N2 Advertising I Tulsa Oklahoma I Advertising Agency

Funeral for a Friend

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 06:09:44 -0800

The opening track on Elton John’s iconic 1973 album“Good-bye Yellow Brick Road” starts with a five minute, twenty seven second instrumental piece called “Funeral for a Friend”. The piece starts slowly and cautiously, windblowing in the background. It continues with a rather melancholy vibe. You can feel it start to get stronger. As it continues to build, you feel the confidence transitioning stronger and stronger, bolder and bolder. So, what does this have to do with anything unless you happen to be a fan of Elton John?

In November 2018, the agency that we worked for, rather abruptly decided to close its doors after more than 30 years in business. We knew that this day would come and we had already started preparing by filing for our LLC back in 2014 and had our logo designed in 2016. We just didn’t know that we would only have about 3 weeks to actually launch but December 2018, N2 Advertising was officially born.

Like the song, we started out rather cautiously. We filed all of the necessary paperwork, looked for office space and began planning for our future as small business owners. Our clients from the previous agency took a leap of faith and began this journey with us. As is suggested by the transition in the song, our confidence and our client base grew. In 7 short (quick) years we have more than doubled our client base.

We started our socials and our website which brings us, sadly, to the reason behind the title of this blog. When we had our website developed, we didn’t have professional headshots. Our developer suggested bitmoji’s just to have something to represent each of our personalities. We had fun picking these out, each one a little different as is true with each of us.

As we enter into our 8th year of business, it is time to say goodbye to Water Cooler Kim, Foam Finger Deanna and Chaotic Elisha. You were there...Read More

The Truth About Traditional Advertising in the Age of AI

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 11:54:51 -0700

In the rush to adopt new technology, it is easy to forget the power of the tools that have worked for decades. Radio and TV are not relics from the past. They are still two of the most effective ways to connect with audiences, drive action, and build lasting brands.

While AI and other digital tools are making noise in the marketing world, they are not required to create impactful campaigns. The most successful advertising still comes from understanding people, telling meaningful stories, and reaching them through trusted channels.

Radio: A Traffic Driver That Works Every Time

Radio continues to be one of the most reliable ways to reach people where they are. According to CMSWire, 82 percent of U.S. adults listen to traditional radio each week. Whether in the car, at work, or during daily routines, radio remains a part of everyday life.

Its strength comes from its ability to connect instantly through human voices, music, and storytelling. It is also unmatched as a traffic driver. From store openings to special sales, radio motivates people to act immediately.

Logan Nguyen, CMO at NCHC, explains:
“Radio ads engage your audience’s imagination through voiceovers and sound effects, evoking powerful emotions and creating deeper, memorable effects on your audience’s mind.”

With stations already segmented by community and interest, brands can reach the right people with...Read More

What AI Is Doing for Marketers Without You Even Knowing

Sun, 13 Jul 2025 09:36:36 -0700

Think AI is just chatbots and creepy robots? Think again. It is already transforming how brands utilize AI in marketing, from content creation to digital advertising, without most people even realizing it. AI has quietly become the behind-the-scenes engine of modern advertising, powering tools and platforms used every day. No flashing lights. No science fiction vibes. Just smart, scalable technology reshaping strategy in real time.
In our last post, we explained what AI is in the simplest way possible. Now it is time to explore what it actually does in marketing. Spoiler alert: it is doing more than you think.
In this post, we are uncovering four surprising ways AI is helping marketers stay ahead, streamline content, and connect smarter.
Spotting Trends Before They Even Trend
Tools like Brandwatch acts as real-time social radar, scanning everything from TikTok and Twitter to niche Reddit threads. It tracks emerging emojis, viral meme formats, and subtle shifts in slang before they go mainstream.
The best part? This tool does not just track trends. It flags them early, giving marketers a chance to respond with content while the conversation is still fresh. This is real-time relevance powered by predictive analytics.
Reading the Room So You Don’t Have...Read More

So… What Even Is AI?

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 10:36:58 -0700

Artificial Intelligence, or AI as it is commonly referred to, is not a new concept. But it is definitely having a new moment. You hear about it in headlines, see it in apps, and feel its impact in day-to-day life. And while it is powerful, it is also widely misunderstood.
Some people think it will solve everything. Others think it will replace our jobs. The truth lies somewhere in the middle.
It helps to start with the basics. What AI really is. What it can do. What it cannot do. And why it matters.
What Is AI?
AI is a system that learns by example. It cannot feel or imagine. It cannot be bored or inspired. But it can take in a lot of data, recognize patterns, and make predictions.
It is often compared to a brain, although it is not even close. Still, it can learn in a way that feels familiar. For example, if you wanted to teach someone what a dog looks like, you would show them many pictures. A Pug. A Labrador. A Husky. A Beagle. After a while, they would know what makes a dog look like a dog.
AI works the same way. But instead of twenty photos, it might study two hundred thousand. It finds what features show up most often and remembers them. Then, when it sees a new image, it can say, “That matches what I’ve seen before.”
AI does not know what a dog is. It does not understand barking or fur. It just sees patterns and responds. This is...Read More

