Remote work was on the rise before the 2020 pandemic. But now the model is here to stay. In the last year or so, many homebound knowledge workers have adjusted their typical office routine. The benefits range from money saved on commutes to the ability to hire more geographically diverse applicants. But there are challenges, too. After 11 months of working from home, staying consistently productive and tuned in to the needs of the rest of your team may be difficult.

With the increasing fragmentation of all media, and specifically TV, your role as a local TV media rep must also evolve. You must also be an educator and advisor to guide local advertisers through the media maze. Your efforts start with no apologies for how TV is changing. Change is not only inevitable, but also welcomed, as it is often the catalyst for something new – and something better for your local prospects and advertisers.

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.

As is often the case, it is difficult to evaluate properly the big events and latest trends in our lives because we find ourselves in the middle of the history being written. Social media certainly qualifies. Its global reach and nearly universal appeal has reduced most geographic borders to mere imaginary lines on a map. It has provided billions of individuals with a forum to share their lives,

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.

Weekly Newsletter January 5, 2026

Weekly Newsletter April 6, 2026

If you’ve ever been in sales, you know first-hand that one of the most powerful ways to go from good to great is having a strong sales manager. The best sales managers are active listeners and innovative thinkers. They know how to inspire and motivate their teams. So, is there a secret that only these superstar managers know?

Kick off the week strong with these must-run co-op campaigns your customers will be excited to promote!

• Princess Cruises Spring Savings! — Inspire your customers to plan their next getaway with limited-time cruise deals and unforgettable destinations.
• Gear Up for Spring With DEWALT! — Power into the season with trusted tools, spring projects, and strong promotional offers.
• Browning Safes 2026 Tax Refund Rebate! — Encourage smart investments with secure storage solutions and timely rebate opportunities.
• Save With Seasonal Rebates From BAQUACIL! — Help customers maintain crystal-clear pools with easy care systems and seasonal savings.
• Indian Motorcycle First to the Line Event! — Ride into the season with bold performance, iconic style, and exclusive event offers.
• E-Z-GO Spring Into Savings Event! — Drive into spring with versatile vehicles and limited-time savings for work or play.
• The Spring Trane Unstoppable Event! — Keep homes comfortable with reliable HVAC solutions and powerful seasonal promotions.

You are a modern leader, one smart enough to engage your team, improving their plan by allowing others to contribute to their decisions. Some of your team’s contributions are valuable, with many ideas stemming from their different views and experiences. Because you invite them to own and participate in certain decisions, your team is more committed to the plan.

Even when this CEO didn’t hit all of his objectives, keeping a “go big” mentality helped him get closer to where he wanted to be. It might sound elementary, but our anecdotal evidence shows that companies actively setting big goals typically leads to business growth and sustainability.

Video content, however it is consumed, often steals the media spotlight, touting the popularity of streaming services, watching on multiple devices and focusing on the turmoil of video viewership as it moves from legacy to Connected TV. As much as we enjoy viewing video content on mobile devices, there are limits as to where we can watch. Listening to audio content is truly a ubiquitous experience, anywhere, any time, and via multiple devices as well.

Retail uncertainty may be driven by inflation, tariffs, supply-chain volatility and cautious consumers, but the opportunity for local media sellers and agencies is not to retreat—it is to sell smarter. The retailers most likely to hold share in an unpredictable market are the ones that sharpen pricing, deepen personalization and demand measurable performance, and those priorities create openings for radio, TV, print, outdoor and digital sellers who can connect media strategy to real business outcomes. For local-market sales teams, the message is clear: stop pitching channels in isolation and start helping retailers build coordinated campaigns that protect margins, drive traffic and prove results.

Why does this Special Report from Media Group Online, Inc. use the word “enigma” to refer to direct mail? Advertisers and consumers’ continued use of the medium is a mystery, a puzzle, as it seems to be defying gravity. There are so many current conditions that should be pulling it to the ground with a resounding thud.

You may not remember the time when large, enterprise-level organizations required you to complete an RFP (request for proposal). However, you wouldn’t be the only salesperson competing for the client’s business. Depending on the size of the opportunity, you might have a dozen or more rivals answering the same questions and prompts. If you find yourself in a situation where you must respond to an RFP, you may be asked to complete the same RFP two or three times, even though the company has made no changes.