Burke Advertising News & Blog

Bruins sightings at Fenway! Hockey fans are gearing up for the 2010 NHL Winter Classic at Fenway Park featuring the Boston Bruins. Sports Legends New England interviewed Bruins greats from the past at the legendary ball park as the ice was placed on this world-famous diamond. Photo includes Burke Advertising's Jim Burke, Chris Cooper and Bruins legends Terry O'Reilly, Rick Middleton and Brad Park. Bob Lobel and Jack Heath had a few good interviews that will air before the Winter Classic and Alumni Game. It was a sight to see the ice being placed on the Fenway diamond as we captured great stories from some hockey greats!

Tulley BMW once again showed how much they care! This year Tulley BMW took customer service one step further with their Customer Appreciation Day. Fresh omelets were prepared for guests, who were able to tour the facility and get a backstage view of Tulley BMW. The attendees got a chance to see the Service Bays, Body Shop, as well as the unveiling of the 2010 750xi. Over 100 prizes were given away with a putting contest in the center of the showroom. This was a fun event that was also educational to customers, who learned how Tulley BMW works, but more importantly, how much they care. Burke Advertising was pleased to help Tulley BMW pull together this great event, and we are looking forward to another successful event next year! Click here for more pictures.

From the album: "Wall Photos" by Burke Advertising East Coast Lumber was recently recognized for their contributions to the Timberland Serv-a-Palooza event. Serv-A-Palooza is Timberland’s annual daylong celebration of service. Around the globe, thousands of Timberland employees, partners and fellow community members dedicate their time, passion and skills to make a difference. East Coast Lumber teamed up with local builders to complete projects around the region. The picture and story appeared in the latest issue of the New Hampshire Business Review. In this photo: Al Beull (Timberland volunteer) , Tom Hampton (East Coast Lumber) , Jeff Schwartz (President and CEO Timberland ) , Fabienne Verschoor (Timberland volunteer) , Bob Bogosh (Dube-Plus Construction)

Today we are honoring the veterans we know and all those or have served and are serving around the world. Remember to thank a veteran today, and if you recognize a veteran in front of you in line at Dunkin Donuts, don't be shy and buy them a coffee!   Pictured clockwise top left : John Burke, US Army Chris Cooper, US Navy Donald Hurtle, US Army

Congratulations to our Production Manager, Erin Hammond, for completing her first half marathon in the 3rd annual Manchester City Marathon! Over 1,000 participants turned out November 1st to run throughout Manchester and Goffstown. Erin has competed in several road races and triathlons, including the NYC Triathlon where she swam in the Hudson River, rode a 25 mile bike on the Henry Hudson Highway, and ran 6 miles run through Central Park. This was her first half marathon, and she was still ready for our clients on Monday morning. Congratulate Erin here...

Eaton & Berube Insurance Burke Advertising has been selected as agency of record by one of New Hampshire's most respected insurance agencies. Look for our new campaign highlighting why a local company should be trusted for personal or commercial insurance. Sure, cavemen in suits and talking geckos are funny, but Eaton & Beube are ready to cover New Hampshire with our new covernh.com campaign. www.covernh.com

It was a great month for our new show Sports Legends New England. The PR blitz started with The Hillman Morning show on WAAF Boston. Bob Lobel's appearance featured a debate over who is a legend that continued with several callers after Bob had left the show. Bob also appeared on the Matty In The Morning Show on Kiss108. This was a memorable in-studio appearance that can be heard on the new Legends Blog. The Boston Dirt Dogs gave our new website a boost with a featured link promoting the appearance of Dwight Evans. Thanks to our friends at The Renaissance Hotel & Spa at Patriot Place who hosted the taping of our interview with former New England Patriots and Superbowl Champion Ted Johnson. Jim Burke along with Super Bowl Champion Ted Johnson, Bob Lobel and Jack Heath at Patriot Place overlooking Gillette Stadium. www.sportslegendsnewengland.com www.patriot-place.com

Powered by coffee and cookies, the Burke Advertising creative team met with the Rivier marketing team to brainstorm a new approach to promoting the college information session. How could we overcome the challenges of today’s economy, compete with hundreds of options that vie for the attention of adult students and bring people onto a college campus on a hot August evening? Out of that creative meeting came a new campaign media mix and a unique incentive to make Rivier standout in this competitive market – giving away an Amazon Kindle digital reader, one of the hottest gadgets on the market today. Higher Education campaigns traditionally shy away from prizes or giveaways and if you had a nickel for every time you’ve seen a company giving away an iPod in the last year, you would be able to retire. We wanted Rivier College to stand out. The Kindle provided us with the opportunity we were looking for. It’s a unique, in-demand giveaway that’s also relevant to higher education (there’s more ...

