C&S Creative Named Top 25 Women-Owned Businesses

PARK CITY, UT (Dec. 7, 2011) –– Park City’s premier marketing firm, C&S Creative Services, was listed among Utah Business magazines’ “Top 25 Women-Owned Businesses” based on revenue generated in 2010. C&S ranked #23^rd in the October 2011 issue.

Founded by Cathy and Skip Slusher in 1987, the full-service advertising agency began 25 years ago as a mom-and-pop boutique and has emerged as an award-winning creative agency with an impressive track record. Ms. Slusher says that hard work and determination have been the key to the agency’s success.

“Each year presents a different challenge,” says Ms. Slusher, noting that C&S has always been able to produce impressive work with low overhead and a remarkably lean staff.

“During the economic boom after the 2002 Olympics, we were able to provide an incredible volume of high-quality work with just five full-time people, while most of our competitors with similar billings had 10 or more staffers.”

As a result, C&S has weathered many storms, from surviving the lull just after 911 to working on shoestring budgets currently resulting from the Great Recession.

“These are the toughest times since we began C&S 25 years ago,” Ms. Slusher contends, “and it’s important to stay agile and resourceful, which can be challenging.”

“Our ability to provide quality work based in sound strategy at a fair price saves us,” she says.

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C&S Creative Services has operated from Park City, Utah, since 1987. Now in its 25^th year in business, the advertising, public relations, strategic marketing firm has won national recognition for creativity, and prides itself on shared successes with showcase clients.  For more information, call 435-649-1234 or cathy@cscreate.com.

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Web Web Web

Web, web, web. That’s all I hear when I talk to prospective clients about their marketing. While a good website is imperative in today’s business world – or even a mediocre one – nothing replaces the value of a good, old-fashioned marketing plan. Clients so often forget they must drive people to their websites by building their brands, raising awareness, and creating a reason for customers to call.

A brochure like this one goes a long way in lending credibility to a company or product.

Whoever implies that the web by any means replaces all other marketing methods is sadly mistaken and in for a great surprise when customers do not render the responses they seek.  A hardy handshake, a personal note, a follow-up telephone call all go far beyond the click of a website; and any more, result in the credibility today’s consumers so deeply value.

Brochures, ads, fliers, mailers continue to be incredible ways to get the word out. Believe it or not, these “antiquated” marketing tools are cost-effective, contribute to building a company’s image, and offer a shelf life of more than 30 seconds. A good printed piece usually sticks around for a while, albeit in a drawer or on the fridge, and often results in an actual telephone call.

While the value of web advertising should not be taken for granted, overlooking basic and proven marketing mechanisms is detrimental. Afterall, what would grocery shopping be if not for the infamous coupon section of the newspaper? Or how about those Budweiser Clydesdales on TV? Even ticketless travel results in a print out.

Happy Thursday!

A Ray of Sunshine

Yesterday’s passage of Prop 2 sent a monumental message about residents of Park City and Summit County and the state of the local economy.  In spite of a deep recession, people here value the resort lifestyle and are committed to preserving it.

The Snyderville Basin Special Recreations District has been given the green light to spend $20 million to purchase open space and complete paved trails.  Park City residents and tourists will continue to hike, bike and trek amid miles of vast beauty – beyond the offerings of many resorts throughout the world. What’s more, the future looks bright as the county has been given the go-ahead to purchase prime land eyeballed by big-box developers and hotel chains that will instead be preserved as open space in perpetuity.

Residents of Summit County have communicated that they have faith in our economic future, and are emotionally and financially dedicated to enhancing the tremendous quality of life here.  In spite of difficult times, locals have expressed their desire for and appreciation of Summit County’s wide-open spaces and ongoing trails, and are committed to spending personal money to strengthen that offering.

A ray of sunshine during gloomy economic times, this makes me proud to be a resident of Summit County, Utah, and happy to be raising my children here.

Cathy Slusher

Principal
C&S Creative
www.cscreate.com

Fast Results During Slow Times

Fretting and fumbling over the sluggish business week, I thought the worst was here to stay.  Maybe it was fall break and everyone was preparing to flee town.  Maybe the recent bright, sunny days drew decision-makers out of the office to catch the final warm-weather hikes or mountain bike rides of autumn rather than scheduling marketing meetings to strategize over winter business. Or maybe, just maybe, no one has any money to spend and the end is near for all.

Main Street, Park City, UT

Racking my brain for new ways to connect with customers, I pounded the pavement, drove around Park City, talked to other business types who were out and about with no particular places to go, then headed back to the office with a heavy sigh.

Endless Web searches and a staff brainstorming session resulted in just a little bit of clarity – the notion that new business was perhaps at the tip of my fingertips, in the heart of my computer keyboard.

I updated my social networks and befriended everyone I could on LinkedIn and the dreaded Facebook, sent a sales letter offering a special $500 brochure to preferred customers, and with the help of my colleagues, put together a timely e-blast announcing our recent move to Bear Hollow Village.

Shazam! Low and behold, the phones started ringing, my e-mail filled up, and a glimmer of hope changed not only my attitude, but that of everyone in the office.  I have three meetings scheduled and the possibility of at least one new project in the works. I slept a whole lot better last night and treated myself to lunch.

While these small, positive gestures might have been overlooked back in the day, in light of the present economy, they bring much relief to the fear and frustration from not knowing how we’ll fare this year, or next, or in the years to come. Of course, all we have to fear is fear itself – yeah, right – but that’s a tough sell come Thursday afternoon after a hard week of cold calling.

Here’s the great news:  Proactive marketing, whether an inexpensive brochure, a simple e-blast to friends and colleagues, or posting a blog to the C&S website, continues to work. Strategic planning along with innovation and tenacity continue to generate valuable leads resulting in increased revenue.  And, small marketing gestures, from simple fliers, to direct mail, to e-blasts, prove fruitful even in tough economic times.

Happy Thursday!

Cathy Slusher

President