Public Relations « Merriam Associates, Inc. Brand Strategies

Merriam Associates specializes in branding that gets results. Everything we do systematically generates leads, closes sales, boosts profits, and builds a solid reputation for your company and your products or services. Our background combines the rigor of global Fortune 500 companies with the tenacity of successful entrepreneurs.

Glenn Beck's Brand of Politics at the Restore Honor Rally

Merriam Associates doesn’t often cover politics, but when we found ourselves in Washington DC during the Glenn Beck Restore Honor rally, we couldn’t resist asking participants why they came, what they stand for and what they hope will happen next. We discovered the “Glenn Beck brand” of politics is different than portrayed and is broader [...]

Lisa Merriam NPR Interview on BP

Lisa Merriam interviewed on NPR about the fate of the BP brand

Scott Neuman of NPR asked me about the possible boycotts of BP. I explained that brand is not a driver for people buying gas. Location is most important. People will literally not drive across a median to reach a gas station on the [...]

When “Good Enough” Web Video is Great

Many companies worry about video quality and spend a fortune on slick production. While you should always aim for the best possible results, sometimes good enough is more than good enough. Very often, the simple and genuine communication trumps the sophisticated.

How a Cheaply Produced Web Video Wins

Take the example of Tino Gagliardi, a candidate for [...]

Web Video: Preparing your Message

Kayla Schwartz, speech and presentation coach, and media trainer, talks about preparing your web video message.

When thinking about the content of your video, it is important to consider goals, the needs and interests of your audience, and your central theme: your main message. All communication has a purpose. In your video, make sure you tell [...]

Web Video: Preparing Your Delivery

Kayla Schwartz, speech and presentation coach, and media trainer, talks about preparing to deliver your web video message.

While your message is the foundation of your communication, how you deliver it impacts its effectiveness. Here are five things to focus on when you deliver your message:
1. Connect with your audience. The person watching your video should [...]

Renaming a Political Maneuver

Brand names aim to be true and motivating. Not so the doublespeak of political brands. Case in point: Reconciliation is now Simple Majority.

Web Video: Thinking About the Visual Presentation

Kayla Schwartz, Speech and Presentation Coach, and Media Trainer, talks about the importance of what the audience will see in your video.

Your setting matters. The environment of your talk enhances the message you are conveying. Pick a place that is relevant to your message.

Similarly, the way you look impacts your message. You want to appear [...]

Heavy Equipment Branding

While buying a steam roller is very different from buying a can of soda, brand still matters. We talked to heavy equipment operators at work sites around the Chicago area to gather their opinions about construction equipment brands.

How Do the Brands Compare?
Caterpillar and John Deere are the dominant brands. While competitors have multiplied and [...]