Strategy Blog Category

Some people think that storytelling is reserved for marketing consumer brands but nothing is farther from the truth. Companies who focus on selling to businesses equally need a clear and engaging story to differentiate themselves from competitors and engage decision-makers.

Forbes.com published an article featuring a recipe for success for diverse agritourism destinations. The article, which included 10 ingredients that make for successful agritourism, was written by 29 Design Studio Founder + CEO Maureen Ballatori.
“For many Americans, particularly those living in urban environments, how food makes it into their homes, supermarkets and restaurants seems almost like magic. When that “magic” broke down during Covid amid food supply chain issues, consumers became even more curious about where food comes from and how to obtain locally sourced products.”[…]

Try asking the almighty Google, “How do I brand an association?” You’ll get loads of articles about brand association — what a customer considers when they think about your brand. You know, the mental connections between a brand and a concept. Heady stuff (pun intended), but not quite what you were looking for. Okay, now […]

We know how helpful software is in improving collaboration. You’ve seen the list: Monday, Basecamp, Dropbox, Slack – they enhance project management and communications. At 29, we use them all.  But how about extending this collaborative energy into the way marketing and sales work together?  Too often there is a breakdown in integrating marketing and […]

AgriMarketing published a feature article detailing tips for food innovators to engage funders. The article, which highlights how to write a compelling story for investors, was written by our own founder and CEO, Maureen Ballatori. Ballatori writes: “If your story does not flow, is not clear, does not answer critical questions, and fails to pique the […]

First, it was hot because it was illegal. Now it’s hot because of demand. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo legalized medical marijuana in 2014, followed by its recreational use in 2021. While cannabis has always been a heated market, legalization has sparked intense conversation and industry change. 29 Design Studio has kept up with cannabis […]

Chances are high that your prospective customers are on Facebook. The wildly popular social media platform has more than 2.4 billion monthly active users. And that’s a pre-COVID stat. Imagine the growth on the platform now with people at home and online more than ever. So the question is… how do you hook your reader […]

We all know that if you want to succeed professionally, you need to dress for success.  Even in our current world of Zoom meetings, what you look like in camera view is important.  Guess what? The same is true of your brand.   A strong brand guide makes sure that every time your brand is visible […]

Zoom exploded. The word zoom, the software zoom and, along with it, the concept of video chat. Even event platforms use Zoom for their livestream feeds! But it wasn’t always like this. Zoom was one of a multitude of video platforms that are in the marketplace. In fact, “Skyping” had already become synonymous with the […]

So you’ve got a business ready to launch and need a website.  Or perhaps your current website needs a serious facelift.  We recommend Squarespace for students, startups, nonprofits and some small businesses. Need more functionality, customization, integration, or lead generation? Then WordPress may be your answer. Here’s what we love about Squarespace. In a matter […]

If you put all your marketing eggs in one basket, your sales may end up soft-boiled.  Why? Studies show that a consumer needs to be exposed to your brand between eight and 12 times before they feel comfortable making a purchase.  And there is also the risk that if you use a single marketing tactic […]

If there ever was a fairy tale that tells the social media story it’s Goldilocks. What’s too little, too much, and what’s just right with how often to post on social media? Too much and you may dilute your message or exhaust your audience.  Too little and your audience may forget about you. How do […]