http://reaganmarketing.com/blog/ en ray@mightyinthemidwest.com Copyright 2012 2012-05-16T21:00:47+00:00 http://reaganmarketing.com/blog/entry/grab-an-umbrella/ http://reaganmarketing.com/blog/entry/grab-an-umbrella/#When:21:00:47Z Recently, one of our project teams held a one-hour brainstorming session to come up with names for a client’s new product. With the right mix of sticky notes, magazines, squeeze balls and snacks, we worked through various concepts. We came up with a large list of options, then the team narrowed it down. After developing rationale for each of the top choices, the list was sent to the client for review.  Putting the right mix of brainpower in a room to focus on results: just one of the ways we generate results for our clients! {image_1}{image_2} 2012-05-16T21:00:47+00:00 http://reaganmarketing.com/blog/entry/run-rmd/ http://reaganmarketing.com/blog/entry/run-rmd/#When:21:28:29Z The warm spring weather is back just in time for the RM+D team members who like to run. Six of us are participating in the Fifth Third River Bank Run tomorrow morning. Dani and Marti are running the 5K, I’m doing the 10K, and Kristen, Korie and Danielle are taking on the biggest challenge – the 25K. Some of us are running for a team assembled by the Land Conservancy of West Michigan. The Land Conservancy is an official Charity Partner this year and has more than 60 runners and walkers raising awareness about its efforts to permanently protect land. I’m excited about my bright green wicking shirt, which says, “Heavy Breathing Made Possible By Trees.” The Land Conservancy is near and dear to Marti’s heart, as well as our designer Kelly’s. Marti is always looking for an excuse to be active outdoors, and this is a great example of how we all support each other’s interests. Whether we’re raising money for lupus, arthritis, education foundations or local hospitals, it’s nice to see representation from the RM+D family. Our training is done, packets are picked up and we’re ready to run. Go team RM+D! {image_1} 2012-05-11T21:28:29+00:00 http://reaganmarketing.com/blog/entry/making-every-day-earth-day-at-rmd/ http://reaganmarketing.com/blog/entry/making-every-day-earth-day-at-rmd/#When:20:26:50Z With Earth Day 2012 behind us, notions of flower necklaces, saving trees and preserving our earth have a tendency to fall by the wayside. Not at RM+D! Looking ahead to our one-year anniversary on Wealthy Street, we would like to share our efforts toward sustainable business practices in our new (might I add lovely?) space. While facing challenges during the renovation of 912 Wealthy St., the construction team was able to eliminate asbestos as well as restore outdated electrical, plumbing and ductwork, turning this former brownfield into a thing of beauty! Douglas Fir ceiling beams were repurposed to make stairs and an outdoor gathering table. Furniture was reused from our former space on Monroe Avenue. By uncovering and preserving windows, we have created a light-filled space that makes for a team of happy workers!  RM+D participates in the city’s recycling program, which is so much more convenient in our one-story building (no more hauling trash bags down a service elevator). We also take advantage of being close enough to walk to lunch at local businesses. With so many great options nearby, decision-making has pitted sandwich lovers vs. salad aficionados-all ending with pleased tummies (and no hard feelings). While we continue enjoying our space and taking care of the planet, May promises to bring much anticipated use of the garden and backyard. Stay tuned for updates! 2012-05-01T20:26:50+00:00 http://reaganmarketing.com/blog/entry/march-madness-weve-got-a-winner/ http://reaganmarketing.com/blog/entry/march-madness-weve-got-a-winner/#When:13:47:45Z After last week’s Sweet 16 and Elite 8 action, we still had three bracketeers alive, that is their pick for champion was yet unbeaten. After this past Saturday, we were down to two – Maribeth Kamstra with Kansas and Korie Command with Kentucky. {image_2}There was so much Final Four excitement around here you could cut it with a knife. After all, a free lunch was at stake. Then Monday night, after three weeks of college basketball pandemonium, it was all over: Korie’s Kentucky Wildcats beat Maribeth’s Kansas Jayhawks 67 – 59. Reached at her Carmel, CA spring break location, Korie’s reaction to her victory was, “Fine. Leave the lunch thing on my desk. I’m headed for the Hog’s Breath.” Maribeth graciously accepted on her behalf. So that’s it for this year. We always try to have a business connection with these blogs and here it is: the University of Kentucky, at least their healthcare system, is a client. And, sort of a stretch, KU is my alma mater – Rock Chalk! Wait ‘til next year. Or better yet, wait ‘til later today for the Tigers’ home opener. {image_1} 2012-04-05T13:47:45+00:00 http://reaganmarketing.com/blog/entry/announcing-rmdd/ http://reaganmarketing.com/blog/entry/announcing-rmdd/#When:22:06:02Z The ever-entrepreneurial Mary Reagan Shapton continues to diversify her leading edge marketing company with the addition