Let’s Do The Time Warp

By FrancisArticles, Arts, CULTURE, FUN, Miscellaneous

I recently read (and mostly enjoyed) Stephen King’s latest novel, 11/22/63. Which, to make a very long story short, is a book involving time travel. For some reason, it’s reminded me of a real life King-ly story from my own past. So join me as we return to a balmy evening in 1978 — a couple … Read More

Can’t We All Just Get Along?

By FrancisArticles, CULTURE, Humor, Miscellaneous

This column was originally published in the January, 2012 issue of B-Metro Magazine. Now seemed like a good time to re-post it. Almost true story: A fine Southern lady and her daughter are taking a cab through New York, when the young girl asks about several brazenly-dressed women standing at a nearby street corner. “Well, sweetheart,” … Read More

When Clients Won’t Listen

By FrancisBUSINESS, Communications, General Biz

Several years ago, I was at lunch with a buddy who posed a question I’d stopped asking in the late-80’s. Namely, “Why is radio in Birmingham so bad?” The broad answer is, “Because radio everywhere is bad.” That said, this is not a Bash-Birmingham-Radio column. There are plenty of good people working in commercial radio. And … Read More

Choose Your Associates Wisely.

By FrancisBUSINESS, CULTURE, General Biz

Our web programmer Richard Thomas recently removed himself from consideration for a significant new business opportunity—after receiving a series of abrasive communiqués from the organization’s top executive (a physician). The last of which concluded with a direct order: “From now on, you will refer to me as Dr. [Whatever].” Shortly after that decision, Richard’s partner … Read More

Why Content Marketing May (Or May Not) Be Right For Your Business.

By FrancisBUSINESS, Communications, Content Marketing, THE AGENCY, Uncategorized, Work

In early 2011, I made a commitment to learning the fine art of building and promoting the agency’s brand through content marketing. Enter Michael Gass. A long-time ad agency vet specializing in New Business Development, Michael launched his own Content Marketing / Social Media consultancy in 2007. Since then, he’s taught the same fundamental system … Read More

A Brand & A National Campaign. In Two Weeks?

By FrancisBUSINESS, Communications, Content Marketing, Social Media, THE AGENCY, Uncategorized, Work

DromosPTM® is an operations-management software system for Specialty Pharmacies. It was developed in-house by Troy, Michigan’s Pharmacy Advantage — which is part of the nationally-ranked Henry Ford Health System. Our longtime friend and client Zane Tarence of Founders Investment Bank recommended Pharmacy Advantage engage us. The Challenge Founders and Pharmacy Advantage charged us with re-developing … Read More