RMI Today

Search for a cause

2008-10-10T07:10:00.000-07:00

The September issue of Home Magazine had a little article on a website called goodsearch.com. It’s a Yahoo-based search engine that donates about a penny to the charity of your choice every time you perform a web search. Over 60,000 national and local nonprofit charities and schools are listed on the site, and you can even choose a different charity every time you search. Several of our clients are registered on the site: Christian Appalachian Project, Arbor Day Foundation, American Institute for Cancer Research, and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation all participate.

Just think of how many times you web search each day – the pennies can add up quick for these organizations.

Courtney Waters’ (soon to be Kowcheris) RMI Bridal Shower

2008-10-09T07:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday afternoon I asked Court to take a walk, a normal routine for my friendly neighbor and I. As we skipped to the loo, Court already knew that we were really headed to the conference room…

Turns out Siobhan was able to plan the traditional RMI family get together, a surprise mid-afternoon shin dig we throw for all of our brides, grooms, and parents “to be”.

The homemade cake was successfully snuck in and decorations set up, but when it came to everyone shuffling into the room -- the closing and opening, and closing and opening of the door that actually shook Courtney’s cube wall -- she knew something was up.

So although it was not a complete surprise (and Ginny “forgot” to add the Stoli to the punch) we were all able to wish Court the best on her upcoming vows.

Congratulations Courtney and Jeremy. We wish you all the love and happiness life has to offer.

A la cuisine!

2008-10-03T11:28:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, RMI "Social Committee" chairman Carol Forbes hosted our third Iron Chef competition - this time the secret ingredient being apples.

19 awesome entries were submitted in all categories of food - everything from salads and pies, to cakes and cookies - making this competition incredibly difficult to judge, to say the least. But at the end we all applauded three outstanding winners, and the recipients of the much anticipated $100, $75 and $50 gas card prizes:

1st Place: Ginny Naclerio (again!) for her Apple Cheesecake
2nd Place: Janet Ward for her Apple & Grilled Chicken Salad
3rd Place: Courtney Waters (again!) for her Caramel Apple Bars

You can check out a video of the challenge here.

Thanks to all participants and congratulations to our top three!

Can your phone do this?

2008-10-03T03:14:00.000-07:00

I still can't get my office emails from my iPhone but now I can use it to check real estate listings. Woohoo! Coldwell Banker has developed software which allows iPhone owners to search for homes, check real estate values and more from their phone. They claim it will shorten the time involved in finding homes and agents to begin the buying process.

A great release in a housing slump!

Marketing Society's Top 50

2008-10-02T10:04:00.000-07:00

Got this item from Darryl's Blog (thanks). It's a great concept. To commemorate the last 50 years of "branding", the Society has selected the top 50 brands over the past 50 years.

As the article states, it's a work in progress and is asking you to give them feedback as to what your vote would be. You can even go to the year you were born and see their choice for that year. Of coarse, being over 50 I don't get a fancy schmancy page for my birth year - but you can check out RMI's which is Microsoft for 1985.

Alliance for Pediatric Quality recognizes CFF

2008-10-02T07:50:00.000-07:00

What an honor it is to work with Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. CFF was just selected by the Alliance for Pediatric Quality “as a program of excellence because of its impact on improving the quality and length of life for children with cystic fibrosis”.

You may not hear about CFF as much as I do but they are constantly in the news for breakthroughs in research, clinical trials of new drugs, and developing new treatments and programs for treating cystic fibrosis. The organization has also been highlighted for their unique business model of funding development and testing of new drugs, and for their amazing efficiency and fiscal responsibility.

CFF is truly an inspiring organization and RMI is honored to help them in their fight against cystic fibrosis!

They're watching us...

2008-10-01T06:16:00.000-07:00

I heard about this new book called The Numerati by Stephen Baker. I haven’t read the book myself, but I heard the author talking on the radio about it, and also check out his website and the book listing on amazon.com.

Basically the Numerati are a group of mathematicians who are tracking our every moves in ways no one else has done before – from the website we click on to the stores we shop in, to the phone calls we make to the toll booths we drive through. The purpose? What else but to predict and influence our behaviors.

Look out iPhone, there’s a new kid in town

2008-10-01T06:02:00.000-07:00

Looks like Martin’s beloved Apple iPhone has some competition. Google and T-Mobile teamed up in launching the G1 phone.

