We just completed the analysis on click-thru performance on a series of 20-second online commercials for a B2B client vs. static display ads. The results were enough for the client to order up to 20 more online commercials. The analysis showed a 3X improvement on click thru rates (CTR). – continue

Celebrating a familiar comfort food with a unique twist is behind an advertising campaign we’ve recently launched for Pal’s Toasted Cheese sandwich. It’s comfort food that takes grilled cheese to a whole new level.

The 24-unit regional chain serving Tennessee and Southwest Virginia is best known for its Big Pal hamburger, hot dog and 32-ounce Big Tea. Yet, its popular Toasted Cheese sandwich had never been the focus of an advertising campaign by the 57-year-old restaurant. – continue

Our firm is heavily involved in the science of successful marketing. That is why I attended a presentation by a e-mail marketing service provider recently in Jackson.MS. Here are just a few of the facts I think are important in understanding the dynamics of successful campaigns: – continue

We solved a a frequent dilemma recently when a regional brand wanted to demonstrate its support of new distribution via Wal-Mart. Here was the challenge. This food manufacturer’s distribution footprint was basically only the Mid-Atlantic region. They had just earned a significantly broader distribution into Wal-Mart Distribution Centers (DC) that deliver products to Wal-Mart SuperCenters within a 250-mile radius. On a limited budget how do you educate consumers about the value of your product in new markets and drive them to Wal-Marts carrying their products (and hopefully to other supermarkets in the area that currently don’t carry their products)? – continue

I know that every red blooded American over the age of 55 has his or her own theory on who killed JFK. It was the seminal moment in the lives of our generation so forgive me  on my impressions on my visit to Dealey Plaza in Dallas. – continue

There is an art and a science to packaging. The greatest test of its failure or success is in the supermarket.

We’ve just completed a project for Nice Blends. This North Carolina company has just launched Texas Pete® Sweet Potato Fries that combines the goodness of North Carolina sweet potatoes and the spiciness of a great North Carolina hot sauce. The challenge for this project was to make the package design, destined for the freezer case, to stand out from the competition and clearly state what makes these fries different at just a glance. – continue

I traveled to Dallas recently to make preparations for another first in foodservice. This time it will be a cook-off challenge involving chefs from some of America’s top restaurant chains.

This will be much more than a recipe contest. It will be a three-hour blow out of big time chefs faced with the challenge of using a box full of ingredients to craft a creation that will blow the minds of their judges. Yes, you’ve seen this before on Food TV but it has never been done inside the community of big time chains. We will keep you posted on the elements of creating a first in foodservice as we move toward this extraordinary event that will generate more buzz for one of our foodservice clients.

Yes, it is a bit like herding cats when it comes to aligning two brand strategies together but it can be done. We’re doing it again for two brands looking to generate sales lift within the growing Cash-N-Carry (CnC) segment.

CnC’s have grown significantly over the past five years. Driven by the last recession, CnC’s, such as Sam’s Club, COSTCO and Restaurant Depot are now players in reaching small businesses. For this assignment, the targets are small restaurants, churches, caterers, and food truck operators who, for a variety of reasons prefer to purchase their food and paper goods from a CnC instead of a regular food distributor. – continue

(Johnson City, Tenn.) – Creative Energy announces two of its employees have been nominated to serve on two area charitable boards. Account Executive Lori Rae DeVoti will serve on the board of directors for the Johnson City Symphony, and Public Relations Director Karen Jenkins will serve on the board of directors for the Tri-Cities Chapter of CASA.  Both women were chosen for their marketing expertise and commitment to bettering our community.

DeVoti is a Johnson City Morning Rotary member and says the belief of “Service Before Self” has inspired her to seek out an organization with which to partner in the area. “One of the things I hope to do is create relationships with area schools and the symphony similar to some projects I’ve spearheaded here at Creative Energy,” DeVoti says. “We’ve discovered cross-promotions are a win/win opportunity for all involved and I’m excited to bring my skills to the table for the Symphony.”

Jenkins says she’s honored to work with such a worthwhile organization such as CASA. “I’m hoping to be able to bring more media exposure as to who CASA is, and what it does,” says Jenkins. “CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates. So these are volunteers who, after training, work with children who are involved in our court system from abuse, neglect or custody issues, etc., to make sure each child has an advocate looking out for his or her best interest.”

DeVoti has been with Creative Energy for nine years and handles account services for several clients including Roadrunner Markets, Hospitality Mints, Rich’s Foodservice and Windsor Foods. Jenkins has been with Creative Energy for nearly five years and handles the agency’s Public Relations needs.

Creative Energy is a full-service advertising, marketing, social media and public relations firm with offices located in Johnson City and Asheville, N.C. To find out more about Creative Energy, find us at www.cenergy.com or www.facebook.com/creativenergy.

If you have been looking for a venue beyond You Tube for your online videos, get ready. Major publishers and TV networks are building new places to press play. Of the 39 billion content videos viewed online in December 2012, about 23% carried pre-roll video ads…that’s up from 14% in December 2011. Now, there will be more places to play. – continue