Information is everywhere. The world has never been more connected and more in touch with itself than it currently is. Not too long ago, news from other continents moved slowly if at all, and when it reached distant lands it was up to the delivery of that news which was often subjective.

Nowadays things are different. Cell phones and social media platforms bring current events in real-time to a global audience like never before. Thoughts, opinions, and world views have never been so easy to share and so easy to discover. In the midst of all these new forms of mass communication, another aspect of human society has also been greatly impacted - and that’s the world of marketing!

Never before has there been such a challenge to market than right now. The world is full of voices, noises, stories and products and people have never been more connected to that stimulus than they presently are in 2021. So that raises a question - in the midst of so much distraction, how does a company get someone’s attention? How does a brand stand out from the noise and the clamor and actually draw in not only an audience by a clientele?

Marketing has always been a field of fresh and new challenges. Regardless of the levels of access to mass information that the common person has had, marketing has always sought to do the same thing - get attention and develop buy-in. This process has a lot of nuance and is unique to not just cultures and societies but even geographic locations.

What works for marketing in one part of the country may not work in others just based on social history and unique demographic differences. Also, the pool of individuals who are able to engage in marketing is growing and growing. Tools like social media platforms, youtube and even tik-tok have revolutionized the way that companies market their resources. The access that normal people have to these marketing tools has also impacted the world of marketing as now ‘creators’ and ‘influencers’ are some of the largest sources of independent marketing available.

Here are four things we believe every company needs to try and implement when it comes to marketing in this competitive world. 

Know Your Brand and Know Your Market

Two words that every company wants to hear when it comes to spreading their brand are ‘viral marketing’. The concept of viral marketing as it is known in the digital age is a fairly new one. When platforms of communication like Twitter and youtube became common staples, the concepts of viral emergence became a household norm.

Whether it was a hilarious Vine (RIP) or tweet from Miley Cyrus, the ability for a piece of information to immediately be consumed by literally millions of people changed the course of marketing. Now, with access to billions of potential customers or patrons, the ability for a company to brand itself for viral marketing is crucial.

This means knowing your brand inside and out and knowing why it should be viral. This impacts not just your mission as a company but the imaging of your company. Everything from color scheme, to font type to social media presence plays a role in viral marketing and there are experts who can help build your brand to be ready for the spark of viral ignition! 

Finance Properly

The ability to market usually takes equity of some sort and sometimes that means acquiring a loan. Bridge loans are fast, easy, and great ways to safely secure the capital that you need to get your marketing on point. 

Marketing itself is not cheap. While there are always ways of practicing frugality within business, cutting corners when it comes to marketing is rarely the correct option. With the mass spread of media and the uprising of stellar content from private creators, making sure that your brand doesn’t get washed to the back of the room due to poor quality is crucial. 

Investing properly into marketing is key to be sure and provide your marketing team with the best equipment affordable in order to ensure your best chances of catching attention. 

Make it Personal - That’s The Biggest Win

No matter what marketing strategy you are following there is one area that you can always excel in past your competition. If you invest in the high-grade equipment, a competitor can always invest in higher. However, when it comes to making your brand as personal - you set your own limits.

The ability to market to an audience, not just another product but instead something personal to them is all the difference. Platforms like Community.com utilize text based marketing solutions to help grow your brand and your community.

By investing in direct communication to your audience, your brand has the chance to grow into a unique place on the market of not just being ‘another good or service’. This personal buy-in can represent a powerful way of not just being a sale, but a reproducible sale. When consumers become passionate about what they are consuming - the natural reaction is to share that consumption with others. This is a part of viral marketing that personalized communication can do.

Combining convenience and personal connection is a powerful tool for any company seeking to expand its marketing techniques in 2021. 

Get Guidance That Has High ROI

Don’t kid yourself if you need help - simply get it! There are industry professionals who are gifted at helping grow businesses and push companies to achieve their marketing goals. Kevin Miller is one such consultant that represents a massive improvement in the companies he’s consulted for.

Asking for help outside of your own structures and bringing in fresh minds and fresh eyes can have long lasting impacts on your company and a high ROI. Sometimes - to think outside of the box, you have to bring help that literally is outside of it! 

