tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55383239739228527482012-01-24T16:08:03.957-05:00AGC The Creative Advantage is an integrated marketing services firm specializing in advertising, direct marketing, production, interactive and other marketing-related services. We partner with companies seeking a relationship with a strategic marketing firm to enhance their internal capabilities. Our partnerships include, non-profit organizations (both small and large), private education, healthcare and commercial/industrial corporations.AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comBlogger751100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-46616264684778193682012-01-24T16:01:00.003-05:002012-01-24T16:08:03.967-05:00

Will QR Codes Fly or Die in 2012? What’s Ahead for Barcodes By Nancy PekalaMarketers have a penchant for gleefully pronouncing the death of the latest trend or technology. First it was email. As of late, QR Codes seem to be heralded as the next latest, greatest trend to bite the dust. But will it?Without question, 2011 was the year for QR Code chatter. Some heralded mobile barcode technology as

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-39465977699150211102011-12-29T12:31:00.002-05:002011-12-29T12:33:02.622-05:00

Dear Artists,Thank you for submitting artwork for the 2012 AGC Desk Calendar, 52 Weeks 52 Works.It was a very impressive collection of artwork to select from. As with most years, we received many more submissions then space allowed. While we initially select the 52 artists to display within the calendar year, we then select between 10-15 artists to display in the Notes section.Those of you who

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-1541411537335088362011-11-01T13:07:00.001-04:002011-11-01T13:09:04.537-04:00

In early 2010, PRIMIR commissioned J Zarwan Partners with Interquest to investigate direct marketing and where opportunities exist for the graphic communications industry.This new PRIMIR study, Trends and Future of Direct Marketing, examines direct marketing, and in particular, how printed direct marketing channels are performing in light of a host of new non-print direct marketing options.“Email

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-66096165489569765422011-08-17T10:01:00.004-04:002011-08-17T10:28:43.664-04:00

The variety of marketing options available can be overwhelming. From printing and advertising to websites, blogs and social media, it's easy to become beleaguered and question which direction you should take your brand message. Depending on the audience you are trying to attract the choice can be varied. So what's the best approach? Diversify. Diversify your marketing dollars and unite your

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-2726161208611995612011-08-10T10:16:00.005-04:002011-08-10T10:30:06.619-04:00

The 2012 edition of 52 Weeks 52 Works marks the 10th anniversary of the calendar! The deadline for submission is October 1, 2011 We are amidst the production of the 10th annual 52 Weeks 52 Works desk calendar and we need your talent! Any artist living and working in NEO is eligible (nudity and explicit imagery are restricted). If you are interested or if you know any one who may be interested

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-8702861999199907992011-05-20T09:17:00.004-04:002011-05-20T09:26:47.916-04:00

This summer the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) is offering commercial mailers a three percent discount for mail that includes a QR barcode inside or on the mailpiece. Below is the latest information to help you take advantage of this special offering: · The QR Barcode Promotion will run from July 1 through August 31. · First-Class Mail and Standard Mail (including Nonprofit Standard Mail)

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-35118416282348665452011-04-06T13:27:00.004-04:002011-04-06T13:39:34.975-04:00

It's okay to use paper. Trees are renewable, recyclable and sustainable.By CHUCK LEAVELL AND CARLTON OWENWell-intentioned email taglines inspired by sincere desire to help the planet have become ubiquitous in recent times: "Please don't print this email," "Save trees: Print only when necessary," or "Please consider the environment before printing this email."However, the World Wildlife Fund has

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-15251543878905349722011-02-28T12:14:00.002-05:002011-02-28T12:17:37.499-05:00

Marketing today is all about looking at trends and being ahead of the curve. One of the newest trends that's growing fast is QR Barcodes. Creating interactivity within the print medium extends the shelf life as well as the value of print by offering readers layers of experience beyond the printed page.QR codes are two dimensional bar codes and full of possibilities for marketing solutions. They

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-82984658353833082132010-12-20T11:14:00.006-05:002010-12-20T11:30:04.604-05:00

