Burke Advertising News & Blog

Burke Advertising is proud to announce season 1 of our TV show, Sports Legends New England, is now available on DVD. This 2-DVD set can be purchased on Amazon.com. It features Bob Lobel and Jack Heath as they interview eleven legends who captured the hearts and imaginations of generations of New England sports fans. The set includes rare moments with the heroes of New England's favorite teams as they reveal personal stories and struggles as well as professional triumphs. From Yastrzemski's honesty recalling life on the field with Ted Williams to a Carlton Fisk conversation about his infamous trade, this DVD has truly one-of-a-kind interviews. Doug Flutie gives behind-the-scenes accounts of his storied career, including the famous pass; and Tom Heinsohn sits down to tell stories from the early days of Celtics basketball. Shot in unique and relaxed settings, including an empty Fenway Park, a quiet TD Garden, private homes and even on the golf course, legends from the Red S...

We would like to acknowledge the work of a few of our clients who are remembering what the true spirit of the holidays is all about by donating to local and national charities. Ripano Stoneworks is donating portions of sales to the New Hampshire Food Bank and also serving as a Food Drive location throughout the month of December Eaton & Berube is donating their holiday greeting card funds to the Youth Council of Greater Nashua Cold Springs RV has made contributions to the Milford Rotary Club and to Frank FM on behalf of the NH Food Bank Central Mass Agway has donated funds received from pet pictures with Santa to local animal shelters

New Hampshire Today with Jack Heath is New Hampshire's 'only' live and local afternoon FM radio talk show. Burke Advertising designed NH Today's web page, which provides daily updates on the upcoming topics, a listener blog, upcoming events and more. It is the only place on radio where New Hampshire and Vermont listeners can tune in and interact on local issues affecting their lives. For more information on the show click here.

Showcasing Your Customer in Your Marketing When your target audiences are two distinct groups (such as professional contractors and not-so-professional do-it-yourselfers) that tend to be at opposite ends of the spectrum, it can be difficult at times to craft a cohesive marketing message that speaks to all. Such is the case for client East Coast Lumber. This December, we started a new approach - highlighting their contractors in the marketing message. As part of the campaign, we took a year's worth of East Coast's contractor projects and showcased them in a six-minute video set to music. The video highlights not only the craftsmanship of the contractors, but also the quality materials and products available at East Coast Lumber. The video debuted at the Southern NH Homebuilders and Remodelers Annual Dinner to great reviews and is also being used in-store and will be featured at several 2011 trade shows. If you're interested in creating a long-form video for your compan...

We see a new campaign for Rivier College. "What do you see?" is the famous Rorschach Test question. Burke Advertising is helping potential psychology students seeking an online degree find the answers with our new campaign for Rivier College. We've created a campaign using the famous Rorschach Ink Blot imagery to promote Rivier's new online program. The campaign targets potential students by highlighting the ambiguous Ink Blots as different ideas of what this new program offers. Visit rivier.edu/onlinepsych for more information.

Give away something you can't buy Ken Jones of Nashua is giving away a free Atomic sweatshirt that's not for sale anywhere in stores or online. By making this limited edition sweatshirt available only to people who like them on Facebook, Ken Jones is creating a way to generate more friends. Friend Ken Jones on Facebook

Black Friday is No Match for Cyber Monday Why rush around and wait in lines on Black Friday when you can sit in the comfort of your own home and receive the same discounts on the following Monday? This appears to be the attitude of shoppers this holiday season. Where a total of $648 million dollars were spent in stores on Black Friday, a total of $1,028 million were spent on Cyber Monday according to ComScore, Inc. In 2009 the disparity between sales on Black Friday and Cyber Monday was much smaller, indicating that Cyber Monday sales may double Black Friday's in upcoming years. Our clients, like  Ken Jones Ski & Snowboard Mart and RV Parts America enjoy year-round online sales as well as the Cyber Monday Rush by offering online shopping options for sale-hungry buyers.

Burke Advertising is happy to announce the launch of BobLobel.com, the official website of the legendary sportscaster.  http://www.boblobel.com/  Bob's official site will be the place to go for his unique insight and postings on current sports events as well as historical photos and memories from his career. Bob is a former sportscaster for WBZ-TV in Boston. He anchored sports segments and hosted the weekly programs Sports Final and Patriots 5th Quarter. If you would like to book Bob for an appearance at your next corporate event, contact Burke Advertising at 603.627.5381.

