tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418171204734817012024-02-07T03:43:06.010-05:00south of the bankA forum for interactions and ideas regarding web and social media. Some industry perspectives and ramblings. And, current events for Southbank Interactive, an interactive marketing agency located in the Cincinnati area on the south bank of the Ohio River.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641817120473481701.post-19375096294460913342009-10-14T15:41:00.002-05:002009-10-14T15:43:21.023-05:00We've Moved, Again!Southbank Interactive has changed addresses again.<div><br /></div><div>Southbank Interactive</div><div>PO Box 75140</div><div>Fort Thomas, KY 41075</div><div><br /></div><div>Please make a note of it.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641817120473481701.post-14621105817663397142009-05-06T15:04:00.008-05:002009-05-06T15:27:57.431-05:00WordPress Blog for PSI Group<p>Following the successful launch of <a href="http://www.psigroup.com/">PSI Group</a>'s corporate website, the client requested <a href="http://www.southbankinteractive.com/">Southbank Interactive</a> develop a corporate blog. The goal of the blog was to create a unique web property that would provide a tool to communicate and share more frequent updates of interview tips, events, and industry trends for both clients and job candidates.</p><p><a href="http://talent-centric.com">Talent Centric</a><sup><a href="http://talent-centric.com">SM</a></sup> was selected for the name of the blog and the domain. This mark is being registered by PSI Group to brand their unique talent acquisition process. WordPress was selected as the technology and a custom template was developed that repurposed graphics, color palette, and fonts from the original corporate website. PSI was contributing posts almost immediately with multiple editors. Plug-ins were added to facilitate sharing of posts and monitoring blog traffic.</p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqZz_TLef0_6atifxW47sXELM2UOBQc6ABI99iMC7CRLpIBEV0nCkwcq4BYInvHr2zignu8LOrNRI2gZHRP_GoCq4NWlRZpTaiBPeP1ItsYzga1p-a5QfLQZSUaefmTH-DZbb6piVtg/s1600-h/Picture+2.png"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqZz_TLef0_6atifxW47sXELM2UOBQc6ABI99iMC7CRLpIBEV0nCkwcq4BYInvHr2zignu8LOrNRI2gZHRP_GoCq4NWlRZpTaiBPeP1ItsYzga1p-a5QfLQZSUaefmTH-DZbb6piVtg/s400/Picture+2.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332809045904456098" /></a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641817120473481701.post-54845017002780874862008-11-26T14:10:00.003-05:002008-11-26T14:15:10.174-05:00Tightening your business belt in a weak economy - Introduction<div>All indications are this will be a deep and long recession. A down economy is typically a time for many businesses to be more introspective, looking at ways to be more efficient with resources and budgets - Operations. It is also a time for guarding the base business and aggressively looking for low-cost new business - Marketing and Sales. The healthier your business is during this dip, the higher you come out on the upswing when the economy begins to improve.</div><div><br /></div><div>On the bright side, the current economic conditions may present your business with new opportunities. An existing product or service may be more desirable in a budget-conscious economy. A new product or service may present a golden opportunity for clients to meet new, shrinking budgets. Your competitive set is showing signs of attrition, creating a window of opportunity to capture more market share. These opportunities require some level of marketing and sales to be successful.</div><div><br /></div><div>A Marketing Plan should be a part of your strategic business planning process, which for many, is going on right now. It will help identify opportunities and strategies to get your products and services to market. Tactics, such as branding, collateral, direct mail, advertising, website, and email deliver on the overall marketing strategy. Whatever the tactic, an informed, focused, consistent, coordinated approach will yield the highest results.