The 9th edition of 52 Weeks 52 Works 2011 is now available. To obtain a copy please fill out the Contact Form. To view this calendar and previous year's calendars, or to access a submission form for the 2012 calendar please visit the new 52 Works 52 Weeks page on our website.52 Weeks 52 Works is a weekly desk planner featuring artwork from Northeast Ohio artists. The collection represented ranges

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-61048580356616229542010-12-20T11:08:00.006-05:002010-12-20T11:14:16.317-05:00

Thought provoking poem regarding the history and power of the printed page:I Am a PrinterBy Frank RomanoI have been around for 560 yearsI invented the Renaissance and caused the Reformation I have recorded war and peace My pamphlets and documents created America I take ideas and information and make them tangible I print lofty Bibles and lowly forms I am a printer I help you promote and inform

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-26527643204814355642010-09-22T13:51:00.001-04:002010-09-22T13:53:17.825-04:00

52 Weeks 52 Works is AGC's annual desk calendar showcasing 52 different works of art corresponding to the 52 calendar weeks. The calendar has served as a stage for the creative community of Northeast Ohio for the past 8 years. The calendar seeks to demonstrate the power of expressing ideas effectively through print and the myriad of collaborative opportunities available with Northeast Ohio's

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-6390488520923404392010-08-25T14:21:00.004-04:002010-08-25T14:28:37.206-04:00

"In most fundraising schemes, the group raising the money buys something to sell at a profit—wrapping paper, for example, or chocolate bars. California-based Newhall Coffee, however, now offers a program that lets groups sell custom, branded java blends on an ongoing basis and receive quarterly donations in return.Launched last month, Newhall Coffee for a Cause allows qualified nonprofits to sell

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-54293249802735537652010-08-04T13:56:00.009-04:002010-08-04T14:29:16.187-04:00

52 Weeks 52 Works is AGC's annual desk calendar showcasing 52 different works of art corresponding to the 52 calendar weeks. The calendar has served as a stage for the creative community of Northeast Ohio for the past 8 years. The calendar seeks to demonstrate the power of expressing ideas effectively through print and the myriad of collaborative opportunities available with Northeast Ohio's

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-8788287141348652692010-07-22T16:42:00.003-04:002010-07-22T17:10:20.220-04:00

52 Weeks 52 Works is an annual desk calendar published entirely by Academy Graphic Communication highlighting the talent of Northeast Ohio (NEO) Artists.The deadline for submission is September 1, 2010We are amidst the production of the 8th annual desk calendar and we need your talent! Any artist living and working in NEO is eligible (nudity and explicit imagery are restricted). If you are

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-13414503328517031422010-07-14T12:32:00.005-04:002010-07-14T12:50:39.219-04:00

MediaShift environmental correspondent Don Carli is senior research fellow with the non-profit Institute for Sustainable Communication (ISC).Public opinion polls show that concern about the environment rises and falls based on the state of the economy and other factors, but concern about the negative impacts associated with using paper and printing continues to rise. Nothing captures the essence

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-46819076321572296672010-03-09T10:12:00.006-05:002010-03-09T10:26:22.306-05:00

SFI and FSC Certification in North America — A Summary ComparisonThe Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc.® (SFI®) and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) programs both certify lands in the United States and Canada. This document looks at both programs — their scope and governance, forest management certification, chain-of-custody-certification, and requirements for sourcing fiber from uncertified

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-24639146541108299172010-03-03T12:11:00.006-05:002010-03-03T12:23:26.030-05:00

The Twenty Tweetable Truths About Magazines. 20 facts that showcase magazine vitality, 140 characters or less. 1. Magazine readership remains steady in an increasingly crowded and noisy media landscape. 2. 92% of U.S. adults read magazines.3. Magazine readers pay attention to magazine ads. They don’t pay to avoid the advertising as they do with other media.4. Consumers spend more than $86

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-34438587035710290962010-03-01T10:45:00.009-05:002010-03-01T10:52:13.095-05:00

As Pickup in Ad Sales Boosts Their Confidence, Publishers Point to Strengths They Say Remain Relevant in Internet Age.By RUSSELL ADAMS and SHIRA OVIDEMagazine executives spent much of last year telling anyone who would listen that they were taking their brands digital.Their message this year: Print rules.Young & RubicamOlympic medalist Michael Phelps is pictured above in the first of a series of

