Flock and Rally ~ Featured Listing
October 4, 2019
Founded in 2010, Flock and Rally is a full-service, women-owned creative agency based in Columbia, South Carolina. The firm integrates branding, public relations, marketing, traditional advertising, digital advertising, social media…
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3 steps to own your digital marketing power
October 4, 2019
By Jerry Bellune We see many large and small businesses make these 3 digital marketing mistakes: 1. They have a family member set up a clunky web site that…
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Tiny ads can pack a powerful punch
October 2, 2019By Jerry Bellune Imagine you are desperate for steady work to get your spouse off your back about feeding your family. Your kids are under-fed and always hungry. Then…
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Jesica Johnson Mackey joins NP Strategy as Senior Project Advisor
October 1, 2019
Jesica Johnson Mackey, a strategic communicator with more than 10 years of experience in the public, private and non-profit sectors, joined NP Strategy to strengthen the teams’ ability to serve its…
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Carolina Event Consultants, LLC
September 27, 2019
Plan: The first step in the plan for your next event should be to work with a professional team to ensure success. Manage: Your association and its members deserve a…
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Unconventional Excellence
September 20, 2019
By Heather Matthews NP Strategy A standing ovation, mixed with enthusiastic cheers and a chorus of “good mornings” welcomed me as I walked in to get my car oil…
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5 questions all business owners must ask
September 18, 2019
By Jerry Bellune How do you build a business that rocks? Our friend Ruth King told us that Jim Howard who published her book, The Courage to be Profitable,…
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Riggs Partners announces 2019 CreateAthon clients
September 16, 2019
Eight South Carolina nonprofit organizations will be the beneficiaries of pro bono marketing and communication services provided by Riggs Partners during its 22nd annual CreateAthon®. The 24-hour marketing marathon will…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: business-services, marketing-and-communications, non-profit, on-the-move, philanthropy
SC Commission on Higher Education launches media campaign to encourage minority males to enter the teaching profession
September 15, 2019
South Carolina is one of only four states to participate in Project Pipeline Repair (PPR), an exclusive initiative of the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO) utilizing collaborative partnerships…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: education, marketing-and-communications, on-the-move
Are starvation diets a dumb idea?
September 11, 2019
By Jerry Bellune Fellow Maverick Entrepreneur Suzanne Riley Whyte asks if you have ever been really hungry. Maybe you’ve gone on one of those diets where you eat almost…
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Foreign Manufacturer + Union Campaign = Netflix Documentary (and Lessons for Employers)
September 9, 2019
This week’s article provides insight from Nexsen Pruet attorney William Floyd. NP Strategy is part of the Nexsen Pruet family, working collaboratively alongside lawyers for the benefit of clients. …
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Please, make a profit!
September 9, 2019
By Ken Gasque Have you heard the news media reporting that Warren Buffett wants to pay more taxes? “Please, raise my taxes.” Legendary investor Warren Buffett said on Monday…
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You should live large – like your dog
September 4, 2019
By Jerry Bellune Ace ad copywriter John Carlton reminds us of an essential truth. To be successful, rich and happy, “we gotta be healthy.” That means taking time every…
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You’d better make a profit – or else
August 28, 2019
By Jerry Bellune Our old boss Don Carter liked to ask job applicants what they thought was the 1st duty of a business. A few got the right answer…
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Leah Johnson Named Director of Association Management
August 27, 2019
MPA Strategies has hired Leah Johnson as their Director of Association Management. Johnson, a Certified Association Executive, serves as the Executive Director of the South Carolina Speech Hearing Language Association, a client…
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Do you need a videographer?
