
Artificial intelligence is no longer just shaping how people research. It is beginning to influence which businesses they contact first. A new analysis from CallRail reviewed nearly 20 million inbound phone calls and identified early signals that AI search tools such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google Gemini are already part of the customer discovery process. […]

Like any recipe worth sharing, our 30-year journey has been built on care, patience and the right mix of ingredients. Strategy, creativity and collaboration have always been part of the mix — but the most important ingredient has been you. For three decades, our clients and partners have trusted us to help their brands rise […]

As we step into 2026, we’re grateful for the partnerships that drive meaningful work and measurable results. This year offers a fresh opportunity to refine your goals, strengthen your strategy and build momentum toward the growth you want to achieve. We look forward to supporting your marketing initiatives and being a trusted partner throughout the […]

As the year winds down, we want to take a moment to thank you — our clients, partners and friends — for being part of our journey. We’re grateful for the relationships we’ve built, the growth we’ve shared and the trust you’ve placed in our team. None of the strategy, creativity or impact we aim […]

Relationship marketing is more relevant than ever this holiday season. In a season full of noise, sometimes the smallest gesture makes the biggest impact. At CIM Marketing Partners, we believe that relationship marketing isn’t just a tactic – it’s a mindset. And few things reflect that better than a handwritten note. That kind of authenticity […]

Don't Let Potential Clients Slip Away. Most website visitors leave without converting – but that doesn’t mean they’re gone for good. Retargeting brings them back. It takes multiple touchpoints to drive conversions. We can help to make sure you're reaching potential clients when it matters most.

With inboxes overflowing and digital ads everywhere, print marketing offers something unique – tangible, lasting impact. A well-placed, strategic print campaign can reinforce your digital efforts and drive real results. Let’s talk about how print fits into your marketing mix.

I've been reading about Google's new AI Mode for weeks now, and the more I dig into what early users are reporting, the more convinced I am that we're looking at a fundamental shift in how search works. Not just a new feature—a completely different game. If you haven't heard about AI Mode yet, here's […]

Not sure whether to invest in Google Ads or Facebook Ads? It all comes down to your objectives. A winning strategy often includes both, but the right mix depends on your goals. Let’s create a campaign that delivers results.

Your website is often the first impression of your brand, making it a crucial part of your digital presence. If it’s slow, outdated or not mobile-friendly, visitors may leave before they even engage with your business. A well-optimized website enhances user experience and boosts engagement. Is yours working as effectively as it could be?

You’ve heard the claims — “PR is dead.” But the reality? PR isn’t disappearing; it’s evolving. And those who adapt are seeing stronger results than ever. The question isn’t whether PR works — it’s whether your strategy is keeping up.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of digital marketing, choosing the right platform to reach your target audience is crucial. Two prominent channels that often come under consideration are OTT (Over-The-Top) advertising and traditional TV advertising. Each has its own set of strengths and challenges, and understanding these can help you make an informed decision that […]

In today's fast-paced digital world, email marketing remains one of the most effective tools for engaging with your audience and driving business growth. At CIM Marketing Partners, we believe in the transformative power of well-crafted email campaigns. Here are some key benefits of email marketing that can help elevate your business: 1. Direct and Personalized […]

In the digital marketing landscape, businesses often find themselves at a crossroads: Should they invest in Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising or Search Engine Optimization (SEO)? While each strategy offers unique benefits, the true power lies in leveraging both PPC and SEO together. By combining these two approaches, businesses can maximize their digital real estate, ensuring a […]

Within the next five years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) will transform your industry. There is no way around this fact! In 2023, AI took leaps and bounds, and it’ll only continue to grow as companies learn how to use the technology for practical use. To get ahead of the curve, it’s important to foster a company […]

In today's fast-paced digital world, it's easy to focus solely on online marketing strategies. However, at CIM Marketing Partners, we believe in the value of traditional marketing methods and the importance of community engagement in fostering meaningful connections with your audience. Here's why integrating traditional methods and community engagement into your overall marketing strategy is […]