</div><div><br /></div><div>Over the next few weeks, a series of posts will be updated with ideas to make your marketing dollars work harder, at the very least more measurable. Topics on the table include Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Email Marketing, Blogs, iBrochures (mini-sites), and Sales Presentations. Topics will include real world experiences and solutions for common business questions and problems. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you have a topic you're considering in your plan outside of the ones mentioned and would like our input, please contact <a href="http://www.southbankinteractive.com/">Southbank Interactive</a>.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641817120473481701.post-6970759680753499362008-11-21T12:40:00.011-05:002008-11-21T16:17:47.031-05:00PSI Group Recruits Southbank Interactive to Redesign Brand and WebsitePSI Group is a <a href="http://www.psigroup.com/employers-creative.asp">Creative</a> and <a href="http://www.psigroup.com/employers-IT.asp">IT Staffing</a> and Recruiting firm with the main office in Cincinnati and additional offices in Cleveland, Raleigh, and Charlotte. PSI competes on a national level with large staffing and recruiting companies placing highly qualified resources in global companies for contract, contract-to-hire, and direct hire positions. PSI is unique in that they focus on developing and maintaining a pool of exceptional talent for placement with their clients. Most staffing agencies work just the opposite... searching for talent to fill existing openings.<div><br /></div><div>Initially, the project began as a website refresh, making some updates and reworking the site organization to improve search engine ranking. It became evident that the brand was overextending it's life span requiring a redesign of identity, collateral, and website.<div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8isIGigHVdrHCaeYaf5y69FI_Ie6zin57dQu7UmHSLrgh2IjDVFOcvqo24GX08rn2zge6vb86cXffEb4MWpXUdK9ToJrvGTd5fvlg91arMjS81kGGT6lRnHHcJ5Z5vSu0oKSCVGEBA/s1600-h/PSI-Group-Final-small.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 109px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8isIGigHVdrHCaeYaf5y69FI_Ie6zin57dQu7UmHSLrgh2IjDVFOcvqo24GX08rn2zge6vb86cXffEb4MWpXUdK9ToJrvGTd5fvlg91arMjS81kGGT6lRnHHcJ5Z5vSu0oKSCVGEBA/s400/PSI-Group-Final-small.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271169160430454946" /></a>The new identity closely reflects their business with icons of people and one clearly rising above the other two. A contemporary containment device, color palette, and custom typeface work together to create a modern mark.</div><div><br /></div><div>Once alignment on the brand identity was achieved, work began on interaction design. Information architecture was established, segregating clients from candidates. This approach was preferred by PSI due to the divergent needs and goals for clients and candidates.</div><div><br /></div><div>A communication platform was created that reflected PSI's point of differentiation in the market - Candidate-Centric Staffing. A framework for the website copy was created to describe business processes and tools. To help communicate the value of this model, phrases and terms were used such as "Active recruiting", "Best Book", and "Best meets Best".</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://www.psigroup.com/"><img style="float:none; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxs27XijfKJ6ioOBHK51Zm1HUaNGWho4RP_AXZywmBYmZJA7G-CJUgWtIzZrrTcylhZYsDFSzBG7kd446jgggTZPgWJYXaazpKLtx-mGKBtm5LrfbE-aYNO-bc4qqwldGQBTdw3In8zg/s400/Picture+20.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271169727224313474" /></a><div>The landing page includes a Flash animation that communicates concrete end results for each persona and the value of PSI's Candidate-Centric business model. A login for existing employees and clients provide direct access to Bullhorn, PSI's recruiting and staffing business management software. Active jobs are randomly pulled from Bullhorn and presented in the featured jobs area.