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Creativity Without Limits: The Value of Blue-Sky Thinking

Posted on by Chris Talbert

Fanciful. Impractical. Unrealistic.

Those are a few of the words you’ll come across when you search the definition of “blue-sky thinking,” but in the agency world, blue-skying is just the baseline. 

There is something so meaningful about pulling off an idea that seemed too big or too “out of the box.” The kind of idea that comes with a side of skepticism when you first hear it. The kind of idea that is followed by “I don’t know if we can do that” or “that may not be possible.” 

It’s thrilling. Of course, to truly pull off something “fanciful,” there has to be some practicality to it—but we don’t always have to limit ourselves to what feels reasonable. True innovation comes from letting the ideas flow. 

Clear as mud? Let me give you a little more. 

Imagine that we’re all back in the office. The coffee’s on, we’re gathering our notes and laptops, and we’re heading to the conference room for a meeting… 10 a.m. sharp (because internal meetings always start exactly on time, right?). You’ve been isolated at home and the creative juices are flowing. You take a big sip of that office coffee you’ve missed and prepare to share your long-awaited insight. And you are met with “we don’t have the budget” or “there isn’t enough time for that.” Devastating. 

Don’t shut it down. Let’s shoot for the moon. Big, blue-sky thinking is crucial to creatives. It’s tough to come up with a really fantastic idea on a deadline, so if you get that flash of inspiration, run with it. I bet the guy who sold 1.5 million Pet Rocks in the 70s had a few naysayers, too. 

There is nothing better than gathering in a room full of your incredibly smart and talented coworkers and running through your best ideas. And maybe they aren’t the next Pet Rock, but think about how good it feels to have that creative input and team of supporters. It’s something I always look forward to at Designsensory. But I did say that we have to have some practicality, and honestly, I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t usually one of the first people to come back to those ideas with “okay, but how?” 

I think that’s what takes a really good brainstorming session and makes it a great one. Meet that big dream with a plan that stays in budget. Explore how we can make that Pet Rock idea work within the given timeline. Has something like this been done before? How can we do it better? Ask questions. Challenge ideas. Build up your teammates. Creativity without limits is a beautiful thing. Just for fun, let’s look back on a few of our proudest blue-sky moments here at DS, shall we? 

That time we made a roaring tiger crate.

As Zoo Knoxville was anticipating the arrival of Arya, its new Malayan Tiger, they wanted to create some buzz and excitement for the public. We created an environmental piece that could be moved around to places like Market Square in Downtown Knoxville or Regal Cinema. Activated by motion, this roaring crate piqued the interest of pedestrians as they walked by.

When we turned an old storage container into a trade show booth.

After rebranding and launching an app for Staylist, we created an elaborate booth activation out of an old storage container to show it all off at their big national trade show. The container was marked with “Adventure Awaits” in graffiti for photo opportunities, and with board games, s’mores and additional giveaways, the event booth truly made each guest feel like they were discovering their next adventure.

We made a television show. Twice.

It’s not often that one of your key tactics in any given campaign is “make a television show.” But who says you can’t? In an effort to generate high-level awareness of their community initiatives, public land and boots on the ground efforts, we created a hosted travel and lifestyle television show called “Tennessee Valley Uncharted” for Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and Tennessee Valley Authority, which broadcast on public television stations around the country. And we did it again in the form of a six-part documentary-style series called “Remastered,” which highlighted iconic heritage brands in the State of Tennessee for Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. It premiered on RFD-TV, as well as YouTube and Amazon Prime Video.

My point (however long it took me to get there) is that, yes, sometimes it’s easier to list all of the reasons that something cannot be done. But what’s the fun in something easy? Let’s get imaginative. Let’s excite our clients. Let’s get fanciful. You know you want to.

12 Knoxvillians Sharing Joy and Creativity During the Corona-Apocalypse

Posted on by Chris Talbert

Ah, Knoxvillians… Bless our sweet-tea-swilling, backyard-grilling, orange-and-white-cheering hearts! Here, in the Maker City, we don’t mind a little red on our necks and a whole lot of blue in our grass. But nowadays (during these Mad Max-esque times), the only color we see is gray.

The quarantine has been tough on all Knoxvillians. Sure, there ain’t no smoggy smoke on Rocky Top… but we sure as hell got to keep paying those Verizon bills!

We are a proud community, self-conscious of who we are and what we love. We are a strong tribe of creatives, entrepreneurs and kind-hearted souls.

Chances are you’ve heard it said – or sung – that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Well, I recently came across a new take on the phrase, courtesy of the one and only Dolly Parton: “Storms make trees take deeper roots.”

Here are 12 examples of people & local businesses going through the storm and making deeper roots:

1) Paris Woodhull & WRTHY  | Wash Your Hands Tee

Knoxville superstar artist, Paris Woodhull, teamed up with Christine of WRTHY to forge one unforgettable tee. These bad boys are limited supply, because each shirt is hand cut and sewn by Christine and printed by Paris! Go on, wear these shirts at Kroger and point to the Gal on the Horse when, inevitably, someone gets too close.

