Welcome to Imagination’s company blog. Here’s where our people will share their great ideas about custom publishing and content marketing, and display their talents, professional and otherwise.
NFIB Selects Imagination Custom Publishing to Create Cutting-Edge Small Business Content
8 Jan 2010
by Michelle O'Hagan
CHICAGO—The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business association, selected Imagination Publishing as its new custom publishing partner to help relaunch its flagship magazine, MyBusiness, and create dynamic new content for the NFIB website (http://www.NFIB.com).
MyBusiness, NFIB’s “voice of small business” publication for nearly 20 years, is published bi-monthly with a circulation of 475,000. The March/April 2010 custom magazine relaunch will include a revised feature well, prominent guest columnists, a fresh, modern layout, and expanded, exclusive and actionable content on NFIB.com, including rich media tips and tools to help small business owners own, operate and grow their businesses.
“For years, MyBusiness and NFIB.com have helped the nation’s small business owners run and grow their businesses,” said Dan Danner, NFIB’s president and CEO. “We chose Imagination for its outstanding creative execution, cutting-edge strategic thinking and the passion they brought to the table for helping small business owners. We’re excited to work with Imagination Publishing to reinvigorate the magazine and our site, to make it even more relevant to our audience and advertisers with critical and timely business advice, political and regulatory information and utilize digital opportunities to build community.”
Imagination’s NFIB team will operate under the leadership of company President and CEO Jim Meyers, along with EVP of Design Doug Kelly, and EVP of Client Strategy Laura Chavoen. Editorial Director Simona Covel, formerly of the Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones Newswires, and Account Director Rene Ryan, whose writing has appeared in The Boston Globe and Inc. magazine, will head up print and digital strategies for MyBusiness and NFIB.com. Holly Townsend, president of The Townsend Group, will handle advertising sales for the magazine and the NFIB.com.
“Imagination is the custom content leader in producing editorial for organizations who want to reach small businesses, and this is the strongest strategic and editorial team we’ve ever had,” Meyers said. “Small business is the backbone of the nation’s economy and our mission is to take an already strong publication to the next print and digital levels, to make it indispensable for small business owners and the advertisers who want to reach them.”
Highlights of the March/April issue include:
Unemployment Overload
Unemployment is high, and that means opportunity for small business. How to take advantage of the sudden glut of workers—and how to avoid costly missteps.
The State of the Stimulus
It’s no secret: there wasn’t much in the stimulus for you. Follow five small businesses just like yours that tried to eke out stimulus funds.
The Exit Plan Crisis
Every business owner’s worst nightmare is losing his or her business. But without better succession planning, the majority of small business owners may face that prospect. How to avoid that fate.
Guest Columnist
Famed marketing guru Seth Godin offers his take on small business marketing.
About NFIB
NFIB (http://www.NFIB.com) is the leading small business association representing small and independent businesses. A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization founded in 1943, NFIB represents the consensus views of its members in Washington and all 50 states. The organization’s powerful network of grassroots activists voices its opinion directly to state and federal lawmakers through a members-only ballot, playing a critical role in supporting America’s free enterprise system.
About Imagination Publishing
Imagination (http://www.imaginepub.com) is the leading custom publishing and content marketing agency. We help our clients build relationships and increase engagement with their customers. Our clients include B2B and B2C marketers, industry and trade associations. Imagination combines the strengths of traditional agencies, digital agencies and custom publishers to harness the power of relevant content and targeted distribution to help our clients achieve their business goals.
For media inquiries about MyBusiness magazine, contact Jim Meyers, president and CEO of Imagination Publishing at: 312-887-1000.
For advertising inquiries about MyBusiness magazine, contact Holly Townsend, president of The Townsend Group at: 301-215-6710.
My Imagination Internship
6 Jan 2010
by admin
As an editorial intern at Imagination, my skills are put to the test each and every day with a wide variety of writing assignments. Whether it’s writing stories for nationally published material for some of our clients or simple blog posts or tweets, each time I walk through the doors of this place, there’s something new and different on my plate.
My Internship Experience
You all know the theory that interns at some companies don’t truly get a ‘hands-on’ or a resume building experience, right? That couldn’t be farther from the truth at Imagination. My experiences have already led me to include Imagination on my resume as well as have the ability to show future employers the work I was doing here through my clips.