Invest in Software That Makes Sense

A huge aspect of marketing is the experience that a potential customer has with your product. The harsh reality is that it doesn’t matter if you have the best marketing strategy, a killer product and even a solid sales team - if the interactions between your product and the customer aren’t good, it will always pose a challenge.

Investing in software such as Salesforce can have long lasting impacts on your business. When a person begins to interact with your company, the process of that interaction going smoothly and successfully is the difference between creating an interested party and a loyal customer.

It can be daunting to think about overhauling software as many small businesses can feel intimidated by computer codes and online platforms. However, this doesn't have to be the case. Reaching out to trained professionals who can help you set up your business for success has never been easier. Not only providing your customers with great tools to interact with you - but giving your business the tools it needs to see analytical insight that can grow your brand.

Conclusion

In short, marketing may seem daunting - but rest assured that there are plenty of great tools and amazing consultants out there that can get your brand to where it needs to be. The most important thing you can do is just start researching and working toward your goals, and with some help - you’ll get there!  

A team from Montana State University, Tufts University and the Specialty Coffee Association has published a study finding that coffee quality is sensitive to shifts in environmental factors linked to climate change as well as to shifts in climate adaptation strategies.

The paper, “Climate Change and Coffee Quality: Systematic Review on the Effects of Environmental and Management Variation on Secondary Metabolites and Sensory Attributes of Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora,” was published this month in the journal Frontiers in Plant Science.

Past research has focused on how climate change impacts crop yields, according to Selena Ahmed, associate professor in MSU’s Department of Health and Human Development in the College of Education, Health and Human Development and one of the paper’s lead authors. But recent studies have begun to look at how climate change impacts crop quality based on its biochemical composition, which influences the flavor of coffee, as well as its nutritional and health attributes.

“All of the biochemical compounds in coffee beans are critical to coffee quality,” she said. “Shifts in the biochemical composition of coffee loop back into the food system as it impacts the way consumers’ experience the flavor of coffee and their decisions about purchasing coffee. In turn, consumer decision-making impacts farmers’ livelihoods as well as how they manage their farms, with tremendous implications for sustainability.”

The research team included co-authors from MSU; Tufts; the nonprofit Specialty Coffee Association, an industry group, and its research arm, the Coffee Science Foundation; and Bozeman-based Treeline Coffee. They include Sarah Brinkley, Erin Smith, Ariella Sela, Mitchell Theisen, Cyrena Thibodeau, Teresa Warne, Evan Anderson, Natalie Van Dusen, Peter Giuliano, Kim Elena lonescu and Sean B. Cash. Students – including graduate students in MSU’s sustainable food systems program, the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University and Texas A & M University – participated in the research.

For their study, the researchers screened approximately 1,600 peer-reviewed scientific papers published between 2000 and 2018. From those papers, they identified 73 that addressed the study’s research questions to include in their review.

The team found two clear trends, according to Sarah Brinkley, a graduate student at Texas A&M University and co-author: Increased altitude is associated with improved flavor and aroma of coffee, and increased light exposure is associated with decreased sensory attributes of coffee. They also found, in general, that coffee quality is vulnerable to changes in water stress, temperature, levels of carbon dioxide in the air and nutrient management.

“For years, coffee farmers have told buyers that the climate is changing and complicating their work, but the impacts of those changes on coffee flavor have been based on anecdotal evidence and, sometimes, on speculation,” said Kim Elena Ionescu, chief sustainability and knowledge development officer at the Specialty Coffee Association.

Erin Smith, an alumna of MSU’s sustainable food systems graduate program and paper co-author, said more research is needed in these areas to learn about the effects of shifts in carbon dioxide, water stress and temperature on coffee quality, as well as how those shifts vary with location, elevation and management conditions.

Co-author Sean Cash, an economist and the Bergstrom Foundation Professor in Global Nutrition at Tufts University, noted that more is at stake than just the taste of what is in coffee cups. For example, he said, changes in coffee prices in Guatemala in 2019 drove some farmers to leave the country.

“Climate change impacts on crops are already causing economic and political disruption in many parts of the world, and it’s important to understand the science to know what further impacts might occur,” Cash said.

