january 2010
	3 company names + 2 expansions + 1 building = 50 years! Happy birthday to us, Leibold Associates turns 50 in 2010! Since our birth as Duane Boyd Associates in 1960, we've changed company names 3 times and expanded the building twice. As we've grown, we've added staff and services to provide unparalleled design, marketing savvy and outstanding customer service. But of course, we wouldn't be here without our clients. To thank you, we'll be celebrating throughout the year with contests, promotions and events. Look for our new 50th Anniversary logo on all of our promotions in the year to come. Hey look, there it is now on the top of this very newsletter! We look forward to celebrating our birthday in the year to come and we're thrilled to have you along for the ride. So strap on your seat belts and let's get going.
	show some character Imagine walking down the baby wipes aisle of your local store. You see a variety of products and packaging in a sea of pastels and primary colors. One package in particular grabs your attention: the smiling familiar faces of Winnie the Pooh and his friends playfully adorning the tub. Maybe it's nostalgia, maybe it's something you think your baby will like - but whatever the reason for your purchase, the packaging got your attention. Differentiation at shelf is one of the main objectives of package graphics; licensing characters like Winnie the Pooh is one of the tools available to set packages apart. Characters may also influence purchasing decisions as children will ask for packages that appeal to them or parents will be inclined to purchase something they fondly remember from their childhoods. Other benefits from character licensing include creating a niche, tying in a product to a highly anticipated movie release or popular TV show, and creating the perception of a premium product.
	Once a licensing agreement is in place, companies like Disney will typically share style guides featuring their characters in a variety of poses and settings along with some general guidelines to follow. These guides can either be used as literal interpretations or inspirational materials depending on business objectives. The licensing companies are involved in the approval process to ensure both parties are pleased with the products going to market. In the case of the Huggies® Baby Wipes Tubs, the Leibold design team conducted a market audit to see what trends are happening within baby care products and children's apparel. With their research, they determined simple two-dimensional characters and clean, contemporary design are on trend. The team worked with Kimberly-Clark to pair their findings with the Huggies® Brand strategy and use elements from Disney's style guide to create the whimsical tubs now on shelf. The end result is a well designed package that will delight consumers of all ages.
	five must-do marketing tips for 2010 If you've been asking yourself what marketing activities will get you the biggest bang for your buck, you're not alone. With so many possibilities, how can you best focus your resources in 2010? We've pulled together the most cost-effective marketing tips for the new year:
			1. Update Your Web Site If it's been more than two years since you've updated your site, it's time for a fresh look. Update your content so it provides a compelling reason for prospects to contact you. Optimize your site for search engine keywords. Add blogs, testimonials, videos, white papers and other content that will give prospects reasons to choose you over your competition. 2. Market Directly Don't spend thousands of dollars on advertising that you can't control. If you know your customers and prospects, reach out to them personally and directly. If you don't have a clean database of customers and prospects, build one. Divert advertising dollars to direct marketing via mail or email, and double or triple your response rates. Click here for more marketing tips.
	Keeping Green Through Winter Upgrade your thermostat: Changing your thermostat to a programmable one allows you to control the temperature in your home at different times of the day without you being home. Keep the heat off when you're out of the house and set it to turn back up before you get home. Some also have a second set of settings for weekends, when people usually spend more time at home. The thermostats range from $90 to $175, but can save 12% or more on your energy bill and pay for itself within three years. For more winter green tips visit: www.earthshare.org