16Sep 2018 by Kevin Walker No Comments

Going Beyond The Headline, Tackling Tough Topics

Blog, Documentaries, Featured
As a journalist, I love to tell stories. As a documentary film producer, I want to explore tough topics. As a dad, I'll do anything to protect my children and give them a healthy, happy life. When a project comes along that offers all three, it's no coincidence. I believe it's meant to be. Two years ago, Mickle Communications took on the topic of teen depression and suicide. We decided to bring awareness after a rash of suicides in our community. Some hit close to home. Two girls from our school district committed suicide within one month of each other. One was a recent graduate who had just begun her college education. The other was a 12 year old child. As a journalist, I wanted to tell the story of those…
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06Jul 2018 by Kendall Howard No Comments

The Rise Of Social Media In Business Communications

Blog, Social Media
The rise of social media presents unparalleled opportunities for businesses to sell their products and services to large, targeted audiences. According to socialmediatoday.com, the average American spends about 30 percent of their daily online time on social media, where they will be exposed to a huge variety of content. Traditional marketing methods are facing a time of change. While television and radio use are still relevant, the tables are quickly turning with the rise of Video on Demand services and internet radio. To ensure marketing reach isn’t lost as more people “cut the cord”, businesses must adapt to make social media their new place to market their content and products, or risk going under due to not adapting – consider Kodak and the rise of the digital camera. Perhaps the…
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25Apr 2018 by Kevin Walker No Comments

Bettendorf Rotary Lobsterfest Coming June 9th

Blog, Featured
This year, as every year, the 12th Annual Bettendorf Rotary Lobsterfest will offer the community an evening of quality dining, friendship and support. But according to Tim Lane, President of the Bettendorf Rotary Club, the event has a unique aspect that is rarely discussed. “What many people do not realize about Lobsterfest’s proceeds,” Lane said, “is that 100 percent goes back to the community.” Lane added that expenses for staging the event do not come out of the proceeds. “Lobsterfest expenses are offset by our generous corporate sponsors,” he said. In addition to ticket sales, event funds are also raised through cash donations, a raffle, live and silent auctions, a Wine Pull, and a ‘Grab for Grub’ competition. Lobsterfest will be held 5:30 to 10 p.m. Sat., June 9, 2018,…
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03Apr 2018 by Kevin Walker No Comments

Quad City Symphony Presents Tchaikovsky This Weekend

Blog
[caption id="attachment_2085" align="alignright" width="234"] 4 T[/caption] This season, the Quad City Symphony Orchestra (QCSO) Masterworks series has provided a global tour of beloved classical works. The series concludes by recognizing the outstanding contributions of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky to Russian music. On April 7 and 8, music lovers in the Quad-Cities area will enjoy three Tchaikovsky selections when the QCSO presents Masterworks VI: Postcards from Russia. Masterworks VI will be held 8 p.m., April 7, at the Adler Theatre, 136 E. 3rd St., Davenport, IA, and 2 p.m., April 8, at Centennial Hall, Augustana College, 3703 7th Ave., Rock Island, IL. “Tchaikovsky is synonymous with great Russian music,” said Mark Russell Smith, QCSO Music Director and Conductor. “He is arguably the most well-known of Russian composers.” Postcards from Russia will feature…
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05Feb 2018 by Mike Winter No Comments
Marketing and Demographics: The Driving Forces in Building Revenue

Marketing and Demographics: The Driving Forces in Building Revenue

Blog, Featured, Social Media
Are you a crazed sports fan, foodie, movie critic, or book lover? In society, many of us are broken into groups and categories, based on important information about us, as well as our likes and dislikes. Most people identify with these groups and categories. In fact, people pride themselves on having these characteristics, and it also brings folks together as … well, groups! Such traits have become so embedded into our culture that often, they are passed down from parents to their children. For example, some families may be Chicago Bulls fans throughout multiple generations. These traits and behaviors can define demographic audiences, and these demographics offer valuable information. According to www.merriam-webster.com, Demographics is described as 1: the statistical characteristics of human populations (such as age or income) used especially…
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26Jan 2018 by Kevin Walker No Comments

Quad City Symphony Orchestra’s ‘Postcards from Venice’ Offers Merriment and Romance