Wanna be fashionable AND support two cool Knoxvillians? Sure you do! Grab your tee.

Also, be sure to check out Parris Woodhull’s other imaginative goodies and Christine of WRTHY’s Instagram!

2) Rala | Get Creative, Knoxville

Speaking of artists and beautiful imagery… Allow me to present you a treasure trove of craft and culture: Rala Knoxville. I double-dog dare you to online-peruse this fountain of creativity and not be inspired! Rala features original art, letterpress prints, unique greeting cards and contemporary jewelry.

Bored at home? Stop whittling that stick for no reason (like, really, why are you even doing that?) and comb through Rala’s online assortment of puzzles, games and books. Bet that man cave or basement is smelling real ripe right about now… Rala has got you covered with some curbside pickup candles.

Follow Rala on Instagram for a bit of inspiration on the daily.

3) A Dopo Pizza | Pizza Done Right in the Time of COVID

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and that saying has never fit something more than shots of artisan pizza being displayed by a rubber-gloved hand. Also, get in my belly!

In the Knoxville community, A Dopo Pizza has always been a culinary and entrepreneurial innovator, and during quarantine, things are no different. To fight COVID-19 on the front lines, A Dopo has completely revamped their menu, and are now offering “Nightly Trust Fall Dinners For Two” which consists of the following: Two pizzas, one bottle of wine, one appetizer, one gelato… All the chef’s choice!

Sign me the heck up. Beware, they sell out fast (we’re talking minutes here). And for good reason. Order for curbside pickup for dinner today and follow A Dopo Pizza’s incredible Instagram for a reminder to have dinner there tomorrow, too.

4) Cruze Farms | Bring Some Flavor to Quarantine & Chill

I scream. You scream. We all scream because the end of the world inches ever closer and existential dread now permeates every facet of our lives… but whoa this ice cream is delicious.

Blackberry ice cream? Okay, stop. With every bite, it reminds you that maybe life DOES have meaning… and love DOES have intrinsic value!

Hey you… yes, you! Stop philosophizing about the illusion of free will for thirty minutes and get to the Cruze Farm website and pick up a pint or two, or maybe a gallon. For more photos of frosty delights, follow Cruze Farm Ice Cream on Instagram.

5) Dale Mackey | Dale’s Fried Pies & The Good Sport Box

You had me at fried. But the next word is equally good: pies.

Dale Mackey and her famous sweet and/or savory pies have been a staple of the Central Collective for quite some time. And now, Dale continues her mission to spread joy (and not germs)! She and Central Collective have teamed up to “keep whimsy alive” by creating the Good Sport Box. Each box contains art and products by local artisans and game/activity suggestions. No two boxes will be exactly the same!

So reward yourself for being socially responsible and order the Good Sport Box, get a taste of Dale’s Fried Pies or just enjoy a very on-point Instagram.

6) Linds Edwards & Ashley Shelton | A Hot Thesbian Couple

Binge-watching The Office on repeat is a favorite pastime for many of us, but after the one billionth viewing, some of the magic is gone (lol, just kidding).

But good news! Two local Knoxvillians have made a parody called The Home Office about a couple working from home. The entire series takes place in basically two rooms and with two people: Linds Edwards and Ashley Shelton, a cute Knoxville power couple who are both working actors/writers/directors.

Check out Linds’s Instagram for The Home Office and Ashley’s Instagram (she just made a really cool music video too)!

And lastly, they have a short film streaming on Amazon Prime called Magnolia & Clementine.

7) Zack Roskop | Much A Brew About Nothing

Zack Roskop is the man behind Knoxville Brew Tours. He takes a bus and carts strangers all over Knoxville on a backstage tour for great local beer.

But what does that man do when the world has closed and brewers are making hand sanitizers (thanks, by the way! I love clean hands)? Well, that man adapts, by God! And he takes his bus all over the community to bring people food, groceries and yes, beer. All the beer.

Zack and Knoxville Brew Tours have partnered with a plethora of local breweries to bring you different craft beer selections each day and even virtual brew tours! But wait, there’s more… Zack also participates in the Local Love Box, helping deliver goodies of all shapes, sizes and flavors right to your doorstep.

Here’s the list of things to check out on this one: Knoxville Brew Tours Virtual Tours and it’s Instagram, as well as more info on the Local Love Box and its instagram (Zack’s on there as well! Hi, Zack!).

8) Yassin’s Falafel House | Sooo Hummus Ya Miss Me?

The above tweet says it all. Share a meal, share the love with people in need and first responders. What is better than fresh hummus and an authentic falafel? The answer is: nothing. Also, an acceptable answer would be: more hummus and more falafel.

Yassin Terou and his family have brought so much joy to the Knoxville community through food, and it continues now during the crisis.

Get more information on Yassin’s Falafel House’s Share Meal, Share Love initiative.

9) Pretentious Beer Co | Slurrrrp

Here’s just a fun bunch of people who run a fun brewery downtown: Pretentious Beer Co. Come for the beer, stick around for the clever names and associated artwork (but don’t actually come, cause social distancing, duh).