</div><div><br /></div><div>Site content includes information for both clients and candidates. Active job listings, interview preparation, and resume writing tips are available for candidates. They may also submit a resume directly to PSI, apply for a job, or email a job description to someone. For added efficiency, the system integrates directly with Bullhorn by adding submissions to an area frequently checked by PSI Recruiters. Prospective clients have access to information about the Candidate-Centric staffing model, methodology, and tools used. </div><div><br /></div><div>Search engine marketing was integrated throughout the process including information architecture, web page construction, and copywriting for maximum, natural optimization. Google Analytics was installed and a monthly PDF is sent to stakeholders for performance evaluation. A link building campaign included large search engines, local directories, business networks, and social networks. Weeks after launch, the website has made drastic improvements in search engine rankings, breaking into the first page results for many key phrases.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.psigroup.com/">Visit the PSI Group website</a></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641817120473481701.post-59366220781632839842008-08-19T09:13:00.006-05:002008-08-19T09:57:22.112-05:00Down Syndrome Assn. Launches New WebsiteAs interactive agency of record for the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati (DSAGC), Southbank Interactive was called upon to roll out the new brand identity designed by Holland Communications on the website. This created an opportunity to revaluate the website organization and approach.<br />At the beginning of 2008, work began in identifying needs and goals from both the organization and its constituents. Immediately it was evident that the DSAGC was involved in far more programs and services than most audiences were aware. An inventory of offerings was created along with audiences subdivided by age range or role. Logical buckets of offerings were created that lead to broader organizational considerations. A paradigm shift from an organization information website to a constituent resource and support website became a fundamental goal.<br />The website design uses brand colors and rounded corners for a softer more approachable feel. Image and graphic treatments were designed to be unique but easily maintained. A custom content management system provides a process for staff and volunteers to enter programs on the website. Relevant information is then presented to the user based on selections such as family with a preschool aged child with Down syndrome.<br />The website also includes a fully functioning Resource Library, link management tools, email management, custom e-commerce, and the Friendship Network. The Friendship Network is a social website for adults with Down syndrome and was recently recognized by the National Down Syndrome Congress as best new development.<br />The website launched August 14th, 2008<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirtEVrWIssOJwcN2JNpvArR5rDSWy18bESh85yPsM8c-ZoElumWh8nAOLoHOS06jA9W0CDP1q0L-LZJdhVCgKVBGn_J-N1sbbSyGzeNCW9mBpdQPXjXrqNodMQfcnr4QUZf2Dzl44ldw/s1600-h/Picture+5.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirtEVrWIssOJwcN2JNpvArR5rDSWy18bESh85yPsM8c-ZoElumWh8nAOLoHOS06jA9W0CDP1q0L-LZJdhVCgKVBGn_J-N1sbbSyGzeNCW9mBpdQPXjXrqNodMQfcnr4QUZf2Dzl44ldw/s400/Picture+5.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236242957258278210" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641817120473481701.post-13498579059355935212008-07-18T12:08:00.003-05:002008-07-18T12:15:18.233-05:00Dunkin Ham<p>Sorry to stay on the same brand again, but I just saw this clever little ad online from Dunkin. When you roll over it, it changes from an iced coffee to a stack of cubed ham, I mean caramel squares. The concept is good, reminding me of the old tilt pens that reveal something when you flip them. The execution, however, is limited by the image quality after compression. Looks like I'm going to be making a pot of pintos and ham to me.</p><p> Yummy!</p><br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBuM9ZQGa3NB3kU1ehpLXTOuu08ztZ7VajgHK2eRNF3prV7uG3qO3r1zYbzz6TMXIdKiKIkZWFXUIvDCy2p4WYQe2cgurA9om-gniMx0yq6fisWGqPKUhzmJ5sAjuZsgNryWGm1dQ-fg/s1600-h/dunkin-ham.