of a full service dairy at the firm’s 912 Wealthy Street location. As of today, Reagan Marketing + Design (RM+D) will be known as Reagan Marketing + Design + Dairy (RM+D+D). “This is a strategic decision that integrates our resources, our ongoing creative journey and the rich, creamy heritage of our building,” said Reagan Shapton. “We are milking this opportunity for all it’s worth.” Time and again, Reagan Shapton has demonstrated her ability to see the opportunity in every problem. After churning through a number of staff complaints about lawn mower noise, she gathered everyone for a brainstorming session. A bonsai-inspired plan to stunt lawn growth by wrapping each blade of grass with wire was rejected as too time-consuming. The group quickly recognized that the bovine concept was utterly aligned with the firm’s business model: the cows would trim the grass and produce milk, and the milk would be used to craft artisan cheeses for neighborhood pubs, restaurants and markets.  Areas of the RM+D+D property were quickly identified to support the project. The garage at the back of the adjoining Engine Industrial Design building was cleared out to house the cows. The storage room—which had been the cooler when the 912 Wealthy building was a creamery—was returned to its original use. Implementation of the program proceeded rapidly. Reagan Shapton was able to purchase cows for the project with the Bossie Conleche urban farm subsidy, being the first to ever apply for this little-known USDA program. Ten Guernseys arrived and each of them immediately began producing 25 gallons of milk per day. It takes just fifteen minutes every morning to milk the small herd, thanks to a milking machine, invented by Bob Shapton, that combines parts of vintage outboard motors with breast pumps that are no longer needed by the RM+D+D staff. Small amounts of RM+D+D’s dairy products are definitely somewhat organic. No hormones are added to the herd’s feed (“The last thing we need around here is more hormones,” asserts Bob Shapton) and no chemicals or pesticides are used on the grazing area, a former dumping ground for a printing company and gas station. Mary is able to legally run a farming operation on the urban site thanks to an obscure grandfather clause for the property. “A century ago there was a barn behind our building, and this was a field where cows roamed freely, eating tapas fresh from the vines,” she said. But to avoid running afoul of public opinion in a mixed-use neighborhood, the animals are cunningly disguised before they go outside after milking. The creative RM+D+D team designed and stitched together coverings that make each animal look like it’s just two people wearing a two-person cow costume, where the person in back has to be bent over all the time and you can’t help but feel glad that you’re not ever going to let yourself be in the same situation.{image_1} “It’s very effective,” said Sheri Monroe, designer. “Each cow’s torso is covered in a Guernsey-patterned fabric with a little hole at the back where the tail can poke through. Then we put a fake cow head over the real cow head, and large black athletic shoes on all four hooves. It makes the cow look like it’s Richie and Fonzie, up to some kind of shenanigans in Happy Days. I often find myself thinking that if I could just lift a cow’s head off, I’d see Henry Winkler.”  To account for what appears to be ten people dressed as five cows wandering randomly over the RM+D+D back lot, a sign on the fence at the Sigsbee side of the property indicates that this is the location of the RM+D+D School of Improv, Clowning and Mascotry, LLC, and requests passersby to not disturb the students. 2012-04-01T22:06:02+00:00 http://reaganmarketing.com/blog/entry/national-design-recognition/ http://reaganmarketing.com/blog/entry/national-design-recognition/#When:16:19:56Z Last year, Reagan Marketing + Design had the privilege to work with Haworth’s executive team to develop a corporate overview brochure—a project the company had not undertaken for many years. This showcase piece, printed locally by Multi Packaging Solutions (MPS), was one of only 11 singled out from a field of over 300 national entries as a winner in the 2012 U360 Design Competition. The competition was judged by a panel of marketing and design leaders from 7 different states. As a competition winner, our work will be featured in the U360 Design Competition Traveling Show throughout the United States and also in the 2012 U360 Showbook (to be produced later this year). {image_1}Reagan Marketing + Design’s involvement in the project included executive team interviews, concept development, copy writing and editing, art direction, graphic design, photo retouching, project management and production oversight. Numerous print production techniques were utilized—perfect binding, debossing, foil stamping, French-folded “tab” pages to name a few—making this a unique and memorable corporate positioning tool for our client. Please join us as we celebrate this honor and congratulate Haworth and MPS on the national recognition! 