Spring 2023 Fashion Trends We’re Loving at the Image Office

From sheer to sequins, detailed denim to balletcore, spring trends are here to elevate your everyday style. 

Now that longer days have finally arrived, we’re ready to shift our focus away from the winter blues and toward spring blooms. Although the snow in Connecticut has decided to make its appearance in March, cold weather can’t stop the Image team from lusting over new spring looks. As we prepare for a style remix, we’re happy to see some nostalgic favorites reemerge as uniquely new trends also find their main character moment. Highlights of the season are varied and can be rotated depending on your mood. With collections showcasing 90s grunge vibes to the sweetness of balletcore, minimalist lines versus touchable textures, there is a design for every personality. This spring, the Image team is sharing their favorites to help you find your way to that best dressed list and avoid the floral print cliché so that you’ll make even Miranda Priestly proud. 

Acid Green 

Green is already my favorite color, and I’m all about the softer springtime shades that usually accompany the season. This year’s acid green trend is set to be a wardrobe staple for me with the upgraded play on a traditional pastel look. I love that the color itself feels like a contradiction – subdued and edgy at the same time. 

-Erica

Crisp Tailoring 

From high-waisted trousers to vest tops and belted blazers, I’m loving all the tailored styles we’re seeing this spring. Tailored pieces are chic & effortless to look put together for the office, but I also love dressing them down by pairing with this season’s denim trends for a more casual “cool girl” street style look. 

-Katherine

Denim on Denim 

Who doesn’t love light denim to bring on the springtime temps! I am loving the denim trends this season, and the mixing and matching makes it even more effortless and chic. Also, the look of incorporating other seasonal trends, like floral or magenta, with denim pieces is great. I love that jeans are taking a turn this season toward the looser, more wide legged trend that we saw a bit of in spring 2022. 

-Elizabeth

Chore Coats 

Once a 19th century staple amongst the working class in France, the Chore Coat or bleu de travail, is now the must have staple in my closet this spring. The original blue multipocket canvas or moleskin layer is now available in many colors across all your favorite brands. I wear a

chore coat while I am outdoors on those early cool spring evenings getting my yard ready for the warmer days but also out and about to dinner parties, shopping trips or as an extra layer just in case all season long. A chore coat is the easiest way to have a sophisticated look with hardly any effort. 

-Ross

Bold Colors 

As much as I have loved the neutrals trend that has been dominating the fashion industry, I am very much loving the reintroduction of bold colors this spring! I have been specifically loving magenta, cobalt blue, and emerald green! Adding statement items like a bold colored top, or even a fun pair of pants, in one of these colors can elevate any look this spring and really make an outfit pop! 

-Marissa

The Classics 

When I think spring, I think comfort. Dark jeans and a comfy t-shirt is an easy go-to for a casual outing on a beautiful spring day! 

-Loring

Heavy Duty Leather 

From leather jackets, to leather pants, to leather boots, every style of leather is a trend this spring season. From daytime to night on the town, you can transform any outfit! Whether it is a basic tee or a blouse, leather pants will add the extra texture the outfit is looking for!

-Kayla

Converse Paired with a Dress 

One of my favorite go to spring looks is pairing an all-white Converse sneak with a fun and flirty dress! No matter how dressy or casual the dress, I promise your Converse won’t look out of place. Keep it stylish and comfortable all at the same time.

-Hannah

Dopamine Hits 

There is nothing better than leaving winter behind by hopping into a pair of brightly colored shorts or a tye-dye shirt or both. I love to pair them with a very colorful pair of sneakers or Crocs. Something about the color just makes you feel good and smile. 

-David

Now Hiring | Social Media Account Manager

About Us

Image Marketing Consultants is a Plantsville based full-service marketing agency. We work with a variety of clients located around the country, with a primary focus on the shopping center industry and lifestyle brands. The work we offer our clients includes strategic marketing planning, public relations, creative design, web design, social media management, digital marketing, media buying and more.

