News
Why the Time Has Come to Market a VC Firm with Purpose
September 6, 2017 by Tim Turpin
In today’s world, consumers increasingly vote with their wallet – choosing companies they respect and chose to support over companies that do not align with their world view. In a recent article, “Competing on Social Purpose,” the Harvard Business Review provided an excellent overview of what sets great consumer companies’ outward story apart from the …
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4 Focus Areas for Cryptocurrency Marketing
August 22, 2017 by Vanessa Zucker
With so many cryptocurrencies launching and gaining prominence in headlines, it’s time to get more sophisticated with cryptocurrency marketing. Instead of relying on industry hype, crypto companies need to build their distinct message and project it into the larger blockchain conversation. While the fundamentals of messaging still apply, the complexity of cryptocurrencies requires focus on …
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Influencer Marketing is Dead. Long Live Influencer Relations!
August 14, 2017 by Shane Jordan
86% of marketers1 have used influencer marketing to move beyond corporate speak and build a more authentic brand. However, as influencer marketing gets more and more popular, a less-effective transactional approach to the method is on the rise. In order to retain the effectiveness of influencer marketing, we at Spark propose thinking about your program …
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How to Avoid Being Called a Scam: 10 Tips Every Blockchain & Crypto Company Needs to Know
August 7, 2017 by Alexa Alioto
Even as blockchain and cryptocurrency gain traction after exploding in popularity, many companies in these fields share a common experience upon announcing their launch: being called a scam. As the general public gets more informed about these technologies and regulations set in, the frequency of this assertion should decrease. Until then, check out this advice …
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From Logo to Launch: The Compcoin Brand Refresh
August 1, 2017 by Spark
When Compcoin came to Spark, the company sought a brand refresh to pair with its upcoming token launch. The AI-powered trading platform had existed for years as Fintech Investment Group, a commodity advisory firm. However, the launch of this new digital token called for a comprehensive program that introduced the world to this cutting-edge technology through …
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How Autonomous Vehicles Will Change Marketing Forever
July 17, 2017 by Vanessa Zucker
As on-demand and subscription-based services rise, we own less and less. After giving up our DVDs for Netflix and our CDs for Spotify, are cars next? While many of us begin to acquiesce ownership of vehicles for ride-sharing and give up the classic driving experience to artificial intelligence, the way cars and other products are …
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How to Podcast for Brands – 5 Advanced Tips
July 10, 2017 by Reenita Malhotra Hora
So, you’ve started your podcast—defined your topics, lined up your guests, recorded some episodes—and now you want to really make it stand out. We’re dropping advice to help you with how to podcast for brands in this stage of your podcasting journey. Check out the first episode in the series, called “How to Start Podcasting …
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3 Big Changes Affecting the Gaming Industry Right Now
June 26, 2017 by Wright Bagwell
Games and interactive media are changing in some pretty big ways. From players to creators and media consumption to interactive performances, these changes are integrating into our lives in ways we’ve never seen before. Wright Bagwell, CEO of Outpost Games, joins us today to explain changes affecting the gaming industry: why players are more than just …
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Man Pays $26 Million Dollars for Pizza Delivery: Why Blockchain Matters to You
June 20, 2017 by Alan Soucy
In today’s parlance, this headline would probably be considered high quality fake news. It does, however, have some accurate underpinnings and is an eye-opening example of the emerging power of the blockchain and why blockchain matters. In May of 2010, an early bitcoin supporter named Laszlo posted on a forum an offer to pay 10,000 …
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3 Major Themes at E3 2017
June 19, 2017 by Vanessa Zucker
This year’s E3 blew us out of the water with the big announcements and the massive attendance by industry professionals and fans alike, trying to see what is next in video games. In this episode, we dive into the biggest themes at E3 2017 that prove times are changing for the video game industry. We’re …
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Developers Weigh in on the Future of Gaming
June 12, 2017 by Rosstin Murphy
