Create Matter Blog

Articles by James Dixson

Online Ad Spending Outpaces Print, But Does it Matter?

Online advertising spending will surpass print in the United States for the first time in 2012, according to a forecast by eMarketer. As stated in this report, spending is set to increase twenty-three percent to $39.5 billion.

While I agree with David Hallerman, eMarketer's principal analyst, who says, “Advertisers' comfort level with integrated marketing is greater than ever,” I hope this surge doesn’t lead to more clutter and thus diluted messaging.

Messaging plays a critical role in the success of any ad campaign, online or otherwise. Read more about brand messaging's role in online advertising. 

Mon, January 23 | By James Dixson | Posted in Branding, Digital Marketing, Positioning, Social Media

0Comments

We’re a Finalist for the RFT Web Awards

The Riverfront Times published it's list of finalists for the 2012 St. Louis Web Awards, and Atomicdust made the cut. The winners will be announced on January 24th, during a special event at the Old Rock House.

We were nominated for two categories this year, Best Use of Facebook to Promote a Business/Org and Best Designed Website. We would also like to give Jason Stoff, designer and photographer at Atomicdust, kudos for having his personal site, Encor.es, make the list as a finalist for the Best Photostream/Flickr category.

To see the complete list of finalists, including some of our friends from Midtown Alley visit RFT's site.

 

 

Update: We won Best Designed Website

See Danielle's post (Atomicdust wins ‘Best Designed Website’ at RFT’s Web Awards) for details. 

Tue, January 17 | By James Dixson | Posted in Culture, Social Media, St. Louis, Web Design

0Comments

Atomicdust featured on the St. Louis Egotist Agency Insider

We are flattered that the St. Louis Egotist decided to feature us in their Agency Insider series. The St. Louis Egotist seves up news on design, advertising and other creative resources to the Missouri advertising community with entertaining irreverence.

We opened the doors of our new Midtown Alley office for a tour as well as shared a few insights into what we do, and what we believe in.

Read the full story on the St. Louis Egotist. 

Mon, January 16 | By James Dixson | Posted in Culture, St. Louis

0Comments

Midtown Alley Creative Firms Featured in The Post-Dispatch

We are officially settled into our new office at 3021 Locust. We've had an open house, a party for our clients and participated in the AdSaint Agency Crawl.  Everyone at Atomicdust appriciates the sense of community and comradery Midtown Alley offers for creative agencies and other businesses in the corridor between Grand and Jefferson.

And it seems the Post-Dispatch realized the neighborhood had something special going on as well. Midtown Alley made the front page of the business section and was praised as becoming, "to marketing in St. Louis what Tin Pan Alley was to songwriting in New York a hundred years ago." 

To read the Post-Dispatch article click through to StlToday.com. 

Fri, January 13 | By James Dixson | Posted in Culture, St. Louis

0Comments

We Have A New Baby

Taylor and his wife Ellen celebrated the birth of their first son, Henry Edward Dixson, on May 7, 2011. 

Baby Henry, named after Ellen’s father, tipped the scales at 6.2 pounds. Both he and his mother are healthy and doing well, and it's great having new dad Taylor back in the office so he can FaceTime the baby in for all of us to see.

Congratulations Taylor and Ellen! And welcome to the Atomicdust family, Henry!

Mon, May 30 | By James Dixson | Posted in Culture

0Comments

Quality Content Comes at a Cost

I bought the home delivery edition of The Sunday Times to support their continued efforts in outstanding journalism. Good content is valuable and shouldn’t be commoditized. If we expect future works to be of the highest caliber we shouldn’t be offended when the people who provide it expect compensation. Read more. 

Fri, March 18 | By James Dixson | Posted in Random

0Comments

Using Content to Foster Relationships

Defining and following a strategy for content allows you to communicate with your current customers and prospects, creating a relationship built on trust. Instead of pitching products, you are delivering information that helps solve a problem. Read More

Mon, October 18 | By James Dixson | Posted in Digital Marketing, Content Strategy

0Comments

Less May Be More with Content

Who says you can't mix work and play? A stop in at a local pub reminded me of the importance of content strategy. Ultimately, less content that is more specialized and strategic will prevail in creating trust and long term customers.  Read More

Mon, October 4 | By James Dixson | Posted in Content Strategy, Positioning

0Comments

Atomicdust Social Media Pro Chosen for MTV TJ Contest

MTV has announced that Danielle Hohmeier, our resident social media pro, has been selected as one of the 20 finalists in MTV’s “Follow Me: The Search for the First MTV TJ.” The winner will be hired to become the new face and voice for MTV across social media platforms, including MTV.com, to expand the two-way dialogue between MTV and its global audience. Read more. 

Wed, June 30 | By James Dixson | Posted in Random

1Comments

A Call for Content

Often, potential clients will call us to build a new corporate website. They’re typically unhappy with their current site and want us to design something new and effective. The client often asks for a “facelift” for the website. We take a look, click around and find that the visual elements aren’t the main concern, it’s a lack of messaging and content. Read more. 

Mon, May 17 | By James Dixson | Posted in Content Strategy, Positioning, Web Design

0Comments