The team also found that climate adaptation strategies on farms around the world, such as managing light exposure by maintaining canopy coverage and through on-farm diversification, are promising for maintaining or improving coffee quality, Ahmed said. In turn, evidence-based strategies could also help farmers sustain their livelihoods, she added. 

“A better understanding of the relationship between climate and coffee quality is overdue and will be essential for the specialty coffee industry to adapt to the challenges we are facing and to thrive in the future,” said Peter Giuliano, executive director of the Coffee Science Foundation.

Natalie Van Dusen, a founder and owner of Treeline Coffee Roasters in Bozeman and a co-author on the study, said that the findings are relevant to her business.

“Treeline's coffee sourcing and buying strategy is built on establishing long-term relationships with our farmers,” Van Dusen said. “This entails having a deeper understanding of the profound impact that climate change has on their business and the importance of that impact. It is our goal that with a better global understanding of these factors, we can all do a better job working together to make positive change.”

Alison Harmon, dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Development, called the team’s work pioneering.

“Dr. Ahmed and the team’s findings support optimizing of coffee production, and the findings also can be relevant to other crops important for local economies and communities,” Harmon said.

Ultimately, it’s important to understand how climate affects all crops so that changes in climate can be managed to support food security, nutrition and farmer livelihoods, Ahmed said.

“This is important to study for all food and beverages, not just for coffee,” she said. “By understanding and managing the biochemical composition of crops along with other attributes of sustainability, we can better support the food system to be resilient to disruptions.”

The Bozeman MADE fair is this Sunday, October 31st, and we are excited to connect artists with the Gallatin Valley community once again. Shop and discover a curated collection of over 170 local and regional artists. You can expect to see everything from affordable, functional works of art to fine heirloom pieces at the show.

Those interested in a head start on their shopping can purchase a New VIP Pass valid for an hour before the show opens to the public. Beat the crowds and purchase VIP passes for $10 for 10 am-11 am, and it will get you a solid head start before everyone else. Every year we pick a non-profit to work with to help further their mission. All of the proceeds from the ticket sales will go to a local Gallatin County Non-Profit.

Last year we (handMADE Montana- presenters of the MADE fairs) made the difficult and responsible decision to cancel all of our four in-person events. We put energy and time into promoting our artists digitally via the website and social media.  With the recent success of the Missoula Summer MADE fair, we cautiously approach the upcoming fall and holiday events. Masks are encouraged when social distancing is not an option, and the layout at the upcoming Bozeman MADE fair will have additional room to roam.

The one-day event will once again feature indoor Trick-or-Treating (over 120 booths participatin) and an all-ages Costume Contest at 1 pm. New moms can enjoy some quiet feeding time for the littles at the Family Care Area provided by the Gallatin Breastfeeding Coalition. Make a day of it with your friends and enjoy strolling the aisles and supporting your local artists. Visit our website for additional details and pre-shop all of the participating artists.

 The MADE fair is a modern art & handcrafted market featuring local & regional artists and makers. Our events are a curated collection of skilled artisans as well as a handful of non-profits. The MADE fair’s mission is to increase awareness of handmade goods as an alternative to mass-produced items and support local and regional small craft businesses by providing a place to sell their goods. We provide opportunities to artists of all levels—from the hobbyist to the seasoned professional. The MADE fairs are presented by handMADE Montana—the recently named Retailer of the Year Award by the Made in Montana program.

BOZEMAN — An off-field competition between Montana State University and the University of Montana to see which school can collect the most donations for its local food bank will be held Nov. 6 through Nov. 20. The Can the Griz food drive, as the annual friendly battle is known to Bobcat fans, is now in its 22nd year.

The drive will begin at midnight on Friday, Nov. 6, and conclude at the end of the first quarter of the annual Brawl of the Wild football game between MSU and UM on Saturday, Nov. 20, according to Kim Cleary, community engagement program manager in the MSU Office of Student Engagement. A winner will be announced on Can the Griz social media accounts later during the game on Nov. 20.

Organizers ask that nonperishable food donations be taken to collection locations throughout Gallatin County to support those in need. A list of participating locations can be found at canthegriz.com. Donations directly to the Gallatin Valley Food Bank may be dropped off at its location at 602 Bond St. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays; morning drop-offs are preferred.