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-86642902270579207782010-02-23T14:37:00.006-05:002010-02-24T12:16:20.481-05:00

By now you've probably seen these distinctive black and white squares appearing on printed pieces - from posters to magazine ads, direct mail to product packaging. These squares are a 2-dimensional bar code that link the printed piece you're viewing to additional information via the Web (i.e a URL address).QR stands for "Quick Response." If you have a smart phone you can to download a QR Code

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-88590347033374481682010-01-26T10:39:00.004-05:002010-01-26T14:44:05.846-05:00

Doing business requires maintaining a balance among economic, environmental and social needs. Printing on paper meets those criteria. It's a way to drive business in a renewable way - to be more effective in your communications and to be more sustainable. It's worth printing if you incorporate environmental stewardship in your business, encourage your suppliers and customers to do the same and

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-4499577818581507522010-01-08T14:56:00.003-05:002010-01-08T15:08:55.519-05:00

Designed, Printed and Distributed by AGC The Creative Advantage, the 2010 edition of 52 Weeks 52 Works is now available.Academy Graphic Communication’s (AGC) annual desk calendar has served as a stage for the creative community of Northeast Ohio for the past 8 years. This calendar seeks to demonstrate the power of expressing ideas effectively through print and the myriad of collaborative

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-63780385281178568842009-12-14T12:05:00.004-05:002009-12-14T12:18:39.321-05:00

An excerpt from the Wall Street Journal - Friday, October 16, 2009 - By Jeffrey Ball"Never is the elusiveness of a paperless world more evident that at this time of year, when mail boxes overflow with catalogs and holiday cards.More than 17 billion catalogs were mailed in the U.S. last year - about 56 for every American. So why does the catalog, which helped Richard Sears launch his eponymous

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-17869254009804904072009-12-11T15:09:00.004-05:002009-12-11T15:15:50.777-05:00

The DocuMentor Blog recently posted an interesting article on a subject we've been following closely:Even though my brain is infused with a little too many toner particles, the Doc assumes that anything we can do to reduce paper consumption is good for the planet. But what about the significant impact of digital waste?For a fascinating read, take a look at this interview with Don Carli, the Doc’

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-8579041367925022492009-11-19T09:24:00.003-05:002009-11-19T11:43:58.784-05:00

"As a natural, renewable resource, trees are the answer to many challenges facing our society today — most notably climate change.Trees are one of the most efficient “solar-powered carbon collectors” that we have at our disposal. Every day, all day, during the active growing season (from May to August in mid west/north east) millions upon millions of trees of all sizes are busy taking carbon

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-22866379228818663012009-10-26T08:14:00.003-04:002009-10-26T08:59:11.311-04:00

The Conservation Fund President and CEO Larry Selzer wrote a guest blog appearing on CNBC.com yesterday, which is pasted below for your reference. He outlines the critical role of forests in combating climate change and providing many other benefits. He also explains the importance of credible forest certification programs such as SFI.  To view the online version, visit SFI Inc.'s Blog at Good

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-27907550545397876032009-09-28T15:22:00.009-04:002009-10-15T10:40:45.202-04:00

Academy Graphic Communication is pleased to announce we are a 2009 Finalist in the Crain's Cleveland Business Emerald Awards! The Emerald Awards recognize Northeast Ohio companies that have implemented sustainable strategic priorities to reduce their environmental footprint. An independent panel of judges reviewed the nominations that included information on an organization's sustainability

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-58661641918510824472009-07-20T14:32:00.005-04:002009-07-23T15:16:08.186-04:00

"More and more people are communicating with electronic media. But are electronic devices the most effective environmental choice for getting information?Ever decision to communicate has some impact on the environment. For example, whether we email or send a letter, we consumer energy and resources. There are environmental tradeoffs in every choice we make, and there is no simple 'right answer'.