The ideal candidate will be looking to gain experience in the marketing industry from an agency perspective. This internship offers the benefit of gaining hands-on experience in a small agency environment – which means exposure to multiple client projects in a fast-paced (and fun!) environment. 

Social Media Account Manager

Who You Are | Required Skills & Experience

ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT & TEAM EXPERIENCE

  • You’re a “people person” at heart, and have client management experience serving as a primary contact for day-to-day account needs
  • You’re a strong communicator and skilled at managing relationships artfully, able to build trust and confidence while positioning our agency as a strategic resource and partner for business growth
  • You have experience working collaboratively as a team, including acting as a mentor/leader to help supervise and develop the skills of support staff

SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT CREATION & CURATION

  • You have 2+ years experience creating social media content, ideally growing and managing multiple social channels either as an independent influencer or for a brand.
  • You are a content creator at heart with stellar copywriting skills, a knack for storytelling, and a talent for producing stunning visual content.
  • You know how to create high-quality content in a variety of formats from photo imagery to graphics, GIFs, video and more. 
  • You are familiar with content curation, and are equally skilled at sourcing social media content to support a client’s own feeds, alongside original content creation

GENERAL SKILLS & INTERESTS

  • You live and breathe social media! You’re up to date the latest social trends and best practices, you’re the first to test out new platforms and features when they launch, and you follow best-in class brands to stay inspired
  • You have a passion for all thing trending in the retail and lifestyle space, and preferably with some experience working in the retail/shopping center industry
  • You understand how to connect with an audience, using data to help shape strategy and deliver more of what your audience wants.
  • You’re a highly organized, self-starter who can manage projects independently from end to end
  • You’re comfortable working at a very fast pace, have a collaborative attitude, and enjoy wearing many hats
  • You’re an excellent written and verbal communicator who presents ideas clearly, concisely and with context
  • You maintain high standards in every aspect of your work and continually raise the bar
  • You are highly creative and full of ideas, with a good balance of strategic thinking

Job Responsibilities

CLIENT MANAGEMENT

  • Under the direction of the Account Director, serve as a main point of contact for the agency’s largest client account in the social media space
  • Manage all client communications in a timely and professional manner, including leading bi-weekly check-in calls with client contacts
  • Maintain positive rapport and open communication to build trust and confidence with all client contacts

ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT

  • Responsible for the creation of bi-weekly social media content calendars for the client, including” sourcing/creating all visual assets and written captions, researching/adding hashtags and links, suggesting paid boosting strategies, making on-going edits to content and updating as needed, and ensuring all content is approved/scheduled in Hootsuite (or posted natively) on time and without errors
  • Support the “locally managed” client accounts in executing bi-weekly content calendars as needed
  • Assist account team with monthly reporting & analysis of accounts’ performance 
  • Play an active role in developing and executing evolving social media strategies; suggest opportunities for growth
  • Support the execution of additional client projects and campaigns as needed (i.e. may include: coordinating influencer campaigns, photo shoots, creative projects)

TEAM MANAGEMENT & COLLABORATION

  • Be a true “team player” working closely with all members of the client account team, as well as with the agency’s larger social media management team, to communicate industry trends, learnings, and ensure overall efficiencies and best practices are in place at all times
  • Supervise Account Coordinators to direct and assign tasks as needed; monitor flow of all client account needs
  • Support Account Director with ad hoc projects and tasks to further support the client as needed

    Apply by sending a resume and cover letter to Info@imagemarketingconsultants.com

     

    Now Hiring | Social Media Account Coordinator

    About Us

    Image Marketing Consultants is a Plantsville based full-service marketing agency. We work with a variety of clients located around the country, with a primary focus on the shopping center industry and lifestyle brands. The work we offer our clients includes strategic marketing planning, public relations, creative design, web design, social media management, digital marketing, media buying and more.