I have a friend who interned over the summer for a newspaper publication. He had one piece of work to show for it at the end of the program. I had one piece of work to show within the first two weeks of my internship at Imagination. Although I’m a journalism person at heart, my writing here has not only helped Imagination, but it furthered the knowledge I need to succeed in any writing industry.
The Imagination Difference
It truly is a great place to work and if you are even remotely thinking of entering in the field of custom media publishing, give Imagination a chance. I’m extremely thankful for the experience I’ve gotten here thus far and only look forward to the new projects that are in store for me.
To get a better idea of how the internship is from someone besides me, watch our video on the program. We, as interns, put it together to give all those interested a better idea of what work we actually do here and what kind of place Imagination is. After watching, feel free to apply, you may find it as rewarding as I did…
by Michael Van Der Harst, Editoral Intern
Custom Publishing @ Imagination: Not Your Average Internship
16 Dec 2009
by Imagination Team Member
Maybe internships at Imagination Publishing shouldn’t be called internships at all. When I applied for my position as a print design intern, I was encouraged by a sentence in the company’s job posting on Craigslist: “You won’t be getting anyone’s coffee but your own.” And now being here, it’s definitely true (even though I prefer hot chocolate).
Custom Publishing: The Internship Difference
Some internships mean getting coffee for the big dogs, sending faxes, and taking notes, but they aren’t solid first steps into the real world. However, here at Imagination, interns actually get valuable work and experience in custom publishing and content marketing.
Imagination offers internships in many areas including editorial, digital media, web design and development, video/broadcast, business development and marketing.
To give an example of work here at Imagination, my first project was a newsletter that went out as a supplement to one of our client’s magazines. I learned a new design program, worked with an editor, and completed a project that was valuable to our company and to our client.
At Imagination
Even though I’ve only spent a month here, Imagination’s strong, cohesive culture is obvious to me. This collaborative, positive, and creative atmosphere is amazing.
Learning more about the company’s work and culture helped me realize this isn’t an ordinary opportunity. To see for yourself, check out the video my fellow interns created to learn more. Oh, and don’t forget to apply.
written by Anne McElherne, Print Design Intern
New Custom Magazine for Senior Marketers to Debut Friday
21 Oct 2009
by Michelle O'Hagan
ORANGE magazine to share insight and opinions about custom publishing, branding and integrated marketing programs.
CHICAGO—Imagination Publishing, a custom publishing agency, on Friday will debut a new custom magazine, ORANGE, to be distributed to senior marketing executives internationally.
The custom magazine, and its companion microsite, will share the magic of why custom content is the most powerful marketing tool for creating audience engagement.
“ORANGE magazine fills a void for CMOs; it goes way beyond the content in most marketing and advertising industry publications, says Jim Meyers, president and CEO of Imagination Publishing. “It covers cutting-edge issues developing around custom content, and positions custom publishing as a critical part of an integrated marketing strategy.”
- ORANGE, a custom published magazine for senior marketers, from Imagination
The inaugural issue of ORANGE includes interviews with leaders at the Berlin School of Creative Leadership; Chris Brogan, co-author of New York Times best-seller “Trust Agents;” Anna Malmhake, VP of global marketing for The Absolut Company; Jeremy Gutsche, founder of Trendhunter; and Martin Lindstrom, author of “Buyology: The Truth & Lies About Why We Buy.”
Online-exclusive content includes interviews with international pollster John Zogby and Ruy Teixeira, senior fellow with The Center for American Progress.
ORANGE’s original content and striking design demonstrate a custom publishing program at its very best. The publication’s masthead describes it as “both inspirational and aspirational, and sometimes confrontational.”
One department, titled “Buy This Idea,” features complete concepts for new custom content packages, along with a suggested ideal sponsor for each.
“Imagination has been a leader in custom publishing for fifteen years,” Meyers says. “With ORANGE, we’ll share our knowledge, insight and opinions with senior marketers around the country through our own ideal custom publishing program.”
To learn more about ORANGE magazine, or to request a subscription, visit www.imaginepub.com/orange
Custom Publishing Special Report
12 Oct 2009
by Michelle O'Hagan
Imagination Publishing’s own Jim Meyers is interviewed in a Custom Publishing Special Report in the October 12, 2009 issue of BtoB Magazine.
