We believe in serving, connecting, and celebrating our community. That mission is the cornerstone of our entire brand. We’re not in the radio business; we’re in the relationship business. One surefire way to continue our mission is to partner with likeminded companies rooted in Central Minnesota who have similar values and who also believe in the power of community.
Bernick’s embodies that unity we strive for in partnership, and together, we’re continually serving, connecting and celebrating our community. They've been a partner of ours for decades. They're one of our go-to sponsors for station contests, events, and promotions.
In recent years, Bernick's started working with our sister company, Leighton Interactive, to design a functional new website and to execute an inbound and content marketing campaign.
It’s All in How Well You Know Your Clients and Customers
Roberta Ringstad is Bernick’s media manager. Total, Roberta has spent 19 years at Bernick’s, and the past 11 have been in her current role. As imagined due to tenure, she’s quite the historian and relic on the initiatives, strategies, and marketing efforts Bernick’s has had over the years. She talked a little about the distribution industry, and how national brands like Miller, Pepsi, and Dr Pepper manage their media.
“You Just Don’t Find a Radio Partner Like Leighton Media”
“Rather than have an agency purchase media on our behalf, we purchase on our own. Our suppliers know the added value we have received because of our relationship with Leighton Media. It’s unique compared to anything they’ve seen in the country. You just don’t find a radio partner like Leighton Media,” Roberta said.
Initially, former LeightonMedia Account Executive Arlene Williams, who spent 23 years with the company, was Bernick’s rep. When she left, Bob Leighton played an instrumental role in the succession plan for the continuance of the Leighton Media – Bernick’s relationship. Roberta had an established relationship with Melissa Medford who was the Promotions Director prior to joining the sales team. “I knew her, I liked her, and she already knew our business. It was a perfect fit,” Roberta says of Melissa.
That age-old cliché of people buy from people could not have been truer. This partnership has always been about the people, not the radio buy. “It’s rare when a rock hasn’t been overturned when Melissa and I cover details, because we work together so well. When we plan and execute a promotion there isn’t an i left to dot or a t left to cross,” Roberta continued.
It’s More Than Just Selling a Can of Pepsi
“Our many decades+ relationship hinges on the expectation that Leighton Media knows us, and knows how we want to be portrayed in the market to our customers, those buying from us as wholesalers, and to our consumers who spend their hard-earned dollars on our products to enjoy. They are a family-owned business just like we are, and mutually, you just care about people. They are your family and your friends. Everything we do together is about people,” Roberta said.
She added, “Radio buying goes beyond more than just a thirty or sixty spot. What’s important to me is the relationship we have with Leighton Media and they help us reach the community. Not just the ears of the community, but the people. Their hearts and their souls. We have given away cars, motorcycles, snowmobiles, trips, money … what does this have to do with soda or beer? We want people to know we know them, right here in our community. They work hard, and we want to reward them and provide them with opportunities. We want to let them know we care about them.”
Bringing Experiences to Central Minnesota
It really isn’t about selling a can of Pepsi. For Leighton Media, it’s never about the product – be it cars, mattresses, lawn services, audio equipment, legal services – rather the end user. Who are the people in our community? What are their needs? How can the businesses and services that comprise this marketplace of ours reach them, impact them, and support them? Roberta shared another piece of that.
“It’s been really cool to partner with Leighton Media for our Bernick’s Family Fitness Series. We sat in a room – John Torgerson, Kerri Winter, and the marketing department – with the community in mind and wondered how we could help. Help get people up and moving around. We wanted people to be proactive with their health and educate them not only on our products and moderation, but also on how to become active with their families. These people are raising the next generation, and we want to help encourage healthy choices while making it fun. We looked for partners in media and sponsorship, and not only is Leighton Media great with day-of events providing live music and entertainment, but I believe they are instrumental in our series’ success throughout the year,” she said.
2017 and Beyond
“If it’s not broke, don’t fix it,” Roberta said. “Obviously there are elements of refreshing things to be creative. The crew over there does an amazing job of listening to us, and understanding what our desired end goal is and coming up with solutions and how we should execute it best to meet those goals. And – they are not afraid to tell you hey, that might be a bad idea, which we appreciate because we don’t want to waste time or money. In the next year, we’ll continue to do the things we’ve come to love and value. We’ll bring excitement and opportunity to the folks who listen, come to the events, and buy our products.”
Bernick's + Leighton Media = Success with Radio Advertising
“Leighton Media is so progressive in the ways they want to train, teach, and educate their customers on how to be the best they can be. They understand that dollars are hard earned and well spent, and they want to grant us the opportunity to know what we’re doing with our marketing dollars,” Roberta said.