Author Archives for Sarah Cavill
February 11, 2019 7:53 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
A great college advertising campaign needs to be creative and act as a functional recruitment tool. The content can inspire and innovate, broadly capturing attention, but must also feel relatable and user-friendly to hopefully generate interest and enrollments. This can involve elaborate multichannel campaigns reaching prospective students and parents throughout the college application process, or [...]
February 7, 2019 7:50 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
By now, most parents are familiar with the various project boxes for kids that include crafts, STEM building kits, toys and other creative activities to fight boredom and engage young minds. While the success of these curated subscription boxes has been mixed, they continue to flood the market. The project and toy boxes appeal to [...]
February 5, 2019 7:50 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
The saturation of social media and web use in the United States can feel relentless. But compared to China, a country of more than a billion people, where some apps are being used by nearly every person, the U.S has room to be inspired. Government regulations in China limit the access Chinese people have to [...]
February 4, 2019 7:50 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
Patriots fans, basking in the afterglow of their sixth victory, may be among the few who will remember Super Bowl LIII. As usual, a less-than-exciting game didn’t stop viewers from sharing their every opinion online, especially about the commercials. The products endorsed by celebrities from every walk of life were touted prior to the big [...]
January 31, 2019 8:03 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
The pet insurance market is a revealing test case for a variety of truths in branding. Data indicates millennials spend more on their pets than any other demographic and are likely in the driver’s seat when it comes to growth in pet insurance subscribers. Digital and mobile, particularly as it relates to social and streamlined [...]
January 31, 2019 8:02 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
This year’s Super Bowl commercials are sure to elicit the usual mix of groans and guffaws the mega million dollar spots are known for, on a night when many people watch the game as much for the commercials as the football. As has been the case in recent years, many of the highly promoted commercials [...]
January 24, 2019 8:04 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
Mastercard recently joined the growing list of companies embracing wordless logos, opting to let their iconic red and yellow interlocking circles represent their brand. “We live in a time where, increasingly, we communicate not through words but through icons and symbols. Now, by allowing this symbol to shine on its own, Mastercard enters an elite [...]
January 22, 2019 8:05 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
As the government shutdown enters its fifth week, the issues facing mortgage lenders vary from specific, impacting only certain lending institutions, to broad, affecting multiple agencies that have roles in funding loans. The net effect is a slow down in the processing of some loans and, in certain cases, a full-scale stoppage of lending. Mortgage [...]
January 21, 2019 8:06 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
Arby’s recently launched a subscription box, selling out in less than an hour, and it all began with meat sweats. Not the condition some people experience when they carnivore too hard, but literally a sweatsuit printed with photographs of Arby’s signature thin-sliced meats. A year ago, Arby’s challenged their fans to post their best meat-related [...]
January 18, 2019 8:07 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
It’s National Thesaurus Day, and we’ve chosen to celebrate by saying goodbye to those buzzy marketing terms that just aren’t cutting it anymore. Through no fault of their own, these five buzzwords got overused, rendering them meaningless and even potentially harmful to their intended effort. In 2019, we encourage you to say what you mean, [...]
January 17, 2019 8:05 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
The role of first lady has evolved in many ways and adhered to tradition in others. As the spouse of the President of the United States, the first lady is expected to host state dinners and wave from porticos. But, as it is an unpaid role with no specific requirements, the rest of the job [...]
January 8, 2019 8:07 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
Some people travel so they can find the most relaxing beach, take a vacation and forget the real world exists. Some people travel so they can find the greatest hole in the wall banh mi shop in Vietnam. Some travel to visit family, volunteer with aid organizations or get from one business trip to the [...]
January 4, 2019 8:07 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
In Ralph Breaks the Internet, a sequel to 2012’s Wreck-It Ralph, Ralph and Vanellope are best friends, palling around their video game world by night and working in their video games by day. But Vanellope wants more. More excitement, more opportunities and possibly less Ralph, at least that’s what he thinks. All of this leads [...]
January 1, 2019 8:08 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
The 10 most read articles of 2018 on DMS Insights demonstrate an interesting mix of entertaining and informative marketing updates. The results indicate that digital marketers enjoyed both the lighthearted articles geared toward tracking trends and sought out articles that provided details on marketing updates and technology, highlighting strategies that could help marketers grow their [...]
December 27, 2018 8:09 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
At a time when well-known storefronts are reinventing themselves to bolster market share and ecommerce businesses are opening storefronts to complement online sales, the world of brick and mortar is evolving. Bookstores are part of that evolution. Barnes & Noble (B&N) has more than 630 locations nationwide and is known as much for congregating, study [...]
December 25, 2018 8:08 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
There are a lot of commercials about Christmas during the holiday season, but there’s only one featuring Lil Jon and a 60-year Kool Aid pitcher rapping joyfully about the season. Technically, only Lil Jon raps, with the Kool-Aid Man joining in a call and response of his cheerful and iconic “oh yeahs.” Lil Jon, himself [...]
