Blog

Your business grew up. Did your brand come with it? That logo, tagline, website, or messaging might have made perfect sense when you created it. But businesses have a habit of changing while their brands sit patiently in the corner wearing the same outfit. Eventually, the fit gets awkward. A strategic brand refresh helps close […]

What happens when more than 90,000 rubber ducks meet a smart PR strategy? Nearly half a billion media impressions. For the 2026 Special Olympics Illinois Chicago Ducky Derby, Maclyn helped take a Chicago tradition far beyond the river, earning coverage across 44 states and 11 countries. Each year, Special Olympics Illinois sends thousands of bright […]

“We should be on TikTok.” “We need a video.” “Let’s run some ads.” “We should probably do SEO.” Any of those ideas could be right. They could also be a great way to spend money without accomplishing much. The problem isn’t the tactic. It’s starting with the tactic. Strong marketing begins by figuring out what […]

Des Moines isn’t Iowa’s best-kept secret anymore. New businesses are popping up. National companies are expanding. Local favorites keep raising the bar. That’s great news for the city’s economy—and not-so-great news if you’re hoping your business will stand out by simply existing. To earn attention, a business needs a clear point of view, a recognizable […]

AI can write a headline, analyze thousands of data points, personalize an email, and optimize an ad campaign before your first cup of coffee gets cold. Impressive? Absolutely. A complete marketing strategy? Not even close. Artificial intelligence has quickly moved from an emerging technology to an everyday marketing tool. Brands now use AI to create […]

Some cities are built on hype. Des Moines is built on growth. While larger markets compete for attention, Des Moines continues to attract businesses, entrepreneurs, developers, and talent with something far more valuable than buzz: opportunity. The region’s steady growth, business-friendly environment, and collaborative spirit have created fertile ground for innovation and investment. But growth […]

“A lot of people don’t think that those with intellectual disabilities can go beyond what they think of us. I want to break that expectation.” That’s the mission of Zinyra “Z” Ross, also known as Just Z, an artist, activist and motivational speaker who, along with her mother Simyra Ross, recently partnered with Maclyn to […]

A woman- and minority-owned business based in Chicago, Illinois, Ms. P’s Gluten Free serves up gluten-free snacks that hit the sweet spot of nutritious and delicious. Maclyn selected Ms. P’s as our first-ever Lightbox Grant recipient for a few reasons. Not only are their products remarkable — packed with flavor and made with whole, raw […]

Maclyn is hiring a Marketing Coordinator, Experiences to support integrated marketing campaigns, brand activations, and experiential programs across multiple markets nationwide. Job Description As part of the Experiences team, you will help plan and execute 300+ events annually while supporting day-to-day account coordination, logistics, inventory management, and event operations. This is a hands-on role for […]

Paid media makes you visible. Public relations makes you credible. That difference matters. You can buy impressions all day, but trust is harder to earn and easier to lose. That’s where a strong public relations strategy comes in. It builds credibility, extends your reach, and strengthens your brand in ways paid media alone can’t. At […]