In 1974, recent college graduates Steve Ferreira and Matt Kehoe decided to trek across Asia. A few spins of a globe determined their destination, abruptly stopped by a fingertip.

More than fifty years after their odyssey began, Steve, the writer, and Matt, the photographer, created a detailed account of their journey, which they published as a 262-page hardcover book.

They enlisted the expertise of senior copywriter, editor, and word shepherd Jim Montgomery to assist with the final editing, design, layout, and production. Jim then brought me on board to oversee the book's design and production. We have collaborated on several projects in the past, covering a wide range of topics—from genome sequencers to traditionally crafted police badges that incorporate RFID chips.

Jim and I decided to print the book using the online publisher Blurb (blurb.com). I highly recommend them, but designers need to pay close attention to the process. Like many online services, it can be very challenging to find a real person to talk to, as you often have to rely on impersonal automation and robotic messaging.

We have delivered the final beautifully printed volumes to our two satisfied customers and celebrated with lunch at a local restaurant.

From a content perspective, I quickly noticed that Matt's photos appeared less frequently in the final chapters. Unfortunately, while short on cash, Matt had to sell his camera in Istanbul (as mentioned on page 237).

I have worked on numerous projects, but this one could be considered for my Hall of Fame. It was a pleasure to participate in it from beginning to end.

10. “YOU ARE ONLY AS STRONG AS YOUR WEAKEST LINK.” 

This common phrase links directly to Blackbeard and his crew. By hiring pirates with experience and steadfast loyalty to him, Blackbeard ensured that there would be no “weak spots” in his fleet. Blackbeard’s crew was highly trained and operated in an organized fashion. Each person held a position ranging from first mate to officer to deckhand. Much like today’s corporate environment, crew members would be promoted based on their actions, and higher positions in the crew received higher payments. This gave his crew the ability to excel and the motive to move up to profit more. Blackbeard’s crew also held a supreme allegiance to Blackbeard. Not once did any member of Blackbeard’s crew commit the act of mutiny or even question his rule. In fact, even after Blackbeard’s death, one of his pirates, a black man named Caesar, attempted to carry out one of Blackbeard’s final wishes. This was to blow up Lieutenant Maynard’s ship, “Adventure.” Unfortunately for him, he was caught and hung, as were all of Blackbeard’s crew in 1719.

It is often easy to get caught up in the moment. You may have your nose to the grindstone or–become too comfortable and forget to keep your eyes off the compass. A successful business requires constant monitoring and adjustment. Too much comfort quickly initiates chaos.

Take Aways

Blackbeard would have been far less successful without a strategy and would likely have been killed long before 1718. 

This is demonstrated when you analyze the success of other pirates of the time who simply attacked. Most pirates of the time lasted only a few months or retired quickly. This is because they needed a well-thought-out, strategic brand positioning plan. Most pirates would approach ships and try to take them over via firepower and force. This gives the victim ship more time to prepare for the fight and a higher chance of defeating the attacking pirate vessel or escaping. 

So, in mastering the art of trickery and deception, Blackbeard struck through wit and not brute force. He was able to attack when least expected and preserve ammunition as well as manpower. 

He kept his victims vulnerable and oblivious so that when Blackbeard raised the pirate flag and demanded surrender. They had no choice but to comply or to be attacked. Ironically, Maynard used Blackbeard’s own method of surprise attack to kill him. By striking while Blackbeard was partying and drunk with friends, Maynard caught him off guard and could easily win rather than risk defeat.

When harnessed, reputation can be used to passively conquer all. When reputation is spread, stories and legends follow. 

This creates indirect propaganda and a general feeling of terror that leaves victims with no choice but to comply. Blackbeard embraced the evil stories and devilish persona affiliated with himself. In fact, he used it as his weapon of choice. He created a superhuman appearance by dressing the part and doing uncanny things, such as lighting his hat and beard on fire. This terrified people and led them to do whatever he asked. He was treated like the god of the underworld because everyone feared that defying his requests and orders would lead to an ever-certain death. He was feared to the point where government officials refused to hunt him down for fear of their lives. He held a spot above the law because people dared not to question his power. This was all because he had created a consistent brand message and mastered the art of making a horror reputation, scaring everyone into compliance.