We wanted to inform you about a recent policy update on X (formerly known as Twitter). The platform has announced that they will now fully allow users to post consensual adult content, formalizing a prior Twitter policy. What does this mean for you? While this update may lead to a broader range of content appearing […]

At CIM Marketing Partners, we believe in empowering our clients to maintain full control over their digital assets. We want to emphasize the critical importance of owning your own social media accounts. In today’s digital landscape, we've encountered situations where businesses faced significant setbacks due to lack of ownership over their online presence. One particularly […]

In the realm of brand strategy, it's vital to explore innovative avenues for storytelling and engagement. While flashy campaigns and social media ads have their place, one often overlooked tool holds immense potential: the newsletter. I know what you might be thinking—newsletters in 2024? But bear with me, because here are four compelling reasons why […]

In today's digital world, making video content is easier than ever, thanks to smartphones and good lighting. Even if you're in your home office, you can create videos that look almost professional. This is a great opportunity for businesses to boost their online presence by using video content as a marketing tool. But before you […]

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is ever-evolving. In 2023, the power of AI reached unprecedented heights, presenting incredible opportunities for businesses like yours to thrive and innovate. However, heading into Q2 of 2024, AI will continue to evolve more than ever. As we navigate the dynamic landscape of business and technology, staying ahead of […]

As you can imagine, over the course of 27 years, our team has seen, heard, experienced, learned and strategized about thousands of marketing scenarios, options and tactics. Thanks to our array of clients in dozens of industries, we continue to learn and apply both tried and true and new action steps to help our clients […]

Embrace Google Analytics 4 for Enhanced Insights The countdown is on! Google has announced the sunsetting of Universal Analytics on July 1, 2023. If you haven’t set up, or if you haven't asked your webmaster to set up and install Google Analytics 4 (GA4) on your website, you only have a little bit of time […]

Anyone who is in charge of putting together even a small event quickly learns the task is much more substantial than one might think. There is a lot to consider, and dozens upon dozens of details to be thought through and planned. Since our founding more than 26 years ago, we have conceived and planned […]

If you’ve watched the news, seen the internet or received emails in the past few months, you’ve likely heard and seen a LOT of buzz about a new generation of artificial intelligence (AI) content automation platforms backed by companies like Microsoft, Amazon and Google. ChatGPT seems to have gotten the most attention. Think of them […]

I’m happy to share with you an article I wrote for Nevada Business magazine: 2023 Marketing Trends: Brand is Everything. It ran in this month’s issue as a part of the magazine’s feature story: The Making of a Name: Branding with Intention.

Are you confused about the difference between a landing page and a homepage? You're not alone! Many people use these terms interchangeably, but they actually serve very different purposes. A homepage is the main page of a website and is typically the first page that visitors see when they arrive at the site. It provides […]

Have you ever seen the short, animated videos for companies on social media or been browsing the web and wondered how they were made? Those explainer videos are an extremely effective video marketing tool that is unique, but very detailed in the process. There are many varieties of explainer videos, and if you prefer not […]

We all can agree how far we have come with social media and everything that comes with it. Social media is used for various purposes, and one of the biggest takeaways from social media in our society today is social media advertising. Everyone with a social media account has participated in social media advertising, whether […]

Similar to the last few years, 2022 has been an unpredictable, but interesting year, to say the least. With the reports that a recession is looming or already upon us, many businesses look to cut out expenses and/or components of their business in order to save money. However, surgically trimming the budget is far easier […]

We have come a long way in terms of marketing and communicating with one another. It used to take days to have messages delivered by planes or trains. Now, you can send a message to someone and they can receive it instantly. With new advances in technology, consumers' accepted response time has changed, and they […]

Our country is composed of multiple generations, each with widely varying viewpoints, experiences and lifestyles. All of these have a significant impact on how individuals like to receive information, make decisions and take action, like deciding to choose a company with which to do business. We’ve all heard tidbits about Baby Boomers, Generation Z, Y […]

Happy National Pet Day! If you’re like the CIM team, pets have played a significant role in your life. We do things to make them happy, and they make us happy CIMply with their presence and personalities. We eventually get over the pair of shoes they chewed or the dent to our bank account from […]