This past April, 73 million mobile phone users accessed their browsers. According to Stone Ward Research, this is a 31% increase from last year. More and more consumers will be accessing sites through their handheld devices rather than laptops or desktop computers. Your company's website must be compatible with handheld devices ranging from iPads to flip phones. The differences between the two, and all mobile phones in between, are large and encompass many different factors. Burke Advertising has made mobile a priority for client websites and their online marketing strategy. We have always focused on improving client's SEO and online marketing, but now we will see to it that your company has a mobile-ready website that will impress and keep more consumers visiting your page. More

A few weeks ago, LAARS Heating Systems brought us an interesting challenge. Although they have been manufacturing boilers for over 50 years and serve builders, contractors and architects from around the world, they have little brand identification with the end user of their residential products - the homeowner.           The challenge they presented us was to find a way to increase their brand awareness with homeowners while at the same time building relationships with their resellers and contractors. Our answer was the "LAARS, LAARS, LAARS" campaign. We created a TV, radio and online campaign that highlighted their unique marketing position through dialogue that focuses on their name. Our "plumber" can't stop saying "LAARS" because all he does every day is recommend and install LAARS boilers. The creative was designed to be taggable for use with any LAARS reseller or ...

This winter, we've created a promo that could make one skier very happy. Ken Jones Nashua has filled a car at Peters of Nashua with ski gear. If the value of the car and equipment are guessed correctly, one lucky person will win "The Ultimate Ski & Ride Makeover." The prize includes about $10,000 worth of ski gear and a brand new $30,000 car (hint hint). The campaign promotes both Ken Jones and Peters with a fun, email address-collecting, and brand-building event. Check out the microsite we created for more details at www. ski makeover .com.

Are you utilizing your video footage to its fullest? We have taken the video we created for the InBrella System and offered the footage to their online catalog re-sellers. Rather than just static images, online stores can educate and sell with video. Videos are sometimes created for one purpose, but can often be utilized in a different arena. To learn more about InBrella, visit InBrella.com. To find out how your existing video footage or TV spot can be optimized for other avenues, or to create something new, contact Burke Advertising today.

From the flying Mad Men to the talk show format, the Nashua Chamber produced a fun-filled, creative event last evening. Congratulations to the Nashua Citizen of The Year, Saint Joseph's Hospital president Peter Davis. Members of the Burke Advertising staff enjoyed the evening and we are proud of two of our clients, Rivier College and Eaton & Berube Insurance , who helped sponsor the event.

Burke Advertising is proud to announce the addition of our new Account Manager, Ashley McKeone. Ashley will assist our clients with the creative process, media planning, and campaign design. Ashley is a graduate of the Boston University College of Communication. While attending BU, Ashley participated in AdLab, the nation’s largest full-service, student-run advertising agency, as an Art Supervisor on the Executive Board. Through her client projects in AdLab and advertising coursework, she has developed the skills and experience to make a significant contribution to the Burke Advertising team. Say hello to Ashley at ashley@burkeadvertising.com .

Starting this month, consumers visiting our clients Ken Jones Ski Mart and Central Mass Agway stores can now join their e-clubs with a point of their smart phones. How? Through the integration of QR codes within in-store signage. It's just one of the way we're using these 2-dimensional barcodes to help clients promote everything from mobile coupons to instantaneous web site access.  You've probably seen one in a magazine, on a postcard, or even a billboard and wondered what they are.  A QR Code is a two-dimensional barcode readable by QR scanners, mobile phones with a camera, and smartphones.  Your customers scan the image of the QR Code to automatically display text, contact information, or open a web page in their phone's browser. Think about the possibilities of adding a QR Code to your next campaign: ·        Capture contact details ·        O...

This year, Rivier College expanded its highly-rated BS in Nursing program to an online format. We designed RivierNursing.com to support out of market campaigns across the country and serve as the primary collection point for students interested in the program.  www.riviernursing.com

New Englanders from the Lakes Region to Cape Cod are discovering a new show this fall. Discovery New England  launched in September and featured our client Ripano Stoneworks. When Burke Advertising worked to get Ripano placed on Discovery New England on MyTV , we didn't realize we had a budding TV personality on our hands. Client Matt Laliberte's professionalism and pride for the craftsmanship of his team shines through and he really captures the essence of their unique marketing position. Although we are very excited with the visibility the show has given Ripano, we're also excited about extending that reach through their social media channels. Through Ripano's Facebook and YouTube pages (in addition to ours) we've been able to expand the reach of this opportunity beyond the show's viewers.  It's word of mouth in the digital age! Click Here for Show Clip Check out the new Ripano web site designed by Burke Advertising .

