Big
Thinking

A woman scratching her head in front of yellow arrows moving in different directions on a blue background to illustrate branding, marketing and advertising choices
Should you be branding, marketing or advertising?
September 16, 2026 | Inga Rundquist
Branding. Marketing. Advertising. While all three work together, they solve different problems. And figuring out which problem you have is a pretty important place to start.
A red image with tall columns in front of the letters AIO.
Unlocking AIO content pillars: a blueprint for your brand
August 10, 2026 | Inga Rundquist
At MindFire, we believe every piece of content should support a larger strategy. When your blogs, videos, thought leadership and website all reinforce the same core expertise, you're doing more than creating content. You're building authority that both people and AI can recognize.
handshake to illustrate trust building in content marketing
How to leverage trust-building content marketing strategies for your brand
July 16, 2026 | Inga Rundquist
Discover trust-building content marketing strategies that strengthen credibility, build brand loyalty and turn your content into a competitive advantage.
illustration of two people putting together an illustrated heart
People buy with emotion. Smart brands know how to harness it.
June 29, 2026 | Caroline Schweitzer
A strong brand gives people a reason to choose you over someone else. Long before they compare features, they're deciding whether they believe in your business.
why direct mail should be part of your marketing strategy
Why direct mail should be part of your marketing strategy
May 26, 2026 | Karina Huaracha
When everything looks the same in the digital landscape, the smart move is to show up somewhere else. That’s where an oldie but goodie – direct mail – makes its comeback.
A robotic humanoid looking through a high-tech magnifying glass that reads "search".
AI discoverability: is your brand showing up in AI results?
May 1, 2026 | MindFire Team
Online visibility is no longer just about search rankings. It’s about whether AI platforms recognize, understand and reference your brand, and that’s where AI Optimization (AIO) comes in.
MindFire team at 2026 ASAI awards holding awards
MindFire wins six ADAI awards, including a “Best of Category”
April 29, 2026 | Inga Rundquist
It was an exciting evening for MindFire at the 68th annual Art Directors Association of Iowa (ADAI) Design Exhibition in Des Moines.
Mallary Helmig
Grill the Arsonist – Mallary H.
April 2, 2026 | Inga Rundquist
In this edition of Grill the Arsonist, Mallary shares why adaptability is nonnegotiable in today’s agency world, how student life sharpened her client-ready communication skills and which one of her cats would absolutely hijack a meeting.
Brand trust is built in the details - featured image
Brand trust is built in the details
March 6, 2026 | Inga Rundquist
Brand trust is built in the small details. Learn how consistent voice, visuals and strategy across every touchpoint create alignment, credibility and long-term brand equity.
Is your brand ready for a PR crisis? - featured image
Is your brand ready for a PR crisis?
February 13, 2026 | MindFire Team
A PR crisis can happen to any brand. This article shows brands how to plan ahead, respond clearly and rebuild trust when reputations are under pressure.
The best marketing rarely has the biggest budget - preview image
The best marketing rarely has the biggest budget
January 29, 2026 | MindFire Team
Big budgets don’t guarantee better marketing. Discover how smart strategy, sharper creative and intentional spending drive real results.
Is your cool creative making a business impact? - featured image
Is your cool creative making a business impact?
January 16, 2026 | MindFire Team
We all love jaw-dropping creative – the kind that stops the scroll, sparks a reaction and makes you think, “Wow, that’s good.” And yes, that kind of work