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-21725515368187440862009-07-20T14:15:00.007-04:002009-07-20T14:31:04.232-04:00

A Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) certified vendor protects wildlife, plants, soil, water and ultimately, people. TerraChoice Environmental Marketing recently named FSC and SFI as two of the most common, credible eco-labels. According to TerraChoice, FSC and SFI met all criteria of a credible eco-label, including third party certification, a publicly

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-25708099536825255672009-07-09T08:08:00.000-04:002009-07-09T08:10:14.704-04:00

"We are delighted to provide this letter of support for AGC’s nomination for the Northeast Ohio Environmental Award. AGC is a member in good standing with NAPL, the National Association for Printing Leadership. NAPL is a not-for-profit business management association representing progressive leadership companies in the $120+ billion graphic communications industry. Located in Cleveland, OH, AGC

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-6599375482324626822009-07-07T15:21:00.008-04:002009-07-09T08:10:28.300-04:00

52 Weeks 52 Works is an annual desk calendar published entirely by Academy Graphic Communication highlighting the talent of Northeast Ohio (NEO) Artists.The deadline for submission is September 14, 2009We are amidst the production of the 8th annual desk calendar and we need your talent! Any artist living and working in NEO is eligible (nudity and explicit imagery are restricted). If you are

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-18389890400004462732009-06-26T11:11:00.006-04:002009-06-26T11:21:32.015-04:00

2009 Northeast Ohio Environmental AwardsThe Biodiversity Alliance and Dominion are proud to announce that nominations are now being accepted for the 2009 Northeast Ohio Environmental Awards. The awards program recognizes and honors the outstanding achievements of organizations, businesses and individuals in a wide range of environmental initiatives throughout the region and pays tribute to those

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-76913349472774443202009-06-09T09:02:00.006-04:002009-06-09T09:30:22.111-04:00

Paper has been around for almost 2000 years, and during this time it has undoubtedly established itself as the most effective and versatile means of communication. Even in today’s digital age with the availability of alternative media, paper’s unique practical and aesthetic qualities simply can’t be achieved by using electronic alternatives. That’s not to say that one is less suitable than the

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-3576704013105188772009-06-02T16:15:00.006-04:002009-06-02T16:22:34.160-04:00

Wordle is a toy for generating “word clouds” from text that you provide. The clouds give greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the source text. You can tweak your clouds with different fonts, layouts, and color schemes. The images you create with Wordle are yours to use however you like. You can print them out, or save them to the Wordle gallery to share with your

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-42201154598531262722009-05-27T10:48:00.006-04:002009-05-28T15:42:00.425-04:00

Integrated Marketing Communication is the cohesive execution of all your online and offline media efforts. Audiences today are increasingly fragmented, and multiple media are needed to reach them. A marketing platform should include print, direct mail, interactive, web advertising, and social media providing a constant flow of the message from sender to receiver.Capturing data and information

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-21441989606211450332009-05-26T14:52:00.004-04:002009-05-27T11:42:10.352-04:00

The convergence of offline and online media, is the best communication strategy. It recognizes that markets and audiences areincreasingly fragmented and multiple media are essential in communicating to this environment.Electronic/Digital Media is certainly effective when correctly used, but it comes with limitations - notably it's trendy, untested, ineffective, can result in spam listings, image

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-56263372564758224572009-05-08T13:34:00.004-04:002009-05-08T13:50:09.193-04:00

The United Kingdom's Two Sides initiative has jumped the pond and is making waves right here on the shores of the grand ol' USA.Even in today’s digital age with the availability of alternative media, paper’s unique practical and aesthetic qualities simply can’t be achieved by using electronic alternatives. That’s not to say that one is less suitable than the other. Both paper-based & electronic

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-80903902918791426292009-05-07T12:14:00.002-04:002009-05-07T12:21:45.100-04:00

Amazon Kindle DX: The Solution to a problem that doesn't existSome Excerpts from the Full Article:Simply, the Kindle DX is far from being an optimal format for a magazine. Not only does the Kindle DX’s monochrome screen sap all the life away from the art department of every publication, but it also removes the “two-page” magazine feel: A picture or design element that spans two pages, which is

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-26132704819017789762009-05-06T16:05:00.004-04:002009-05-07T09:44:44.434-04:00

Printing is ubiquitous even in the era of Web 2.0 and digital everything.As new technologies are developed to replace print, they constantly seek to replicate print. For example this description of the Kindle:A Paper-like ScreenUtilizing a new high-resolution display technology called electronic paper, Kindle provides a crisp black-and-white screen that resembles the appearance and readability of

