You might’ve heard by now—Mark Zuckerberg is shaking things up at Meta. Last week, he announced plans to replace professional fact-checkers with a “Community Notes” model, taking a page from Elon Musk’s playbook over at X (formerly Twitter). Meta says this will tackle political “bias” and “censorship,” but let’s not kid ourselves—this is about changing the rules of what’s allowed to spread online.
Here’s what’s really happening, and why it matters:
What These Changes Mean for Social Media
📢 More Misinformation: By ditching professional fact-checkers for a crowdsourced model, Meta is making it easier for false or misleading content to go unchecked. Whether it’s conspiracy theories or flat-out lies, the truth will be playing catch-up.
🔓 Looser Moderation: Expect fewer guardrails around sensitive topics like immigration or gender identity. This isn’t about free speech—it’s about leaving space for harmful narratives to thrive.
🗳️ A Surge in Political Posts: Meta is reintroducing political content into your feed, which could spark important conversations—or drown us in divisive rhetoric.
The Bigger Picture
If this all feels eerily familiar, it’s because we’ve seen it before. When Elon Musk rolled back moderation at X, studies showed spikes in hate speech and misinformation. Meta’s approach could bring more of the same.
But here’s the good news: while social media platforms might become noisier and less reliable, this is your chance to rise above the chaos. Consumers are hungry for brands they can trust, and that’s where you come in.
Here’s How to Adapt:
✨ Be a Beacon of Trust: Your audience wants reliable, authentic content. Share your values, tell your story, and give them a reason to believe in what you stand for. Don’t shy away from long-form content—it’s your chance to go deeper and connect meaningfully.
🤝 Create a Community: As the digital landscape gets murkier, people will seek spaces that feel safe and intentional. Be that space. Show your audience they’re seen and heard.
🎯 Focus on Quality, Not Quantity: Instead of cranking out endless posts, prioritize a few high-impact pieces that speak directly to your audience’s needs.
At the end of the day, this is a moment to stand out, not blend in. Your audience isn’t interested in the noise—they’re looking for clarity, leadership, and authenticity.
SEO. The three letters that have kept marketers awake at night for years. Just when we thought we had the algorithm gods figured out, here comes a game-changer: artificial intelligence. AI is transforming the way people search for information, and as business owners, marketers, and entrepreneurs, we need to keep up—or risk becoming irrelevant.
Let’s face it: the digital landscape is shifting faster than a TikTok trend. With AI-powered search tools like ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and other AI platforms gaining traction, traditional SEO (or search engine optimization) is evolving. If you’re not actively updating your strategy, you’re leaving money—and opportunity—on the table.
How AI is Changing Search
AI is no longer just powering voice assistants like Siri and Alexa; it’s reshaping how users search for and receive information. Instead of typing fragmented keywords into a search bar, people are now asking complete questions and expecting direct, conversational answers.
For example:
Old Search Query: “best coffee shops Reno”
AI Search Query: “What are the best locally owned coffee shops in Reno with outdoor seating?”
The difference? AI tools understand intent better than traditional search engines. They aim to give users exactly what they’re looking for—no clicking through multiple links required. If your content isn’t optimized to answer these types of nuanced questions, it won’t even make the shortlist.
What This Means for Your SEO Strategy
If you’ve been treating SEO like a set-it-and-forget-it task, it’s time to snap out of it. Here’s how you can adapt your strategy to thrive in an AI-driven world:
1. Focus on Conversational Keywords
AI thrives on natural language. Optimize your content for full sentences and questions rather than just keywords. Think about how your audience talks and search for solutions. Tools like AnswerThePublic or Google’s “People Also Ask” section can give you insights into real questions people are asking.
2. Prioritize Quality Over Quantity
AI-powered search tools love well-structured, authoritative content. Instead of churning out dozens of mediocre blog posts, focus on creating fewer but more in-depth, actionable, and user-focused pieces.
3. Claim Featured Snippets
AI tools often pull information directly from Google’s featured snippets (the answer boxes at the top of search results). Structure your content to include bullet points, tables, or concise paragraphs that answer common questions.
4. Leverage Schema Markup
Schema markup is your secret weapon for helping AI understand your content. It adds extra context to your website, making it easier for AI to recommend your content in search results.
5. Optimize for Voice Search
With the rise of AI, voice search is more popular than ever. Think about how people speak versus how they type. Write your content in a conversational tone that mirrors spoken language.
6. Stay Mobile-Friendly
More than half of all searches come from mobile devices, and AI-powered search is no exception. Ensure your website loads quickly, is easy to navigate, and provides an excellent user experience across all devices.
