I'm o.k. with James Taylor and those nice country boys (though the stoned-looking kid in the t-shirt makes me feel a little ooky). But in that nice sunset background, where's that mountain? It looks a little tall for Philosophizing Peak at Lake Herman State Park.As I just learned in my multimedia class at DSU, stock photos are bad, bad, bad (something you'd think the marketing experts at the LAIC requesting $140,000 of our tax dollars would understand). The more connection of the image to the product/service you're selling, the better. How about something like...
Draft layout for new all-local KJAM logo(Sorry about the digital black eye, Matt!)
Now that's Lake Herman. Very pretty, very local. Using the music stars is fine for promoting the station (although Matt Hendrickson is getting cuter by the day, thanks to those daily miles on the treadmill!) Play with that draft design, pass it on to Three Eagles corporate....
THAT DOES IT!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm sleeping with one eye open from now on, Heidelberger! LOL
In defense of the LAIC, they aren't marketing experts and seem to be trying to do too many things. Each time Cory brings this up it makes me feel Madison fails to communicate those things that are its best attributes, and create that "branding" as they wish to call it. The most effective form of advertising is word of mouth because it's believable. Cory seems to say advertising should be authentic for that same reason. Personally I buy that.
ReplyDeleteIf the LAIC is trying to do too many things with current staff, maybe they should hire a bright, tech-savvy, message-conscious local citizen who could take on those marketing duties for them. (If only the LAIC would respond to my e-mails....) :-D
ReplyDeleteThe LAIC website is #1 to blame. It provides no clear message and just has a bunch of random links.
ReplyDeleteMore importantly, when they highlight the Heartland Technology Center they point out that "80%" of DSU graduates stay in South Dakota. From the stand point of an individual looking to hire technically skilled individuals this is actually a negative. Well connected, skilled universities send their graduates throughout the US. Any university that doesn't has poor faculty with few connections and does not have a competitive program.
The group that put this website together has no understanding of what "technology" companies want or need. After reading this website, I wouldn't bring my LLC to Madison.
Seriously, for ~$10,000 they could have hired a decent consultant and put together something compelling. This just looks like another South Dakota "we can do it cheaper so it's better" loser.
I tried to plug the tech center to a couple who run a software company and recently moved their sales force to SD but left development in California. They said loosing a developer here is too detrimental as it's difficult to replace that person. In CA they get a couple hundred qualified applicants rather than a handful. I countered with SD has a more dedicated workforce with lower turnover (they agree), but that is their perception on the tech end. Makes me wonder as Tony said if the tech center is being marketed in the right way. To the right target market I mean. That place has to be right for somebody. But who?
ReplyDeleteIf you are marketing Madison, use Madison sights and people! What's so hard to see about that? And I'm definitely not tech savvy. Meybe they just need some people with plain old common sense on that board.
ReplyDeleteSeems to me that if Heidleberger thinks that the KJAM logo is all wrong, then maybe he should apply there for a job and show them all his expertise in Marketing and Promotions, and how HE can help them better market the station. Other than that, maybe he needs to mind his own business and stick to writing his blog.
ReplyDelete"all wrong"? Actually, Anon, I think KJAM is doing pretty good work on its own. I just wanted to ask about the mountain. I offered one suggestion... and KJAM doesn't even have to pay me for it (thought donations are always welcome!).
ReplyDeleteOf course, when I'm through with my dissertation and my current job, I just might apply to work at KJAM... if I haven't started my own online radio station. ;-)
[p.s.: it's "Heidelberger"]
The least you could have done, Cory, is mention that I'm single! LOL
ReplyDelete