PSI Group Recruits Southbank Interactive to Redesign Brand and Website

PSI Group is a Creative and IT Staffing 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.

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.

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.

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.

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".

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.

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. 

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.

Visit the PSI Group website

Down Syndrome Assn. Launches New Website

As 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.
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.
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.
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.
The website launched August 14th, 2008

Dunkin Ham

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.

Yummy!