Author: Abby Otting

As the ball drops and we wrap up 2015, it’s a great time to reflect on the year’s top marketing, branding, content and PR campaigns and tactics. Here are 10 that caught our eye this year: #### 10. CHRISTMAS CRISIS PR Both [Starbucks](http://www.vox.com/2015/11/10/9707034/starbucks-red-cup-controversy) and [Reese’s](https://twitter.com/FaithKTrewhella/status/664316501197873154/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) found themselves in the yuletide crosshairs for different reasons. The PR response by each company (or non-response, in Starbucks’ case) are nice examples of ways to handle the seemingly never-ending crises that show up on social media. Kudos to Reese’s for turning the “controversy” around on social media with its [#alltressarebeautiful](http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/reeses-turned-gripes-about-its-ugly-christmas-candy-funny-ads-about-tree-shaming-168615) hashtag. #### 9. BUILD A BRAND (AND GIVE EMPLOYEES...

We’ve recently begun exploring a new project management system. Thinking about how that tool works as well as how it tracks time (and effort) led me to explore my own thoughts on [effort and value](http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2008/10/is-effort-a-myt.html). Too often, we fall into “The Effort Trap” - the cultural bias that the harder you work at something, the more valuable it is. [This post from 99U](http://99u.com/articles/51908/nobody-cares-how-hard-you-work) includes the example of a locksmith who found the faster he worked, the less satisfied his customers became. As the author states, the bias may be rooted in the Protestant work ethic in our culture. Indeed, many of the project management tools...

This year, our goal was to celebrate the holiday season in a way that felt genuine and uniquely Intrinzic. In looking back on our past year as a company, we took note of the major milestones we accomplished together. Along the way, we have become a strong team and have formed some pretty amazing bonds, not only with ourselves, but also with our clients and vendors – all working together to create and deliver on quality marketing and design initiatives. Based on this reflection, we were able to develop a clear direction. This holiday season at Intrinzic, we are taking time to focus on “connecting...

Despite the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, our team has decided to set aside time to focus on connecting and reflecting. Over the last few weeks, I have been doing just that – connecting with team members and clients and reflecting on the successes and challenges of the past year. While reflecting, I wondered how good of job we did as an agency of connecting with our clients, partners and each other. In our world of digital communication, the *what have you done for me lately* attitude and never-ending drive to reduce costs and increase productivity, I wondered, “Is there room for connecting?...

In the rush to stay ahead of changing technology, [the latest marketing trends](http://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/7-game-changing-marketing-trends-to-tackle-in-2016) and evolving consumer needs, I often see marketers scrambling to be relevant and make a difference for their businesses. Most of those marketers are stretched really thin and have very little time to do strategic planning and proper measurement before the next big marketing or communications challenge comes along. Regardless of how much time a marketer may or may not have, I’ve seen one foolproof way to ensure that the choices he or she makes are as strategic as possible. By asking this one question before executing any tactic, you can be...

After spending a wonderful Thanksgiving with loved ones, I am both excited and discouraged for the most wonderful time of the year to be upon us…Why? Because most of my time spent with family, looked a bit [like this](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/09/death-of-conversation_n_7763936.html). Now, it is funny to look at these images and think how ridiculous it is, but it brought to my attention, my own use of my cell phone and how it affects the connections I make (or miss) on a daily basis. While technology is an incredible tool and something that allows us to connect with people in ways we never dreamed imaginable, it has also...