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBuM9ZQGa3NB3kU1ehpLXTOuu08ztZ7VajgHK2eRNF3prV7uG3qO3r1zYbzz6TMXIdKiKIkZWFXUIvDCy2p4WYQe2cgurA9om-gniMx0yq6fisWGqPKUhzmJ5sAjuZsgNryWGm1dQ-fg/s400/dunkin-ham.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224403089900581314" /></a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641817120473481701.post-44686477907379328152008-06-12T18:35:00.005-05:002008-06-12T18:48:22.092-05:00The Epitome of Laziness<p>I ran across this incredible product in a Father's Day ad online. Amazing! You don't even have to spin the wheel with your thumb. If you run out of batteries from so many nut size changes, you can still do it manually. They've thought of everything. And look, they've even branded it.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3bfJAQ0XlfUY3zrt71ntuPcHj575_hJJnWZCYND8PXyD8LTnp6W4sOO6aXCKQoIGux3km0U3UW7VCv3Hxuml-fGbibHX8q4_-BiejRQrD35HqU4Wv1S1NIGylsea2MwvOuNLjc6XtFQ/s1600-h/autowrench.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3bfJAQ0XlfUY3zrt71ntuPcHj575_hJJnWZCYND8PXyD8LTnp6W4sOO6aXCKQoIGux3km0U3UW7VCv3Hxuml-fGbibHX8q4_-BiejRQrD35HqU4Wv1S1NIGylsea2MwvOuNLjc6XtFQ/s400/autowrench.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211145462326534386" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641817120473481701.post-46417025369548951742008-06-03T08:05:00.001-05:002008-06-03T08:06:26.035-05:00We've Moved!Southbank Interactive has changed address. Please make a note of it.<br /><br />Southbank Interactive<br />50 Linden Ave.<br />Fort Thomas, KY 41075<br /><br />Russ BarrettUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641817120473481701.post-89701547759327250382008-05-13T09:46:00.010-05:002008-05-13T13:31:49.516-05:00America Runs on Dunkin (Donuts???)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6HoTnlL_K1W4VG7JevL_6CFkGrgVO1KUVWwhHSR6se_GmFoiHarOl2HTPkQwgq2jpvUUAyXlW5jC-pUzFAUF24XqlxcSWz5jS7LHBUojIbFQgeoTNo2lQsx03e0r0LPVdBx0ocLSIg/s1600-h/Picture+12.png"><img style="float:none; margin:0 10px 0 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6HoTnlL_K1W4VG7JevL_6CFkGrgVO1KUVWwhHSR6se_GmFoiHarOl2HTPkQwgq2jpvUUAyXlW5jC-pUzFAUF24XqlxcSWz5jS7LHBUojIbFQgeoTNo2lQsx03e0r0LPVdBx0ocLSIg/s400/Picture+12.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199876763893552354" /></a><br /><p>I saw the commercial running last night of the Dunkin Donuts promotional to get a free iced coffee May 15th. Curious about the image they have recently been trying to reinvent, I visited their website, <a href="https://www.dunkindonuts.com/">dunkindonuts.com</a>. I also wanted to find a close DD so I could stop in to try their coffee.</p><p>I was on my iPhone at the time and they appropriately deliver a flash-less site for the device. However, I was frustrated by a couple of things. The store locator, which should be a priority considering the promotion, was one of several tiny links in the global navigation. And, when DD comes to mind, I think of delicious donuts of all shapes, colors, and tastes. I could not find an image of a donut until two levels into the nutritional facts section of the site. I understand the popularity of health consciousness, but consider the brand. With the recent commercial spots, "America Runs on Dunkin", is DD purposely transitioning to a brand not focused on tasty pastries.</p><p>When I visited the site today on my computer, the experience was more rich and targeted with Flash and running one of the humorous spots they now have on air. Locate a store was front and center as well as the promotion. But again, no donuts. I was intrigued by the "<a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=9690697759">RSVP on Facebook</a>" and visited the link to find 130,000 confirmed guests for the event. Well done! Nice Social Network tie in.</p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kmv8zRSphzY1uhHDSIKUs9rlAIWJcbh9_jiV_TUFkURPCzqCX9sGaYXqCK0CfPeYuF3_ffqwoCsIse0Nk25jRXdMd-wG1dbu7p1Mdg3-C67RcxKz2LMF98-2IYmVeR9wQTWUU2WN_g/s1600-h/Picture+13.png"><img style="float:none; margin:0 10px 0 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kmv8zRSphzY1uhHDSIKUs9rlAIWJcbh9_jiV_TUFkURPCzqCX9sGaYXqCK0CfPeYuF3_ffqwoCsIse0Nk25jRXdMd-wG1dbu7p1Mdg3-C67RcxKz2LMF98-2IYmVeR9wQTWUU2WN_g/s400/Picture+13.