Outdoor advertising, including billboards, vehicle wraps, bus shelter ads and more, have been effective for decades. They are UP and ON 24 hours a day. You can’t miss them even if you want. No daylight? No problem, everywhere you go you can see the digital versions at night illuminating our city. In our digital world, […]
Listen to Darcy K. Neighbors’ interview on iHeart radio's CEOs You Should Know Las Vegas. She discusses CIM Marketing Partners’ journey over more than 25 years, helping clients grow their businesses with strategic marketing efforts. Darcy is most proud of the impact her company has had on job creation and growth in the values of […]

Have you ever wondered about the process of designing a logo? At CIM, the design process of creating a logo varies with every graphic designer. For some, it’s sketching concepts while listening to their favorite music. For others, it’s researching and exploring for creative ideas while sipping a strong espresso. Many steps are involved from […]

Each fall, we perform a number of Strategic Marketing Summits® for clients where we review the prior year and plan for the upcoming year. During those sessions, we discuss dozens of marketing tactics we have either employed or are considering for future initiatives. We often look at (or propose) focus group research as an invaluable […]

For more than a year, we (and our clients) have been experiencing rising costs for virtually everything we print for our clients. We’re not talking about periodic “slight price increases.” Commercial printing costs have been rising due to a number of factors, including basic supply and demand, paper pulp and end product shortages, shipping expenses, […]

This past Monday was a dark day for some of the largest social media platforms across the entire world. For more than 7 hours, Facebook, Instagram, and Whatsapp were completely down. While the details of what happened to the platforms are still a bit murky, what we do know is more than 2 billion people […]

It’s that time of year, again. Fall is here, and it’s time to plan and budget for next year. Depending on how you do it, it can be a chore (one you keep pushing off) or it can be transformational, filled with excitement and opportunity. For more than 20 years, we’ve performed Strategic Marketing Summits® […]

Whether you are the owner of a small business or the CEO of a large corporation, company culture is the backbone of a happy and successful work environment. It’s oftentimes elusive to define or describe, yet having a positive one is critical. While leadership cannot mandate a specific culture, it can foster an environment and […]

In March of 2021, Google released a “Manage Your Reviews” tool, which gives Google My Business owners the ability to take down and see the status of each Google review on their page. This tool is convenient to help managers keep track of reviews that they have reported to Google for removal. WHY IS THIS […]

I recently gave a presentation at Vista Consulting Team’s 2021 Annual Conference in Dallas. Vista is (obviously!) a consulting team that works with law firms across the country and Canada to improve their internal operations to maximize productivity and brand value, ultimately increasing performance and client satisfaction. To that end, I was invited to speak […]

What is OTT? OTT stands for “Over The Top” and refers to streaming services that deliver content via the internet. These services are delivered “over the top” of another platform, hence the name. Why is OTT a game changer? Prior to high-speed internet, consumers would subscribe to and rely on either cable or satellite services […]

Founded in 1996, The Agency Has Been Recognized for its Marketing and Creative Strategies for Professional Services Companies LAS VEGAS – CIM Marketing Partners, a full-service marketing, graphics design, and digital services firm specializing in strategic marketing and planning, is celebrating its 25th year in operation in 2021. Founded in 1996 by Darcy K. Neighbors, […]

I know you’ve heard from nearly every marketing professional that you need to know your audience – it’s something I’ve said consistently over the past 25 years with CIM. Knowing your audience is key to reaching people who may be interested in your product or service. The better you understand who has typically used your […]

This week, I have something near and dear to my heart to share with you. Way back in 2003, when I was a part of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Las Vegas Class, I founded and launched DJs for PJs as our official Class project. It was the start of a nonprofit entity […]

In our last article, we covered some of the email trends we’re seeing as we work daily in the digital space. With email marketing continuing to grow and remaining, or even increasing, in its effectiveness, capitalizing on this tactic may be important to your diversified marketing approach. Here are four more trends to consider: Entertaining […]

The manner in which we conduct business and how we reach out to clients are constantly changing. An ever-increasing number of individuals each year go digital. Fortunately, most everybody can adjust to our evolving world. Email marketing is alive and effective. More and more, companies utilize it to promote their services and products, advocate their […]

