Posts Tagged ‘HatlingFlint’

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Is your brand vulnerable in a social media world?

By Bill Hatling, March 5, 2010
Bill speaking at the Chamber's "Lunch Time Learning"

Bill speaking at the Chamber's "Lunch Time Learning"

As companies voluntarily join or are unwittingly dragged into social media, their brand is being exposed to greater pressure than ever before. Brand Vulnerability is at an all time high as consumers have adapted to new digital tools faster than companies. At a recent “Lunch Time Learning” held at the St. Cloud Chamber, Bill Hatling spoke about the reach of social media and offers practical steps for businesses to confidently enter the social media environment.

For slides from the presentation, click here.

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Live from Vancouver

By Debbie Morrison, February 22, 2010
LiveCity Yaletown

LiveCity Yaletown

When the cauldron was lit and the games of the 2010 Olympics were declared open, HatlingFlint was there at the Opening Ceremony, tweeting live. And we weren’t alone. Turns out there were lots of tweeters inside BC Place, around Vancouver, and all over the world who were sharing their Olympic experiences from where they were at that moment. This may not seem that unusual, but looking back only four years ago to the last winter Olympics, social media was virtually unknown. Today, social media is playing a very big role in connecting fans with athletes, teams, countries, and the overall Olympic experience.

It is for this reason that the US Speedskating team has added two members of the HatlingFlint team to their Olympic delegation, for the sole purpose of managing their social media campaign. Many of the athletes such as Apolo Ohno, Allison Baver, Jordan Malone, and Katherine Reutter, just to name a few, were already veterans of social media, but for the team as a whole, it was new.

Members of the US Speedskating team skating in Vancouver

Members of the US Speedskating team skating in Vancouver

The purpose of this new social media campaign that is still in its infancy, is to bring the Olympic experience of the team to fans of Speedskating, and continue with a sustaining program after the Olympics are over. Despite the well-publicized sponsorship of Comedy Central’s Stephen Colbert of the US Speedskating team, after the Olympics are over, his involvement will be complete, so the team continues to seek a new gold-level sponsor who will take the torch from Colbert. Having a sophisticated social media campaign in place will be attractive to any future sponsor, and can serve as an additional means by which to get this message out.

The primary components of the campaign include:
Facebook fan page – updated several times per day with photos, race updates, and of course, daily medal counts. Fans have also engaged by adding their own photos of them wearing their Colbert Nation caps, historic photos of Olympics from the past, and posting questions about where  to get tickets to events.
Twitter – most popular are the live tweets from the venues as the races unfold. Even though some of the events are not broadcast or delayed, fans can choose to follow the action immediately. Two times per week, a trivia quiz keeps fans coming back to answer a question and go into a drawing for a cool prize.
YouTube – new videos are uploaded showing many different sides of athletes from competitions, practices, goofing around, and their opinion on brussel sprouts.
Blogs – daily monitoring allows us to comment on every blog that mentions Speedskating in some way; so far there have been over 100 blog posts to date and growing. Featured bloggers are added to the facebook page which helps give them even more exposure.

So take advantage of this new phenomenon and join in the fun. Engage with the US Speedskating team online and we’ll keep you up to date on every possible moment we can, now through the Olympics, and well into the future.

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HatlingFlint wins eight ADDY Awards

By Josh Hoffman, February 8, 2010
2010 Gold Awards and Judges Choice Award

2010 Gold Awards and Judges Choice Award

HatlingFlint recently won eight ADDY® Awards at the American Advertising Federation of Central Minnesota awards ceremony held on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010. The ADDY Awards recognize creativity in numerous forms.

Pediatric Home Service’s Thrive Campaign received a gold award and also won the Judge’s Choice Award. The Thrive Campaign consisted of videos, a direct mail piece, ads and a microsite. The agency also received a gold award for Illustrations from the HatlingFlint Circus posters.

PHS Thrive Campaign and HatlingFlint Circus Illustrations

PHS Thrive Campaign and HatlingFlint Circus Illustrations

Silver award recipients were the Blattner Energy website, Glenn Metalcraft photos, the HatlingFlint Circus posters, a video of Tyler’s Success Story for Pediatric Home Service, and St. Cloud State University’s MBA Engaged Marketing campaign.

The award-winning pieces will advance to the district competition in Minneapolis on March 19-20.