–Douglas & Foster Eymer

9. HEADS UP! 

Blackbeard was killed November 22, 1718, at the hands of Robert Maynard, “An experienced officer and a gentleman of great bravery and resolution, first lieutenant of HMS Pearl.” The governor of Virginia, Alexander Spotswood, a man with a strong hate for pirates, ordered Robert Maynard to hunt down Blackbeard and kill him. With a crew of 35 men armed with only small handguns and swords, they attacked Blackbeard and his crew while they were drinking with friends, catching them off guard and heavily intoxicated. After killing Blackbeard, Maynard severed his head and tied it to the bowsprit of his ship, thus ending Blackbeard’s reign of terror.

Take Away

It is often easy to get caught up in the moment. You may have your nose to the grindstone or–become too comfortable and forget to keep your eyes on the compass. A successful business requires constant monitoring and adjustment. Too much comfort quickly initiates chaos.

With Blackbeard’s death came the end of a period of complete control and dominance over the Caribbean. Blackbeard had mastered the art of being a pirate through three significant steps: 

• HE EQUIPPED HIMSELF WITH A WORLD-CLASS CREW

• HE CREATED A FOOLPROOF ATTACK METHOD

• HE MASTERED THE ART OF PROPAGANDA THROUGH WORD-OF-MOUTH ADVERTISING & SOCIAL NETWORKING 

Not only did he do these three things, but he was also cunning and clever, and he had the advantage of having been around boats and the ocean his entire life. He knew how to navigate his way out of jams and escape even against the most unfavorable odds. By combining these characteristics and tactics, Blackbeard became highly successful and may have been one of the first to master the power of reputation and instill fear in all.

8. AS THE BUSINESS CLIMATE CHANGES, DON’T BE AFRAID TO SWITCH SHIPS. 

Blackbeard was wanted from England to North America on the following accounts: piracy, theft, murder, blackmail, and extortion. Rewards for his head were posted everywhere, and complaints about his crimes rained everywhere in North America. Again and again, bounty hunters and military ships were sent after him, yet he was uncatchable. He could outsmart the best of the best. One escape involved intentionally beaching “Queen Anne’s Revenge” to create a distraction while Blackbeard and his crew slipped away in a smaller sloop. Word had it that “Queen Anne’s” revenge was becoming a burden for Blackbeard because it became too much of a household name to the point where it left him and his crew overly susceptible to being spotted and caught by a government ship. So, during the last of his pirating years, he sailed various sloops and ships unnamed to dodge the law. 

Take Away

Nothing lasts forever. Business runs in cycles. There are good times, bad times, and the times in between. Embrace change and always be prepared for it.

7. THROUGH SOCIAL NETWORKING AND WORD-OF-MOUTH ADVERTISING, CREATE A LEGENDARY BRAND IDENTITY THAT SPREADS LIKE A BEARD FIRE 

As word spread about Blackbeard and his crew, Blackbeard’s reputation became surreal. Blackbeard realized that if he could create an image that defied that of everyday life, he could scare some of his victims into compliance and establish an even more powerful reputation. He let his beard grow out to his chest, braiding the ends with red and black ribbons that would flutter in the wind. Blackbeard also began to wear a blood-red jacket that stretched from his knees to his neck. Over the coat, he wore a leather sash that held eight loaded pistols. The pirate stowed a long sword sheathed in a silver casing in his belt. For a hat, he wore a black 360-degree rimmed hat with long strings braided into it. When other ships approached, he would light these long strings so that from far away, it seemed as though his whole face was a ball of fire.

With news of his devilish persona came stories of cruelty and horror. One lady claimed that when she refused to give Blackbeard her golden ring, he sliced her finger clean to obtain the ring. Another story claims that Blackbeard told hostages that if their ransom were not met, he would personally hang each one of them. Luckily, they complied, and he did not hang anyone. Newspaper reports spread from England to Boston, listing Blackbeard’s numerous crimes and adding details to his unique character. 

Blackbeard’s strategies worked, and soon, news of him had spread from Jamaica to England to Boston. He was regularly featured in papers and was wanted worldwide for piracy. From 1716 to 1718, he routinely stopped ships all over the Atlantic. Although his actual plundering and whereabouts are unknown, he is said to have attacked at least 700 vessels. What is known for sure is that he did have homes in both Bath, North Carolina and Ocracoke Island. Here, he had a safe refuge from the law and a retreat from sea life. He had a safe shelter because the locals liked him because of the cheap goods he sold. This earned him a “get out of jail free card,” and he could move about freely.

Take Away

Be yourself. Be creative. Have fun. Repeat.

