Category: Blog

In my world of marketing, collaboration is the key to both CAMA’s and RMBO’s successes, and that’s exactly what we explored in our latest Charleston Marketing Podcast episode with Kristelle Siarza Moon. Underlining the importance of community in Charleston and beyond.

One of the significant highlights from our discussion was the upcoming Counselors Academy conference happening in Charleston from March 31st to April 2nd. With the theme “Connections and Collaborations: Building Success Together,” the conference aims to empower marketing and PR professionals through various workshops and keynote speeches. Key topics will cover navigating crises, trends in the industry, and practical business development strategies. Kristelle emphasized that this type of rich, collaborative engagement isn’t just beneficial; it’s essential for professional growth.

Beyond discussing the conference, we talked about why Charleston was chosen as host. Kristelle explained how cities with unique character make for the best venues for professional gatherings. Feedback from agency owners and PR practitioners expressed a desire for a locale where they could not only grow professionally but also enjoy the rich culture and natural beauty of the area. Plus, Kristelle’s personal experience in digital strategy for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta made it clear that location can have a powerful impact on event success.

We touched on the importance of being involved in professional associations like PRSA and AMA. Joining these organizations is a meaningful investment in one’s career, providing opportunities for networking, professional development, and mentorship. Kristelle described her own career trajectory and how PRSA has played a crucial role in shaping it. She advocated for members to actively participate in their chapters by attending events, engaging in workshops, and volunteering for committees. This level of involvement is what fosters a thriving community where all can benefit and grow.

If you’re a student aspiring to break into PR or marketing, Kristelle offered essential advice: start networking now. Don’t wait until graduation to begin job searching; engage with industry professionals and build relationships that could prove beneficial in the future. She stressed that internships, mentorship, and a willingness to learn can set students up for success in a competitive job market.

Kristelle shared her unique hobby: hot air ballooning. This passion serves as a metaphor for stepping outside one’s comfort zone. Just like balloonists must navigate uncertain winds, marketers must learn to adapt and embrace the unpredictable elements of their work. Kristelle’s goal of becoming a licensed balloon pilot is just another testament to her belief in continuous learning and personal growth.

Our discussion illuminated how connections, collaboration, and commitment to professional growth can lead to success. Whether through attending conferences, being active in PRSA or AMA, or AAF, or forging meaningful relationships within the professional community, the investment one makes in their career today can solidify a prosperous tomorrow.

Thank you to Kristelle for my new “All You Need Is Love” pin and for sharing so much of your journey, wisdom, and passions with Margaret, myself, and our listeners.  Good luck at your PRSA Counselors Academy Conference.

Mike Compton

Podcast Host

Membership Director

Charleston American Marketing Association

CHARLESTON, SC, November 14, 2024: Charleston American Marketing Association is pleased to announce the winners of the 2024 Spark! Awards, the only awards event in Charleston celebrating creative excellence and marketing talent. 

Follow Charleston AMA on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date on shenanigans and events. If you would like to be a speaker at events or want to learn about how to become a member, email info@charlestonama.org. 