Word to Your Mother

Thu, 22 Apr 2021 13:14:21 -0700

In the Wizard of Oz, I believe the Wicked Witch of the West said it best after Dorothy threw water on her to put the fire out on Scarecrow’s arm, “Oh, what a world! What a world!’ Pretty sure she wasn’t saying it in a positive way but with today being Earth Day, I decided to do a little research on Earth Day and the affects it has on our world.
The theme for Earth Day 2021 is Restore Our Earth. More than 1 billion people in 192 countries participate in Earth Day. Believe it or not, this is the 51st anniversary Earth Day. According to earthday.org, Earth Day aims to “build the world’s largest environmental movement to drive transformative change for people and the planet.” The movement’s mission is “to diversify, educate and activate the environmental movement worldwide.” This day also recognizes a collective responsibility, to promote harmony with nature and the Earth to achieve a just balance among the economic, social and environmental needs of present and future generations of humanity. This day provides an opportunity to raise public awareness around the world to the challenges regarding the well-being of the planet and all the life it supports.
Well that all sounds nice but what does it really mean? The world is a pretty big place. What can I do to make a difference? Spring is a perfect time do some very basic things to help do your part.
1. Bee Helpful! Bees are the great pollinators! Plant flowers that attract bees, butterflies, hummingbirds. We all learned it in basic science. We need these pollinators to help spread the pollen to make things grow. Did you know that one out of every three bites of food you eat is due to pollinating insects? Do some research as you are getting your spring planting started to see what native plants are not only pretty but helpful!
2. Clean Up! You see everyone out walking their dogs with their little “baggies”. Take one with you to pick up trash along your walk or neighborhood park,...Read More

Short and Sweet

Tue, 17 Mar 2020 14:01:02 -0700

I grew up with the advice of my mother, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”
What is going on in the world right now has everyone scared, confused, unsure, and many other emotions. There is a lot of negativity being presented everywhere you look. But even with all of the doom and gloom, there are still nice things going on. Instead of thinking about the bad, let’s focus on the “nice”.
Companies like Uber Eats and GrubHub are waiving certain fees during this time to help businesses in the food industries being affected by “social distancing”. In some cases, restaurants are unable to allow on location dining and are only able to stay open with pick up or delivery. Try to utilize these services, especially for your local restaurants. Some delivery companies are setting up funds to help their drivers continue to have an income.
Sports, concerts and events are being cancelled or postponed. Many of the employees who work at these arenas and venues are hourly employees. Professional sports teams and players are donating money to help these employees have an income. Celebrities are donating money to food banks in communities to help keep food stocked for people who rely on these services.
Large companies like Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, Twitter and Microsoft are paying hourly employees even if they are out due to illness. Several companies are closed but still paying employees. Comcast/T-Mobile is upgrading their subscribers to unlimited date for 60 days. U-Haul is giving 30 days of free self-storage for college students.
Business Insider reports that Airbnb is issuing full refunds and waiving cancellation fees. Airlines are allowing changes to flights without penalty charges and extending rewards into 2021. Delta Airlines is enabling any ticket expiring in March or April to be extended to December 31, 2020.
Many casinos have made the decision for the safety of patrons as well as their employees...Read More

And the Oscar Goes to...

Mon, 10 Feb 2020 14:36:01 -0800

When I was young, I used to dream of someday winning an Oscar. I used to practice my acceptance speech, even making myself cry to show more shock and gratitude. I wanted my speech to be profound and the kind of speech that people would talk about for years. This would be followed by a record breaking standing ovation from all of my peers. An old proverb says, “ The more things change, the more they stay the same”. While my Oscar days are far behind me, I still enjoy praises. These days instead of applause for a role I played, I do enjoy seeing the success my clients have received by something I may have had a hand in.
But what does this have to do with advertising? Everyone likes to have positive things said about them. So does your business. Positive reviews and referrals can be the lifeline of a successful campaign. You always want to find that your customer had a positive experience with your company. One of the easiest ways to get reviews and referrals is just to ask. People like to share positive experiences they have had. But how important is this really to your business? Here are three examples from Studio98 that show the importance:
It Makes your Business Look Trustworthy-often people will choose whether or not to do business with a company after reading reviews online. Google is more likely to notice businesses with higher reviews.
It’s Easier to Find Your Business-People use Google all the time. The higher you get on Google search results, the more likely people are to visit your website. With quality reviews driving your business search ranking up with Google, this organic SEO will help move your business up to the top.
It Can Showcase Your Commitment to Your Customers- Even though negative reviews don’t look great, this is a wonderful opportunity to prove that your company is willing to learn from its mistakes. When a bad review rolls through your website, this gives you the chance to rectify a bad situation....Read More