Here’s an outtake from the article:
The ecosystem where b-to-b marketers, trade publishers and ad agencies interact is changing. Increasingly, b-to-b marketers are acting like publishers. The Internet has forced marketers to populate their Web sites with white papers, webcasts and other content that will attract the attention of search engines.
Read the complete article:
Custom Publishing Agency Named one of Best Magazine Publishing Companies to Work For 2009
1 Oct 2009
by Michelle O'Hagan
Custom media expert excels in employee survey, workplace best practices.
CHICAGO–Imagination Publishing recently was named one of the Best Magazine Publishing Companies to Work for 2009. The annual list of “Best Magazine Companies” was created by Publishing Executive magazine and Best Companies Group. The complete list – along with profiles of each company’s benefits package and corporate policies – is published in the November issue of Publishing Executive magazine.
Jim Meyers, president of Imagination, says the recognition is a direct result of Imagination’s rigorous and strategic hiring practices. “Over the years, we’ve evolved from a small custom publisher to a custom media expert with B2B and B2C clients across the country. Hiring the highest caliber custom media and marketing professionals is one of our highest priorities.”
Imagination’s Vice President of Talent, Andrea Scott, coordinated the required anonymous employee survey. “Our employees are so enthusiastic about their careers and their clients, and that enthusiasm came through in the survey,” Scott says. “We’re very proud of the work we do for our clients, and that makes Imagination a great place to work.”
Companies from across the country entered the two-part survey process to determine the “Best Magazine Publishing Companies to Work For.” The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company’s workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration, survey and analysis process and determined the final rankings.
About Imagination
Imagination is a custom publisher and custom media agency. We help B2B and B2C marketers and associations build relationships and increase engagement with their customers.
Building Loyalty For Your Small Business
11 Aug 2009
by Jessica Wangsness
Loyalty—especially in today’s economy—doesn’t always go to the organization with the biggest name or reputation. Instead, it’s all about who you trust.
As Peter Bregman, CEO of Bregman Partners Inc., says, “Trust is the new competitive advantage.”
And this is where small businesses may have an advantage over their bigger counterparts: a face, a name and a real relationship.
These relationships don’t come easily, though. They have to be cultivated and cared for. Here are some tips:
1. Be available—at all levels.
If a client knows he or she can give anyone from the receptionist to the CEO a call to discuss anything from an account to the weather, then they feel valued (like they’re client No. 1)—and that translates into loyalty.
2. Play host to learning opportunities.
Organize lunchtime seminars that bring similar clients together with an expert who provides insights on how to deal with the latest hot-button industry issue. Not only will such initiatives make your client feel you are going the extra mile for them, but it will also provide them with a sense of community and a solid networking opportunity. And you can sit back and take all the credit. (Plus, there’s food involved.)
3. Admit when there’s an issue.
Problems creep up. Deadlines are missed. Mistakes are made. No organization is immune to it, so stop pretending that you are— especially when you talk to the client. While you should always work to mitigate these situations, sometimes it just isn’t possible. And reaching out to the client to work out a solution before things get worse is a lot better than letting things spin out of control. You might be able to easily work through the problem together. That’s when you’ll know you have a real partnership on your hands.
4. Be open with employees. It always trickles down.
Smaller organizations are often more transparent than larger ones. Employees usually have a better idea of why decisions are made and where they fit in. It’s a good advantage to have because it typically ensures your employees are happier and more secure in their positions, curbing that “me first” mentality that can prompt them to prioritize their needs over those of the organization—or even the client.
5. Love what you do.
You love what you do, so you’re excited about your professional endeavors. You make others excited about what you do, and they want to work with you. Sometimes it’s just that simple.
De-branding
31 Jul 2009
by Liz Ecker
This may be old news by now, but I couldn’t help but share this story on the recent effort of Starbucks to “de-brand” some of its stores. A global brand leader, Starbucks, in a smart and defensive play, plans to open several “stealth” stores in the U.S. to appeal to neighborhoods and populations that see themselves as too cool for (or otherwise against) Starbucks. For all the companies out there working to gain just a little brand recognition, Starbucks has actually identified a need to scale back.
Stealth Starbucks: Coffee Chain’s New Stores Disguise Brand Name