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199876768188519666" /></a></p><p>So, are we in for a new brand identity, "Dunkin", similar to the FedEx change years ago? Although that was driven by consumers, not the other way around. I predict within 2 years, they will be "Dunkin". They risk alienating their existing consumers but could potentially steal market share from the king of coffee, Starbucks. I'd welcome a little competition in the market to help bring more realistic pricing to the consumer.<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641817120473481701.post-62831638969300298202008-05-08T20:18:00.009-05:002008-05-08T21:20:15.274-05:00Doubled Traffic<p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5lBqk-vhrsDojoD8-zU3yZMrMz8SvAllZU0_JCGc_kfE5kG38vkVCpbOFXIbxzQkRC8-uYgG0wXQd3WU7CLNtbY3V0Qm-huA-KbNigMEzHMT-ivYQ8RL714rViKWWRlYICj1K_agZ6A/s1600-h/cengage-per.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5lBqk-vhrsDojoD8-zU3yZMrMz8SvAllZU0_JCGc_kfE5kG38vkVCpbOFXIbxzQkRC8-uYgG0wXQd3WU7CLNtbY3V0Qm-huA-KbNigMEzHMT-ivYQ8RL714rViKWWRlYICj1K_agZ6A/s400/cengage-per.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198195667200554546" /></a></p><br /><p><a href="http://www.cengage.com/">Cengage Learning</a> recently launched their first direct to consumer product with <a href="http://www.professionalexamreview.com/">Professional Exam Review</a>. The product is a customizable learning solution for individuals preparing for Level I of the CFA Exam. A variety of media include print, flash cards, sample exams, audio CDs and video DVDs. <a href="http://www.southbankinteractive.com/">Southbank Interactive</a> created the <a href="http://www.professionalexamreview.com/video/Cengage-Prof-Exam-Review-CFA-promo.html">Online Product Tour</a> which includes animation, video, and audio in a rich-media Flash application.</p><p>To promote the product, a banner ad was created for placement on <a href="http://www.analystforum.com/">AnalystForum</a>, a site frequented by individuals searching for support and learning aids in preparation for the CFA exam. The first iteration was not attracting the clicks Cengage was anticipating so a quick revision was executed that included sale pricing and more feature copy. The click-through performance doubled immediately.<br />View the supporting <a href="http://www.southbankinteractive.com/blog/ProfExamReview.html">advertising banners</a>.</p><p>Southbank Interactive created the Flash application and animation, video editing and production, voice over recordings, and audio engineering for the Online Product Tour. Southbank demonstrated a breadth and depth of skills for this product launch including creating 14 CDs of audio book material, an entirely fabricated product line photo for collateral, and promotional banner ads</p>-Russ BarrettUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641817120473481701.post-40187799344794830042008-04-28T12:44:00.002-05:002008-05-08T21:19:06.343-05:00It’s the Little Things<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijN_IFwTaQ-jntp7J6mNkanPcdbU-qtvf9ppE8Prr0kB0WddK-iA0pe8FG3IL8dYjp7SLi7Yu1WgRCz5CKs60XQTEV-8iJnscQzuLEzfAeJzfudLfIfS8RAhG8RW4uu6eZlyR4iQDygQ/s1600-h/Picture+22.png"><img style="float:none; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijN_IFwTaQ-jntp7J6mNkanPcdbU-qtvf9ppE8Prr0kB0WddK-iA0pe8FG3IL8dYjp7SLi7Yu1WgRCz5CKs60XQTEV-8iJnscQzuLEzfAeJzfudLfIfS8RAhG8RW4uu6eZlyR4iQDygQ/s400/Picture+22.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195840445766121394" /></a><br /><p>I ran into the VP of Marketing for <a href="http://www.trauthdairy.com/">Trauth Dairy</a> this week and we were discussing some recent changes I had made to their website. In the conversation a previous edit came up with some positive results.</p><p>A few months ago, Trauth Dairy committed to producing milk free of Artificial Growth Hormones (rBGH) and wanted it published front and center on their website. This has become a growing concern with consumers and Trauth was fielding an increasingly large volume of calls concerning their position. </p><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 0 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhTcvK4z6bC0MNKMwyjI3DBbisIb0pLmFbfICQKx6U2bh8VDNyhdim22M15Xj5Uf_M_xa__EjU0h_y70rzhv1K110IKnSYvVW-g8FMDuOLuWBhc6AwpQKah2pa2vbyw8MmOSlniwKHg/s400/Picture+23.