6. DEAD MEETINGS TELL NO TALES 

Blackbeard would leave the victim crew unharmed, assuming they remained cooperative. If the target ship refused to comply with the surrender, it would be bombarded by cannonballs to its hull, strategically placed only to immobilize the vessel and allow it to be seized through hostile boarding. If this happened, Blackbeard’s crew would slaughter without mercy. However, they would also intentionally leave a few survivors to spread the story through social networking and word-of-mouth advertising. 

This method of attack proved effective, never once failing Blackbeard. Stories of his hostile boarding also grew like wildfire to a point where no one dared not surrender. 

Take Away:

There are plenty of ways to “get the word out.” With the rapidly changing social media culture and the new tools emerging almost daily, word spreads quickly. Carefully craft your story and pass it along. There are multitudes of people listening!

5. DISTINGUISH YOUR SHIP WITH A DISTINCTIVE CORPORATE IDENTITY 

Once the other ship was within range of the cannons, Blackbeard would haul down the mock flag and hoist the “Jolly Roger.” The “Jolly Roger” is the name for a pirate flag. It was commonly composed of a white skull and cross bones on a black flag and was used by the majority of pirates. However, in his honor, Blackbeard used a different form of the “Jolly Roger,” known as the Edward Teach flag. The flag depicted a skeleton with horns piercing hearts while toasting to the Devil. After raising the pirate flag Blackbeard would then demand a surrender. If the ship surrendered, they would grapple the side of it with ropes and hooks and then board and loot it. 

Take Away:

Today’s business world is ripe for innovation and creativity. Imagine the attention and recognition your business could attract if it dared to be unique rather than just fitting in! 

This is not the time to be timid. Stand up! Be noticed!

4. AGGRESSIVELY SEEK OUT NEW BUSINESS THROUGH CLEAR AND CONCISE NAVIGATION. 

Blackbeard did not just attack ships at will. He had developed precise maneuvers that produced guaranteed results while using as little deadly force as possible. The first step in his attack was determining the nationality of the target ship. Once it was discovered, Blackbeard’s crew would raise an identical flag on their vessel and approach the boat on their weak side, posing as fellow countrymen making a friendly sail bye. (Something familiar ships would do to pass along news and supplies to other ships.) 

TAKE AWAY:

“When you’re up to your neck in alligators, it’s hard to think about draining the swamp.” When swamped, it is often difficult to think about finding more business. Although it may be uncomfortable, this is when you need to be cranking in the sales front. 

Stressful is the day when you wake up and realize that there is no new business on the horizon.

Tip Number Three:
GOLD AND JEWELRY ARE ROMANTIC TREASURES. STILL, EVERYDAY OBJECTS REACH A LARGER AUDIENCE, ARE EASIER TO MARKET, AND HARDER TO TRACE. 

Blackbeard began raiding and plundering numerous ships along the Eastern coast of America. He stole mainly grain, rum, molasses, ammunition, rope, and tools, contradicting the common belief that he was after riches such as gold and silver.

When he had such supplies, he would bring them to local markets, including one in Bath, NC. Here, Blackbeard would sell the items well below market price to make quick money. It paid off for him, and the market residents loved the cheap prices. Choosing to ignore the possible deadly means by which they were acquired, though.

Take Away Tip Number Three:

From a swashbuckler’s point of view, ‘making the big move’ is brimming with romance. However, piecing together a series of small moves can lead to more rewarding and longer-term results–from both financial and strategic perspectives. Don’t be afraid to think small first and then go BIG!

By Douglas & Foster Eymer

TIP NUMBER TWO:
SEIZE THE BEST EQUIPMENT. HIRE AN EXCEPTIONAL CREW. 

Blackbeard spent little time establishing himself as an independent pirate. He quickly seized the French merchant ship “Le Concorde” which was headed for Virginia in 1716. The boat became his pride and joy. He named it “Queen Anne’s Revenge,” equipped her with 40 cannons, and recruited a crew of 200 men. With a cutting-edge ship and highly experienced crew, Blackbeard was ready for action. It is unknown why Blackbeard named his ship “Queen Anne’s Revenge.” Still, it would make sense to say that it had something to do with his past allegiance to the Queen during his privateering career. 

Take Away Tip Number Two:

Having the right crew is invaluable. We see it all the time with professional sports teams. Talent means nothing–without superb team chemistry. Acquiring the best quality tools possible will only strengthen the results.

Yes!

