beyond the brand · 88 articles and counting

truth in advertising.

Honest notes on branding, websites, video, AI and media buying, written by Corey Jeppesen from the bahlr studio in North Idaho.

The Bahlr Partnership

newest · July 22, 2026 · 4 min read

The Bahlr Partnership

Hi, I’m Corey. I own an advertising agency. It happens to be called Bahlr, but honestly, that doesn’t really matter.

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every article.

July 4, 2026 · 5 min read

The Highly Successful Advertising Campaign I Watched Get Shut Off

What one local case study taught me about the psychology of advertising.

July 1, 2026 · 5 min read

Nobody Warns You About Success

As an advertiser, I’ve had the privilege of spending my career inside other people’s businesses. My office might be in Hayden, Idaho, but most days I’m somewhere else entirely…

May 20, 2026 · 5 min read

How advertisers advertise

There is something deeply ironic happening in the advertising industry right now. The very people responsible for helping businesses communicate value…

May 19, 2026 · 6 min read

What Have You Done For Me Lately?

There is a strange and often unfortunate dynamic that exists between advertisers and business owners, especially in the world of small business.

May 19, 2026 · 5 min read

Patience in Advertising

One of the most interesting aspects of working in advertising—particularly with small businesses—is understanding how much education is actually involved in the relationship.

May 12, 2026 · 9 min read

Bahlr Is Too Expensive

Over the last 12 years of operating Bahlr as an official agency—and truthfully, over 20 years of being involved in advertising, creative work, branding…

May 5, 2026 · 4 min read

Talent Isn’t Enough

There’s a moment that happens to almost every entrepreneur at some point in their journey. You realize you’re good. Maybe even really good.

May 5, 2026 · 4 min read

The Oven vs. The Microwave.

Your business is not simple. It’s layered, built with intention, and made up of multiple ingredients working together—your brand…

May 5, 2026 · 4 min read

The Work Is the Work. The Relationship Is Everything.

There’s a fundamental misunderstanding about advertising that I see all the time, especially from business owners…

January 5, 2026 · 5 min read

Advertising in 2026

It’s a new year. And if you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, or decision-maker, you’ve probably asked yourself at least one of these questions recently.

November 24, 2025 · 3 min read

The Real Reason We Keep Working With Certain Creators

In the production world, there’s a quiet truth nobody likes to admit: Most creatives don’t lose opportunities because of talent—they lose them because of reliability.

November 10, 2025 · 4 min read

Before You Hire Some Random SEO or Optimization Company, Read This

Let me start by saying this — my company doesn’t offer SEO or “optimization” as standalone services, so you’re safe here. I’m not trying to sell you anything.

October 9, 2025 · 4 min read

Serving Clients at Their Highest Value

When we think about why client relationships fail, the natural assumption is that it must have been because we didn’t work hard enough.

October 9, 2025 · 3 min read

The Client Creative Exchange

In creative industries, it’s easy to forget what our work is really about. We often get caught up in our own passion, ideas, and artistry…

October 2, 2025 · 5 min read

Are You Jerry Jones or Shahid Khan?

Over the course of my career, I’ve worked with countless business owners. Some are visionaries…

September 26, 2025 · 3 min read

Video is Not Enough

Oftentimes, when you see the Bahlr website or scroll through our social media, you’ll see video production. Video is being done.

September 8, 2025 · 2 min read

It’s Not What You Say. It’s When You Say It.

Many business owners believe that if they simply talk about what they do, people will automatically respond.

August 28, 2025 · 2 min read

Lean Production. Powerful Results.

In today’s world of video production, there’s a strange trend: over-dramatize everything.

August 21, 2025 · 5 min read

Stop Handing Clients Tools. Start Delivering Results.

As business owners, we often forget a simple truth: clients don’t hire us for tools. They hire us for results.

August 15, 2025 · 3 min read

Your Website Is Your Company’s Story — Keep Writing It

When you think of your website, don’t think of it as a brochure. Don’t think of it as a one-and-done project you launch and then forget about.

August 4, 2025 · 3 min read

How to Use AI: A Real-World View

If you’re familiar with artificial intelligence, you know it’s not just some novelty anymore. AI is modern now — as modern as social media was when it hit, or the internet, or the telephone. It’s a part of our world.

