Corporate social responsibility (CSR) gives brands the ability to bring about change. Not only do corporations have the ability to make a difference, most consumers believe they have a responsibility to do so. If your brand is making a difference, consumers buying into your brand will feel they are also contributing to that change; this…  Read more

No one’s going to argue that Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs can catch a football better and run faster than around 99.9% of us. But off the field, he likes to think of himself as just a regular human being. It’s this down-to-earth approach that makes him such an effective marketer and smart partner…  Read more

Sometimes, it takes a village… or a team. To tackle the ever-changing digital landscape and its trends moving into the new year, we assembled The Martin Group’s social and digital experts to share their insights. Hear from our team on elevating your paid media, digital marketing, social media content, and influencer marketing for 2021.  Social…  Read more

“Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.” You know the line. You remember it. And you might even quote it from time to time. When President John F. Kennedy delivered those words in his 1961 Inaugural Address, he connected with people across the nation and…  Read more

October is known for many observances, and now, arguably one of the most important of the month, Diversity Awareness. No matter what industry, city, or even country you live in, the effects of diversity, or the lack thereof, play a vital role in how organizations function.  Brands and businesses, at the organizational level, are responsible…  Read more

Historically, marketing occurred in two spots during television and movies: clear commercial breaks or product placement. Both expensive options only the nation’s biggest brands were privy to. But, as with anything within this industry, the onset of social media has brought accessibility to the masses. With the dollars to reach large audiences in the hundreds…  Read more

In a matter of months, the tone of our country has shifted from the debilitating horror of COVID-19 into an enraged passion for social justice reform. As Americans grapple with the virus and adjust to our new way of life, a much older plague continues to upset our nation—systemic racism. While millions across the country…  Read more

Your higher education institution’s marketing strategy is ahead of the game if you and your staff have realized that the stereotypical perception of college students—that the majority are 18- to 21-year-olds full-time students in it for the joy of learning—is dead wrong. Research shows that most students at your institution are already working, a little…  Read more

Giving is changing. In a time when everything is changing, that might not be a surprising statement. But it is more than people giving with a smartphone rather than by dropping a check into a reply envelope. A fundamental change is taking place in philanthropy—and it impacts colleges and universities and the way they go…  Read more

As we move into the new decade, the digital landscape continues to evolve to meet the needs of consumers. It’s up to marketers to be innovative and reach people on the channels they’re using, and to engage with them in the way they prefer. Lead generation and traffic are still top-of-mind for marketers, which means…  Read more

The holiday season is here again, and brands of all types are clamoring to capitalize on the festive feeling. As much as some people like to bemoan the “pumpkin-spicing” of what seems like every food product, it makes sense for businesses. Flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg, and peppermint can be enjoyed year-round, but there’s a reason…  Read more

In order to predict consumer trends, it’s always best to follow the young people. For a group of associates from The Martin Group, that meant an October trip to SneakerCon in Toronto for an up-close look at the current “sneakerhead” community and how these savvy consumers are shaping streetwear, fashion, and modern-day commerce. Our main…  Read more

Answering the big questions Often, we’re tasked with marketing not just the what, but the where. A medical center, for example, is more than just the vital services they provide. It’s the team of dedicated doctors, nurses, surgeons, and others who are entrusted to deliver the necessary care to each patient. And it’s the efficient,…  Read more

Pat Collins, Junior, Canisius College Rather than waiting for summer to pursue a job opening, I was fortunate enough to begin working at The Martin Group in the midst of my second semester of college. Seven months ago, in the dead of winter, I strode into 620 Main Street as a 20-year-old agency newcomer. Upon…  Read more

At The Martin Group, great ideas and results really are a group effort. They come from remarkably talented individuals that we form into equally remarkable teams. Meet Jessica Black, Studio Manager, and Lesley Ruple, Account Supervisor, as two more new additions to our Buffalo and Rochester teams compare laughs, hot dog preferences, and people they’d…  Read more

The Martin Group is proud to congratulate Senior Vice President and Managing Director Lisa Strock on being selected as one of Buffalo Business First’s 2018 Women of Influence and honored at a ceremony inside Buffalo’s Hyatt Regency on September 18. As deservedly being recognized as one of 25 vital female leaders in the region, Lisa’s…  Read more

In celebration of National Book Lovers Day, we asked team members to share the book they’re reading now or the best book they’ve read lately. From fantasy epics to forgotten Buffalo history to inspiring memoirs, here’s what’s on our reading list.   I Let You Go, by Clare Mackintosh It’s a fictional mystery and thriller…  Read more