These times are tough. Work is difficult to find. Robots, barcode readers, and automated telephonic devices have invaded and are now occupying every moment of our lives. 

Creativity and innovation indexes are dipping to all-time lows. That could say we are all stumbling around without that old ‘skip in our step’– as if we had a wooden leg. 

Ahoy! 

It is time to put down your mild-mannered business ways in times like these. It is time to embrace your inner pirate. You are Blackbeard, a swashbuckling entrepreneur of epic proportions! Break through the beige cubicle of contemporary thought. Make your own rules and succeed! 

It worked for Blackbeard. Now, make it work for you!

Nearly everyone has heard the tales of the merciless and bloodthirsty pirate Blackbeard. However, few know that this man, known for seemingly mindless attacks and killings, was actually a marketing genius who employed consistent brand strategy, persistent social networking, and relentless word-of-mouth advertising in his reign of terror over the 18th-century Caribbean.

TIP NUMBER ONE:
EXPERTISE. EXPERTISE. EXPERTISE.
STICK TO WHAT YOU KNOW. 

Blackbeard was born in 1680, either in Bristol, England or on the British-controlled Caribbean island of Jamaica. He was born to a relatively wealthy upper-middle-class family and was given the birth name Edward Teach. Although it is not known for sure where he was born, it is known that Blackbeard grew up in Jamaica. At the time, Jamaica was a British-controlled colony and a hub for the privateering business. So, it is believed that Blackbeard’s parents wanted him to take up that career. 

A privateer is “A private person or ship authorized by a government by letters of marque to attack foreign shipping during wartime.” During Blackbeard’s childhood, England was entwined in the Wars of Spanish Succession and Queen Anne’s War. (The Wars of Spanish Succession concerned who was the rightful heir to the throne of Spain. Queen Anne’s War was fought in North America and concerned the ownership of colonies among European nations.) Queen Anne established privateers to keep a handle on the exports and imports of foreign goods. She gave them the mission of intercepting enemy supply ships. Blackbeard is believed to have served on one of these ships as a deckhand as a young boy. Therefore, from an early age, he became accustomed to the pirate life in an environment above the law and free from punishment.

England was at peace after several years of privateering, and the occupation’s demand had diminished. Yet, Blackbeard was far from retired. He had made it his mission to live the life of a pirate, no matter what the cost. In 1716, he officially joined the crew of the infamous pirate Benjamin Hornigold. With his experience and know-how, he quickly rose through the ranks and was soon in command of his own ship in Hornigold’s fleet. While serving with this fleet, Blackbeard got his first taste of piracy. Learning the trade under Hornigold’s wing as first mate, Blackbeard seized numerous cargoes, including one containing over 120 barrels of flour. The two remained together until Hornigold died in 1719, leaving Blackbeard on his own.

Take Away:

When things are not going as well as expected, your initial response might be to try something completely different—in nautical terms, jump ship. Patience is the key. Rather than making drastic changes, tweak your approach and carefully monitor the results. Equity gained through education and hard work is precious cargo. Starting over completely is always an option–but only after everything else has failed.

By Douglas & Foster Eymer

Ask any former toll booth operator or retired grocery store checkout person if the fear of a robot invasion is justified, and they will most definitely say YES! It's a fact that technology continues to edge closer and closer to territories traditionally dominated by humans. As professionals in marketing and design, we must adapt to these changes to stay relevant and competitive.

As a marketing communications strategist and graphic designer, I've learned to keep my cool in the face of technological hiccups. This ability to stay calm and collected is crucial in maintaining focus and problem-solving abilities.

Here are my four Greatest Tips:

1. Keep an eye on technology and constantly search for ways to improve your processes. This is not to be confused with cutting corners; it is all about working smarter. Allow technology to handle the mundane tasks and save your human energy for creativity.

2. Embrace technology and become technologically savvy. In my experience, computers usually crash during critical project steps and well after midnight. Printers and projectors wait until just minutes before a major presentation before imploding. Know your machines enough to get them back up and running.

3. When your presentation is dependent on a projector, bring an extra bulb and, to be totally safe, enough printed copies for audience distribution.

4. Always wear socks to a crucial in-person meeting. If the power goes out, you can always use them as puppets.

When all else fails, breathe!

What do these four 'creative geniuses' Socrates, Nikola Tesla, Vincent Van Gogh, and Herman Melville have in common? Despite their innovative thinking, they all faced severe financial challenges during their lifetime.