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-68711877134516096862009-05-06T15:53:00.003-04:002009-05-06T16:05:43.379-04:00

In the latest issue of American Printer, a trade publication for the commercial printing industry, Steve Johnson pen's an article "The Holy Grail of Digital Printing" where he presents the difference between Digital Printing and Traditional Offset Printing:Color Consistency1.) Whereas consistency is king in Traditional Offset Printing, every Digital Press has it's own, very different, color gamut

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-43796197064292324132009-05-06T11:34:00.002-04:002009-05-06T11:39:30.390-04:00

Email Marketing is Becoming More Customer orientedThese days marketers demand far more intricate measurements of customer engagement and interactivity. The e-mail department's key performance indicator used to be how many eyeballs a weekly blast reached. Now the focus is on the percentage of the marketer's online base that the program manages to convert.Analytics of the past centered on

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-83322533797270483592009-05-06T11:32:00.000-04:002009-05-06T11:33:59.710-04:00

Intelligent Mail BarcodeBeginning in May, the U.S. Postal Service will start to accept mail pieces bearing the Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB), the much-talked-about system that's expected to make it easier for both mailers and the US Postal Service to track and document mailings. Read More

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Twitter Just a Blip So Far:Findings of the Online The Harris Poll, conducted between March 31 and April1, 2009, show that 51% of Americans do not use Twitter or have a MySapce or Facebook account. Read More

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-28961915994594009012009-04-30T15:30:00.004-04:002009-04-30T15:40:05.941-04:00

First-Class Mail and Standard Mail Machinable Letters will have a pricing change going into affect on May 11th.The mail preparation standards for First Class Mail and Standard Mail must now meet all the standards for automation letters, except for the bar code requirement. This change will enable the USPS to process more machinable mail on automated letter sorting machines, especially unenveloped

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-83831350323982575412009-04-29T09:21:00.001-04:002009-04-29T09:23:20.479-04:00

Marketers are taking a pragmatic view of the recession due to customer anxiety, reduced spending, slow complex selling cycles and more. However, research shows that online marketing is effective, so marketers increasingly need to find new ways to optimize their online and offline activities.What's crucial is pinpointing the individual customer so precisely that they feel they're being offered a

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-38622025244060818872009-04-29T08:27:00.004-04:002009-04-29T09:07:42.272-04:00

Although they've been around for awhile primarily serving the "crafts" industry, plantable papers are now available for offset printing.Plantable Papers are handmade, "tree-free", recycled sheets of paper with wildflower seeds embedded in them. Commonly used for invitations, bookmarks, tags, and announcements, after use, you simply plant the paper in a sun drenched area, spread a thin layer of

AGC The Creative Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17963396734970053476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538323973922852748.post-86553229023837580332009-04-29T08:16:00.003-04:002009-04-29T08:21:09.783-04:00

A new book Green Graphic Design is celebrating the Eco-Movement with style and grace.Can a graphic designer be a catalyst for positive change? Breaking down the concept of "green design" step-by-step, respected industry leader Brian Dougherty captures the ability of designers to communicate, persuade, and ultimately spread a socially and ecologically responsible message to both consumers and

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"...It's a world of perfect targeting. Optimization. Zero wastage. Absolute utility. Total accountability...What could possibly be wrong with all this? In this new world where relevance -- of information, of entertainment, of advertising, even of new social contacts -- is increasing by the atomically measured second, all powered by the extraordinary power of the Almighty Algorithm, what are we

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As we celebrate Mother Earth and all her complexities and necessities, it is appropriate to look back over the past year and see how we have minimized our impact and helped our clients minimize their impact on the environment.The desire for "green products" continues to grow (no pun intended!) and while marketers are faced with more pressure to meet these growing demands, it is important that we

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And to keep the conversation rolling, we'll play devil's advocate and present a study that has found how Social Media Marketing Fails to deliver on it's promise. At the Web 2.0 Expo in early April a panel was assembled to discuss why "Social Media Marketing Fails". They outlined four key reasons why social media fails to deliver and proposed solutions to strengthen it. The panelists included:

