Arkitip = Yummy

I just received my latest copy of art / design magazine Arkitip. With the latest issue my renewal of subsciption form was enclosed. Opening every issue is like Christmas. As well as a beautifully designed magazine, each issue contains a free gift. I've had t-shirts, viewmasters, driving gloves, a tote bag and this month a 7" inch. The sheer joy of opening each issue is making it hard for me to not resubscribe - despite the dropping NZ dollar.

Google Rallynz?

I've been intrigued by this campaign that I assume has been run by Rally New Zealand. Instead of the conventional URL on a poster, they ask you to Google Rallynz. I would love to hear the strategic rationale behind the campaign. Whatever their intention I've definitely found it has made me think.

Crackerjacks, Freedom from 9 to 5

The Whisper Shop have had a major client project in incubation for a little while now, but the egg has finally hatched. Last Thursday we launched Crackerjacks.

Crackerjacks is New Zealand's marketplace for contractors. Up until now, someone else has always dictated when and where you work. But not any more. Crackerjacks' contractors have a lot more control over how they spend their time. As a contractor you decide when you work, who you work for and how much you want to earn, and with Crackerjacks now it can all be managed at your fingertips.

If you're one of the New Zealanders crying out for more leave and greater flexibility of working hours, contracting is a great way for you to achieve that all important work/life balance, allowing you to own your own time. Contracting gives you the freedom of being your own boss, minus the responsibility of running a business. It allows you to do what you like with a Monday, mould a Friday to suit yourself and you get to choose what you're going to do with your own December. It's completely up to you. As a Crackerjacks contractor you get to pick and choose how you spend your time, and most importantly, you are in control of your own life. It's the contemporary way to approach your career.

Crackerjacks is for people of any vocation, is great for mum's returning to the workforce, people who are studying part-time, older people who aren't quite ready to retire yet and of course people who want to make more money and want greater flexibility in their working style. And of course, since we're going to build the most comprehensive collection of contractors in NZ, if your business needs to hire a contractor - you now know where to look. We believe we are offering businesses the most cost effective and user friendly offering in the market.

Spend your life wisely, become a contractor. check out www.crackerjacks.co.nz and become a fan on Facebook

T-Shirts for Alter Ego Post

A series of T-shirts designed by our Creative Director Angela Bonfiglio for Canadian post-production company Alter Ego in Toronto.

The Whisper Shop ... in pictures. Part2

The Whisper Shop ... in pictures. Part1

The limitations of marketing

Here's a great little story by a friend of mine. He talks about how he finds an amazingly packaged beer with a great story, that unfortunately can't live up to its own hype.

Great packaging, great advertising, gorgeous design, clever marketing ... these things can only get you so far. They get people to talk about you, they make potential customers become aware you exist, and they can even generate trial. But for a successful BRAND, there must be more than trial. Repetition of purchase is fundamental to business success, and repetition will not happen without a quality product.

In cases like Eric tells in his story, when the quality is largely determined by the nebulous benchmark called "taste" there are numerous examples of brands that defy my thesis. Stella Artois, I am told, consistently wins the award for the worst tasting beer in Europe, and closer to home I am continually astounded by peoples love for a particular market leading brand of espresso (who shall not be named). In these cases "tasting good" is often a euphemism for "what I am used too."

However if we examine an industry such as hotels, you can tell everybody how wonderful you are, but if your front of house service is sub-par, customers won't come back. If a brand of footwear falls to bits, they won't be purchased again. If you are a seeking a repair for a laptop bag, and the retailer makes it hard to get that repair, you'll definitely think twice next time you consider purchasing from the store.

It's because of this that companies need to have a more holistic view of the idea of BRAND. Despite what the design comapnies might tell you "branding" is not your colours, your logo or even your tagline - brand is the totality of a persons experience with you. It's the way you deal with complaints, its the way your answer the phone, it's the music playing in your store, it's the handwritten thank you card that come when they resubscribe to your magazine. These are the types of things that determine repeat customers

Go Skateboarding Day!

Yip, it's official. Today is Go Skateboarding Day. Even if you haven't been skateboarding since you were 14, c'mon, get out and give it a go ... but you'll probably need to pop down to your local skateshop and pick up a pair of DC's first. (Sorry about the shameless client plug!)

Quote of the day

"42.7% of statistics are made up on the spot"

Introducing Onto-it

Onto-it is an Information Communications Technology system for farmers who want to monitor and improve their farm’s performance.

The Onto-it Farm system provides key info about your farm, at your finger tips, whenever you want it, wherever you are. The Whisper Shop have worked with Onto-it to develop a range of corporate videos, designed and built their website, developed their print collateral, created a PR strategy, and if you are popping down the Fieldays next week, check out their stand that we helped design.