We are pleased to announce the addition of a very important service from Second Wind, Right Fit Recruiting!
Many agency principals and managers do not have the time or energy to properly screen and hire new employees. Let Second Wind do it for you! We've had great success in finding and placing candidates for agencies, and we're far less expensive... learn more
Register for Certified Agency Operations School, June 2011
Second Wind offers one of the few training programs for traffic and production managers, and it’s a good one! We hope you’ll join us at Chicago’s Gleacher Center for The Certified Agency Operations Daily Workflow and Efficiency Seminar, June 12 and 13, 2012. This advanced-level course is for agency bookkeepers, controllers, traffic managers, production managers and operations managers. Learn agency best practices, from the structured day to the daily status list to efficient workflow systems, including new object-based workflow tools for enhanced collaboration and productivity. And get the lowdown on improving estimating and billing so you capture every hour! Learn more or register now!
Second Wind Magazine May 2012
In this issue of Second Wind Magazine our featured articles focus on a variety of topics, including how agencies can collaborate more effectively with clients—enabling agencies to remain an integral part of their clients’ future. In addition, we discuss “selling” your agency’s value by demonstrating and building a core competency, something many agencies are hesitant to do...and much more. Read the May 2012 Issue now!
Design contests are the new spec’. We see them almost daily. The latest one to hit my in-box was an invitation to design a magazine cover—for AdAge. If our own industry goes “cheapo” and crowdsources design, what does that say about our val... read more
As agencies work with clients to plan and implement marketing strategies, customer knowledge is essential to media planning. Recently, the Pew Internet Project published its read more
Face it. There is a lot of competition out there in today’s agency space. The business has a very low cost of entry, and every time someone is laid off, or a client likes the AE better than the agency, or a media rep tires of the grind, or a crea... read more
Many a movement starts when the right people connect. This week, a new Facebook Timeline tool was launched, allowing Facebook users to add their organ donor status to... read more
Mohawk Rolls Out Colorful New Identity
Mohawk Paper has been a design industry partner since 1931 as manufacturers of great papers including Beckett, Strathmore and Via. In April 2012, the family-owned business launched a new brand identity, shifting from a typographic logo to a fun and versatile symbol that references paper rolling through a giant printing press. The new design was created by Pentagram partner Michael Bierut and associate partner Joe Marianek. Armin Vit of UnderConsideration shared the identity and design story at the BrandNew blog. In addition logo applications ranging from black and white, to monotone, to full color, the logo has an audio mnemonic (hear it here). The imagery will appear on Mohawk packaging, swatch books, and in all corporate and marketing communications.
Another iconic retail brand is on the rocks… are we even surprised anymore when this happens? In the news recently have been Best Buy (struggling to adjust its business model for global sales); jcp (in mid-makeover to compete with discount big box... read more
Responsive Web Design Is On Client Radar
In our most recent quick poll, we asked site visitors if clients are asking about responsive web design. Fifty-one percent of respondents asked “what is responsive web design?” Meanwhile, 32 percent said clients are asking about this website programming method for displaying pages based on the browser, screen size and screen resolution used to access it. It also preserves good design standards for enhanced user experience, and averts creating custom websites or microsites for every possible user or device. Agencies need to be aware of how responsive web design will inform the websites of the very near future. Members can read more in the Second Wind Magazine, February 2012, page 30. Respond to our new Quick Poll at right.
One of the toughest jobs in the ad agency business is convincing a prospect that your agency is “their” agency. Agency pitch teams often return from pitches frustrated that they weren’t warmly received or welcomed as the prospect’s next great part... read more
What’s Working? You Tell Us!
Check out this week's What's Working Tumblr blog discussing B2B lead generation and why email is still the leading channel for leads. What's Working is a fun resource, and we welcome your suggestions and contributions. Or, ask us a question and we’ll suggest what’s working.
NEW REPORT! What Should Your Agency's Next Website Look Like?
The first place prospects go for information on your agency is your website—but far too often, agency websites are merely online brochures, portfolios of work and personnel listings. Sure, maybe you mix in a little branding, your philosophy and maybe even a few social tabs... learn more
