NEW YORK, January 15, 2013 – Solid consumer spending in the month of December helped retailers finish the year with a healthy holiday shopping season, however economic uncertainties sent a cautious consumer to the stores. According to the National Retail Federation, the world’s largest retail trade association, December retail sales (excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants) increased 0.8 percent seasonally adjusted from November and increased 2.1 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

Total holiday retail sales increased 3.0 percent, below NRF’s projected forecast of 4.1, to $579.8 billion. Additionally, non-store holiday sales grew 11.1 percent. Shop.org in October forecasted a 12.0 percent growth in online sales in the months of November and December.

“For over six months, we’ve been saying that the fiscal cliff and economic uncertainty could impact holiday sales. As the number shows, these issues had a visible impact on consumer spending this holiday season,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “We can’t expect consumers to continue to carry the burden of growing our economy—Washington must put political differences aside and do what it takes to get our country growing again and Americans back to work.”

December retail sales, released today by the U.S. Department of Commerce, showed total retail and food services sales (which include non-general merchandise categories such as automobiles, gasoline stations, and restaurants) increased 0.5 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month and increased 4.7 percent adjusted year-over-year.

“While non-store retail sales increased a hearty 11 percent this December, total December sales could not make up for shortfalls in certain categories like electronics,” NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said. “Heading into 2013, consumers could continue to think twice about their discretionary purchases as they face decreases in their paychecks and other concerns with their household budgets.”

Other findings from the December retail sales report include:

• Clothing and clothing accessories stores’ sales increased 1.0 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month and increased 2.5 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

• Electronics and appliance stores’ sales decreased 0.6 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month and decreased 0.4 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

• Furniture and home furnishing stores’ sales increased 1.4 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month and increased 3.0 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

• General merchandise stores’ sales were unchanged seasonally-adjusted month-to-month and decreased 3.4 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

• Health and personal care stores’ sales increased 1.4 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month and decreased 0.7 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

• Nonstore retailers’ sales increased 0.5 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month and increased 9.6 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

• Sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores’ sales increased 0.6 percent seasonally-adjusted month-to-month and increased 4.7 percent unadjusted year-over-year.

As the world’s largest retail trade association and the voice of retail worldwide, NRF represents retailers of all types and sizes, including chain restaurants and industry partners, from the United States and more than 45 countries abroad. Retailers operate more than 3.6 million U.S. establishments that support one in four U.S. jobs – 42 million working Americans. Contributing $2.5 trillion to annual GDP, retail is a daily barometer for the nation’s economy. NRF’s Retail Means Jobs campaign emphasizes the economic importance of retail and encourages policymakers to support a Jobs, Innovation and Consumer Value Agenda aimed at boosting economic growth and job creation. www.nrf.com

Holiday Retail Sales Up 3.0 Percent to $579.8 Billion
For Immediate Release
Stephen E. Schatz (703-946-7510) / (212-542-1950)
SchatzS [at] NRF [dot] com

Creators of bespoke products are innovators; those few who walk outside the crowd. It was this pioneering spirit which created the company in the first place. The customers of fine goods are discerning, independent buyers. Though they may get caught in the marketing ploy of the day, their quest is for the unique and original. Not the everyday.

As business owners of high-end products, you have a responsibility to stand up for what you believe, to be a trail blazer. The leadership of the company and marketers alike do the company a disservice by backing away from the imaginative thinking the company was founded on. Being happy with the status quo of allowing your customers to come to you simply on the bandwagon, tarnishes your brand.

Creativity and ingenuity built this country and built great brands. As bespoke manufacturers you must lead, innovate and propel your business to a new day!

The wake up message is that You, the business owner, has to do the changing. Will you run from this challenge or will you look at yourself in the mirror and decide to start doing things differently? We are creatures of habit, that’s true. But the cold hard truth is that to grow your business you have to let go of some of those old habits and try something new. You might use incentives to motivate your employees, but who is pushing you? Who is holding you accountable? How much do you want the change?

In these difficult economic times, it is the person seeing this as an “aha” moment who can make the necessary changes. These are the business owners willing to do the hard work of reassessing, evaluating and changing. One day at a time, staying with the plan. Can you see it through? Will you pick up your left foot, put it down and then pick up your right and put it down, moving ever forward?

A consultant can help you create the plan, but the success of it is up to you. Will you use this truth to inspire you or keep you stuck in the same old?