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Is it time to brush up your brand? Part 2

By Bill Hatling, February 1, 2010

After last week’s blog posting, how did your brand clean up? Here are five more questions to see if it’s time to brush up.

Have you acquired new companies or shed divisions?
When your company acquires new ones or divides, it may mean a shift in business strategy or it may not. Regardless, it may mean you’ve left your brand behind.

Has your revenue growth stalled?
If your category is dying, you can’t necessarily blame poor performance on your brand. But if your sales growth doesn’t match your category’s growth – and it hasn’t in awhile – it could be time to overhaul your brand.

Has your market changed around you?
Lots of new players, new developments and new customers in your market? Your brand may be well-positioned to take advantage. Or it may not. Time to figure it out.

Has your senior management restructured?
Brands belong to the people, but brand development begins at the top of the food chain. When there’s a lot of change at the top, there’s bound to be some confusion below. A strong brand development process is a great way to get everyone on the same page.

Has your company turned 20 years old?
Okay, this one belongs to my friend Jim Hughes, of the Brand Establishment, who’s been doing this a long time. Jim swears a high percentage of established companies that come to him for his brand development expertise are about 20 years old. Why? His hypothesis is that at about the 20-year mark many companies find they’ve lost their focus, the market has changed around them and maybe there’s been some senior management change. Whatever. Maybe it’s like the 17-year locust or seven-year itch. But I’m guessing that if your company’s about 20, some of the other nine clues are making themselves evident.

So where does your company stand? Healthy brand or unhealthy? For most successful companies, working on brand building – understanding it, delivering on it, communicating it, measuring it – is an all-the-time thing. If your organization has a clear vision of your brand and is acting on it, you’ve probably already stopped reading. If not, you’ll probably find yourself nodding yes to a number of the clues; it may be time.

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Is it time to brush up your brand?

By Bill Hatling, January 25, 2010

Brand position and brand value are always topics that draw a lot of interest. From the CEO on down, the brand is important, and most organizations get that. With the current economic times being what they are, marketing professionals need to pay attention to how the brand is perceived in the marketplace. Has it lost some of its glow or have things changed in the organization? Has the industry you serve changed? If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, read on, maybe it’s time to brush up your brand. Over the course of the next two blog postings, we will address this topic and point out 10 unmistakable clues that could point towards your need for brand development.

Have you lost market position?
If you were number one 10 years ago and number three now, there may be a number of things to fix. Tinkering around the edges won’t get you back to the top spot. Start with your brand.

Are your marketing investments delivering diminishing returns?
You’ve done media advertising, direct mail, and SEO. You’ve invested in CRM and new collateral. But no matter how much you spend, you get just about the same results. Sure, the world of media is changing. But could the big problem be your message? New executions and new media won’t fix it. Time to pay attention to your brand.

Are you dissatisfied with your logo?
Everyone gets tired of their logo at some point, just like we get tired of the same old clothes. In most cases you’re probably best advised to leave it alone (the logo, not the wardrobe). But if your logo doesn’t seem to fit who you are, and you don’t quite know why, it’s time to ask yourselves what your brand’s all about. And you’d best figure it out before you redesign the logo.

Are you dissatisfied with your name?
Your name is kind of like your logo; if it doesn’t fit, you need to know why. Funny thing, in the course of brand development you may decide it makes sense to retain your name, but you’ll find yourselves becoming a company it fits better.

Has there been change in your business strategy?
Your brand strategy is the “face” of your business strategy. So it almost goes without saying that a significant change in business strategy should provoke a long hard look at your brand.

Stay tuned for more tips on brushing up your brand.

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Red River Valley Research Corridor ~ Life Sciences Action Summit ~ February 19, 2010 Fargo, ND

By Dave Roby, January 20, 2010

RRVRClogo-1Co-hosted by U.S. Senator Byron L. Dorgan and the Red River Valley Research Corridor. Fargo, ND, February 19, 2009

This year’s summit will focus on developing and strengthening the Red River Valley’s burgeoning life sciences industry.  Presenters including entrepreneurs, financiers, researchers, and scientists from the region and around the nation will discuss and explore actions the region can and is taking to foster strong, sustainable growth in the life sciences sector.