As a creative person, using your "gift" and building a successful and life-sustaining career is often a counterintuitive challenge.

Creativity in business is not about you. Clients are not paying for your self-expression. If this is your thought, you may want to look into the fine arts field. It's all about them, their customers, and their potential buyers. They want you to sell their services and products, relieve their pain, and help them make money.

You may be the world's next creative genius, but from a business standpoint, people must embrace 'your personal brand.' Your personal brand is how you present yourself to the world, and it's crucial in the business world. Despite what your peers think, senior decision-makers may find facial piercings or neck tattoos too troubling to see past. Your brand should reflect your creativity and professionalism while being acceptable in a business context.

From the moment you walk into an organization, prove that you can make yourself useful immediately. Prioritize the company's needs above your professional desires. Unfortunately, for those starting a creative business career, this may mean making coffee, sweeping floors, or handling the reception desk. Eventually, you will be rewarded for your efforts; if not, it may be time to move on.

Always keep your eyes open for the next opportunity; after all, every creative job has an expiration date. Know that at some point during your creative business career, through either your desire or necessity, you will have the opportunity to strike out on your own as either a freelancer or entrepreneur. To identify these opportunities, stay updated on industry trends, network with professionals in your field, and proactively seek out new projects or roles.

Extraordinary events that rocked the Creative Business forever.

1. 1987: The Macintosh computer entered the creative studio

2. 1991: The World Wide Web caught fire

So, what's the real significance of these events?

• Methodologies developed over hundreds of years are no longer relevant.

• "New Rules" for conducting business are constantly being introduced.

• "Handwork" has been transferred to technology that, despite being faster, is often untested.

• The compression of production schedules leaves little time for thoughtful consideration.

• Senior professionals must either adapt to this new mindset or leave the profession.

• The consolidation of specifically designated roles has heaped more responsibility on the designer.

• Technologists have often led creative end-product generation and ignited in-house power struggles between themselves and the creative team.

What are some of the causes?

• Assertive hi-tech marketing has promised instant gratification to clients eager to shorten the creative process and save money.

• This same messaging has convinced many businesses that they can bypass creative professionals in favor of DIY processes.

• Marketing, sales, and collateral materials no longer have an extended shelf life. It is now possible to quickly churn out half-baked ideas, throw them against the wall, and see what sticks.

The first victim?

Quality.

The Good Sport (www.goodsportstore.com) is a local sporting goods retailer in Cohasset, MA. The brick-and-mortar, family-run store has served the local community for over 50 years.

In mid-September, many surrounding communities begin their Saturday fall youth soccer programs. As parents arise for the first day of soccer, many quickly realize that last year's cleats no longer fit and one of the shin guards is MIA (and was probably eaten by the family's Golden Retriever). In most cases, this day will be incredibly hectic but very profitable for The Good Sport.

The Problem:

However, at least two parental customer groups will initially not visit the local store. The first group immediately travels to a "Big Box" store, where they find low inventory, no one to help them find the correct fit, and unreasonably high pricing.

The second group elects to shop online. They find the style they want and guess the proper size. The order is delayed, arriving two days late, and the cleats are two sizes too big!

Our Solution:

This online advertisement was designed to halt the cleats shopper immediately, describe the two problems, and convince them to visit The Good Sport. It reinforces the fact that there is plenty of inventory and experienced sales staff to ensure proper fit and quality, reasonably priced products.

In 1999, as the world braced for the Y2K bug, Eymer Design embarked on a thrilling adventure in self-promotion. We reimagined the term 'armageddon' as 'EYMERgeddon, 'and our tagline became "Your design firm to the end of the world and beyond," a testament to our innovative spirit and unconventional thinking.

Since our founding in 1989, we have determined that slightly offbeat humor is the best way to stand out among our competitors. Rather than hand out cheesy coffee mugs with our logo, we sent out SKYMASTER 2000 Commuter Mugs. Our promotional sweatshirts became part of "The Human Billboard" campaign. For EYMERgeddon, we initially produced top-quality baseball hats with our flaming skull design embroidered on the front and our company name on the back. We aimed to design something incredibly cool so that when a company friend stood in line at a coffee shop, other customers would ask, "Where did you get that?"

So when some companies hand out t-shirts that quickly become car-washing rags, our goal has always been to promote ourselves with objects people want to wear outside the office.