Second Worst Player on the Team

Tue, 05 Nov 2019 07:46:33 -0800

I played softball and basketball in 5^th grade. It was 5^th grade so it was the same girls for both teams. I wore the same red tee shirt with the #9 on the back for both sports. I was the second worst player on the team. That’s ok. I knew I was, and I was good with that. It was a team. I didn’t have to be the best, I just had to know what my role on the team was.
For softball, my position was WAY out in right field. This was 5^th grade. The odds were that no 11 year old girl was going to hit the ball that far out to me. The coach relied on 1^st and 2^nd base to cover so that I was not a liability. But I was a part of the team. When basketball season rolled around, I played defense. This was back when it was half court for girls so I had to stop when the ball went over to our side. No fear of me trying to shoot and miss! But I also was great at taking a charge which meant sometimes I did have to go to the free throw line. That’s ok. It would give my team a chance to regroup and try to get the ball back. That was what I did for my team.
Our star was PeeWee. PeeWee was the best at EVERYTHING. We knew when PeeWee was up to bat, we would score. Get the ball to PeeWee on the court, we would score. That was her role on the team. Every team needs to have some one to take the lead. That’s how you win. But that is in sports. Is that true in the business world, too?
To a certain degree it is. Does that make that role more important than any other role on the team? When I was in radio sales, there were AE’s that thought they were the most important person. Let’s think about that. The AE brings on a new client, lands an annual and now what? Someone has to be responsible for scheduling the traffic or the commercials won’t air. Once the commercial airs, there has to be a bill generated for the client to pay. Now that the bill has gone out to the client, it needs to be received. When the bill gets paid by the...Read More

Even the president needs...

Mon, 09 Sep 2019 10:10:08 -0700

Did you sing the rest of that Rod Stewart lyric?
The word “passion” has been on my mind a lot since I started my own business. Webster’s Dictionary defines Passion as: “A strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about doing something”. Well, duh. I would have to have a passion about something if I were going to start my own business, right?

Our passions change as we age. When I was little, I had passion for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches the way my mom made them. I still like them but they don’t have the same feel without my Mom’s touch. In high school, I was passionate about being an actress and all things Drama. Unfortunately, my passion ended after high school. I still enjoy going to the theater and sharing others passion for the art. My point is we usually have several passions but do we have the passion to start a business?

When I started out in the work force, I heard an ad on the radio looking for sales staff for the station. I listened passionately to this station so why wouldn’t I be able to sell this passion? Even though I’m not (or never was) one of their P1 Male 18-34’s, I still loved the station and still listen to this day. This began my career in Media Sales.

I moved to different forms of media but found that I was more drawn to helping my customers. I went to work for an agency and found that passion again. Not only was I still in the radio world I started in but now it included TV, print, outdoor and still the ability to meet people. Flash forward several years and I was now in a position to start my own agency with a couple of partners. Did I have enough passion to follow through on this?

I recently read a LinkedIn article by Mel Robbins discussing passion. She referred to it as “the feeling of being expanded and energized. Because if you are energized or expanded by something, you will do it for no money, you will do it happily and suddenly you will wake up...Read More

Fore...Networking

Fri, 28 Jun 2019 09:55:22 -0700

Our company was part of a Chamber Golf Tournament this week. We don’t play golf but we had a team made up of our clients. We sponsored a tee box, set up a tent and had a register to win prize for one lucky golfer. It was an awesome opportunity to watch the dynamic of people and the interaction and comradery that this sport brings out.
I looked into the history of golf and found some interesting facts. Scotland gets most of the credit with the start of golf in 1457. However, the concept dates back to the Dutch in 1297. The U.S. traces back to 1650 to what is now present day Albany, New York. Organized Clubs were established in the 1880’s. By 1910, there were 267 Golf Clubs in the United States. The sport continued to grow and by 1932, there were over 1,100 clubs. In 1980, there were over 5,908 registered Clubs in the U.S
The Scots called it GOUF which meant “strike or cuff”. The Dutch called it KOLF. The translation was “bat or club”. Of course, there is the common misconception that G.O.L.F. was the acronym for Gentlemen Only, Ladies Forbidden. However, it has been noted that Mary Queen of Scots played golf just days after her husband died in 1567! The oldest surviving rules for golf were written in 1744 for the Company of Gentlemen Golfers, later renamed The Hounorable Company of Edinburgh Golfers.
As the popularity of the sport grew, it became a relaxing way to conduct business and an opportunity for networking. Networking is described as the exchange of information and ideas amongst people with a common profession or special interest, usually in an informal setting. Golf naturally allows for this. As business owners, networking is an important factor in growing your business.
Here are some networking ideas:
Be excited! Afterall, networking is all about growing your business. And who doesn’t want to do that?
Don’t always talk “work”. Find out about a person’s interest, hobbies, passions. Make a...Read More