Sports Legends New England Premieres on MyTV New England BOSTON -- Legendary sportscaster Bob Lobel is back on the air with Jack Heath on an all new television program produced by Burke Advertising. Using his distinctive interviewing style, Lobel has interviewed and produced "unplugged" conversations with some of New England's biggest sports heroes. Sports Legends New England premieres Saturday October 10 on MyTV New England at 6:00pm with Doug Flutie. Just som eof the shows scheduled for later this season include sports legends Cam Neely, Dwight Evans, John Hannah, Bill Lee, Jim Craig, Carlton Fisk and John Havlicek. BOOK / MEET A LEGEND Burke Advertising is also working with sports legends for public appearances. If you would like to book an appearance by one of New England's sports legends at your next event email or call with a request. Email bookings@sportslegendsnewengland.com , or call 603-627-5381 for more information today. For more information...

Our client Fiberkraft has introduced two new holiday cards to their extensive collection, featuring scenes from Boston reproduced from local artists. Be original this year and send a holiday card like no other. You can choose from the Boston Skyline to the Zakim Bridge in their Townhouse Collection. Check out all the designs and options on their new website created by Burke Advertising at fiberkraft.com . Fiberkraft has been in business since 1928 selling mailing and filing supplies to professional offices. They have worked with top business firms for over 50 years to supply everything from custom presentation materials to basic legal supplies. We helped launch specialized divisions professionalfolders.com, cpafolders.com and attorneyfolders.com earlier this year.

We did it again for a wonderful cause - 100% participation! What a perfect night for the CIGNA 5k in Manchester. On August 13th, Manchester hosted the 17th annual running of the CIGNA/Elliot Corporate 5K Road Race. It is the largest road race in New Hampshire. The race included thousands of elite and recreational runners, walkers and wheelchair entrants. In addition to the approximately 5,000 walkers and runners, the event also includes volunteers and spectators from around the region for organization, support, and a good cheer or two. The event draws extensive media coverage as athletes from around the globe come to New Hampshire to participate in the race. This year, financial support provided to Elliot Health System will target the cost of health care services for the uninsured and under-insured. Read more about the race here.

Congratulations to our client Rivier College for putting on a top notch golf event at the Vesper Country Club. Because of the generous donations of sponsors and players, Rivier raised over $130,000 to benefit health and fitness programs at the school. The day was topped off by the chance to hit the links with legends from the Boston sports world including Bruins great Rick Middleton, who kept the crowd laughing during the dinner program. Pictured: Matt Laliberte, Tom Roy, Chris Cooper & Jim Burke along with Boston Bruins great Rick Middleton.

Are you ready for Season 3 of MAD MEN? Don't miss one of television's best, and see if you think ad agencies have evolved in forty years! Don't miss the opportunity to insert your spot on this AMC original. Contact us today for rates and zone availability. See What You Would Look Like in a 1962 Agency - MAD MEN Yourself here.

We may not post every time someone in our office gets up to get a cup of coffee, but you may find a few interesting posts to laugh or think about. Become a fan of the Burke Advertising Facebook page and enrich your life or just have another excuse to cyber-loaf. Burke Advertising on facebook

Are you looking to brand your company events? Wisconsin based cabinet manufacturer Holiday Kitchens was. Every summer they hold a conference for kitchen dealers from across the nation. This year, they were looking to add a little excitement... and "HK Nation" was born. Working with Holiday Kitchens, Burke Advertising designed the look of the HK Nation brand. At the conclusion of the weekend, the event guest were given t-shirts who now proudly wear them throughout the "nation". When branding your event, design matters. Remember to create a design that will appeal to the taste of your audience. In other words, don't miss the opportunity to have people wear your design and not let it collect dust in their closet. You want that logo shown off well after the event is over. Holiday Kitchens is a Burke Advertising client located in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. www.holidaykitchens.com

