Decade of Devotion
April 21, 2012 marked the 10-year anniversary of Ken Gibson’s employment at PUNCH. This makes Ken the most tenured member of our team and arguably one of our most important assets. read more >>
Inspired by what??
I don't know what happened, but it fell on me like a dump truck falling from a downtown building. read more >>
To Market, To Market.
Schooled by the South of the James Farmers Market. read more >>
Top Ten Things That Make Spring My Favorite Season
Spring has sprung! read more >>
Why Travel?
As a child, I was fortunate enough to have a family that was constantly on the move. I just didn’t know it till I became an adult.
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The Un-official, Official Office Mascot!
Here at PUNCH, Tinkerbell works hard to greet anyone who comes through the front door. read more >>
A Man + His Bike
If someone had told me six months ago that I was going to buy a motorcycle, I'd tell them they're crazy. It all started while tagging along with my 73-year-old father who was buying his first scooter. read more >>
No Digital Wax
Waxers, non-repro blue pencils, x-actos, hot lead, and typesetting machines and processors have given way to wires, laser printers, and computers small enough to carry under our arms.
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I’d Rather be Racing
Well the holidays have come and gone. I ate and drank my body weight it seems, and it's time to start getting back into playing shape. read more >>
I LOVE RVA
I’ve lived in Egypt, Senegal, and the Philippines, and out of all the places I could choose to bring my daughter up, I choose the old capital of the Confederacy. Why? read more >>
4…3…2…1…Happy New Year!
I’ve never believed in New Year’s Resolutions. Maybe it’s because something like 90% of people fail at them. read more >>
‘Tis the Season?
There’s no denying it—this is the time of year our wallets become a bit thinner. TV, radio, and newsprint are pushing DEALS OF THE CENTURY!, and we can’t seem to pass them up. read more >>
OMG that’s TMI…
...Or for those of you who don’t have 27 hours a day to spend on Facebook, that stands for, “Oh my gosh, that is too much information.” And what, pray thee tell, is too much information? read more >>
Opportunity
Moving your business, as anyone who has done this knows, is not an easy task. read more >>
What I Learned in the Quiet
iphone. target. laptop. google. kroger. email. GONE for one week.
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TOUGH MUDDER Check In
Ok, time for the update. And, while I may not have gotten to be a Tough Mudder, I did have to make a Tough Mother decision. read more >>
Stepping Over the Edge
There are times in your life when an opportunity comes along that is just too great to pass up. Even if that opportunity seems a little scary. read more >>
Who’s a TOUGH MUDDER?
Erin is counting on being one! read more >>
Take me out to the ballgame
PUNCH has a long history of throwing fantastic sporting events, all for the sake of good morale. read more >>
We’ve Come A Long Way, Baby
...we grew up during the golden years of advertising and were basically weaned on television... read more >>
What was your first real job?
My first job? At six years old, I handed (not handed out, ‘handed’) leaves at my grandmother’s tobacco farm. read more >>
Happy Birthday to Me
You can call me a dork.
For my birthday this year, I wanted to go on a small trip to celebrate. When I mentioned this to friends, they’d asked, “How exciting! Are you going to the Outer Banks? New York? Vegas?” read more >>
Neenah Paper PAPERWORKS Winner!
I sat down at my desk last Monday morning, checked my email, and was pleasantly surprised to find one message titled “Congratulations! You are a Neenah Paper PAPERWORKS Contest Winner!” Woo-hoo! read more >>
DRIVE THRU LEMONADE!
The first day it got hot this year, my five-year-old twins asked me, "Mom, are we gonna sell lemonlaid again at your wer'k?" read more >>
The Eagle Has Landed
It was 100° in the shade, but we still had a blast...and won 1st Place! read more >>
First-ever PUNCH Hat Contest!
We here at PUNCH love competition—it seems to help our creative spirit. read more >>
The PUNCH Ladies take on the “Let Your Man Dress You” Challenge
When the girls at PUNCH read an article about a girl who let her boyfriend pick out her clothes for a week, it really got them thinking. read more >>
But how does it work?
You can have a great Web site. It can have exciting graphics, informative copy and wonderful videos, but all of this means very little if you’re unable to drive traffic to your site. read more >>
Chalk Up the Town!