Once again, we’ve got a delivery box. But this time there are so many options. When you order you select the general types of beers that suit your soon-to-be pretentious palate and the craft brewery will select a variety pack to help stimulate those endorphins hibernating in your brain during this time of crisis.

Remember. the beer may be dark but your soul doesn’t have to be. I am pretty sure Shakespeare said that.

Order some brewskies or check out all the artwork and beer names on Pretentious’s Instagram.

10) Flourish Flower Truck | You Don’t Have to Shower, Just Order a Flower

Seriously, who wouldn’t love fresh flowers dropped off at their door? And just look at how cute this car. Everyone knows that I’m pretty manly… and, well, I’m melting right now because of the cuteness.

Savannah and her husband Issac own Knoxville’s OG flower truck, and they take pride in preparing each petal and handwriting each note.

Secure your bouquet of happiness now and stop by Flourish’s Instagram to see some stunning flower pics.

11) Union Ave Books | Take a Look, It’s in a Book, A Reading Rainbow

Vellichor. The smell of books. Nothing on the planet has the power to make me happier. It’s like pouring a bucket of smiles on my brain. And Union Ave Books oozes with it. Now, sadly, we can’t go inside… but Union has us covered.

The independently-owned bookstore is offering an awesome book concierge service that will help you discover what to read next, virtual book events, curbside pickups or even delivery if you live within 5 miles of the store.

Now, if you will excuse me, I am going to go smell To Kill A Mockingbird for a good five minutes.

Learn about Union Ave Books’s concierge service and event schedule and stroll its virtual aisles on Instagram.

12) Megan Lingerfelt | Paintin’ 9 to 5

Somebody defaced this beautiful Dolly mural downtown. But that didn’t slow down the muralist who gave Dolly’s face yet another lift.

Knoxville, please give a collective round of applause to Megan Lingerfelt. Not all heroes wear capes, some sling paint. And please enjoy some more of Megan’s beautiful murals.

Excuse me while I wipe this tear out of my eye, Knoxville. I know that, at times, it may not seem like it – but, hey – we’re doing alright. There are dozens (if not hundreds) of people and businesses I could have put on this list.

We should all be proud of how we’ve come together as a community. And we all need to step back and look at this city of culture and color and creativity with awe and gratitude.

Now, curl up on your couch, order some food, get some books, buy some art and take comfort in Dolly’s words, “storms make trees take deeper roots.” And then ask yourself this—where else would I want to face this storm? Where else, but Knoxville, do I want deeper roots?

Sports in COVID-19: A Unique Time For Understanding

Posted on by Chris Talbert

For the first time in our lifetime, arenas, fields, gyms and stadiums are silent, and if you’re sitting back, steeped in the “woe is me … I wonder when we’ll get the green light to function normally” attitude, you are in serious trouble. Now, as we face the challenges of partially opening the economy, marketers and sports brands are wrestling with hard questions: 

  • “What must we do both operationally and in our communications that assures fans it is safe?”
  • “If we open now, will enough people return to make the cost worthwhile—short term and long term?”
  • “Will our messages be well-received?”
  • “What incentives will bring people back?”

As we walk down this unprecedented path of COVID-19, we need to make decisions now and—in the moments that follow. We can’t rely on pulling from our lifetime of experiences that usually feed our decision-tree wisdom. We need to find a fresh bank of information to inform every step moving forward. 

That is exactly what NASCAR wanted to know when they turned to us to help uncover answers to questions like: “We need to know what the sports fan is thinking and feeling … specifically, our fans.” Will NASCAR fans stay loyal to the sport? Will they return to the stands? How will they engage with us, and how do we leverage those expressed behaviors for the long-term health of the sport and the sport-fan relationship? 

Rather than speculate on a “wait and see” approach, our Designsensory Intelligence team is talking to fans now – and continuing every three weeks – to gather their exact feelings and anticipated behavior once this crisis is past us. It really is interesting to see how those feelings change as our daily outlook on life changes.

Not long ago, everyone we talked with was happy to ingest sports on broadcast/cable/streaming platforms knowing well that they were reruns and thus knowing the outcome of the competition. Today, that has changed—nearly 1/5 of sports fans are choosing to wait until action returns. 

Additionally, we know that one in four fans will head to the track as soon as the action starts, but that isn’t enough to sustain the business model. It will take a sincere strategy to build trust and confidence that measures are in place to protect the nearly 70% of fans who either aren’t sure what it will take … or acknowledge that they will just need to feel psychological comfort to be part of a large crowd again.

New operational imperatives will prevail, and marketing will be deployed to allay any fears, but the changes to operations – and the entire business culture – must be genuine and honest. Trust and safety will be the dominant attributes that ooze from the event for fans to be present in the seats. And we can’t wait!    

Keeping track of fan or customer feelings in relation to reactivation with a brand, venue, attraction or team is an ongoing activity, and we’ll be here each step of the way.  Stay in touch and informed to make wise decisions.