We're taking the Man of Many Hats to the streets.   Look out for the new Bill Trombly Plumbing & Heating truck rolling through your neighborhood. It's plastered with our highly successful 'Hats' campaign.  We have used our new truck wrap design to create a powerful moving billboard that is sure to catch some eyes.

During one of our creative meetings, we were discussing client East Coast Lumber and how to communicate that they were so much more than well... a lumber yard. We went looking for the magazine Lumberyards and More only to find it doesn't exist. So we did the next best thing, we created it ourselves. Introducing The Design Journal, 16 glossy pages of design ideas, solutions and products for homeowners. It 's everything from kitchen to bath, doors and windows and more from family-owned and operated East Coast Lumber. http://www.eastcoastlumber.net/

We have just upgraded our video editing suite and CS5 Pro is living up to all the hype.  Powered up on the new iMac, we are working  faster thanks to the revolutionary native 64-bit, GPU-accelerated  Mercury Playback Engine .  We open projects faster, scrub through HD and higher-resolution footage more fluidly, and play back complex effects-heavy projects more reliably.  Watch for our new TV spots, web videos and produced TV shows created on this new powerhouse.  Burke Video Clips

Our production manager, Erin Hammond, will be traveling to the Dominican Republic to participate in a medical mission. For one week this winter, Erin will be working for a group from Orphanage Outreach to help provide needed medical care and education to the poor in various Dominican communities near the Haitian border.     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWxwcxvlyxQ

Rivier College's annual Swing into Fitness golf tournament is a date marked on many calendars. It's one of best golf tournaments in the region and directly supports the health and fitness programs for Rivier students. This year's tournament lived up to all expectations and more raising over $155,000 - a new milestone. The event, held at Vesper Country Club, was highlighted with the participation of over 30 New England sports celebrities including Hall of Famer Ray Bourque, Bruins greats Rick Middleton and Terry O'Reilly and even current NESN host Kathryn Tappan. Read the full story here Burke Advertising's A Team shown above: Jim Burke, Nelson Lee (Dream Kitchens), Chris Cooper, former Boston Bruin Tim Sweeney and Matt Laliberte (Ripano Stoneworks).

Think snow now and save some green! Put on a sweater and check out the new spot we produced for our client Ken Jones Ski Mart. Their Columbus Day Sales Event starts this week.

"It's A Tulley" Campaign

At Burke Advertising, we often preach that a successful campaign should stay the course like our Doors of Opportunity campaign we developed for Rivier College. We also believe you can freshen up a campaign. Here is how we added a fresh twist for Rivier, by showing the doors that have been opened with alumni testimonials.

We're excited to be named Agency of Record for Ken Jones Ski Mart of Nashua. As part of this new gig, we'll be working on media planning & placement, creative development and social media.

Thanks to SKYPE, Burke Advertising's production meetings were done half a world away the last few weeks. Our founder reported back from China that it was interesting he could not access social networking sites. Although Jim could web conference for free all day, he could not access Facebook or Twitter. Both are blocked in China.

Congratulations to Tulley BMW for their successful Tulley BMW Challenge Event last week. Tulley BMW gave customers a chance to drive and compare the all-new 5 Series Sedan against the Mercedes-Benz E350 and other premium brands. The results were unanimous, the new 2011 5 Series outperformed its competition!

Any kitchen maestro knows that a great dish starts with a great recipe. Designing a website to showcase the area's Must See Showroom is no different. In planning the redesign of the Granite State Cabinetry website, we gathered all the ingredients in our "kitchen" : GSC's award winning kitchen designers, their unmatched project portfolio, top cabinet and countertop product lines, and of course... the showroom! The look and feel of the site is sleek and modern and focuses viewer's attention on what matters most: great designs that inspire homeowners to dream of what their new kitchen would look like. Written testimonials were included to highlight the consistently great work Granite State Cabinetry has done in their 25+ year history. The website for this family-owned and operated business definitively answers the question of why homeowners looking to re-do their kitchen need to talk with Granite State Cabinetry. Take a look online at http://www.gscabinetry....

Our client Central Mass Agway knows how to treat their customers right. With a live email announcement at 5pm on Father’s Day, they capped off their customer appreciation weekend across their chain of Massachusetts stores by giving away a John Deere tractor. As Dads across Massachusetts waited for the news, Steve Schusta from Groton got the lucky email.