At The Martin Group, great ideas and results really are a group effort. They come from remarkably talented individuals that we form into equally remarkable teams. Meet Mike Farrell, Senior Manager of Content and Social Media, and Pat Sandora-Nastyn, Senior Brand Manager, as these two new additions to our team dive into their experiences at…  Read more

After a breakout year for our growing Martin Sport vertical, 2018 has proven to be another eventful year with new players and changes shaking up the sports marketing industry. Interacting with everyone from new startups to global brands and athletes, our team has wasted no time getting acquainted with the latest trends. We’ve been dedicated…  Read more

The internet is taking security and privacy much more seriously. After years of high profile breaches and leaks the public’s perception has changed regarding their personal data. More scrutiny is being given to the websites we use, their terms of service, and what information we’re willing to provide on a daily basis. Due to the…  Read more

A lead generation campaign is useful for, well, just that – generating leads. It’s a great data-driven strategy for companies that want to have a clear measurement of their ROI, across marketing, advertising and media spends. So, how is a lead actually generated? There are a lot of pieces that can go into a lead…  Read more

Nonprofit professionals are experiencing some of the same trends as their colleagues in the business sector, but the way in which nonprofits interpret and react to these trends differs. The Price of Technology Technology is big, constant and changing. Nonprofits must stay abreast of what’s new and understand how technology can be applied to their…  Read more

At The Martin Group, great ideas and results really are a group effort. They come from remarkably talented individuals that we form into equally remarkable teams. Meet Kira Csakany, a creative supervisor on our Creative Team.   Where were you working before The Martin Group and in what role? Before coming on board at The…  Read more

  By Dick Shaner, Jr., Senior Vice President, and Emily Pumm, Multi-media Specialist Whether you’re getting ready for an on-camera media interview or preparing to appear in a video to represent your organization, you’ll want to take all necessary steps to help make a positive impression. Over the years I’ve had two negative experiences that…  Read more

Does receiving an interview request send you into an instant panic and a cold sweat? Are you one of the 75% of people who suffer from glossophobia, a fear of public speaking? Would you rather do pretty much anything other than sitting in front of a camera and talking to a reporter? Brands, we have…  Read more

You might think that including a ping-pong table and dartboard as part of your office floor plan (or budget) might be a waste of space and dollars, but at The Martin Group, they contribute to our firm’s atmosphere and employees’ creativity. Most of what you’ll read below is a reflection of the ways in which…  Read more

What do you think are the most important ingredients for a successful website? Based on our previous interviews with project stakeholders, most people focus on the design, the messaging, the content and the functionality. I wouldn’t disagree with any of these answers, but one important factor missing from that list: your website’s speed. Modern website…  Read more

What a game. Great job Eagles! Now for the ads. Our team broke down their most (and least) favorites that aired during last night’s game. What were your most and least favorite ads?   The commercial that stuck with me the most was Budweiser’s “Stand by Me”.  With all the natural disasters this past year,…  Read more

So you want to make a video. Now what?  Read more

You’ve probably heard the news that influencer marketing is on the rise.  Read more

2017 could have been the year that social media grew up. And while that statement undervalues the impact social media has had over the last decade, when it comes to mainstream appreciation and respect for what platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram can do in today’s digital age, getting hauled in front of Congress…  Read more

The most successful nonprofit campaigns—the ones that attract donors, volunteers and advocates—blend brand awareness, compelling messaging, attention-grabbing design and sound fundraising strategy. The Martin Group is proud of its new initiative to unite branding, awareness and fundraising strategies for area nonprofits, as well as announce the hiring of 25-year nonprofit veteran Karen Higman as practice…  Read more

We all know by this point that Apple introduced its newest technology products yesterday: the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X (10), Apple Watch Series 3 and the 4K Apple TV. These gadgets represent the company’s latest and greatest in sleek new devices. Focusing on the iPhones in particular, there are certainly notable features…  Read more

Summer is the perfect time to lay out on a beach, on the patio or even on your bed with an interesting book. Our team is diversified and so too are our book choices this summer. Here’s what we’re reading.  Read more

Trying to decide how to develop your marketing strategy? The first step is simple. Start with research. You can trust your instinct, but it is important to verify it with data.  Read more