    The ideal candidate will be looking to gain experience in the marketing industry from an agency perspective. This internship offers the benefit of gaining hands-on experience in a small agency environment – which means exposure to multiple client projects in a fast-paced (and fun!) environment. 

    Social Media Account Coordinator

    Who You Are | Required Skills & Experience

    ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT & TEAM EXPERIENCE

    • You have experience  working in a busy office environment, and know how to present yourself professionally at all times (interacting with team members and clients, via email, conference calls, etc.)
    • A bonus: you have experience being a part of a client-oriented team, ideally from a marketing agency perspective and undworking on a client-oriented team, ideally from a marketing agency perspective
    • You have social media account experience, ideally beyond just personal use, from a business or content creator perspective 

    SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT CREATION & CURATION

    • You have experience creating social media content, ideally beyond your own personal use
    • You understand both the visual and written aspects of social media strategy, with a great eye for aesthetics, and a knack for writing captions
    • You have experience using social media creation and scheduling tools, ideally Canva and Hootsuite

    GENERAL SKILLS & INTERESTS

    • You live and breathe social media! You’re up to date the latest social trends and best practices, you’re the first to test out new platforms and features when they launch, and you follow best-in class brands to stay inspired
    • You have a passion for all thing trending in the retail and lifestyle space, and preferably with some experience working in the retail/shopping center industry
    • You understand how to connect with an audience, using data to help shape strategy and deliver more of what your audience wants.
    • You’re a highly organized, self-starter who can manage projects independently from end to end
    • You’re comfortable working at a very fast pace, have a collaborative attitude, and enjoy wearing many hats
    • You’re an excellent written and verbal communicator who presents ideas clearly, concisely and with context
    • You maintain high standards in every aspect of your work and continually raise the bar
    • You are highly creative and full of ideas, with a good balance of strategic thinking

    Job Responsibilities

    CLIENT MANAGEMENT

    • Under the direction of the Account Director and Account Manager, help manage client communications in a timely and professional manner
    • Attend all bi-weekly client calls; assit Account Manager with note-taking and providing input as asked 
    • Maintain positive rapport and open communication to build trust and confidence with all client contacts

    ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT

    • Assist the Account Manager with the creation of bi-weekly social media content calendars for the client, including” sourcing/creating visual assets and written captions, researching/adding hashtags and links, making on-going edits to content and updating as needed, and ensuring all content is approved/scheduled in Hootsuite (or posted natively) on time and without errors
    • Maintain additional daily client account tasks, including: posting stories, responding to comments, executing engagement tactics, creating Facebook events, conducting industry research, etc. as asked by the Account Director/Account Manager
    • Assist account team with monthly reporting & analysis of accounts’ performance 
    • Support the execution of additional client projects and campaigns as needed (i.e. may include: coordinating influencer campaigns, photo shoots, creating graphics in Canva, etc.)

    TEAM MANAGEMENT & COLLABORATION

    • Be a true “team player” working closely with all members of the client account team, as well as with the agency’s larger social media management team, to communicate industry trends, learnings, and ensure overall efficiencies and best practices are in place at all times
    • Support Account Director and Account Manager with ad hoc projects and tasks to further support the client as needed

    Apply by sending a resume and cover letter to Info@imagemarketingconsultants.com

     

    Internship Opportunities at Image Marketing

    Image Marketing Consultants is currently seeking ambitious, creative, and detail-oriented interns to assist our Social Media & Creative teams for the spring 2021 semester! We are looking to fill two internship roles: in Social Media Copywriting and Social Media Content Creation.

    This is a great opportunity to gain experience working with a dynamic, growing marketing agency. Image Marketing Consultants is a full-service marketing and PR agency based in Plantsville, working primarily with clients throughout the U.S. in the retail and lifestyle industries. This intern will have the opportunity to learn the ropes of social media marketing by supporting one of our largest accounts for a client in the shopping center industry. You will work directly with both our Account Management and Creative teams, with a primary focus on either social media copywriting – creating compelling captions/written content for Instagram and Facebook; or social media content creation – creating engaging visual content for Instagram and Facebook, including photos, videos and graphics.