July 22, 2025 · 5 min read

The Death of the Content-Only Agency

There’s a wave of energy sweeping through the ad world. Young entrepreneurs—creatives, content makers, digital marketers—are launching agencies and chasing dreams. It’s inspiring.

July 16, 2025 · 2 min read

You Know What Your Problem Is?

The reason your marketing isn’t getting the traction you want—no leads, no traffic, no real response—isn’t because of the agency you hired. It’s not your nephew in the basement…

July 9, 2025 · 2 min read

Do You Understand the Idea of Leverage?

A few times a year, I host a private event — nothing flashy, just a quality evening where I bring together some of my favorite people.

July 8, 2025 · 2 min read

Why “I’m Too Busy” Is the Worst Reason to Skip Advertising

It’s something I hear from business owners and entrepreneurs all the time…

June 17, 2025 · 4 min read

Why Clients Don’t Think You’re Lazy—They Just Don’t Think They Matter

In today’s service economy—from small-town contractors to global tech giants…

June 14, 2025 · 2 min read

Are You Really Present, or Just Performing? A Look at Entrepreneurial Guilt and Fulfillment

I recently came across a post on social media that said…

June 12, 2025 · 2 min read

AI Read Everything I’ve Written. Then Judged Me.

I asked ChatGPT to independently review and analyze all the content across my websites without any prompting, direction, or bias…

June 12, 2025 · 2 min read

The Invisible Edge: How Subtle Decisions Shape Your Brand

In business, it’s easy to measure clicks, conversions, and contracts. But some of the most powerful indicators of brand strength aren’t found in your analytics dashboard…

June 12, 2025 · 2 min read

They Knew You Before You Walked In the Room

Why Marketing Isn’t a Luxury—It’s a Shortcut to Trust I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard business owners say…

June 9, 2025 · 2 min read

An Ode to Videographers (From Someone Who’s Been There)

In the world of advertising, there’s no shortage of designers, developers, marketers, and strategists. In the world of advertising…

June 1, 2025 · 3 min read

Why I Still Enter Design Contests (and Why You Should Too)

I recently came across a design contest posted by the Hillyard Alliance in Spokane — an open call for creatives to submit banner artwork…

May 30, 2025 · 3 min read

The Cost of Winning: Why You’re Not Overpaying—You’re Undervaluing

If you think that hiring an agency to establish your brand, create your content, and deploy it with strategy and placement that fuels long-term…

May 30, 2025 · 4 min read

The Lost Art of Leadership in Advertising

In the golden era of advertising—think 1950s Madison Avenue—the men running the agencies weren’t scrambling for approval or guessing what their clients wanted.

May 28, 2025 · 3 min read

Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.

We’re in a strange place in advertising. — Everywhere you look, businesses are being sold the same promise…

May 28, 2025 · 3 min read

It’s Not the Size of the Brand—It’s How You Use It

In the world of business, branding, and advertising, there’s a common misconception: that the way your brand looks is the beginning and the end of your success.

May 26, 2025 · 3 min read

Read the Room

One of the biggest, most expensive, and most frustrating mistakes I see—across the board, no matter the industry, no matter how big the name…

May 7, 2025 · 4 min read

You Picked Talent Over Leadership

I’ve been in advertising and creative production long enough to see the landscape shift, tilt, and collapse over and over again.

May 5, 2025 · 3 min read

Hiring Bahlr vs. Hiring an Employee

Every so often, I get an email from a prospective client that reminds me why the work we do at Bahlr is as much about education as it is about execution.

May 5, 2025 · 3 min read

From Classroom to Creative Director

Last week, I had the privilege of speaking to a group of graphic design students—young creatives on the edge of launching their careers.

March 19, 2025 · 3 min read

Stop Selling Boats—Start Selling the Ocean

So, you think entrepreneurs are looking for a video guy? A web developer? A graphic designer?

March 6, 2025 · 4 min read

Creatives aren’t enough.

There’s a shift happening in the creative industry right now—especially in small towns like mine—and it’s impossible not to notice.

February 24, 2025 · 3 min read

You’re Probably Not Ready to Market—Really

Most businesses think they’re ready to market, but the hard truth? They’re not.

February 17, 2025 · 2 min read

Do You Suck at Communicating?

While excelling in your field is commendable, effectively conveying that passion to others is a different challenge altogether.

February 17, 2025 · 2 min read

Why Your TV Ads Suck Sometimes.

