So much of what we do in the creative industry is about relationships. Emails, calls, meetings, time in the trenches together—these are all part of the balancing act to find a good groove between client and agency. And 2014 technology really does rule the day for this process – there are more ways than ever … Continue reading Holy Hamburger, Batman.
We get asked all the time (you probably do too) what we look for when we’re hiring an addition to our team. There are a million ways to answer it, depending on your vertical, your company’s aspirations, the skill sets you’re hoping to add to the team. But it always comes back to one fundamental, … Continue reading Boss-y-pants
A few months ago, an email went around a company* with the following subject line: Talk more, email less. What followed was a short, honest plea for the agency’s staff to do just that—as a shop of less than 20, it was just as easy to stand in the middle of the room and talk … Continue reading Human Matters
I don’t know much about classical composition. But I’ve learned a few things in the past couple years. First, classical composition is surprisingly similar to the process of developing a new digital platform—so says this digital director—especially when it’s done for the talented graduate students and faculty at the Yale School of Music. It’s challenging, … Continue reading Music, Schooled – Learning from digital development
It doesn’t matter how big your business is, or what kind of company you run. Whether we’re talking about a local taco truck, a national engineering firm, or a global consulting organization, it’s important to treat your business like a brand.
My father John T. Scott III, my partner Kristen Briner and I opened our agency 13 years ago. It’s hard to imagine that our great great grand children could one day be running the shop. It’s even harder to imagine what the world will be like in 140 years. These thoughts struck me as I … Continue reading 150 Years of Community
Why do you do what you do? Yes, you. You over there making stuff. Sure, you have to pay the bills. But, really, if you’re doing something in this making-stuff field (aka creative services) chances are good it’s because you want to make something GOOD. So how do you judge whether your own work is … Continue reading The Inspire or Expire Rules
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram, Tumblr, and on, and on. There are countless social platforms for clients and brands to consider, when marketing services and products, sharing content, building communities, and driving sales. Jumping into the circus of social media is not to be taken lightly. When it’s done well, it looks spontaneous and maybe … Continue reading Keep Your Brand From Being Socially Awkward
Dear Google, Thanks so much for releasing your new maps app in time for the big night. As you can imagine, my business was the hardest hit by the whole Apple maps debacle. Fortunately for us, and for the millions of kids on the nice list, you released your iPhone-friendly mapping application just in time. … Continue reading Santa Uses Google Maps
We’ve got amazing clients. Among them is our oldest, and long-time favorite, Sting-Kill. This little bee sting analgesic that could, has seen the landscape of marketing and sales tactics change drastically over the course of our almost 14 years together. When we started, it was print ads in Outside Magazine, and direct mail drops. Soon … Continue reading Creating a bit of a buzz
It’s official. We’re very proud to welcome a special somebody to the Madison|Mott family: Brian Grabell, whose creative merits and personal charm are the stuff of legend, has fallen from the designy blue sky, into our studio. The current President of the CADC (Connecticut Art Director’s Club), Brian came to us an already-accomplished and decorated … Continue reading Nobody Works Here
In May of 2006, a young man by the name of Michael Barnes joined our shop. He brought with him an embossed diploma from Salve Regina, a zippy can-do attitude, a modest background in graphic design, and a low-level food fetish. Fast forward 6 years, hundreds of projects, a boatload of happy clients, enamored and … Continue reading 6 Bronze Years
As I look out from my desk, down the sunlit hallway of our new Westport office, I can’t help but feel like we’re “home.” I grew up on Bridge Street, just over the Saugatuck river. I started washing dishes at Mario’s, as a Bedford 8th grader. I later bagged groceries at Peter’s Market, bussed tables … Continue reading Honey, We’re Home!
I received this email today, and am still flabbergasted. Maybe it got stuck in my spam filter, for ten years? — Dear Luke, Can you point me to the person in your company who would manage your fax communications or networking? I would like to forward some info about our fax solution to eliminate lost … Continue reading Fax Back to the Future
One of the biggest challenges we’ve faced as marketers over the course of the past decade, other than seeing our business change completely, is the best way to connect online and offline efforts. In many cases, digital assets and advertising need to drive traffic to brick and mortar stores, or conversely, local and large print … Continue reading Paperboy Finds a Shortcut Around QR Codes
I built my first website in 1997, using “Beyond Press” extensions for Quark Express, which basically exported enormous images of the designs, and enough HTML code to render pixelated versions for the internet. I uploaded the site using the paper-thin connection of a 14.4 kbps modem, and then fired up AOL and emailed the four … Continue reading Celebrating Thirteen Golden Years
![Motivating Marsupials - the [ yellow tail ] digital](http://m.architect.madisonmott.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/marquee-5.jpg)
Back in high-school, my misguided but entrepreneurial friends used to plow through packs and cartons of Marlboros, in an effort to earn points for things like baseball caps, duffel bags, and leather jackets. The best part, was the reconnaissance necessary to pick off the UPS boxes before a parent unearthed the carcinogenic swag, and the … Continue reading Motivating Marsupials – the [ yellow tail ] digital “roowards” platform
It seems slightly outlandish. Can a company own a color? According to the UK Intellectual Property office, the answer is yes. Pantone 2865C is unique enough to receive trademark protection, on behalf of Cadbury. The deeper I dug, the more I realized we are surrounded by corporate-owned colors: Tiffany’s blue, certain shades of McDonald’s red … Continue reading Trademarking Color
Moving on up, to the other side of Millennial minions, past the hipster bear traps of Williamsburg, to the center of it all. Welcome to Hobnopolis, a 21 and over playground for those with actual taste in music, the arts, and of course, wine: http://hobnobwines.com Our new website for HobNob Wines illustrates, quite literally, the … Continue reading Hobnopolis