Brand Solutions

I recently had someone ask if internet marketing was the most effective medium? They suggested that because it is faster, cheaper, more measureable and longer lasting than other traditional means is must surely be the best.

While this is certainly an entertaining question, I don't think agree with the suggestion. The suggested "yes" has quite a few assumptions that are present in it that might not be true.

First, the assumption is that when someone comes in contact with your internet marketing, they have a positive reaction. That positive reaction comes from branding and design first and foremost. Without brand solutions and good design, it is very unlikely you can realize the positive effects of any onlne marketing.

Second, the assumption is that marketing on the web was most effective. It depends upon your audience. If you are in higher education and your target market are the 13-17 year olds who utilize Facebook for at least 20 minutes per day, marketing directly to your demographic is a slam-dunk. However, much nonprofit marketing takes more than just the internet, it takes an integrated maketing solution. That solution often includes online marketing, but has to be in conjuction with offline materials such as direct mail, collateral, and other print-based marketing.

While online marketing is certainly does have its advantages, it should only be looked at as part of a larger integrated marketing plan, not the silver bullet.

Download Brainstorm's MediaSphere (pdf) for a comprehensive look at the possiblities in both the online and offline marketing worlds. Then call us so we can discuss your marketing needs and what might be most effective for your organization.

Brainstorm's partner Ed Illig has posted a new article on Scott Monty, Ford's social media expert and spokesman within Twitter. Ed explains how Ford is utilizing social media tools to increase their brand awareness, corporate identity in the social space, and using Twitter as an integrated marketing solution.

Several of our clients are starting to engage within the social media realm with guidance and direction from Brainstorm. Higher education institutions such as Anderson University have seen an impact on enrollment based upon digital strategies employed by Brainstorm. Nonprofit organizations such as the Lumina Foundation for Education are also engaged in digital marketing to increase brand awareness and utlize interactive media design and digital marketing to serve their constiuents. Corporate products such as Tailgate Toss have also experienced the success of Brainstorm's socail media strategies to see an increase in holiday sales.

Potential clients often ask us "what makes Brainstorm different than other higher education branding and design firms?" One of the key answers we offer is the very nature of our business. Unlike the majority of our competitors in higher education marketing, we have expertise in higher ed while still working with a diverse group of clients that are outside the education market. That gives us unique perspective.

Brainstorm's corporate clients, especially consumer electronics, gives us corporate insight into the same demographic markets that college and universities are targeting. We work with brands such as Lexmark, Motorola, and RCA. Brainstorm also works with branding and marketing on direct to consumer products that are targeted directly at the younger demographic. Implementing techniques in social marketing, Facebook, as well as SEO (Search Engine Optimization) has provided success for our client's marketing efforts.

So, whether it be branding solutions, corporate identity, interactive media design for your admissions, alumni, or development efforts, Brainstorm is a unique proposition in the multitude of options within the higher education consulting arena.