of home. We have begun to spend more time in the office, as individual needs require, but we’re following the changing situation and regulations closely. We hope to make our way back to 197 soon.

Stay safe. Wear a mask. And don’t hesitate to reach out to let us know how you’re doing.

Donna Hansbury, President and CEO

Lifelong Learning = The Key to Success

This article was penned by Chelsey Tupper, director of operations and client development. 

Learning has always been an integral part of who I am. That’s probably because I was raised by two parents who realized the value of a solid education and both loved uncovering new knowledge. My mom and dad worked fervently to provide my sister and me with educational travel opportunities and even afforded me the ability to go to the college of my choosing. My parents gained their love for learning from their parents, and at the age of 33, I’m beyond blessed to still have the mentorship of all six of these individuals. I’ve witnessed firsthand from my family the importance of lifelong learning, from reading countless books (for pleasure and work) to learning history and trivia to staying abreast of changing trends in your profession and developing new hobbies. Further, I’ve learned that lifelong learning doesn’t just help you excel professionally but also keeps life fun, fresh and fascinating.

Aside from my parents and grandparents, I’ve been fortunate enough to have several mentors throughout my life, and the list only continues to grow. I love listening to others and learning all that I can from the people I meet because each of us has our own, unique experiences to share; it’s incredible what you can soak up from others if you just pay attention and listen. Two individuals whom I’ve been lucky enough to have as mentors over the past three years are my bosses Peter Steve and Donna Hansbury. Peter’s outlook on learning and bettering yourself is very similar to that of my parents and grandparents. He is always reading and researching, and he impresses the importance of this practice upon the Ideaworks team. Peter continuously says that reading all we can about our industry and those industries of our clients is what makes us an invaluable partner. And he’s right. Developing fresh solutions to our clients’ challenges and guiding them in the right direction are what make our clients come back to us, project after project, trusting in our ability to help them succeed. Donna has taught me to become a more strategic thinker and problem solver. For example, she has shown me the importance of taking the time to figure out a new program or concept, and not being too quick to ask others for assistance before delving into  it myself. It’s difficult to find solutions to such things if reading and researching aren’t part of your core, everyday tasks – yet another reason to embrace lifelong learning.

Back in April, I spoke at a local university as part of its annual communication conference for high school juniors and seniors. The conference helps students discern career paths within the communication industry. I love speaking to high school and college students because I remember when I was in their shoes, and listening to young professionals share their career stories and advice was always helpful and inspiring. For this particular engagement, I chose to speak about the value of lifelong learning and how vital it is for success in college and beyond. Throughout the presentation, I shared the advice I’ve gained from Peter and Donna, along with what I’ve learned from my own life experiences. Several students asked questions following the presentation, wanting me to share additional insight into how they, too, can adopt the “always be learning” mindset.

While I may never know which tips, tricks or stories from my presentation my audience found most inspiring, I’m confident that they, too, walked away with something valuable. And as I reflect on that experience and the many I’ve had to shape me into the professional I am today, I realize that there’s nothing more gratifying than helping one of those students reach an important realization: Lifelong learning really is the key to success, and you never know where its influence stops. I am certain that my parents, grandparents, Peter, Donna and the many other mentors I’ve been blessed to have would be proud that I am committed to paying forward what each of these individuals have impressed upon me.

From the Desk of Devanie Heller: 6 Things I Learned From My MarCom Internship

In January, I was determined to solidify my summer internship before going back to school for the spring semester. I wanted to be sure that I gave myself ample opportunity to find the perfect fit so that my first marketing internship would be worthwhile. Therefore, I Googled “marketing agencies in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area,” and began calling each agency to get an idea of who was looking for an intern.

After following up with Ideaworks, I was asked to come in for a face-to-face interview with the agency’s director of marketing communication, Pete, and senior manager of marketing communication, Alyssa. The interview went wonderfully, and the next thing I knew, I received a call with an offer! Little did I know that once I met the rest of the team and began diving into my work, it would feel like home. The culture was so open and friendly that I truly couldn’t have been happier to be part of the team. I absolutely loved coming into work every morning – always wearing a smile, ready to tackle the day’s responsibilities.

During my three months as a member of the Ideaworks team, I learned so much that it’s nearly impossible to whittle down an all-encompassing list of the knowledge and insight I gained, but these six items are surely significant.

  1. Don’t be afraid to ask questions

Since this was my first internship, I was eager to absorb everything I could, which often meant asking many questions. Though I was undoubtedly anxious to jump into a new adventure, everyone was more than welcoming. It did not take long for me to warm up to my co-workers and ask for help or clarification, because I always wanted to do my best and impress the rest of the team.

