Direct Mail Honesty Is the Best Policy (piworld.com)

As a creative agency, we often get asked “Where do your ideas come from?” The truth is that sitting behind a desk makes creative ideas harder to come by. For real creative inspiration, it’s important to change your view. Get up, get out of the office, take in a sunset, or simply take a walk. The ideas will start to flow. See video at: https://jschmid.com/get-out-to-get-creative-inspiration/

They’re like a frustrating older sibling. They get all the attention, and they get away with pretty much everything. They’re incredibly well-liked, and it seems like everyone aspires to be them. And regardless of how you feel about them, Patagonia is one of the most impressive brands out there. Why? Because they do so many things that other brands don’t. Maybe you’re thinking, “Well, our brand doesn’t sell outdoor adventure apparel, so we don’t really care what Patagonia’s doing.” But if that’s your philosophy, I challenge you to think of it this way: When their polarizing campaigns, beautifully designed catalogs and killer social media efforts drive consumers to drop $800 on a parka, guess who Patagonia is taking attention (and dollars) away from? You. see more at: https://www.jschmid.com/blog/why-youre-not-patagonia-2/

The coronavirus has been a life-changing event. We've never experienced anything like this before. Baby Boomers were young when polio was nearly eradicated with the Salk vaccine in 1955. At that time, very little was known about polio, which paralyzed and often killed young children. Science has greatly advanced since then. Even so, until we have a proven vaccine, the spread of COVID-19 will continue and the so called “new normal” will evolve and become even more of a reality with every day that passes. COVID-19 has brought about changes in ways we never imagined. Changes in the way we shop, how we work from home, homeschool our children, entertain ourselves, and so much more. What we wouldn't have imagined prior to the coronavirus is becoming the new normal today. Some of the changes we've made will revert back to the old way of doing things once the virus passes. Many of the changes will remain at least for an extended period of time. Many consumer catalog and online businesses have seen a significant increase in response to the way people shop during the coronavirus — i.e., “The COVID factor.” The increase varies by product category.