Nonperishable donations can be dropped off at most local grocery stores. Look for donation bins near the front of each store. Garden produce can be dropped off at the Gallatin Valley Food Bank.

Large donation drop offs must be scheduled in advance with Jon Horn at jhorn@thehrdc.org. Cleary encouraged those who want to donate to plan ahead, to not wait until the final day and to utilize drop-off locations around the area. More information on drop-off times and details can be found on the Can the Griz website.

“Can the Griz is a great opportunity for our community to support each other,” Cleary said. “Our food drive totals during the pandemic were really inspiring. Although we lost the competition last year, the food that was donated impacted so many people in the valley when they needed it the most. Let’s use that as motivation to come together and raise a record amount of food and money for the Gallatin Valley Food Bank this year.”

Monetary donations may also be made directly to the Gallatin County Food Bank by visiting https://gallatinvalleyfoodbank.org/#donate. Each dollar counts as one pound of food. Bobcat supporters can add their contributions to MSU’s total by telling the food bank their donation is for Can the Griz. In addition, donations can be made to @canthegriz via Venmo.

Last year, MSU and Bobcat supporters donated 150,290 pounds of food and $252,893 to the Gallatin Valley Food Bank. Pounds and dollars are added together for the contest, resulting in a total of 403,183 pounds for the Bozeman community. The Can the Cats food drive in Missoula brought in the equivalent of 671,707 pounds of food for the Missoula Food Bank. Bozeman and the MSU community have won the competition 17 out of the 21 years it has been held.

Donations from Can the Griz will help the Gallatin Valley Food Bank, as well as the Bounty of the Bridgers food pantry, year-round. The Gallatin Valley Food Bank is one of the HRDC Food and Nutrition Programs’ Initiatives. The Bounty of the Bridgers, housed in the Office of Health Advancement, is a student-driven initiative to combat food waste and insecurity on the MSU campus for students, faculty and staff.

Can the Griz is coordinated by the MSU Office of Student Engagement and the Gallatin Valley Food Bank. Community members interested in more details on how to participate or volunteer can visit the Can the Griz website or its Facebook and Instagram pages. For more information or to host a collection box, please contact the MSU Office of Student Engagement at 406-994-2933 or email canthegriz@montana.edu.

Christmas Stroll Poster – In collaboration with the Downtown Bozeman Association, The Emerson Center for the Arts & Culture is looking for a poster design that expresses the unique holiday spirit of the Bozeman community. This year’s winning submission will herald in the 41st annual Christmas Stoll as posters, marketing collateral, and join the beloved Christmas Stroll poster collection. The winning artist will be featured in an article in the “Official” Christmas Stroll edition of the Chronicle and receive $200. Submissions are due Monday, November 8. For submission guidelines visit http://www.theemerson.org/call-for-art/.

Student Perspective: Reflections on a Global Pandemic
The Emerson believes in the ability of ART to, tell a story, help us reflect, make us feel, to heal, or mark a moment in time. Now in tour third academic year interrupted by COVID 19, this is an invitation for students to share with our community how COVID 19 has impacted them. Students K-12 in southwestern Montana are invited to submit an original work of art in their own voice, reflecting how COVID 19 has impacted them, their family, education, or community. Submissions in traditional 2-D and 3-D art, digital, written, or performed medias, and completed between March 2020 and the submission date of November 17, 2021 will be considered.

The exhibit will show December 2021 – January 2022
Submission Deadline: Wednesday, November 17

For submission guidelines and more details visit http://www.theemerson.org/call-for-art/.

BOZEMAN – Fire restrictions have been updated for properties managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks in several counties. 

Fire restrictions have been rescinded for FWP properties in Beaverhead, Silver Bow, Madison, Jefferson, Broadwater, and Lewis and Clark counties. These counties were previously in Stage-1 fire restrictions. 

Stage-1 fire restrictions at FWP sites ban campfires except where specifically exempted and allow smoking only in vehicles and areas 3 feet in diameter that are cleared of flammable materials. Gas or propane stoves that can be turned on and off are still allowed.  

Fireworks are always prohibited at FWP sites.  

For more information, visit mtfireinfo.org. 

