Searching for Mother’s Day Gifts…
To show consumers that PANDORA makes the perfect Mother’s Day gift, GKV has used numerous approaches, including an aggressive SEM campaign that targets flower-related searches.
See Spot Win
The Maryland Lottery typically introduces over 40 scratch-off games each year. In order to stand out, the Lottery leverages a well known brand to create a unique scratch-off game. This year, they chose the ever-popular Monopoly brand.
Are Mobile Marketing Units Just for Big Brands with Big Budgets?
When marketers talk about “mobile marketing units” most people initially think of ads served on mobile devices like smartphones. But at GKV, it refers to our fleet of mobile marketing vehicles.
Peace, Love & Medicare
I was 50 when I first started getting stuff from AARP. I thought it was funny. Everyone thinks it’s funny at first. Now, I’m 61. Now, when I get mail like that I get pissed off. Not at AARP but at the universe. Baby Boomers created America’s culture of perpetual youth.
Can You Save a Life in Less Than a Minute?
The Living Legacy Foundation (LLF) of Maryland and GKV worked together to increase the number of registered organ donors in Baltimore City.
Cutting Through the New FTC Endorsement and Testimonial Advertising Guides
The new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guides took effect on December 1, 2009. Read on to find out what has changed.
Web Week in Review
2009 is coming to a close and the Web has been busy as ever. Check out some of the top viral videos and the most popular word of 2009. Any guesses? Take a look at the week, and the year, that was.
Diplomacy & The Digital Age
Earlier this month I had the unique opportunity to attend an event hosted by Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. The event honored men and women in the Foreign Service, however there was something else that caught my professional eye–the power of the Digital Age.
2009 In Review: Top 5 “Sounds From My Cubicle”
Well, it’s that time again — end of the year Top Album lists. And there are a lot of them in 2009. So…here’s another one. Mine. The Top 5 “Sounds from my Cubicle” albums.
Every Ad Should be a Super Bowl Commercial
In light of the upcoming Super Bowl, the annual stage for what is typically considered the very best work the advertising world can muster, I once again can’t help but wonder why this is the only time everyone expects advertising to be great?
Old Cool, Vol. 3
In 1965, Pete Townshend wrote the most famous line in rock and roll history, “I hope I die before I get old.” Well, he only has a week left.
Boomers and Advertising
A lot is being written about the near-absence of advertising targeted to Baby Boomers like me. It’s the $750 billion question. Why, if the over-50s account for over one-third of the U.S. population and control over half of its discretionary income, are we the targets of less than 10% of all the advertising?
Shut Up Already Federal Hill
Maybe I just don’t get it since I don’t live in Federal Hill, but why has so much attention been paid to the Under Armour logo that was painted on Federal Hill recently?
The Real Question…About Tiger
While he may not be the upstanding individual the public once thought he was, Tiger Woods will most likely be at the top of his game once again as he steps on the greens at Augusta this week. Will you be watching?
Are You Preak-ing Kidding Me?
It’s the spring of 2010. Nothing is sacred. And nothing, absolutely nothing, is off limits. This includes teachers having sex with students and husbands having sex with mother-in-laws. It’s the End of Days, right? No, it’s the Preakness Infield Fest advertising campaign.
gkv Chief Creative Officer Jeff Millman Comments on Preakness Ad Campaign
Does the recent Preakness Infield Fest ad campaign cross the line with its sexually-suggestive slogans? The Baltimore Sun’s Sam Sessa spoke with Jeff Millman, gkv’s Chief Creative Officer, to get his first-hand opinion.
Let’s Pave the Way for the Baltimore Grand Prix
The tradition of Baltimore Orioles Opening Day has passed and the excitement of The Preakness lies in waiting. All the while, the Baltimore Racing Development has spent the last few years cultivating the market to bring what might be the next classic event to Md — Baltimore Grand Prix.
gkv Senior Vice President David Blum Comments About Local Decline In Viewership Of Late Night Newscasts
Read all of David Blum’s comments on the decline in viewership in late night newscasts in The Baltimore Sun article.