Offering Video To Your Customers InBrella Launches New DVD When Burke Advertising recently produced a new long form video for InBrella Systems, we realized we could not rely on only on web streaming. For over ten years we have used the "Free Video" offer to attract leads. Yes, it started as a VHS tape for those of you who remember those. If we simply posted the video online, we were concerned we'd remove an incentive to pick up the phone and call our client. As it turns out, even with the video online, the free DVD offer continues to generate sales with the highly targeted group of Facilities Directors. If you are producing a long form video, utilize the web, but also consider your audience and if they would want something to touch, feel and pass around. It is still a popular handout at tradeshows and it is also an inexpensive way of saying "give us a call". Burke Advertising Videos

Thanks WBCN for introducing some of us to The Clash, The Ramones, and U2. Hard to say goodbye, but it was also hard to listen the last few years. (I guess I was not alone) Boston radio will never be the same without "The Rock of Boston" and the history they created. In 1980 it seemed like one station in America was playing u2, and that station with the artistic freedom was WBCN. Today nationally there are not many stations that would be willing to take the chances WBCN did for it's first few decades. We are lucky in the Boston market to have stations like WXRV "The River" who are independent, and offer a new artist now and than and keep music first. Yesterday WFNX reported CBS is moving Mix 98.5 to 104.1. The WBCN frequency will become a new, all-sports station--apparently to be dubbed the Sports Hub. WFNX will be the big winner with this demographic. The bad news could be for WEEI who has owned this sports market for so long. Stay tuned New England, it is going...

When you can connect your brand to an audience and do it with a little humor, you have a winning combination. When Friel Golf Management selected Burke Advertising to prod uce their Red Sox baseball television commercial, we knew we had to stand out. The concept of highlighting the Cape Cod Country Club and Overlook Golf Club courses with a flying baseball seemed like a natural fit. Opening the spot with a baseball resting on a golf tee was sure to grab the attention of Red Sox Nation. We had to highlight the beauty of the championship courses, so what better than a flyover view with a baseball down the fairway. Consider your media buy and targeted audience and see if you can make a creative connection with the spot you produce. Click here to see this and other Burke Advertising produced spots

You can now connect with movie audiences on the big screen. Most movie theaters are now offering full motion advertising before the feature starts. With creative concepts that make the audience put their popcorn down, you can be more memorable than the previews. Burke Advertising produced a new campaign for NHHEAF targeted to college-bound teens and their parents. If your targeted audience is an "audience", why not entertain them? Let them eat a little popcorn, enjoy the previews and see your company in action. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqfNYupcySw

Are you utilizing consistent talent and imagery in your campaigns? The power consistency will increase the connection between your audience and your brand. Burke Advertising recently launched a campaign to brand Rivier's new undergr aduate Finance Program utilizing the strength of consistent imagery. The talent hired to be the "face" of the program appeared in a television commercial, a lenticular or holographic postcard and in print advertisements as part of the campaign. The response mechanism was a vanity www.rivierfinance.com . The result was a consistent message and theme with each media supporting the other in driving home the message of ethics in finance education. Keep your message clean, easy to understand and stay consistent. As the oldest institution of higher learning in Nashua, Rivier is recognized for the development of programs which serve the needs of both traditional and nontraditional age individuals and remains faithful to its original mission: the educ...

Your web site design should focus on not only function and creativity, but search engine optimization ( SEO ) as well. Building a web site with the purpose of driving traffic is as important as providing a design that communicates your message. Web site content & structure is an important part of your design. If you are not happy with your search engine placement, establish a link referral assessment and program, and create an optimization action plan focusing on SEO copywriting . Google, Yahoo and other major search engines should be constantly monitored. At Burke Advertising, we work with our clients and establish an assessment of current website rankings. Burke Advertising designed and has launched the new web site for Johnston Associates of High Point, North Carolina. Johnston Sales is comprised of a team of professionals dedicated to the promotion of kitchen cabinetry through dealers throughout the country. With popular words like kitchens and cabinets, we worked for key plac...