It takes willingness to change and determination to do what it takes. As a business owner, you’re used to rolling up your sleeves and getting busy. Listen to your consultant and then do what needs to be done.

I’ll get you started –
Don‘t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
Do what’s hard first.
A journey of 1000 miles starts with one step.
A small amount of effort, applied regularly, produces results.
Now, think of some sayings of your own.

Remember, the great panacea that will help you sleep again is none other than you.

Do you want to increase revenue to acquire another brand?
Could it be time to own your own space?
Are you, maybe, looking to keep your business viable for future generations?
You might ask: Would I like to sell the business so I can follow my passions?

The answer you find will require different paths and tactics.

I once worked with the owner of a salon and spa who wanted to transition the company to his daughter when she turned 25. The problem was, she crashed two cars, dropped out of school and showed no signs of being able to support herself financially or be responsible. The owner realized the expansion plans for the next five years were not going to be adding stylists or changing the advertising message. He needed to educate and train his daughter, first, so she would be ready. Together we formulated an exit strategy for him, based on these needs. He had to hire from within and just tweek his message. The plan we formulated was dictated by the goal to bring his daughter into the business.

You might want to reach out to a new market, increase your space, or decrease your carbon footprint. Each one of these reasons will require different steps, different areas of focus, different ways to travel. Until you discover the true reason for your desire to grow, neither you, nor your consultant can have real success. Each business owner has his or her own unique circumstances. There is no one-size-fits-all plan. You need to know where you’re going before you can create a map to get there.

So, find out now: Why do you really want to grow your business?

Diane Lemonides, president Verve Marketing & Design

It is an essential part of any marketing strategy, along with your product or service, distribution channels, price and promotion. All your marketing efforts are made easier and more effective when you know your ideal customer.

As Entrepeneur.com says, without a target, your marketing is “… like firing 10 bullets in random directions instead of aiming just one dead center of the mark – expensive and dangerous.”

Gone are the days when you could say, “I’m targeting 25 to 45 year olds.”  People are so busy doing their own things – a 30-something woman could be home raising children, while another is deeply entrenched in her career.

There as many factors to consider in finding this perfect specimen.  Geographical considerations may not even apply in the digital age.  Demographics bring together statistics on age, gender, income, occupation and the like, which can well be misleading.  Psychographics look at attitudes, values and lifestyles.  Behavioral factors are in the mix, as well. The truth is, the human animal is hard to pin down.  People are often recreating themselves and having or choosing to have their lives turned inside out.

It takes an expert to help sort this out.

Jay Leno on Happiness
This is purported to be written by Jay Leno in 2008.

Imagine if you could shift your focus to positive from negative, on what you have vs. what you perceive you lack, on releasing your inner strength to get what you want by being a high performer.  As Eleanor Roosevelt wrote, “In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our responsibility.”

Jay Leno wrote”

‘The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right?  The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain’t happy and wants a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, ‘what are we so unhappy about?”

A.. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?

B… Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?

C… Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?

D.. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

E… Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state?

F… Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?

G… I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.

H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

I… Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames, thus saving you, your family, and your belongings.

K.. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.

L. This is all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents.  This is in neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

M.  How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?  Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy.

Fact is we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S., yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don’t have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.  I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating?  Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11?  The same president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession?  Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The same commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?

Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show?  Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn’t take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it……are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the ‘Media’ told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day. Make no mistake about it.  The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn’t have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ”general” discharge, an ‘other than honorable” discharge or, worst case scenario, a ”dishonorable” discharge after a few
days in the brig.

So why the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans?  Say what you want but I blame it on the media.  If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations.  They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by ‘justifying’ them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn’t kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way……Insane!

Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day or at least be thankful and appreciative.  With hurricanes, tornado’s, fires out of control, mudslides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?”
The above has been provided by Scott Messer, President, Sales Evolution scott [at] salesevolution [dot] com

While i am a proponent of recycling & re-purposing, i suggest the NY Times get read prior to its function at the bottom of your bird cage.

Diane Lemonides, Chairwoman of the Luxury Marketing Council of Philadelphia shared statistics on how the shift in the economy affects shopping. Many consumers are either purchasing online or researching online before shopping in a retail location, as they may be spending more time at home. So if the buying patterns of consumers are changing with the economy, isn’t it important to look for new and cutting-edge ways to target them? Perhaps, but don’t forget the business basics: differentiate yourself from your competition and focus on the real life customer experience.

