CMOs need our help
Chief Marketing Officers need our help. Heck, all marketers need help. CMOs and marketers already have one of the toughest jobs imaginable. They are expected to do so much. Build the brand, drive sales, increase market share, evolve their organization, lead companywide transformations and deal with AI. And that is just a start. Unfortunately, many […]
Holiday gifts that build an agency’s brand
Once again a number of thoughtful year end gifts arrived at Mercer Island Group from agencies and clients. It’s a nice touch. And as our readers know, as appreciated as these gifts are, the best gifts a client or agency can give most often directly relate to the working relationship and how each partner can […]
Follow these experts, be a better marketer! Vol. 3
Let’s wrap up 2025 on a high note by highlighting the hard working, deep thinking and occasionally irreverent experts that help make us better marketers. Keeping up these days is so hard – a constant struggle with daily changes in technology, marketing, media and consumers. The constant changes are challenging for anyone to keep up […]
Gifts clients & agencies really want this year
It’s year end! Small gifts of chocolate, coffee and a spirit or two have been arriving at Mercer Island Group. So very thoughtful and appreciated. Clients and agencies will often treat their partners to year end gifts large and small. It’s a lovely tradition. But what do clients and agencies really need and want from […]
One way 67% of agency websites fail
There is a simple change that most agency websites desperately need. Agencies every day are working hard to help their clients succeed. Unfortunately, many agency executives fail to apply many fundamental brand marketing principles to their own agency brand. What is that critical needed change to their website that can impact the website’s effectiveness? A […]
Thankfulness at Mercer Island Group
Thanksgiving is the perfect moment to express gratitude – and we have so much to be thankful for! At Mercer Island Group, we’re deeply appreciative of our wonderful clients as we close out a truly rewarding year. We feel especially lucky to work with the most talented team in our 35-year history. As Thanksgiving approaches, […]
The Client-Agency Prep Plan for a Great Year
CMOs always want to get a new year off to a great start. Sound management of an agency or agency roster is a key to the Brand’s (and CMO’s) success. Good clients get good agency work. There is a linear relationship between being a good client and getting good work. And good agency work can […]
New Leadership Job? You Have 90 Days.
New leaders are promoted or hired daily in marketing departments and agencies. Conventional wisdom has always been to take your time, learn the organization, become acclimated and accepted before trying to make your mark. Don’t move too fast! Fit in. Today, that has become prehistoric thinking. Taking your time today can be the ticket to […]
Clients, Agencies & Good Manners
A surprising thing happened as I left my local Starbucks earlier in the week. As I began to open the door, another customer approached from outside. I held the door open for them, as my mother taught me long ago. And then the surprise occurred: she smiled and thanked me. I’ve been thinking about this […]
Has your agency been ghosted?
Being ghosted sucks. Your agency spent time responding to an RFP, maybe developing and delivering a presentation, possibly even traveling on your dime to meet with the prospect. You delivered your pitch and returned to your office to wait for feedback or an outcome. And… crickets. Weeks and months later…. Crickets. Ghosted. Being ghosted sucks. […]