Stevens & Tate Marketing, Internet marketing experts, has released a white paper discussing the best practices for social media in the new age.

Lombard, IL -- (SBWIRE) --10/31/2011 -- Stevens & Tate Marketing, a full-service advertising agency offering award-winning marketing strategies, has published a white paper titled "The Power of People: Social Media for 2011 and Beyond." This white paper addresses several aspects of the new social media mix including: social environment, consumer behavior, benefits of being social, social involvement ladder, valuable ways to use social media, and how to measure results.

According to Dan Gartlan, Stevens & Tate president, the social media white paper is the latest educational tool the company has employed to assist marketers by providing them with valuable insights. He believes that every executive looking to move their business forward—not just marketing professionals can benefit from learning more about this rapidly growing and changing media vehicle.

"Companies are still struggling to understand how to monetize social media," he said. "The key is to treat social marketing like any other corporate initiative—establish a business and messaging strategy that elevates the brand and execute on it."

He explained that social marketing has completely redefined the digital media space and, in the process, changed the way companies disseminate their messages. Marketing has moved past an era of simply pushing messages at consumers through mass media and into a world where building relationships and dynamic two-way conversation is essential. Customers expect to be able to access a brand in real-time on any given channel, and be able to offer feedback, comments, questions, complaints and praise – whenever and wherever they choose.

"However, as a business you must be able to guide the conversation to achieve the results you desire," said Gartlan. "That ability comes with understanding, planning and utilizing experts who can execute."

Stevens & Tate's new white paper highlights best practices that will help brands create social media success.

1. Define objectives and social media goals – Establish objectives up front: short-term sales, to complement a promotional campaign, to engage existing customers, raise brand awareness, increase searchability, encourage word of mouth, or spread news and information about business.

2. Develop a social media policy and strategy for success – Start by assessing customers, the tribes they are a part of, how they use social media, and their level of involvement with competitors.

3. Make it personal and relevant to what people want to talk about – Post relevant, timely and meaningful content that engages customers and they will be more encouraged to "spread the word" to their network of peers.

4. Partner with causes customers care about – Whether it's being green or feeding the hungry, people flock to support causes, ideas, organizations, or programs that they care about.

5. Engage customers through polls and contests that get them generating the content – By posting surveys, polls and trivia questions, consumers respond and spark conversations among their friends as well as a company's followers.

6. Reward customers for getting involved with the brand – Contests, promotions and giveaways are excellent drivers to get more followers to social sites and they reward the time and efforts people spend supporting the brand and sharing it with others.

7. Keep it simple and consistent; stay active – Create a set timeline for posts; and post relevant, meaningful and respectful comments.

8. Protect the brand – Create a custom URL and be smart about privacy and the company's confidential information.

9. Evaluate and track results – By using a series of free social media monitoring, tracking and ROI tools, it is easy to evaluate the success of social efforts, and immediately make changes to campaign or take steps to help improve social strategy.

About Stevens & Tate Marketing
Stevens & Tate Marketing is a full-service advertising agency offering award-winning, on-strategy creative; integrated message development; and cost-effective media planning and execution. Stevens & Tate creates focused, targeted solutions for all its clients in the business-to-business, hospitality, travel, retail, healthcare, resort, and real estate industries. Call 630-627-5200 for information.

To learn more about how Stevens & Tate Marketing can help grow a business' social media strategy and to read The Power of People: Social Media for 2011 and Beyond white paper in its entirety, visit: http://www.stevens-tate.com/white-papers.

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Lombard, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/15/2011 -- When TopLine Partners was ready to launch its online strategy, it turned to Stevens & Tate Marketing for the first critical steps: brand messaging and website development.

"As a service company, our deliverables are intangible so it can be difficult for potential clients to quickly understand our capabilities," said Mike LeMaster, president of TopLine Partners. The Plano, Ill.-based firm assists clients in growing their profitable revenue through a consortium of companies with sales and marketing expertise. "I knew that a strong Internet presence would be critical to our success, but Stevens & Tate took a step back and made me realize how important creating our story was, as well."

He noted that Stevens & Tate "obsessed" on achieving clarity for TopLine Partners' unique selling proposition before beginning website designs, an approach that was profoundly different from web development companies LeMaster had worked with before.

"The first thing we do with a new client is dive deep into their business…into their culture," said Dan Gartlan, president of Lombard-based Stevens & Tate Marketing. "That allows us to craft our language, visuals, and strategy to appeal to the target audience in a way that is different than how any other company presents itself."

Through in-depth questioning and listening, Stevens & Tate worked with TopLine Partners' leadership to define its distinct competitive advantages and define its core brand strengths.

