One of EP’s clients, Confluence Watersports, was recently voted one of the top three outdoor companies according to the ‘SNEWS Annual Retailer Survey.’ As a marketer, this reminds me that the distribution channel is one of the most important components of a successful marketing strategy. In advertising, it is often easy to overlook these channels and focus on the sexy consumer marketing programs, but what good is consumer demand if nobody wants to sell your product?

This kind of recognition shows Confluence’s commitment to the relationships it has with its customers. So congratulations to their team and keep up the great work!

It’s that time of year when all of the experts, pundits, bloggers and whatnot are posing that favorite year-end/new-year question, “What does the future hold?” While these musings tend to include prophesies on things like the wide worlds of economy, technology and healthcare, I admit I usually prefer following upcoming trends from the worlds of Bauhaus, Bourdain and Balenciaga.

Whatever the poison or passion, when a video demonstrating SixthSense technology hit my laptop screen, I was sucked in like poor Carol Anne Freeling. Here you can see the SixthSense inventor, Pranav Mistry, using the wearable device that enables interaction between the real world and the world of data. Whatever you do, be sure to hang on until the six-minute mark where the fun really begins.

In light of the recent articles about Comcast purchasing a majority stake in NBC, the question being asked to consumers is “Would you pay for NBC content if you got your TV content from another provider (Verizon FiOS, Direct TV, etc…)?”

Whether or not you think it will happen, the question is interesting. As more and more communications companies are trying to find ways to avoid just being the “pipe,” crossover into content is a logical move. Exclusive content has always been a competitive diferentiator between TV providers, Direct TV’s deal with Sunday NFL Ticket for example, but to my knowledge it has never really extended as far as the major networks.

I doubt NBC would want to restrict the viewing audience for its mainstay programming for non-Comcast subscribers, but it certainly opens the door for extra exclusives, pre-releases, Etc. for Comcast subscribers.

It will be interesting to watch unfold.

The latest issue of Forbes Magazine on newsstands now includes an article by Chris Steiner about hiring in this challenging economic atmosphere. 

The story, “Look Who’s Hiring Now: Inquire Within” includes information about EP’s growth, mentions several clients and quotes Joe Erwin. 

Take a look.  It’s an intriguing, broad exploration of where things stand and what may be next…  

They say you haven’t lived until you’ve stared across the Grand Canyon, gazed up at the Eiffel Tower, or watched a grown man eat a pie with no hands. And that may very well be true.

However, if you ventured out to the softball field this fall, you saw a few other things that defied the imagination. Diligent AEs churning up a cloud of dust as they dove into third and came up smiling. Clever creative directors throwing mind-bending curveballs and looping knucklers. Polite accountants stepping up to the plate as fans went wild and the opposing pitcher began to tremble.

The EP Bombers co-ed softball team finished the season 7-3 and came in second in the league championship. Players came from all over the agency and represented Erwin-Penland well by always playing hard and being great sports, and the team had a blast playing other organizations from around Greenville. The Bombers maintain a proud tradition of competitive play from year to year, so swing by next fall and see the team in action. Until then, check out photos from this season.

As 2010 fast approaches, agencies and clients alike are looking forward and are in the planning stage for next year’s efforts.  EP’s Vice President and Director of Strategic Planning, Roger Beasley was recently interviewed by ourblook.com and shared his thoughts on the future of advertising, social media and more…

OurBlook.com combines the online atmosphere of a blog with the researched, in-depth analysis of a book. The online community is a collaborative resource created and used by academics, public policy officials, and journalists.

Take a look.