Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the Christmas and New Year holidays as much as anyone. But they sure have a disruptive effect on the usual rhythm of the agency business.
 
You see, when things are in synch, there's a rhythmic flow to our business.  AE's meet with clients.  Jobs are opened.  Creative meetings are scheduled.  Copy is written, scripts are approved, ads are designed, brochures are printed and broadcast jobs are recorded, edited and delivered.
 
It's sort of like those VISA Card TV spots that show a wonderfully orchestrated and choreographed flow of retail activity only to be rudely interrupted by a customer who wants...

It's very quiet this New Year's Eve afternoon.  Not a lot going on in Adland.  Many clients are taking time off between the Holidays as are a number of Pauslenites.

This is an excellent time to complete those annual end-of-year tasks and think about the year behind and the one just ahead.

Without question, 2008 was a year of extremes. Record highs and record lows.  A real roller coaster ride that doesn't appear to be completed yet-- I read and hear so many conflicting comments on what to expect in 2009.

I recall the South Dakota Corn Grower's Association annual meeting in early January of 2008.  In my 30+ years in agribusiness, I had...

…and all through the agency things were pretty darn quiet.  Many Paulsenites have taken a vacation day for traveling to visit family and friends for the holidays.  Others are getting caught up with last minute shopping and gift-wrapping. 

For those of us here at the agency for the half-day, it’s a great time for getting the desk cleared off, scanning trade journals or just reflecting on the past year.

And what a year it’s been here at Paulsen Marketing. 

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December is always a very busy month here at Paulsen as we look ahead with each of our clients and plan their programs for the new year.   We’re big believers in the power of planning and the importance of managing a marketing program from a well-conceived plan.  We find the whole process works much better for the client and the agency. Better results are usually delivered as well. 

Given recent economic uncertainties, we’ve discovered that some of our clients are reluctant to commit to a 12-month annual plan, and understandably so.  There are just too many variables and too many mixed signals right now.  Rather than ignore the...

Last week we held the First Annual Paulsen County Fair.  It included an all-present “State of the Agency Report”,  (highlighting one of the agency’s best years ever), unveiling of our awesome new web site and new agency identity materials, a wonderful barbeque dinner, games and prizes for all employees and their families and an incredible show of agency talent at Karoke. A grand time was had by all.  Special thanks to Katie Levitt, associate creative director, and Kristie Weiberg, senior art director for their months of hard work and planning to make the Paulsen County Fair such a huge success.

Also should mention that several promotions were...