August 26, 2019
By Taylor Kearns Finding the best videography services for your business Ask a barber, and he’ll tell you yes, you need a haircut. Ask a videographer if you need…
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How to super-charge your motivation
August 21, 2019
By Jerry Bellune An executive recruiter friend keeps on his desk a photo of a fire truck-red Lamborghini he wants. This is no toy. The car costs $200,000. The photo…
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Shannon Leigh (Turbeville) Keenan joins South Carolina Wildlife Federation as Director of Development and Events
August 21, 2019
The South Carolina Wildlife Federation (SCWF) recently hired Shannon Leigh (Turbeville) Keenan as the organization’s new Director of Development and Events. In her new role, Keenan will maintain donor relationships,…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: employment, environmental, marketing-and-communications, non-profit, on-the-move
NP Strategy expands to Raleigh; hires Al Leach as a Senior Advisor
August 19, 2019
NP Strategy, a strategic communications subsidiary of the Nexsen Pruet Law firm , announced the hiring of Alfred (“Al”) Leach to Senior Advisor at NP Strategy. In this capacity, Leach…
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Flock and Rally’s VP of Marketing, Merritt McNeely, receives “Women of Influence” honor
August 19, 2019
McNeely honored with elite leaders selected by Columbia Regional Business Report Merritt McNeely, vice president of marketing at Flock and Rally, a women-owned integrated communications and marketing firm based in…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: marketing-and-communications, on-the-move
Don’t underestimate the power of a sticker
August 19, 2019
By Ken Gasque “The human race built most nobly when limitations were greatest.” – Frank Lloyd Wright. I think this applies equally to marketing and advertising. Any fool can…
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How to get free business publicity
August 15, 2019
By Jerry Bellune Savvy business owners seek relations with local newspaper, magazine and broadcast reporters, editors and news directors. When they have something about their business the community should…
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South Carolina native, Justin Evans, named PC Matic Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing
August 14, 2019
PC Matic, the world’s only 100% American-made anti-virus software, announced that it has appointed Justin Evans, who formerly served as the company’s Vice President of Government Sales, as the company’s…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: hi-tech-information-tech, it-services, marketing-and-communications, on-the-move, technology
Six Benefits of Stakeholder Engagement
August 12, 2019
By Jean Cecil Frick Business is about relationships, both good and bad. Successful organizations must be constantly aware of who will help move the organization forward, and those who…
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Can you stand and deliver real value?
August 7, 2019
By Jerry Bellune What value do your products and services deliver to your customers? You know you will have to show that to your prospects. Your ‘value proposition’ is…
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Guarantee your advertising will work
July 31, 2019
By Jerry Bellune Highly successful retailer R.H. Macy said he suspected half of his advertising didn’t work. He just didn’t know which half. Macy was smarter than that. You…
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Call for Entries – 2019 Palmetto Awards
July 31, 2019
The South Carolina chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators is ready to celebrate South Carolina’s best and brightest communicators! If you are a communicator who has created, directed…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: marketing-and-communications, non-profit, on-the-move
Breaking the Bad News: How to best deliver tough information
July 29, 2019
By Sara McCarthy We receive bad news almost every day. It comes to us indirectly through the news and social media, or directly in emails, letters, phone calls, and…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: advice, marketing-and-communications
AAF of the Midlands announces Vital Connections of the Midlands as 2019-2020 public service client
July 25, 2019
The American Advertising Federation (AAF) of The Midlands has announced local nonprofit Vital Connections of the Midlands as the club’s public service client for 2019-2020. AAF selects one nonprofit organization…
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MGA Marketing
July 25, 2019
From social media to newsletters, community outreach and event planning, your priorities are ours. We offer a unique level of service that is not always found at larger agencies.
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What are your business’s values?
July 25, 2019
by Jerry Bellune Paul Davis believed that for your business to succeed you must always practice your basic values. What are yours? Here are 3 of our values: •…
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Did your mama ever tell you not to judge a book by its cover?
July 22, 2019
By Ken Gasque Why did she tell you that? Did she feel that looks were superficial and shallow? Did she feel that looks could be deceiving? Did she feel…
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Rank your business on the SWAG Meter
July 17, 2019
By Jerry Bellune Last week we talked about you and your business’s SWAG. That’s: S = Self Confidence. Customers trust you because you believe in yourself. W = Wonderment.…
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Have you and your business got SWAG?