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"An overwhelming majority (88%) of marketers say they are using some form of social media to market their business, though 72% of those using it say they have only been at it a few months or less, according to a social media study by Michael Stelzner, sponsored by the upcoming Social Media Success Summit 2009.The study found that Twitter, blogs, LinkedIn and Facebook - in that order - are the top

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Here is a great list of resources to inspire your creativity. Thanks to Mashable - The Social Media Guide for the list:ONLINE GALLERIES:Veer: Ideas - A huge idea gallery from stock photography company Veer formatted as a blog and including news and updates from the company itself.Delicious CSS - A CSS web design gallery that was founded because of the lack of features for tracking design ideas on

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Last night I had the great pleasure of seeing the simulcast World Premier of Beer Wars. The film was broadcast, via satellite, to 440 different theaters across America.SynopsisIn America, size matters. The bigger you are, the more power you have, especially in the business world.Director Anat Baron takes you on a no holds barred exploration of the U.S. beer industry that ultimately reveals the

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Postcards can be a very cost-effective way to generate website traffic, announce upcoming events, provide advance notice, encourage customers to take action and make special offers and promotions... if you do it right.1.) Make a Big First Impression. People like getting postcards from friends and relatives. They don't like getting advertising mail. Make your postcard look at first glance like a

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From iTunes, Netflix and eBay to Airline Tickets, Stock Trading and Banking - not to mention FaceBook, Twitter and Email - everything is going digital. And so is AGC!While this shift in digital information may be perceived as a threat to traditional paper manufacturers and printing companies, we at AGC are not traditional. We enthusiastically support and promote the endless opportunities digital

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"In the realm of "what did they think would happen?" Direct Magazine reports that William-Sonoma experienced a direct revenue drop of $264.7 million, or 15.9% in 2008, the same year it dropped its catalog circulation by more than 20%, from 393.2 million in 2007 to 313.7 million, and cut catalog page counts by more than 30%.Catalog revenue itself fell to $356.6 million in 2008 from $560 million in

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We needn’t tell you that business today isn’t what it used to be. And we don’t want to be presumptuous or oversell our ability to help make things better (or at least keep them from getting worse). But our years of marketing communications experience, including having been through similar conditions before, gives us a perspective we’d like to share. Pare expenses, spare investments. It’s easy in

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Sabine Lenz, founder and creator of PaperSpecs has released a free eBook titled Top Five Paper Myths Exposed. The eBook reveals common paper myths such as:1.) How to determine is a No 1 sheet is really better than a No 22.) What it really means when a paper is a mill item3.) Whether an ECF sheet is as good as a PCF or TCF sheet4.) How to determine if a plain "recycled" sheet is goof enough5.) The

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There has been some recent confusion regarding FSC Trademarks and Logo Use.In order to use any FSC Trademarks, including the FSC logo, initials "FSC" or phrase "Forest Stewardship Council" on a printed piece the printer must have chain-of-custody certification. On product logos are obtained from the FSC certified printer. Without this certification, no claims can be printed regarding the

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Printing Digitally has many advantages such as reducing overprint (did you know AGC can print as few as 100 pieces and as many as 100,000+?), accuracy (if you maintain an accurate database), storage costs (did you know if you print a project with AGC we will store it for you at no cost?), and others.Some digital printing processes also have clear disadvantages compared to conventional offset and

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1.) Loren Ipsum GeneratorFree and in 32 languages, the Lorem Ipsum Generator will produce placeholder text of any length you want simply by specifiyng the number of paragraphs, words, bytes or lists.2.) Font IdentificationSave yourself hours of scrolling though a font manager or squinting at a type spec book with the free What the Font typeface identification service. Simply upload a

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The use of customer segmentation and data for better targeting, efficiency and ROI is a leading trend in direct marketing today. The more accurate and targeted the database, the higher the response rate. The higher the response rate, the better the marketer's ROI. The key is maintaining list hygiene and identifying market segmentation.Market segmentation is the segmentation of markets into

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Check out the latest edition of COSE Update and enjoy the marketing article titled "Sustainable Communication Checklist" written by AGC!Environmental issues have taken center stage over the past few years, and there is a “green” shift in the communications industry to minimize or neutralize environmental impact. A sustainable strategy, implemented correctly, will communicate your company’s