Charleston AMA 2024 Spark! Awards Winners

Best Digital Advertising

Winner:
Matchstick Social – Local eats & local beer: A match made in heaven

Best Outdoor Advertising

Winner:
In the Black Marketing – Starling Chevrolet

Best E-Newsletter

Winner:
In The Black Marketing -Hamby Catering and Events

Best Website

Winner:
Squeeze Marketing – Squeeze Marketing Website

Best Logo Design

Winner:
VIP Marketing – McKnight Law Firm

Best Illustration

Winner:
Banks Creative – College of Charleston Pocket Guide

Best Corporate Identity Package

Winner:
Matchstick Social – Opal Aesthetics Branded Material

Best Video Marketing

Winner:
Brandon – Victory Brewing: Monkey Time

Best Blog 

Winner:
Matchstick Social – Fig Leaf and Co Interior Design

Best Book Cover

Winner:
Banks Creative – The Deadly Daylight

Best Collateral

Winner:
Banks Creative – Something Terrible May Happen

Best Event Marketing

Winner:
Banks Creative – Art Charleston 2023

Best Social Media Presence

Winner:
Matchstick Social – The Zoo – Locally Owned Health Club

Best Direct Mail Marketing

Winner:
Nelson Strategic Marketing – 2023 End-of-Year Fundraising Campaign

Best Non-Traditional Marketing

Winner:
Rümbo Advertising – Bud Light: Partidazo Panna Tournament

Best Product Marketing

Winner:
Rümbo Advertising – Luray Boiled Peanuts: Display Campaign

Best Public Relations

Winner:
Kayla Hey – Magnolia Plantation 

Best Food and Bev Marketing Campaign

Winner:
Squeeze Marketing – Galpão Gaucho Brand Awareness Campaign

Best Social Media Campaign

Winner:
Matchstick Social – HART 2023 Mother’s Day Campaign

Best Podcast

Winner:
VIP Marketing – Going Forward Podcast

Volunteer of the Year

Winner:
Kelli Morse – Trident United Way

Marketer of the Year

Winner:
Amy Heath – City of North Charleston

Undergrad Marketer of the Year

Winner:
Nadelie Rosen – College of Charleston

Professor of the Year

Winner:
David Muray – College of Charleston

The Giving Award

Winner:
Charleston Radio Group – MUSC Children’s Hospital Radiothon

Ever since watching Lauren and Whitney intern at Teen Vogue on The Hills and all the competition and planning that went into Paris, I wanted to be in Marketing. Not fashion, not events… Marketing. And it seems I am not the only one.

A recent study found that female marketer leadership is at an ‘all-time high’, with women making up 64% of the industry. This positive representation of women shows no sign of changing, with 21% of women saying they’d consider a career in marketing vs. 16% of men.

This month, consider pushing the hard cold facts that make people think out their position and possibilities in the workforce. I’ve rounded some up for you:

More Stats + Facts

Women in the workforce:

• 42% of all businesses in the U.S. are women-owned.
• Women of color account for 50% of all women-owned businesses in the U.S.
• Women-led businesses employ 9.4M workers and generate $1.9T in revenues annually.
• States with the most women-owned employer firms are Hawaii, Virginia, and Colorado.
• Over 1,800 new women-owned businesses are created each day in the U.S.
• 1 in 3 female entrepreneurs has experienced sexism as a business owner.
• The top priority of women-owned businesses is to get more funding and financial help.
• The average loan size for women-owned firms is 50% lower than for male-owned.
• Only 2.4% of venture capital funding goes to female founders in the U.S.
• 31% of women business owners have school-aged children at home. Marketers in the workforce:
• There are over 4,646 marketers currently employed in the United States.
• 47.8% of all marketers are women, while 52.2% are men.
• The average age of an employed marketer is 36 years old.
• The most common ethnicity of marketers is White (66.9%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (12.8%), Asian (9.7%) and Black or African American (5.4%).
• Marketers are most in-demand in New York, NY.
• The technology industry is the highest-paying for marketers.
• New York, NY pays an annual average wage of $80,006, the highest in the US.
• In 2021, women earned 92% of what men earned.
• 10% of all marketers are LGBT.
• Delaware is the best state for marketers to live.
• Marketers are 72% more likely to work at private companies in comparison to public companies.

Women to Know If you went to school for marketing or advertising, these names may sound familiar to you. I often think back to these women and the movements they started to help inspire my work today.

Mathilde C. Weil

Way back in 1880, Mathilde founded the M.C. Weil Agency in New York. She opened for business years before J. Walter Thompson, often cited as establishing the first advertising agency, entered operation. Yet, little is known about Mathilde, which indicates the adversity she must have overcome as a businesswoman in the 1800s.

Helen Lansdowne Resor

Hired by J. Walter Thompson, Helen formulated the iconic ‘a skin you love to touch’ ad for Woodbury’s Facial Soap in 1917. Her ability to entice customers with ‘risqué’ (though tame by modern standards) print advertisements makes her a key figure in copywriting development. She finished her career as Vice President of the J. Walter Thompson company and was a lifelong supporter of female empowerment and representation.

