We want you to know our deep, dark secrets about advertising. That's why were posting them right here to this blog. Yes, they won’t be secrets anymore, but that's the point. We want to share our knowledge, insight and news with the world. Information is free.
Think of this as less "Dear Diary" and more as Omni’s personal tidbits about marketing.
Car loan approval rates are improving
According to a recent story by the on MSNBC.com, Car loan rates are improving. Loan approval rates for the people with the highest credit score ratings jumped to 90 percent from a previous 70 percent, while approvals for middle-tier credit (ratings of 620-750) jumped to above 82 percent. Approvals for the lower credit rating, below 620, are around 9 percent.
Read the entire article here.
Mario Lopez Blast Interview
Celsius spokesperson Mario Lopez was recently interviewed by Blast, Bostons Online Magazine.
Mario Lopez, host of “Extra,” was at this year’s Health and Fitness Expo at the Hynes Convention Center promoting healthy living through his new book “Extra Lean.”
Along with Lopez, the expo featured Shawn Thornton from the Boston Bruins, Krista White — winner of America’s Next Top Model — Teddy Bruschi from the New England Patriots and other well-known celebrities. People crowded the entire first floor of the expo, which was divided into sections: health screenings, cooking demonstrations, a dancing stage, food samples, and fitness activities.
Upon entering the Expo, Mario was on stage cooking a recipe from his book. I waited for him in the Celsius section which featured the Fitness Age Challenge, a computerized fitness assessment program to learn one’s real “fitness age”. Mario is the spokesperson for Celsius and is promoting their new summer campaign the “Ultimate Workout Challenge”. I spoke with him about his new book Extra Lean, how he stays fit, and he told me what it was like to be on Dancing With the Stars.
BLAST: What inspired you to write fitness and health books?
MARIO LOPEZ: I love the health and wellness industry, and as I’ve gotten older, the things that I’ve learned and applied in my own life I want to share with others. I hope that what I’ve written helps change lives.
BLAST: In your book Extra Lean, you say you live extra lean. What does this philosophy mean to you?
ML: Extra lean is a philosophy and approach toward food in general. It means living healthy in all aspects of life, beginning with how we embrace and enjoy food. It is not a diet book, but a food book with principles that I believe in and live daily. I want to help people because it is a scary thing to manage weight when you do not know what to do. The three things I want people to remember are to eat carbs, protein, and fat at every meal. I want them to eat frequently throughout the day and practice portion control. The dedication to one’s health through food will allow so many other areas of life to come alive; from relationships to the economy, disease prevention and longevity. It all starts at the table.
BLAST: Through your book, how can one live their life according to this philosophy?
ML: The way to live the philosophy is to renew your mind when it comes to food. A true paradigm shift needs to occur. Because it’s not about what you can’t eat, but it’s about putting food to work in your favor, helping you feel and perform at your best.
BLAST: My favorite aspect of your book is your seven day meal plan (Seven Windows of Opportunity), which includes muffins, a tropical smoothie, fresh tomato pita pizza, and chicken enchiladas. I love how your meal plan does not deprive people of what they want to eat. What is the most important aspect you want readers to remember?
ML: The book breaks it down and explains the principles, but it keeps you motivated because the results will come quick. It’s amazing when you cut calories how much weight you lose. I encourage people to have a cheat meal every week like pizza because you are still living extra lean. When it comes to the seven windows of opportunity, the most important aspect is to treat your body like a small blaze. You don’t throw a huge log on a fire and hope it burns efficiently. No, you steadily and methodically put small quick-burning kindling on the flame. Our metabolism works the same way. Don’t worry if you don’t eat seven times, per se. Just make sure you’re constantly eating and allowing your inner fire to burn.
BLAST: What is the best way to practice making healthy choices in unlikely places?
ML: Once you incorporate the philosophy of living extra lean you can make those choices really easy. Eating out you should avoid anything fried and stick with grilled chicken, salmon, or pork. Almonds, bananas, and peanut butter are good for snacks and can be found in any convenient and grocery store. You learn to become aware of what you’re eating.
BLAST: What are your favorite meals to eat that help you stay fit?