  1. Every day is different when you intern at an agency

Each day at Ideaworks was unlike the one prior. Some projects were large, others were small, but each had its own originality and importance for our valued clients. I sat in on various conference calls, discussing anything from the types of graphics that would work best on a concert venue’s promotional collateral to the kinds of prizes and incentives that would most appeal to a client’s target audience. From each client call I participated in, I learned several tips and tricks about how to talk with clients and the best ways to work with them to meet their respective needs and wants. Above all, one of the most important things I learned is that it’s always top priority to deliver exceptional work for clients.

  1. The real world is different from the classroom

While I did not receive a letter grade for my work here, I still needed to put forth my best effort when working on any task to which I was assigned. Nonetheless, that is about the only similarity between school and my internship. At Ideaworks, I was able to learn first-hand how to organize and structure projects, follow new client developments, create social media schedules and more – not just read about them from a textbook or simply learn definitions. I’ve always enjoyed school; however, after my time with Ideaworks, I’m even more eager to dive into my marketing career.

  1. Independence is everything

The classic intern stereotype is that he or she runs for coffee and scans papers all day without truly contributing to the team. My experience at Ideaworks was the exact opposite, for which I am tremendously thankful. My first week on the job, I was given a list of projects to start developing in collaboration with our content team, and it made me incredibly happy to know I was entrusted with these tasks. Giving an intern, like me, the independence and trust to take on client projects meant so much, and I was grateful for the opportunity to make each project my own, which also helped increase my confidence. It was such a great feeling to work with a team that believed in my abilities and wanted to see me succeed, especially as a young woman new to this industry.

  1. Social media is more complex than you might think

Before my internship, I never had the opportunity to manage a business’ social media, but I was always eager to do so. Now, thanks to Ideaworks, I can proudly say that I have professional experience handling all things social, such as brainstorming, writing, editing and proofreading post content; posting and scheduling; and managing accounts on the various platforms. I learned that a substantial amount of research and time go into crafting a post for just one platform, let alone creating a weekly content schedule. I’ve also come to better understand which types of content keep followers engaged. Gaining more experience with social media management was a valuable experience that I know will suit me well when I begin my career in marketing, since the use of social media isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

  1. Change is good, and experience is invaluable

A summer internship in my field of study was such a great opportunity because I had the chance to learn many new things and gain invaluable hands-on experience. I firmly believe that my internship with Ideaworks helped sharpen my skillset in a way that will prove invaluable when it comes to interviewing for marketing jobs after graduation. I am a firm believer that change is positive, and this summer, I realized that the dynamic atmosphere of a marketing agency is a great fit for me and one in which I can see myself excelling.

 

Each day that I came to work this summer, I was given opportunities to step out of my comfort zone, and as a result, I learned more about myself and my abilities. Because I made it a point to be proactive and find my summer internship early – and then absorb as much knowledge as I could during it – my time with Ideaworks was extremely beneficial and rewarding. I cannot stress enough how happy and thankful I am to have been part of the Ideaworks Marketing team this summer; it was truly the perfect fit for me!

-Devanie Heller, Ideaworks Marketing intern, summer 2019 

Ideaworks Welcomes Peter Froehlich as Director of Marketing Communication

We are pleased to welcome Peter (Pete) Froehlich to the Ideaworks team as director of marketing communication! Please take a moment to learn more about Pete by reading his bio below.

Pete comes to us from the world of academia, where he taught English courses at a variety of institutions including Penn State, The University of Scranton and most recently Wilkes University. He graduated from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and earned advanced degrees at Penn State and the University of Mississippi, where he studied the life and work of Nobel Prize-winning author William Faulkner. As an instructor, Pete taught courses in business and technical writing, writing for the web and scholarly editing, in addition to a wide variety of courses in American literature. He was recognized for his achievements in teaching with technology, and he published original research on incorporating 21st-century literacies into first-year writing courses. 

Pete lives in Mountain Top, PA, with his wife, two children and an energetic rescue puppy. He enjoys “slow and steady” distance running and has completed numerous half-marathons, three marathons and a 24-hour ultramarathon. Pete is currently preparing to test for a brown belt in karate. He looks forward to applying his passion for learning, commitment to goals, and expertise in research, writing and editing to marketing communications projects with fellow members of the Ideaworks team!