Bernice Fitz-Gibbon

Bernice, born on a farm in rural Wisconsin, worked her way up from a local newspaper secretary to being one of the key marketing figures at Macy’s. Credited with introducing fashion show demonstrations into department stores, she later founded her own advertising company and, in the mid-1950s, was known as the highest-paid woman in marketing.

Caroline Robinson Jones

Caroline was the first person of color to rise to the position of senior copywriter at the J. Walter Thompson Company before assuming the role of Vice President of Zebra Associates in 1968. She used celebrity endorsement to develop KFC’s famous ‘we do chicken right’ slogan in the 1980s and worked with Mcdonald’s and Toys R Us.

Mary Wells Lawrence

Mary trained at Macy’s under Bernice Fitz-Gibbon in the 1950s to become their fashion advertising manager. Later in her career, she founded her own company: Wells, Rich and Green. Mary developed marketing campaigns, including Flick your Bic, Plop Plop Fizz Fizz for Alka-Seltzer and the world-famous ‘I ♥ N Y’ tourism slogan and logo with graphic designer Milton Glaser.

Information from One2Create

Despite the strides women are making in the marketplace and in the marketing industry, hurdles like pay gaps, DEI and caregiver stigmas will undoubtedly continue to drive conversations about equality in the workforce.

How are you going to help make an impact?

To your success,

Taylor Ion

Marketing Director Charleston AMA

February may be the month of love, but I’m about to change my status from it’s complicated to single when it comes to ALL the social media algorithms. 

As a social media manager for several brands and organizations, the end of this relationship has actually been a long time coming. 

When you’re late-night doom scrolling, have you ever found yourself thinking, “I just saw a similar post to this – everything just looks the same…” – SAME. Remember the time when posts used to be chronological? Remember when you had more control over what you wanted to see without a platform tailoring your actions to your account? SAMEEEE.

For the accounts I manage, I no longer feel like: 

• I have thoughtful, insightful answers to my clients questions about engagement 
• I’m proactively planning content, rather, being more responsive and reactionary – which is not where I want to be
• I’m putting out meaningful content because I’m tailoring my ideas around what we think the algorithm might like 

So, a clean break is what I feel we need to restart, reconnect and reestablish our connection to what we really want to publish online. 

Don’t get me wrong, not all algorithms are created equal. They have their time and place, especially when they expose civil injustices and connect us to national movements. We want to feel connected and see timely content, but it might not be the most interactive content. And it’s definitely not helping my cause by converting impressions into meaningful engagement or adding to my clients exposure and account growth. 

With Instagram’s recent announcement of “over focusing on video in 2022 and going back to static images for this year”, the amount of eyerolls heard around the world were staggering. I’m still recovering. Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, has become, admittedly, the last person I want to see in my social news, social feeds or anywhere, really, because then we all know another update is about to shift our strategies. And for TikTok knowing more about you than you know yourself, we’re jumping from one extreme to the other. 

Given all of this, I’m closing the door on my typical social process and focusing on one thing only: fun. What is bringing us joy? What content makes us smile and brings out the best in our brands? What is silly and uplifting that might brighten a social feed? That’s it. 

If you Google anything related to “how to best represent your brand on social media” you’ll get the same answer over and over again: 

• Have a clear brand voice
• Create content that relates to your audience
• Create consistent content that users can learn about you and strengthen trust 

And even THOSE comments have been derived from years of studying consumer and algorithm data. 

I can feel my brain fog parting as I type and know this will be for the better in the long run. 

Are you with me?

To your success, 

Taylor Ion

Marketing Director, Charleston AMA

Roses are red, violets are blue. And as consumers, we’re hopelessly devoted to you! 

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This Valentine’s Day, we’re celebrating the most important relationships of them all: the ones you have with your favorite brands. From indulging in our morning coffee to relying on cars and gadgets that get us through our daily lives, our brands are the ones that stick with us through it all. Is it because your chapstick is honestly the best on the market, or is there something more that makes it the product you just can’t quit? Open a box of chocolates and pop the bubbly; today we are recognizing our long term relationships – the special bond between customer and brand. 