Now, that's what I call grassroots company advertising. read more >>
Makin’ Us Proud
An interesting thing happens en route from planting a wee lil’ seedling of a hair-brained scheme to growing it all the way into a full-grown bounty o’ warm sun-kissed harvesty goodness! read more >>
Discerning Taste
Here at PUNCH, we are constantly researching and sharing new techniques and trends in the design industry. read more >>
Tradition!
There are a lot of Christmas traditions I enjoy—trees, cookies, church services—but one of my favorites is seeing the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. read more >>
Over The Edge!
Rappelling off a 25-story building shouldn't be a problem for someone that used to clean windows on high-rises, right? Wrong. read more >>
Folkin’ Inspirational
We had perfect weather for both days of the 2010 Richmond Folk Festival—sunny, 80 degrees, and not a cloud in the sky. read more >>
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Tattoo Me.
If I could have had it my way, I would have been all tattooed up by the age of 16. read more >>
Anthem Moonlight Ride
It was the morning of August 21st and there was still a sense of uncertainty if I was going to participate in the 2nd annual Anthem Moonlight Ride. read more >>
PUNCH’s Month-long Obsession…
If I listen closely, I’m 95 percent certain I can still hear the monotone drone from stadiums all over South Africa chock full o’ vuvuzelas buzzing for 90+ minutes per game. read more >>
Maui!
For months, I had meticulously planned our trip to Maui. read more >>
Holidays: A time of reflection
Every year as the hustle and bustle of the holidays come upon us, we are given the opportunity to reflect upon the past year and look towards a new year to come. read more >>
Friending Man’s Best Friend
In this crazy world of emerging media there aren’t a lot of rules. This is one of the reasons why I find it so much fun. read more >>
What a Night
On November 5, 2009 my wife and I attended what has become my Christmas tradition. read more >>
Richmond Flying Squirrels Fantasy Campaign
I recently had the distinct pleasure of meeting Todd "Parney" Parnell, Vice President and COO of the Richmond Flying Squirrels. read more >>
Riding the Google Wave
Riding the Google Wave
As a Southern California native, I’m always drawn to the beach. So, when I started hearing all the buzz about Google’s latest creation, Google Wave, I was already on board. read more >>
What makes Facebook work? The Town Square Effect
What makes Facebook work? The Town Square Effect
A friend of mine told me a story last week about one of her colleagues who unexpectedly passed away. read more >>
“There’s an App for That!”
So, if there is an app for everything, does that mean your company needs to create an app, too? Maybe…or maybe not. read more >>
Kablamo!
After watching my husband’s dodgeball league games, I swore I’d never play dodgeball, but times they are a changin’. read more >>
Five-Minute Friends
Five-Minute Friends: You have had less then five minutes of interaction with an individual and they are now asking to be your “friend” on all your social networks.
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Tips for Protecting Your Privacy
Are you the type of person who has several deadbolts on your front door and an alarm or do you prefer to use just a simple lock and key to protect your home? read more >>
A Toolbox to Manage Your Emerging Media Communications
So you’ve heard the buzz about emerging media and you’re ready to begin. But you are already juggling more than enough for your business. read more >>
3rd Annual Anthem Quest for the Cure
It is a widely accepted and generally undisputed fact that Robert E. Lee was a Confederate general during the Civil War. What falls into hazier territory is the name of his horse. But I digress, we’ll revisit this in a moment... read more >>
Bill Rancic says, “Be Proactive, Not Reactive”
I had the opportunity to attend Richmond Biz Linc last week where Bill Rancic, first winner of The Apprentice, spoke. read more >>
PUNCH goes Over The Edge for Special Olympics
Ever since I was first introduced to PUNCH, it was very clear to me that community service was a big part of the company’s mission. read more >>
Our Fredericksburg Field Trip
In July, Justin and I dogsat for his parents in Fredericksburg for a week. I was excited because I had never been to Fredericksburg as a “tourist,” always to just visit family. So we gathered our cameras, walking shoes, and fanny packs and explored Fredericksburg for all its worth. read more >>
Worlds Collide in Advertising
Times are changing and publications need to catch up. read more >>
Solving the Puzzle of Twitter
This past Labor Day weekend my family went down to the Outer Banks... read more >>
Richmond Companies Brand Online
Each week I write this blog and then invite the community to come and discuss the topic at “Coffee with Kendall.” The idea is that by stimulating a conversation, businesses will be able to learn about the value of utilizing emerging media platforms as a resource to build their brand.