More about the Life Sciences Action Summit

Register Now

River Valley Research Corridor Action Summits

The Red River Valley Research Corridor and U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan work in cooperation with leading economic, science and technology-based organizations in North Dakota and the Great Plains region to organize action summits.

Action summits are high-impact conferences that have a razor-like focus on specific research and technology development opportunities in the region. The summits are intended to:

  1. Facilitate learning, networking and collaboration in the region.
  2. Connect with key partners in business and government from outside the region in a highly focused and purposeful manner.
  3. Showcase science and technology-based capabilities and initiatives in the Corridor.
  4. Engage key players inside and outside the region to put a focus on what do we do now and in the future to make the Red River Valley Corridor an epicenter of research, development and/or production in this particular science and technology field.

Previous Research Corridor action summits have focused on hydrogen energy, venture capital, radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies, polymers and coatings, life sciences, animal identification systems and unmanned aircraft systems.

The Red River Valley Research Corridor is an independent non-profit corporation committed to catalyzing and promoting science, technology and engineering initiatives that create new opportunities in the region

Red River Valley Research Corridor Coordinating Center

DeloreZimmermanShot - SmallDr. Delore Zimmerman, President & CEO of Praxis Strategy Group in Grand Forks, Fargo & Los Angeles, California was named to serve as the Coordinator. Delore has over twenty years experience working with companies in technology and information industries, universities and local development groups. Since its founding Praxis has been awarded 8 Small Business Innovation Research Awards.

Praxis Strategy Group is a partner with the Flint Group.


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HatlingFlint wins Olympic Gold Medal Team

By Debbie Morrison, January 11, 2010
US Speedskating

US Speedskating Logo

With only a few weeks before the opening ceremonies for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, HatlingFlint has been chosen by the US Speedskating team to implement a social media campaign. The purpose of the campaign is to build a following of fans and encourage fundraising for the sport leading up to and through the Olympic games.

The US Speedskating team is a source of national pride, being the team that has won the most Olympic Gold Medals for Team USA. Some of the legendary Olympic Gold Medalists of the sport include Eric Heiden, Bonnie Blair, Dan Jansen, and Derek Parra. The 2010 Olympic team will once again include medalists Apollo Ohno, Shani Davis, Chad Hedrick, plus Olympic Medal hopefuls Katherine Reutter, Trevor Marsicano, and more.

When the news that Dutch bank DSB, the US Speedskating team’s major sponsor went bankrupt in the fall leaving them without sufficient funds going into the Olympics, Stephen Colbert of Comedy Central’s Colbert Report took up the cause. Within the first few weeks, he has raised over $250,000 for the team. The social media campaign that HatlingFlint is implementing will encourage individuals to lend support to the team with both their heart and finances.

You can follow the US Speedskating team by becoming a fan on Facebook, following them on Twitter, watching them on YouTube and the Colbert Report on Comedy Central.

Go Team USA!

Chad Hedrick

Chad Hedrick

Heather Richardson

Heather Richardson

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Happy Holidays

By Josh Hoffman, December 14, 2009

It’s that time of year. Whether it’s the most wonderful, the most hectic, or a combination of both, take the next few minutes to relax and focus on you. You deserve it. Grab a Martini, a White Russian, a Tom Collins or an Old Fashioned (if you are at work, of course skip the drinks…even though it worked in the 1960s) and have a good time.

Cheers!

Cheers!

We wish you and your loved ones a happy Holiday.

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Four Generations – One Workforce

By Debbie Morrison, December 2, 2009
Bill. The big baby boomer.

Bill. The Baby Boomer.

How many times have you secretly rolled your eyes at a co-worker? Or battled to get your point across to a room full of people unwilling to listen to your perspective? Do you hate feeling like you’re being micro-managed?

You’re not alone.

Go ahead and blame it on your parents because you’re a product of the generation you were born into!

For the first time in history, there are four generations in the work force. And these players are different than ever before. We have a workforce that is increasingly diverse in age, experience, work styles and backgrounds. This is why understanding generations and how they work is critical. Today’s 25-year-old Millennial worker is not the same as a 25-year-old Generation X worker was 10 years ago or a Baby Boomer 20 years ago. There are distinct differences that must be understood – and appreciated.

Check out where you fall into the generations, and see if some of the traits are characteristic of you.