Blog
For centuries, the city of Venice, Italy, has been held in high esteem for its art and architecture. It has also been a source of inspiration for composers, filmmakers, authors, and poets around the world. This highly desirable travel destination receives up to 30 million tourists a year. On February 3 and 4, Postcards from Venice, the fourth entry in the Quad City Symphony Orchestra (QCSO) Masterworks concert series, will allow Quad-Cities area music enthusiasts to sample the musical essence of this celebrated cultural hub.   Masterworks IV: Postcards from Venice will be held 8 p.m., February 3, at the Adler Theatre, 136 E. 3rd St., Davenport, IA, and 2 p.m., February 4, at Centennial Hall, Augustana College, 3703 7th Ave., Rock Island, IL.   The program will feature seven musical selections, starting with Gioachino…
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16Jan 2018 by Mike Winter 1 Comment
Marketing and Sales: What’s The Difference?

Marketing and Sales: What’s The Difference?

Blog, Featured, Social Media
Marketing and Sales: what’s the difference? Sometimes it seems like the two terms are used interchangeably. In fact, these terms are so interwoven, it can be hard to tell where the concept of Marketing ends and the art of Sales begins. They are two completely different entities that both focus on revenue, but without one, you cannot have the other, they support and compliment one another. According to www.diffen.com, Marketing is, by definition, “the systematic planning, implementation and control of business activities to bring together the buyer and seller.” Also, Sales is, by definition, “a transaction between two parties where the buyer receives goods, services, and/or assets in the exchange for money, an agreement between a buyer and seller.”   Often, smaller organizations/startups struggle to get the business they desire because…
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02Jan 2018 by Mike Winter No Comments
Word-of-Mouth Marketing: Controlling a Natural Phenomenon

Word-of-Mouth Marketing: Controlling a Natural Phenomenon

Blog, Featured, Social Media
Have you ever talked to a friend or colleague about a business, a specific good, or a service? Of course: most people have! Sharing reviews in this technology-savvy age has never been easier and has become very common among shoppers – it’s practically a natural phenomenon, as omnipresent as the weather. This occurrence is called word-of-mouth (WOMM) marketing and companies often hope they can rely on its benefits. However, they may not realize that they can strategically channel this behavior to their benefit. According to Investopedia.com, word-of-mouth marketing is “when a consumer’s interest for a company’s product or service is reflected in their daily dialog.” Meaning, if you are interested in some good or service, you’re naturally drawn to telling someone about that experience. However, you’re also compelled to tell…
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14Dec 2017 by Mike Winter No Comments
Does Your Brand Have Enough Sizzle?

Does Your Brand Have Enough Sizzle?

Blog, Clients, Featured, Marketing, Publication, Social Media
Imagine you’ve recently moved to a new city, or maybe you’re on vacation in a state or even country you’ve never visited before. It’s a new area and you’re unfamiliar, perhaps even a little culturally shocked. You’ve just landed, and you hear that grumble in your stomach. You’re thinking it would be great to have a home-cooked meal, but you know that isn’t going to happen. So, what do you do? You look for something you can relate to, something you recognize. After carefully observing the area, something appears: it’s the familiar sign of one of your favorite restaurants. You know when you enter, you’ll be able to order something you’ve once enjoyed. This is called brand recognition and it’s done by design. Does your product or service have a…
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27Nov 2017 by Kevin Walker No Comments

Quad City Symphony Orchestra Presents Postcards from Scandinavia

Blog, Clients
 Scandinavia is a breathtaking region in northern Europe that includes Denmark, Norway, and Finland, among other countries. On December 2 and 3, Postcards from Scandinavia, the third entry in the Quad City Symphony Orchestra (QCSO) Masterworks concert series, will provide Quad-Cities area music lovers with a symphonic tour of that majestic realm. Masterworks III: Postcards from Scandinavia will be held 8 p.m., December 2, at the Adler Theatre, 136 E. 3rd St., Davenport, IA, and 2 p.m., December 3, at Centennial Hall, Augustana College, 3703 7th Ave., Rock Island, IL. The program will feature three musical selections, beginning with Danish composer Carl Nielsen’s Overture to Maskarade, the comedic national opera of Denmark. Next, the Piano Concerto of Norway’s Edvard Grieg will feature piano virtuoso Charlie Albright, who will astound you…
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