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195840548845336514" /><a href="http://www.southbankinteractive.com/">Southbank Interactive</a> placed a small banner on the home page along with a link for more information.<p></p><p><span style="font-weight:bold;">The results...</span> Trauth now receives 85% fewer calls on the topic, allowing them to focus on what they do best, making great dairy products.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641817120473481701.post-19405904377782907302008-03-03T20:01:00.007-05:002008-03-03T21:16:53.616-05:00Top Performing Financial WebsiteI was reading some of Warren Buffett's latest statements for the current bear economy and decided to do some checking into his credentials. I've heard his name, synonymous with finance, frequently mentioned but knew very little about Buffett. Wikipedia had most of what I was interested to find. 3rd richest man in the world (until he gave $37 of his $52 billion to the Gates Foundation - a man's gotta live), CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, and at 73, a respected financial genius.<br /><br />Buffett has built Berkshire into its own micro economy, capable of rescuing some of the housing debacle with a rather large loan. Berkshire has it's tendrils into some of the top performing companies and brands in the world. It has returned 25% a year on average and has the largest stock price on the NYSE at $100k a share - which just so happens to be Buffett's salary.<br /><br />All of this, and you would expect to see a beautiful website with marketing messages so distilled, they resonate with the human psyche. Interaction design so perfect and logically organized, that it seems to direct itself. Creative design so rich it politely reminds you that Berkshire is one of the wealthiest companies in the world. Then I clicked the link to <a href="http://www.berkshirehathaway.com/">Berkshire Hathaway</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jfj-ODq6HS9B_l7N_1IRIWZZC09zCGdyLSpwXli06VqNzCseSuiTad8osGWhhsT0dH3X4mSFr0Jy0LIFQjXjR_xnTXNG8aLX6y0o13O3XN2uT70yM8fm2V31fainQ3AArG9WJxMdDg/s1600-h/Picture+6.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jfj-ODq6HS9B_l7N_1IRIWZZC09zCGdyLSpwXli06VqNzCseSuiTad8osGWhhsT0dH3X4mSFr0Jy0LIFQjXjR_xnTXNG8aLX6y0o13O3XN2uT70yM8fm2V31fainQ3AArG9WJxMdDg/s400/Picture+6.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173690894215764562" /></a><br /><br />I had to triple check the link! Now, I've been on the web since 56k was high speed. I still recall the digital grinding of the modem connecting to the web. This website took me back to that time.<br /><br />Consider that Buffett still lives in the home he bought back in 1957. However, now it is worth $700k - the guy can't lose. He refuses to leave tremendous amounts of inheritance to his children and is considered to be frugal.<br /><br />Things that make you go hmmmm.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641817120473481701.post-33333633853782271822008-02-20T20:59:00.001-05:002008-03-03T21:04:05.943-05:00Home Depot for ValentineDon't mean to beat a dead horse, but this one showed up in my email box just after I had created my previous post about the misalignment of Home Depot's retail environment and online. Now it's glue!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ORyR47X3IipOHq8hxvOn2Ygp4QpI2DAduYfeoGfMO5IKo91d7HlC0enNiSwTsKoSIuHstolHcsXIizeT8K01hU4eKmuIG1DpXmYFcJ1GtNIhsyXcsUQfTfeGBDybiCYh5eF1iKbCzw/s1600-h/hd_valentine.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ORyR47X3IipOHq8hxvOn2Ygp4QpI2DAduYfeoGfMO5IKo91d7HlC0enNiSwTsKoSIuHstolHcsXIizeT8K01hU4eKmuIG1DpXmYFcJ1GtNIhsyXcsUQfTfeGBDybiCYh5eF1iKbCzw/s400/hd_valentine.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173700978798975586" /></a><br /><br />Russ Barrett<br /><a href="http://www.southbankinteractive.com">Southbank Interactive</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641817120473481701.post-6453819147875679312008-01-17T13:20:00.000-05:002008-01-17T13:57:54.589-05:00Brand Experience MisalignmentI just received my weekly email from Home Depot and after a recent retail visit, it became very clear that the retail experience and the online experience are misaligned.