At Bahlr, we recognize the enduring power of television advertising.t

February 17, 2025 · 3 min read

Cut the Excuses.

If I call your business and the first thing I hear is “Due to high call volume…“, we’ve already started off on the wrong foot.

February 13, 2025 · 4 min read

Why I hate SEO

Now, before I get into why I cannot stand SEO, let’s start with a brief summary of what it actually is.

February 6, 2025 · 2 min read

The Fundamentals of Advertising

The goal of an advertiser shouldn’t be to just create; but to also educate and develop a narrative that drives real value in the advertising industry.

February 3, 2025 · 2 min read

Hiring a Creative Employee vs Hiring a Creative Agency

When people think about their business, they’re often so busy running it that they struggle to determine the value of different needs.

January 24, 2025 · 2 min read

Why Idaho is Catching the Eye of Major Players Like Barron Trump

Recently, news broke that Barron Trump, youngest son of former President Donald Trump, is set to launch a luxury real estate firm.

January 16, 2025 · 4 min read

North Idaho College: A Story of Resilience, Community, and Success

When North Idaho College (NIC) approached Bahlr Media over a year ago, the stakes couldn’t have been higher.

January 16, 2025 · 4 min read

Why Walmart’s Subtle Rebrand is the Perfect Move

Recently, Walmart unveiled a slight iteration of its iconic logo. As expected, the internet was quick to respond with mixed reactions.

January 9, 2025 · 3 min read

The Bahlr Hall of Fame: More Than Just Great Work

If you’ve seen our recent Bahlr Hall of Fame video, you already know it’s not just a fun idea or a shiny plaque for the office.

January 8, 2025 · 2 min read

Behind the Scenes: How Bahlr Helped NIC Drive Enrollment for Their Workforce Training Center

At Bahlr, we believe the best projects start with collaboration, a clear purpose, and a passion for storytelling.

January 4, 2025 · 3 min read

Brick by Brick: A Streaming Docuseries Bringing Spokane’s Peyton Building Back to Life

Spokane, WA – Spokane’s beloved Peyton Building is about to undergo a remarkable transformation, and for the first time, the community will have a front-row seat to its journey.

January 3, 2025 · 2 min read

2025: A Year of Boundaries, Purpose, and Gratitude

In a world that constantly pushes us to love everyone, to keep connections alive no matter what, I’m choosing to live differently. I don’t believe we owe anyone love, friendship, or our time just because they’re good people.

December 6, 2024 · 2 min read

What is Branding?

When people think about branding, it’s often confused with having a logo or a slogan. While a logo is certainly a piece of your branding puzzle, it’s not the full picture.

November 6, 2024 · 2 min read

Choosing Your Brand Direction: Trust Your Instincts and the Process

When it comes to choosing a direction for your brand, there’s one golden rule: it shouldn’t be a collective decision made by everyone around you…

November 6, 2024 · 2 min read

Statewide Idaho Healthcare Coalitions Trust Idaho Agency for New and Efficient Branding Direction

Bahlr, a premier branding and creative agency, is proud to announce the successful completion of simultaneous projects…

July 20, 2024 · 2 min read

Coeur d’Alene: The Hidden Gem Loved by Celebrities

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, has always been a treasure trove of natural beauty, serene landscapes, and a welcoming community spirit.

June 17, 2024 · 1 min read

Crafting the Perfect Commercial with American On-Site Services

Creating a commercial is more than just being creative—it’s about having the right idea. Recently, American On-Site approached me with a request for a new, catchy commercial. ..

June 5, 2024 · 2 min read

Yung Bahlr Takes the Stage

Coeur d’Alene, ID – 2024 – Bahlr is excited to announce that our founder, Corey Jeppesen, took on the persona of Yung Bahlr to participate in the Idaho Drug Free Youth (IDFY) charity lip-sync competition.

September 25, 2023 · 2 min read

How Enterprises Can Get Big-Market Services at an Affordable Price

As an enterprise, you understand the importance of investing in marketing services to promote your brand and drive growth…

September 25, 2023 · 2 min read

How Small Businesses Can Get Big-Market Marketing Services on a Budget

As a small business owner, you know that marketing is essential for the growth and success of your company….

September 25, 2023 · 2 min read

You Can’t Measure, What You Can’t Measure.

When it comes to building a successful business, having a solid brand foundation is absolutely essential. But what does a brand foundation actually mean, and why is it so important?