Clear Your Mind: 6 Ways to Mindfully Manage Stress

Posted on by Chris Talbert

We’ve had a lot on our minds the past few months. Staying safe, staying at home, staying productive—you name it. But dealing with stress hasn’t necessarily been at the top of our list since we’ve been confined to our makeshift WFH offices. And I get it. You’re trying to figure out how to keep the kids occupied, get some lunch on the table and reassure your mother that, yes, you’re still washing your hands. All just so you can finally send that email you’ve been working on for 20 minutes. Not even going to lie, I got stressed writing that – LOL. 

OK – BREATHE. 

Times are stressful, but one of the most important things we can do after a long day of work is to clear our minds and switch from “work-mode” to “chill-mode.” Finding that balance between work and home life is something we’ve all been dealing with. So, in order to keep us all sane – literally – we have some tips to help you recharge. 

Fresh Air = Fresh Mind 

This isn’t some top-secret list of ways to deal with stress. These are the things we’ve all known for years, but in times like these, we can simply lose ourselves to stress and anxiety and overlook the small things that keep us healthy. So, GO OUTSIDE! Being outdoors impacts not only your mind but your body, too (you know, two birds with one stone kind of thing). Even taking a 15-minute walk can completely reset your psychological state. So, grab your pup, cat, kid or favorite human and get to sniffin’ those trees and flowers (allergies permitting). 

Music Heals 

Whether you are a soft pop kind of person or a heavy metal stan, music has been an escape for people since the beginning of time. Did you know that music can be a drug to certain people? The Nucleus Accumbens section of the brain seeks pleasure and reward, and for some people, listening/playing music increases dopamine. I personally know this to be true because, as a music lover, it’s my form of therapy. It instantly takes me to a different place, especially when I’m stressed. 

Grab A Book 

Now, I have never been one to pick up a book after a long day at work, but I know you all are out there. Getting lost in a story or someone else’s thoughts will literally put you into a different headspace. So, get comfy in your favorite reading nook or surround yourself in a blissful meadow (just me telling you to go outside again) with your go-to book and get to reading. 

Creative People! Go Forth and Be! 

There are some people who weren’t wired to “chill out.” I know who you are, you beautiful-minded humans. You create. It’s what you do, and it’s how you “recharge.” Whether it’s playing an instrument, drawing, writing, sculpting, designing, singing, dancing, painting and all of the many creative things—go do you. There is something wonderful about getting lost in something you love to do/make. So, do it. 

Phone a Friend (or Family Member) 

Having someone you can chat with on the phone as a form of relaxation is one of the easiest ways to reset after a long day. The power that expressing your thoughts and feelings to someone has on your mental state is huge. So, go call your mother and ask her about her day. 

Get To Moving

You knew this one would make the list. Exercising has so many benefits. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, “Scientists have found that regular participation in aerobic exercise has been shown to decrease overall levels of tension, elevate and stabilize mood, improve sleep and improve self-esteem.” The wonderful thing about the 21st century is that technology has allowed us to work out from home, just pull up a YouTube exercise video and you’re set. Or you can go for a walk outside while listening to music (see what I did there?). But seriously, the important thing is to stay moving.

So, there you have it. I know these aren’t groundbreaking tips for a clear headspace, but sometimes all we need is a simple reminder to take a step back and do the little things. Try incorporating one or a few of these techniques into your “after-work” routine and clear your mind. Oh, last thing! Wash your hands. 

Tips from our Coworkers: Staying Productive While Working from Home

Posted on by Chris Talbert

Once upon a time, in what seems like a distant memory, people used to work in offices. Desks were shared. Face-to-face meetings were had. Germs were exchanged. Then, without warning – except actually with much warning – we were advised to quarantine at our homes.

Today, as I sit on my bed preparing to move to my “designated work area,” I have the luxury of not showering (I still do) and not having to wear shoes (I definitely don’t). However, those small details that once mattered in a world of in-person interaction don’t truly elevate my productivity levels as I’m working from home. And while you’re at home (we hope), in your own designated work area, you may be finding it difficult to focus. To help you get back on track while we fight the COVID-19 pandemic collectively, we interviewed our now-remote office folks for advice. 

(Side note: humor helps us have hard conversations, but this is serious business. Stay home, stay safe.)

How are you staying productive?

From waking up earlier and taking morning walks before getting started on creating to-do lists and being mindful of distractions, it seems DSers have one thing to say: turn off the TV and develop your own routine.

“I’ve developed routine amidst the chaos. I typically start my day from my room with my windows open and essential oils diffusing. I later migrate down to my living room, where my make-shift desk is, to continue working. I like the change of location mid-day. It keeps my mind moving.”

I picked up some unique advice from someone who’s doing it right: make your spouse cook breakfast. Even with all of these day-to-day changes, on one thing we can all agree, there’s a huge benefit to working from home.

“For sure I keep the TV turned off during my working hours. Honestly, I’m probably more productive than when I’m at the office because the phone’s not ringing, I’m not getting pulled into impromptu meetings and I don’t have to keep the kitchen cleaned up.”

And, while loungewear has become the new office uniform, there is something to be said about simply putting on a pair of jeans to feel more productive, or so they tell me.