2012-03-29T16:19:56+00:00 http://reaganmarketing.com/blog/entry/two-years-of-laughter/ http://reaganmarketing.com/blog/entry/two-years-of-laughter/#When:13:03:39Z March 17, 2012: A capacity crowd had come out for the Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids fundraising event, A-Live from Grand Rapids… It’s Saturday Night. As I looked around the ballroom watching everyone laughing—some to the point of tears--I couldn’t help but think back to late 2009, when I was asked to represent RM+D on a small committee at GCGR. At the opening of the first meeting, we were sworn to secrecy. Then the GCGR team told us about an idea they were working on as a way to celebrate the organization’s upcoming 10th anniversary and… more. A whole lot more: a huge festival of laughter, here in Grand Rapids, in the winter. As the overall direction for LaughFest came into focus, the goals became clear. The branding had to be distinctive, memorable and intriguing, but not too edgy, and appeal to people of all ages and demographics. GRGC needed something that would unite the community and be approachable and happy vs. comedic. {image_1}At RM+D, Robin Packer’s creative brain took on the challenge. She suggested a fun yellow stickie with a smile on it. This became the “U” in LaughFest, the smile on local landmarks and the iconic yard sign that was stealthily distributed by the hundreds to create buzz before the announcement of the festival. Fast-forward to 2012 and look what has been accomplished by the dedicated GCGR staff along with an army of passionate volunteers. Grand Rapids laughed for 10 days in March for the second year in a row. Congratulations to Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. What was your favorite LaughFest event? 2012-03-27T13:03:39+00:00 http://reaganmarketing.com/blog/entry/march-madness/ http://reaganmarketing.com/blog/entry/march-madness/#When:16:19:02Z My favorite time of the sports year: the NCAA tourney followed quickly by Big League Baseball Opening Day. And if you’re a golf fan, I guess we can throw in the Masters too. The ladies of RM+D insisted we have an NCAA pool. I volunteered to organize it. And we are now Dancing; at least 10 of us are. {image_1} The deadline for completed brackets was last Thursday at noon before the tournament began that afternoon (that is if you don’t count or don’t care about the four play-in games). We’re in a deadline-oriented business and know all too well the consequences of missing one. Apparently, the possibility of missing out on a free lunch at Electric Cheetah wasn’t enough. So, only 10 entries out of a possible 25 or so. Sort of March Mildness around RM+D. We’ve had some interesting picks thus far, starting with me… I picked Missouri all the way. Therefore I’m done. Here’s an interesting one: Harvard making it to the Final Four. I guess I should have explained that although we’re dealing with collegiate athletics, in the case of the Big Dance, academics don’t count. Three Big 10 teams in the Final Four: MSU, Michigan and Ohio State. We’re nothing if not loyal to our home conference. Gonzaga playing Indiana for the championship. I’m gonna have to get back to you on this one. We could go on, but the point is that picking favorites and upsets is a crapshoot, so why not Harvard in the Final Four. Wait, save that one as a placeholder until I find a better example. That’s all for this week. Eight of ten of us still have our champion pick alive, so things will get interesting after this weekend. Stay tuned. 2012-03-21T16:19:02+00:00 http://reaganmarketing.com/blog/entry/objects-in-the-mirror-are-closer-than-they-appear/ http://reaganmarketing.com/blog/entry/objects-in-the-mirror-are-closer-than-they-appear/#When:20:44:37Z Sitting outside on the deck for a quick meeting this afternoon, we were really enjoying the awesome March weather we are having - and it was hard to believe it was "only" March. If I closed my eyes you could have convinced me we had skipped ahead to June. It was actually hot sitting in the sun and there are flowers starting to bloom in the backyard garden! I was told by our resident Master Gardener, Jan, they are Easter Roses. They are adding some really pretty purple to the garden area. I think summer really is closer than we think. Looking forward to walks at lunch, working on the porch and sitting in the backyard for meetings... or just some afternoon "fresh air". Guest photographer Trevor Stewart (son of our designer, Ken Stewart) got this shot of the sunshine in his mirror - seemed appropriate for this post. (We're sure he wasn't the one driving at the time!) {image_1} 2012-03-16T20:44:37+00:00 http://reaganmarketing.com/blog/entry/valentines-day-recovery/ http://reaganmarketing.com/blog/entry/valentines-day-recovery/#When:17:19:02Z I’m about to fill you in how I “lunched” yesterday - diabetics beware. Yesterday the RM+D kitchen was my Valentine. I dined on chocolates the three men of RM+D got us (thanks guys!), vegan cookies Mary made and candy that was passed around by several other RM+D staffers. I’ve just now stopped shaking. Needless to say, today I’m having a salad… 2012-02-15T17:19:02+00:00