"The clarity of our message, which came through our sessions with Stevens & Tate, evolved how we speak about ourselves to prospects and clients," said LeMaster. "The website reflects that new language."

According to Gartlan, not only did Stevens & Tate bring TopLine Partners' message to life through informative and engaging copy, it also showcased the company's services in a memorable way—powerful, organic, natural imagery highlighted key services right on the home page to immediately draw new visitors in.

"Marketing has shifted," Gartlan explained. "You have to assume that anyone who contacts you has likely reviewed your website or investigated you online. If your story is not compelling, they'll move on to your competitor and you won't make the list of companies they seek out to work with."

"From a client perspective, using Stevens & Tate was the most efficient and effective method to position our company," said LeMaster. "Their team has breadth and depth in all facets: strategy, creative, programming, functionality, ecommerce, SEO, search, and social media."

In addition to launching the new website, Stevens & Tate created a logo and overarching tagline for TopLine Partners—all of which worked together to introduce TopLine as "The Next Generation of Sales Success" and promote the firm's holistic approach to revenue generation.

TopLine Partners, LLC provides a streamlined, disciplined approach to the entire sales and marketing function. The company focuses on six core areas: marketing services including demand creation, sales recruitment and development, sales training, lead generation, sales operations, and customer retention. The company's consortium of sales and marketing companies are located throughout Illinois and Indiana. For more information, visit www.top-line-partners.com.

Stevens & Tate Marketing is a full-service advertising agency offering award-winning, on-strategy creative; integrated message development; and cost-effective media planning and execution. Stevens & Tate creates focused, targeted solutions for all its clients in the business-to-business, hospitality, travel, retail, healthcare, resort, and real estate industries. Call 630-627-5200 for information.

To learn more about how Stevens & Tate launched TopLine Partners' new identity and review the agency's work, visit online: http://www.stevens-tate.com/work.

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Lombard, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/14/2011 -- The new economy is out new reality. Competition in senior living is everywhere and buyers are paralyzed in this real estate downturn. Marketing budgets are challenging. We all expect to do more with less. Attraction Marketing addresses five key measurable and obtainable strategies that can be accomplished using the talents already available – your internal team.

Presentations on Attraction Marketing by experts Dan Gartlan and Nicole Wagner will explain how to increase the attractiveness of senior living communities to prospects using your own people to move these strategies forward.

Specific strategies to be addressed will include:

Part I, Dan Gartlan:

• Identify the five key strategies to drive leads

• Determine how to manage these strategies

• Engage your organization beyond the marketing department to expand the effort

• Create a dashboard of metrics to track progress and measure results

Part II, Nicole Wagner:

• Promote your website to keep ahead of your competition and be found where buyers are searching online

• Recognize how social media can play a key role in generating leads

• Identify case studies that will demonstrate success with these strategies and illustrate how to use them

Who: Dan Gartlan, co-founder and president of Stevens & Tate Marketing
Nicole Wagner, Internet director at Stevens & Tate Marketing

When: Wednesday October 5, 2011

Part I: 9 to 10:30 a.m.

Part II: 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Where: Life Services Network
Senior Living Conference

About the Speakers
Dan Gartlan brings two decades of marketing success to Chicago-based Stevens & Tate Marketing. Before starting the agency in 1992, he held positions ranging from vice president of creative to marketing director. He is a graduate of Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Visual Communications and a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. Gartlan strongly believes that marketing requires leadership from a company's very top level and that whatever you need to sell, strong marketing can add to its value. As president of Stevens & Tate, Gartlan oversees a full-service advertising agency known for its award-winning, on-strategy creative; integrated message development; and cost-effective media planning and execution. Stevens & Tate creates focused, targeted solutions for its clients in the senior living, hospitality, travel, tourism, retail, health care, and real estate industries.

With over a decade of key industry knowledge and experience, Nicole Wagner has been instrumental in raising awareness of new and innovative Web technologies and innovative electronic marketing techniques. As a Web 2.0 specialist, Wagner helps clients navigate through the ever-changing online world. She brings her passion, energy and insight to develop engaging presentations, seminars and Webinars on topics such as search engine, social, online and mobile marketing; strategic planning and web development; and more. Wagner specializes in creating highly effective Internet solutions for clients spanning retail, food and grocery, homebuilding and real estate, hotels and resorts, hospitality, senior living, healthcare, non-profits and B-to-B industries.

For more information, visit http://www.stevens-tate.com.

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Lombard, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/26/2011 -- Smart Sealed, Chicago-based specialists in weatherization, energy audits, residential and commercial energy consultation, and insulation, has selected Stevens & Tate Marketing for advertising and marketing services. The Lombard-based agency is increasing Smart Sealed's market presence and promoting its brand as a leading provider of whole house solutions for healthier, more comfortable and energy- efficient residences.

