TCC Insights

Websites That Are Actually Quite Useful

 By Jeff Bucki, Senior Copywriter

I started thinking about the websites that I frequent while at work. Some are useful to what I do, and all of them are valuable in some form.

Dictionary.com  
A dictionary and a thesaurus all in one. If I’m working on a naming project, tagline or theme, it’s a very helpful resource. I still pick up the real books from time to time, but this website is so easy to use. I probably use it on a daily basis.

Get Real, Like Terry Pegula

By Jeff Bucki, Senior Copywriter

Like many long-time fans of the Buffalo Sabres, I was thrilled to watch new owner Terry’s Pegula’s introductory press conference. There is a lot of excitement about Pegula, and clearly much of it has to do with his wealth. The thing that got me charged up wasn’t his resources, but rather his passion for the team and the way he directly communicated this to the public.

All you needed to see was Pegula’s reaction to hockey legend Gilbert Perreault to get a feel for what this guy is all about. His voice cracking with emotion, Pegula unabashedly told Perreault, “You’re my hero.” The beautiful thing about this moment was how raw and sincere it felt. As they say, you just can’t script stuff like this. It was magic. Right there, Pegula had won over even the teams’ most jaded fans. And he did it by being real.

Do You REALLY Want to Work Here?

By Cheryl Lickfeld, Chief Financial/Administrative Officer


We recently hired an Administrative Assistant at TC&C.  Of course, when I posted the position on the traverscollins.com website and The Buffalo News job finder website, I anticipated that we would have an overwhelming response, not only because of the job market, but because TC&C has a great reputation.  What I didn’t expect was over 200 resumes.  And believe me, it wasn’t hard to narrow down the resumes to a few for consideration of an interview.  For all you job seekers out there, a few words of wisdom on the fundamentals of submitting a resume and cover letter.

Koln to Cologne: 5 Tips to Overcoming a Mental Block

By Gina LoRusso, Creative Department Coordinator

Do you ever need to come up with a great idea and hit a mental block? You think the idea will never come. Or have you ever suddenly had an inspirational idea only to lose focus when you start to put in on paper? You think the idea may be lost forever. You’re not alone and I think most of you know it. I also think that knowing there is an army of people out there having the same trouble doesn’t help you solve your problem. Here’s some helpful hints for overcoming that mental block, or blurred focused.

Don't Be a Paper Dummy

By Betty Ann Krischan, Production Manager

The world of paper is complex and ever-changing…with so many options out there, picking a stock can seem overwhelming to some.
One of the keys to a successful print job is the selection of the “right” paper. With a little knowledge, you can specify a stock with the qualities your job requires with consideration to your design, usage and budget.

Here are some basic characteristics of paper that will help you select the stock that will work for your next print project. All of these qualities affect both the run-ability and print-ability of the paper as well as the cost and final appearance of your project.

The Value of an Internship

By Regan Corr

I’m about to start my senior year at a liberal arts college. My major is English Literature and History. I’m finishing up an unpaid summer internship at a marketing and public relations firm this summer. And, no, I am not getting any class credit for it.

I cannot tell you how many of my peers have asked why I took this summer internship. Here are a few questions I have often been asked:

You major in English and History? So you wanna become a teacher, huh?

Wait, you don’t major in PR or communications? Then why are you working as a public relations intern? Aren’t you nervous you won’t know anything?

If you don’t get paid or get class credit, what’s the point of the internship?!

Think Beyond White Paper

By Betty Ann Krischan, Production Manager

There seems to be a trend lately of only printing on white paper. It doesn’t seem to make a difference whether it’s letterhead, posters, invitations or brochures. I’m both a little disheartened and perplexed by this trend.

Why aren’t designers and production managers specifying more colored substrates? Is it because a generation of young designers start all their designs on a blank white screen?  Is it because it’s just a safe/default choice? Is it tight budgets? Is it the result of so much digital printing? Or is it just being a little unsure and uneducated on what stocks are out there and how they can be utilized?