PPC stands for pay-per-click, a form of advertising that allows you to target consumers and generate potential leads. While there are quite a few platforms that perform PPC, we will focus on the Google Ads platform today. There are four distinct ad channels on Google’s platform: Search, Display, Video and Shopping. We will be focusing […]

Don’t join the club of having a snoozeletter where your intent is a newsletter. Whether investing in a printed and mailed piece (which is still my favorite in our highly digital world) or sending an e-newsletter just to check it off the to-do list, here are the best practices we recommend and implement. We encourage […]

Do we need some Public Relations (PR) activity? Someone asked me why she couldn’t find us on Facebook. I feel like we’re being left behind in social media. Should we do that sponsorship? Maybe we should do something. I think we need a plan. It’s time to move the dial on our business plan…wait, we […]

Ask a current client directly:If you don’t ask for referrals, you may not receive them. People are often reluctant to ask for a referral from a current or past client; perhaps they’re just embarrassed to pose the question: “I am so happy we’ve been able to help your company with its strategic marketing efforts. Is […]

December is traditionally the season of giving. Of course, that doesn’t literally mean a present in-hand. You can help a neighbor or friend in need, make a donation in time or money, or pay a surprise visit to someone near and dear. In that spirit, I asked our CIM team what gift they received that […]

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, fond memories (and making new ones!), giving thanks, and more. Personally, I have a lot to be thankful for and will enjoy the upcoming holidays to reflect and appreciate. I am particularly thankful for my God-given talents and passion I have for marketing, the love I have for […]

There’s so much that could be written about lessons learned this year, many of them as unexpected as COVID-19 itself. I was talking with the CIM team last week about that topic, and the conversation turned to specific marketing lessons learned. Take a minute to reflect on these: Having strategic, business, and marketing plans is […]

What a year it has been. Summer’s gone. Cooler temps are finally here. Thanksgiving is around the corner, and December will be filled with holiday activities. That makes now the perfect time to prepare for and lock in an effective 2021 strategic marketing plan and budget. What’s in it for you? By planning now, you’ll… […]

We’re getting close to that time of year when many companies reach out to those who mean the most to them: Their clients, their referral sources, and their preferred vendor partners. For some, it means sending a holiday card (physical or e-card) and/or a holiday gift. If you choose to send a gift, here are […]

A foundational mistake is assuming that you KNOW your clients, that is, what they want, what they expect, how they view your brand, etc. Sure, you have a good idea, but it goes deeper than that. One marketing tactic that we have always supported is focus group research. Let’s briefly review what they are and […]

Last weekend, I visited my daughter in Southern California, right in the middle of some of the most stringent COVID restrictions in the country. Businesses are hurting. Their business models destroyed. Layoffs and permanent closures at every turn. What I didn’t expect, though, was to be inspired. And inspired, I was! At every turn, the […]

It’s all around us: Bad graphic design. Whether on a billboard, on a website, or in your mailbox, you know it when you see it. One of my team members even keeps a “Marketing Mishaps” folder filled with examples from over the years, just for fun. Thankfully, there are some rules of thumb to help […]

For years, we’ve been encouraging and helping our clients to incorporate video content into their marketing mix – website, email marketing, social media platforms, and online advertising. Research continues to show an increase in the number of people who, given the option of watching a video or reading information, choose video. A few statistics: Over […]

Are you feeling overwhelmed by social media? For businesses, over the past few years, it has become a necessity to establish and maintain a presence on various social media platforms. Especially now, in a time where an in-person conversation is not always possible, many have turned to social media as a way to communicate directly […]

YOU’RE LOOKING GOOD, OR AT LEAST YOU SHOULD BE Just as most people like to present themselves in a good light, positioning your brand to make a positive impression takes work. In fact, the way your business presents itself plays a key role in how you’re received by your target audience. An overall aesthetic that’s […]

Often lost in the discussion about running a company is taking the initiative to foster and develop a positive company culture, which has an impact on all other facets of your business. A company’s culture distinguishes the values, goals, and attitudes of the employees that make up a business. When individual and company-wide values align, […]

