Guest Columnists

Protect Your Clients: Social-Media Tips for the Heavily Regulated

Protect Your Clients: Social-Media Tips for the Heavily Regulated

While the promise of real-time engagement with customers is appealing, social presents regulatory challenges.

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Learning the Rights and Wrongs of Commercial Speech

Learning the Rights and Wrongs of Commercial Speech

Michael Jordan recently learned that his achievements on the basketball court do not translate into success in court when his opponent is the First Amendment.

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Rules for Protecting Your Brand's Color, in Black and White

Rules for Protecting Your Brand's Color, in Black and White

A single word or logo conveys powerful brand messaging in an efficient, uncluttered way. Likewise, with careful advertising strategy and execution, a single color can itself be a compelling brand.

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Has Advertising Played A Part in the Bullying Epidemic?

Has Advertising Played A Part in the Bullying Epidemic?

Bullies prey on those who are seen as deviating from a standard that our industry often helps to create.

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A Name Can Make the Difference. Just Think of 'Pink Slime'

A Name Can Make the Difference. Just Think of 'Pink Slime'

If "pink slime" shows the power of language, then companies and brands can also use language to communicate in powerful, meaningful ways -- verbal branding.

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Free Giveaways Can't Beat Good Info in the Social-Media Era

Free Giveaways Can't Beat Good Info in the Social-Media Era

Content that gives things away to consumers doesn't buy the credibility and trust brands need.

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Using Data to Get it Right with Female Shoppers

Using Data to Get it Right with Female Shoppers

When it comes to women and media consumption, data are abundant. But by taking data at face value, rather than analyzing it, too many marketers get it wrong with female consumers.

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Lessons From Dad: Tips for Running the Family Ad Agency

Lessons From Dad: Tips for Running the Family Ad Agency

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Why We Said 'Yes' to Participating In 'The Pitch'

Why We Said 'Yes' to Participating In 'The Pitch'

The head of WDCW explains that his agency agreed to appear on the show because it has nothing to hide.

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'Mad Men' Reading List: Catch Up On the Characters and the Culture

'Mad Men' Reading List: Catch Up On the Characters and the Culture

One of the things we love about "Mad Men" is how thoroughly accurate the show is about the era. If you don't want to miss the references, you've got some educating to do. Luckily, we have a suggested reading list.

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Drowning in Data, Our Business Faces a Serious Talent Crisis

Drowning in Data, Our Business Faces a Serious Talent Crisis

Competition is fierce for talented tech graduates, and marketing must become a preferred career. Agencies can help by supporting and partnering with colleges.

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When the Shift Hits the Fan: The Future of the Big-Box Discounter

When the Shift Hits the Fan: The Future of the Big-Box Discounter

Today, the once-invincible Walmart is scrambling to recover its competitive edge,Target is setting up shop outside the U.S. in search of growth, Kohl's is building smaller stores and Kmart is on deathwatch. So what will the future bring for the retail industry?

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Convenience Will Be Cornerstone of Online Move to Real Stores

Convenience Will Be Cornerstone of Online Move to Real Stores

Attention, wannabe dot-com entrepreneurs: It's time to start thinking inside the box, as your future will indeed include a key and open-for-business sign, not just a cloud and front end.

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Four Tips to Set Yourself Up for 2012's Job Opportunities

Four Tips to Set Yourself Up for 2012's Job Opportunities

This looks to be another rebound year for employment in marketing and advertising. Here are tips for putting yourself in contention for the hot jobs.

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Stop the Lin-sanity and Build Lasting Value for Your Brand Instead

Stop the Lin-sanity and Build Lasting Value for Your Brand Instead

Somewhere around the 289th hour of nonstop Jeremy Lin, something changed. In sports and in life, we're now much more a culture of "sensations," and less a culture of "stars."

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How to Avoid Five Common Mistakes in Market Segmentation

How to Avoid Five Common Mistakes in Market Segmentation

Market segmentation is a little bit like driving a car, in that everyone believes he is good at it.

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Why Globalism Has Made Local More Important

Why Globalism Has Made Local More Important

Today's business leaders are so obsessed with global that they risk neglecting the importance of local excellence.

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Five Things You Should Know About Your Latest Class of Employees

Five Things You Should Know About Your Latest Class of Employees

We're seeing a progression in the quality of young professionals. This isn't a group ready to stay in the background; it's a talent dynamic that I foresee shaping the way we work and interact, and they'll present challenges.

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What Anheuser-Busch's Super Bowl Advertising Means for Its Brands

What Anheuser-Busch's Super Bowl Advertising Means for Its Brands

The company's brands are moving away from crass, frat-boy humor as they try to regain share taken by competitors, craft brewers and spirits.

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Content Conundrum: How Owned Media Changes the Game

Content Conundrum: How Owned Media Changes the Game

Point your lens toward Madison Avenue. What you see is the media industry burning its index finger on the digital-content trend.

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