Is there anything you’ve learned while working from home that you plan to bring back with you into the office?

For me, the answer is easy: bring more snacks to work for additional brain power. For some, getting used to being on the phone or a teleconference has become less daunting. And for others, well, see for yourself.

“Don’t leave CNN on in the background all day. Snoring puppies underfoot are helping productivity. Can they come back to the office too?”

“Having a cat in your lap during work is pretty therapeutic, but I don’t think my co-workers would enjoy that at the office. So, probably won’t be able to bring that one back. Maybe an occasional therapy dog?”

Can I get a woof woof? In all seriousness, people have learned that production time is best spent in quiet; Google Meet video is way better than UberConference; status check-in sheets are next to godliness; two monitors are better than one; and taking better notes helps everyone reference things after meetings.

“I think I’ve learned the value in consistency, the beauty in routine. I’m not sure exactly why yet, but I think it’s good for us.”

Are there any challenges you’re facing working from home? If so, how are you overcoming them?

There’s no doubt that, whether in the office or at home, distractions can hinder the best of us. To maximize mental space, it’s so important to take breaks and feed your soul. Here’s what the jury has to say.

“Staying focused can be difficult at times, so I batch the tasks I need to do and give myself small breaks in between.”

“I don’t have a home office because I have a one bedroom apartment. That means I’m working in my living room and then sitting in my living room for most of the evening, so the separation between work and leisure time is not there. It helps to go outside and run or pop over to my parents’ for a bit, just to get some space.”

“I try to listen to music and go for short walks to get some fresh air to reset.”

“My ‘coworker’ at home is a chatty five year old. I’ve had to learn creative ways to keep her busy so I can be productive”

Challenges are just opportunities that need to be unmasked. Can someone please unmask this person’s challenges? Or at least release its claws.

“I’ve moved my workspace to the back porch because my husband, also working from home, is on conference calls ALL DAY LONG. I’ve also learned not to leave my phone on the couch, because the dog tried to FaceTime someone. And, finally, I’m still struggling with how to keep the cats off the laptop keyboard and am currently taking suggestions.”

“Honestly, my biggest problem is not letting myself snack all day.” (Editor’s Note: Literally same.)

“Uh. Keeping myself presentable.”

Take These Wings and Learn to Fly

Our hearts go out to everyone affected by Covid-19, and we are so appreciative to our leaders at Designsensory for letting us work from home and do our part to ensure this virus does not spread unnecessarily. During these times, it’s important to cherish the loved ones around us, support the communities we live in, and encourage others to do the right thing and stay safe. We hope these tips truly inspire someone to thrive better during a time of social distance. Let’s make the most out of our current situation. Cheers to working from home, and cheers to health!

Company Culture But Make It Virtual

Posted on by Chris Talbert

At the time of this writing, it’s been about eight workdays since the Designsensory team hunkered down and began our work from home journey in response to the current COVID-19 crisis. It’s imperative that we (and you) take responsibility and practice social distancing during this unprecedented time. To be honest, this whole experience has been a major change for our company, but we’re learning how to make the most of our make-shift desks, changing routines and new coworkers (read: furry friends and 5-year-olds).

There are a lot of challenges that come along with working from home for some—maintaining productivity, confusing conference calls, an insufficient work environment, you name it. But there is one challenge that you can’t overcome by adding a new conference line or second monitor and that’s maintaining your company culture.

We have a few examples for how we’re doing it here at Designsensory (or, uh…from home, but you know what I mean). 

Face Time? There’s An App For That.

Our team has adopted dozens of apps, platforms and tools to keep our day-to-day office life moving, from Forecast for planning to Basecamp for project management, but it’s the other tools in our bag that we admittedly hadn’t used as much that are becoming more and more important in maintaining our togetherness while apart. And, you guessed it, video chat. 

Zoom, FaceTime, UberConference, Google Meet, choose your fighter—they’ll all serve you well in getting that little bit of face time that we all miss already. Our agency regularly has large social gatherings with each other (quite literally the number one thing not to do right now), so we’ve moved those online. Our Friday team taco lunches? Still happening but from our kitchen counters. Our monthly cocktail club? Guess what, it’s weekly now. And all of it is happening over video chat.

Phone a Friend

Yes, it is important to translate the things you regularly do as a group online, as opposed to abandoning them. But, perhaps most significantly, check in on your coworkers. Those little moments you had in passing while making a cup of coffee or catching up for a second at the end of a meeting—that matters. A lot. 

But it takes effort to keep that up. We all have to reach out to each other more often, and no, project status updates and conference calls don’t count here. I’m talking about a chat or ping to see how the day’s going, a phone call in the evening, a goofy Snapchat of your cat, a reply to their Instagram story—however you feel comfortable maintaining a connection and starting a real conversation with your coworkers. In an anonymous poll to our team about working from home, we got an interesting response on this subject:

“I text them! At the end of the work day, I occasionally reach out to people to see how their day went. What the challenges were. What the small joys were…checking in on one another via text has been a sweet practice.”