Tradionalists
Birth Years: Pre-1945
Population Size: 75 million (25% are still in the workforce)
Traits: conservative, fiscally prudent, loyal, faith in institutions, sensitive to minority positions, masters of policy, committees and processes, trust credentialed experts.
Communication style: administrative, policy-oriented, letter of the law, masters of the expert opinion, think tanks.

Baby Boomer Debbie. True to her description.

Baby Boomer Debbie. True to her description.

Baby Boomers
Birth Years: 1946-1964
Population Size: 80 million
Traits: ambitious, idealistic, strong work ethic, highly competitive, multi-taskers, value vision and mission, believe in the importance of personal indulgence over institutional might.
Communication Style: megaphone, brilliant message crafters, good creators of content that aligns to purpose and values with appeal to higher purpose and meaning.

Generation Xers
Birth Years: 1965-1981
Population Size: 46 million
Traits: independent, resourceful, adaptable, value pragmatic, realistic approach to daily life, now-oriented, skeptical, distrust institutions.
Communication Style: independent, not connected to an organization, focused on micro-subjects and personal expression of style work, masters of the internet, blogging and publishing resources.

Alissa, a cusper, is quite tech savvy. She feels right at home between Generation X and Generation Y.

Alissa, a cusper, is quite tech savvy. She feels right at home between Generation X and Generation Y.

Millennial (Gen Y or GenNext)
Birth Years: 1982-2000
Population Size: 76 million
Traits: tech savvy, environmentally conscious, open minded and accepting of differences, socially conscious, value team, cohesiveness and their special mission as a generation.
Communication Style: upbeat, rally together, focused on the activity and approval of their peers, masters of mobile and hand-held devices.

I think the conclusion is clear, awareness is half the battle – understanding the unique traits of each generation and what makes us all different.  So, instead of rolling our eyes about the generation gaps let’s embrace the many benefits of our multi-generational workforce and work together to create a dynamic work environment – but that’s just our opinion as an entitled, lazy, tech savvy Millennials.

So which Generation are you a part of? And what generation dominates your work place?

The co-authors, Brooke and Andrea. Both Millennials.

The co-authors, Brooke and Andrea. Both Millennials.

*Learn more about the generational divide by reading When Generations Collide by Lynne Lancaster and David Stillman.

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Past HatlingFlint Interns. Where are they now?

By admin, November 23, 2009

Ever ask yourself “hmm, I wonder what happened to her?” or “where is he now?” Well, we took care of that for you. We asked our past interns a few questions about their internship at HatlingFlint.

The  questions were:
1. When did you intern at HatlingFlint?
2. Where did you go to school and what was your major?
3. What are you doing now?

We did ask them what their favorite thing about interning with us was, but the list was endless.

Andrea Snaza
1. My internship was Feb-May 2009- about 4 months
2. I graduated in May 2009 with a Bachelor of Fine Art, concentration Graphic Design from SCSU
3. Currently working as a Contract/Temporary Graphic Designer at Creative Memories Headquarters- St. Cloud, MN

Keith Clobes
1. My internship was 2007 Jan-Apr
2. Graduated with a B.F.A. Graphic Design from SCSU
3. Currently working as a Graphic Designer / Product Designer for Williams Sound

Trysta Lukach
1. My internship was from May 2009 – End of August 2009
2. I graduated from SCTC with an AAS degree in Advertising Communication and Design and an AAS degree in web design.
3. I am working for Granite City Real Estate as the On-site Resident Manager for Hillside. As for the job pertaining to advertising, I designed a new logo for them and I also do the bimonthly newsletter along with flyers as needed. I do freelance work on the side, including senior pictures.

Amber Osowski
1. My internship was April-July 2008
2. I DID graduate (top of my class) and it was with a BFA in Graphic Design
3. Currently searching for a design job while working as a Universal Banker at US Bank in St. Cloud

Eden Zimny
1. My internship was in the winter of 08/09, 4 months
2. Graduated in 09 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with emphasis in Graphic Design.
3. I am currently working in advertising at Mimbach Fleet Supply in St.Cloud.  I handle the print ads, some in-store signage, and design and maintain the company web site.

andrea_eden

Andrea and Eden at the Hatling & Flint Circus

We are thankful for our interns over the years. They have helped us with countless projects and, in the process, have hopefully left with an arsenal of skills they can use in all of their endeavors.

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