Martin Weinberg, Senior Account Manager at E-City Interactive, gave a shining example of a business that has the basics perfected. Zappos.com, the online shoe giant, differentiates itself from competitors by offering a commitment to excellent customer service with two-way free shipping and a 365-day return policy. Integrating the Zappos brand into social media outlets is just the icing on the cake. Even their CEO, Tony Hsieh, isn’t so Atwitter about Twitter! Weinberg reminds retailers that it’s not only the items that the luxury consumer’s want, it’s the end experience.

Take for instance the King of Prussia Mall, the East Coast’s premier shopping destination, which has a Facebook fan page with over 15,600 fans. Consumers love the experience of shopping at this behemoth mall with luxury retail locations, so they connect to the mall via a social medium to stay on top of trends and sales in order to feel like they are part of the experience, even if it’s only in front of their computer. Panelist Patrick Champalou, store manager of Cartier at King of Prussia Mall shared that their store attracts guests from Ohio who visit the location just to purchase an engagement ring – that’s approximately an 8-hour drive, one way! In the case of engagement rings and unique jewelry pieces, consumers may not purchase online because they want to experience the in-store purchase. That’s where customers are perusing online but making their purchases at the store in order to engage in the experience; to see, touch and insert themselves into the brand intimacy.

Yes, it’s confusing and conflicting. You need to decide whether social media is right for your brand and in reaching your target audience. The stats can’t be ignored, though: there are 350 million active Facebook users and of those, 10 million are fanning pages each day. It’s best to understand the nuances of these newfangled media outlets and the investment of time before diving head first into the social cyber ether.

Olivia Haist-Rabe, Founder of Bespoke Media Group, gives examples of the benefits of social media in tracking ROI. Facebook and Twitter can provide direct ROI by using applications (or apps) as a utility. Think of these mediums as tools in your marketing toolbox. By offering clients promotions and contests, it’s a great way to engage your online fan base and track responsiveness. Also, make your client base feel special and promote brand loyalty by offering exclusivity; e.g. hold an exclusive event for VIPs or provide a service which your clients can’t buy like tickets to fashion shows or sporting events that are by invitation only. Luxury is about indulgence, so offer your clients a product, service or experience that is unique. One successful example of a promotion is Burberry’s ‘Art of the Trench,’ a living celebration of the trench coat and the people who wear it. Burberry encourages clients to photograph themselves outside, wearing their Burberry trench coat and even categorize the submissions by gender, coat color, popularity and weather conditions. You can also connect to the site via Facebook – a cross-platform marketing endeavor. Another example is the offer for free ice cream Starbucks promoted in the summer of 2009 via Facebook. The app allowed users to send coupons for free ice cream to friends or themselves via Facebook. Both of these companies can easily track how effective their brand promoting campaigns are by the number of customers who participate in their promotions. So if you are ready to try social media for your business, think about integrating a promotion or invitation, this will allow you can track the number of hits and RSVPs you receive to determine whether the time invested in social media marketing is worthwhile.

A fun way to understand social media and online networking is to think of it as a party. The social aspect is about connecting with your customers and trust is built over a period of time via small, fruitful encounters online. So, if you decide to integrate social media and e-retailing into your marketing plan, it’s important not to lose sight of your brand identity. If you were socializing at a real, in-person party, you would always put your best foot forward and communicate your company’s mission and services in a cohesive manner. It’s the same concept for online networking. Whether you have a website with video and a blog or an online community via Facebook or Twitter, it’s important to show a seamless transition from one to the other in regards to your brand. The best way to accomplish this is to get all parties involved in brand marketing on board early in the process. As the saying goes, “it takes a village,” so encourage collaboration between your in-house marketing team, your agency, your video production company, your web developer and any other hands responsible for promoting brand awareness. Consistency and cohesion are key to communicating your brand identity to the cyber universe.

Have we got you thinking, “We’ve got to do something on Facebook;” but what? Don’t just shoot from the hip. Rally your marketing team and partners to develop a social media plan that can be tracked. Decide what your corporate voice sounds like so that all blogging, Tweeting and posting are cohesive. Don’t chatter; it devalues your brand. Share insightful information, industry news, trends and tips with your client base instead of letting them know that you just finished your third cup of coffee today. Treat your customers and fans to private events – parties, invitation only sales, etc. Remember, it’s the exclusive experience that attracts the luxury consumer. This will also facilitate tracking for ROI. And if you are a business owner, decide whether you want to separate your personal and professional social networks – it’s a decision that only you can make! So, after weighing the pros and cons of social networking, e-retailing and integrated media, will your business exist in cyber space?

