Sometimes we're asked "What's a normal day look like for you?"

Quite frankly, we can't answer that. We don't even know where to begin. We could be hanging with some chocolatiers, managing a press tour for a theater, reporting marketing program results to finance professionals, writing some killer web copy, coming up with new product offerings, or taking a minute to catch up on our client's social media progress.

For example, one day we visited 4 Paneras, had a clown play the Chicken Dance song on the phone to us, learned what a kinkajou was (look it up), all while booking some great national daily coverage. And that was just another Wednesday.

One thing is for sure - it's never a dull, never boring, and never, ever without results. So without further ado, this week at Red Plate, we:

• Had an awesome interview with the fun folks at Fox 25 News for our client, the Orpheum Theatre in Foxboro. Mike Bent, voted Boston's Best Magician, performed a 6-minute magic routine, including a little number with the anchor's headshot photoshopped on a svelte 70's photo of David Cassidy. Before the interview aired, we had 50 tickets booked. Afterwards, over 300 were booked. Sweet.
• Produced another fantastic event for our client, The CFO RoundTable, on Demystifying Term Sheets. One thing is for sure - never, ever take your finance team for granted. 
• Helped our client, Boston Chocolate Tours, manage their social media while they went on a well-deserved vacation. We even got a few ideas for new breakfasts, including brown-sugar oatmeal with dark chocolate shavings. We didn't break anything, we swear. 

As always, there's more, but we pinky-swore not to talk about it. And we take pinky-swears seriously around here.

Here at Red Plate, we always strive to bring our clients the best and brightest opportunities we can, and this week is no exception. This week, we:

• Launched a new chocolate and wine class for Boston Chocolate Tours at the College Club on Commonwealth Avenue. The early reviews are in, and they're tasty!
• Produced one of the most popular events of the season for our client, The CFO RoundTable, on the Habits of Highly Effective CFOs, as well as ran our first live tweeting of a program with great success! The CFO RoundTable was also named one of the top social media resources by American Express's Inside Edge (thanks, natch, to Red Plate's social media program!)
• Scored some awesome coverage for our client, The Orpheum Theatre in Foxboro, for its upcoming comedy night featuring Eddie Brill, stand-up comedian and talent coordinator for The Late Show with David Letterman, as well as booked a phenomenal broadcast opportunity next week (stay tuned on that one - it's a magician on a morning show!)

As well as dozens of other things that we can't quite comment on just yet. Or else. 

For more information on any of these programs, or to learn how Red Plate can help your company grow through integrated, creative marketing programs, contact us today!

Archived post. Originally published 9.2.2010.

In a recent post titled "It's 9:00am: Do You Know Where Your Customers Are," I challenged all of us to discover a method that puts us right in front of our customers, rather than in their inbox, mailbox, or blog reader.

I'll admit - I did cheat a little bit. I kinda sorta already knew what I was going to do. But all is forgiven, right? Awesome.

For the next month, I'll be holding office hours at Mass Challenge, a startup competition designed to help entrepreneurs turn great ideas into great companies. This is my second week working with the contestants, and so far, it's been a great experience. I am continually impressed with the passion, dedication, and intelligence of these companies, as well as their openness to embrace new ideas, or be reminded of simple truths of managing a successful business.

It's also been a great reminder to me to stay true to my own personal and professional goals, and that with dedication and some sweat equity, I can conquer anything. 

I'll post updates on my experience with the group over the next month or so. Stay tuned!

Archived post. Originally published 7.20.2010.

We've all been there - sales slow for a bit, interest wanes, and someone gets the idea to rebrand the company. New designs, new materials, new messaging - essentially, revamp everything that isn't nailed down to the floor.

Now, multiply this by 4 quarters. Is this really where you should be spending your time? Or would you rather be producing campaigns that support your brand and messaging?

This isn't to say that I'm against rebranding. In fact, I completely support a brand turnaround if your message or image is stale or needs improvement. What I'm saying is, once you've worked through the process, stick with it. Otherwise, changing your direction every few quarters gives the impression that you're flailing. 

This is nicely summarized in a great article posted yesterday onOpen Forum, Monica Skipper, Marketing Manager, FedEx, discusses four reasons why it's better to be patient, consistent, and even simplistic when it comes to your branding.

To read her article, click here.

Archived post. Originally published 7.14.2010.

I am happy to announce that Red Plate Marketing has just launched a brand-new walking chocolate tour of Boston's Faneuil Hall and the North End for Boston Chocolate Tours!

What exactly is a chocolate tour, you ask? Imagine getting to visit all of your favorite neighborhood restaurants, bakeries, cafes, and chocolatiers, all in one day. And then they give you chocolate. Lots of it. Candies, artisan chocolates, brownies, cupcakes, and all sorts of creations, even chocolate soup if you can imagine it! Along the way, you get to meet and chat with the incredible people and stores that define the character of our most beloved Boston neighborhoods.

Sounds just about divine, right? I and about 2,700 other people on Facebook agree that it absolutely is. 

This tour is one of the most special projects I've done to date. While 'tour design' isn't normally considered a marketing specialty, partnership development and promotions most certainly are. I took this project as a challenge to myself, but the passion behind it was my 8-year old daughter, Eve. After all, who could be a better critic of a chocolate tour than an 8-year old girl?

Each tour stop and resulting relationship developed was built with Eve in mind - what would she love to see, where would she want to go, and most importantly, what treats and samples would thrill her? After our dry run last week, I'm convinced that I've nailed it, and I am happily taking her on her tour in a few weeks!

Check out photos of the new tour on Boston Chocolate ToursFacebook page, or click here to learn more about the tour at Boston Chocolate Tour's site.

Archived Post. Originally published 7.9.2010.

I'd like to take a moment to congratulate my client Catharine Arnston, better known as The Naughty  Nutritionist, on her success of making it to the next round of the MassChallenge competition.

And what is MassChallenge? It's a startup competition designed to help entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. Great organization, great people - it will be one to follow this year.

And who, you ask, is the Naughty Nutritionist? A health maven dedicated to making nutrition fun, sexy, and easy for everyone! Best of all, her first product is organic chocolate - chocolate! 

Check her out today on her website, on Facebook, or follow her on Twitter. Better yet, check out her blog post today announcing not one, but two semi-finalist selection notifications in two award competitions!

Congratulations Catharine!