And on the other end, be open and receptive if a coworker reaches out to your after hours. I’ve personally tried to invest in any and every coworker who has reached out to me. In fact, just last night I even spent an hour on video chat with a coworker’s husband. Actually…perhaps I’ve taken it too far.

Long story short, it takes effort to stay connected with your coworkers.

“We’re All In This Together” – High School Musical

And here’s where we encourage you to get creative. Think about ways that your team uniquely connects with one another and find ways to reinvent or recreate them from home.

For example, I sit in the open area where the office Pandora station is a common topic for discussion. That station is wild, y’all. We’re talking everything from 90s west coast rap to Irish punk bands. Anyway, when it came time to work from home, a few of us in the open area pulled together a collaborative Spotify playlist to keep jamming out together from afar.

Our recommended solution for your team here? We aren’t sure. It really takes you digging deep to figure out what those small moments and things around the office are that help connect you with one another. Does someone doodle something goofy on the whiteboard every day? Keep it up, but post in on your Slack channel. You probably get the idea by now.


We know this situation isn’t ideal. We know our team misses each other. I mean, I accidentally said “I love you” at the end of a conference call the other day, so that’s pretty indicative of my feelings toward my team, I suppose. There will always be challenges, but our team is making the most of this experience while doing our part to social distance—keeping our community and families safe the only way that we currently can. We hope your team is doing the same, without having to make many sacrifices to your company culture.

Pass the Mic: Why Podcasts Should be in Your Marketing Mix

Posted on by Chris Talbert

Let’s face it, we’re all consumed with stories. Whether it’s what’s happening in the world today, what your friends got into over the weekend, or that great new drama on Netflix. Stories, big and small, are literally everywhere — news, movies, television, books, radio, social media, in conversation. And, if you’re reading this, you probably already know how important storytelling is in marketing.

Our Influencer Strategist, Brad Carpenter (a.k.a “The Podcast Guy” around here) has a knack for discovering the best stories and bringing them to life. So, we rolled over to his desk – or “podcast land” as he likes to call it – and dug a little deeper into the importance of every marketer’s new favorite tactic.

Why Podcasts Matter in Marketing

According to Brad, people are instantly attracted to podcasting because: (1) it’s easy to set up; (2) there is a low barrier to entry in terms of cost; and (3) podcasts are an excellent medium for on-the-go consumption, unlike video or blog content that requires more attention.

Podcasting is intimate. It allows you to connect on a deeper, more emotional level with your listeners (much like musicians do with their fans) and those you’re in conversation with. While you are reading this blog post, you might not know my tone of voice, how I enunciate, if I am trying to be sarcastic or even what words I am stressing, but when listening to a podcast, you do. So yeah, podcasting is personal. 

According to Podcast Insights, as of January 2020, there are currently over 850,000 podcast shows and 30 million episodes. Stats from the last year show that 49% of podcast listening is done at home and 22% in the car. Within the past three years, the number of podcasts has nearly doubled. So, it’s safe to say that the medium and its platforms are still growing. 

How We Utilize Podcasts in our Marketing

Podcasting has been a growing force here at the agency, becoming one of our biggest tools for networking and business development. It has allowed us to connect with numerous influencers, creators and businesses. We all know that standing out is key in the marketing world. People want to talk about themselves, their businesses, experiences and they want people to know their stories, which is where we come in. 

We’ve created and feature numerous podcasts under our DS Originals umbrella. DS Originals is created content from (guess who), us! The goal is to take DS Originals beyond networking and dive into the world of entertainment, tech, fashion, social media and beyond. We want to create a place where people can share their stories across numerous industries through podcasting and building a slate of shows with a strong underlying foundation. 

Now, let’s break down some of our podcasts. 

Best Behavior Creative Club, a flagship for DS Originals:

  • What It Is: Best Behavior Creative Club is a podcast for people that make things and make things happen. Host Chris McAdoo and producer Brad Carpenter go behind the scenes with experts in business, technology and marketing to spark ideas, creativity and inspiration.

  • Why We Made It: We wanted to create a space where people can learn about what makes other people excited and how they can be creative for not only their job but passion. 

  • How It Has Paid Off: We’ve had some pretty amazing guests on the show, like Mary Ann Canada (Executive Producer for Discovery Digital Studios and digital host of HGTV Handmade) and voice actor, comedian, actor, copywriter, event emcee and public speaking coach, Josh Brandon. Best Behavior Creative Club has helped us to invest in current relationships by giving friends and colleagues a place to share their stories, and we’ve been able to build new relationships and stand apart from other agencies. 

  • We’ve also leveraged the Best Behavior Creative Club brand and talent for limited-run special series of interviews captured at the Tennessee Governor’s Conference on Economic and Community Development and Governor’s Conference on Hospitality and Tourism, two of Designsensory’s key verticals.  

FIRED UP!, an extension of Ignite Fan Insights from DS Intelligence:

  • What It Is: FIRED UP! takes listeners behind the gates and beyond the numbers that keep sports fans coming back for more. This podcast focuses on sports marketers, business professionals and the industry as a whole to underscore how sports is more than winning and losing. 

