Recycled Scrabble letters make custom drink coasters, as seen on inhabitat.com
Leftover Scrabble letters create a meaningful sign, as seen on Stylelist Home
Single Scrabble tiles personalize guest place settings, as seen on Enchanted Dream Weddings & Affairs
The above images were provided by:
Home trends come and go, but clocks of all shapes, sizes and functions are a versatile home staple that have proven their power to stand the test of time (pun intended). For this week’s Pinterest Picks, HomeIQ expert, Jessica Krznaric shares her favorite timepieces that will wake up any room in your home. Do you have some extra time? Visit our IMRE Home IQ Pinterest page for more inspiration.
Public Relations. What is it, exactly? It’s a question those of us in the business get asked constantly. And, depending on the context of the conversation, we respond differently. Sometimes we speak to the tactical – media relations, speechwriting, community relations – to help the uninformed understand what we do on a daily basis. But, the practice of public relations and the overall communication environment is so much more.
At IMRE, we assert PR helps shape the language of a brand into the language of the audience. It’s about making connections and developing enduring relationships. Sounds a bit ethereal, but with that goal in mind, we focus on using the most appropriate mediums to share information, begin a conversation, demonstrate shared values and beliefs, and inspire the audience.
Inspiration is key in today’s communication environment.
No matter the subject – audiences need to be inspired to act – to become an ambassador in conversations, to rally around change, to purchase a product. And, thanks to the information age and growing information economy, PR practitioners have a multitude of tools to inspire their audiences.
Today we can reach a target audience easily and connect personally – if we take the time to find where they are and focus on what matters most to them. Media is now hyper-local and niche-focused. Social media has delivered new ways to connect. And, storytelling sells.
Wondering how to make it all work for you? Here are some recent programs that have gained great traction in the marketplace and are focused on inspiring the audience. Hopefully, they’ll inspire you in your endeavors…
What other programs would you add to this list?
Brass Shower Head with Color Changing LED Light from Lightinthebox.com
Moving is always an exciting event. Whether you’re leaving your parents house for the first time, moving into your first home, or just moving into a new place, there are many things to consider. How you’re going to decorate your new living space is one.
Having just moved, I have been researching, reading and watching design blogs, books, articles, Pinterest and television shows for tips and ideas on how to decorate my new California home. One of the best lists of tips I have come across is a roundup from Family Circle and top designers. From the research I have done, and in starting to decorate my home, I have found that the following tips are most helpful for making a house a home:
What other tips would you add to this list of making a house a home?
Suitcase Chair, Recreate.com
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, this week’s Pinterest Picks are inspired by the color red. Not only is red the color of love, but also known to increase enthusiasm, stimulate energy and boost confidence. Home IQ expert, Caitlin Haskins, believes these physical effects of red can be directly applied to the home, and shares a few red design inspirations that truly pull our heartstrings.
This kitchen is the apple of our eye!
Bold and bright – these walls bring energy to the room.
Add a little drama with one red accent wall.
Red brings some pop to this front porch.
Open your eyes to the energy of red in the morning.
Red chairs are sure to bring energy to your next dinner party.
Web. Social. Mobile. Cars? The digital landscape is expanding into an entire ecosystem in which we access the Internet across multiple devices. This gives brands incredible opportunity to engage consumers, but doing so requires a digital strategy that addresses how to create effective content and distribute it across online channels.
The first ever website was published just over 20 years ago. Since then, the rate by which digital content is created and consumed has grown exponentially. In this relatively short period of time, the way we access the Internet has expanded from desktop computers to laptops, mobile phones and now everyday things like TVs, cars and household appliances. By 2020 the GSMA estimates that there will be a networked ecosystem of 24 billion devices connected to the Internet.
As consumers, we are entering the era of “The Internet of Things.” A time when the refrigerator suggests recipes based on its contents, or the car directs you to the nearest home center as you drive past a billboard advertising lawn mowers. The good news for marketers is that the proliferation of digital channels creates more opportunities to reach target audiences. Unfortunately, many brands currently struggle to maintain their existing web and social properties, so the idea of managing an entire digital brand ecosystem is daunting to say the least.
The Digital Brand Ecosystem
Marketers have the ability to reach audiences through a variety of owned assets such as corporate websites, Facebook pages and mobile apps. In addition, they can engage in conversations that happen on third-party sites such as Twitter, Pinterest or blogs. The full range of online channels makes up a brand’s digital ecosystem, and each consumer interaction is a reflection of the brand.
As the number of digital channels expands, brands need a strategy that encompasses the entire ecosystem. Trying to manage it without a plan means the brand is constantly reacting to external influences, and ultimately loses its focus.
In our experience, the best way to manage a digital brand ecosystem is to start with a well-defined brand positioning. If you know what the brand stands for and who your audiences are, then you have the foundation for good content.
Good content is purposeful and can be used and re-used in multiple channels. Initially the content may live on a website, but it should be managed so that it can be re-purposed in other channels like Facebook, YouTube or mobile sites. The plan should also take into consideration how the brand will participate in conversations on third-party sites. This can include a strategy for monitoring and responding to comments on social networks as well as contributing content. Overall, the digital strategy should be a roadmap that addresses how each component works together and reflects the brand positioning.
Salvador Dali-style Melting Desk Clock, X-Tremegeek.com
Hourglass Salt & Pepper Shakers, Potterybarn.com
Flat Clock by Johnson House Design, as seen on Design Milk
The month of love is upon us and we felt a need to share our adoration for some of our favorite designers and bloggers we have enjoyed following on Pinterest. Below is a list of a few of the boards we lust after, and some recent pins we just couldn’t resist:
What boards do you find yourself re-pinning often?