The Takeaway
Keeping your SEO efforts updated isn’t just a technical chore; it’s a vital part of staying relevant. AI tools are redefining how people search for and interact with information. If your content doesn’t adapt, someone else’s will.
So, take a moment to audit your SEO strategy. Are you optimizing for conversational search? Are you creating high-quality, user-first content? Are you ready for the AI-driven future of search?
If not, it’s time to get to work. Because in the world of SEO, standing still is the same as falling behind.
Here’s to staying ahead of the curve—because your audience deserves to find you.
We are thrilled to announce that Ace Studios has been recognized as the 2024 Advertising Agency of the Year in the “Under $10 Million” category at the prestigious Best of the West Media Awards. This accolade celebrates our team’s relentless pursuit of creativity, innovation, and dedication to the community, highlighting the standout work we’ve delivered over the past year.
A Milestone for Ace Studios
Being honored as the Advertising Agency of the Year in the Western Region is a testament to our commitment to providing top-tier service and groundbreaking marketing strategies. Competing against some of the best agencies in the region, we are humbled to have been recognized for our achievements in creativity, community involvement, and business growth. This award not only celebrates our work but also reflects the trust and partnership we’ve built with our clients.
The Award Criteria
The Advertising Agency of the Year Award celebrates agencies that have excelled in several key areas:
Innovation, Skill, and Creativity: Our work this year has showcased our ability to think outside the box, offering fresh and innovative solutions for our clients. Whether through branding, digital marketing, or creative campaigns, we have consistently delivered exceptional results.
Leadership in the Community: Ace Studios has always been deeply committed to giving back. From supporting local businesses to participating in community events, our role as leaders goes beyond just marketing. We believe in fostering positive change and uplifting the Reno community through our work and initiatives.
Civic and Community Engagement: Our corporate social responsibility efforts have included partnerships with non-profits and local organizations, focusing on causes that matter to our team and our city. From promoting local talent to volunteering our time and resources, we’ve embraced our role as a force for good in Northern Nevada.
Looking Ahead
This recognition fuels our passion to continue pushing boundaries and delivering cutting-edge campaigns for our clients. As we look toward the future, Ace Studios will remain dedicated to not only achieving new levels of success for our clients but also continuing to serve as a pillar of innovation and community leadership in Reno and beyond.
Thank you to our clients, partners, and team members who have made this achievement possible. We look forward to more growth, creativity, and meaningful impact in the years ahead.
The American Advertising Federation announced that Kurt Thigpen, governor of AAF District 14, and CEO of Ace Studios was honored with the Lee-Douthit-Levine Perseverance Award during the Salute to Achievers Breakfast at the national ADMERICA conference on June 1 in Salt Lake City.
Thigpen, co-founder of the award-winning creative agency Ace Studios, has demonstrated perseverance and dedication throughout his tenure as governor of AAF District 14. Representing Northern Nevada and Northern California, Thigpen has been instrumental in leading the charge for excellence in advertising.
In addition to his professional achievements, Thigpen is committed to community service, public education, and advocacy.
He has served as an elected trustee for the Washoe County School Board and continues to make an impact as an appointed board member of the State Public Charter School Authority.
During the ADMERICA conference, Thigpen was also elected to serve on AAF’s Council of Governors, which will put him on the pathway to becoming the Chair in three year’s time, the highest volunteer position one can hold within the AAF, and also maintains a seat on the AAF National Board of Directors in this capacity.
We are thrilled to announce that Ace Studios has once again proved its creative prowess by clinching not one, but two prestigious awards at AAF Reno‘s American Advertising Awards. Our captivating photography campaign, “Crowned Prince,” has garnered both a Gold ADDY and a Mosaic ADDY Award, marking a remarkable achievement in the realm of advertising creativity and diversity.
The “Crowned Prince” campaign encapsulated a vision that transcended conventional boundaries of masculinity. From composition to makeup and lighting, every element was thoughtfully curated to convey a narrative of regality, empowerment, and cultural richness.
Winning the Gold ADDY Award is a testament to the exceptional creativity and execution demonstrated by the entire team at Ace Studios. It signifies not only our commitment to excellence but also our ability to deliver innovative creations that resonates with audiences. This recognition reinforces our position as a leading force in the advertising industry, dedicated to pushing boundaries and surpassing expectations.
However, what truly sets this achievement apart is the receipt of the Mosaic ADDY Award. This accolade holds special significance as it celebrates diversity, inclusion, and multiculturalism in advertising. The Mosaic ADDY Award recognizes campaigns that authentically represent diverse perspectives, cultures, and communities, fostering a more inclusive and equitable advertising landscape.