"After decades of experience specializing in construction, architecture and energy efficiency, the team at Smart Sealed have a thorough understanding of what it takes to create a healthy, comfortable, energy-efficient building," said Jane Amidei, director of sales and marketing for Smart Sealed. The company was formed in 2010 to fill a niche in weatherization services. "In choosing Stevens & Tate, we knew we'd be working with a company who not only understands marketing to homeowners but also has experience in reaching the business-to-business audience with on-target messaging."

Dan Gartlan, president of Stevens & Tate, said, "We recognize that Smart Sealed has a solid foundation in an emerging field. With energy costs on the rise and a global awareness of how each of our carbon footprints impacts the planet, the services Smart Sealed provides are top of mind with consumers. Our role is to ensure Smart Sealed is the name associated with weatherization and energy audits in Chicagoland."

Smart Sealed offers low-cost solutions for energy savings, enabling homeowners to decrease utility costs, reduce their carbon footprints and increase the overall value of their homes. Residential utility bills can be lowered by up to 30% because heating and cooling systems perform more efficiently. The firm also works hand-in-hand with contractors, remodelers, architects, and commercial property owners to provide the right insulation solution for projects of all types and sizes. Smart Sealed has expertise in spray foam, blown-in cellulose and fiberglass insulation installation.

Stevens & Tate Marketing is a full-service advertising agency offering award-winning, on-strategy creative; integrated message development; and cost-effective media planning and execution. Stevens & Tate creates focused, targeted solutions for all its clients in the business-to-business, hospitality, travel, retail, healthcare, resort, and real estate industries.

For more information on Smart Sealed, visit http://www.getsmartsealed.com.
To review Stevens & Tate's work, visit http://www.stevens-tate.com

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Lombard, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/02/2011 -- The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) National Young Onset Center is the recipient of this year's Lend-A-Hand Marketing Giveaway from Stevens & Tate Marketing (www.stevens-tate.com). APDA National Young Onset Center will receive $25,000 in pro bono marketing and creative services to help the non-profit organization achieve its goal of increasing awareness of Parkinson's disease, specifically that of young onset Parkinson's.

To support the organization, Stevens & Tate will be developing and launching a national fundraising campaign to promote personal fundraising activities for the organization. Work will focus on creating an event brand identity with logo supported by a full range of promotional materials such as email, direct mail, on-site signage and banners, and an event starter kit to simplify fundraising activities. Stevens & Tate also will offer online services including web content and website enhancement recommendations.

American Parkinson's Disease Association was founded in 1961 to "ease the burden and find a cure" for Parkinson's disease. Headquartered in New York, the organization focuses its energies on research, patient services, education and raising public awareness about the disease. APDA supports nine Centers for Advanced Research, 56 regional Information and Referral Centers, 45 chapters, and 1,000 support groups nationwide. You can learn more about APDA at www.apdaparkinson.org and more about the APDA National Young Onset Center at http://www.youngparkinsons.org.

The National Young Onset Center provides personalized and confidential one-to-one services and resources to help individuals manage young onset Parkinson's disease as effectively as possible. The non-profit organization offers programs and services that focus on education, wellness and building a strong support base.

"Receiving an award of this magnitude is such an honor and is going to allow us to introduce and brand our events in a fresh and contemporary way that speaks to a younger audience," said Julie Sacks, LCSW, director of the APDA National Young Onset Center in Winfield, Ill. "This is something that has been on our 'to-do' list for a long time but had to be postponed due to budget constraints. It is an incredible opportunity for a non-profit like ours without an in-house marketing department."

She added, "We are looking forward to beginning what we expect will be a long-term association with Stevens & Tate and creating a program that will make a lasting impact on our organization."

According to Sacks, approximately 15 percent of the 1.5 million people with Parkinson's disease are diagnosed young, defined as under the age of 50. This younger group lives with the disease for a longer period of time and are, therefore, very invested in learning about the disease, maintaining their quality of life, and finding a cure.

"We talk to younger people every day who are very energetic and active, and who want to make a difference," she explained. They are committed to raising money for research but want to do it in active ways that defy the disease—with fundraising tied to running, hiking, biking, dancing, climbing and many other activities and hobbies.

"By developing a fundraising campaign and event starter kit that can be customized for a particular person, group or event, the Lend-A-Hand award is going to make it easier for the Parkinson's community to coordinate and collaborate with our organization and for us to increase awareness of the education and support services we provide," said Sacks.