    More details and qualifications about each role can be found below. 

    Interested candidates should send their resume and a sample of their work to info@imagemarketingconsultants.com

    SOCIAL MEDIA COPYWRITER INTERNSHIP:

    We are looking for students who are studying marketing/communications, journalism, creative writing, or another related field and are eager to learn all about the world of social media marketing within an agency environment. You’ll work directly with our Account Management and Creative teams on the development of bi-weekly social media content calendars for our client, with a focus on copywriting.  You will draft the written copy for social media posts while learning about brand voice and overall social media strategy. Our ideal candidate is creative, self-motivated, and a skilled writer with the proven ability to draft compelling content!

    This is a semester-long, unpaid internship. The expectation is approx.20 hours per week, with flexibility depending on the candidate’s availability.

    What You’ll Do

    • Write compelling captions (and other content as assigned) for social media posts (under direction of the Account Manager/Creative Director)
    • Learn more about the strategy that goes into creating engaging social content, particularly crafting a brand’s tone of voice
    • Assist our Social Media Account Manager on additional duties as needed (may include research, sourcing visual content, reporting on data, posting content, engaging on social platforms, and administrative duties) 

    Our Ideal Candidate:

    • Has a passion for the retail/shopping industry
    • Lives & breaths social media! Is up-to-date with the latest social trends and best practices; likes to be the first to test out new platforms and features when they launch; follows best-in-class brands to stay inspired and loves to work trending content seamlessly into various campaigns and strategies.
    • Is a story-teller at heart with a passion for writing and content creation
    • Is a highly-organized self-starter who can work independently
    • Also has a collaborative attitude and isn’t afraid to jump in to help 

    Requirements:

    • Solid understanding of social media platforms (specifically Instagram and Facebook) and best practices
    • Some knowledge/experience writing for social media platforms
    • A writing portfolio/samples of content including social media copywriting is a plus

    Interested candidates should send their resume and a sample of their work to info@imagemarketingconsultants.com

    SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT CREATOR INTERNSHIP:

    We are looking for students who are studying marketing/communications, digital media/visual arts, or another related field and are eager to learn all about the world of social media marketing within an agency environment. You’ll work directly with our Account Management and Creative teams on the development of bi-weekly social media content calendars for our client, with a focus on the  visuals. You will be responsible for sourcing and creating high-quality visual content for social media, including photography, graphics, and video assets. You will also learn about brand color palettes/guidelines, visual standards, and social media strategy. Our ideal candidate is creative, self-motivated, thinks outside the box, and has a great eye for engaging visuals!

    This is a semester-long, unpaid internship. The expectation is approx.20 hours per week, with flexibility depending on the candidate’s availability.

    What You’ll Do

    • Create visual content for social media (under the direction of the Account Manager/Creative Director)
    • Learn more about the strategy that goes into creating engaging visual content (including photos, video, and graphics)
    • Assist our Social Media Account Manager on additional duties as needed (may include research, writing content, reporting on data, posting content, engaging on social platforms, and administrative duties) 

    Our Ideal Candidate:

    • Has a passion for the retail/shopping industry
    • Lives & breaths social media! Is up-to-date with the latest social trends and best practices; likes to be the first to test out new platforms and features when they launch; follows best-in class brands to stay inspired.
    • Is creative with an appreciation for visual aesthetics
    • Is a highly-organized self-starter who can work independently
    • Also has a collaborative attitude and isn’t afraid to jump in to help 

    Requirements:

    • Solid understanding of social media platforms (specifically Instagram and Facebook) and best practices
    • Some knowledge/experience using Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign and Canva.
    • Some experience creating a variety of visual content 
    • A portfolio of visual content including photography, videography, and/or graphic design is a plus

    Interested candidates should send their resume and a sample of their work to info@imagemarketingconsultants.com.