  • Why We Made It: DS Intelligence Director of Research, Chris Wise, boasts a marketing research career that spans 30 years, with ten of those dedicated specifically to successful sports marketing. He has made more connections than we can count, and we’re not ones to miss an opportunity. 

  • How It Has Paid Off: While this show is just now releasing, we’re proud to say we’ve already spoken with representatives from the NBA, NFL, MLB and even horse racing.

Of Note: A Podcast on Innovation, a partnership with our client Scribble:

  • What It Is: Hosts Laura Corder and our own Joseph Nother are opening up the notebooks of some of the most interesting business minds in the South. They’re hands-on, they’re driven and they’re sharing the notes they’ve taken on invention, funding, entrepreneurship, growth and so much more.

  • Why We Made It: To help propel a new innovation initiative from the South Carolina Department of Commerce, the team behind it needed a way to better showcase all of the innovators around the state. A podcast allowed us to share their stories in a rich way and established a way for us to do so without constantly traveling across the state. 

  • How It Has Paid Off: Of Note is an excellent example of getting creative with your content. The podcast was originally ideated as a secondary offering to a larger educational video series, repacking an innovator’s interview into a hosted, narrative-driven episode. And while the video content continues to resonate with people around the state, the podcast has been consumed more overall.

With additional shows already in contracted and in the works, we’re continuing to invest in our network, talent and partnerships.

How To Start Your Own Podcast 

If you’re looking to get into the podcast game, Brad has three tips for you:

  • Podcasting is affordable and easy to start, but it is very time consuming and difficult. Be sure to carefully plan and ideate which direction you want your podcast to go.  

  • Consistency is key. Be sure to consistently put out new content because you can lose listeners quickly by not rolling out something new and communicating with them. 

  • Don’t be afraid to reach out to people you want to interview. What do you have to lose? Keep in mind that people generally want to talk about themselves, so give it a shot. 

Lastly, the world is full of opportunities. If you are interested in sharing your story with us, reach out to Brad and let’s get this podcast show on the road. 

To Market: What to Know About Branded Video Content in 2020

Posted on by Chris Talbert

This story begins in New Orleans, LA, the last week of January 2020 at an annual cable television market known as Realscreen Summit. I’m in my hotel room, the stopwatch app open on the nightstand in front of me as I prepare to rehearse a pitch. Two minutes flat. I have two minutes flat. 

Next to my phone sits … a beignet. Beignets do not fall within my New Year’s resolution. But note that I said it’s the end of January 2020.

If you’re anything like me, the end of January rather predictably involves re-working my initial New Year’s resolutions into slightly more realistic goals. After all, resolutions are – at their core – tactics. If our ideas aren’t aligned with the reality of our needs and daily demands, they will ultimately fail … regardless of how appealing they may have originally seemed. Simply put, a resolution’s fate relies far more on “viability” than vision, ambition or dedication. 

Developing an ability to sniff out, steward and sustain “viability” has always been critical to the role of Executive Producer or Showrunner. But, in recent years, as the content landscape has morphed in response to the implications of an evolving digital marketplace, this skill has become absolutely vital. 

To better understand the increasing importance of viability, it helps to first understand the challenges being addressed within the broadcast world. I’m guessing the term “cord-cutting” comes to mind for many of you, but, as popularized as the term is, it’s misleading. Sure, significant proportions of viewers are choosing to access content through a different means than the ubiquitous cable outlets we once held so dear … but the majority of those audiences are still loyal to their favorite channels and/or they’re utilizing OTT (Over The Top) services, which still deliver linear broadcast programming through alternative technology. 

In other words, networks aren’t really losing viewers or the licensing premiums associated with those viewers; instead, it’s the network’s relationship to broadcast advertisers that are imperiled.

This is where the true value proposition of digital comes into the conversation — data. You see, broadcast insights are fairly limited, especially when it comes to advertising. For example, advertisers have few triggers to determine whether a viewer is paying attention during a broadcast commercial break, whereas digital placements within an AVOD (Advertising-based Video On Demand) platform – e.g. YouTube – allow advertisers to track how long you watched a piece of content, if you clicked through, where you clicked and if you returned (not to mention paving the way for re-targeting or reselling the information to related industries and brands). By comparison, broadcast advertising is significantly more expensive, more difficult to evaluate return and less targeted.

This evolving competition impacts content creators in three primary ways: the need to brand, to co-produce and to generate a broadcast-to-digital circuit. 

Brand 

In lieu of the granular analytics digital media can provide, successful broadcast channels aim to pitch advertisers against the backdrop of a distilled, pre-qualified audience. These audience profiles are cultivated through focused programming slates and produced within certain parameters, along with the network being mindful about incorporating intuitive brand partnerships when possible. For content creators, it means crafting pitches that are customized to the tastes, partnerships and formats that are succeeding on each network. 