<br /><br />The retail experience, while vastly improved from the 90s, is still very much contractor-grade. Maybe it's the bright orange color, but I always feel I should be wearing my tool belt when I visit my local store. I prefer the Lowes experience. Not because the product, availability, or assistance is superior, but because it is more friendly.<br /><br />Depot's email is much more design sensitive and approachable than their retail. The experience is more engaging but also less garish with color usage. No bright, handwritten signs using a fat, felt-tipped marker. It speaks about environmental issues and promotional products in a soft-sell approach. Totally different.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTcr7SDUKllTKW3aDoERNjrjYJNHmB_AH8nPWM6rPAWRQ2ufOzssptz-1nQUwJMVBUFINgt5v5oFdVHzHTbERL6TNA2u3j1FeUnpfxlK0XIpHKq_uYRY2vFA0Lq_p4XwW2aikxnRZLw/s1600-h/Picture+10.png"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTcr7SDUKllTKW3aDoERNjrjYJNHmB_AH8nPWM6rPAWRQ2ufOzssptz-1nQUwJMVBUFINgt5v5oFdVHzHTbERL6TNA2u3j1FeUnpfxlK0XIpHKq_uYRY2vFA0Lq_p4XwW2aikxnRZLw/s400/Picture+10.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156513847680501714" /></a><br />The email communication is "Come and shop Home Depot because we care about the consumer and their needs". If the email is successful, the consumer arrives at the storefront and, beginning at the front entrance, it screams - "Welcome contractors". Kind of like telling my kids we're going to Toys R Us and then arriving at Kmart.<br /><br />As Depot's readership and email subscriptions increase, they will need to consider the experience gap because the communications are not consistent. My two cents, risk alienating the contractors for a slightly more friendly retail experience. Something to take away for any email campaign and marketing program.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641817120473481701.post-89320769257000225502007-11-15T17:15:00.000-05:002007-11-15T17:27:56.684-05:00Fort Thomas Jewelers LaunchedA local jeweler, Vince Keairns of <a href="http://www.ftthomasjewelers.com/" target="_blank">Ft. Thomas Jewelers</a>, was looking to drive foot traffic to his store. There really wasn't a web presence so we embarked on developing a digital marketing plan that included website design, marketing, search engine optimization, and online promotions. A downloadable coupon from the website helps to drive foot traffic. We also cleaned up the brand identity and created some calling cards. Welcome Ft Thomas Jewelers to the client roster.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641817120473481701.post-48983008349402017842007-08-07T07:08:00.000-05:002007-08-07T07:49:40.243-05:00MSN's Live Search better than Google?I have recently been focused on search engine optimization for a variety of my clients. I have read a tremendous amount of information, consulted friends in the business, and I am using many of the tools offered by Yahoo and Google to help monitor, measure, and adjust content to improve placement. Recently, I have been watching the traffic on several sites I manage and have noticed an increase in traffic from MSN's Live Search. This bump, in many instances, is specific to adjustments I made but have not yet been picked up by Google. Seems that MSN's robot is significantly more busy indexing the net - by days even weeks. And, interestingly enough, MSN appears to be following protocols and tactics for building natural, organic relevance. See, I do not believe in tactics and trickery that gain temporary relevance. These guys must be out on an island away from the mother ship because Microsoft NEVER follows best practices or protocols. I am impressed, though.<br />For instance, I have been doing a link building excercise for one of my sites over the past week. Nothing else has changed on the site to produce better relevance. But, I checked Google Analytics this morning and MSN is driving more traffic on the keywords I targeted months ago than Google and Yahoo together. Position 31 in MSN, 130 in Google. The frustrating thing is that I have submitted sitemaps, robots.txt, and other information using Google webmaster tools meant to enhance the process.