Have you ever considered why your customers or clients remain loyal over the long term, or perhaps others keep coming back periodically as a need presents itself? In part, it’s because you’ve invested energy and time in building a relationship with each of them. It goes deeper than “just” needing and liking your products or […]

Since the beginning of the pandemic, I’ve touched a time or two on marketing philosophies. One of those is that even the darkest of times, it’s helpful to find a bright spot...either find one, or create one. You and your team are surely already over-performing on many fronts, maintaining your accounts, and striving to perform […]

Everyone knows that reviews are important for businesses, but a lot of people don’t realize just HOW important they are. Positive reviews can influence purchase decisions by allowing potential customers to read feedback during their research phase. People are more likely to trust a brand with comments from previous customers that have had pleasant […]

There’s a wonderful book from the late 1990s, Who Moved My Cheese? Cheese is used as a metaphor for something related to our livelihoods – our jobs, our relationships, our industries, for example. It tells an interesting story of dealing with change, how change can be embraced or shunned. In the end, change is generally […]

By DM, I mean direct mail. Do you ever feel overwhelmed by your email inbox? Maybe you’re thinking, when don’t I feel that way? If we thought we were receiving more than enough emails before the pandemic, you’re not imagining that it’s increased significantly since then. At CIM, we’ve been following another tactic, one […]

Again last week, I had a conversation that reminded me that there’s ongoing confusion about two marketing tactics: Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Pay Per Click (PPC)/Search Engine Marketing (SEM). That’s not surprising for several reasons: The marketing landscape continues to evolve at an incredible pace. Tools, platforms, tactics, and options are introduced or changed […]

It was quite a memorable moment when I finished reading a great book, The Power of Moments. What an impact can be made with some simple, implementable tips. Here’s a summary that I hope will inspire you to create memorable moments for your customers, employees, and clients. What’s a Defining Moment? We tend to remember the […]

So, you think you know your buyers, customers, or clients. But do you? Perhaps you and your company have done what you do for many years, and you’ve surely gotten a lot right to have been this successful. Let’s take a peek at a handful of ways to truly get to know your buyers, from simple and fast, […]

We’ve all been experiencing a world of chaos over the past few months, and in a recent peer group, we discussed how chaos resets the playing field. It reminded me of a tool we use at CIM to work through problems and frustrations, whether at home and/or work. Wouldn’t it be nice to take […]

You’ve heard me say it: Branding is Everything. Your brand is the core, the foundation of all that you are and do for clients. This week, we invite you to take time to review your brand, in particular, where and how your logo and its branding elements are being used and seen in the marketplace. […]

How much change has your business experienced in the past several months? Probably more than you’ve seen over the past few years combined! When a new technology comes out, there are early adopters, middle-of-the-road adopters, and the so-called laggards, those who finally come on board to use them. Literally overnight in March, many companies were […]

You already know how important it is to communicate with your target audiences: Clients, customers, and vendor partners need to know about your company, its offerings, your team, relevant industry happenings, etc. Similarly, your internal team needs to be kept abreast of the same information so they’re prepared to have meaningful conversations with your […]

RECIPE & DIRECTIONS See our other recipes Salsa Roja Guacamole

RECIPE & DIRECTIONS See our other recipes Salsa Roja Street Tacos

RECIPE & DIRECTIONS See our other recipes Guacamole Street Tacos

Nowadays, your life may seem like a blur. Our world has been turned upside down...at work and at home. I hope you’re doing all you can to stay safe, balancing your work and home life as best as possible. In the midst of it all, there are defining moments, and you have the power to […]

I hope this message reaches you in good spirits, with you, your family and colleagues doing well and staying healthy. This week, we are happy to share two things with you. One will help you keep your business healthy; the other will help keep you healthy. First, here is our Marketing Momentum Map that outlines important […]

I hope this message reaches you in good spirits, with you, your family and colleagues doing well and staying healthy. Here’s a little scenario you might find familiar: As you look at your work or business, you routinely say to yourself or discuss with your team, “Yes, we need to do that.” It could […]

