Larry Gilbert Promoted to "Executive Office Stuffer"

After years of hard work Larry has recently been awarded the internal title of “Executive Office Stuffer."

Seen here in his natural habitat, utilizing his skills to stuff 4,000 Easter eggs.

“He really has a talent. I am glad that he is finally getting recognized for his stuffing abilities.” - Amy Landin, Art Director

“I find my new role very eggciting.” - Larry Gilbert, Executive Office Stuffer and President

We're getting ready for all of our clients' Easter activities and it's been nothing short of uneventful here at our office. 😉 Click here to read entire post!

The Importance of Hashtags & When to Use Them

Hashtags. They're more than just a nuisance. In fact, they play a crucial role in developing interest and gaining exposure for your social media accounts.

What are hashtags?

Hashtags are keywords that relate to your content, preceded with a hash symbol (#). Hashtags enable users to categorize their posts and facilitate a search for it.

Image via Shutterstock

Why are hashtags important?

Utilizing hashtags can assist in increasing your social media presence, reach audiences who are interested in your niche, and create a more recognizable brand image. Ultimately, hashtags help by leveraging your exposure among users and categorizing your content.

Fun fact: In a 2014 study by Simply Measured, they found that Instagram posts with at least one hashtag averages 12.6% more engagement than a post with no hashtags

When and how should I use hashtags?

Although hashtags seem like the answer to all of your problems, proceed with caution. With great power comes great responsibility. Sound familiar? #Spiderman.

Choosing the right hashtag can actually be pretty difficult. If done incorrectly, hashtags defeat the purpose of you using them in the first place.

Hashtags should be used strategically. 

Keep your hashtags short. No one likes seeing #ExtremelyAndUnnecessarilyLongHashtags.

Use hashtags that relate to your content and company. Think of a hashtag that YOU would search for.

Don't overuse hashtags. Stick to an average of two hashtags per post.

Ultimately, how you use hashtags can determine your amount of exposure to your target audience. Research shows that hashtags are effective when used correctly. In other words, don't be a hashtag monster. Use them strategically! 

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Privacy & Relevant Ads

Respecting the public's desire for privacy on the web while still providing relevant advertising content is a complicated equation. On May 25th, 2018, Europe's General Data Protection Regulation went into effect. This changed everything for companies who use platforms like Facebook and Google to run ads.

What is the EU's General Data Protection Regulation law? The GDPR gives web users more control of how their data is collected and analyzed by companies. Simply put, the GDPR protects and strengthens the rights of individuals. Companies who violate the regulations can face a hefty fine of 4% of the company's worldwide revenue. Yikes.

So the question is, "How does this affect advertisers who are trying to collect relevant information to appeal to their target audience?" The biggest change that advertisers need to assimilate to is the increased autonomy individuals have when it comes to restricting access to their personal information and online behaviors, making it easy for new potential customers to hide at the slightest provocation.  

Let's look at this from another perspective.

Before the GDPR went into effect, the loose restrictions resulted in a marketing numbers game. Ads could be flashy, irrelevant, and, frankly, annoying. Ads became "noise" instead of relevant content that users wanted to engage with.

Think of the last time your recent search history followed you around from website to website flooding you with not so relevant ads for the grill you thought was interesting but had no intention of buying. It makes browsing the web overwhelming and frustrating and now users will have the power to say, "No Thank You."

Advertisers will need to be more thoughtful in their actions. Meaning that brands should be encouraged to put more effort into creating content for users who will actually enjoy being engaged. The new requirements are likely to motivate advertisers to research quality leads and nurture them.

This shift in the relationship between user's privacy and data collection from companies will surely result in something less annoying and more relevant content-wise. Companies and their consumers can benefit from those personalized efforts and thoughtfulness. It's a win-win situation.

Although this sounds like more work (which it is), brands have the ability to establish trusting relationships between them and their consumers, resulting in more revenue for the company.

The GDPR really shows us the speed in which policies can have an influence on how advertisers work. It's one of the many exciting aspects of the advertising and marketing world.

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Employee Birthdays!

We love celebrating our employees! On our employee's birthday, they get to choose their ideal meal and finish it off with some good 'ol frosted birthday cake.

Today is Ann's birthday (AKA our Strategic Communications & Marketing Executive superstar), so we had a delicious lunch from Thailand Cuisine. We couldn't get enough of the pad thai!

Thanks for the awesome food choice and for being born today, Ann 😉 We really appreciate all of your hard work!