Is Your Brand An Asset In Fundraising Efforts?
We hear from nonprofit organizations that marketing their brand is not an investment they are comfortable making. Experience has taught us that investing in your brand is crucial because of increased philanthropic competition.
gkv Director of Broadcast Services Kelly Gould Comments on World Cup Coverage in 3D
Read all of Kelly Gould’s comments about the World Cup building global 3DTV awareness in The Baltimore Sun article.
Old and Uncool
In 1976, Friday nights meant that my sister and I were waiting for “The Donny and Marie Show” to come on. Flash forward to seeing Donny and Marie’s show in Vegas and noticing that not a lot has changed 30 years later, except how they relate to the audience, which has made them relevant again.
gkv Emerges in Sports Marketing Category at National Level
gkv announced today the addition of two sports-related Clients to its roster - Baltimore Racing Development, LLC (BRD) and US Lacrosse.
I Watch TV So You Don’t Have To
With more channels than ever, it’s hard to keep it all straight. But the bigger question is, with so many shows, is anything actually worth watching?
Glamour Magazine Marks Digital And Fashion Milestones With iPad Application
The entry of Glamour, one of the world’s leading brands in fashion publications, into the “tablet” world represents a giant leap in opportunities for brand marketing.
2010 gkv Softball Awards
Well, the 2010 softball season has ended. While the team did not quite match its 2008 performance, the 2010 squad played admirably, ultimately succumbing to defeat in the semifinal round of the playoffs.
gkv Chairman and CEO, Roger Gray, Receives Top Advertising Award
The American Advertising Federation of Baltimore Honored Roger Gray, gkv Chairman and CEO, with the 2010 Silver Medal Award earlier this month.
Gap: Bad logo, quick recovery and other lessons of the Internet
Hours into the release of Gap’s new logo, which is nothing more than a blue gradient square added to its otherwise plain Helvetica logo, design snobs across the country cringed…including myself.
Gap: the logo is all that’s left
Gap thought it was time to change its tired old logo. But people didn’t like the new logo… How could a company so misjudge its brand and its customers? And why did people go crazy about this? Was the new logo that bad, or is something bigger at play here?
Baltimore Sun: gkv “Glimpsed at Work”
Sloane Brown, society writer for the Baltimore Sun, and Colby Burke, photographer, came out to gkv recently looking for fashion-forward locals at work to be in the “Glimpsed at Work” column. Five gkvers were selected to be featured in the popular weekly fashion column.
gkv NAMES MARK ROSICA AS NEW AGENCY PARTNER
gkv names Mark Rosica, Associate Creative Director, as a Partner in the Agency management structure.
Tom’s Snacks Takes Social Media to the Ring
Tom’s Snacks, a challenger brand whose red triangle logo once stood for just peanuts but now represents a variety of snack foods, launched a Facebook page this past October. Without the benefit of a paid promotion the page stands at almost 16,000 fans. So what gives?
gkv Plans Exclusive Pandora Jewelry Preview Party in NYC
To celebrate the debut of PANDORA’s new LovePods Rose Gold creations, gkv and Celebrity Event Designer Jorge Cazzorla transformed The Empire Hotel Rooftop in New York City into a secret garden of enchantment and femininity.
Random Thoughts While Waiting for the Urinal
Finally. On Monday we couldn’t find some stuff. We couldn’t figure out some stuff. Me personally, I was a little cranky. Not really digging the bathroom. On Monday we were 75 tired, disoriented individuals.
Federal Government Awards GKV Multiple Award Schedule Contract
BALTIMORE - GKV, a full-service marketing communications firm, announced today that it has been awarded a General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule contract.
GKV and PANDORA Jewelry Turn on the Charm at JCK Las Vegas
How do you make a client’s tradeshow presence stand out when you are up against some of the most creative minds in the world?
Occupy Wall Street: Baby Boomers Get It
Recently, I met a 60 year-old guy at a party who was wearing a baseball cap turned backwards. I’m 60, too. I felt really bad for him. I was reminded of this yesterday as I read a blog post written by that guy’s journalistic equivalent, Paul Campos.
