A New Beginning

Dear Media South Client and Friends, there is a little change in the air. Effective February 23, 2009, Knoxville-based, Designsensory will assume all of Media South's active projects, contracts and employees! We at Designsensory feel very fortunate to have earned Barbara's trust to become her partner in continuing the excellent work that Media South has done over the past 15 years. We wish Barbara all the best as she pursues a new personal opportunity in the healthcare industry.

Click to learn more about the transition »

Celebrate!

According to the Society of American Florists, Christmas/Chanukah is the No. 1 floral-buying holiday. Thirty percent of adults purchase flowers or plants as gifts for the holiday season. Now, before you start getting all misty-eyed about how sentimental we are, it turns out that more than a third of those surveyed buy those flowers and plants for themselves (34%).

So if your holiday season needs an infusion of color, fragrant aromas, or simply the promise of warmer days ahead, go out and buy yourself a bouquet. Better yet, have an artful arrangement delivered to your home, and then act all surprised when you receive it. Heck, it’s the holidays. You deserve it. We’ll never tell.

However you choose to celebrate the close of 2008, everyone here at Media South sends along best wishes for a safe, happy, and peaceful holiday season.

Hey, Mr. President

Plenty of people who know way more than we do are giving President-Elect Obama advice these days on topics ranging from resuscitating the economy to picking out the perfect dog for his daughters. While we could offer some sage design advice (such as, the White House really could use an emergency visit from “Extreme Home Makeover”), we’re a bit light on foreign policy and financial matters. That’s why we particularly enjoyed this “Open Letter to the President-Elect” from Chris Low, chief economist for First Tennessee.

Low’s commentary is a quick, easy read, which clearly articulates the key challenges facing the new President and our nation, while offering practical advice on how to respond. The letter is featured in the latest issue of Executive Highlights, a First Tennessee corporate business publication produced by Media South.

Comfort Food

When the economy is tanking, Americans typically turn to comfort food. We’re not quite sure how big vats of macaroni and cheese help soothe the psyche, but when the going gets rough, the nation starts carbo-loading.

While we love a steaming scoop of comfort carbs as much as anyone, we think a better (and healthier) culinary response to crisis is preparing and savoring the most delicious home-cooked dishes imaginable. Eating at home to save money doesn’t have to mean Hamburger Helper. Instead, make mealtime the highlight of an otherwise stressful day. Plan ahead, use some creativity, and add flavor, substance, and perhaps, a touch of the exotic to nourish both body and spirit.

For inspiration, visit the new Avanti Savoia website created by Media South with our partners at Averra Media. Avanti Savoia offers culinary treasures from around the world including all the ingredients needed to make fabulous and filling meals every night of the week. In addition to a catalog of the “best of the best” olive oils, pastas, chocolates, and more, the site includes recipes, special discounts, and gift certificates. Order by Dec. 23 for Christmas Day delivery, or treat yourself to some real culinary comfort any day of the year.

Talking Turkey

You may not realize that the writer who gave the world “Mary Had a Little Lamb” is the same person credited with convincing President Abraham Lincoln to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday in 1863. Sarah Josepha Hale (1788-1879), the influential editor of Ladies’ Magazine and Godey’s Lady’s Book, spent more than 40 years writing newspaper columns and letters to congressmen and presidents to promote the idea of a national day of thanks.

Here at Media South, we’re glad she never gave up. We’re particularly thankful for the day’s tastiest traditions, including made-from-scratch cornbread stuffing and the freedom to top everything with gravy.

And while we can’t guarantee we can turn your idea into a national holiday, we can promise we can achieve measurable results (in way less than 40 years). Whatever your communications challenge, we’ll do the research, develop a strategy, and then deliver a menu of creative solutions for you to consider.

Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at Media South.

Spread the Word

According to eMarketer estimates, more than 147 million people in the U.S. use e-mail almost every day. Chances are this total includes plenty potential customers for your business, plus many of your current clients. That’s why using e-mail to stay in touch with your target market can be an efficient and cost-effective way to introduce new products, distribute discount coupons, or promote special events. We say can be because if your intended recipient doesn’t open your message, then e-mail marketing is a huge waste of time.

At Media South, we create customized e-blasts worth clicking for clients ranging from Avanti Savoia to Initially Amy Fay. Each blast includes a quick message accompanied by an engaging photo or graphic. Blasts are sent out as often as you’d like, and we provide key metrics to help you track the results.

E-mail us at engage@mediasouth.net to learn how easy and inexpensive it can be to have Media South create and send custom e-blasts for you.

Showcase Your Clients

Our recent musings about Botox (Nov. 3rd) reminded us of Dr. Charles S. Fulk, the skin doc Media South profiled in the current issue of Executive Highlights. Fulk explained why cosmetic dermatology, such as Botox, is best left to actual physicians, not hair stylists, massage therapists, and day spa owners.

The Morristown, Tenn. dermatologist regularly sees patients who didn’t get the results they wanted (or got unwanted results such as skin damage) from laser services and other treatments administered by non-medical practitioners. Fulk got the opportunity to share his expert advice—and promote his business—thanks to an invitation from his commercial financial partner, First Tennessee. Media South produces the business magazine Executive Highlights for the bank, which showcases a couple of its top clients in each issue.

Thanking your customers is always good business, and shining a spotlight on them is even better. If you’d like to create a custom publication, promoting your organization and applauding your key accounts, call Media South at 865-525-0030 to explore the options.