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Important Brand Personalities All Companies Should Foster

We love to feel personally connected to what we're consuming. As advertisers and marketers, it is our duty to create an atmosphere of inclusiveness between our audience and our brand. We want to create an everlasting brand feeling that people recognize and associate with our business. It all starts with authenticity and responsiveness with consumers.

In a study by Sprout Social in 2017, researchers found that consumers positively respond most to responsiveness from brands. That means, responding to questions or comments on your content, engaging with followers by liking or commenting on their content, or doing contest giveaways with followers.

Consumers appreciate the extra effort that companies take to personally reach out to them because we all love feeling special, right? Right.

On top of being able to immediately connect with consumers, social media allows companies to create communities with their followers. We are given the tools to have computer mediated communication (CMC) and foster relationships with consumers - something that would be unheard of a decade ago. Social media provides consumers with a specific type of immediacy that they may not otherwise get through other platforms.

In the same study by Sprout Social, they said that, "Brand personality is what connects your products to its consumers." Consumers reported that they prefer to see the honest side of companies more than anything.

Companies are able to gain trust with their consumers when they are authentic, and one of the easiest strategies for this is to be transparent with your consumers on social. Creating an authentic and honest brand personality on social is something that all companies can achieve (and should achieve).

Advertisers and marketers need to take advantage of the relationship-building platform that social media provides. There is beauty in fostering a community and creating authenticity around your brand because not only does that establish trust between the company and consumer, but it also means more revenue.

Moral of the story? Just be yourself on social (but maybe a little less dog obsessed and a little more timely).


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Judge's Award at 2018 Pele Awards

We really appreciate the kind words from Jenn Maer, Design Director at IDEO for the "This Card Gives You Gas" gift card! 

We are honored to be one of three recipients for the Judge's Awards during the 2018 Pele Awards. 

Mahalo Jenn!

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The ROI of Social Media

It's one of the most frequently asked questions by clients at Gilbert and Associates. In fact, it's probably the most frequently asked question among all businesses who are focusing more on their investments in social media.

The big question: What's the ROI (return of investment) of social media?

People want to see the measurables, especially those who are a little skeptical of implementing social media into their business plans.

Social media ROI can be seen in various ways, depending on what your company wants to achieve. Achieved social media ROI objectives can be seen in actual revenue generated or in audience reach, engagement, and site traffic.

I can go on and on about the value of social media, but frankly, talk is cheap and stakeholders and clients want to have the ROI of social media in measurable and specific outcomes.

Social media facilitates your business with gaining exposure and meeting those goals.

Using your social media wisely can result in reaching a wider audience in the matter of seconds, keeping in constant communication with your clients or customers, and generating a greater revenue.

Yes, the world of social media is always transforming and progressing. And sometimes it's difficult to keep up with current trends. Using the right tools can facilitate you in keeping track of your social media ROI.

There are so many resources that can be used to analyze data from your social media accounts. Google Analytics, Hootsuite, Facebook Insights, to name a few. Familiarize yourself with those platforms and learn how to recognize what's successful and what needs improvement on your social media accounts.

Analyzing the metrics will really help in gaining social media ROI. The nature of social media is constantly evolving, so don't be surprised when one tactic worked last week and isn't working out so great this week. ROI of social media can be extremely rewarding, you just have to be a little patient and flexible to the nature of social media. Click here to read entire post!

2018 Pele Awards

We are very proud to announce our success at the Pele Awards held this past weekend on Oahu.

As a team we walked away with two prestigious awards:

-Gold in the packaging category for Minit Stop & Ohana Foods gift card “This Card Gives You Gas” 

- We were then very honored to receive the coveted Judges Award, awarded to only 3 candidates and chosen among hundreds of other entries

We are beyond thrilled with the awards and to be recognized among Hawaii's best in design and marketing.

Thanks for the support!!

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"I Love Lahaina" raises $30,000 for West Maui Schools

EDITOR'S NOTE: While we're typically in the business of assuring the spotlight shine brightest on our family of clients, I wanted to use our blog to additionally acknowledge the hard work of our G&A team on this event. For the long hours and hard work, congratulations on a successful event for both a worthy cause and our client.

- Larry Gilbert, President Gilbert & Associates

Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii – I Love Lahaina funded by Safeway, Property Development Centers and Lahaina Cannery Mall recently raised $30,000 for the West Maui Schools.  This event was a benefit and fundraiser for King Kamehameha III School, Lahaina Intermediate School, Lahainaluna High School, Maui Preparatory Academy, Princess Nahiʻenaʻena Elementary School and Sacred Hearts School.