Yes, you can practically put your logo on anything---just use your imagination, but we went to the ASI Show in Las Vegas to find new ways to help our clients be original. Burke Advertising is a member of ASI, (Advertising Specialties Institute) and we are always looking for new promotional opportunities. As ASI members, we have great options and a simple process to find the right premium or incentive for our client's promotions. We attended the ASI Show in Las Vegas and had the chance to expand our creativity as well as see new promotional items. Here are a few imaginative programs we recently used for our clients. Music Download Cards You can give your customers or prospects a reason to visit your web site with free music. Give them a download card with your name and logo that promotes your domain and links to thousands of songs. For less than the cost of a song you can get plastic cards to hand out at trade shows or to daily prospects. This promotion has a long shelf life and wi...

When you've been chosen as the National Fabricator of the Year by the industry-leading Stone World Magazine, how do you get the word out? Ripano Stoneworks of Nashua turned to Burke Advertising. Ripano has been fabricating and installing granite counter tops for over twenty years and decided to seek out assistance in defining their position in a very competitive market. We're honored they chose us. We've been working with the Ripano team to highlight their unique marketing position and communicate to the marketplace the solid surface difference. Burke Advertising created a web site with "Solid Surface 101" videos that explain the benefits of granite counter tops. From stone selection to polishing, we have created a "sticky" web site. We know more than a few excited spouses have forwarded this link to their husband or wife. With friends and family of customers forwarding the Ripano link, we also know a good web site is a web site that sells. See for...

Ready to open the lines of communication? Speak and listen with Email Marketing and Survey by Constant Contact, and begin an ongoing dialogue with your customers, members, or clients. Email Marketing and Survey helps you build strong, lasting relationships.With Email Marketing you can stay connected and get your message out. Survey lets customers communicate back to you-with new ideas and feedback to better understand and meet their needs. You'll gain a broader, more representative view of what customers or members really think about your products, services and communications.Survey gives you new insight that helps you gain the focus you need to meet customer needs...and deliver what they want. And with Email Marketing, you can close the communication loop. Your audience will know you listened to them when they receive your targeted, follow-up email communications.Burke Advertising is a Constant Contact business partner, and ready to help you launch your next emarketing campaign. C...

Aligning a local brand with a sports legend can be an effective way to boost your image. Our client East Coast Lumber did just that with a contest where the winner gets a backyard barbecue with hockey legend Bobby Orr. In partnership with their distributor, East Coast Lumber launched a campaign to promote the new line through targeted TV and radio ads and a contest with the chance to win a backyard barbecue with Bobby Orr. The results? East Coast Lumber was able to acquire new leads through the contest registration and Latitudes Decking quickly became one of their top selling decking products.They Shoot... They Score!

Our client Tulley BMW hosted over 100 guests for the unveiling of the latest models from BMW. The presentation included the brand new seven-passenger X5 as well as the 3 series coupe. The audience was treated to New Hampshire's first peek at BMW's offerings while enjoying live music and hors d'oeuvres from the Stonehedge Inn of Tyngsboro. This event allowed Tulley BMW to thank friends and customers for their continued loyalty as well as educate them on the latest models from BMW. While at Tulley, attendees toured the service bays and service write-up areas, and learned special features about their BMW's from technicians. Tulley first opened its doors on Main Street in Nashua in 1957. They are currently undergoing an expansion of their Daniel Webster Highway showrooms. Visit tulley.com for more information about the latest from BMW, Volkswagen, Mazda, Buick, Pontiac and GMC. Remember you can thank and educate your customers at the same time. http://www.tulleybmw.com/

Email marketing can be an effective tool, but once your customers opt out of your list they are gone for good. Create a quality email marketing campaign with interesting content, special offers and consider an innovative contest. Once your customers look forward to getting an email from you, you have successfully captured their attention. Stay sticky so you will be rewarding them for looking for their name eblast after eblast. One contest Burke Advertising developed for Cold Springs RV is a monthly "Camper's Clambake" giveaway. Cold Springs announces a winner in a monthly eblast, and when the winner sees their name they can claim a Lobster Clambake that will be shipped to their home. When developing your email list, consider a contest with a nontraditional prize. There is more excitement when the participant has the opportunity to win a prize they could not purchase for themselves. Burke Advertising developed the "Propane for Life" contest for the Central Mass A...

