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Advertising Isn't An Expense. It's An Investment.

Advertising Messaging in 2026: Trends & Strategies by Industry

Advertising Messaging in 2026: Trends & Strategies by Industry

In 2026, advertising messages must balance cutting-edge technology with authentic human connection. Consumers expect brands to be transparent, helpful and emotionally engaging. As one analyst puts it, 2026 will be the first year where AI-powered marketing…starts...

Geofencing : What It Is, How It Works, And Why Smart Brands Use It

Geofencing : What It Is, How It Works, And Why Smart Brands Use It

In a digital landscape where advertising tools evolve almost weekly, geofencing has emerged as one of the most practical, precise, and cost-efficient ways for busineses to reach nearby customers. Whether you’re a local restaurant, a regional bank, a real estate...

The Power of Human Storytelling in Content Marketing

The Power of Human Storytelling in Content Marketing

Think about the last advertisement or blog post that really grabbed your attention. Chances are it wasn’t a list of product features or statistics – it was a story. We humans are wired for storytelling; it’s how we’ve shared knowledge and experiences for millennia. So...

Creative Advertising: The Key to Winning Amid Seismic Algorithm Shifts

Creative Advertising: The Key to Winning Amid Seismic Algorithm Shifts

Key Takeaways: > Creative is the New Targeting: Platforms like Meta and Google now rely on your ad content—not audience settings—to reach the right people. > Quality Creative Drives Results: Strong visuals and messaging lead to better engagement, lower costs,...

7 Steps For Navigating The Search Trifecta: SEO,  GEO, & AEO

7 Steps For Navigating The Search Trifecta: SEO, GEO, & AEO

Key Takeaways from the Shift to GEO & AEO > SEO is evolving into GEO – be the answer, not just the top link: Simply ranking #1 on Google isn’t the golden ticket anymore, since the click itself is no longer the prize. Now you need your brand to be the answer in...

Calling All Oenophiles.

Calling All Oenophiles.

If you're a wine lover, or oenophile, you might enjoy this recent article I wrote in Lake Jovita Life.  In it, I've joined in a spirited panel discussion with three wine experts as we discuss trends in the industry and what's hot and what's not. So why am I sharing it...

Can AI Replace Human Writers? I Decided To Ask It.

Can AI Replace Human Writers? I Decided To Ask It.

Brilliant Cosmologist Stephen Hawking once told the BBC, "The development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race."  Another famous Stephen, Stephen King, wrote "amateurs sit and wait for inspiration while the rest of us get up and go to...

Just Google It.

Just Google It.

Google remains the big dog on the porch, so what does the future hold for this tech giant and what does it mean to those of us in the advertising industry? This week the U.S. Department of Justice filed its second antitrust suit against Google and aims to break up its...

Are white papers dead?

Are white papers dead?

As marketing and advertising professionals, we’re alway looking for the next bright shiny object that can attract attention to our clients.  But sometimes, glitz and tricks aren’t always the most effective way to do that.  In our zeal to be current, we sometimes...

Advertising In The Metaverse.

Advertising In The Metaverse.

First things first.  What the heck is the Metaverse?  Simply explained, think of the Metaverse as a video game, except there is no objective, no winners and no losers.  Sure, you can play games in the Metaverse, but you can also hang out with friends, go shopping,...

Social Media. The Good, The Bad And The Ugly.

Social Media. The Good, The Bad And The Ugly.

It’s the media many of us love to hate. Social media. It’s transformed the way people communicate and relate to one another. Whether you’re a fan or a foe, social media is here to stay. While I must admit that I have aged out of any understanding of Snapchat, I do...

The Ghost Blogger Goes To The Dogs.

The Ghost Blogger Goes To The Dogs.

Blogs are a wonderful opportunity for companies to share pertinent, important information in an unbiased way that helps their customers make informed decisions. Such is the case with this post for SEO and Marketing Guru Kristen Thompson of St. Petersburg-based...

The Ghost Blogger Hits The Road

The Ghost Blogger Hits The Road

As many of you know, I have the good fortune to write blog posts for a number of awesome clients. I consider myself a ghost, rather than a guest blogger, because I channel my clients unique selling propositions to find the right tone and content to match their...

A Blog Post About Blog Posts

A Blog Post About Blog Posts

I am one of 31.7 million bloggers in the U.S. That’s a whopping 10 percent of the population. There are many good reasons blogs are so prolific. First, Google loves good content and rewards well-written blog posts with top search engine rankings when keywords are...

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Back in 1984, I graduated from the University of Missouriwith a degree in Magazine Journalism and an Associates in Commercial Art. Myfirst job out of college was as editor for On The Green Magazine in SouthFlorida. I pretended that I knew a thing or two about golf to...

Case Study: A facelift on a 30-year-old brand.

Case Study: A facelift on a 30-year-old brand.

The magic word in advertising right now is millennial. Smart businesses from all industries are wooing these young, discretionary and experience-craving audiences, and First National Bank of Pasco (FNBP) was no different. With the anticipated opening of a new branch...

Curiosity + Creativity = Opportunity

Curiosity + Creativity = Opportunity

I had the distinct pleasure of not only attending, but presenting at the recent Focus On Entrpreneurs Conference, held in downtown St. Petersburg last week on April 27th and 28th.  I learned a ton of useful information, met a lot of really great people, and came away...

Five Content Marketing Trends To Watch For In 2017

Five Content Marketing Trends To Watch For In 2017

Google is becoming addicted to content. Not just any content, but the kind that gets people to react, to think, to take action. Content marketing is nothing new. Advertisers have been doing it for decades. What’s changed is the delivery of that content. What’s...

Why Google Might Not Like Your Website As Much In 2017

Why Google Might Not Like Your Website As Much In 2017

Bear with me, but I’m going to get a little technical with you. Take a look at your website in a web browser like Firefox, Safari or Chrome. Does it have an http: in front of it or an https:?. That one letter of difference could make a big difference in whether or not...

The “Voice” Of Lake Jovita Gets A Facelift

The “Voice” Of Lake Jovita Gets A Facelift

This is an inspiring story of a community newsletter that has come of age – and of me returning to my academic roots. I earned my Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Missouri in 1984 with a specialty in magazine editorial and graphic design.  While I’ve done...

Online video marketing is a powerful thing.

Online video marketing is a powerful thing.

n 2012, there was an hour of YouTube videos uploaded very second. By 2013, 72 hours of online video was uploaded every minute, up by 12 hours each minute over the previous year, according to Fast Company and Forbes. When trying to reach a millennial market, video...

The Top 10 “Keeping It Real Guide” To Launching A Website.

The Top 10 “Keeping It Real Guide” To Launching A Website.

Let’s face it. The idea of launching a new website can be intimidating and overwhelming, yet necessary and often overdue. As technology changes to accommodate new usage patterns and a propensity toward mobile viewing, today’s web design has completely evolved from the...

The Cobbler’s Kids

The Cobbler’s Kids

April 21, 2015.  That is sadly the last date I posted on The Creative Stable blog.  Which is ironic considering I’ve written nearly 40 for clients in that time period, in addition to dozens of projects, websites, scripts, and other content, so you can safely...