“It was a great two-day event and we are so grateful to Lahaina Cannery Mall, Safeway, Property Development Centers and all the sponsors and auction donors,” said Art Fillazar, Student Activities Coordinator of Lahainaluna High School.  “These funds will be of great help to our co-curricular programs.”

"We’re proud to support the West Maui Schools in helping to build a solid foundation for the youth of today and support the education of our community,” said Lynn Okamoto, General Manager of Lahaina Cannery Mall.

 

Performances by:

Nuff Sedd

Kapena

Uluwehi Guerrero

King Kamehameha III School Choir

Lahaina Intermediate Band

Lahaina Intermediate Choir

Maui Preparatory Academy “7:00am Band”

Princess Nahi‘ena‘ena ‘Ukulele Group

Sacred Hearts School Choir

Magician Holden Mowat

LCM Hula Dancers

Lahainaluna High School Jazz Band

Lahainaluna High School Concert Choir

Lahainaluna High School Hawaiiana Club

Halau Hula Kauluokala

Silent & Live Auction Items donated by Lahaina Cannery Merchants:

Banana Wind

Boss Frog's Dive & Surf

Crazy Shirts

Hawaiian Islands Creations

Jeans Warehouse

L&L / Chopsticks Express

Lulu's Lahaina Surf Club & Grill

Maui Clothing Company

Maui Showcase Properties

Maui Toy Works

Na Hoku

Safeway

Serendipity

Starbucks

Three Crowns Jewelry

And over 75 other Maui Merchants … Dinner, jewelry, hotel stays, activities, golf, merchandise and more.

Gold Sponsors:

Safeway

Property Development Centers

Lahaina Cannery Mall

Silver Sponsors:

Lulu’s Lahaina

KPOA 93.5 FM

Gilbert & Associates

Bronze Sponsors:

Lahaina News

Securitas

Mala Ocean Tavern

The Maui News

Sunshine Helicopters

Honu Seafood & Pizza

The event also featured games, face painting, food booths, pony rides and a bouncy castle.

 We would like to extend a big mahalo from Gilbert & Associates to everyone that made this event the success that it was.

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Fairmont Resorts Hawaii selects G&A as Agency of Record

Gilbert & Associates announced today that it has been selected as the advertising agency of record for Fairmont Resorts Hawai’i, representing The Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui and The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai’i. Effective immediately, the Maui-based firm will helm Fairmont Resorts Hawaii's marketing efforts, working closely with the sales and marketing teams on both Hawai’i Island and Maui.

“We’re proud to represent such an esteemed brand,” said Larry Gilbert, founder and president of Gilbert & Associates. “The dedication these properties have to delivering authentically local experiences and the highest levels of luxury are unparalleled in Hawai’i, and we look forward to sharing their stories.”

Fairmont Hawaii’s Regional Director of Sales and Marketing, Shannah Milstead, went on to say: “We are thrilled about the partnership with Gilbert & Associates and are confident that their experience in representing Hawai’i-based businesses will offer a strong understanding of how to effectively market The Fairmont Kea Lani and The Fairmont Orchid to Hawai’i travelers. 

For more information on Fairmont, visit Fairmont.com. Click here to read entire post!

8 Is Great, But We Didn't Do It Alone

It's been an exciting week for the G&A team.

First, we've been fortunate enough to grow our family of clients. (More on that to come.)

Then, in this week's edition, Pacific Business News updated its ranking of Hawaii's largest advertising agencies. Gilbert & Associates has moved from the 10th position to number eight in the state. (And we continue to be the largest agency outside of Honolulu.)

A HUGE mahalo to our clients, business network and the entire G&A team and their families. And mahalo to our partners Communications Pacific for your continued support.

It's only because of you that we continue to thrive and are able to contribute to our community, one campaign at a time.

Mahalo nui loa. Click here to read entire post!

We're a '10': Gilbert & Associates Ranked by Pacific Business News

Gilbert & Associates is Hawaii's 10th largest advertising agency according to the Pacific Business News' 2012 "Book of Lists."

The ranking marks the agency's fourth growth spurt in five years, climbing from 14th in 2008, 13th in 2009 and 2010, and 11th in 2011. Annual rankings are based on the previous year's capitalized billings.

The Kahului-based agency continues to be the largest firm outside of Honolulu. 

Gilbert & Associates has provided award-winning marketing, public relations, advertising and creative services for clients throughout the Aloha State and beyond since 1974. Click here to read entire post!