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Go do that to-do that you do so well
One thing that has always puzzled me about the iPhone, and the Mac, is the lack of a built-in Apple integrated planner. The whole reason I finally switched from a paper planner to the iPhone was that I apparently naively expected such features. read more >>
What Your Website Says About Your Brand
Traveling in cyberspace gives you the opportunity to walk into the virtual “home” of many different businesses. When you arrive at their front door, what is the experience you expect to have?
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Sometimes you’ve just got to jump in and swim with the sharks: Lessons learned from Sharkfest
Sometimes you’ve just got to jump in and swim with the sharks: Lessons learned from Alcatraz Sharkfest and how it applies to Emerging Media
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Facebook for Business: UVA and VT Face Off
One great evolution of Facebook has been how it has created a platform for businesses to connect and create a community of fans online. There are multiple options available for businesses and non-profits, but my favorite is the Facebook Fan Page.
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The first time I used Facebook
The first time I used Facebook it was because I had to. One of my friends put her wedding photos up on Facebook and it was the only way she was sharing them so I signed up to see her pictures.
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Rain and Herbs
Justin and I attended the 25th Annual Maymont’s Herbs Galore in the Spring. Since we planted a couple of herbs in our little garden, we wanted to see what we could add to our new project. read more >>
Twitter for Business
Twitter for Business
It is Week 2 in Summer Camp—emerging media style.
This week we are going to apply the skills we learned in Twitter Basics and use them for business.
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Off to Summer Camp-Emerging Media Style
This week I’ve been dropping my boys off at basketball camp every day. Listening to the coach talk to the group of kids reminded me of a few things about my work as well.
He said that 80 percent of the games during the season are won in pre-season training camp. If that is true, I think it is time we all did a little “Summer Camp” to get our game in shape for a great season! So, for all of you who thought you were too old for Summer Camp, over the next few weeks we’ll be going back to the basics with Emerging Media Summer Camp. You can catch the tips here on my weekly blog and can come by and discuss them in person at Coffee With Kendall every Thursday morning at 9:30 am at Ellwood’s Coffee.
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Finding your voice
Many companies are jumping aboard the emerging media train and finding it isn’t quite as easy as they imagined. Using emerging media tools can be a wonderful resource for any company but it is critical to have a clearly defined voice that best represents your brand. Here are some do’s and don’ts to help you along the way.
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Show Me the Social Good
Last week I wrote about the “Summer of Social Good”—an ongoing theme this summer to utilize Social Media to do social good. Mashable, a social media resource, branded “Summer of Social Good” to support four particular charities: World Wildlife Federation, Humane Society, Oxfam, and Livestrong.
There are too many great uses of social media for social good for me to be able to discuss them all here but I’ve listed a few for you to check out. Be sure to take note of the events right here in Richmond for the social good!
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Using Social Media for Social Good
There are so many great ideas and uses that have blossomed out of emerging media that it is sometimes difficult to keep up. One trend that I love is the Summer of Social Good that Mashable (an emerging media guide) has begun. The basic concept is to promote as much social good through the use of social media as possible throughout the summer. read more >>
Companies I Watch
As someone who enjoys watching companies innovate on a daily basis, here are a few I like. I’ve given you a variety of examples to show that emerging media can work for all different types of businesses. Ford sells products, Snag-a-job provides a service, and Martha Stewart sells a personality/lifestyle brand. read more >>
Leaving work at the door…
You would imagine, like most people, at the end of my day I’d like to shake off the pressure of my job and leave work at the door. But that is the curse of being a graphic designer—it is impossible to escape your profession. read more >>
The Art of Matte Stephens
Here's an artist I've recently discovered that I'm really inspired by: Matte Stephens! read more >>
Living in an Emerging Media World
As someone who is balancing a job and three kids, it is rare that I take a moment for myself to do something that is totally non-productive. Last Friday evening I decided to indulge myself and picked up my stack of magazines and relaxed in an unusually quiet home for a little “me” time. read more >>
Field of Fury
Ah, gone are the days of doing trust falls with your co-workers at corporate team-building events. Now, in this day and age of extreme sports, we at PUNCH like to embrace our team-building events head-on at 100 mph. Or so we at least thought... read more >>
Paper or Plastic?