Fearful of Facebook? Terrified of Tweeting? Contact Diane Lemonides, President of Verve Marketing & Design for tips on dipping your toe in the virtual pool of social networking, e-retailing and integrated media at dlemonides [at] vervemarketinganddesign [dot] com or 610.358.2304.

In a panel discussion at Rescue Rittenhouse Spa hosted by the Luxury Marketing Council of Philadelphia, three women entrepreneurs discussed niche marketing to womankind. From the industries of wine making, financial planning and luxury marketing, Deborah Brenner of Women of the Vine, Christy Barilotti of Barilotti Wealth Strategies and Diane Lemonides of Verve Marketing & Design discussed the spending habits of women and how to reach and capture this powerful market segment.

Deborah Brenner, author of Women of the Vine, communicated how women in the wine industry broke the glass ceiling in a male-dominated field. Her business is the first wine company to unite women winemakers under one brand. The wine industry had been sitting on an untapped market for years: women (who purchase 71% of all retail wine, by the way). Feeble attempts had been made in the past to market to women – low carbohydrate and lower alcohol content in wine made “specifically” for women left a bitter taste. There’s a fine line when marketing to women; a woman can be your greatest ally or your most negative review if you insult her intelligence and lifestyle. Luckily for Deborah, marketing to women was instinctual. It became an outreach to women based on wine made by women, in women-owned businesses who are educated in wine making and masters of the vine. This type of marketing tells a story to women, about women and is fodder for great word-of-mouth advertising – what better story to tell while sharing a bottle of wine with your girlfriends?

So how are women saving for wine and spending on Prada? Christy Barilotti, certified financial planner, specializes in consulting with women and their money. She focuses on marketing to women by combining something they love (shopping, spa services, champagne) with something they need (financial advice). With 80% of household decisions being made by women, they should certainly understand the connection to their finances. Christy believes that building relationships with women is the key to retaining clients. It’s about educating women and giving them the power to make informed decisions about their futures. It’s also embracing women as a part of a community; female clients often bring their mothers, friends or sisters to financial planning events. What’s good for one woman may very well be good for other women in her circle. It’s also about hitting individual pain points for women and helping them to make informed decisions now that will impact their futures; for example, some women are afraid to be burdens on their children or change their lifestyles as they age. Understanding their concerns will help to resolve their fears. And know your audience; women in their 30s are now asking their husbands for advice more than ever before, women in their 50s are making decisions minus their husband’s input and single women absorb the information and promptly decide. Even within one gender market segment, there are many sub-categories based on age, ethnicity and individuality. Know your target before you market.

Diane Lemonides, President & Brand Strategist of Verve Marketing & Design, understands the importance of niche marketing, especially in a recessed economy. With many businesses decreasing marketing budgets, it’s important now so more than ever to identify and target a narrow market segment; the key is to qualify your prospects before you communicate to them by understanding their world. Businesses can no longer afford to cast a wide net and spend excessive marketing dollars in hopes of attracting a few qualified clients. When marketing to women specifically, make sure you appeal to their individual interests and passions, as they are diverse across their socio-economic divides and values. Even un-sexy hard goods like refrigerators are emotionally driven purchases for most women; remember, the aesthetic matters. If your business targets a niche segment of women, you will see a greater return on investment than if you cast a wide net. It’s also time to think outside of the box regarding communication. Talk to the type of woman you are looking to attract to your brand – engage her and she will be yours – it’s dating 101! Some of the best marketing dollars you won’t spend will be the word-of-mouth advertising you receive from satisfied female customers.

It’s important, especially in this economy, for consumers to know what a company stands for, its mission, expertise and philanthropic interests. Specifically when marketing to women, let them know if you are a woman-owned or run business – many women tend to support other women, strengthened by organizations like the National Association of Women Business Owners. If you specialize in a product or service for women, make sure you know your audience and communicate to them clearly. If sharing your message with various generations of women, know which medium is the best communication forum; i.e. email, LinkedIn, Facebook, blogspot, USPS snail mail, Twitter, or the volumes of paid advertising vehicles available. Female consumers want to feel that they are being listened to and understood. If your business wants to be a part of the $100 billion spent by women each year, think niche marketing and focus on women.

