For 15 years, the people behind Xhang Creative have been dedicated to taking the written word and putting it into action. Times and platforms have changed, but our core belief is that words, in all forms, can impact change. Words tell stories, stories that engage and sell, be it for your brand, your product or your passion.
Simple design is a beautiful thing. Pour great content into that design and you have a winner all around.
That’s just the beginning of Gena Knox’s blog.
The design is outstanding, the content is interesting but, most importantly, I really feel as though I’m getting to know Gena and her passion for Southern cooking. There is a sincere honesty to what she does and it’s clear that she is enjoying herself. It’s hard not to get sucked into this world because it is so accessible and welcoming — just like all things “Southern Hospitality.”
I haven’t had the chance to try some of her recipes, but they are easy to understand and by all accounts (provided I can cook them) will be delicious. That’s yet another part of the “accessible” feel. While some cooking/culinary blogs, sites and recipes can be intimidating, Gena Knox does quite the opposite. I really feel like I can make these tasty recipes and share them with my family.
It’s more than just having Georgia on my mind, I actually can feel the warm breezes and the fresh smell of the South whenever I visit the site — and I can’t wait to taste some of these recipes for myself.
(Note: Gena is also the founder of Fire & Flavor. If you’re looking for the best grilling planks, papers, mixes, rubs and other BBQ-related stuff, visit the site and see where you can find these outstanding products.)
Saw this from a friend of mine this morning. I’m no expert, but that seems kinda weird — and funny at the same time.
Natalie Zmuda over at Advertising Age just got an article up about Target spending more. Beautiful.
But why do I love Target so much? It’s not that I shopped for Garanimals at one of the first stores when I was a kid in Minnesota. It’s not that it has been the defacto place to get the best, tastiest Icee. It’s not that I can get all kinds of great things for my 8-month old. It’s not that, every so often, I come home with a funny graphic t-shirt.
Target made the great move from Target brand to this new designation. Why do I like it so much? A few reasons:
So, good on ya, Target. Keep it up & up™.
Let me start by saying this: I am an American and don’t have NEARLY the English Premier League (EPL) experience or expertise to make informed opinions. (Though I did get 50 points in my EPL Fantasy Premier League this week. I am FC Bull Mountain is you’d care to make fun of my choices.)
So now the mea culpa.
Last week, I tweeted about how I thought Stoke City was going to be relegated to the next division by the end of the year. Boy, did I get an earful. In fact, one fan’s Twitter photo downright frightened me. Instantly, I realized that I had made a horrible mistake. In the first week, Stoke defeated Burnley 2-0. This week, they have Liverpool at Anfield which will be a tough match, but, from here on out, I swear to all of the good people of Stoke-On-Trent, that I will be pulling for The Potters.
So, please accept my apology and I would appreciate it if you welcomed me to your fold. Please teach me more about your fine football club so that I can make better, more informed decisions.
And, please tell that one guy with the creepy Twitter photo that I would be in his debt if he would not put a hex on me.
Verizon Wireless Fella? Or the Progressive Insurance Lady?
My wife and I just finished watching “The Soloist” tonight. A very powerful, moving movie. But, it is nothing compared to the words, heart and passion that Steve Lopez of the LA Times filled in more than just “columns” about Nathaniel Anthony Ayers.
These are compelling stories, and presented to us with humanity and grace. Though this became a movie, what I read was vivid and created pictures far beyond what any screen can hold. Take a look at “Points West” for yourself and see what magic started on April 17, 2005.
After a recent trip back east, I was reminded of what started a few years back: paying for checked baggage.
To combat high fuel costs and spiraling revenues, the airlines turned their gaze to recouping what was once free. Years later, we may grouse about having to pay to get that bag checked, but it’s not something that prevents us from flying now, does it? At radio stations, creative and production are that nice, extra “add-on” that clients have been getting for years and stations are more than willing to give it up.
Here’s a little hypothetical math on what it takes to create a simple, straight-forward radio commercial (using a fairly low rate):
1. Concept/Copywriting (with two rewrites): $300
2. Studio Time: $150
3. Talent (local rate, mid-market, AFTRA): $200 per voice
4. Post-Production: $200
5. Music Drop/Sound Effects: $200
These numbers may be a little low, but a one-voice spot can cost around $1,050. A two-voicer gets you up to $1,250 per spot. This doesn’t include alternate versions with other music, tags, etc. Imagine that your station (or group) does ten of these a week. By this (low) estimate, you’re leaving $504,000 on the table. Half a MILLION dollars of money that can be put to better use (i.e. – bottom line, better comp for your creative people, hiring qualified freelancers). And I haven’t even touched on the other content (on-demand audio, alternate programming, etc.) that could bring more revenue in the door.
Have you really sat down and thought about your creative/production department other than figuring out where to cut? Your production department is VITAL and it can be a VIBRANT piece of your business. It can also be profitable if you just make the bold decision to change course and decide that this “freebie” is too valuable to just give away. Creative/production is your lifeblood. It always has been and it always will be. You MUST give them all of the tools in your power and you must give them a chance to do their jobs well.
And you MUST stop giving it away for free. It will hurt at first. But, if you’re very good at what you do (and I suspect most of you feel this way), it won’t hurt for long and you’ll be able to keep chugging along.
Just ask the airlines.
We always like things that include the word “bloke.” Thanks to Tim Cowland of Radio Experts/London for sending this our way.