ML: Some of my favorites are sweet potatoes, salmon, and chicken, but I still love Mom’s enchiladas (her recipe inspired my healthy chicken enchiladas in Extra Lean). That’s the important thing though, I’m too big a fan of food to exclude things I love. The key is to learn how to incorporate those foods into your lifestyle. I’ll never give up Mexican food and I’ll always stay in shape— so the two can go hand-in-hand. Also, drinking Celsius during the day helps me burn calories when I’m not working out and keeps me energetic throughout the day.
BLAST: When did you start using Celsius and how is it different from other energy drinks on the market?
ML: I started drinking Celsius a couple of years ago just because I had tried every energy drink out there. I like how it tastes; that’s the first thing that attracted me. Celsius has no sugar, no carbs, and low sodium. I like that it helps you burn calories it gives you a nice kick before you work out. Plus, it comes in other good flavors.
BLAST: Why is fitness so important to you?
ML: Well, fitness is a top priority in my life and has been for a while. I’m the Boys and Girls Club of America national ambassador of fitness and the governor and presidents counselor of physical fitness. It’s become a passion of mine.
BLAST: Do you have any workouts that you like?
ML: I like to mix it up, keep the muscles guessing. I like boxing a lot and dancing.
BLAST: Growing up did you have weight issues?
ML: “When I was a little kid I did. Obesity is prominently featured in my family. I wanted to help my family first and be an inspiration. Next I went through to my community and with the platform of my own show I can now help and inspire people on a national level.”
BLAST: You wrestled in high school. Did this help overcome your weight issues?
ML: Oh, absolutely. I grew up wrestling and also did dance. Being active in wrestling not only helped me lose weight and build muscle, but I think those days helped me form my foundation for my passion for fitness and competition. Just being active is always important. As I’m getting older, I learn to eat and drink right. I don’t drink sodas either.
BLAST: How did it feel to be competing with Emmit Smith on Dancing With the Stars?
ML: Emmit was great. From the football field to the dance floor, Emmit is a true champion. I was honored to compete with him. Everyone on the cast was great. I will never forget the experience.
BLAST: As host of Extra and America’s Best Dance Crew while acting, where do you find time to work out?
ML: It might sound cliche, but I get it in when I can fit it in. If I know my afternoon and evening are jam-packed, I’ll make sure to train before work. Basically, not training is not an option. Living a healthy lifestyle sometimes takes strategic planning. If you are serious about training and changing your body, you will find the time.
BLAST: Will you continue writing health and fitness books?
ML: Absolutely. Health and fitness will always be a big part of my life and career. I hope to continue doing my part to help America become a healthier, fitter nation.
Together or Not NU Experience Leads Brothers to Success through Different Journeys
When Keith and Ken Hudson first began attending Northwood University's Florida Campus in 1986, the two shared a plan to one day return home to manage their family's automotive dealerships in Columbia, S.C. Little did the brothers, 18 and 20 years old at the time, know that their Northwood experience would personally and professionally change the course of their lives.
"Prior to attending Northwood, we arranged a college visit to check out a few courses. ONce we experienced the small class sizes, focused attention, and industry-experienced professors, we knew that Northwood would prepare us to one day manage the family dealerships," said Ken, who transferred to Northwood from another college. "In addition to looking forward tot the Northwood experience, we were excited to experience the South Florida lifestyle. The idea of leaving South Carolina for Florida beaches, water skiing, and volleyball was something we looked forward to," he said with a smile.
"Being only 23 months apart in age, the boys were always very close. When it looked like they wanted to attend Northwood, I remember packing them up as they prepared to room together, while joking that either they were going to get even closer or they were going to kill each other," said their mom, Sybil Hudson. "They did survive the togetherness and made lots of college memories to talk about and laugh about for years to come. Our biggest surprise of this journey may have been meeting two girls at our first Auto Show who would become our daughter-in-law," she said smiling.