December 19, 2018 8:09 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
The ever-changing world of weight loss programs, dieting and wellness can be difficult to keep track of. Fat is bad and good. Carbs are good and bad. Fast for this long. Fast for that long. Don’t fast at all. It’s a whirlwind of trends, celebrity endorsements, quick fixes and wellness-based whole lifestyle plans, each navigating [...]
December 17, 2018 8:09 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
Content management system Hootsuite released their annual report on the “latest global trends in social media.” The detailed report reflects on the recent success of certain social media initiatives and trends and the companies that effectively applied related strategies. Based on report findings, marketers embracing a spirit of ingenuity and commitment to establishing trust with [...]
December 10, 2018 8:10 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
Swedish furniture superstore IKEA recently announced they are opening a store in Manhattan. This will be the first of 30 newly branded “IKEA Planning Studios” the company aims to open in cities around the world. With features that appeal to urban dwellers, like small spaces designed with furniture that fits, IKEA is making moves to [...]
December 7, 2018 8:10 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
The shuttering of Toys R Us, after more than a decade of speculation and struggle, was sad for many consumers whose feelings of nostalgia for Geoffrey the Giraffe and being a “Toys R Us Kid” kept them loyal shoppers of the brick and mortar toy store. Where will they go now? Approximately $26.5 billion is [...]
December 5, 2018 8:10 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
Celebrity endorsement marketing strategies go back as far as the concept of celebrities. In the early 1900s Mark Twain co-branded pens and Ty Cobb had his own tobacco. The allure of a product endorsed by a famous person was powerful then, and that attraction continues today. The benefit of a celebrity starring in a commercial [...]
December 4, 2018 8:11 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
Mobile ad spending has long been poised to become the revenue-generating giant of advertising, with each successive year dubbed “the year of mobile.” With mobile ad spending accounting for 69.9% of all digital advertising in 2018, and poised to become even more dominant in the years ahead, the giant has arrived. 10 Actionable Mobile Spending [...]
November 26, 2018 8:11 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
If you love dogs, you know they need a well-designed car that allows the freedom to shed, feel the wind in their fur, head toward adventure, and most importantly, keep them close to their human family. Or at least that’s what Subaru’s ubiquitous and adorable dog-centered commercials would have you believe. Throw some skis on [...]
November 19, 2018 8:25 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
It’s safe to say Thanksgiving week is all about turkey. The National Turkey Federation estimates upwards of 45 million turkeys will wind up on the dinner table this Thursday, which is nothing to gobble at. But what about after Thanksgiving when everyone goes back to eating chicken? Fancy some fried chicken and waffles? KFC has [...]
November 15, 2018 8:12 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
The holidays are upon us! And this year, there’s one more to throw on the pile. On November 17th, New Jersey will celebrate its first annual Danny DeVito Day, honoring the cantankerous comedian from Asbury Park for his contributions to film and culture. At Digital Media Solutions – especially for those of us in the [...]
November 9, 2018 8:12 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
Online education is continuing to grow. A recent Babson study showed enrollment growth for 14 straight years in most kinds of online higher education programs. “The growth of distance enrollments has been relentless. They have gone up when the economy was expanding, when the economy was shrinking, when overall enrollments were growing, and now when [...]
November 7, 2018 8:12 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
November, already widely known for crunchy leaves and turkeys, is now evermore popular for men growing strange facial hair in support of men’s health. Yes, it’s Movember. Grow your beards accordingly, men. Addressing health issues sometimes unique to men and often difficult for men to talk about, Movember began in 2003 with “30 Mo bros” [...]
November 2, 2018 8:13 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
Tomorrow marks the beginning of National Animal Shelter Week, an annual opportunity to drive awareness about the plight of shelter animals and to encourage animal adoption. America’s love for their pets – to the tune of $60 billion per year – has us celebrating National Cat Day, Dog Day, Puppy Day and Walk Your Pet [...]
October 28, 2018 8:13 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
On this day in 1945 the United Nations (UN) Charter was ratified, creating a powerful intergovernmental organization that would be relied upon worldwide. A collaboration that would be called upon time and again to tackle monumental issues like lasting peace, human rights and economic development. Though the UN shares few similarities with the world of [...]
October 25, 2018 8:13 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
In the world of college recruitment, the stakes are high. Enrollment is down for smaller private and public universities, driving some colleges and universities to implement new recruitment techniques. As higher education marketers rethink how to approach students from all walks of life, some are discovering inventive new recruitment approaches which bring fresh takes to [...]
October 18, 2018 8:14 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
There are 57.5 million Hispanic people living in the United States according to the most recent census, and they are among the fastest growing demographic in the country, making up 18% of the general population and estimated to reach 27% by 2050. They are young. They are plugged in. And their buying power is far [...]
October 17, 2018 8:14 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
The U.S. midterm elections are November 6th, and the days when the political zeitgeist was limited to only Washington circles are long gone. Consumers around the country are buzzing with political chatter, and marketers have latched onto that excitement. The marketplace is at a point where companies must be thoughtful and authentic about engaging in [...]