It’s one of the most commonly asked questions for marketers and business owners: how can I rank higher in search? The reason is simple: the amount of traffic you receive by ranking #1 for a specific term is tremendous compared to further down the page, which can have a huge impact on the success of your…  Read more

What were the major crisis trends and what businesses suffered a corporate black eye in 2016? The Institute for Crisis Management (ICM) is out with its annual – and expanded – crisis report, having tracked more than 600,000 crisis stories in the news worldwide last year. According to the report, the most crisis-prone industries in…  Read more

A favorite movie of mine is Moneyball. The movie’s premise was based on the true story of how a general manager, an economist and the cash strapped Oakland A’s major league baseball team used statistics and analytics to propel their team into the playoffs. Other MLB teams had used athletic ability or physical potential to determine which…  Read more

What does the media really think of PR pros? From the key ingredients of a great pitch, to frequency for calls and follow-up, Martin Davison PR shared pointers for maintaining a positive rapport with media at PRSA Buffalo Niagara’s “Managing Media Relationships” last month. Attendees heard straight from the source — and the sources. Senior…  Read more

At one point in my career, I found myself planning around 75 events a year for various clients across the U.S. and in Canada. From bar activations to sampling events to hospitality events at the PGA, my clients wanted to differentiate their brand and leave their customers with a positive lasting impression. Along the way,…  Read more

During my final semester as a Visual Communication Design major at Nazareth College, I had the opportunity to intern with The Martin Group at the Victor location. It was truly a wonderful and educational experience. I am so grateful for the time the TMG team took out of their work days to offer creative advice…  Read more

We’ve all heard about the power of networking and building relationships. You typically hear about this first as a college student from one of your professors or in a career services presentation you were required to attend. As a college student, networking with visiting alumni was a way of improving your chances of finding an…  Read more

11 years of Twitter – What’s Next? Do you remember your first tweet? Today, we remember the first-ever post on Twitter, penned by CEO Jack Dorsey on March 21, 2006: “just setting up my twttr.” Twitter was created in 2006 (with the original name Twttr), by four friends who met working at a podcasting company.…  Read more

So you want to spread the word about your brand. You’ve developed a public relations strategy and think you should capitalize on social media, too – but you can’t put your finger on how it integrates with your PR plan. Understanding how to utilize social media and PR together can be tricky. In this post,…  Read more

In my last two blogs I discussed how actions speak louder than words when it comes to building and maintaining a positive corporate reputation. I also examined how two well-known and once highly respected companies – Volkswagen and Chipotle Mexican Grill – suffered the consequences of their actions, along with the negative impact crises had…  Read more

“What exactly do you do?” That’s a familiar question for public relations professionals. PR is multi-faceted, to say the least, so the answer is tough to put your finger on. One area of PR is media relations. In this post, we’ll walk through basic steps of pitching the media, which is crucial to successful media…  Read more

Valentine’s Day is about spreading the love. Here at The Martin Group, we’re lucky enough to do what we love every day. In the Valentine’s Day spirit, we asked TMG and MDPR groupies to tell us what they love most about their work. Here’s what they had to say.    “The passion of the team…  Read more

Every month, the PR team at Martin Davison hosts a lunch’n learn with different members of the media. The goal is to help us build personal and professional relationships with reporters that extend beyond the newsroom, while also learning how we can more efficiently work with them. In late January, we met with Rob Kaiser,…  Read more

It’s been a busy start to 2017 for The Martin Group, as our Martin Sport vertical has had the opportunity to travel to New York and Baltimore and have high-level discussions with a host of sports executives from a variety of industries — in addition to attending the 2017 PGA Merchandise Show. From athletes to brand…  Read more

Last night’s Super Bowl was a battle between the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots– and the advertisers. In the first ever Super Bowl overtime period, the Patriots took home a memorable win. But who won the advertising game? According to the USA Today, Melissa McCarthy’s “Hero’s Journey,” for the Kia Niro was ranked highest on their ad meter. We thought it’d…  Read more

This was asked to me at the end of my twelve-month 2016 Leadership Niagara Class. If you’ve never heard of Leadership Niagara, you’re missing out on one of our region’s assets and you should check it out. (Spoiler alert! You don’t have to live or work in Niagara County to benefit from this program). I…  Read more

On January 21, across the country and the world, more than 2 million people walked in support of women’s rights. In interviews, the protesters who marched in Washington and New York and Chicago, in Australia and Europe and Antarctica expressed different reasons for participating. Some said they were marching to stand up for equality and…  Read more