The United States of America has no shortage of tourist attractions. From nature retreats to modern theme parks, the USA has it all. However, when you are with your kids, you would want something subtle, enjoyable, and perhaps educational in some way.

With that in mind, let us check out 5 of the most exciting tourist attractions in the US that your kids must-see. For this list, we have a mix of entertaining, as well as educational tourist attractions that they are sure to enjoy.

#1 Disney World

There was no doubt that the Disney World in Orlando, Florida was going to top this list. After all, Disney World (or Disneyland, as you may call it) is arguably the world’s most popular tourist attraction and theme park for kids. Some even claim it to be the happiest place in the whole world for kids. And given how excited kids feel the moment they hear about a visit to Disneyland, the legend just might be true.

During the visit, be sure to take as many pictures as you can, especially with the characters roaming around the park. Children also enjoy looking at the various castles and replicas from the movies they have seen. On top of that, the souvenir stands will always have something that your kids will fancy.

While the rides at Disneyland run just fine during rainy weather, you should still stay updated on the latest weather conditions. The weather in the USA is quite uncertain, and a light downpour can turn into a heavy thunderstorm in the blink of an eye.

So it is always a wise decision to keep an eye on the weather forecasts before you make the trip. Checking the weather forecast at least 2-3 days before the trip should suffice, as weather apps these days are highly accurate.

#2 Statue of Liberty

A tour around the Statue of Liberty on a ferry will give your kids the chance to see one of the most iconic symbols of freedom in the world. Lady Liberty stands tall as a symbol of hope, freedom, and democracy. 

Although the tour might seem educational at first, kids are sure to enjoy climbing to the top of the statue and get a view of New York from there. Plus, kids can also get off at Ellis Island and take a quick tour of the immigration museum.

#3 San Diego Zoo

Although there are many zoos in the US, the San Diego Zoo stands out due to its enormous size, and the diverse wildlife you get to see there. 

This 100-acre zoo is known for its animal protection and conservation. Your kids will get to see more than 4,000 animals, many of which are rare, and endangered species. Walking around the whole place is bound to get tiring at some point. Hence, you should take the bus tour through Balboa Park, especially if you have kids who are not too fond of walking.

#4 Universal Studios

Like Disneyland, the Universal Studios in Orlando is a place and opportunity for your kids to immerse themselves in a world of fantasy. From fun rides to exciting shows, the Universal Orlando Resort has it all. 

The place is more suited for teens, especially if they are into movies like Fast and Furious, Transformers, Harry Potter, and so on. There are entire rides and sections dedicated to these amazing franchises. Getting to see these attractions up close is an experience your kids will never forget.

#5 The National Mall

This 2-mile strip of green land between the U.S. Capitol, and the Lincoln Memorial serves as a tourist attraction for millions around the world. The two buildings themselves are symbolic. They stand as witnesses that the US is indeed the land of the free.

While it may not be a location that interests all kids, they should still visit it, given how much stuff there is to learn about democracy and the United States in general. Kids will also enjoy visiting the Washington Monument, Museum of Natural History, and the National Air and Space Museum.

The National Mall is a great place to gather in-depth knowledge about history and learn how the US became the world center of democracy.

So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags, take your kids, and let them enjoy the best America has to offer.

Montana State University’s Leadership Institute has launched a student-run podcast series with a pilot episode featuring the former president of Ireland, Mary Robinson.

The podcast series, known as the “Leadership Institute Podcast at Montana State University” — or “L.I.P. at MSU” — will feature leadership inspiration and insights from experts locally and around the globe. Vanessa Zamora, a student associate with the Leadership Institute, called the L.I.P at MSU “a show with front-row access to the brightest minds on campus and around the world.” Zamora, a junior majoring in business management and psychology, anticipates that students will release a new episode of the series once each semester as material allows.

In the episode, listeners can hear Robinson discuss leadership and climate justice with MSU President Waded Cruzado during a visit Robinson made to MSU in April. The episode is narrated by second-year student Lauren Bigler. The podcast is available for free on Spotify and at https://thelipatmontanastateuniversity.buzzsprout.com/.

Carmen McSpadden, director of the MSU Leadership Institute, said developing the podcast series is a great learning opportunity for students.

