From the HipBloghttp://www.mavenmarketingsolutions.com/blog/2012-05-20T22:49:36ZSquarespaceMMS Clients Hatch + Ulland Owen Architects Featured in Austin Business Journalhttp://www.mavenmarketingsolutions.com/blog/2012/5/20/mms-clients-hatch-ulland-owen-architects-featured-in-austin.htmlMary McKeown-Christie2012-05-20T22:36:22Z2012-05-20T22:36:22ZHatch + Ulland Owen Architects, an Austin-based architectural studio focused on high quality, socially and environmentally responsible design, was cited in Austin Business Journal's May 18, 2012 print edition.  The firm's recently-completed project, M Station, received a prestigious Community Stewardship Award from Envision Central Texas, as well as the Austin Business Journal’s 2012 Social Impact Award.

M Station is a vibrant community designed for working families with low to moderate incomes and has also earned one of the U.S. Green Building Council’s highest scoring LEED Platinum ratings for multi-family housing.

The article is available at the following link: http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/print-edition/2012/05/18/hatching-success.html

]]>Saks Fifth Avenue Joins Consultancyhttp://www.mavenmarketingsolutions.com/blog/2012/3/8/saks-fifth-avenue-joins-consultancy.htmlMary McKeown-Christie2012-03-08T23:31:14Z2012-03-08T23:31:14ZMMS::Maven Marketing Solutions, LLC is pleased to welcome Saks Fifth Avenue of Austin-TX to our consultancy. We're looking forward to working with them on the upcoming "Fashion for Compassion" benefit for the Austin Children's Shelter March 23rd.  Everyone buy your tickets!  It's going to be an amazing event!

]]>Texas Bariatric Specialists Joins Consultancyhttp://www.mavenmarketingsolutions.com/blog/2012/3/5/texas-bariatric-specialists-joins-consultancy.htmlMary McKeown-Christie2012-03-05T15:00:55Z2012-03-05T15:00:55ZHatch + Ulland Owen Architects Joins Consultancyhttp://www.mavenmarketingsolutions.com/blog/2012/3/2/hatch-ulland-owen-architects-joins-consultancy.htmlMary McKeown-Christie2012-03-02T16:34:47Z2012-03-02T16:34:47Z"Go Red" Campaign in Feb AW Magazinehttp://www.mavenmarketingsolutions.com/blog/2012/2/2/go-red-campaign-in-feb-aw-magazine.htmlMary McKeown-Christie2012-02-02T16:39:38Z2012-02-02T16:39:38ZProud participants of Korey Howell's 6th Annual Go Red for Women Photo Campaign in the February of Austin Woman Magazine.  Honored to be included with such a great group of go-getters!

 

 

]]>Tracey Nelson of MMS::Maven Marketing Solutions Honored by Austin Chamber of Commercehttp://www.mavenmarketingsolutions.com/blog/2012/1/25/tracey-nelson-of-mmsmaven-marketing-solutions-honored-by-aus.htmlMary McKeown-Christie2012-01-25T20:19:16Z2012-01-25T20:19:16ZThe Austin Chamber will honor eight business leaders as Volunteers of the Year during the 134th Annual Meeting scheduled for Feb. 1 at the Hilton Austin. Volunteers will be recognized for their work on behalf of Chamber initiatives in 2011.

Volunteers will be recognized in the following areas: Joe Cantalupo of Parsons Brinckerhoff for Infrastructure & Regional Development; David Reiter of Luminex Corporation for Government Relations; Tracey Nelson of Maven Marketing Solutions for Marketing & Communications; Mark Curry of Wells Fargo for Education & Talent Development; Ray Wolf of Green Integrated Services for Small Business; Michael Laing of Wells Fargo for Membership Ambassador; John Price of Vast.com for Global Technology Strategies; and Rob Hutton of D.R. Horton, for Economic Development.

http://www.austinchamber.com/the-chamber/publications/focus.php#Annual

 

]]>Why Trust Matters More than Ever for Brandshttp://www.mavenmarketingsolutions.com/blog/2011/12/8/why-trust-matters-more-than-ever-for-brands.htmlMary McKeown-Christie2011-12-08T21:59:39Z2011-12-08T21:59:39ZGreat article in the Harvard Business Review!

