In today's market it's more about having a conversation with your customers and not just selling them something. EA has figured that out and that is exactly what they have done. A few weeks ago a video was posted on YouTube of a "glitch" someone found in the new Tiger Woods video game. Check it out below…

Instead of EA freaking out and getting the video pulled from YouTube, etc… They crafted a brilliant response video, that addressed the issue in a comical light…

Well done EA.

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Bear Wise Insurance wanted a business card, but what they really wanted was a mini brochure. They wanted to say more than just call us, they wanted to give an elevator pitch, or a 30 second picture of their company with a simple, yet very impressive piece.

The lawn mower at the top inserts into the brown sleeve. they both have contact info on them, but the great part is that the sleeve is big enough to also hold a personalized business card. That way, they can use it as a eye-catching mini brochure, or as a packet that has all the information they will ever need to buy insurance.

The best part about this type of a piece is that when they get back to their office/ desk, this is the type of thing that stays on their desk for a while, not just thrown into their Rolodex or discarded. (like anyone has one of those anymore anyways…) A week later, they remember you, but more importantly they remember what you do.

What do you use so that people don't forget who you are?

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I ran across Coinstar's new ad campaign today. It's called "Change For Our Earth". Essentially Coinstar is trying to cash in on the "Green Revolution" and positioning themselves as "environmentally friendly". Their pitch, recycle your coin!?!?

This is straight from their website, "Think of it as a new form of recycling—when you reuse your change instead of letting it sit idle in your coin jar, fewer coins are produced. And that translates into environmental savings by reducing the need for limited natural resources used to create new coin."

The only problem with this is that they don't provide any source for these claims. It seems like the only green thing you are doing is putting more money into Coinstar's pockets from their 8.9% counting fee.

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Halloween is a day that you are always on the edge of your seat waiting for something crazy to happen. October 31, 2007 was certainly a spooky day at 797 Moreland Ave, aka Matchstic headquarters.

While we were eagerly working to send out a mass email promoting our third annual Carv-o-rama pumpkin carving contest, we were promptly stopped in our tracks when a car drove into our front yard, through a telephone pole and into our mailbox (though amazingly the mailbox was in no way damaged – that may just be the spookiest part). Thankfully there were only minor injuries for all parties involved.

There was a loud bang, the house shook and we immediately lost all power, phone lines, and internet lines. Our phone company SpeakEasy helped us get through the ordeal quickly and without too much pain.

A PR firm recently got hold of the story via SpeakEasy and sent it Inc. Magazine's way. They seemed to think it was pretty crazy too! Check it out in the latest edition of Inc. Mag – page 33. You can also check out the article here.

UPDATE: check out photos of the event here.  Thanks for the link Blake!

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Dear Friend,

Matchstic is looking to partner with a non-profit client for the upcoming 2008 year. We are looking for an action-based non-profit that aligns with our values and beliefs dedicated to impacting the community. If interested (or know a good candidate), please send an email to probono@matchstic.com of why you feel our services would have the greatest impact on your organization (the more thorough and specific the better). Decisions will be based on the following factors: organizations' mission and potential impact, creative freedom, and greatest need.

Submissions must be received by Friday, December 14th at 5:00 pm. Interviews for final three candidates with be held the following week.

We look forward to partnering and dramatically impacting an amazing organization.

Thanks!

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I've never really put much thought into how big client relationships are until recently, and I have a feeling that way of thinking is quite common. I mean everyone knows that without a client or customer the business stands no chance of existing, but I think the actual relationship is overlooked more often than not.

Then I found out about a realtionship between a design firm and paper company (suprise suprise) that's on the verge of 25 years, and it got me thinking on the idea of the relationship in accordance to the brands, and how they actually strengthen each other.

French Paper company used to be a run of the mill, pun intended, paper mill until Jerry French met Charles Anderson in the mid-eighties. At that time, the French Paper brand was lacking the visual edge for a paper that is still pretty incredible. That's where Charles stepped in. The first design took French's worst selling paper to top selling in 6 months. Thus the beginning of a relationship.

At the time French had lackluster paper sales and Charles Anderson was designing at a firm he didn't own. Fast forward to today and Anderson is the head of his own company, Charles S. Anderson Design, and French Paper is one of the most respected paper companies out there.

I think if everyone were more open to the possibilities of long term relationships, everybody wins, including the kids.

_gern

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