G/L Client Branson Convention Center Featured in Magazine Article

Geile/Leon Marketing Communications

G/L Client Branson Convention Center Featured in Magazine Article

As the Branson Convention Center, a client of St. Louis PR Agency Geile/Leon, prepares to welcome some 4,000 ladies to the Phil Waldrep Ministries’ Women of Joy Conference, check out this terrific article in the latest Rejuvenate magazine www.rejuvenatemeetings.com/2011/04/27/come-together/ on how to plan for city-wide religious meetings. G/L worked with the publication’s editor on the story, which resulted in an outstanding placement for the convention center and BCC Assistant General Manager, Bill Tirone, who is quoted often.

Oh, and welcome Women of Joy to the Ozarks, and best wishes for a wonderful conference!

Ozzie Steps Up for Dining Out For Life

Geile/Leon Marketing Communications

Ozzie Steps Up for Dining Out For Life

John O’Connor, Account Manage for Geile/Leon Marketing Communications, a St. Louis PR Agency, spent the morning escorting St. Louis Cardinal Hall-of-Famer Ozzie Smith on several media interviews. For the 10th straight year, Ozzie is Honorary Chairperson for the annual Dining Out For Life event, which takes place Thursday, April 28. More than 130 area restaurants will donate some or all of their sales that day to Saint Louis Effort for AIDS, the area’s oldest AIDS service organization.

In addition, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay presented a proclamation to Saint Louis Effort for AIDS naming Thursday, April 28, “Dining Out For Life Day in St. Louis.”

In the photo, from left to right, Dawn Thornton, Geile/Leon Marketing Communications, Mayor Francis Slay, City of St. Louis, Kathy Leonard, VP, Public Relations, Geile/Leon Public Relations, Matthew Palmer, Director Development and Operations, Saint Louis Effort for AIDS, Ozzie Smith, Honorary Chairperson, Dining Out For Life.

QR Codes: Friend or Foe?

Geile/Leon Marketing Communications

QR Codes: Friend or Foe?

Way back in 2007 I attended a conference in Houston. The topic was consumer engagement, and I met Tim Williams, who is an author and partner of Ignition Consulting group. In his presentation, Tim kept talking about QR, or Quick Read, codes. They were all the rage in Asia and Europe and could be found on billboards, print ads and mass transit stations. A user scans these little 2D barcodes with their mobile phone and then they’re directed to really cool web content – videos, coupons, etc. I was so excited to take this idea back to the agency, do more research and pitch an idea to a client. On the flight back to St. Louis my head was swirling with ideas and applications for my clients. I have yet to sell a QR idea.

I digress. This post is not about my enthusiasm for QR codes. It’s to educate. Like all “new” technology, marketers and advertising agency folk have the responsibility to understand the application of the technology for their brand strategy and marketing communication goals. Remember, Facebook is not for everyone, neither is broadcast TV or print advertising.

 

The Pros

QR codes can be effective tools to push new content and create unique experiences for customers. Done correctly, a QR code can do wonders for brand engagement. Take Macy’s for example – they have really jumped on the QR code bus, devoting national TV spots to inform customers on how to use these little codes to unlock designer’s secrets from Tommy Hilfiger and Bobbi Brown. Macy’s also developed a lot of content to support the use of a QR code – key when you actually care about the consumer and not just pushing your next big promotion. Macy’s Campaign

The Cons

For all of their benefits, QR codes pose a lot of challenges. First, people don’t “get” them. Without some sort of tutorial, your customers might not know what to do with this 2D code. And even if your customer knows what to do with them, they might not have a QR reader installed on their phone. Or the reader they have installed doesn’t work with that code. But let’s say your customers “get” QR codes. And when they scan your code and are directed to your content the experience is bad — the website isn’t optimized for mobile use, or there isn’t a unique call to action. They walk away with a bad taste in their mouth and are less likely to scan another QR code.

Are they here to stay?

If you do a Google search on QR codes, you’ll see the jury is definitely still out on their longevity. But, done correctly and within a context that fits with your brand strategy, QR codes work.

Don’t have a reader? Text 2DGO to 368674 with your smartphone and you’ll be provided with a number of 2D barcode readers that work with your phone.

 

I’m on a deck!

Geile/Leon Marketing Communications

I’m on a deck!

What could possibly be better than enjoying the Clayton skyline from the new rooftop patio of the G/L office? Short answer: nothing, or maybe having a cold brew in hand. Regardless, this new patio is going to be perfect for afternoon brainstorms or casual client meetings. Is it a crime to get a slight tan while finishing up your timesheet or writing eloquent copy for a website? No, it’s not a crime, not even a misdemeanor. We might even do a little pre-work day yoga every now and then. So put on your “flippy floppies”, grab a cold drink, and swing by for a little rooftop fun. Ad agencies in St. Louis are known for having cool and creative spaces. We just stepped up our game, like 8 stories above street level up.

 

How to write a blog that someone will actually read

Geile/Leon Marketing Communications

How to write a blog that someone will actually read

It’s common knowledge that the blogging craze has spread like Bieber Fever across the world wide web. You can find blogs on literally every subject known to mankind. You can even find blogs on writing blogs -this particular post, for instance. But what is the secret to getting people, your target audience in particular, to read and engage with your blog? Well G/L, a St. Louis ad agency, is about to bring your blog up to speed.

Step 1: Know Your Audience

Understanding the audience you’re blogging to will exponentially help your tone, content selection and style. You want to blog about information that is new and interesting to them. If you’re blogging about your passion for TV hit, M.A.S.H., your audience may be slightly older and male skewed, so include phrasing and content that is relevant to them.

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G/L Client Puts Money in “The Closet” For Worthy Cause

Geile/Leon Marketing Communications

G/L Client Puts Money in “The Closet” For Worthy Cause

Geile/Leon, a St. Louis PR company , is happy to announce that one of our clients, Heartland Bank, has donated $2,500 to the National Council of Jewish Women’s Kids Community Closet program. The program delivers new clothing to children in crisis or emergency situations, right to their school. Closets are in place within several St. Louis City and County elementary schools.

Pictured from left to right:

David Minton, President and CEO, Heartland Bank

 

Debi Feit, Co-Chair, Kids Community Closet

 

Ilene Ordower, Co-Chair, Kids Community Closet

 

Sherri Goldman, Co-Vice President, Community Service

 

Ellen Alper, Executive Director

 

Marlene Hammerman, National Board Member

Branson Convention Center “Tending Big Flocks”

Geile/Leon Marketing Communications

Branson Convention Center “Tending Big Flocks”

Geile/Leon, a St. Louis Public Relations agency , is pleased to announce a terrific media placement for one of our clients, the Branson Convention Center. A very nice piece in the new Small Market Meetings magazine, on the religious meetings market, and how the Branson Convention Center is gaining a solid reputation as a leader in this space.

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