Last April Burke Advertising wrote an open letter to Jeff Bezos telling him to fire his agency. He may not have fired his agency, but Amazon seems to have taken our advice with a new campaign that highlights the Kindle's unique features. We told them that Steve Jobs would need a Kindl...e to read an e-book on the beach, and we are happy to see that is focus of their new spot. Always remember to promote your unique marketing position!

We have launched a new web site for our client Eaton & Berube Insurance. Visit CoverNH.com to see why talking cavemen are funny, but E&B is the right choice for insurance. Check it out at: www.covernh.com

Hey America! We’ve just launched RV Parts America. Over 800 products and counting on this new e-commerce site. We’re proud to complete this brand design & web development project. Visit RV Parts America today: www.rvpartsamerica.com

We justed enjoyed the Rivier College President's Circle event "Good for Business, Good for the Environment," a session showcasing how environmentally friendly business practices can have a positive impact. For more info: www.rivier.edu

Could this be the face of cable advertising of the future? I'm not so sure, but its worth watching the results from the test runs over the next few months. MediaPost Publications Interactive Viewing: Select TV

Are you ready for the Boston Marathon? Our production manager and fellow triathlete Erin Hammond got a chance to speak to Dick Hoyt of Team Hoyt before a recent taping of our show Sports Legends New England. Team Hoyt is an inspirational story of a father, Dick Hoyt, and his son, Rick, who compete together in marathons and triathlons across the country. http://www.teamhoyt.com/

Dear Jeff Bezos, You have one the best products in your category, and maybe the true first-to-mass-market digital e-book reader. I love my Kindle and I've been singing its praises for almost a year. However, I'm excited to get my new iPad this month. You see Jeff, when you created Amazon.com, you highlighted the benefits of buying books online - but the iPad is going to change the category. Though that doesn't mean the Kindle can't maintain a large niche in the market place. So Mr. Bezos, why is your advertising agency trying to just be clever or cute with your television spots? Rather than educate the market on the Kindle's unique features (that actually set it apart from the iPad), your creative campaigns dazzle with catchy songs and interesting graphics that tell us nothing. What are the folks at Apple doing? Telling the world what the iPad does. Why not mention the Kindle's FREE lifetime web access (iPad will have a monthly fee), your paper-like d...

"When it comes to financial viability, it doesn’t get any better than Rivier College." Congratulations to our client Rivier College for their top rating from the United States Department of Education! Read more from the article in the Nashua Telegraph Click Here .

The year 2010 rolled in with a gloomy predecessor, but if the camping industry is any indication, we have a bright future to look forward to! According to Cold Springs RV General Manager Scott Silva, "The Boston RV Expo was wildly successful for us; we sold more units than the years before!" This year's show was a sigh of relief for the New England camping industry, due to the show's cancellation last year. Many RV manufacturers could not participate and faced declining sales due to the poor economy. Many dealers cut their inventory, suppliers slowed production, and the industry as a whole seemed to be severely affected by the economic downturn. This year though, business was booming! Cold Springs RV was ready for the upswing in the economy and planned ahead by ordering the newest RVs for the 2010 camping season to debut and sell at the Boston show. "It was a great event, and I hope that it is indicative of what's to come for the rest of the year," S...

NBC dominated TV ratings last month with the 2010 Winter Games. It has been reported that NBC drew an average audience of 27.6 million viewers for the USA vs Canada gold medal game on Sunday. Members of the Burke Advertising crew could not have predicted the excitement when we produced an interview with NBC hockey analyst Mike Milbury last month. The hour-plus long interview with Bob Lobel and Jack Heath became two episodes of the Burke Advertising produced show Sports Legends New England. The former Bruin entertained with one our best interviews only days before he headed to Vancouver to be part of Winter Games history.

Burke Advertising is happy to announce our long-standing client, InBrella, will now be featured in Grainger -- one of the world's largest catalogs. Grainger is a Fortune 500 company that is considered to be one of the premier companies in Facility Management Services. This placement allows the InBrella System to be sold in more than 150 countries and to almost two million businesses worldwide. Burke Advertising has been working with InBrella for more than ten years and is pleased to be a part of this latest achievement. The InBrella System is also available through other industry catalogs such as New Pig, Lab Safety Supply, and Global Industrial. http://www.inbrella.com/

Talking lizards and cavemen beware! Burke Advertising has launched a new TV campaign for our client Eaton and Berube Insurance. Watch for Marc Berube in this humorous spot highlighting the advantages of buying your insurance locally.