The phone is loaded with Google’s android software, which resembles the iPhone in both function and appearance. The major difference is that the G1 is highly customizable – a major benefit over the iPhone. Much like a PC, individual users can upload features and programs that best fit their needs.

Another big difference is that while the G1 has a similar touch screen to the iPhone, it also has a flip screen that reveals a full keyboard, adding to the ease of use, particularly for the enhanced web capabilities the phone offers.

CU does it again

2008-09-30T08:11:00.000-07:00

I recently attended the bi-annual campaign planning meeting at Consumers Union and was once again blown away. CU's efforts to include every employee and vendor involved in the process creates amazing efficiency, teamwork and ownership. And listening to their vendors' efforts to improve efficiency, reduce cost, save energy and protect the environment was truly inspiring. I applaud them all.

In other CU news, Consumer Reports Magazine recently launched a new look with their September issue, with a redesigned consumerreports.org due this fall.

Remembering a philanthropist

2008-09-28T05:15:00.000-07:00

Lately we have seen movie stars making headlines because of their seemingly beneficent acts in children's causes. But face it, don't you always have a little feeling in the back of your mind that there's something jaded about their motives? I do.

But not in the case of the late Paul Newman, who passed away this weekend. He was a different breed. He didn't need the notoriety. Little fanfare was made years ago when he started the "Whole in the Wall Camps" for children with cancer, which was funded out of the profits from his Newman's Own brand of popcorn. This concept was so successful that it went on to create over 20 camps and dozens of grocery products. To the point where the line is blurred between the product and its branding and the reason it was created. We buy the salad dressing because it's good, not necessarily because 100% of the profit goes to charity.

There are no big photo ops, no headlines no Hollywood drama surrounding him or his charity.

Wouldn't every non profit love to have this kind of angel.

Don Imus is doing something similar but let's face it, he's no Paul Newman.

PKD awareness week

2008-09-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

PKD (Poly Cystic Kidney Disease) afflicts over 600,000 Americans and well over 12 million people world wide. It's a disease my family and I know about only too well. But for those who suffer from this disease we got some very welcome new earlier in the month. The Senate passed a sense of awareness "PKD Awareness Week Bill". September 14-20, 2008 are the dates. This is a big move for PKD because it took years to get this accomplished. It's a step to get law makers to understand and fund more money for research to cure this disease.

In addition, after 13 years Congress passed the GINA bill (Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act ) which gives privacy to individuals who have genetic diseases and can not be discriminated by insurance companies or employers due to their health issues.

Food for thought

2008-09-26T08:54:00.000-07:00

Ever since I can remember RMI has supplied candy, mainly chocolate, as a snack for all employees. Not that I’m complaining... it’s a very nice gesture which is much appreciated. But, in an effort to make our office healthier, I’ve requested to change our snacks to something more nutritious for a 30 day trial (commencing Oct. 1st and ending Oct. 31st). With Halloween quickly approaching now seems a good time to start.

Some facts: We have 39 employees in our Danbury office and I’ve been told we consume 28 lbs of “junk” snacks per month. I know… my jaw dropped too. The math is simple 28 lbs/month x 12/months = 336 lbs/year. WOW. That's not including the approximately 20 lbs sent to us during the holidays. That's over 9 lbs per person each year. Geez, I won’t even get into what that equates to in calories.

Now with this being said, Carol Forbes, “aka” my partner in crime, and I took an office survey to determine whether or not the office really wanted healthy snacks. The results were outstanding. Of the 31 employees who took the survey, 25 agreed to try the healthy snacks for 30 days. After our little experiment next month we will determine whether or not we’ll be switching over to something healthier permanently, or at the very least, adding it to the mix. Stay tuned...

Every generation has ups and downs

2008-09-25T04:59:00.000-07:00

My 87 year old mother tells stories about how she had to take a wheel barrel full of Marks to buy a loaf of bread in the '20's in Berlin. My father-in-law tells of bread lines in the 30's. We remember long gas lines in the 70's (maybe) and double digit inflation. Somehow we got through it. And we will again now. Why? Because basically we have the right economic underpinnings and free enterprise.

Until then we just have to be smart and look out for good opportunities to improve our business. Examine all new ideas that are presented. Look at packages you tested years ago that were just short of profitable. A tweak here or there could make it a winner. Modeling lists. Explore enhanced files. Good list managers can segment their enhanced files to find the right list for you to test.

Last, talk to your broker and list manager. Have a joint meeting with them and let them know your plans and get their feedback. They are your conduit to the rest of the industry and they can give you some good insight.