We at CIM Marketing Partners hope this message reaches you doing as well as you can in our current challenge. Please continue to do all you can to keep your team, your family and yourself healthy and safe. As you know and are likely experiencing yourself, businesses are scrambling to maintain operations and client services. […]

As you navigate the way through the new reality of COVID-19, you’re balancing so much: Taking care of your family and yourself, managing your company and team, reworking your business plan and continuing to serve your clients. IF you are able to safely continue servicing your clients given the current situation, communicating that is […]

To our valued clients and business partners, I wanted to take this opportunity to give you an update on how our firm is navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. While our nation and the world are pushing the boundaries of our human spirit, I want you to know that the team at CIM Marketing Partners is […]

Company culture distinguishes the values, goals, and attitudes of the employees that make up a company. When individual and company-wide values align, workers feel more appreciated and valued for the work they do in furthering company objectives. Productivity, profitability, and professionalism trend upwards when company culture is strong and healthy, as their image of success […]

In today's world, you have undoubtedly heard of SEO and PPC. The terms are unavoidable in our digitally, Internet-focused world. Everywhere you turn, there's a new article detailing new SEO strategies and exploring how PPC will enhance your overall web strategy. We won't lie: it can be confusing. Step one to successfully using SEO and PPC […]

Have you ever considered why your customers or clients stick around or keep coming back? It’s because you’ve invested energy and time in building a relationship with them – and the personal touches you’ve added to your marketing efforts along the way have resulted in a long-term relationship. If you haven’t begun to develop a […]

In today’s mobile age, reaching potential clients is now easier than ever, but you’re also facing the constant challenge of excess noise with the endless amount of content being served at any given time. The digital landscape is constantly evolving, and brands that don’t evolve with it will no doubt get left behind. So, how […]

Thank you Nevada Business Magazine for gathering some of Las Vegas’ strongest and brightest marketing minds to discuss the state of the industry, especially in Las Vegas. Check out the spread!

The day after Halloween, I opened my computer to find something staring me in the face: November 1, 2017. That was on my desktop as I started my day, and I said to myself, “I can’t believe it’s NOVEMBER, and soon it will be 2018!” As usual, that was followed by, “Where did the year […]

Bright lights. Bold risks. Big news. That has been Las Vegas’ claim to fame for more than 100 years. Millions of visitors flock to the desert oasis each year to try their luck at winning the immense jackpots, dangled like a carrot in front of hungry animals. Mixed with the first-class entertainment, five-star dining and […]

Earlier this year, I stood in front of my entire team; a handpicked, strong team of talented and dedicated individuals. As the agency turned 21, we talked about goals for the company and brainstormed how to make 2017 the best year we've had yet. As I looked around the room at the faces I had […]

Las Vegas, NV – CIM Marketing Partners is pleased to announce promotions in multiple departments. “What makes our business unique and successful is that we continue to prioritize our team,” said CIM Marketing Partners’ Founder/CEO, Darcy Neighbors. “We are thrilled to promote team members who have been vital to our growth and ongoing success.” April Kemp has […]

CIM Marketing Partners Celebrates 21 Years with a New Look, New Website and Location in Summerlin! Las Vegas, NV – CIM Marketing Partners is celebrating 21 years of business with the official opening of its office located at 10801 W. Charleston Blvd, just adjacent to Downtown Summerlin. The move was effective Aug. 7, 2017. The […]

What a year it has been! 2015 has been one for the books for me, personally and professionally, and I’m excited to see what the future holds. Lessons in life are frequent and recurring; just when you think that you know and are prepared for life’s lemons, another lemon comes to find you. One […]

There’s so much information available about business development—books, seminars, personal coaching, online solutions, companies that business develop for you, and on and on. You’ve probably tried multiple things, with both successes and failures. Here are some thoughts in working with many, many companies and individuals in my 22 working years. Generally speaking, a diversified approach is best: […]

The Internet has dramatically changed the way businesses communicate with their target audiences. As new social networks continue to pop up, businesses must actively stay on top of their game to not be left in the dust. With this considered, businesses must recognize that the Internet is not a cover-all strategy; it is just as […]