After settling in as roommates at Northwood's residence halls, the brothers quickly made friends with other automotive majors while studying hard, enjoying waterskiing, and visits to Singer Island on the weekends. But it was Northwood's Auto Show in 1987 which held the most significance for Ken. "My father came to visit us for the Auto Show and I had the luxury of driving him around campus in a golf cart to preview the show. As we approached the Acura tent, he pointed out two attractive brunettes who were representing the brand. I knew Saundra Consolo was soon to be engaged to someone else, but I got up enough nerve to approach her anyway," said Ken. "We ended up going to T.G.I. Friday's that weekend and became the best of friends," added Ken who has been happily married to Saundra for 17 years.
Keith Hudson and his wife Denise, Saundra Consolo's roommate, met at a Northwood Christmas party. "The funny thing is that I have the first time we me on camera", he said. "Back then it was quite unusual to have a video camera at a party, so we were filming everything. When I walked into a room at the party, there were these three women talking. One especially caught my attention," he said smiling. "Another gentleman grabbed the camera in time to catch me saying to her 'Hi, I'm Keith Hudson', real smooth of me," he said laughing. Keith and Denise are now married 15 years and have two daughters.
Ken and Keith, who continued rooming together, enjoyed college life and double dates with their girlfriends. And although they always knew that they had a lot in common, a few humorous differences became apparent as a "Felix and Oscar" roommate situation developed in which Keith was extremely neat and Ken was a bit disorganized. "Keith was the one keeping up the kitchen while I was spilling sugar everywhere," laughed Ken, who admitted to studying best while outside in different environments. "Looking back, I can see how our different personality traits played a role in leading us to where we are today. Keith is a successful automotive dealer with immaculately organized dealerships, while I work in a creative, spontaneous environment," added Ken who now has four children with Saundra.
"To this day, I can tell you to the penny the balance in my check book. He probably hasn't balanced his in a month," teased Keith, who has acquired and now owns several dealerships in South Carolina. "Thanks to my associate's degree in Automotive Marketing and my bachelor's degree in Marketing/Management, Northwood has provided me with the fundamentals needed to successfully manage and lead," added Keith, who later achieved his Master of Business Administration degree.
It was Professor Cheryl Pridgeon who made the biggest impact on Ken's choice to veer from his original plan of a career in automotive management. "Dr. Pridgeon made me realize how my creative energy could be used to my advantage. She insisted on case studies and classroom presentations which addressed almost all of the five senses. In addition to getting to know the audience and preparing presentation visuals and marketing plans which addressed our specific product and its distribution levels, we also had to evaluate the lighting, smell, and overall environment of the presentation space," he said.
"At some point, the marketing end of it took over my heart and my soul, and I realized it was really fun. When people ask me why I'm in the business of advertising and marketing and not back running my dad's dealership, I tell them about the time I spent at Northwood," said Ken, who graduated in 1990 with a dual major in Automotive Marketing and Advertising and is now Founder and CEO of Omni Advertising based in Boca Raton, Fla.
Constantly studying, strategizing, marketing, and fueling his passion to dominate the market of every product he touches, Ken knows what it takes to move consumers, even in challenging times. And when most of his peers are satisfied with single-digit growth percentage in their client's businesses, he has never been satisfied with anything less than double-digit growth. His devoted leadership and courage to fulfill his vision of achieving success for his clients is what make Omni Advertising a true champion among agencies.
Keith Hudson is the current Dealer Principal and President of Jim Hudson Buick-Pontiac-GMC, Saab, Inc. He has been responsible for running the day-to-day operations of the dealership since 1996. Prior to his position in Columbia, Keith was a Sales Consultant for three years at Pat Moran Oldsmobile-GMC Truck in Rochester Hills, Michigan. There he learned about the car business and studied how other successful GM Dealers ran their operations. This was an opportunity for Keith to witness firsthand how the top selling dealerships in the country were advertising, promoting, and marketing their products and services. Keith Hudson continues to carry on the family business philosophy of "Customer Satisfaction is our #1 Goal."
"You have kids and are proud of them becoming successful in business, but it's the fact that Keith and Ken live with their hearts outside instead of inside that reveals their strong Christian values," remarked Jim Hudson. "I wouldn't change a thing about the roads they've taken, and am most proud of the way they handle themselves while setting examples for other younger people," he said
Originally published in the Northwood Idea Summer 2010 issue.