We've all been taught that trust and reputation are important elements of branding. Today, though, trust is not simply a nice thing to have, but a critical strategic asset. Therefore, it makes sense to be specific about how and why it adds value. The drivers of brand value have changed over time, and there are three forces at play that have brought the issue of trust to the center stage:

1. If we look at company valuations, an increasing portion of a firm's value resides in intangibles. In The Brand Bubble, John Gerzema and Edward Lebar highlight the fact that in the 1950s, about 30% of firm value was intangible (at the high end); today it is closer to 62% globally.

Let's look at some of the components of intangible value. Gerzema and Lebar offer this construct:

 

Read Full article>>

]]>MMS Welcomes Diverse Set of New Clientshttp://www.mavenmarketingsolutions.com/blog/2011/12/3/mms-welcomes-diverse-set-of-new-clients.htmlMary McKeown-Christie2011-12-04T00:48:43Z2011-12-04T00:48:43ZMMS is pleased to announce new clients Allensworth & Porter, LLP, Lifeline Power Yoga, Balanced Hormones and Health, and the first annual Holiday HAAM JAM benefit CD and event to the practice! 

We’re honored to work with them, and look forward to building their businesses!

 

 

 

 

 

]]>Co-Branding Moneyhttp://www.mavenmarketingsolutions.com/blog/2011/6/30/co-branding-money.htmlTracey Nelson2011-06-30T13:59:38Z2011-06-30T13:59:38ZYesterday, I took my kids to the bank, so they could open up their own checking accounts. They were presented with a portfolio of options to “personalize” their new debit cards.  Each option carried the logo of a sports team, university, consumer company or non-profit organization.  The co-branding strategy for each of these brands was clear: putting the logo in front of a consumer every time the card is used and associating their brand with a solid national financial institution, connoting financial stability.  In the case of the non-profits, the co-branding could also serve to remind the consumer to share a bit of that wealth they’re spending.

Co-branding, combining two or more brands to form a new product or a strategic alliance, is often avoided by brand management as it’s thought to be too risky and requires that positive market gain – and profits – be shared. It does take some element of control out of your hands, as your brand’s reputation is then aligned with another’s, but I believe that in most cases, the benefits can far outweigh the risks, provided you choose your partner wisely and that the two brands have a natural relationship, readily apparent to the target market.  Co-branding can greatly reduce marketing costs and should be considered when your brand strategy calls for:

  • Adhering specific attributes to your brand it does not currently have, but are attached to the co-brand
  • Entering a new market, either territory or distribution outlet, where the co-brand already has recognition and/or equity

My kids’ choices? My daughter chose a non-profit and my son chose a university – Hook ‘em Horns!

 

Tracey Nelson, Principal & Co-Founder,

Maven Marketing Solutions

www.mavenmarketingsolutions.com

]]>The Holstee Manifesto Says it All...http://www.mavenmarketingsolutions.com/blog/2011/6/16/the-holstee-manifesto-says-it-all.htmlMary McKeown-Christie2011-06-16T22:09:08Z2011-06-16T22:09:08ZA friend of mine sent me this a while ago and I've kept it on file for years.  Came across it by accident this afternoon while cleaning house.  They say there really aren't any accidents in life and that everything happens for a reason, so I guess I found this today to remind me that I'm living the dream. 

Starting your own business is challenging to say the least, but I'm blessed with two terrific business partners, I love my work, and know that with perserverance we will reach our goals. In the big scheme of things, I have to remember that it takes time to build a business and to be patient.  It's just difficult when you're working so hard and not moving forward as fast as you'd like. 

This manifesto remindes me to be grateful that I'm able to follow my passion for helping small businesses and non-profits through my love for marketing and PR, and that all good things will come in time.  This is MY life, and I'm proud to say that I am living the dream and wearing my passion.  Not many people can say that, especially in today's day in age. 

I hope this Manifesto finds you for a reason, and you'll print it out and post it on your refrigerator for a while like I did.  Sometimes you just need a  reminder to quit you're cry'n and get moving.  Life is short, so make the most of it.  And remember that you're not alone. 

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