Brand loyalty is like any other relationship – it takes time to build. The steps of the journey to becoming a loyal customer are similar to becoming a significant other. You start off as an acquaintance, then you move on to being friends and eventually you become partners in success. You find yourself gushing over them with friends, and you’ll probably even share them on your social channels. But while you’re in the honeymoon phase, the brand is busy finding ways to keep you coming back for more. 

We’re going back to the start. The first date. 

https://giphy.com/gifs/coldplay-the-scientist-im-going-back-to-start-Swb717ejAxEENABMm8

We all know it’s true; the first interaction with a brand is just like a first date. It may be a little awkward and the conversation may be superficial, but both parties are taking stock of the other’s habits and beliefs. We think of how the brand makes us feel and take note of how their behaviors indicate their values. And all over a cocktail! Just like any relationship, your courtship with a brand needs a solid foundation that will stand the test of time – something that keeps you coming back for a date #2.

You and the brand have successfully made it through the first date and all flags are showing green. Now what? It’s time to take things to the next level and Define The Relationship. We’re going deep. Do the values they displayed on date one seem to be values they live by? And do those values align with yours? During this phase, you’ll begin to understand the behavior of the brand and start to get a sense of what is consistent for them. You may notice them behave consistently in a way that makes you feel proud to be a consumer. Whether it’s continued exceptional customer service or taking public stands on issues that are important to you, you may find yourself in love at first buy. Just like any important person in your life, you come to know them so well that you can predict how they behave in any given situation. 

Do you feel like your most cherished brands get you? If not, it may be time for a break. 

https://giphy.com/gifs/Friends-friends-tv-we-were-on-a-break-UTY42CoHu6wixtxTDh

When it comes to building long-term relationships with brands, how you feel matters. Just like any life partner, they become a reflection of you, so it’s important that you feel confident in what you’ve aligned yourself with. At the end of the day, people love relationships and brands that make them feel good. People love brands that are there to celebrate them in the big wins, comfort them in the losses and that make them feel like they’re on top of the world. Once they have achieved that, my friends, they have achieved brand loyalty, and you’re in it for the long haul. 

https://giphy.com/gifs/thebachelor-episode-11-abc-3og0ILJ4bo1h75tHJC

Will you accept this rose? Say a toast to the brands you love the most this Valentine’s Day. Let’s find the humanity in brands by finding, using and sharing what we truly love and believe in. If reading this blog made you realize that you don’t have a brand you stand behind, then consider this your candy-heart sign to get back out there. 

Xoxo, Charleston AMA

It’s Christmas time in the Holy City and we want you to join us in spreading holiday cheers at our happy hour on December 13 at Rutledge Cab Co. from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. We’re closing out 2022 with our most impactful happy hour yet, and we’re calling on our friends and neighbors to help make it happen. All ticket and cocktail proceeds from the event benefit one of our favorite local nonprofits doing big things, Courageous Kidz.  

Founded in 2006, Courageous Kidz is on a mission to give children living with cancer and their families the magic of hope by providing year-round uplifting experiences. After moving to Charleston in 1967 with her husband, Deborah Stephenson quickly found her calling making a difference in the Charleston community by originating and nurturing Camp Happy Days. In 2005, Debby transitioned from Campy Happy Days to caring for her husband full time as he fought his own battle with cancer. Recognizing the need children and families living with cancer have for a more individual type of care, Debby knew there was more work to be done and more families to touch. She then created Courageous Kidz. 

Courageous Kidz works to alleviate the stress experienced by families stricken by childhood cancer while giving them the opportunity to connect over family-fun activities, all free of charge. These opportunities give families the chance to take a pause and just be a family for the day while creating lifelong memories. Whether it’s a day at the beach with Shaka Surf School, bowling and pizza at Charleston Rifle Club, dinner at their favorite restaurant or even a custom trip, Debby and the Courageous Kidz team go above and beyond to provide these Charleston families with a sense of normalcy and an amazing experience to pair. 

The journey with Courageous Kidz doesn’t just stop after these activities. The kids, their parents and their siblings become a part of a robust support network in the Charleston community, composed of like-families who can lend understanding to the challenges that accompany pediatric cancer. Through this network and the continued champion from Courageous Kidz, each family gains access to additional resources, organizations and support that help carry some of the weight. 