What does the future of gaming hold, in terms of how we communicate with each other and how we interact with media? In this episode of Spark Talks, two video game producers / developers give their take on how interactive media influences us at work, at play, and while learning about our world. Make sure …
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How to Measure the ROI of Social Media Marketing
June 7, 2017 by Alexander Romero-Wilson
According to SimplyMeasured’s 2016 State of Social Marketing Annual Report, 61% of social marketers claim their greatest challenge is measuring ROI, and only 9% are able to quantify the revenue driven by social marketing. Those statistics may sound surprising, if not shocking, but when you learn that only 20% of social marketers use conversion and …
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Virtual Reality: Where We’ve Been, Where We’re Going
June 5, 2017 by Toby Trevarthen
Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality have hit the mainstream and are changing the way we experience things. But can you guess where the industry is headed? We tackle this idea in this episode of Spark Talks, along with many other—sometimes surprising—uses of VR and AR. Guests include Rosstin Murphy, VR Engineer at STRIVR and Toby Trevarthen, …
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Top 10 Media Interview Tips: What to Do and What to Avoid
May 30, 2017 by Travis DeLingua
So, you’ve got an interview lined up, whether it be for print or screen, and you want to brush up on the best way to answer a journalist’s questions. Read these top 10 media interview tips to learn what to do and what to avoid while giving a media interview. Follow these 5 tips: 1. …
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The Rise of Startups Outside of Tech Hubs
May 23, 2017 by Vanessa Zucker
Picture the founder of an innovative small business pushing the construction industry forward. Her company creates products and services that harness technology to make operations more efficient. She is talking to an investor who recently funded the company and has meetings with clients and vendors throughout the day full of presentations and complex problem-solving. She …
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Introducing Sparkchain – our dedicated team for cryptocurrency and blockchain markets
May 19, 2017 by Alan Soucy
Today we are announcing Sparkchain, a unique team of highly trained and impassioned specialists focused on the emerging technologies in the cryptocurrency and blockchain markets. We believe that these new technologies will form the foundation of the next significant chapter in the evolution of the internet. Yes, I said it. These technologies will be the …
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The Future CEO is the CMO
May 15, 2017 by Marco Iannucci
Today we’re asking the question, “Does Marketing Have a Seat at the Table?” and by “table,” we mean at the top circle of C-suite executives in the running to be promoted to CEO of a company. Head of Strategy Marco Iannucci joins to explain where CEOs have come from in the past, what has changed …
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Agile Narrative Episode 4: Company Narratives for Publishers & Entrepreneurs
May 8, 2017 by Toby Trevarthen
Why should publishers care about the concept of company Narratives? How can companies become indispensable among their many competitors? How can entrepreneurs leverage their stories for marketing? Chief Narrative Officer Toby Trevarthen has the answers for both publishers and entrepreneurs in this episode of Agile Narrative. Share your entrepreneurial story and ask your questions about …
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Podcast As A Service: Cyborgs, Sneakers, and Juice As A Service
May 4, 2017 by Marco Iannucci
We explain the latest wins and fails in marketing over the last week in this podcast series called Podcast As A Service. We’re joined by Marco Iannucci, Head of Strategy, and Heather Gore, Senior Vice President of Spark to discuss Katy Perry’s new song, the newest spokesperson for Sketchers, and Juicero’s Juice as a Service. Tweet …
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How to Start Podcasting for Brands
May 1, 2017 by Vanessa Zucker
Lots of companies have been wondering how to get started in podcasting for brands. What do I talk about? How do I talk to guests? How do I get followers? These are some of the questions we answer in this episode of Spark Talks. Mike Bloom, host of several podcast shows, joins us to advise you and …
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Am I A Brand? Where Personal & Company Branding Collide
April 24, 2017 by Marco Iannucci
Am I a brand? Are YOU a brand? That’s what we’re asking on this episode of Spark Talks. Head of Strategy Marco Iannucci explains why the answer goes far deeper than a simple “yes” and runs through the latest examples of CEOs blending their personal branding with their companies’ brands, usually for the worse. Listen to …
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Rise of the Los Angeles Tech Hub: Move Over, Silicon Valley!
