
Every year at Zimmer Communications, a handful of blogs rise above the rest — the ones people read all the way through, share with their teams, and bookmark for later because they actually learned something. And in 2025, these ten pieces grabbed the most attention.
Why does that matter? Because our most-read blogs give a pretty clear snapshot of what local businesses are curious about, the challenges they’re facing, and the strategies they’re hungry to try. It’s a real-time pulse check on the conversations happening across Missouri’s business community.
So whether you’re looking for new ideas, checking to see if your favorite made the cut, or just curious about what resonated most this year, here’s a look at the blogs that topped the charts at Zimmer Communications in 2025.
This blog dives into why some advertising jingles stick in our heads for decades. It highlights ten classic jingles—from Subway’s “Five Dollar Footlong” and McDonald’s “I’m Lovin’ It” to Coca-Cola’s “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing” and State Farm’s “Like a Good Neighbor.” Each jingle is explored for what made it powerful, whether it was a clever melody, emotional resonance, or a call to action that encouraged people to pick up the phone (like Stanley Steemer’s). For example, Ricola’s yodel-based “Ricola” jingle evokes the Swiss Alps, while Lucky Charms’ “They’re Magically Delicious” ties into childhood and whimsy. The post argues that a well-crafted jingle isn’t just catchy — it’s a long-lasting asset for a brand, helping to make the company memorable and deeply connected with its audience.
Print media may not dominate the way it once did when newspapers were the primary form of advertising, but it remains a powerful and relevant marketing tool — and this blog explains why. While digital content is fast, convenient, and everywhere, print offers something audiences still crave: a tangible, trustworthy, distraction-free experience. Magazines and other printed pieces feel curated rather than algorithm-driven, giving readers space to slow down and actually absorb information. Print also carries a sense of credibility and permanence that digital ads often can’t match. The blog highlights how print continues to evolve through innovations like augmented reality, personalized content, and integrated digital strategies, making it a strong complement rather than a competitor to online media. Yes, costs and distribution pose challenges, but print’s ability to create emotional connection, build brand authority, and deliver strong ROI keeps it firmly in the marketing mix. In short, print isn’t dying — it’s adapting, and delivering value.
Even in a digital-first world, we would argue that magazine advertising isn’t just alive — it’s thriving. The blog lays out 10 compelling reasons why print ads in magazines punch above their weight. First, magazines attract highly engaged, niche audiences who spend significant time reading, making them ideal for targeted messaging. Print ads also benefit from the trust and credibility that come from being in a respected publication. The physical, tactile nature of magazines means ads stick with readers longer than fleeting online banners. With fewer ads per issue, your message stands out more. Magazines offer creative freedom — think rich visuals, textured pages, or even fold-outs. Their long shelf life and “pass-along” readership extend your reach. Plus, many modern magazines offer cross-platform synergy with QR codes or digital tie-ins. Local magazines give businesses hyper-relevant reach, and ad campaigns can be tracked with promo codes or custom URLs to measure ROI.
Humor isn’t just for laughs — it’s a secret weapon in advertising, and this post shows exactly why. Funny ads grab attention, build emotional connections, and make brands way more memorable. The blog dives into iconic campaigns that nailed it, like Metro Trains Melbourne’s “Dumb Ways to Die,” which tackles a serious safety message in a quirky, sing-song way. Allstate’s “Mayhem” commercials lean into absurdity to make their point in a way you won’t forget. Then there’s Snickers’ “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry,” featuring Betty White, and Old Spice’s surreal “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” spots that parody classic masculine advertising. K-Mart’s cheeky “I Shipped My Pants” plays on wordplay, while Geico’s camel hilariously celebrates hump day in the office. Bottom line: when humor is done right, it creates lasting impressions and deepens brand affinity.