No ostriches here!

9 billion fewer pieces of mail

2008-09-25T03:38:00.000-07:00

Postmaster General John Potter seems surprised at the fact that the Post Office will see this type of short fall. What did he expect? Raise postal rates on first class and 3rd class bulk and you expect a business increase? Let's go through this; more and more individuals are paying bills online. More and more people are using electronic methods to communicate as opposed to posting letters. But I believe this is a small portion of the 9 billion shortfall. The biggest cut comes from the Post Office's best customer, direct mail. We all know what happened there.

What if the post office created various levels of delivery services. Each level would have different costs to consumers and businesses but they would be more in tune with the specific business or consumer need. Example, most businesses don't need Saturday delivery. So that's a five day delivery commercial fee. Many consumers may not need Saturday delivery either. That would be a five day consumer rate. It could go as low as three day delivery.

If they reduce their costs they could reduce their rates thus increasing business.

Certainly this needs work, but it's a thought.

Courtney's Big Day

2008-09-24T03:11:00.000-07:00

For a few weeks RMI will be playing one person short. But it's all good. Our own Courtney Waters, list management's Account Manager extraordinaire, will be getting married to long time beaux Jeremy Kowcheris on October 17th.

So lunch time will be decidedly quieter and Catherine will have to find a surrogate sister for a while.

We took an office poll and found out that what she really wants is for all of her RMI family to visit on their honeymoon. So the sign-up sheet is posted in the kitchen. Hurry so you can get your prime visiting dates.

Much love and happiness from all of us at RMI.

Shazam

2008-09-24T03:00:00.000-07:00

Self admittedly, I'm slightly behind the curve of technology, especially when it comes to my phone. But this is just crazy good... There's a free new application for iPhone that allows you to identify and automatically download a song playing on a radio or other music source wirelessly. It's called "Shazam". You just activate the program and point your phone in the direction of the song and within a few seconds it tells you what song is, the artist and downloads it for you onto a file.

No more sleepless nights wondering the name of the song or the band playing it. Am I the last person on earth to find out about this?

Thanks to Zack and Nancy for the tutorial.

Once more into the Kitchen Stadium

2008-09-23T14:00:00.000-07:00

Take a team of motivated people, add an extra large dose of hungry co-workers and mix in some competition. What do you get? RMI Iron Chef "3". Our own Iron Chef "Chairman" Carol Forbes has declared Oct. 2nd as the next RMI Iron Chef Challenge date. The not-so-secret ingredient is....wait for it....Apples. You'll want to be around our office that day. If not for the delectables, just for the smell of Granny Smiths or Macintoshes with subtle hints of clove and wafts of Cinnamon. Say what you will, these are"Good Eats".

Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place will be awarded ranging from $100 gas card for 1st place and $50 gas card for 3rd.

All this cooking is gearing us up for our next series...RMI Biggest Loser.

Watch for the results.

Motorcyclists ride for cancer research

2008-09-23T10:50:00.000-07:00

As I got up to run to the mall Sunday, Sept 21st, I noticed a lot of motorcyclists in the parking lot of the Danbury Fair Mall and wondered what was going on. Now reading about it Monday morning, I realized it was for the "Sixth Annual Kick It Motorcycle Ride for Cancer Research" of the American Cancer Society's Connecticut Chapter.

The ride was comprised of about 1,000 riders heading toward Route 7 for the first leg of a 60 mile journey. During the six years they have raised about $100,000. According to the article, nearly every rider/passenger/volunteer was dedicating this to someone whom they knew with cancer. As an avid motorcycle rider myself, riding is great but riding for a cause is even greater.

An apple a day...

2008-09-22T06:46:00.000-07:00

Wanna boost your creativity?

Forget the diet, but get your Apple; logo, that is.

Recent research suggests that a brand’s image can affect our behavior. Researchers flashed 2 different logos in front of test subjects so fast that the logos were imperceptible. (When offered $100 if they could recall the logo they had just seen, no one could.) Some people were exposed to the Apple logo, with its brand image for being innovative, hip and different. Other people were exposed to the IBM logo, with a brand image for being smart and responsible. Both groups of people were then given a task to challenge their creativity. People exposed to the Apple logo gave much more unusual and creative responses than those exposed to the IBM logo.

So, surround yourself with visual input of creative, innovative brands!! And just laugh when your co-workers think you’re weird for taking up hundreds of Apple logos all over your cube.