30 Odd Years of GKV – Thrills and chills for Marriott’s Great America
In 1983, we worked with Marriott’s Great America to promote its latest attraction, The Edge, the world’s first original free-fall thrill ride.
30 Odd Years of GKV – Hitting the jackpot with the Maryland Lottery
Check out these spots, including our latest which got Baltimore fans “cawing” for Ravens Cash Fantasy!
30 Odd Years of GKV - Pursuing excellence for Comfort Inns
Our “Celebrity in a Suitcase” ads, which were created in 1985 for Comfort Inns, featured the likes of Johnny Cash, Evel Knievel, Vanna White, Dennis Rodman and Kathy Ireland, among others.
Lance Helps Moms Manage the After-School Crunch
GKV’s challenge was to create an integrated back-to-school campaign for Lance Sandwich Crackers, which would build deep and lasting bonds with their primary target audience.
PANDORA Turns “Surprise Me” Gift Requests Into an Unforgettable Holiday Gift
PANDORA and GKV launch a humorous holiday advertising campaign to help men find the perfect gift for the special women in their life.
30 Odd Years of GKV – Daring to put Playboy on television
In 1986, we were the first agency ever to air a split 30-second commercial on television. The client? Playboy!
30 Odd Years of GKV – Keeping Baltimore cool (and warm!) for BGE HOME
We’ve been working with BGE HOME to help people keep their homes energy efficient — nice and cool in the summer and toasty in the winter.
30 Odd Years of GKV – Switching up salty snacks for Cape Cod Potato Chips
We encouraged football fans to pull a Big Game Chip Switch and see if anyone notices their new favorite chips are…gasp!…low fat!
GKV Thoughts on the New Facebook Insights
The new Facebook Insights tool is an early holiday present for those of us who manage Facebook and other social media initiatives. Read more about GKV’s thoughts on the new metrics and how to incorporate them into your Facebook strategy.
30 Odd Years of GKV – Standing up to Big Tobacco for Smoking Stops Here
Images of black lungs? Smashed cigarettes? Nope, the Challenger Brand way was to take on Big Tobacco for the Smoking Stops Here campaign.
30 Odd Years of GKV – Flying the affordable skies with Independence Air!
In 2003 we helped launch Independence Air: a low-fare airline based in Dulles that took on all the big guys.
Taking the Confusion Out of Medicare Part D Enrollment
See how GKV’s grassroots outreach and event production division, GKV Reach, has helped thousands of seniors navigate through confusing Medicare Part D enrollment.
30 Odd Years of GKV – Trumping the competition for Trump Plaza Hotels
Donald Trump wanted the Trump Plaza Hotels and Casino in Atlantic City, NJ to become the “boxing capital of the East Coast.”
30 Odd Years of GKV – Singing along with Lance
Before moms fell in love with Lance Sandwich Crackers, GKV worked with Lance to contemporize the brand for a younger male audience.
Playing with the big banks
How does a local savings and loan association with a limited advertising budget attract new customers and compete against the likes of M&T, Bank of America and PNC?
Preparing for Medicaid Expansion in 2014
For the second year in a row, GKV partners Garry Raim and Kevin Kempske were invited to speak at the Medicaid Innovations Forum. Their presentation addressed marketing and branding in preparation for the 2014 Medicaid expansion.
Springing forward with PANDORA’s New York media suite
GKV and PANDORA created an interactive “Look Book Suite” at the Setai Fifth Avenue in New York City to launch to PANDORA Spring/Summer 2012 collection.
PANDORA Jewelry Bets on Mobile During TV Breaks
How do you reach men during the Super Bowl, without paying 3 million dollars for an ad?
GKV Named Agency of Record for Shentel
Shenandoah Telecommunications Company (Shentel) has selected GKV to handle its branding, creative, digital development, interactive and grassroots marketing activities.
GKV Hires Devon Ament and Caroline Casey
GKV announces the addition of two new employees: Devon Ament and Caroline Casey.
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