The one thing that stays constant in the interactive department is change. Since 1993, we have been constantly evolving the art of interactive communication. From websites, to kiosks, to digital presentations, and yes, even dancing baloney. There is not much we haven’t touched over the years.

In our quest to know everything, we welcome the interaction that blogging provides. So blog away.

Hi! Thank you for stopping by the Risdall Search Marketing Blog. My name is Jennifer Wilbanks Risdall and I am the president of RSM. Our motto: It’s all about online visibility.

A little about us. Risdall Search Marketing is the online marketing component of Risdall Marketing Group. As such, we get really excited about search optimization, sponsored search, online ads, email marketing, social media, website analytics, online PR and other things that haven’t been invented yet. Our goal is to help our clients build visibility online through a blend of tools and to drive traffic to their websites.
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The worst of it – this was done in 2007.

And then just when I’m sure I’ve seen it all, comes a lovely little campaign from DDB in Madrid … sometimes all it takes is a stunning photo or illustration, but so difficult to be new and unique these days.

Here we have visuals that are so arresting and intriguing that I find myself staring at them, studying them, trying to figure out (1.) how they were done and (2.) how they were done without getting screwed up. Of course, these could be the web versions, not as they actually appeared, without any text,taglines, urls or 800 numbers. But makes a clever case for restraint. And the lighting is pure Rembrandt.

Welcome, I guess. Who knows what’s correct protocol for a blog launch?

So, what’s this blog about? What’s going to make it worth reading?
It has to be honest. Like what’s really going on in one’s head,
not some cheesy advertising message. Blogs are not for sales spiels.

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During an editorial advisory gathering a few weeks ago with Twin Cities Business, the conversation quickly turned to social media and its impact on PR and marketing. Our belief – social media is here to stay and the current offerings barely scratch the surface of possibility.

No doubt, the number of tools and communications mediums has increased but along with it comes challenge and trepidation. Yes, there are more ways to reach our audiences. Yet, there is more competition and clutter for the messages we are sending and there is uncertainty about when, how and if social mediums are the right channels.

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And stay nice doing it

On July 1, 2007, this strange and happy thing known today as Risdall Advertising Agency begins its 36th year in business. Recently, the agency staff was encouraged—via a stash of copies ordered by John Risdall personally—to read The Power of Nice: How to Conquer the Business World with Kindness, by Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval, respectively CEO/chief creative officer and president of The Kaplan Thaler Group. These high-powered women make of point of treating everyone, from junior-level employees to senior-level clients, with kindness and respect.

The book was an inspiration and a validation. Like any organization, we have our share of frustrations, but there’s an overriding culture of niceness here. Not just passive-aggressive “Minnesota nice,” but a sense of people feeling at home professionally in a competitive, ever-changing business. Some employees, clients and vendors recognize this special quality immediately and naturally. Others have a striking moment of revelation. A new employee attending the agency’s holiday party a few years ago, for example, announced to anyone within earshot, “You people actually like each other!”

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