THE VALUE OF MAKING YOURSELF VALUABLE

Take a few seconds and think of an item or experience you value. What popped into your head? Why? Do you value this particular thing because it was given to you by someone you love? Do you value this memory/experience because it played a huge role in shaping who you are today? It probably wasn’t too difficult to think of one or even several items or experiences you value. As humans, we seem to place a value on everything, whether it’s positive or negative; we might do this consciously or subconsciously. In the same way that we place a value on possessions or experiences, we also do this when it comes to colleagues and professional relationships.

Years ago, marketing and advertising agencies enjoyed a special kind of monopoly that has since disappeared thanks to the advent of the internet. Agencies didn’t have to concern themselves with competition from websites offering less expensive prices for graphic design or “marketing” services. However, now, we do, and with that comes the need to make ourselves even more valuable to clients than ever before. Let’s face it, if clients don’t find value in the services we provide, the relationship is over.

You might be thinking, “Well, of course I am much more valuable than some website,” but are you really? Do you stay up-to-date with current trends, which change as rapidly as the weather? Do you read any marketing article you can get your hands on – even if it isn’t necessarily the area in which you specialize? Most importantly, do you take the time to research, read and learn all you can about your clients’ businesses/industries? If you answered “yes” to each of these questions, then kudos, you’re right on track. If you answered, “no”, then it’s time to change.

While it’s important to stay updated on all things marketing so you can suggest the best strategies and tactics to clients, nothing is more valuable than when you approach your client with a trends report or an article discussing a topic pertinent to the industry in which they serve. This not only shows you have your client’s best interest at heart and want to see him or her succeed, but it also places a value on your relationship with said client – a value that is invaluable in this day and age. Any agency is going to welcome new clients on board and sell, sell, sell its marketing services, but those agencies that take the time to know and study their clients’ businesses and industries are the ones who will easily differentiate themselves amongst the competition.

Any possession, experience, relationship or service that you regard as being valuable is actually invaluable, i.e. you still wouldn’t give up said item even if offered millions of dollars. As a marketing professional, this is how you must be viewed by clients because you must become an incredibly valuable asset to them in order to establish those invaluable relationships that are key to your business success.


Chelsey Tupper, director of marketing communications

 

POP! The next issue of Dazzle has arrived.

We’re excited to present Ideaworks Marketing’s latest issue of Dazzle, our award-winning agency magazine. We sincerely hope that you find this issue to be intriguing, informative and inspiring, as we have worked hard to feature relevant marketing topics that will be of interest to you while also sharing some of our recent endeavors. A few articles in this issue include:

  • “7 Tips for Stronger Client Relationships,” a recap of a presentation our director of marketing communications did for a group of local college students (pg. 5)
  • “Researching Trends, Delivering Solutions,” a look at our newest initiative for our charity of choice, Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge in Dallas, PA (pg. 6)
  • “The Dialogue Age of Marketing,” this issue’s feature story (pg. 10)
  • “Life @ 197,” a light-hearted look at what’s new with our team (pg. 18)

Please click here to read the issue, and don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or feedback for our team. Further, you can email chelseyt@ideaworks.marketing if you would like to request copies of the presentations or materials that are mentioned.

Social good: A longstanding commitment at Ideaworks

Earlier this month, our Direcmcontor of Marketing Communications, Chelsey Tupper, attended the 2017 MCON conference, held at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. This annual conference sparked her interest, as it is designed for individuals who are dedicated to social good and societal change, and who want to hear from some of the most notable thought leaders on cause-related marketing and activists who feel passionately about their work. Much of what was discussed included ways to attract more millennials to show support and interest in a particular cause by using creative branding strategies and other well-thought-out marketing tactics that resonate well with this generation.

During the conference, Chelsey heard from a number of accomplished speakers who drove home a vital point: through its work, a business must personify its very roots and reasons for doing – put plainly, each day, employees should reflect their company’s core beliefs. In addition to the #GivingTuesday Townhall, during which she learned aideaworks3bout assimilating charitable efforts in your business practices annually, this central message from MCON resonated for Chelsey, who would return home to continue breathing life into Ideaworks’ own philanthropic initiatives with the entire team – a practice that Ideaworks has been committed to for over 20 years, as one of our foundational values is service to others.