July 10, 2019
By Jerry Bellune If you are an entrepreneur or business owner striving to grow your business, you need SWAG. This attracts and keeps customers, says our friend MaryEllen Tribby.…
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It’s a Match: Pairing Your Passions and Career Goals
July 8, 2019
By Amanda Loveday The perfect job can be described as the combination of your passion with your potential. Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate enough to work with interesting and…
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Maverick entrepreneurs’ independent lives
July 7, 2019
By Jerry Bellune When anyone asks what’s so special about maverick entrepreneurs, we laugh. It’s like asking why your faith is important to you or why it is that…
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Stevens & Wilkinson welcomes interns from Clemson University and the University of South Carolina
July 3, 2019At Stevens & Wilkinson, an architecture, engineering, and interior design firm, our team approaches every design as a chance to learn and better their craft. As a firm, we aim…
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Jean Cecil Frick joins the ranks of Riley Fellows
June 28, 2019
Jean Cecil Frick, a senior strategic advisor with NP Strategy, successfully completed the Spring 2019 Midlands Class of the Riley Institute at Furman’s Diversity Leaders Initiative (DLI), becoming a Riley Fellow.…
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Your local advertising drives higher sales
June 27, 2019
By Jerry Bellune Local advertising is a small business’s best bet to attract customers, say advertising experts Brian and Michelle Mattingly. A simple, targeted approach to advertising will almost…
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8 questions, millions of answers
June 19, 2019
By Jerry Bellune Ken Blanchard, co-author of “The One-Minute Manager,” “Raving Fans” and other books, has a challenge for us. As business owners and community leaders, we need to…
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Four Common Mistakes When Engaging The Media
June 17, 2019
By Heather Matthews NP Strategy In all my years as a journalist, it never failed: 5:50 p.m. and my work phone would ring. Did the caller not know we…
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Can Absolut vodka teach us anything?
June 12, 2019
By Jerry Bellune Have your products and services become commodities? Are you forced to compete on price, discounts and other concessions? Take a lesson from a former dish washer…
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NP Strategy welcomes new project coordinator, Columbia native to team
June 12, 2019
NP Strategy recently welcomed Myles Taste as the newest addition to the rapidly growing strategy consulting and communications firm. A South Carolina native, Taste is familiar with the quickly expanding…
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SC Restaurant and Lodging Association welcomes new communications manager
June 11, 2019
The South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (SCRLA) recently welcomed Lenza Jolley as their new Communications Manager. Jolley will be responsible for developing and implementing strategic communications campaigns to increase…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: hospitality, marketing-and-communications, non-profit, on-the-move
Columbia Metropolitan Airport names advertising agency of record
June 11, 2019
Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) announced that Sparkloft Media has been named the airport’s advertising agency of record. Sparkloft Media, in partnership with Columbia-based Period Three, will assist the CAE team…
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How to win the war with your rivals
June 5, 2019
By Jerry Bellune Remember what Sun Tzu taught us in his “Art of War” – know your strengths and weaknesses and your competitors’, too. Our competitors are in print,…
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Are you neglecting your best branding tool?
June 3, 2019
By Marcia Purday, APR NP Strategy Companies throughout the nation invest millions (or billions!) in their brands – from research and communication strategies, to analytics and more. But ultimately,…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: advice, marketing-and-communications, on-the-move
Make it fun to do business with you
May 29, 2019
By Jerry Bellune Dian and Gerald Harmon worked hard to make their concrete business successful and sold it for a bundle long before they were ready to retire. They…
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Social Media and the Need for Brand Standards
May 23, 2019
By J. Bradley Studemeyer NP Strategy Small businesses often find themselves in a difficult position with social media marketing: on one hand, many feel like their current revenue streams…
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How to get prospects to open your emails
May 15, 2019
by Jerry Bellune Want to write subject lines that work? Subject lines that prospects will open? You are competing with the 121 other emails most of us receive each…
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