I’m not sure of the answer but I know that paper choice is an essential part of the creative process and directly influences how the finished printed piece will look and feel. By using a colored stock, you can increase your color palette in a simple one- or two-color printing job. Using a metallic stock can elevate the perception of a printed piece and convey a richness and sense of elegance. Printing a metallic ink on a dark stock can have very dramatic results.

Buffalo. A Great Place to Visit

By Bob Travers, Principal

Several years ago our agency was working with the Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) on a marketing campaign that would hopefully attract more tourists to Western New York, primarily the Buffalo area.  We were directed to take a fresh look at understanding visitors to our market, and we conducted research with potential visitors from Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Toronto. We found out that people who would come to this area from surrounding major markets in the U.S. think of our area only in terms of visiting Niagara Falls, not Buffalo.  However, prospective tourists from Toronto and Southern Ontario were inclined to visit Buffalo when they had a better understanding of our variety of cultural and historical resources and shopping alternatives, not just Niagara Falls.

The results of this research changed the CVB’s marketing strategy.  Previously their major marketing hook to encourage visitors to Buffalo was a stop at Niagara Falls.  During the last several years, the CVB’s marketing communications has focused on not only landing more events in Buffalo but also using many of our cultural and historical resources to attract more visitors to Buffalo.  This strategy has spearheaded and encouraged many in our community and local government to support investment in Buffalo’s various architectural, historical and cultural assets. While the CVB has received significantly less financial support from Erie County compared to what Convention and Visiting Bureaus receive in other New York State counties and many other markets similar to Buffalo’s size, the CVB along with many local galleries, museums and cultural organizations have made a real difference in the reputation and the benefits of a visit to Buffalo.

Recently, The New York Times picked its “44 Places to Go in 2009” and Buffalo made the list! According to The Times, the 44 destinations feature "this year's most compelling destinations awash in sublime landscapes, cutting-edge art and architecture, gala music festivals and stylish new resorts."

A few weeks ago, my sister (who lives on Long Island), asked me if I could make a recommendation of interesting places to visit in Buffalo. Friends of hers were going to the Shaw Festival at Niagara-on-the-Lake and were going to stay in Buffalo because the cost of a hotel room was a lot less.  I sent an email out to everyone in our company for their suggestions and got a lot of great responses. I guarantee the list will make you an ambassador for both our great city and the Buffalo Niagara region. (And if this list isn’t enough, check out this video for some more endorsements on why you should visit Buffalo).

Can’t Think of a Topic to Blog About? Welcome to the Club!

By John Pitts, Investor Relations Analyst/Account Coordinator

In my latest attempt to develop another award winning blog (complete sarcasm because my entry never would’ve made it here:  www.blogs.com/topten, I tossed around several ideas I considered to be worthwhile.  Like any good blogger, I began to put thoughts on paper in the hope that I could craft the Mona Lisa of all blogs.

I started with a head of steam, but sadly enough about halfway through each entry I stalled.  Normally I wouldn’t care about the dreaded “brain fart” factor because I could always circle back to right the proverbial ship.  Much to my dismay though, my attempts at taming the stormy blogging seas sent all of my half-written efforts to the bottom of Davy Jones’ locker. 

In an effort to salvage my blogging career, I took a deep look into why it’s so hard to develop a blog and blog-worthy topics.  Let me save you the suspense in knowing I’m not the only individual who has ever had difficulty in writing blog.  Oh no my friends, there are millions upon millions of articles out there that detail why blogging is a difficult process and not just a walk in the park. 

Let me give you some of the highlights of my blogging research:

First Impressions

By Kate Torok, Account Manager

I’ve encountered some interesting offices in the past few weeks for different meetings and visits, and have experienced a variety of welcomings of all kinds.

Scenario #1 - One office I walked in to and the first thing I saw was the back walls of cubicles and a coat rack with coats and bags literally thrown onto it. I thought perhaps I went through the back door until someone finally asked if they could help me.

Scenario #2 - One building had a lobby scenario with a front desk and chairs for visitors to sit in, but a receptionist who must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed because I practically had to flash her to get her attention. NOTE: I did not proceed with the flashing, I think I cleared my throat loud enough to finally get her to look at me...