This dedication is shown by our unwavering commitment to local organizations like Blue Chip Farms Animal Refuge. Blue Chip Farms, located in Dallas, PA, is a non-profit, no-kill animal shelter that provides care, comfort and a loving home to every animal that is brought to its safe haven, regardless of health impairments or age. Being animal lovers, Ideaworks’ owners Peter and Judy Steve elected Blue Chip as our charity of choice in 2015. Since then, we have gone on to provide a wide range of marketingstpatricks support to Blue Chip at no cost, helping its team spearhead some of its most valuable initiatives like Adopt-A-Kennel, Legacy of Love and the newest sponsorship program, Kitty Condos. Working with Blue Chip continues to be one of our company highlights, but this has not been a solitary effort. We continue to reflect upon our core beliefs and participate in various cause-related initiatives.

In March and April of this year, our team participated in the Back Mountain Chamber’s Spring Food Drive, donating non-perishable items to the Back Mountain Food Bank. Giving back to the community and providing healthy, nutrient-rich meals to families is an effort we are committed to in our work, as some of our largest clients are proponents of healthy living, clean environments and optimal quality of life.

This month, Ideaworks was fully committed to raising awareness for various causes and helping individuals in the process. We “went purple” for Alzheimer’s and oPurpleDayther dementias, being that June is National Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. Our team enthusiastically involved themselves in this project by changing our email signatures from black to purple text, the recognized color of the Alzheimer’s Association, and including a call to action to “#ENDALZ” in the sign off. We also scheduled a day to wear purple and heightened awareness for this worthy cause on social media.

Also in June, we had the opportunity to team up with the Greater Wilkes-Barre Association for the Blind. We hosted a high school student in the Association’s Transition Assistance Program, who expressed an inteRainaandRachaelrest in becoming a graphic designer and photographer in the future. She learned a lot while job shadowing our creative designers and also enjoyed lunch with our team where she was able to hear more about what differentiates us as an agency. We are proud of this young girl and know she will continue to grow in her craft in the years to come.

At Ideaworks, we firmly believe that day in and day out, you should be communicating what your business is truly about, and acting as a spokesperson for those values that your company holds dear. While raising awareness during National Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, choosing Blue Chip Farms as our “charity of choice” and partaking in other local initiatives have been excellent opportunities for us to get involved, they will certainly not be the last. As put by Christina Tosi (award-winning owner of Milk Bar Bakery with locations in New York, Washington, D.C., Las Vegas and Toronto), who offered insights to her MCON audience, “It’s easy to support things when you believe in them.”

A note from the new Marketing Communications Manager!

headshot (2)It is with much excitement that I am introducing myself as the newest member of the creative team at Ideaworks Marketing! Being an individual who loves to write and story tell, I am passionate about communication and the role that words play in our understanding of people, businesses and – more broadly – our world.

I graduated summa cum laude from Misericordia University in December 2015 and hold a bachelor’s degree in English, as well as my Pennsylvania Instructional I teaching certificate in English/Language Arts grades 7-12. I have past work experience as a web content editor and substitute teacher. In my spare time, I love to travel, experiment in the kitchen, and spend time with my family, friends and fiancé!

I will be working with our Director of Marketing Communications, Chelsey Tupper, to develop content for the agency. Ready to bring my experience and passion for communication as the new Marketing Communications Manager, I am most excited to take a personalized, detail-oriented approach to working with our clients!

Blue Chip Animal Farm to host Legacy of Love memory wall unveiling

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Blue Chip Animal Farm invites the northeast Pennsylvania community to take part in its Legacy of Love memory wall unveiling on Saturday, November 5 at 1 p.m. at Blue Chip Animal Farm in Dallas, PA. The event will celebrate the installation of the organization’s Legacy of Love memory wall constructed entirely of commemorative bricks purchased by Blue Chip supporters.

Bricks purchased not only contribute to the ongoing construction of the memory wall but also help to offset operating costs at Blue Chip. Bricks can be purchased online at www.bcfanimalrefuge.org in addition to at the event. “We hope to create a wall of 600 memories at Blue Chip Farm, and to build a space of love and remembrance for all of the animals and animal lovers that have passed away. Those who purchase a brick are doing a service in memory of their loved ones because 100% of the funds will go to support the ongoing cost of operation of Blue Chip Animal Farm,” says Cordie Braun, director of Blue Chip.

Ideaworks has taken on Blue Chip as its charity of choice, which means we provide the non-profit with complimentary marketing services. Specifically for the Legacy of Love memory wall, Ideaworks  created the marketing materials and webpage, along with coordinating and executing the public relations effort for the unveiling event. Ideaworks also did the Legacy of Love billboard design, which can be seen in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties. Lamar Advertising was very generous to donate the billboard space. We hope you’ll come out and support this wonderful organization on November 5 and/or purchase a brick to memorialize a pet or pet lover in your life.