Hey, We’re Featured!

It's always fun when our work gets featured. In this case, we were featured as one of 115 inspirational Twitter background designs over at Garmahis. Here's the background, just in case you haven't seen it:

We're honored, but here's the truth: While the design of our Twitter background is pretty cool, it becomes much, much cooler when you see it in context with the rest of our brand identity. If you've been to our website (which, I guess you have, since you're here NOW) you've seen our science theme, which helps to communicate all of the "elements" (tactics) that we use to create integrated campaigns. There's more to it, but that's for another blog post, coming soon... (elipses used to keep you on the edge of your seat)

Oh, and while we're on the subject, are you following us on Twitter yet?

by Garret Ohm

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The Coolest iPad App Yet

Not long ago, we wrote a blog post about the future of publishing, based on a Sports Illustrated concept for a tablet-based magazine. Since then, the iPad has arrived, and technology-forward companies are working hard to develop applications that utilize these technologies and devices. Here's one from the folks at Wired Magazine. It's so much more than just a digital version of the print magazine. It includes embedded video, linking to the web and more. I can't wait to see this thing in real life! We really think this is going to be a game changer in magazine publishing.

What do you think? Are you ready?

by Garret Ohm

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Is this the future of magazines?

I'm going to be short on the commentary and let the video I found do the talking, but could this be the future of magazine publishing?

We're torn on this. On one hand, we have a deep-seated love and respect for print as a medium. After all, it's where we started back in 1987. That said there's something about holding a tangible printed piece in your hand that the digital media just can't convey. On the other hand, we're a full-service marketing firm with a serious command of interactive media and we love exploring ways that we can use new technologies to communicate our clients' brands (and hey, who knows, maybe yours someday...).

Is it possible to be both a little sad and positively thrilled at the same time? That's where we are right now.

by Garret Ohm

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Inspiration: IdeaStorm

We've talked in the past about how important social and interactive media can be for not only pushing your brand's message out to the masses, but perhaps even more importantly as a tool to LISTEN. Comcast helped to pioneer this idea with the Twitter account @ComcastCares, which allowed them to identify users with problems, concerns or questions and address them immediately. Since then, multitudes of corporate Twitter accounts have been established hoping to use this open medium as a way to have more of a two-way conversation with their public, including companies like Dell, Zappos, JetBlue and Honda.

Dell recently took the idea of using interactive and social media even further by creating an online effort allowing customers to contribute their ideas for how to improve Dell products and services. The effort is branded Dell IdeaStorm and is centered around a website at ideastorm.com, but also includes a Twitter account (@IdeaStorm) and presumably a PR push and support in other Dell promotional materials as well, not to mention Dell's countless other Twitter accounts. The IdeaStorm website gives customers an easy way to contribute their ideas and voice any feedback or frustrations they might have, but also allows them to promote and demote the ideas that others have contributed that they feel strongly about.

The key here is that today's consumers want to have a voice. In order to have a successful brand (particularly consumer-facing) it's crucial to allow consumers to take ownership of that brand. Dell does a great job with this branded, integrated effort because it both allows customers to have their voices heard, but also acts as a vehicle for Dell to learn what consumers want. The knowledge they are able to take from this will not only help them in new product development, but it will help them create a successful, consumer-focused brand.

Shameless plug: There's a good chance a similar strategy could be taken with your brand. Interested in the possibilities of using interactive and social media to better communicate with your consumers? The Sutter Group would love to show you the possibilities. Contact me at garret[at]sutter-group[dot]com or on Twitter at @SutterGroup.

by Garret Ohm

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The potential of apps for local/state govts

Add this one to the "cool idea" file. I was doing some Internet browsing recently and came across a mobile application that I think has a lot of potential for local and state governments. Frankly, I hope my neighboring governments in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia are reading this.

The app is called "iBurgh" and it is billed as the first mobile application for city government. It allows iPhone users to snap a picture of an eyesore, nuisance, crime, etc in the City of Pittsburgh, attach a quick note and send the geotagged information to the city's 311 operators. No muss, no fuss, and this will undoubtedly get citizens to engage with their city much more than in the past. iBurgh is available for the iPhone through this LINK.

The article got us thinking about the possibilities for an application like this. While it's currently pretty simple, the iBurgh application could easily be expanded to include other cool and useful features like city maps, weather reports, restaurant locators, parking garage locators, traffic reports, bus schedules, etc, etc. The possibilities are limitless, and with reasonable development costs, not out of the question for a city like Pittsburgh (or DC, or Baltimore, or Annapolis...).

If you're a local or state official that happens to be reading this and the idea is appealing to you, but you're not sure how to make it happen (or how much it might cost), we can help. Yep, we do that too!

Via engadget.

by Garret Ohm

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