With its economic and environmental efficiency, we love email marketing for producing campaign analytics and calculating ROIs. But for customers, there’s no denying that receiving a physical piece of branded snail-mail is often hard to ignore and leaves a lasting impression. Therefore, keep direct mail in your marketing mix and be prepared as the U.S.…  Read more

Yes, you should call your representative and weigh in on the push to bring Uber and Lyft to Upstate New York. But ridesharing isn’t the only issue that should have your attention as the State Legislature kicks off the 2017 session. Still, just to be sure you’ve got your talking points down: Visit Buffalo Niagara…  Read more

The Martin Group (TMG) was recently recognized by the Academy of Interactive Visual Arts (AIVA) for exceptional web design, web marketing and web advertising by scoring one gold and one silver award for client work in the annual global  W3 Awards. TMG received Gold for Corporate Communications for U&S Services, which engages visitors in a dynamic new…  Read more

Restaurant grand openings, facility ribbon cuttings, the unveiling of a new brand and the start of a capital campaign all aim to raise awareness, maximize exposure and grow an organization’s bottom line. Here are 10 simple ways to prepare for launching a new product, service, company initiative or special event to streamline efforts, ensure a…  Read more

Social media gives you the opportunity to be your own publisher and control the message about your brand. So, how do you make social media profitable for your business? Let us show you the ways.  Read more

The Internet is an interesting place. There are corners where people debate if the wristwatch one of the Orcs was wearing in The Lord of the Rings was a mistake or if Orcs really prefer Timex. And why do they need to tell time anyway? A while back, The Martin Group created an award-winning campaign…  Read more

Why is Buffalo “America’s Favorite City”? Buffalo was recently named “America’s Favorite City” by Travel + Leisure. Take that in for a second. … Being able to say you’re America’s favorite city is pretty staggering. But what does this actually mean, and why did Buffalo earn this honor? Well, first off it was an “open-response…  Read more

Instagram debuted its new logo this past Wednesday, and as expected, with the launch came both backlash with some love mixed in. We asked our creative team at TMG to weigh in on the new look; here’s what they had to say. I feel the older is more unique and families with the name better. It’s the…  Read more

  On Monday, April 4th, Kelli joined more than 10,000 women in 43 cities nationwide for Bizwomen’s third annual “Mentoring Monday,” in our very own city of Buffalo, New York. In this unique event, mentors and mentees came together for seven-minute discussions, and when the bell rings, the mentee must move on. It was a…  Read more

There was some good news on the crisis communications front last year according to The Institute for Crisis Management (ICM), which just released its annual report for 2015. It found crisis stories in the news decreased by six percent from the previous year. Unfortunately, those crises in the news were no less alarming or damaging…  Read more

Last month, Martin Davison Public Relations joined forces with the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus to host PR101, a free seminar for startups in LEARN at the Innovation Center. PR101 was an overview of DIY media exposure for startups, companies that may not be able to afford a PR firm or a practitioner in-house. We briefed…  Read more

We’re all getting ready for Super Bowl 50 to premiere this Sunday, whether it’s for the game, the half-time show or strictly the commercials. Here are a few leaked ads to keep an eye out for on Sunday. From Budweiser and T-Mobile, to Pokemon celebrating its 20th anniversary, we’re excited to watch the big game…  Read more

Company bids a not-so-fond farewell to a rough year in 2015 with new advertising campaign I suspect few organizations were happier to see 2015 from their rear-view mirror than Subway. Last April, Russell Taylor, who headed the Jared Foundation – named for long-time Subway pitchman Jared Fogle – was arrested on child pornography charges. Taylor…  Read more

At Martin Davison Public Relations, we see social media as integral in the ever-changing PR world. We know the importance of using social media to enhance marketing and PR strategies and reach influencers and members of the media. We also know how tough it can be to keep up with the daily avalanche of content…  Read more

Your Holiday gift guide to a successful year of earned media in 2016 I enjoy media relations; good old-fashioned publicity. It’s challenging yet very rewarding successfully pitching a feature story, arranging for an interview, positioning a spokesperson as a thought leader to address a particular topic currently in the news, or issuing an advisory that…  Read more

Hallow’s Eve is a time for the year’s most talked about PR blunders and pop culture stories to materialize in the form of costume. Gone are the days of tossing a sheet over your head and calling yourself a ghost. You must walk a fine line in your costume choice: Ironic, but not too ironic.…  Read more