October 10, 2018 8:14 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
After 55 years as one of the most well-recognized diet brands in the world, Weight Watchers is no more. The iconic stronghold is now WW, a health and wellness company with an amended mission. WW is focused on “wellness that works,” which is their new tagline and a nod to their famous Ws or “dub [...]
October 9, 2018 8:15 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
Happy National Moldy Cheese Day! It’s a divisive subject, the moldy cheese, but we are choosing to embrace its quirks and origin stories as marketing inspiration. If a smelly, old, sometimes strange tasting cheese can win, so can marketers who embrace an equally assertive, data-backed strategy. This isn’t our first trip to the dairy. Several [...]
October 8, 2018 8:15 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
Foreign. Funny looking. Small. The Volkswagen Beetle was once a dusty import from Europe, trying to find its way during the 1950’s heyday of enormous, flashy cars. It would go on to become an American icon. The grooviest, coolest, most laid-back ride on the road. The Beetle is being retired in 2019 — 80 years [...]
October 3, 2018 8:16 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
When the temperature dips and the sports bars fill up, it can only mean it’s time for football. Whether pee-wee, high school, college or the NFL, football movies are nearly as iconic as the game itself, and they usually have a valuable lesson, for life and business. We hit the gridiron to find a few [...]
September 28, 2018 8:16 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
Is there any flavor that can unseat pumpkin spice as the ultimate fall flavor? Probably not, but maple is making a strong showing. From coffee giants like Starbucks and Dunkin, to small breweries and skin care, maple is making a big push for those fall flavor feels. Dunkin Donuts: The trusted brand introduces several new [...]
September 26, 2018 2:15 am
Published by Sarah Cavill
It’s National Cooking Day, which means it’s an excuse to cook a great meal, order a great meal or think... View Article
April 28, 2018 10:08 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
One belongs to New York instantly, one belongs to it as much in five minutes as in five years.” —Thomas Wolfe New York. The city. Home to 8 million devotees. It’s not always easy, and in the summer the subway is hotter than Andrew Garfield, but there’s only one New York. It’s been the backdrop, [...]
April 26, 2018 10:06 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
I love to cook, but I don’t always enjoy coming up with recipes. Like many of us, I have binders full of recipes that I’ve found online, but I still adore a beautiful, resource-full cookbook. When it’s truly great, you tend not to stray, and you keep coming back because it works. So I’ve put [...]
April 14, 2018 10:09 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
It’s no secret that young adult (YA) fiction is being read by more than young adults these days. Despite being generally geared at kids ages 12-18, the hoards of grown women wearing Team Edward shirts clearly indicate that this is a very loose guideline. I’ve personally avoided the Twilight saga (I prefer my characters to [...]
April 12, 2018 10:07 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
I always read before I go to sleep at night (hence the super catchy title of this column). And as often as I am dozing off with the book on my face, I’m laying awake listening to every creak and shudder, convinced there’s a psycho at the back door. This is what happens when you [...]
March 30, 2018 10:10 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
Well, fellow book lovers, I’m bowing out. I’ve read my last book and I’m moving to an ashram to be totally alone with my thoughts. OK, so that’s not true. The ashram part anyway. This is my last column, however, and with its culmination I leave you a final preview of all the good, great, [...]
March 16, 2018 10:10 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
What a week. (Weeks, actually.) A hurricane that made my house shake so violently I had to take a Dramamine, an infinitesimal inconvenience considering the heartbreaking devastation from the Jersey Shore to Coney Island, including my own Hoboken. An election night that drew to a close two years of intense politicking, and lastly, a snowstorm [...]
March 2, 2018 10:11 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
It’s back! It’s back! Last Sunday, Lena Dunham’s brilliant Girls returned to HBO for its second season. Teeming with that same naked, intelligent energy as last season, Girls deserves all good things. (OK, I admit I wasn’t an early adopter. I felt a bit—well, old, but when my pop culture curiosity got the best of [...]
February 16, 2018 10:11 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
I love getting books as presents. The neatly wrapped stack of books under the Christmas tree every year is my version of a Lexus with a giant bow on top. (And hey, credits for e-books are pretty great, too, I suppose.) So consider this list my personal wish list (hint, hint)—or, as it’s really intended, [...]
February 2, 2018 10:12 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
I may not ever visit India or own a vineyard, but I’ll still spend my life traveling all over the world and walking in winemaker’s shoes. It’s the beauty of books, of course. I can’t say it isn’t fascinating in its own way to read a book about middle class mothers living in the Northeast [...]
January 18, 2018 10:13 pm
Published by Sarah Cavill
Tonight is the Season 3 finale of Downton Abbey. Now, if you’re anything like me (obsessed), you’ve already watched every episode on Amazon (I blame Tom the socialist chauffeur), and you’re already sad that you have to wait another year before Season 4. Ho hum. That’s what I get for having no patience. I take solace [...]