September 25, 2023 · 1 min read

Small Town, Big Companies, Big Profits

As a large corporation, you know that your advertising budget is a crucial part of your overall business strategy. But did you know that hiring an ad agency from a smaller town…

September 25, 2023 · 1 min read

Small Business and Marketing Budgets

As a local advertising company serving the Coeur d’Alene area, we at Bahlr Media understand the vital role that small businesses play in our community. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and their success is essential for the overall prosperity of our town.

September 25, 2023 · 1 min read

The Bahlr Experience

Welcome to Bahlr Media, a full-service ad agency specializing in helping businesses achieve online success. In today’s digital age, it’s more important than ever to have a strong online presence, and we’re here to help you get there.

September 25, 2023 · 2 min read

The GOAT Effect

In the world of sports, there are few names that carry as much weight as Tom Brady and LeBron James. Both players have consistently proven themselves to be the best in their respective sports, their dedication to never giving up has cemented their place in the history books.

September 25, 2023 · 2 min read

Consistent Marketing Is Key

At Bahlr Media, we believe that consistency is key to success in marketing. It’s not enough to simply build a strong foundation and put out a great video or piece of content every once in a while.

September 25, 2023 · 2 min read

Why You Need Video in Your Marketing

Video production continues to be one of the top ways of marketing your message to your potential clients

September 25, 2023 · 2 min read

Employee Engagement: The Often Missing Link

If your employees aren’t engaged and committed to the culture of your company, your client care will suffer

September 25, 2023 · 2 min read

Macs the Tool of Choice for Designers

In the world of graphic design it’s no mystery that Macs are heralded as the tool of choice

September 25, 2023 · 2 min read

Why Video Marketing Matters

According to a study done by Microsoft, on average, the attention span of people is now 8 seconds or less

September 25, 2023 · 3 min read

You Probably Don’t Need a CMS for Your Website

Why You Should Consider just Letting Your Developer (Or Agency) Handle Your Content

September 25, 2023 · 3 min read

Should I Outsource My Social Media Content?

Creating consistent content can be time-consuming — see which strategy is right for you!

September 25, 2023 · 2 min read

Where to Start: Google or Facebook?

In 2019 the giants of digital marketing are Google and Facebook(who also owns Instagram). One question I get a lot is where should my business start Google or Facebook?

September 25, 2023 · 2 min read

The Bahlr Way

Learn About the Bahlr Media Way, and How We Can Change Your Business

September 25, 2023 · 2 min read

Domains, Hosting, and Websites. What Does It All Mean?

So let’s break down the differences between the pieces of putting a website on the internet.

September 25, 2023 · 4 min read

Use Facebook Likes Campaigns as Testing Grounds for Audience and Demographic Experiments

Every day that goes by, social media websites – especially Facebook and Instagram – push businesses…

September 25, 2023 · 3 min read

Content Creation is King

There are numerous social media platforms out in the world right now. There’s a saying that if you want to make money in your business then you need to stop the customer in their tracks by jumping in front of them.

September 25, 2023 · 4 min read

Using Facebook Likes Campaigns

Every day that goes by, social media websites – especially Facebook and Instagram – push businesses to rely more and more heavily on paid advertising over organic posting and networking.

September 25, 2023 · 1 min read

Account Managers and Creative Directors | Why a Symbiotic Relationship is Vital

It’s no surprise that creatives and account managers often butt heads in the world of marketing.

September 25, 2023 · 3 min read

Organizing the Chaos

You fired up your favorite web-based website building platform (SquareSpace, Wix, WordPress, etc.) and spent every evening for 2 weeks laboring over building your ideal website.

September 25, 2023 · 3 min read

Focusing on Communication

We have all heard the classic bit of advice, “The three keys to any relationship are communication, communication, and communication.” This advice holds true especially in a business relationship.

September 25, 2023 · 4 min read

5 Critical Steps to do Before You Launch Your Business

Branding – the foundation to every great business, so diverse, so misunderstood. What is branding? Why should you create a brand? What should be included in your brand? We’re going to answer those questions in the form of a nice list down below so you can get it going!

September 24, 2023 · 2 min read

Capturing the Attention of Gen-Z

For the last 10 years, marketing research has been largely focused on the motivation of Millennials as their buying power began to match that of Baby Boomers.