Have you ever wondered what would be the benefit of hiring CIM Marketing Partners to manage your company’s marketing, messaging and PR? We are proud to say it’s our Results-Driven Marketing Process™ that sets us apart! Each year, we repeat six brand building and value-based steps, which ensure that we understand our clients’ companies and […]
Since early October, we’ve been actively building our clients’ 2015 strategic marketing plans. It’s quite a process, but one that is useful in so many ways. In this prior blog post, see some of the benefits of having an overall strategy and plan in place for the entire upcoming year. When our team dives in […]

Silly question; of course, you’re busy. Most of our clients come to us looking for marketing partners that can elevate the visibility of their business, allowing us to take daily marketing tasks off of their plates. We understand exactly how important your time is. We also know how important personal touches can be to further […]
You’re probably already feeling swooped up in the rush of planning for all that the last two months of the year will bring. Well, let’s add one or two more things to your Things to Do List, and take them off just as quickly. We’ll use the Who, What, When, Where and Why process. Who: Think […]
Summer’s gone. School has started. Cooler temps are on the way. Thanksgiving is around the corner. December will be all filled up with holiday activities. That makes now the perfect time to prepare for and lock in an effective 2015 strategic marketing plan and budget. What’s in it for you? By planning now, you’ll… Avoid entering the […]
My entire career has evolved around marketing and advertising, and I must say, I have produced, scripted and watched 100’s if not 1000’s of commercials; this is one of the very best I have ever seen! Before you watch it, let me explain why I think this is so well done. First, there are […]
As a full service marketing firm, CIM Marketing Partners has built our fair share of corporate websites. A question that always comes up in the planning process is, “Should we add a blog?” The answer? That depends on a few factors. Blogs die every day because of lack of commitment or passion, two integral factors […]
We see it every day: the revamp, refresh, reimagine or relaunch of movies and TV shows from 10, 20 and 30+ years ago. Oftentimes, these new versions are met with protests from a fan base unwilling to allow the update or alteration of the classic worlds and beloved characters the fans have come to know. […]
Do we need some PR? Someone asked me why she couldn’t find us on Facebook. I feel like we’re being left behind in social media. Should we do that sponsorship? Maybe we should do something. Maybe we need a plan. It’s time to move the dial on our business plan…wait, we haven’t updated “the plan” since 2009. […]
Committees. Depending on your experience with one, you may think they’re great, or maybe a total waste of time. In a nutshell, some get results, some don’t. Here’s the tale of two types of committees. Both are real examples spanning years. Marketing Committee #1: Twelve years ago, we met with a sizeable law firm’s marketing committee […]
In late June, Google announced that it would begin providing domain name registration services. This doesn’t seem like a big deal, but it will impact the big players like GoDaddy, Network Solutions and 1&1, to name a few. How so? Private registration will be included with the domain name registration fee. Big players currently charge […]
One valuable method of research is a focus group. While the purposes, processes and information collected varies per project, very generally, a focus group follows along these lines: A small group of specially-chosen people (perhaps 10) is assembled in a conference room to answer questions and have discussion about a company or organization and its […]
Every single day, we in the marketing and public relations field are inundated with “the next best thing,” the new opportunity, the new platform, the new service, the new best way to do whatever. Our job is to keep up with all the opportunities, educate and train ourselves to their potential benefits, drawbacks and costs, and […]
It’s everywhere. Articles, blogs, websites, service providers…all compelling businesses to “do” social media. Your competition is doing it. Maybe you’re doing it. I want to point out a parallel from yesteryear to what we’ve been experiencing in the last few years. Back in the 1990s, it was common for agencies to field these kinds of […]
Say, what? “Anyone can do marketing.” Yes, it’s true. Anyone can do marketing. The problem is, being able to “do it” doesn’t equate to being able to do it well. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve met with a prospective client and had an exchange like this: “Historically, what have you done from a […]
You have been limping along and trying to do marketing and public relations in house with little to no results? There are 5 CIMple considerations in looking for and hiring an outsourced marketing or public relations agency: Does the agency you are considering have experience marketing for the service or product area you and your company focus on? If […]