April 18, 2017 by Antonio Hicks
We’re usually all about San Francisco and Silicon Valley in these Spark Talks podcasts but this time we’re putting the spotlight on Los Angeles, an exploding tech hub with tons of startups getting founded and big companies moving in. Antonio Hicks, Senior Account Manager, who works on a lot of LA-based accounts and Rachel Kahn, Director …
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Agile Narrative Episode 3: Travel, Strategy, and Exits
April 11, 2017 by Toby Trevarthen
This episode of Agile Narrative dives into the relationship between travel and Narrative as well as several real life success stories. How does traveling to foreign countries help develop your perception of a place? How does a company raise $39 million through Narrative development? The experts explain all of this and more in this podcast …
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What Brands Can Learn From the Pepsi Ad Debacle
April 10, 2017 by Marco Iannucci
You must have heard of this whole Pepsi ad debacle: Pepsi released an ad that attempted to appear in touch with today’s youths by showing Kendall Jenner walking off her modeling job to join a social justice protest. At the end, she walks over to a stoic police man and gives him a Pepsi. Viewers went …
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4 Ways to Communicate Clearly to Get More Business
March 27, 2017 by Vanessa Zucker
Have you ever been in a situation where, no matter how hard you listen, you can’t understand what someone is trying to say? Have you ever stopped reading an article because the language was just too dense and technical? In the worlds of business and technology, this happens all too often. Too many of us …
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8 Marketing and PR Tools We Love
March 20, 2017 by Alexander Romero-Wilson
Because of the whirlwind of online tools to choose from that complement and enhance marketing and PR campaigns, we asked our team members which tools make the biggest difference in helping clients reach their goals. Take a look and consider asking your marketing and PR manager if they are using these marketing and PR tools …
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Getting it Right: Differences Between Goals, Objectives, Strategies, and Tactics (GOST)
March 13, 2017 by Marco Iannucci
Get these four concepts right and you will be on your way to building and maintaining a successful business. Marco Iannucci, Spark’s Head of Strategy, explains the (often times confusing) differences between Goals, Objectives, Strategies, and Tactics (GOST). We relate these concepts back to marketing your business and even defining your brand strategy. Listen to …
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The Maturing of Wearables: Addressing What Really Matters
March 7, 2017 by Herbie Calves
Wearables: What will those bands on our wrists look like in a few years? In this podcast, Herbie Calves, CMO of client Link AKC (which produces a smart collar for dogs) and Jeff Koo, Vice President and resident IoT expert at Spark, get into where wearables are headed (the maturing of wearables) and try to make …
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6 Things to Remember While Launching a Product
February 27, 2017 by Spark
Getting ready to launch a new product? Maybe this is your first time or maybe you are ready to learn from your last launch and improve this time around for better results. Consider these tips on launching a product from our PR and marketing experts who have launched products from smart home devices to enterprise …
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5 Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Agency Relationship
February 13, 2017 by Jeff Koo
You’ve signed the contract and now you have your very own PR/Marketing agency at your fingertips. While you and your agency representative may both have some great ideas for getting attention on your company, you will want to get the most out of the projects you work on with the team. Follow these tips in order to get the most for your money:...Read More
6 Tips for Choosing the Right Agency
February 6, 2017 by Vanessa Zucker
You’ve made the leap: your executive team has finally decided to hire a PR and Marketing firm. How do you choose the perfect firm for your business, though? After all, there are thousands of agencies in the United States alone. Here are some tips to help you evaluate the agencies you consider along your PR and marketing journey:...Read More
Evolution of Advertising: Rise of the Bots
January 30, 2017 by Dan Gailey
Would you take shopping recommendations from a chatbot? Startups like Radbots are using artificial intelligence to turn targeted advertising into a positive experience. Join the founders of Radbots in this podcast to learn about the future of advertising and chatbots as well as how to use them to reach your company's audience....Read More
How Brands are Still Doing Snapchat Wrong (And Tips on How You Can Get It Right)
January 23, 2017 by Adam Pryor
Snapchat: Is it for everyone? As companies continue to refine their understanding of the social media channel and how it can help their brands, the world has seen many mistakes and misuses of the platform. Spark’s resident Snapchat and PR experts break down what has gone wrong and how brands should use this tool to grow their following and their business....Read More
So Many Robots! …And More CES 2017 Trends
January 16, 2017 by Vanessa Zucker
Thousands of presenters. Over a hundred thousand attendees. CES just keeps growing and 2017 broke records. Learn about the major trends from security to augmented reality and how they compare to last year’s show from Account Manager Cristina Dunning in this podcast....Read More
CES 2017: Sparkles and Spirits Makes For Tremendous Success
January 12, 2017 by Christa Fogleman
To kick off the exciting CES week in style, Spark hosted its annual CES party “Sparkle and Spirits" on Wednesday night in the Mirage to tremendous applause from media and our participating clients alike, including Brilliant Home, Endless, Otto, VivaLink, Waves and SetApp/MacPaw....Read More
What’s Next in Marketing in 2017? (5 areas of predictions)
January 9, 2017 by Spark
We marketing and PR professionals saw a lot in 2016: Apple’s fight with the government over privacy, Twitter’s potential sale, and don’t even get us started on the presidential election. After taking it all in, we have some ideas about what might come next for marketing and PR. Here’s what some of Spark’s experts have to say:...Read More
Spark Talks: IoT Podcast
January 3, 2017 by Alexander Romero-Wilson
What are the biggest challenges for Internet of Things (IoT) companies in terms of public relations: viability, security, lack of consumer education? How does big data play a part in PR and marketing for IoT companies, since they have so much information on their customers? What's in store for IoT's future? And do IoT products actually make your life easier?...Read More
#MeasureForSuccess: 3 Categories of Metrics to Show the True Success of PR
December 12, 2016 by Alexander Romero-Wilson
Everyone in marketing (I hope) will agree that measurement has value. But from a measurement perspective, why does PR receive special treatment from other marketing departments? When asked to show the performance of PR, many professionals present share of voice (SOV), impressions, unique monthly visitors – all general awareness metrics. Very few PR professionals provide …
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Do you know your Narrative?
