Melinda Emerson, known as SmallBizLady, transformed personal adversity into a national platform for empowering entrepreneurs through education, strategy, and community. After her first business faltered during a high-risk pregnancy, she pivoted to create SmallBizLady, launching bestselling books, a weekly Twitter chat, and a digital university. Her influence spans Fortune 500 consulting, mentorship of thousands, and pioneering efforts to make small business education accessible and inclusive. Emerson’s leadership blends authenticity, empathy, and tactical brilliance, while her personal style and reflections on legacy add depth to her public persona. Her story is a blueprint for resilience, reinvention, and building businesses that serve both purpose and people.

Picture the media landscape as an elevated plateau. TV and digital share the safe center, with radio (audio would be a better category name), direct mail and OOH (outdoor, theater, etc.) in close proximity. Near the edge of the plateau, magazines have dug in their heels trying to stop any further slide towards the cliff. Newspapers, however, are teetering on the brink, an ill wind or loose footing could send...

New research analyzing over 2 million LinkedIn posts reveals that posting 2-5 times weekly delivers +1,182 more impressions per post, with even greater benefits at higher frequencies, providing local media account executives and agency professionals a proven framework for building industry authority and generating leads. The frequency benefits apply regardless of account size, meaning local professionals see the same relative performance improvements as large accounts, while carousel posts generate 278% more engagement than videos. The research parallels traditional media principles where consistent presence builds cumulative brand recognition, giving media AEs concrete evidence for discussing frequency benefits with clients while building their own professional brands. For agency professionals competing on thought leadership, sustained LinkedIn presence creates compounding advantages in new business development, client retention, and talent acquisition that translate directly to revenue growth.

Fuel your advertising with these can’t-miss promotions this week!
• Chevy Drives America! — Celebrate American strength and style.
• Yamaha Outboards’ Cruise Into Summer Sales Event! — Power your summer on the water.
• Napoleon Fire It Up and Save Event! — Warm your home with great fireplace deals.
• Benjamin Moore Interior Paint Savings! — Brighten your space with discounted paint.
• Michelin Tires Harvest Savings! — Get ready for fall with reliable tires.
• Honda Powersports Ride Red Summer Sales Event! — Enjoy powerful rides on the trails.
• New School Year, Great Prices on Wrangler! — Get ready for school with style and comfort.

Retailers are under pressure to combine data-driven efficiency with the emotional “magic” of storytelling to win today’s fickle consumers. Local media reps and advertising agencies can capitalize by packaging omnichannel campaigns that integrate predictive analytics, local market data, and authentic creative.

By offering measurable results—such as foot-traffic lift, in-store sales, and online conversions—media sellers move from simple vendors to strategic partners. Authentic, community-based storytelling and experiential activations help local brands differentiate and avoid the “race to the bottom” on price. Those who embrace this data + magic model can capture larger budgets, strengthen client relationships, and increase their own revenue in a rapidly evolving retail landscape.

Dec 3, 2024 | Media, Retail, Advertising and the Economy, Industry Press Highlights Executive Summary: Black Friday 2024 saw a resurgence in in-store shopping, with a record-breaking...

Sales trainer Amy Franko shares highlights from a webinar she presented recently for SMM Connect on the most important metrics for sales managers to monitor. Before we dive into that, I speak with Amy about her shift from B2B sales in the tech world to starting her own sales consultancy. She talks about how she goes to market and how companies can be smarter buyers of sales training.

People and, therefore, consumers are complex creatures.  It’s even more the case today, as the world, in general, and the lives we live, specifically, bear little or no resemblance to the world and the lives of our childhood, whether we are Baby Boomers or Millennials. The rapid technological transformations we are experiencing today and those that will overwhelm and amaze us during the remainder

Legacy media is gaining renewed relevance because marketers are starting to see the limits of a media marketplace driven too heavily by automation, cost efficiency and interchangeable performance metrics. For local radio, TV, cable, print, outdoor and digital companies, the opportunity is to sell not just inventory, but strategic partnerships built on trust, context, creativity and market-level influence. The winners will be the media organizations and agencies that can combine local audience relationships with integrated ideas that help advertisers stand out in an increasingly commoditized environment.

Major ad agency, Publicis Groupe’s claim that 86% of its first-quarter 2026 revenue was tied to AI-powered capabilities signals that artificial intelligence is no longer an experimental side project in advertising. For local ad agencies and media sellers, the message is clear: AI will increasingly shape planning, targeting, creative, optimization and reporting, but human judgment will still determine whether campaigns actually work. Radio, TV, cable, print, outdoor and digital sellers should use AI to become faster, smarter and more consultative—without surrendering the local knowledge and trust that remain their competitive advantage.

Moody’s expects real consumer spending growth to cool to roughly 1.5% in 2026 as affordability pressures, softer hiring, and slower wage gains make shoppers more cautious. For local advertisers, that means “value” messaging will matter more—but value increasingly means clarity, choice, and convenience, not just lower prices. Brands with tiered offers and friction-reducing experiences (easy booking, fast fulfillment, transparent pricing) are better positioned to win share as consumers comparison-shop harder. For local media sellers and agencies, the opportunity is to sell trusted reach and consistent presence that provides reassurance and makes decision-making easier when buyers feel uncertain.

For much of the 20th century and into the 21st century, we were told the world, our lives would be transformed on an epic scale. Of course, it has, but many don’t recognize or realize it because most of us are focused on earning a living, caring and nurturing a family, contributing to our communities and finding some time for leisure activities during our busy lives. Because the greatest human attribute is our adaptability, we almost unconsciously accept and even welcome new technologies

Kick off the week with strong co-op campaigns built to drive seasonal demand and customer action.
• Dough for a Doughboy Event! — Durable above-ground pools made for easy backyard summer fun, now with seasonal savings.
• May Savings on Firestone Tires! — Trusted all-season tires built for safety, performance, and everyday driving value.
• Get Big Savings This Spring From Lennox! — High-efficiency HVAC systems designed for reliable, year-round home comfort.
• Benjamin Moore Kick Off Summer With Color! — Premium paint for bold color, smooth coverage, and lasting results.
• HEVI-Shot Tom Takedown Rebate! — High-performance hunting loads built for precision and power in the field.
• The Stearns Foster Memorial Day Sale! — Luxury mattresses designed for premium comfort and supportive sleep.
• Honda Marine’s Coverage Plus Sales Event! — Reliable marine engines with strong performance and added coverage benefits.

Judgment is the ability to make good decisions. It’s a complex phenomenon requiring the ability to observe and understand things, draw upon knowledge and experience, form an opinion, and reach a decision. It entails discerning, comparing, and making considered decisions.

Fred Smith, founder of FedEx, turned a college paper into a global logistics powerhouse. After serving in the Marine Corps and earning multiple honors in Vietnam, Smith launched Federal Express in 1973 with a bold idea: overnight delivery via a hub-and-spoke model. Despite early financial struggles—including a legendary blackjack win to cover fuel costs—Smith’s vision and discipline helped FedEx become the first U.S. startup to reach $1 billion in revenue within a decade.
He pioneered real-time package tracking and built a culture rooted in service, accountability, and innovation. Smith’s leadership style, shaped by military experience, emphasized clarity and empowerment. Personally, he was a devoted father of ten, aviation enthusiast, and philanthropist, turning down a second offer to serve as Secretary of Defense to be with his daughter in her final days.
Smith’s legacy offers timeless lessons: trust your instincts, build scalable systems, lead with empathy, and stay mission-focused. His story is a blueprint for entrepreneurs and sales professionals aiming to deliver impact with purpose.