<br />What this means to everyone is a renewed attempt to create relevant, timely results in the search engines. It appears to me that MSN is doing it right with little or minimal effort from me, no sitemap submissions or account setup. And, we all know what competition does in this market.<br />MSN - keep up the good work.<br />Google - don't take your eye off the ball.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641817120473481701.post-44414641544207865522007-06-07T16:35:00.000-05:002007-06-08T11:46:56.765-05:00Getting inside the web consumer's headAn interesting article about consumer behavior online. Points of interest include; the growing impact of the social networking sites to online retail traffic; full product information online has tremendous value for the consumer and decision to buy, both online and in-store; the web functions as a source of consumer education and point of entry to bricks and mortar; oh, and Google still accounts for the most retail traffic.<br /><p><a href="http://www.techweb.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=199901895">Read Article </a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641817120473481701.post-91005097103973125652007-02-15T08:50:00.000-05:002007-02-15T09:16:40.260-05:00eMail Marketing Promotion - Success and FailureI belong to Marriot's rewards program and get a monthly email promoting various programs and travel packages. This month, however, was different. They were offering a vacation package for user participation on their website. Feeling a bit deserving of a vacation, interested in the free getaway, and equipped with my "spam" email account, I proceeded. The user had to answer 2 questions requiring audience participation on their website, which I have seen implemented successfully in the past. They also offered a unique "hint" flash animation showing the user where to find the information on their website - clever, I thought. The first question was to find more about the website feature. The second question was great, requiring the user to actually use the feature they were promoting - a hotel comparison tool. This was a terrific way to drive visitors to begin using a feature on your website. So, I searched the site, used the feature, and answered the question. It said "I'm sorry your answer was incorrect", but it wasn't - I checked three times. It was a multiple choice question in which a couple of the answers were right but not one was correct. Odd, I thought. Feeling a bit dejected, I went about my business. Then, I checked my email account later and there were about a dozen of the same emails from Marriot thanking me for my entry. Can you say blacklisting? <br /><br />What a prime example of a great concept, driving traffic to the site and forcing users to interact, but failing miserably on the execution - two accounts.<br /><br />Brand experience grade - D - for doing damage. Next promotion won't get my click.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641817120473481701.post-35637580809214131322007-01-05T14:22:00.000-05:002007-02-15T09:20:35.661-05:00New Year, New ClientsFollowing the holiday season, it is now time to dig in again and put the nose to the grindstone.<br /><br />Many exciting things are happening in the new business including the additions to the client roster with <a href="http://www.trauthdairy.com/">Trauth Dairy</a> and <a href="http://www.thomson.com/solutions/learning/">Thomson Learning</a> coming on board. Welcome!<br /><br />Happy New Year and thanks to all of my clients for making 2006 a great beginning for Southbank Interactive.<br /><br />- RussUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-641817120473481701.post-8458618229895071532006-11-14T19:49:00.000-05:002006-11-14T19:52:29.590-05:00Welcome!A welcome to visitors and to myself into the world of blogging. A curiousity with request from clients to look into the "blogging" as a tool for improving user experiences by providing a two way communication and insight into the brand.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0