To read more about the study, see the June, 2008 issue of The Journal of Consumer Research. The study, titled, Automatic Effects of Brand Exposure on Motivated Behavior: How Apple Makes You "Think Different" was done by Professors Gawan Fitzsimmons and Tanya Chartrand of Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and Grainne Fitzsimmons of the University of Waterloo, Canada. The link below takes you to the study abstract.

Postmaster Potter points at nothing, just diverts

2008-09-18T05:16:00.000-07:00

In today's DM Newsline an article recapping Postmaster Potter's address...... said nothing.

He suggests that mailers explore new ways to capture customers a la thinking outside the box. May I humbly remind the Postmaster that direct marketers are, and have been, the most creative marketers around. What has caused the greatest problem to mailers is not finding new and innovative ways of acquiring customers, it's the insane postal system and postal increases that have sent the industry into a tailspin over the past 18 months.

One third of the US Postal Service's annual revenue depends on advertising mail. If we treated our best customers the way the postal system treats the DM industry, we'd all be out of business.

Fundraising and Social Media

2008-09-17T02:32:00.000-07:00

Our good friend Darryl from Brandflakes posted this on his blog. It seemed so relevant to what we do, we felt it important to link the whole article to you, our readers. There's a lot of real meat here for those fundraisers who either are already involved with social media, or struggling to integrate it into their marketing channels.

It's a long article but a really quick read and I think worth a look.

Have you seen our video on YouTube?

2008-09-15T04:00:00.000-07:00

Last week the mice at RMI produced a great video illustrating how well they work while I'm away. A well oiled wheel, serious noses to the grind stone. A real tribute to upper management.

I feel like Alfred E. Newman of Mad Magazine fame -"What, me worry?"

Check it out.

Darryl: there is life offline

2008-09-12T06:40:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday our good friend Darryl Ohrt, from our ad agency, came to our offices to present a staff development session about 10 of the most useful Internet tools.

As always, Darryl wowed us with his extensive knowledge of the Internet and the many tools available. Many of us are trying out new sites like Twitter (tweet me @Tally1) and Delicious. Thought provoking discussions have been occurring around our offices.

Some wonder if the Internet is killing print publications. I think not. As with the 80’s hit, "Video Killed the Radio Star", I believe that both can co-exist.

Many of us use the Internet to receive the fastest most up to date information, but a full in-depth story? I tend not to want to read all that copy on a computer screen. I read the headlines online then the full article in print.

And what about the advertisements? Ads have come so far from a basic black and white to singing and moving double page spreads.

So Darryl, spend a few hours offline and pick up a magazine; I just ordered a gift subscription of Woman's Day Magazine for you. Enjoy.

Kindle: a whole new way to read

2008-09-11T03:22:00.000-07:00

I received a new electronic reader - The Kindle; created by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

If you have access to wireless you can down load a book, magazine or your favorite blog in one minute. Most of the popular newspapers are available to. So at night you set your Kindle to down load the next days issue while you sleep. All the best sellers are available to download too.

So you're walking through the airport and need some thing to read... download a best seller.

It's very small too. Only about 1/3 pound. Can you imagine if school kids had this? No more heavy backpacks.

Check it out.

Fasting and fundraising

2008-09-10T10:13:00.000-07:00

I didn't eat much of a lunch yesterday so come 6PM I was so hungry that my stomach started to hurt, which got me thinking... about how much it sucked to be that hungry, how spoiled I am to be so accustomed to a full belly that I couldn't stop thinking about food after just 9 hours without it... how terrible it is that malnourished children across the world feel like I did at that moment every day of their lives, and how I've never related and sympathized for them more.

I then started to think about the Feed the Children, and other similar nonprofit commercials and how much more responsive viewers would be if they were hungry while they aired. Maybe these organizations could start a campaign encouraging Catholic churches to fund raise among their members during Lent as they are fasting. Or air a telethon the first day of Lent and follow up with a mailing.

Maybe they could enlist grocery stores to set up donation centers with visuals showing what your cart looks like chock full of groceries for your family compared to the small bowl of rice a impoverished child will have to last a couple of days. During the fundraiser, grocery stores could do a mailing of a coupon to redeem, but instead of say - saving $1.00 on your next purchase, you can choose to feed a child with a $1.00 donation. Maybe as an incentive the donors could have the opportunity of using their coupon as an entry into a sweepstakes.

Just a thought.