When is the last time you have walked into a store just to try on that shirt and redeem the coupon you received via email last month? The last time you’ve checked the reviews on that electronic you’ve been anticipating for a year, just to wait in line for 6 hours on the day it is released at Best Buy? Is it that we are becoming more impatient and comfortable with a screen controlling our purchases? Or could it be that buying online is the most efficient and economical option for today’s society?

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This year, we saw a one-minute Super Bowl spot from Toyota featuring a Paralympic athlete and the journey she took to increase her chances of winning a gold medal. Heartwarming and inspiring—no cars were featured in the ad, which promoted the phrase, “When we’re free to move, anything is possible.” So what does this say about what we value as consumers? Are features and benefits our main concern? The fact is, in a world with so much variety, availability, and interconnected commerce, we subscribe to the brands we choose to invest loyalty in, not the products we choose to buy.

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It’s February and love is in the air. The time has come for red and pink to color our worlds and to celebrate those we hold dear.

Whether you’re looking for the perfect romantic spot for you and your significant other, or you’re just ready to treat yourself to a meal that you deserve, there’s a place for everyone in Austin this Valentine’s Day. Known as a destination for culinary invention and gourmet classics alike, Austin continues to bring delicious and delectable food to its people year after year. Here at HMG, we have compiled a list of some of the newest restaurants and dives for a taste of the best that this city has to offer.

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Hello hello, I’m Courtney Bateson, HMG’s new Marketing Coordinator. I am so thrilled that my journey has brought me here, and I can’t wait to dive into this role to give it my all.

Born and raised in the north of England, I’m a lover of all things creative. Traveling, photography and food are my main points of interest and I usually find a way to combine the three in my spare time. I studied Marketing Management at University in Manchester and it was here where I had the opportunity to study abroad. Enticed by the scorching hot summers and the endless supply of BBQ that Texas had to offer, I chose to study at Texas Tech University. Next thing I knew, I was in the high plains of Lubbock, adapting to a new academic system and integrating into a completely different culture. I screamed with excitement when I saw a tumbleweed rolling down the street for the first time – embarrassing, I know.

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As we all know, SXSW is just around the corner, which means expansive opportunities for the exchange of new ideas, the introduction of multiple industry advancements and crowds of the biggest and brightest innovators of our day and age. Keeping up with the constant stream of developing media and technology can be a big task. Fear not. This time around, we’re bringing you the top 5 panels that will aid in staying on the cutting edge of branding and marketing. Learn what makes these some of the most instrumental topics for the future of our industry.

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Just when you thought you had SEO all figured out…

We all know Google has cracked down on keyword stuffing, internal linking and much more when it comes to blog content, but it’s time to make some changes—again. Google’s new algorithms penalize you if your internal links don’t directly expand on another topic. I can already see the organization freaks (much like myself) losing it over this new algorithm, but don’t fret. Run with it by integrating pillar pages.

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Social media and messaging apps have led to the evolution of bots. A bot is a computer program that automates certain tasks by chatting with a user through a conversational interface like a messaging app. Interactions with bots can be straightforward such as asking a bot for the location of a restaurant, or more complex, like troubleshooting your internet service. In a world of immediacy and instant demand, simply offering an app won’t cut it anymore. Consumers expect an immediate response when it comes to customer service, and bots offer quality service before the customer even comes across an issue. If you haven’t invested in bots quite yet, here are a few reasons you should consider:

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Apple has had an exciting year with new Macbooks, iPhones, Apple watches, and plenty of new updates to keep their consumers on their toes. Not only has Apple been coming out with new products, they have also been updating their software in order to enhance user experience. Specifically, the updates to the new App store and Safari browser are substantial enough that they are likely to greatly impact your business’ marketing strategy. Here’s what you need to know about Apple’s latest software update that could change the way you market to your consumers:

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Festivities and events are on the rise as the fall and winter seasons approach, and as a full-service marketing agency, we are well aware of the design and print needs of most companies during this time of the year. HMG Creative is offering major savings on high-quality design work and commercial printing throughout the month of November as events and company parties continue to creep closer and closer. Continue…

In history classes growing up, we’ve studied the importance of the printing press and how it led to a revolution: the rise in literacy rates and the spread of knowledge across the world. More recently, however, we have encountered another revolutionary invention that democratized the digital world and pioneered graphic design. The introduction of the Macintosh computer in 1984 changed the design world forever with its featured font menu. After taking a calligraphy class at Reed College, Steve Jobs understood the importance of typeface and later integrated this feature into his computer. This type menu has transformed design forever and become an integral part of artistic composition. As you devise your branding and marketing efforts, keep in mind the importance font plays in identifying with target audiences, gaining the attention of consumers and creating an image that resonates with them.

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