Through the generous support of volunteers, sponsors and donors, Courageous Kidz has been spreading the magic of hope through the Charleston area for nearly 17 years, and we are honored to lend our support to help them reach 17 more. While we can’t take away the devastation of pediatric cancer, we can do our part to help Courageous Kidz continue impacting these incredible families and alleviating some of their stress during unprecedented times. 

Buy your tickets today and join us on December 13 at Rutledge Cab Co. from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. to close out 2022 by making an impact. Come cheers to the season, network with marketing pros and enjoy complimentary appetizers and signature cocktails — all benefiting Courageous Kidz! Over 95% of the donations go straight to the cause. 

Can’t make the happy hour but still want to get involved? You can donate to Courageous Kidz on their website, as well as find information on becoming a volunteer or sponsor.   

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good happy hour! 

VR, Blockchain, Web3 and Metaverse

Starting with the biggest nobraider is thinking about marketing through the lens of virtual reality and conducting business through blockchain technology. With the rise of the Metaverse, a virtual-reality space in which users can interact with a computer-generated environment and other users, comes the evolution of web3 as well. web3 is the name some technologists have given to the idea of a new kind of internet service that is built using decentralized blockchains — the shared ledger systems used by cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ether. The term has been around for years, but to break it down it’s really, “the internet owned by the builders and users, orchestrated with tokens.” web3 takes on many forms, including decentralized social networks, “play-to-earn” video games that reward players with crypto tokens, and NFT platforms that allow people to buy and sell fragments of digital culture. But some believe that web3 is little more than a rebranding effort for crypto, with the aim of shedding some of the industry’s cultural and political baggage and convincing people that blockchains are the natural next phase of computing. In this new internet, we get rid of the centralized systems and create an open ecosystem that would reinvent the digital marketing industry. This technology is really for recording and verifying transactions that can be applied to practically anything requiring trust—from money to real estate to medical records. As a result, blockchain has the potential to revolutionize marketing as we know it today.

Audio Content

Consumption habits have no doubt changed since COVID-19 with consumers doubling down on digital and transitioning to online lifestyles, which includes the way they experience content. With the rise of podcasts, audio play time is significantly higher across all platforms and mediums. Considering TV, music, podcasts and streaming services, consumers are multitasking and taking in SO much more information, messaging and storytelling at a rapid rate through audio. So, the way we target and market products and services should meet customers where they are–in their ears. 

Completely Paperless

People have been changing their habits by prioritizing sustainability and they want brands to help them make sustainable choices more obtainable, manageable and available. They also expect organizations, businesses and corporate companies to have an impact on society on a much larger scale and align promises with actions. I predict a lot more of these entities will likely make sustainability promises by “going green by 20XX” and eliminate paper goods altogether. In addition, they’ll take it further by not only reducing their economical impact, but creating purposeful outlets for others to do the same. 

Privacy Technology 

Leaks, breaches, hacks and scams all are on the rise as people and technology advance in all areas of business. And with people managing more of their day-to-day lives online than ever before, online privacy has never been more important. To customers, privacy IS trust and market performance will no doubt make or break when it comes to user experience. Reported by Google, consumers view bad privacy experiences almost as damaging as a theft of their data. It’s enough to make 43% of them switch to another brand. In addition, while privacy and respect is top of mind for the consumer, ease of use when protecting their information is still number one—locking down information still has to be quick and seamless. 

Special Services Over Big Business 

Long are the days of the Mad Men mentality. It’s expensive to compete with big brands when so many small businesses need the same tools and exposure just to swim in the same sea. And in the era of the Great Resignation, which shows no signs of slowing down, businesses, nonprofits and all companies in between are turning to subject matter experts who have now left corporate life to specialize in a unique area of expertise, in turn, starting their own small business. As every individual and every business in the past several years has now scaled back, gotten leaner and smarter with their spending, they are outsourcing what they collectively agree cannot be done in house and look to freelancers and contractors. For marketers, that means bye bye big agencies and hello skilled remote workers with short term contracts. 

Taylor Ion, Marketing Specialist

Director of Marketing, Charleston AMA

Strategist, rūmbo