What is ADCo’s style?
We don’t have a specific style. I guess you could say we specialize in solving our client’s communication challenges. But the reality is, we’re generalists. The style of our work is determined by the client and their specific situation and needs. We try to walk a mile or two in our clients’ shoes, to really know and understand who they are and how they should communicate. Then we develop concepts that reflect their style – not ours. Plus, not being locked in to a style allows us to offer a broader perspective and range of solutions. It also nourishes our creative appetite by giving us more opportunity for variety in our work. Not that a design firm having a distinctive style is always bad. It’s just that for our clients, their style is their interpretation of their objectives and personalities – not ours.

What accounts do you most enjoy working with and why?
ADCo prefers clients who provide superior products or services and who strive to outdistance their competitors in every respect. This makes telling our client’s story more fun, more interesting and more creatively challenging. Our work, then, must be as good as the client’s and superior to our competitors.

What if I don’t like ADCo’s solutions?
You will. We’ve been doing this a long time. First we listen very closely to what your goals are. We find the sweet spot and then we present a variety and a range of targeted solutions. We usually hit it the first time out (or get very close). If not, we go back to the drawing board (or the computer, as it is) until we do. From there we work with you to a final solution that works for you.

How much does a Website cost and how long does it take?
Hey. That’s two questions. This is a tough one to answer, because, like most of the projects we work on, the scope varies greatly. We can work with budgets of nearly every size. Never be afraid to approach us with what you think is a small budget. And never ever be afraid to approach us with budgets that are very, very big! Ever.

As far as how long it takes, that is really up to you. Like the budgets, there are always many variables to consider. We can effectively complete a project in six to eight weeks. Some take longer and some have a much quicker turn-around time. Bottom line? If we take the job, we’ll get it done when you need it. How’s that?

Why does ADCo have offices in downtown Minneapolis and downtown St. Cloud?
Don lives and loves St. Cloud. ADCo started fifteen years ago in the warehouse district in Minneapolis. And that is also very cool. We couldn’t choose between the two, hence we have two offices.

What is your hourly rate?
$90 per hour.

What is search engine optimization (SEO) and why is it important?
Again, that’s two questions. Search engine optimization helps your Website achieve higher search engine rankings in search engines like Google and Yahoo. And that’s important because higher search engine rankings makes it easier for your customers to find you on the Web. Nowadays, more and more people are using search engines and the Web to get quick information about a variety of companies, instead of going to the phone book. Using key phrases, product types or company names, they’ll search to find specifically what they need. If you don’t show up in their search…well, you get the idea.

How much does a direct mail campaign cost and how long does it take?
See the answer to question 4. The same answer applies to identity and brand development, logo design, strategic planning, print advertising, corporate communications, sales literature, promotions, direct- response advertising, direct mail, videos, television commercials and radio commercials.

ADCo has been in business almost 15 years. So why aren’t you one of those big giant firms?
Some clients don’t need big. And those are the clients we want to work with—ones who value smart thinking, nimble responses and solid creative without big-agency bureaucracy. Yes, we have time sheets now. And we have production meetings. But we’re committed to focusing on a job-shop approach for project-by-project results. If our clients like the last project, they come back. So don’t expect us to get big. But do expect big things. Always.

What is your favorite color?
Blue. No pink. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh….