Street level views of marketing & advertising in Idaho
Today’s the day.
Regardless of which candidates you support, or what your opinion is on any number of ballot measures, today is the day when all of the talk, promises and rhetoric fades away, and you get to take action.
However you choose to do so, and whichever candidates you choose to do it for:
Vote.
Following on the heels of their recent move into a larger office space, Carew Co. has added to their staff.
Ryan Lascano has joined the shop as a Graphic Designer. Ryan was previously with Noot Group in Boise, and will be working in both online and print environments at Carew Co. Ryan is a graduate of The Art Institute of California – Orange County.
Congratulations Ryan.
Technorati tags: carew co, ryan lascano, noot group, the art institute of california – orange county
There’s no way around it. The waters of today’s business environment are murky at best. You name it, it’s in turmoil – financial markets, housing markets, the list goes on and on. And yes, that impact is felt even here in Idaho.
Call it what you may – a slowdown, an economic downturn, or even the dreaded ‘r’ word that is recession – we’re in it. It affects agencies, their business, and their clients. Like it or not, that is the reality in which we live.
And facing up to that reality will make it that much easier to get through.
Oliver Russell found themselves in that very position. As an agency owner, this is the third recession that Russ Stoddard has been through, and in his own words, “I learned a few things from the first two and am trying to apply those lessons as best I can, sooner rather than later.”
Placed in this position, and given the business outlook for the next six months to a year, it became apparent that cuts were necessary in order to reshape Oliver Russell to be successful for the long term. So, painful as it was, cuts were made. The end result, as Russ described, is that “we’ve got a creative team here that is now engaged with plenty of work. That wasn’t the case before the layoffs, and I didn’t see the economic environment changing for the better in a significant way.”
For those who were affected by the layoffs at Oliver Russell, the agency provided assistance to them where possible – from severance pay to job finding and assistance with the launch of new business ventures.
In the marketing and advertising community, this is certainly unpleasant news. And chances are, similar scenarios will play out elsewhere – both inside and beyond the borders of Idaho. Those who are in leadership or ownership positions in these agencies face some very tough decisions over the coming months. Those who are able to take action, however, rather than be paralyzed by fear, will have greater control over the future success of their respective agencies.
The eternal optimist, Russ signed off with a fitting conclusion to our exchange: “And for anyone out there in the ad/design/digital community who’s wondering, watch out – yeah, we’re alive, and we’re breathing fire.”
As for other agencies in and around Boise that are being called on by those who were impacted – take the meeting. They are all extremely talented people in their own right, and will be outstanding additions to any team.
Technorati tags: oliver russell, russ stoddard
Mitchell + Palmer in Boise has quietly busy since opening their doors in April.
Among other things, they’ve done a little hiring: Hollis Welsh has joined the agency to “assist with project management, strategic research and development, copywriting, community and vendor relations, and account services support.”
They’ve also moved their offices — they’re now in The Muse Building at 1317 W. Jefferson St.
On the client front, they’re current client list includes the likes of Home Federal Bank, Pro-Team, SquareConnect and FameFifteen, among others.
Updated with correct URL for Home Federal.
Technorati tags: mitchell palmer, hollis welsh, muse building, home federal bank, pro-team, squareconnect, famefifteen
SOVRN Creative is one of the latest new shops to open their doors in the Treasure Valley. The company was founded by Brian Cottier, Philip McLain, and Joe Rice.
The three founders had previously worked together while at Wirestone. Joe and Brian had been with Wirestone since the beginning, and prior to that were among the earliest members of Mediaphex Production Company. Prior to his time at Wirestone, Phil had worked for Stoltz Marketing Group, as well as Creative Source.
From their website
SOVRN was founded with three basic principles. The first is to pursue business relationships that are healthy and honest, and that benefit all participants. The next is to ensure that each project succeeds through the application of our knowledge and expertise and the delivery of appropriate solutions for the intended audience. Finally, we want to work with organizations that have the courage to stand apart, and see the value in great creative and effective marketing.
In the first few months that their doors have been open, SORVN has already had an opportunity to work with a number of clients, including the Special Olympics World Winter Games and Z Factor Sports, among others.
The original announcement of their launch is available here. Having known all three of the founders for many years, I look forward to seeing great things from SOVRN Creative.
Technorati tags: sovrn creative, brian cottier, philip mclain, joe rice, wirestone, mediaphex production company, stoltz marketing group, creative source, special olympics world winter games, z factor sports