At Ace Studios, diversity and representation are not merely checkboxes but integral components of our creative process. We believe in harnessing the power of storytelling to amplify voices, celebrate differences, and foster empathy. The “Crowned Prince” campaign exemplifies our unwavering commitment to showcasing the beauty and complexity of diverse experiences, resonating with audiences on a deeper level.
Receiving both the Gold ADDY and the Mosaic ADDY Award is a remarkable honor, underscoring our dedication to excellence, innovation, and inclusivity. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the AAF Reno’s American Advertising Awards for this recognition and to our clients, collaborators, and supporters who continue to inspire and challenge us.
As we celebrate this milestone, we remain steadfast in our mission to push creative boundaries, champion diversity, and shape the future of advertising. The journey doesn’t end here—it’s a testament to what we can achieve when creativity knows no bounds.
Credits: Chris Thigpen, Photographer Alexandria Thomson, Special FX Artist
Did you get another yucky unsolicited spammy phone call, text, or email from a business that you swear you didn’t give your information to? It feels endless. A vicious cycle you can’t get out of no matter how many times you say no, send stop, or try to unsubscribe yet somehow, you’re still on their listing? Did you know that’s ILLEGAL? As a business, you should know that you can be reported and be given a hefty fine. Businesses have now had to start paying up… BIG TIME. Put yourself in your customer’s shoes. You would feel like you’re trapped constantly trying to delete voice mails, texts, and emails that you tried to opt out of. Is this de ja vu or are you stuck in a futuristic time loop like Edge of Tomorrow? So, what do you do?
Since the phone was invented, we have been bombarded with constant calls with ‘miracle this’, ‘beauty that’, or ‘get a loan now’. Then the FTC came along banning deceptive and abusive acts and practices which also restricted the times they could call you (9 AM – 8 PM… Yay!). With the internet came email, phones came text, and now… AI.
Fortunately, we recently went to a fun workshop that helped remind us of some of the DO’s AND DON’Ts of proper marketing etiquette. Thanks to the brilliant Jennifer Baker of Performance & Engagement Consulting. She helped us see the light (insert angelic music).
Here are some DO’s & DON’Ts:
BE HONEST. BE AUTHENTIC. Don’t lie or try to trick people. Never give false information or promises in your advertising to only hook them in. It’s like starting a relationship with someone. You don’t want to start things off by lying. Be real.
IDENTIFY YOURSELF. You can’t go around telling people you’re just a “person” trying to get to know your customers when you’re a company or non-profit trying to sell a service or a product. Let’s not catfish.
Example: “Hey, it’s me, Danny. Long time no see friend. Just trying to catch up. Get a free trial to MadeUpGym for 7 days and get the bod you want for 2024 if you click on the link below.” Sound familiar? Obviously, not a friend. Like, who are you? Don’t you hate this? Me too.
GIVE THEM A WAY OUT. Don’t trap your customers in a cycle of unsolicited phone calls, texts, and emails. You have to give someone an option to opt-out or unsubscribe. No one wants to be held hostage. Yikes.
BONUS: Do you know what hours a business is allowed to send text messages to a customer? (Hint: It’s the same as phone calls… the answer is at the top of this article.)
STAY AWAY ILLEGAL CONTENT. If you didn’t know, absolutely NO marketing of illegal substances, sex, hate, alcohol, firearms, or tobacco.
For texting specifically: NO gambling!
KNOW THY AUDIENCE. Remember you have to look at your stats. You’re not just putting out content to let people know you exist, but you want to know who’s listening, reading, or watching so you can better understand how you can market more effectively rather than spending countless hours doing random things that don’t work. DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME!
CONSISTENCY IS YOUR FRIEND. Honestly, this is one of the most important ones to remember. Consistency is KEY. There are many times businesses will start something and just stop (we say this because we are so guilty of it). As a small business, it is so important to remain consistent to get your information out there. Here are some tips to make it easier for you:
Create a template.
Have your topics lined up.
Create a calendar.
Have a scheduling system.
Have fun and be creative.
Yay… You made it to the finish line! These are just some of the tips we learned from the brilliant Jennifer Baker. If you want to learn more, definitely check her out. She goes into the legalities of email marketing, SMS texting, AI, and more. Overall, don’t be a pain. In simpler words, act like a human being and be real. We all want to be treated respectfully. As a business (I am a small business owner myself), it is understandable that we have to market ourselves in any way that we can, but people have their limits. We have to treat our customers with the best care possible because we ARE customers ourselves. Ask yourself… wouldn’t you want to be cared for?