    Preparing for a Virtual TV Interview

    Image Marketing’s Director of Client Services Katherine Bolas appeared in a recent virtual tv interview on Better Connecticut! ule Advanced settings.

    Broadcast interviews are invaluable. They provide a direct platform to increase brand awareness and credibility, and allow consumers to see the ‘personal’ side of your business.

    Though the benefits of TV interviews haven’t changed since the start of the pandemic, the interviews themselves look different. Social distancing regulations have prompted most news stations to conduct interviews via Skype or Zoom, instead of inviting guests to their studios. 

    Virtual interviews expand coverage opportunities for businesses and media outlets, who can now host guests located anywhere, at any time. Given these benefits, virtual interviews are likely to outlive the pandemic. Knowing how to prepare for them will definitely give your business a competitive edge in our virtual world.

    Having secured 20+ virtual tv interviews for our clients in just the past few weeks alone, the Image Marketing PR team is no stranger to the spotlight (even if we’ve traded in professional studio lights for our own at home “studio” set-up and ring light for the time being!) Read on for our team’s best tips and tricks to best prepare for your next virtual interview.

     

    Here are the 3 key steps to preparing for your broadcast tv virtual interview: 

     

    TIP #1: SET THE STAGE

    Your “Zoom-Studio” should replicate the clarity and intimacy of an in-person interview. A clean backdrop, personable camera angle, and excellent lighting ensure that your viewers (and interviewer) engage with what matters most: you, your business, and your message. 

    Backdrop

    Keep your backdrop tidy and simple; avoid sitting in front of cluttered shelves, patterned walls, or posters. These items can distract your audience, or even steer conversation away from your business. 

    Camera Angle 

    Place your camera at eye-level, and sit about two feet away from your device. Keeping your face “center stage” will help you appear confident and professional.

    Lighting

    Be sure to avoid shadows or harsh lighting. Welcoming, natural light helps your audience form positive associations with your business. While natural light is preferable, it can be replicated with blue-tinted LED bulbs. 

    Facing your light source eliminates shadows created by back and side-light; but, be sure to sit several feet away to avoid appearing “washed out.” 

    Pro-tip: to take your lighting set-up to the next level, consider purchasing an inexpensive ring light.  They’re easy to use and will help eliminate any harsh shadows and make your set-up look professional and polished.

    Tip #2: DRESS THE PART

    Hoodies and sweats may be our “new normal,” but it’s important to dress your best!

    Dangling headphones and multi-colored or patterned clothing can be distracting. Instead, opt for wireless headphones (or none at all), simple jewelry, amd a solid, long sleeve top. This will prevent you from getting “lost” in your backdrop, and keep your audience focused on your responses. When it comes to color, wear what you feel most confident in, but keep in mind that most tv studios will tell you to avoid wearing white or black, as they can appear unflattering in harsh lighting. 

     

    TIP #3: PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!

    Practicing for your interview (independently or with colleagues!)  will help eliminate technical challenges, and help you feel more confident. 

    Practicing also provides the opportunity to check that your headphones and microphone are working properly, and your lighting and backdrop are well suited for a television appearance. 

    Zoom’s recording feature enables you to record and watch your practice interviews. Observing how you look, sound, and interact with the “interviewer” will help you perfect your body language, and eliminate any vague, awkward, or unnecessary elements in your responses or pitch.

     

    Conclusion

    A successful interview will help develop your brand and bridge the gap between you and your customers. Practicing, setting the stage, and dressing the part, will ensure you get the most out of your virtual TV interview.

    Now that you know how to ace your interview, need some help getting your segment booked? Contact us for help developing media relationships, earning television exposure, and highlighting your business to the right audience!

     

    Sources:

     

    https://www.wardrobeoxygen.com/what-to-wear-zoom-meeting/

    https://www.inc.com/jason-aten/5-ways-to-look-your-best-on-your-next-zoom-meeting.html

    http://www.metiscomm.com/guide/broadcast-interview-guide