Compared to previous generations, Millennials seem to have some very different habits that have taken both established companies and small businesses by surprise. One of these is that Generation Y doesn’t seem to enjoy purchasing things.The Atlantic’s article “Why Don’t Young Americans Buy Cars?” mused recently about Millennials’ tendency to not care about owning a vehicle. The subtitle: “Is this a generational shift, or just a lousy economy at work?”What if it’s not an “age thing” at all? What’s really causing this strange new behavior (or rather, lack of behavior)?

Read more from the source: fastcompany.com

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State law does matter in the selection of a jurisdiction in which to create a domestic asset protection trust (APT). A brief (and incomplete) history of APTs may help the reader understand why.

Read more from the source: Tax, Trust, and Estate News

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Some refreshing cervezas with a hint of lime were chilled and served.

The sangria was flowing to the delight of many.

Even the dogs got in on the action.

And then came the Dip Contest – a TPG tradition where salsas, quesos and guacs are pitted against each other to fight to the death to see who would be crowned the winner!

The Spread (with added illumination)

Contestant #1: Crack Dip (don’t ask what’s in it)

Contestant #2: Chili Dip

Contestant #3: Roasted Pepper Dip

Contestant #4: White Bean and Herb Dip

Contestant #5: Funfetti Confetti Dessert Dip

Second place went to Contest #4, Señor CJ’s white bean and herb dip. And first place went to… Contestant #1, Señorita Pauline who is now the new reigning dip contest champion!

But there was more to this party than mere dips and/or chips. After the contest, Señorita Pogue got the crowd going with a beginner salsa lesson, danced to the tunes of traditional salsa music.

“Guys, guys, you’re doing it all wrong.”

Señor Houser and Señorita Cherico were our two brave volunteers.

Señor Jenkins was not impressed.

Until next year, hasta mañana!

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After countless hours of brainstorming, sketching, and frolicking, “The Big Bacon House” was born. But this isn’t just any ordinary bacon store. To stand apart from the competition, “The Big Bacon House” offers custom colored bacon (because who doesn’t want purple bacon?), it’s pliable for those bacon aficionados looking to build bacon sculptures, and most importantly, it tastes AWESOME!

Unique Selling Points

In addition, eating bacon from “The Big Bacon House” will make you live longer, grow hair if you are balding, and fight signs of aging. Some ideas fell to the wayside such as offering free samples of the bacon (for fear of the competition stealing the secret recipe a la Willy Wonka) and the creation of diet bacon for the health-conscious. Priced at $50 per slice, this bacon is totally worth it.

Scientifically proven health benefits

To market the franchise which has received a considerable amount of buzz, the junior employees decided to make a commercial featuring “The Big Bacon House” mascot – which as expected is a 6-foot tall bacon strip with a mustache. To reach the target market of everyone between the ages of 9 and 99 (as long as 6 year old Nathan could also have some), the junior executives decided to play off of the Harlem Shake video craze by producing (drum roll please)… THE BACON SHAKE! 

“Bacon Shake” storyboard

Yes, everything is better with bacon and these kids proved it!

A big thanks for “The Big Bacon House” goes to: Kirsten, Nathan, Michelle, Uri, Kaleigh and Isabella!

Kirsten and Nathan

Uri with Content Strategist, Colleen

Michelle and Kaleigh

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You can see Tom Fishburne at Integrated Marketing Week 2013 in New York, June 10-13, where he will be giving a keynote session on Marketing Worth Sharing.

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Still, with these staggering numbers, less than 20% of SMB’s have integrated social media in their customer service, sales or product development processes.   Lets take a look at some initiatives SMBs can do to get off the bench and start driving in runs.

Put on Your Uniform
First things first, lets get dressed. Take a few hours out of your work week (day or night) to set up accounts for the main social platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIN and possibly Pinterest). Once you set up your account make the style of it match your brand. Same colors as your web site. Then don’t be shy to share it with your friends, family and colleagues that you are connected with on each of the platforms. This will give you an immediate boost to your social reach. Keep in mind, more than half of social media users are on mobile/tablet. So, if you haven’t set up a mobile web site now is the time.

Throw the Ball Around
You want to get used to how you will engage with your audience(s). Different social platforms will most likely call for different voices. LinkedIN is a professional network – so maintain an executive/professional tone here. Twitter is fantastic, but the most challenging to understand at first. Ironic isn’t it? 140 characters and still frustrates people. Facebook is more personal so be careful not to pitch your products and services here. You do not want to interrupt the conversations going on.