November 21, 2016 by Toby Trevarthen
Successful companies create new Narratives to set themselves apart and establish themselves as thought leaders in a newly defined space. We like to say, “You solved a problem. Let us solve your Narrative.” If you’re looking to join the ranks of those successful brands, follow these steps:...Read More
Affordable Supersonic Flight on the Horizon: Boom Unveils XB-1 Supersonic Demonstrator
November 16, 2016 by Spark
Yesterday, Boom Technology unveiled the XB-1 Supersonic Demonstrator, a subscale prototype of the Boom supersonic passenger airliner. On display for the first time ever at Boom's Hangar 14 at Centennial Airport, the XB-1, nicknamed "Baby Boom," was be unveiled this evening at an exclusive VIP event for airline and aerospace executives and media, coordinated by Spark. The XB-1 is the world's fastest civil aircraft ever made, and it will demonstrate in flight the key technologies for affordable supersonic travel....Read More
Integrated Marketing: A Primer
November 7, 2016 by Vanessa Zucker
You’ve probably heard a phrase that a lot of agencies are using nowadays to describe their capabilities: integrated marketing. What is integrated marketing? How does it differ from offering a host of marketing oriented services loosely tied together? Why are agencies going from specializing in one service (like PR) to offering other forms of marketing …
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PR vs. Creative: Rivalry or Synergy?
October 17, 2016 by Heather Gore
Creative work: Does it have a place in a PR agency? Is the question really “PR vs. Creative” at all? Once an agency becomes integrated — offering a variety of services beyond traditional PR — creativity takes a starring role alongside its companions from marketing to media relations. But why would you get creative services from a PR company …
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Re-thinking how to measure PR success
September 27, 2016 by Alexander Romero-Wilson
September marks AMEC’s Measurement Month, one of my favorite industry events that by principle is to bring global attention to the value and importance of PR measurement. Even in today’s digital age with cross-device technologies, online-offline attribution and an overall industry emphasis on personalized marketing, PR measurement and the technology that supports it continues to …
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Event Planning and Media Tour Send Cobalt Private Aircraft Soaring
August 22, 2016 by Spark
Cobalt CEO and founder David Loury came to Spark with the goal of launching his first private aircraft: the Valkyrie. As a new entrant in the highly competitive aviation space with an unknown CEO in Silicon Valley, the company had a huge awareness obstacle to overcome in order to inspire people to buy the Valkyrie, …
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Agile Narrative ™ Episode 2 dives into design thinking
August 16, 2016 by Toby Trevarthen
How can you harness design thinking in order to develop your brand’s narrative? Host Walter Kuhn, Spark’s Creative Director, interviews Toby Trevarthen, Spark’s Chief Narrative Officer and Tim Donovan, Executive Narrative Strategist, to discover how design thinking influences the Agile Narrative methodology and how it can benefit companies across all industries in ways beyond product …
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Cassia Hub Product Launch: Integrated Marketing Communications in Action
August 8, 2016 by Spark
Challenge Cassia Networks came to Sparkpr in October 2015 to announce their product, the Cassia Hub, at CES 2016. The Cassia Hub is a Bluetooth router that can connect up to 22 devices with an extended range of up to 1,000 feet. It was the first time the company introduced itself in the U.S. market. …
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Spark Launches New Podcast Series: Developing Agile Narrative ™
May 10, 2016 by Toby Trevarthen
We spend a lot of time at Spark researching and deliberating the most effective platforms to distribute content. We put thought into what channels make the most sense for our clients, and spend some time experimenting with ways to get our own Spark messages out. We recently took two big steps by launching both our …
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