Christmas Eve Eve was a holiday cheer filled day here at LFS, we even had a K9 helper visit (even if her holiday jacket didn't fit). After a rousing game of Jenga, our employees made their holiday journeys home to their family and friends for the holidays. We hope you had a very Merry Christmas!
The beauty of doing business in today's digital world is that most day-to-day conversations with clients are conducted via email and are consequently documented word-for-word. This is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it is easy to go back to the history of a conversation and dig up important information by a quick "search" thereby saving you a humiliating phone call to the client asking to repeat what he or she said. On the other hand, anything you write can and will be held against you. In our industry, we hear a lot about branding but what we do not hear is the importance of email etiquette and how it reflects our own personal brand.
What does your email etiquette say about your personal brand? Here are a few things to consider before you send your next message like a hot potato:
1. Use your "To:" wisely. Have you ever seen your name on a distribution list and wondered if you need to take action or if someone else on that list is taking action? You decide to ignore it and then during the next production meeting you realize the ball got dropped because everyone decided to ignore the message. Avoid confusion or duplication of effort by directing your message specifically to those who need to take action. Think about what value your message will bring to the intended recipients. Does your client's boss' boss really need to know that you completed the status report? Does he even know who you are?
Carita Eleazar, Account Manager and author of this article, has worked in three different marketing communications agencies managing a variety of clients and projects from multi-million dollar advertising campaigns to complete rebranding initiatives. She holds a degree in communications with a concentration in public relations.
In late August, LeapFrog Solutions acquired Kensington Creative Worldwide, Inc., a graphic design studio and marketing agency based in McLean, Virginia.
“This is a very exciting time for LeapFrog Solutions, Inc.,” said Lisa Martin, President and CEO of LeapFrog Solutions, Inc. “Joining forces with Kensington Creative will greatly enhance our ability to deliver a full range of marketing communications services to our commercial and government clients including branding, messaging, print and web development and media relations.”
Kensington Creative Worldwide was founded in 1994 with the vision of building a marketing services agency that would combine exceptional marketing solutions with extraordinary customer service. Partners Kathie Libert and Frank Henry spent their careers with large advertising agencies and media companies and wanted to create a different kind of agency — one that would develop solid relationships with clients based onpartnership, trust and shared objectives.
“The integration of Kensington Creative with LeapFrog Solutions will serve to strengthen the marketing capabilities of both companies,” Kathie Libert said. “The opportunity to unite these dynamic teams was too powerful to ignore.” Frank Henry added, “The combined offerings and talented staff of LeapFrog Solutions and Kensington Creative give us a powerful presence in the marketplace.”
Kensington Creative’s clients have included Exxon Mobil Corporation, AT&T Government Solutions, Litton PRC, Lockheed Martin Federal Systems, Microsoft, the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety, the National Park Foundation, the National Youth Leadership Forum, the Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association and more.
Kensington Creative’s staff will relocate to the LeapFrog Solutions offices in Oakton, Virginia. Terms of the private acquisition were not disclosed.