(Photo Courtesy of WGRZ) Our Martin Davison PR team weighs in on the Totes McGoats phenomenon, analyzing the PR impact and potential of this creepy mascot from Niagara Falls. Brilliant strategic PR move or accidental genius? Tell us what you think. Oliver Hays (Senior PR Manager): So this Totes McGoats character is breaking the internet;…  Read more

The recent resurgence of Buffalo continues to amaze, from the transformation of downtown to the thriving startup community to the growth of our medical campuses and international companies like New Era Cap, Delaware North and Rich’s Products. We’re honored to be a part of this evolution, and we were thrilled to have our Principal/Chief Creative…  Read more

In this era of content, the press release is an optimal tool to promote news about your organization. Press releases keep you top of mind for members of the media, and give you a steady, current stream of new information on your own website and social media platforms. Did you hire a new employee? Sponsor…  Read more

The Institute for Crisis Management (ICM) recently released its annual report for 2014 and if you think crises facing businesses and other organizations are on the decline you better think again. The annual report, a compilation of news, trends and the identification of industries most prone to a crisis, identified more than 223,000 crisis news stories…  Read more

With this week’s announcement by Bills President Russ Brandon that the Bills have set an all-time record for season ticket holders with 57,500 (and counting), it’s obvious that Western New York is bleeding blue and red as much as any time since the Super Bowl years. Considering the fact that the team hasn’t made the playoffs…  Read more

I moved back to Buffalo nearly seven years ago, so I’ll gladly take credit for the renaissance that is going on in Western New York.  The Buffalo/Niagara Medical Campus, Canalside, HarborCenter and the seemingly constant renovation of historic gems have this area booming for the first time in most of our lifetimes. The greatest thing about…  Read more

By Dick Shaner, Jr. The annual Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Excalibur Awards have been a rite of spring for Western New York PR practitioners for more than a quarter of a century. Conducted by the PRSA Buffalo Niagara Chapter and taking their name from the legendary sword of King Arthur, the awards honor…  Read more

By Kevin Heffernan Brand Coordinator Aside from my work at TMG, I recently started a very small business that is navigating its way through various social media platforms while we seek to grow our brand. Through various trials with Facebook and Twitter, we found our strength on Instagram because of its emphasis on public interaction…  Read more

Motivated by our recent work for Imagine Staffing (which featured children whose imagination could inspire their professional futures), we decided to poll the TMG staff on what their young selves wanted to be when they grew up. The answers were insightful, and eye-opening. Let us know what inspired you as a child in the comments…  Read more

Sunday’s Super Bowl was the most-watched in the event’s history, with 114.5 million U.S. viewers and topping out at 120 million during the crazy ending that saw the Patriots beat the Seahawks 28-24. Does that mean advertisers who ponied up $4.5 million for a 30-second spot got their money’s worth? As always with the Super…  Read more

You’ve got the chance of a lifetime: your client ponied up the crisp $4.5 million it took to buy 30 seconds on the Super Bowl this year. Your job is to make the most of this potentially life-changing opportunity to put your ad in front of the biggest audience in the world. It won’t be easy, though.…  Read more

Inspiration can come from the strangest places. So when a Friday afternoon Creative Team debate over the best Fake Brands of all-time picked up steam, it blossomed into an office-wide email chain and enchanting journey through some memorable creations from TV and film. What the heck are we talking about? Though product placement has become an…  Read more

It’s been a crazy year in the advertising, marketing and public relations worlds, as media continues to evolve and digital and social platforms demand more time and influence. We at The Martin Group would like to wish you the happiest of New Years, and we look forward to working with you all in 2015. To put a…  Read more

The Holidays bring friends and family together, and for better or worse every year creates new, lasting memories. The unending avalanche of Christmas cookies in our office helped jar loose some great childhood memories from the TMG staff, so please enjoy this trip down memory lane. We hope everyone has an amazing holiday season with…  Read more

November’s Winter Storm Snowvember shut down many parts of Western New York, but didn’t stop TMG Social Media Manager John Jiloty from illustrating the storm’s effects online. Trapped in the Southtowns, John posted a host of Vine videos and photos on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram through his own accounts and TMG’s. Meanwhile, a reporter from…  Read more

Between opening a new Rochester office to acquiring the assets to Travers Collins to doubling in size and increasing our revenue 50% to being recognized by Buffalo Business First as one of WNY’s Fastest Growing Companies and Best Private Companies, it’s been a great year at The Martin Group. We have an amazing team and…  Read more