Written by Susan McCreery
www.northwood.edu
Labadie Toyota Launches TenGrandTent.com
"Today, Labadie Toyota Scion launched its newest website, TenGrandTent.com. Tied into Labadie Toyota’s current advertising campaign, TenGrandTent.com will direct visitors to the dealerships main site, LabadieToyota.com, where they can search the pre-owned inventory, appraise their trade or apply for credit.
Labadie Toyota Scion is selling quality, late model, pre-owned vehicles including full-sized trucks, compact trucks, mid-sized SUVs and economy cars all for under $10,000 with prices starting at just $2,495.* All of the Labadie Toyota Scion pre-owned vehicles come with a CARFAX vehicle history report and an available 5-year 100,000-mile warranty.
Labadie Toyota Scion is located at 909 North Euclid Avenue in Bay City, Michigan. Labadie Toyota Scion is a client of Omni Advertising. *Plus tax, tag and title. See dealer for complete details.
Decemberadio Celsius Promotion Pictures
Here are some pictures of Decemberradio.
Click on the thumbnail below to view a larger image.
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Whatever it Takes
One thing about Omni Advertising is our boutique style... To you that means custom all the way from start to finish! Big shop.. Bigger output! Even though we grow we still keep it original!!! Our concepts are conceived then made by hand like any fine thing on this planet... Luxury cars, watches, cuisines & more. You see, attention to detail is part of our "Whatever it Takes" attitude. Here are a few pictures of our dev team hand drawing our next masterpiece...
Click to view full image:
Here is the final product ready for presentation!
The Art of Science
As an artist i find bit of creativity in alot of things. One of those things that gives me artistic inspiration is my pasion for science. I have always loved Nova & now Discovery Channel related topics... I found this exhibition hosted by Princeton University called " Art of Science". Last years theme was "found art". The main thing i want to share with you is that "These extraordinary images are not art for art’s sake. Rather, they were produced during the course of scientific research." Here is one Example submitted by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine:
Read more: Art of Science
January 2010 Omni News
Omni’s arsenal of kick ass auto marketers just got more lethal. We recently snagged two of the most dangerous dudes in automotive advertising this side of the western hemisphere and we’re about to unleash them as members of our Honda team.
Brett Butz and Chris Martin have more than 20 years combined automotive marketing experience. Over the past few years they worked at 22squared where they racked up close relationships (read: inside scoops) with over 90 Southeast Toyota dealers. These boys educated their dealers, they trained and consulted them, strategized for them, maximized their online presence, branded them, and then sent them off smiling with a slew of market share.
Besides Toyota, Brett and Chris have managed all aspects of Chevy Association and Dodge Association accounts. Their expertise includes developing fully integrated digital marketing plans – from paid search and display advertising, search engine optimization and social media strategies to email marketing and pay per click campaigns – that will knock your socks off. And now they’re bringing it all to Omni’s Honda Associations. So, eh hem, if you’re not Honda, be afraid. Be very afraid.
On a more civilized note...
Omni has a new artist! His name is Dave Cochran and he isn’t just any artist, either. This guy draws storyboards. Do you have any idea what that means? It means he can take the chicken scratch, stick figure, indecipherable-to-the-untrained-eye scribbles that come spilling from the curious minds lurking in our creative department and turn them into a series of communicable diagrams! He’s got over 20 years of experience in advertising design, he’s super talented and we’re proud to have him under Omni’s roof.
The New Digital Decade
From Advertising Age, here's a look at a handful of statistics that show how digital technology has become a huge presence in American households in the last decade -- and how we can make use of this shift in our marketing efforts.
Electric Car to Be Here in 2010?
According to Autoweek and a few other sites Nissan is moving full speed ahead with plans to introduce a pure electric car in 2010 for fleet customers in Japan and the United States. The Vehicle from Nissan is touring the USA. It is called the "LEAF Zero Emission Tour" and is expected to be on display in Las Vegas tomorrow through January 6th 2010. For Floridians it will be in Orlando from January 31 - February 2, 2010. On the LEAF site you can find the nearest tour destination & date for your area. Now we can see Mickey & Nissan's path to the future in one shot... When it comes to full electric vehicles at Omni, we are ALL EARS! ;)
Read more: AutoWeek.com
Read more: NissanUSA.com
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