Variable Data Printing (VDP) is a great tool for conducting campaigns when you want to appeal to individuals or well-focused groups. We can create personalized direct mail by merging data from your database into any document design. VDP gives your print communications more impact. By using VDP, we can create a mail piece that is directed to your audience and customized to the individual. Although only one document is designed, elements such as text, graphics and images may be changed from one printed piece to the next. The result is a truly personalized direct mail piece that communicates 1-to-1 with your prospects or customers. Instead of delivering a single message to 10,000 customers, you could print 10,000 unique pieces with customized messages for each customer for just a few pennies more. Direct mail has never been so direct! Burke Direct

Reach new Customers today. Use YouTube to share original promotional videos or commercials worldwide. YouTube allows you to easily upload and share video clips across the internet through a simple platform. So why should businesses care? It's like the old joke about why people rob banks - it's where the money is. YouTube is where the people are. By building a YouTube page/channel you can use it to link direct to your websites, mobile devices or even your company blog. This FREE service drives traffic to your site and can help you show off or educate a market about your product or service. Burke Advertising has utilized YouTube for clients The Johnsonia, Tulley BMW and Ripano Stoneworks. Check out our BurkeTube page . Burke Tube

Cross Promotions That Work At first thought, you would wonder what a chain of pet food stores and the region's leading provider of natural gas would have in common and what could be so 'green' about it. It turns out, it's more than both just being Burke Advertising clients. Unitil was looking for a fresh angle to promote a green energy option in Central Massachusetts and Agway was looking to brand its green products to the same audience. The answer? A campaign that highlighted the benefits of Unitil's energy solution and used a $500 Agway shopping spree as the incentive. Everyone who responded for a free evaluation of their home or business qualified for the prize. The winner enjoyed a shopping spree at Central Mass Agway, the region's premiere supplier of home, garden and pet supplies. Unitil and Agway offer two very different products, but a cross promotion needs only a little imagination to make it work. A good marketing partner always has one thing in...

Are You A Dot PRO? New Domain Extension Is Now Available If you are a professional, you may qualify for a .pro domain extention. Consider using the name of your business or industry with a .pro extention. If you do not have the .com or .net version for your domain, search the availablity of the .pro today. Don't delay, these extentions will not last long. It takes a little work, but worth the time if you are a PRO. Call us today at 603.market.1 and ask how. www.Burke.pro

Sticky Emails With A Creative Contest Camper's Clambake & Propane For Life Email marking can be an effective tool, but once your customers opt out of your list they are gone for good. Create a quality email marketing campaign with interesting content, special offers and consider an innovative contest. Once your customers look forward to getting an email from you, you have successfully captured their attention. Stay sticky so you will be rewarding them for looking for their name eblast after eblast. One contest Burke Advertising developed for Cold Springs RV is a monthly "Camper's Clambake" giveaway. Cold Springs announces a winner in a monthly eblast, and when the winner sees their name they can claim a Lobster Clambake that will be shipped to their home. When developing your email list, consider a contest with a nontraditional prize. There is more excitement when the participant has the opportunity to win a prize they could not purchase for themselves. Bur...

Speaking at the Northeast Gas Association's Annual Marketing Conference, Jim Burke addressed current marketing and planning concepts. With all the choices today's marketing decision makers have, a review of all options is essential in this competitive marketplace. Jim reviewed with Natural Gas executives an overview of concepts and planning, how to include long range goals as well as short term flexibility into marketing plans. Traditio nal medias as well as current trends including web PURLs, variable data mailings and pay-per-click advertising were scrutinized. The presentation focused on finding the right vehicle to be successful, and how to effectively use an approach in the utility industry. NGA's Annual Sales and Marketing Conference brings together 150 professionals from the regional natural gas industry to explore current topics. The most recent conference was held on February 5th at the Mystic Marriott Hotel in Groton, CT.