…By Amina AlTai “Our brains are rewiring themselves because of multi-tasking, so the new younger generation are in fact more able to multi-task than older generations. This isn’t because they have trained themselves to do it, it’s because the brain is literally redesigning itself around the fact they are multi-tasking from birth.” –Martin Lindstrom Consumers’ attention spans are getting shorter and multi-tasking through several media outlets at once is pervasive to say the least.  Nowadays, over 60% of consumers watching TV with their phone or Ipads in hand, while surfing… read the rest of the article »

We’ve had countless clients over the years come to us with horror stories of huge price tags and tremendous inefficiency from other agencies.  While some agencies might be a mismatch for your particular need, others can be plain unethical.  Here is a short list of ways to get the most out of your agency and make sure they are spending your money wisely. Do your homework and make sure they are a good fit. Read reviews and testimonials of your agency.  Ask to speak with a few references and make… read the rest of the article »

…By Amina AlTai Halloween is one of my least favorite holidays.  I know this is a controversial statement, especially in New York, where the parade runs rampant and otherwise sensible adults cast their inhibitions to the wind to don fairy wings and bathing suites on a chilly October afternoon.  However, it’s even more controversial when you consider that this holiday is second only to Christmas in terms of its marketing potential and consumer spend. Of all the candy sold annually, ¼ of it is sold during the Halloween season (sidebar…I… read the rest of the article »

…By Amina AlTai Want to be the next Dieline Award winner of 2012?  Well, here are a few sure fire ways to make sure your packaging hits it big and doesn’t make it onto the worst dressed list. Do be consistent:  I know you’ve heard me say this before, but it is a really important point to drive home.  In my blog post Brand Consistency is Key, Just Ask Your Brain, I discussed the human brains love of patterns.  The brain uses patterns as a coping mechanism to handle the… read the rest of the article »

Beneful dog food, a Nestle Purina company, has pushed the envelope and taken TV advertising to new heights with its recently launched commercial that communicates directly with canines. The 24-second spot produces two high frequency sounds virtually imperceptible to human ear, but clearly audible to a dog’s. The idea is to send favorable signals to pets that would attract them to the commercial and in turn, influence their owners to purchase the food, as their pet demonstrates a keen interest in the brand. While the innovation factor is clear and… read the rest of the article »