"Our students grow by creating and doing,” McSpadden said. “In addition to exposure to great minds, students' skills develop through the act of podcast making and by asking great questions to the leaders they interview."

For more information, call the MSU Leadership Institute at 406-994-7275 or visit montana.edu/leadership or facebook.com/MSULeadershipInstitute.

Celebrating 38 years in Bozeman, the one and only original, MBC’s Nutcracker, returns to the Willson Auditorium on December 4th and 5th.

MBC is thrilled to welcome back exceptional guest artists from the world-renowned New York City Ballet, Sebastián Villarini-Vélez and Indiana Woodward, performing the celebrated roles of Snow King and Queen and Sugar Plum and her Cavalier. Villarini-Vélez and Woodward will share the stage with Soren Kisiel, co-director of Broad Comedy, MBC's own company dancers, and over 100 dancers from the community.

Another highlight of this charming production is the live orchestra. Maestro Lee Mills, Associate Conductor of the Seattle Symphony and four-time winner of the Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Award, will conduct the Bozeman Symphony playing Tchaikovsky’s beloved score.

MBC’s Nutcracker was first performed in the lobby of First Security Bank in 1983. Over the years, the first weekend in December has become synonymous with the Bozeman Christmas Stroll and MBC’s Nutcracker, a cherished holiday tradition for countless performers and their families and friends, as well as the thousands of audience members who share in the experience year after year.

MBC’s production of The Nutcracker is one of the largest artistic collaborations in the region featuring the talents of master choreographers, distinguished guest artists, accomplished dancers, live musicians, seasoned stage technicians, costume and lighting designers, and a host of dedicated volunteers. MBC’s Nutcracker is a treat for the entire family.

For Nutcracker tickets contact the Montana Ballet Company at 406.582.8702 or online at
www.montanaballet.org. All seating is reserved. Ticket prices range from $20 to $65.
Season after season, MBC, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, produces quality performances, enchanting audiences with new and updated artistry of dance, choreography, music, and design. MBC's 38th Annual production of The Nutcracker promises to be dazzling! For more information please contact: Montana Ballet Company, 406.582.8702 |info@montanaballet.org.

Gallatin County leads Montana in population growth. New census data shows a jump in population of 33%, bumping Missoula County down to the second largest populated county in MT. With new growth, comes new business opportunities. Credova Financial, a leading buy now, pay later payment method focused on the outdoor lifestyle industries, has recently announced it’s new headquarters location as downtown Bozeman. With roots in Nevada and the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, it’s no wonder Credova has effortlessly married outdoor recreation with an emerging popular payment method. Credova is making the headquarters relocation to Montana a continuation of the company tradition of exploring the outdoors. 



“Montana is the logical fit for our company,” says Dusty Wunderlich, CEO. “We wanted to move our headquarters to a location that echoed our values and allowed us to continue to lead an outdoor adventure lifestyle. Bozeman gives us access to incredible outdoor recreation opportunities and an inspiring space to develop our payment solutions,” In a COVID era of remote work, the company has already announced plans for multiple local hires across several departments. Wunderlich continues “We want to contribute to the economic health of Bozeman and are doing so by firstly by creating new job opportunities in the fintech and buy now, pay later spaces.”

Credova has contracted local Bozeman design group, A&E Design to build out their new headquarters. “We worked closely with Credova, mixing modern and mountain vibes in the space to reflect their values and outdoor lifestyle,” said architect Jennifer Dunn.

Both the outdoor recreation industry and buy now, pay later payments experienced a boom during COVID. “People want to get outside and experience some relief from the struggles that COVID has created,” Wunderlich continues. “As a company, it’s incredible to be able to provide a reduced barrier to outdoor recreation activities through a payments solution that consumer really gravitate towards.”

In fact, data from The Civic Science report shows 15% of Americans plan to hike more than usual due to COVID-19. Hiking, hunting, fishing, and camping are all activities that have seen a significant lift because of lockdown era. Even more impressive is the popularity of the buy now, pay later payment methods on the market. During COVID, industry reports show 55.8% of people in 2021 stated that they had used Buy Now, Pay Later. This number is up from 37.65% in July 2020. It appears Credova is uniquely positioned to leverage growth across both sectors.