I frequently hear buzz about becoming a “paperless office,” and while it sounds great in theory, and would obviously help the environment, I am not convinced it is the right thing for us (or many offices) to do. read more >>
Building your personal brand online
Businesses consistently ask me about building their brand online. As the population continues to use the Internet more and more, it is a great place for businesses to participate and share their brand. Interestingly, as individuals spend more time online, they are creating profiles or their own personal brands without even realizing it.
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Are you ready for Web 3.0?
Just when I thought I was getting a handle of Web 2.0, along comes Web 3.0!
Wikipedia describes Web 2.0 as being “characterized as facilitating communication, information sharing, interoperability, and collaboration on the World Wide Web.” One major effect of this is the huge surge in social networking and information sites we are currently seeing.
So if Web 1.0 is about putting information into a central place for me to find, and Web 2.0 is about sharing the information with my networks, what does Web 3.0 have in store? How about having information and friends recommended to you based upon the interests you’re already following?
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Choose your words wisely
Have you ever noticed how many different ways there are to say the same thing? This new field of emerging media is a perfect example. I’ve heard it called social media, new media, emerging media—and everyone is talking about the same thing. read more >>
Keeping up with Trends
Over the course of my years I’ve been able to participate in quite a few trends. It started with jelly shoes and moved on to big bangs, stonewashed jeans and the dreaded fanny pack. Oh, yes, I’ve always stayed up-to-date with the latest trends! read more >>
PUNCH 2.0
PUNCH is pleased to announce the launch of our newly redesigned Web site. This redesign will better illustrate our capabilities, provide a better view of our culture, and showcase the impact that our clients have on the community. read more >>
The buzz about Zappos
If you’ve spent any time checking out Twitter or Facebook for your business, you’ve probably heard the buzz about Zappos and how they are doing such a great job using emerging media to build the greatest online shoe store. read more >>
Earth Day Festival
On April 18, Justin and I ventured off to the Richmond Earth Day and Fish Festival in the Manchester Warehouse District. read more >>
Be. Think. Do.
Here at the PUNCH blog we’ve created three categories that just about any topic will fit into, “Be. Think. Do.” This has gotten me thinking about how almost every moment of our lives can fit into one of these categories. read more >>
Minding your manners online
Just about everyone I talk to these days is aware of the buzz around Social Media. Either you’ve jumped in wholeheartedly, are starting to test the waters, or are too overwhelmed by options to know where to begin. read more >>
What’s in a Name?
For years, I’ve been charged with naming businesses, products, and services. However, I’m now tasked with the ultimate challenge. Naming my baby boy due this August. read more >>
Heading Off to the Mountains
This Easter weekend, Justin and I packed up and left town! No, not for good, but to camp at Big Meadows Campground in the Shenandoah National Park. read more >>
Twist & Crawl
Spinning the best in vintage 60s garage beat, mod soul, freakbeat, rocksteady, & surf. read more >>
I Have a Dream
I should have paid better attention during math class when I was in school. Then maybe I wouldn’t find tutoring 4th graders in math so darn hard. read more >>
Faison’s Amazin’ Pumpkin-Palooza
Ah yes, it’s truly autumn indeed, that magical time of year! We’re in our heavy sweaters with hot cider in hand, watching the leaves start to fall. And what better way to accompany this sheer seasonal bliss than a full-on, cut-throat, megamundo pumpkin carving competition to end all competitions? read more >>
Mind, Body & Yoga
I started practicing yoga because I thought it would be an easy credit in college. Fast-forward to ten years later and I’m a certified yoga instructor. read more >>
Mixed Martial Erin
Who’da thunk that one day I’d be so excited to meet the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Welterweight Champion? More importantly, who would ever have guessed that I would know who that was? read more >>
PUNCH World Cup
We have a little philosophy that we abide by here at PUNCH, called "the art of impact." With that said, on Friday, May 30th, we hosted the first annual PUNCH World Cup. And believe me, there was plenty of impact and absolutely no art involved! read more >>
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