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Technology has fundamentally changed how brands and their audiences communicate, not just online but across all channels. Consequently, interactive thinking or cross media outreach needs to be at the core of all marketing strategy and multiple touch points at the heart of all marketing delivery. Marketing today is not a single execution but rather a strategy that reinforces and enhances the brand

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HERB and DOROTHYYou will be enchanted by Herb & Dorothy Vogel. And even more enchanting is the art collection they have amassed since their first purchase in the early 1960's. A labor of love, the collected works now number thousands of pieces (enough to fill our five moving vans when transported to Washington D.C's National Gallery of Art in 1992) and are, perhaps, the most comprehensive

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The Cleveland International Film Festival is at Tower City Center in downtown Cleveland through Sunday March 29th. Below are a few films that our artist and eco-friends might enjoy:ART & COPY: Somewhere out there right now, giant satellites are about to launch into space, the better to blanket the airwaves with more commercial images. ART & COPY is a stylish film about the creative heads behind

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On March 29, 2009 new address requirements for flat-size mailpieces go into effect. The affected classes are (first class mail pieces are excluded):PeriodicalsStandard MailBound Printed MatterMedia MailLibrary MailThe new address requirements include placement, dictating where the address can be located on the piece and format, including type sizes of fonts.The address must be located in the

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AGC Earns NAPL Marketing Excellence Bronze Award: A National Distinction as a Leader in Marketing within the Graphic Communications Industry and the Cleveland Community.(Paramus, N.J.; Cleveland, OH) March 19, 2009 - AGC and integrated marketing communications firm in Cleveland, has earned NAPL's 2009 Bronze Marketing Excellence Award for Green/Sustainable Marketing. The national award

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Step Four: Matching Position with PracticeIt's through your practices that you bring your brand to life. Your positioning strategy points the way to your destination, but your practices are how you get there. Branding starts from the inside out, it's reflected in 5 important areas of your business:Your ProductYour PeopleYour PromotionYour ProcessYour Place of BusinessTo be successful we must

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Step Three: Validating Your PositionThere are three critical criteria for a strong positioning strategy:It's authentic. The position is an honest reflection of what your company is capable of. This element acknowledges your company's strengths. This can aspirational, but only if you have the knowledge, experience and firepower to truly deliver the promise.It's exclusive. The position excludes as

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Step Two: Connecting Value & AudienceIn branding your firm, the goal is to be exclusive, not inclusive. Appeal to somebody not everybody.What value to we provide?Who do we deliver the value to?How do we deliver it?At the intersection of these three questions lies a differentiating position: "We offer (your service) for (your market) by (your method)."

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Step One: Discover Your BrandYour brand already exists, deep inside the soul of the company in the form of natural strengths and core competencies. Consider what has made your company successful thus far and answer these key questions:What kind of clients have you been most successful in attracting?What types of assignments have you completed over the years?In what areas do you have superior

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UnisourceGreen.com is a place where you can learn more about Unisource Worldwide, Inc.'s commitment to providing environmentally-friendly papers, with "green" attributes and green, certified printing companies like AGC who partner with them.There are three categories to "green" papers available to you today. Unisource refers to these categories as "Eco-Pillars." These papers are made with:

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The 209 edition of our 52 Weeks 52 Works desk calendar/capabilities brochure was the winning entry in the category of Green/Sustainable Marketing from the first NAPL Marketing Awards for Excellence.The concept of merging our capabilities brochure with a weekly desk calendar while highlighting the talent of our local community is the essence of being more environmentally conscious. We seek to:Be

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AGC now offers Intelligent Mail Bar-CodingMailers looking to catch a break can save money by making the most of the U.S. Postal Service's latest technologies -- and doing some smart marketing!The USPS launched Intelligent Mail Bar-Coding (IMB) to improve mail deliverability. It encodes up to 31 digits of a mail-piece data into 65 vertical bars so each address can be assigned a unique identifying

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DMAchoice is about empowering consumers to identify what they like and what they do not like.What goes into your mailbox depends on what you're into. You can arrange to start getting the mail you want -- and stop getting the mail you don't.Companies what to reach people who are most like to be interested in what they have to offer. Direct mail keeps you in-the-know. it helps you find out about

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