Too many banks talk about themselves in their marketing. They claim smarter people, better customer service, better hours, more ATMs, local knowledge – and the list goes on and on. In my opinion, their “full of themselves” approach to marketing is dead wrong. First, it is somewhat narcissistic, and second it is extremely duplicable. When [...]

advertising, bank associations, bank marketing, Customer Service, Marketing, positioning Hide

Did you ever consider becoming the spokesperson in you own ads? How about having a mascot? Could a celebrity help you get more awareness and ad recall? These are some of the tools companies use everyday to help set their brands apart from each other. Most strategies have both positive and negative potential. Let’s start [...]

advertising, Aflac, bank associations, bank marketing, branding, Centrix Bank, Marketing, TD Bank Hide

I have been extremely frustrated lately with the lack of common courtesy of people returning telephone calls. What ever happened to “Say what you will do, and do what you say?” Over the last month I have met people who say they will write or call me back and don’t. This brought me to think [...]

advertising, bank associations, bank customer service, bank marketing, branding, Customer Service, Marketing, Sales organizations Hide

What is the real motivation for people to choose one bank over another? All of my research over the past 25 years has shown that consumers choose banks for convenience and service. Most community banks claim great service, and some, like TD Bank (“America’s Most Convenient Bank”), claim convenience. The choice of service and/or convenience [...]

advertising, bank associations, bank customer service, bank marketing, Banking, branding, Consulting, Marketing Hide

A couple of years ago I had the privilege of speaking at the Bank CEO meeting in San Antonio Texas on the subject of social media for financial institutions. The title of my presentation was Social Media – “The train is leaving the station. Better hope you board it in time!” After watching many banks [...]

advertising, bank associations, bank marketing, branding, Marketing, social media Hide

According to the FDIC, between January 1, 2010 and June 15, 2011 271 banks changed their names. Actually, banks change their names more than most industries. Usually it is a result of a merger or the fact that their name restricts them from geographical growth or a conflict became apparent as a result of the [...]

advertising, bank associations, bank marketing, branding, Marketing, small business Hide

Whatever business you’re in, nothing happens until the sale is made. Getting in front of prospects is more difficult in a society that is becoming increasingly digital. According to Nigel Edelshain, on his Selling ITsite, research indicates that an executive will only be receptive to talking with you after seeing your message at least nine times [...]

advertising, advertising associations, bank associations, bank customer service, bank marketing, branding, business associations, food and beverage, Sales organizations, selling Hide

According to Dictionary.Com, a VIP is a very important person, a dignitary, a high muck amuck.  Wikipedia defines it as a person who is accorded special privileges due to his or her status or importance.  I define it as arrogant. I have been the beneficiary of special VIP lines into nightclubs, concerts, hotel check-ins, and [...]

advertising, advertising associations, bank associations, bank customer service, bank marketing, branding, business associations, business publications, Consulting, Customer Service, food and beverage, intern, Jewelry, Marketing, Marketing to Women, small business Hide

With the boom of social media communication in recent years, many companies have concluded that they must get involved.  Some hire professionals to help them take their first step into this exciting new world of communication, but many have delegated this important brand tool to interns.  Many believe that because interns are frequent users of [...]

advertising, bank marketing, branding, food and beverage, intern, Jewelry, Marketing, Marketing to Women, small business, social media Hide

Developing your brand positioning and strategy is only part of the branding equation. Many companies spend huge amounts of time and effort identifying the essence of their brand. Defining “who you are , what you stand for, and what makes you different,” is extremely important, but this exercise should be only the beginning of a complete [...]

advertising, advertising associations, bank associations, bank customer service, bank marketing, branding, business associations Hide