It's funny how often the things we learn in one area of our life can apply to other areas. For instance, what might we learn from volleyball about branding? Well, for one thing, we can learn about 'the dip'.

Often, the solution to significant competitive challenges are simple. Particularly if you can confidently boast a superior product or service. One organization that 'gets' simple solutions is Saddleback Leather Co. Their recent ad showing how to knock off their bags is a lesson in trusting your product or service.

Great advertising isn't all sizzle - it's steak. By that I mean that great advertising isn't just one big campaign idea that you thought up at 1:30 am after a night of brainstorming. Great advertising comes from careful planning and consistent application of a plan.

Famed French composer, Claude Debussy, once said that “Music is the silence between the notes”. As a musician, this statement resonates with me. As a communications consultant, it does too.

When someone hands you a flyer, it's like they're saying, "Here, you throw this away." - Mitch Hedberg

Most companies realize they have to advertise. What they don't realize is that they should probably spend as much time advertising internally as they do externally.

Every business gets sponsorship opportunities. But which events and causes do you sponsor and which do you pass on? What's your criteria? Here are some thoughts on how to make those decisions.

If your advertising strategy is like Gotham City - dark, foreboding and without a lot of hope - we'd love to be your Batman.

Communication projects are set to succeed or fail long before the final work is delivered. If there were some things that I could tell you to do to set yourself up for a win, it would be these 6 things.