Play Ball
Time to crank it up. Now that you have warmed up it’s time to throw out the first pitch. This could be a literal “pitch” for guest blogging or PR. It could be your first blog post on your site. Or maybe you want to go at it head first with an attractive contest. No matter what it is, take the time to consider the reaction you will receive. But don’t give away your change-up. Be aggressive. Comscore studies state; businesses that post at least once a day will reach 22% of their audience (fans). Increase this percentage with a sponsored story.

Don’t Blame the Umpire
You can’t hide from the truth, but you can learn from it. With your posts and tweets going out now, you should monitor them with Analytics. Google Analytics to track traffic and engagement. Consider other paid tools like Sprout Social, Simply Measured and more. This is the Chevrolet key to the game. Analyzing your Analytics data on content you have produced along with the action steps you performed across all platforms will guide you in learning how to use social media for business.

The three most important reasons small businesses leverage social media are to connect with customers, gain visibility and self promotion. A higher percentage of SMB decision makers use LinkedIN over Twitter.

Be like Cal Ripken Jr.
2,632 games played without missing one.  That’s what you want.  That kind of drive and passion to be successful.   Social Media isn’t something you just pick up and put down once or twice a week.  It’s a process of developing and curating content, earning relationships and expanding your social trust with other users.  Hiring a staff member to take on this role has become common practice for many SMBs, but be careful of hiring a minimum wager or someone right out of college.  Not to say that you may find a diamond in the warning track but this is, in many cases, your first impression to your prospects and customers.  Best leave this to a social media expert or agency to manage for you.

It’s a Long Season
The added value to all of this work you have been doing in social is the direct (and indirect) influence on your social media.  I wrote about social signals recently and the current and anticipated expectations related to SEO value.  Positive references to your content from real users on social platforms with conversations, shares, retweets and more will get you into the All-Star game.  Like SEO, it’s long process.  A continued effort.  Be sure to tag your content and get credit for it with rel=”me” or “publisher” tags and list them in your Google+ account as this will set you up with Author Rank to gain additional value.

It’s hard to win a pennant, but it’s harder to lose one
Their are many ways you can lose after all of this work; no strategy, not showing up every day, wrong messaging, not monitoring and following trends and many more.  Lastly, proving ROI from all of you work.  Analytics tracking will allow you to see your increases in traffic, connections and users/visitors.

I’m certain following these practices will guide you toward success in your social media campaign.  Have any additional thoughts or strategies that have worked for you?

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Suffice it to say, everyone has their hands full.

TPG, An Omnicom/DAS Agency, is actively helping carriers across the country build their go to market strategies for both Individual Reform and Medicare AEP.  We are poised and ready to help you get it done fast, right and well within budget. Here are a few of the areas we can help.

1. Segmentation and Buyers Journey Messaging Maps
2. Ethnic/Grass Roots Marketing Strategy
3. General Market Strategy
4. Marketing Budget Allocations and Media Plans tied to line of business lead and sales goals
5. Online Promotion and  Content Creation include quick to market Microsite development and Videos
6. Direct Response Campaigns (DRTV, Radio, DM, Alt. Media, Print, SEO/SEM)

Let’s talk.  Call Beth Albrecht at 818.540.8728, or email her at balbrecht@tpgphl.com.  You can also visit our website at: www.tpgdirect.com

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In their latest article, eMarketer highlighted content marketing as an emerging trend for 2013 and how it can create paths to purchases. The article explains that “consumers not only respond to content, but also seek it out.” And while content remains king, in our expanding mobile-centric world, context shares the throne.

Most notably, marketers need to keep in mind that actual content is always better than the bait-and-switch tactic of disguising sponsored ads as content. You sneaky marketers, you.

To read eMarkteter’s article in full, click here.

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In his article, “Health of a Nation,” Lan explains that for insurance companies to stand out among the competition they will have to “understand the way consumers perceive and engage with their brand online.” While healthcare still has a place in traditional media, it isn’t enough for today’s fast-paced, tech-savvy consumer.

Data shows that 75% of insurance shoppers have used a search engine to find information about insurance plans and 64% of consumers comparison shop online. Lan points out that this is a clear opportunity for online brand building, an area where the majority of health insurance companies are severely lacking.

With 2014 quickly approaching, Lan believes the time for health insurance providers to test the digital waters is now. He insists that “digital marketing provides the quickest, most effective way” for providers to prove to consumers that they can provide the best service and solutions to fit their needs.

“It’s a big ask for an industry not known for its brand building and digital marketing activities,” admits Lan. “But for the companies that get it right, the rewards will more than repay the effort.” We couldn’t agree more.

To read Lan’s article in full, click here.

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