Inside This Issue

The path to entrepreneurship and business growth can be challenging, yet its opportunities are limitless. This month's issue of the digest shows how media has changed, why it's important to surround yourself with smart people and how exclusivity and partnership work well together to increase sales and audience. You'll also see a special invitation to join us at two upcoming events that will change lives for the better both here in Wisconsin and around the world.

When it comes to achieving your business and marketing goals, do you know what works best? Do you know what's in the way? Watch this episode to learn more about the roadblocks and the opportunities for you in 2018.

Laura Gallagher is a regular guest on Girl Talk which can be seen weekly on the independent TV station, Channel 57. Tune in to see more stories about small to medium sized businesses or subscribe on their You Tube channel.

How Bringing Another Brand Into A Promotional Partnership Became A
Win-Win For Everyone

When Just Coffee said they would be releasing an exclusive Port Barrel Roast Coffee around February 1, it became the perfect opportunity to amp up the limited edition product with a timely partnership.

Instead of offering a special coffee on it’s own, Just Coffee joined up with Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier to offer a special Valentine’s experience--limited edition coffee + a uniquely curated collection of chocolate truffles. Gail Ambrosius is a local chocolatier known for artisan, single-origin chocolates, with a national following, and who uses the roaster’s coffee in their espresso truffles. It was a natural fit!

Why using video will help you get more leads, close the sales loop and sell more of just about anything.

Many of our clients are incorporating video to tell their story on a consistent basis now. We provide the sound, lighting, photography and editing for clients in house. This means we're able to move the story forward quickly which leads to higher traffic, sales and engagement.

Are you using video? Will you be using it more in 2018? If you are, you'll love the stats below  and if not, here are some stats to sway you in that direction. Working this economic driver just makes so much fiscal sense!

Video Marketing Engagement Statistics

• 51% of marketing professionals worldwide name video as the type of content with the best ROI.

• Marketers who use video grow revenue 49% faster than non-video users.

• Sixty-four percent of consumers make a purchase after watching branded social videos (via tubularinsights).
   

• 59% of executives agree that if both text and video are available on the same topic, they are more likely to choose video.

• Social video generates 1200% more shares than text and images combined.

• Views on branded video content have increased 258% on Facebook and 99% on YouTube as of June 2017 (via tubularinsights).

Upcoming Events

Force For Positive Change Conference

Thursday, March 22, 2018 - Get your tickets now!

Interested in learning more about B Corps, social change, design thinking and hearing from social entrepreneurs, investors and change makers, join Creative Company at the Force for Positive Change Conference happening at Marquette University on Thursday, March 22, 2018. Our economic empowerment conference for women (WEDWisconsin) in 2017 as well as our work towards positive community change and issues public relations made it possible to be a contender in the Force for Positive Change competition this year! Although we didn't make it the final round, one of our client companies did! Join us in cultivating a community of change leaders in Wisconsin. Stop by our booth and you could win a Just Coffee gift box! 

The event will feature:

• Workshops on getting started as a social entrepreneur and pursuing B corps certification
   
• Opportunities to learn first-hand about change making and design thinking
   
• A spotlight on food-based social enterprise
   
• Stories from successful social entrepreneurs and award-winning change makers
   
• Presentation by John and Tashia Morgridge
   
• Hear from a panel of esteemed Ashoka Fellows that have transformed institutions and cultures across the United States for the good of society

Schools For Haiti Gala 2018

Reserve your table now. Be there on May 12, 2018

Schools for Haiti is returning to the Marriott this year for it's 5th year! Fearing's Audio Video Security is the organizer for the event happening on May 12th. Doug and Lois Fearing just returned from Haiti where they experienced first hand how the children are benefitting from the support this fundraiser provides. Many of these children live in make-shift houses and come to school hungry each day. This mission addresses their most vital needs and provides hope for a better future. Can you help with a silent auction item? Great! Sponsor? Awesome! Get a ticket or two or a table?! Fantastic! The committee's goal this year is to raise $125,000. Please contact Lois Fearing if you have any questions or are interested in becoming a sponsor. You can also drop off silent auction items at The Creative Company!

Reserve tickets now!