The success of the EYMERgeddon campaign led to the expansion of our product line. From belts to dog collars, leashes, and even flip-flops, our unique designs have seamlessly integrated into people's everyday lives. For many years, the hula skull, an immediate offshoot, adorned our 15-foot company skiff christened The EYMERgeddon, a testament to our ability to adapt and evolve our self-promotion strategies.

In the twenty-five years since the earth's near-miss, we have continued this self-promotion policy, attracting many of our best and favorite clientele, proving that a bit of laughter is still the best medicine.

In today's ever-evolving design and marketing world, it's crucial to demonstrate a brainstormed concept effectively. A quick marker sketch just doesn't cut it anymore. This is where Sticker Mule comes in. A few years ago, a fellow designer recommended Sticker Mule to me, and it has since become an invaluable asset to our design and marketing company, EYMER BRAND Laboratories + Think Tank.

Sticker Mule offers a wide range of products, including custom stickers, magnets, buttons, labels, t-shirts, packaging, and promotional items. They use top-notch materials and printing techniques, ensuring your work looks vibrant and professional and leaves a lasting impression on your audience.

Sticker Mule's platform is designed with user-friendliness in mind, making the design process a breeze. You can effortlessly upload your designs, select your product options, and preview your items before placing an order. This straightforwardness is a significant advantage for marketing teams, enabling them to swiftly create high-quality promotional materials without the hassle of complicated design software.

Sticker Mule is not just about quality but also about efficiency. They offer fast turnaround times and reliable shipping options, making them a trustworthy choice when preparing for a trade show, product launch, or marketing campaign. Their competitive pricing, bulk order discounts, and frequent promotions help reduce costs, allowing you to stretch your marketing budget. Moreover, they offer eco-friendly products, showing a commitment to sustainability that resonates well with eco-conscious customers.

Whether you're a small startup or a large marketing agency, Sticker Mule can be the secret weapon that propels your clients' brands to new heights.

Please visit the Sticker Mule website. You will be happy that you did so!

Continuing our fifteen-year collaborative partnership with Andover Newton Theological School (now permanently affiliated with Yale University), we recently completed the school's third online annual report.

The website provides details provided by school leaders, students, and alumni/ae concerning significant events during Fiscal Year 2023. From a fundraising standpoint, the site recognizes the generosity of those who have contributed financially to the recently renamed Andover Newton Seminary at Yale University Divinity School.

https://www.ans-ar-2023.com/

Design Ergonomics Inc. designs, equips, and trains the best dental offices across North America. Every element of dental office design and productivity is the main focus of the 25-year-old design and manufacturing company. In addition to dental office space planning and systems for maximizing practice efficiency, Design Ergonomics manufactures the dental industry’s best in-wall cabinets, workstations, lighting, and delivery systems.

EYMER BRAND Laboratories + Think Tank recently completed the design and execution of “Your Blueprint for Maximizing Dental Office Productivity,” a 96-page guidebook authored by company founder David J. Ahearn, DDS, and now available from Amazon.

In the competitive retail landscape, catching potential customers' attention is crucial. One effective way to stand out is through offbeat social media advertisements. Injecting humor into your marketing strategy will entertain your audience while bolstering a memorable and positive brand image. 

Please allow me to demonstrate my point with recent online holiday advertisements that we created for The Good Sport (Cohasset, MA).

Knowing The Audience

Understanding the target demographic is the first step in creating effective advertisements. For The Good Sport, we considered the interests and preferences of our surrounding communities. Through their half-century of getting to know their customers, primary talking points include lacrosse equipment, racquet sports gear (tennis, platform tennis, and pickleball), OOFOS footwear, and town-specific apparel. 

Leverage Local Events and Trends

Stay current with local events, popular trends, and, in this case, the winter holiday season. For this series, we incorporated holiday figures within each ad, including Santa and Mrs. Claus, Blitzen the reindeer, a Yeti, and others. Each character was partnered with a quote that clearly expressed the benefits of shopping locally with a critical focus on The Good Sport.

Rolling Out a Series of Humorous Ads:

We developed this series of advertisements to keep our audience engaged for the two weeks before December 25. The storyline and visual theme evolve with each new ad. This creates anticipation for the following ad in the series and helps establish a consistent brand voice. 

Designing humorous online advertisements for your local retailer is a creative and effective way to connect with their audience. By understanding customers, highlighting product benefits with wit, and leveraging the local climate, you can craft memorable campaigns that entertain and drive engagement and sales.

So, lace up your creative kicks, grab your sense of humor, and get ready to score big with your online advertising strategy!