Co-Productions

Speaking of partnerships, intuitively attaching brands to projects – even identifying means of integrating extended experiences like e-commerce — is an emerging trend that further offsets risk for the network partner. This is especially true if the brand can bring some level of financing to the negotiation as well. Overall, networks have smaller budgets for licensing or commissioning conversations than they have in the past. As broadcast ad revenue has decreased and the scope of distribution options that a network is responsible for has increased, the viewer’s appetite for originality has increased as well-meaning networks have more content to develop and less budget to develop it with. Branded content allows both the network and the brand to harness the momentum and reach of the other while engineering a more dynamic business relationship than was possible within traditional advertising models. 

Broadcast-to-Digital Circuit

As I mentioned earlier, networks haven’t really lost viewers as much as they’ve started engaging with those viewers through more platforms, such as the large number of direct-to-consumer services that went live in the latter half of 2019. In an ideal scenario, networks simply increase engagement with a viewer across multiple screens, rather than cannibalizing one platform for another. For example, Food Network Kitchen allows viewers to extend the channel experience into both their meal preparation and grocery shopping, all while burnishing the viewer’s affinity for network content on both broadcast and social media in the process. For content creators, taking a bit of time to sketch out opportunities for extending your IP across multiple platforms creates more opportunities for your content to gain a following while building a stronger business case for your series and minimizing network risk. 

What all of this boils down to is that networks have always expected Executive Producers and production companies to entertain—that much is a given. But, increasingly, the expectation is to collaborate with partners both upstream and downstream from production on how that content will also prove viable within the evolving network business model. 

Which brings us back to me rehearsing pitches the night before the Summit, after which I promptly ate that beignet. Because even though beignets weren’t originally in my New Year’s resolution, it sure did sweeten the deal of working late into the night. 

Three Marketing Trends to Watch for in 2020

Posted on by Chris Talbert

I’m late to the 2020 welcome wagon, but here we are and welcome aboard! A new year brings new trends in marketing, and I’m going to go through a few of my best guesses for what we’ll see (and continue seeing) from our favorite brands.

Social Media Content Shifts

Changes in social media are like the sands of the sea—innumerable. From what I’ve seen in 2020, there seems to be a shift in the style of content that people are sharing, especially on Instagram and Youtube. Over the last few years, we’ve seen hyper-stylized content being produced, but now I’m seeing more authentic pieces surfacing. Less studio lighting, more natural light. Less Photoshop, more reality. This doesn’t mean that curated pieces won’t be popular, but this trend is attached to Millennials’ desires for truth. No one wants to see perfection all the time. It’s depressing. This year is all about the makers and their stories instead of superficiality. 

Another social media trend on my radar is shopping. If you’re like me, it’s now instinct to click on a photo to see if you can purchase any of the items. Instagram and Pinterest, in particular, are seeing rises in purchases directly through their platforms. And why not? After all, convenience is key. Want that new couch from that pop-up shop across the country? No problem. Brands like Nike Sportswear, Warby Parker, Nordstrom and more are loving the trend, and I don’t expect it to see decline any time soon.

Technology-Powered Communication

If you’ve seen Ex Machina, you know we’re doomed for failure when it comes to Artificial Intelligence (AI). But maybe not. As a 2020 trend, AI isn’t manifesting in the grandiose ways that were once predicted. A major trend continually growing is chatbots and voice assistants. Calling a car or checking a savings account is as easy as texting—just look at Lyft and Mastercard, who offer SMS transactions.

Voice assistants like Siri, Alexa and Cortana have been on the rise, and they’re only getting more streamlined across various businesses and industries. Websites are integrating with voice search technology too, creating a whole new spectrum of brand voice.

Oh, and what about planning and designing interior spaces? Hello, Ikea Place. Thanks to AI, you can now download an app and see what furniture looks best in your house. Some apps allow you to see paint colors and floor options as well. Feeling like Judy Jetson yet?

Digital Video Storytelling

Last on my list, but certainly not least, is digital video content. For a generation obsessed with experiences, it makes sense that we are seeing a rise in immersive video (like Interactive 360º). Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) have played a role in attracting new audiences to unexpected places and things, like musicals, international destinations, outdoor activities and sports games. And though it’s not easy to produce, it pays off in the end.

Also on the rise for the last couple years, and I predict will continue growing, is live streaming. Brands have expanded far beyond a simple Facebook Live video and recognized the ephemeral spirit that producing live content can foster. It’s the new radio or TV, where people can gather around to watch and share special moments in life. Brands can then save their videos for a multi-platform placement strategy.

For storytelling, a big trend for 2020 is User-Generated Content (UGC). Coke mastered this idea with their “Share a Coke” campaign that buzzed with personalization, and it’s taken off ever since. It’s easier to ask users to share their photos or video content with a rallying cry, and those assets are free marketing vehicles for your brand. And though UGC can sometimes produce duds, the best can be incorporated into your videos for paid media placements, putting the persona into your brand personality.

And that’s it! There are so many trends that will continue blooming over the year, so pick the ones that fit best with your brand and its goals. The advantage of having an agency like Designsensory on your side is the ability to step back and see when and where to use trends within your marketing and media plan. Get with us to craft a new 2020 vision.