This blog lays out 20 powerful statistics that emphasize how critical branding is for any business — big or small. It shows that consistent visuals, like using the same color palette, can boost brand recognition by over 80%, while brand consistency across platforms can increase revenue by up to 23%. Emotional branding matters too: 43% of customers spend more on brands they feel connected to, and 94% will recommend them to others. Honesty and transparency are also huge — 86% of consumers trust brands they see as authentic and open. The post highlights other key branding drivers: branded audio can nearly double profit margins, personalizing experiences matters to 73% of customers, and supporting causes can make people willing to pay significantly more. And when a brand builds loyalty — not just through emotion, but through quality, consistency, and experience — it pays off in both customer retention and lifetime value.
This blog makes a strong case for why magazine and print media continue to be essential — yes, they made the list again. The post explains that magazines deliver uniquely engaging, targeted, and highly trusted audiences, giving your brand credibility you don’t always get online. While print has a long shelf life that keeps your message around, Zimmer also highlights how modern ad campaigns can bridge print and digital with QR codes, custom URLs, and other measurable tactics. Even though there are challenges, like print’s longer planning timelines and less control over placement, the post argues that combining the tactile power of print with smart digital integration gives you both reach and substance.
We broke down the ten key goals behind an awareness campaign — a long-game strategy focused less on immediate sales and more on building brand presence. Instead of pushing for action, these campaigns aim to be measurable, but with a slower burn: tracking brand recall through focus groups or online and in-store
traffic over time. Frequency and reach are central; consistent messaging helps you get in front of the right people (even new audiences) without overwhelming them. The campaign’s purpose includes increasing general brand awareness, staying top-of-mind with consumers, and educating the audience on your unique selling proposition. It also builds brand authority through thought leadership content, while reinforcing authenticity and trust. Over time, this awareness pays off by converting customers consistently and nurturing loyalty; by cultivating familiarity, you turn first-time buyers into dedicated ones.
Instagram isn’t just a place to post pretty pictures — it’s one of the strongest tools a business can use to connect with customers. The platform is full of highly engaged users who actively look for brands to follow, which makes it a powerful space to build relationships and stay visible. Its creative flexibility is a major advantage, too: photos, Reels, Stories, Lives, and DMs all give you different ways to show personality, tell your story, and highlight what makes you unique. Instagram’s advertising and shopping features make it easy to turn curiosity into sales, thanks to shoppable posts and in-app checkout. Because it’s part of the Meta family, your campaigns can sync with Facebook for smoother targeting and better efficiency. And with built-in analytics, you always know what’s working and what needs tweaking. In short, if you want to grow your audience and boost your brand, Instagram is a smart place to be.
This blog makes the case that social media and radio aren't competitors; they’re a dream team. By combining radio’s broad reach and intimacy with the interactive, real-time engagement of social platforms, you get a marketing strategy that's more than the sum of its parts. The post outlines five smart ways to merge them: sync your messaging so your radio spots and social content tell the same story; tap into the radio station’s existing social following by sponsoring their social posts or having DJs promote your brand; use both channels to promote live events (radio builds hype, while social amplifies and extends it); turn passive radio listeners into active social users by sending them online for more info or to take action; and run cross-channel contests that leverage radio mentions and social engagement to maximize entry and reach. When used together, radio and social media drive engagement, boost ROI, and make your campaigns stick.
Sponsoring an event booth comes with a whole arsenal of marketing perks. You get direct exposure to your ideal audience, and because the organizer is already marketing the event, you lean into that reach. It’s a goldmine for leads: run a contest or business-card drop, and you collect contacts you can follow up with later. You’re also showing that your business cares about the community, which builds trust and goodwill. Staffing your booth with real people (especially those not normally customer-facing) humanizes your brand. It’s surprisingly cost-efficient; a booth can offer more bang for your marketing buck than many digital ad campaigns. You’ll build partnerships and network with other businesses, get media coverage, and generate buzz on social media before, during, and after the event. Having an interactive, energetic booth makes connections more personal, and offering trials or giveaways gives people a reason to stop and stick around, leaving a lasting impression long after the event ends.