This white paper was written by a female marketing executive and is compliments of Verve Marketing & Design; a woman owned and operated company. For more information on capturing the eye of the female consumer (and getting her to open her purse), contact Diane Lemonides, President & Brand Strategist, at 610.358.2304 or dlemonides [at] vervemarketinganddesign [dot] com.

Imagine waking up every morning to a breathtaking view of Center City Philadelphia and walking across your sleek, exotic hardwood floors with a freshly roasted, steaming cup of Columbian coffee as you scan the tops of skyscrapers in the City of Brotherly Love. This experience is a privilege that all inhabitants of The Residences at Two Liberty Place enjoy daily. This unique venue was the perfect setting for a niche marketing discussion on the home space, as these residences are anything but ordinary. The view aside, these residences offer a concierge approach to high class living; some amenities include a personal salon, spa treatments, dry cleaning, tickets for theatre and sporting events, travel arrangements, owner events, housekeeping services, grocery delivery, pet grooming and more. And with neighbors that include two prominent Philadelphia Phillies players, what more can city living offer?

With these hotel-like amenities in mind, an eager audience of members and guests welcomed the informative and engaging dialogue provided by the Luxury Marketing Council of Philadelphia’s panelists who live and breathe the home industry.

In a shaken economy with longer sales cycles, panelists and audience members discussed how to capture the 5% of consumers with a $250,000+ household income. These consumers typically live in homes with massive square footage – the more space there is to fill, the more style, personality and attitude it takes to complete. This sector of the market adorns their spaces with personality and style in mind, whether they are primary or secondary homes, condos or vacation getaways. These consumers are also looking for finely crafted, beautiful, classic, iconic and hand made products and brands to help communicate their status.

A major status symbol might be a good night’s sleep. Maya Ben from Hollandia was a panelist who reminded us that their sleep systems are upwards of $20,000. “If we’re making [our product] cheaper, then we’re not making it as good,” said Ben. These higher standards are the European barometer for quality in a bed, but are they the standard in U.S. hotels and homes? Not quite. Compared to Japan and Russia, the U.S.A. is behind the eight ball when it comes to getting eight hours of luxurious slumber. If developing customized solutions for your client that are both functional and stylish (and if money is no object), consider tailor-made products – your clients’ certainly will thank you.

In these uncertain times, it’s taking longer and longer to thank someone for doing business with your company. Panelists Lloyd Princeton of Design Management Company and Matthew Izzo of matthewizzo.com communicated that consumers are still spending on quality and higher end products, but sales are taking longer to close. And that’s not just on the East Coast; Princeton has a successful design business in California and Izzo’s website has a worldwide reach. It’s not that consumers won’t spend in the end; it’s just that the light at the end of the tunnel is farther away. Hitting a pain point with the audience members, Princeton stated, “It’s easy to undercut with goods and services. It presents a problem and a challenge. Every company has a breaking point.” The more companies compromise the quality of their products, the more diluted brands become. It’s a reality in our economy, but one that some businesses may need to steer clear of in order to remain true to their mission, image, brand and stay at the top of their game.

And what about the ecologically conscious decisions that affect the home space? Worrying about one’s carbon footprint may be more talk than walk. Lauren McCutcheon, Editor of Philadelphia Home magazine ponders how some affluent suburban moms remind each other to utilize reusable grocery bags at the market, but drive there in oversized vehicles like Escalades and Hummers. More and more consumers are eco-conscious, but when push comes to shove, the green alternative might not be the deciding factor in closing a sale.

So as marketers, when does it become our responsibility to educate and enlighten the consumer? It’s a 24-7 job. We need to talk about cost versus quality, give eco-friendly options and push for a close, we also need to tout our uniqueness in relation to our brands and products and focus on the most likely candidates for our services remembering that time is money. Regardless of whether your niche is the home space, it’s imperative for you to understand how you can make an impact on the consumers within your market. How were we so enlightened in just a few hours? With our 360-degree view of the city from a luxury living space, we couldn’t help but see the entire picture.

Interested in more niche marketing wisdom? Verve Marketing & Design is happy to discuss niche marketing tactics or consult on any other marketing trend. Visit www.vervemarketinganddesign.com for a list of our capabilities or contact Diane Lemonides, President & Brand Strategist at 610.358.2304 or dlemonides [at] vervemarketinganddesign [dot] com.