http://www.westgatemarketing.net Building Audience by Creating Engaging Moments Thu, 17 Jun 2010 19:47:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 http://www.westgatemarketing.net/2009/08/so-what-is-your-story/ http://www.westgatemarketing.net/2009/08/so-what-is-your-story/#comments Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:00:45 +0000 Elliott Cunningham http://www.westgatemarketing.net/?p=315
I have found in working with creative projects and artists that is always best to start with the story. Developing your narrative is one of the most important things you can do, but when I share this with most companies they look blankly at me with a puzzling “why?” If you do not write your story, it [...]]]> http://www.westgatemarketing.net/2009/08/so-what-is-your-story/feed/ 0 http://www.westgatemarketing.net/2009/08/redeeming-the-creative-process-syfy/ http://www.westgatemarketing.net/2009/08/redeeming-the-creative-process-syfy/#comments Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:12:21 +0000 Elliott Cunningham http://www.westgatemarketing.net/?p=294
Working in creative endeavors has always been interesting. Balancing art and commerce is a fine line, and when it applies to advertising, promotion and marketing, it can get very blurry. You can always tell the ads and creative marketing ideas that had “too many chefs.” I had an embarrassing moment one time when looking at a [...]]]> http://www.westgatemarketing.net/2009/08/redeeming-the-creative-process-syfy/feed/ 0 http://www.westgatemarketing.net/2009/08/ready-set-start-up/ http://www.westgatemarketing.net/2009/08/ready-set-start-up/#comments Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:25:21 +0000 Elliott Cunningham http://www.westgatemarketing.net/?p=281
If planning is essential and story is imperative, what do you do with an idea and no beginning? Entrepreneurs are those that are willing to plow ahead. They have an idea and they are able to drive through and make things happen. They still need a plan, but plans change. And a well crafted strategic plan [...]]]> http://www.westgatemarketing.net/2009/08/ready-set-start-up/feed/ 0 http://www.westgatemarketing.net/2009/07/why-healthcare-doesnt-need-a-band-aid/ http://www.westgatemarketing.net/2009/07/why-healthcare-doesnt-need-a-band-aid/#comments Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:46:02 +0000 Elliott Cunningham http://www.westgatemarketing.net/?p=241
Years ago I did a research project about primary care physicians as a gateway to tertiary care. We talked to focus groups, identified problems, and developed possible solutions. The fundamental problems were…well, everything! But the doctors didn’t really want help. They were trying to maintain the same infrastructure they’d had for years. And now no one [...]]]> http://www.westgatemarketing.net/2009/07/why-healthcare-doesnt-need-a-band-aid/feed/ 0 http://www.westgatemarketing.net/2009/07/iphones-and-airlines/ http://www.westgatemarketing.net/2009/07/iphones-and-airlines/#comments Tue, 14 Jul 2009 20:38:27 +0000 Elliott Cunningham http://www.westgatemarketing.net/?p=207
Some companies have a clear idea of what they want to produce and who they are producing it for. In other words, they’ve created their own culture. Apple is one of these companies. Their designs have been revolutionary (take the iPhone or the iPod, for instance), and their products have created a legacy for the company. Amid [...]]]> http://www.westgatemarketing.net/2009/07/iphones-and-airlines/feed/ 0 http://www.westgatemarketing.net/2009/06/the-beauty-of-ugly/ http://www.westgatemarketing.net/2009/06/the-beauty-of-ugly/#comments Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:57:21 +0000 Elliott Cunningham http://www.westgatemarketing.net/?p=199
I just received a retail catalog in the mail. You know the kind – the one with trashy jewelry, unbecoming apparel, and nick knacks to help clutter your home in easy installment plan payments. It made me wonder who would buy this ugly stuff! And then I remembered the old adage, “beauty is in the [...]]]> http://www.westgatemarketing.net/2009/06/the-beauty-of-ugly/feed/ 0 http://www.westgatemarketing.net/2009/06/romance-and-theater/ http://www.westgatemarketing.net/2009/06/romance-and-theater/#comments Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:24:25 +0000 Elliott Cunningham http://www.westgatemarketing.net/?p=187
The original design and intent of your business are important assets for your company. And it’s crucial that you don’t let the growth of your business squeeze out and overwrite your original design! Years ago, Starbucks developers created a coffee house experience for its customers. In the words of President and CEO Howard Schultz, there was [...]]]> http://www.westgatemarketing.net/2009/06/romance-and-theater/feed/ 0 http://www.westgatemarketing.net/2009/04/develop-your-own-stimulus-package/ http://www.westgatemarketing.net/2009/04/develop-your-own-stimulus-package/#comments Sun, 19 Apr 2009 16:08:32 +0000 Elliott Cunningham http://www.westgatemarketing.net/?p=169
Now is the time to develop and focus your promotional efforts to create your own stimulus package and grow your business. Don’t cut off your future by hunkering down and forgetting to promote for tomorrow. Whether it is your word-of-mouth promotion via non-paid methods or full blow ad campaigns, now is not the time to [...]]]> http://www.westgatemarketing.net/2009/04/develop-your-own-stimulus-package/feed/ 0 http://www.westgatemarketing.net/2009/04/branding-invest-in-one-of-your-best-assets/ http://www.westgatemarketing.net/2009/04/branding-invest-in-one-of-your-best-assets/#comments Tue, 07 Apr 2009 03:16:47 +0000 Elliott Cunningham http://www.westgatemarketing.net/?p=140
Your brand should be the focal point of your marketing effort. Many times the sales and operations efforts will swamp the branding and eventually dilute the best. Starbucks saw this first hand in its efforts to improve efficiency when it converted to automated espresso machines. While producing short term results, it diluted the brand and [...]]]> http://www.westgatemarketing.net/2009/04/branding-invest-in-one-of-your-best-assets/feed/ 0