"We offer this pro bono award each year to a group that demontrates the ability to move themselves forward," said Dan Gartlan, president of Lombard, Ill.-based Stevens & Tate. "Our team truly enjoys seeing the positive effects they can have on an organization through improved marketing."

Started in 2009, the Lend-A-Hand Marketing Giveaway is Stevens & Tate's way of giving back to the industries that have helped the agency thrive. Other recipients of the award include the Kent County & Greater Dover, Delaware Convention and Visitors Bureau and LUNGevity.

Stevens & Tate Marketing is a full-service advertising agency offering award-winning, on-strategy creative, integrated message development and cost-effective media planning and execution. With Endora Digital Solutions, its online and interactive web team, Stevens & Tate creates focused, targeted solutions for all its clients in the business-to-business, tourism, food and retail, health care, and real estate industries. Together, Stevens & Tate Marketing and Endora Digital Solutions Make Things HappenTM.

For more information on Stevens & Tate, call (630) 627-5200 or visit the website at http://www.stevens-tate.com.

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National “Lend-A-Hand Marketing Giveaway” Geared for Health Care Organizations

Lombard, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/02/2011 -- The alluring prize of a $25,000 marketing program awaits a health care organization through a unique initiative offered by the Stevens & Tate Marketing agency. Through its "Lend-A-Hand Marketing Giveaway" contest, the agency will blend its marketing and media strategies, Internet strategies, creative, ad messaging, website development, social media, competitive advantages development, identity and branding skills in preparing a comprehensive, customized plan based on the winner's marketing communications needs. The contest is open to any not-for-profit or for-profit organization that is involved in the delivery of health care or health information.

Dan Gartlan, president of Stevens & Tate, said, "The winning organization must demonstrate strong leadership skills in its industry and in the region it serves. Additionally, it should be able to significantly benefit from agency services and have the infrastructure to implement the final creative project."

Applications can be obtained and completed online at the agency's website, http://www.stevens-tate.com/LendAhand. The deadline for entries is March 15, 2011. The winning organization will receive $25,000 in services performed by marketing specialists with extensive experience in the health care field.

All applications will be reviewed and evaluated by a panel of Stevens & Tate directors. Finalists will be notified and interviewed the final week of March. The winner will be selected and notified by April 21. Agency work will begin immediately and proceed through June 2011.

Approximately 200 hours of agency time will be devoted to the plan and program development, Gartlan reported. In addition to the $25,000 in services, Stevens & Tate's public relations team will help promote the work being done for the organization through trade magazines and traditional consumer and social media. The agency maintains a strategic alliance with The Falk Group, a Milwaukee, Wis.-based public relations agency.

MARKETING PLAN PRIZE AWAITS HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATION
Stevens & Tate Marketing performs a variety of services for a range of health care clients. It work has included:
• Content-managed website development for the International Dravet Syndrome Epilepsy Action League (IDEA League);
• Birthing suite campaign and Family Health Center launch for LaGrange Memorial Hospital;
• Brochures, direct mail, and collateral for RMC Rehabilitation;
• Messaging strategies and product catalogs for the National Safety Council;
• Broadcast and print campaign for Provena Health;
• Corporate identity program for ENT Surgical Group;
• Website development with online merchandising capabilities for the Angelman Syndrome Foundation;
• Rebranding and campaigns as agency of record fo Wyndemere Senior Living CCRC;
• Logo identity and graphic standards program currently underway with LUNGevity Foundation.

"We want to ensure that whatever program we execute on the winner's behalf is effective and produces results. Based on our experience with clients, the ability to meet these criteria is a key indicator of a successful marketing program. It's how successful organizations and strong agencies collaborate for maximum results," Gartlan said.

Stevens & Tate Marketing launched its first Lend-A-Hand Marketing Giveaway initiative in fall of 2009. The first contest focused on the travel and tourism industry. Nominations from Convention and Visitors Bureaus and Chambers of Commerce throughout the country were received. The judging committee, made up of Stevens & Tate directors, selected Kent County Delaware CVB the winner of the inaugural marketing giveaway. An intensive social media campaign, designed and executed by Stevens & Tate, helped boost attendance by 50% at the CVB's annual historic Dover Days celebration.

About Stevens & Tate Marketing
Stevens & Tate Marketing is a full-service advertising agency offering award-winning,
on-strategy creative; integrated message development; and cost-effective media planning and execution. Partnered with Endora Digital Solutions, its online and interactive web team, Stevens & Tate creates focused, targeted solutions for all its clients in the hospitality, travel, retail, healthcare, resort and real estate industries. Together, Stevens & Tate Marketing and Endora Digital Solutions Make Things HappenTM. To review the agency's work, visit http://www.stevens-tate.com

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