Collaboration is one of the keys to creativity; however, solitude can also be a powerful creative force if you harness it. Being alone doesn’t mean you have to be bored or lonely. If anything, it makes it easier to be insanely focused on your passion or craft. It allows you to shut out the world and stay in the present moment, embracing the many emotions that arise when we create — both negative and positive.

Crazy and difficult times are here. Sports are canceled, concerts and festivals are canceled, the global economy is in a downward spiral. Olive Gardens across the country are without dine-in patrons for the first time since opening. Marketers and brands are caught thinking about how to shift their voices during this crisis to adapt to the circumstances. We’re here to say it’s easier than it seems. Let’s dive in.

Any media planner will tell you unpredictability is a constant variable in their everyday practice; whether they’re attempting to plan around their industry’s perceived seasonality; predicting the ebbs and flows in consumer preferences; estimating available on-target inventory in an ad exchange; or deciphering the decisional calculus surrounding the impact of a global pandemic, uncertainty is always present in media planning.

VI has been recognized as an honoree for the 2020 Journal Record Beacon Award. The Charitable Influence finalists demonstrate a company culture that encourages and supports volunteerism, charitable giving and community involvement. This honor means the world to us. Thank you, The Journal Record! We are incredibly humbled to be in such great company as a Journal Record 2020 Beacon Award honoree!

There has been a shift for brands to step up to the emotional plate in the past few years but there has been no greater need than now. While we collectively face a global pandemic, the humanness of our audiences has become even more human. It would be short-sided to not take a look at marketing plans and creative campaigns and see how they match up against the new and every shifting “normal.”

I want to start off by saying that I am no doctor of psychology or psychiatry. I have never done an extensive study on the effects of positivity or positive reinforcement.

We are living in a very strange time. People are functioning the best that they can in the comfort we call ‘home’. My situation is no different.

Are you worried about maintaining your company culture while adapting to remote work? A lot of organizations and companies are becoming overwhelmed by the need for new processes and tools to efficiently work from home. Right now, it is easy to overlook including blocks of time for continued culture growth. We all know the importance of company culture. While there's no doubt companies are currently just trying to find ways to stay above water, if possible, keeping a focus on these corporate communal events and activities is more important than ever.

We all need to work from home sometimes — thanks to the cable guy, a sick child or a global emergency. And while it’s tempting to stay in the same sweatpants for a week, it’s not optimal for productivity (or your mental health). As an introverted bookworm/cat lady/ex-freelancer, I feel uniquely qualified to share some advice. Here’s what I’ve learned over years and years of hanging out at home.

Podcasting is no longer a niche medium. By 2018 estimates, 17% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly. Podcast listeners have tons of buying power, as 45% of monthly podcast listeners have a household income of over $75K. Plus, podcast listeners are loyal; 80% listen to all or most of each episode, and the average listener is subscribed to 7 different shows.

Data visualization. It’s a great buzzword but what does it actually mean for your brand? Let’s start with a simple definition.

Like any storytelling aid, PowerPoint can be both a tool...and a crutch. Used properly, it elevates a story to new heights, but used improperly, and your audience will feel lulled into a Koala-like slumber—not your target crowd. Combine your presentation skills with a sharp PowerPoint deck and you will win over a crowd.