August 2007

Brand experience: your sole competitive advantage
In a global marketplace glutted with products and services no one has the time to analyze, the experience your customers have is the sole competitive advantage you have.

So argue Jeffrey Rayport and Bernard Jaworkski in their book Best Face Forward. Reams of research data back them up.

The experience of engaging with your product or service transcends the act of “consumption” itself. An emotional connection must be made, where customers are convinced your company has their best interests at heart.

This can be achieved through a seamless, consistent brand experience, whether your brand is hip and cool, relaxed and serene, quick and innovative, or comfortable ol’ mom-n-pop.

What’s the payoff? Customers who are resistant to your competitors’ offers, open to doing business with you again, and ultimately, willing to serve as an advocate for your brand to others.
Not sure how to create a seamless brand experience? Contact us to set up a free initial consultation!

Offline marketing critical to your site’s success
A recent study from iProspect and JupiterResearch found what we’ve known for years: the success of your website depends in large part on your offline marketing.

That means print ads, brochures, radio, word of mouth, business cards, TV spots, billboards, and even voicemail messages can drive people to your site.

More importantly, once there, almost 40% of the people in the study were more likely to purchase the product featured on the site.

An integrated marketing approach is the best way to get your message across and motivate people to act!
Contact us today to learn how we can help you create your campaign

Enter by 07 Sept to win 2 tix to Lotus!
In honor or our upcoming sixth anniversary celebration, we’re holding our annual giveaway: one pair of Lotus World Music Festival tickets to a lucky client! The tickets are for the showcase concert on either Friday, 28 Sept, or Saturday, 29 Sept (the winner decides).

This contest is open to any current client, but we need to know you're interested! Contact us and we’ll enter you in the drawing to be held on Friday, 07 Sept. This is our way of saying “thank you” for helping to make our business a success!

This month's winner: Chris Stanton!
Chris wins a digital print featuring this one-of-a-kind design. Have a favorite quote or saying? Send it in! If your quote is chosen, you'll receive a digital print of your custom design, suitable for framing! Check out your competition here.

See the creative process for the design above

Smithwood at Renwick
Smithwood is the long-awaited Smart Growth neighborhood of Renwick, Bloomington's first Traditional Neighborhood Development. Conceived and developed by our client WS Homes, Smithwood features homes with sprawling front porches in a neighborhood oriented around people rather than cars. Like all other Renwick neighborhoods, it gives neighbors access to green space, parks, and neighborhood shops.

WS Homes has promoted Smithwood through print ad campaigns but we agreed that an online ad campaign would help reinforce the message and build the brand. It also generates more traffic to the WS Homes website.

We are designing an ongoing online ad campaign to promote Renwick neighborhoods. Our first ads, created for Herald-Times Online, focus on Smithwood. They coordinate with the print campaign by including similar messages and design elements. But we take advantage of the Web to add one element print lacks: movement.

Our ads include tasteful animation elements in keeping with the brand, such as type fading in and out or moving slowly across the page. Like all good ads, we include a clear call to action so visitors know what to do next.

The sophisticated design of the ads, combined with the use of movement, make them clear standouts on the Herald-Times site. By timing elements' actions carefully, we create multiple opportunities to capture the visitor's eye while they read a story online. The ads immediately increased traffic to the WS Homes site. Our ongoing campaign will keep raising the profile of Renwick, leading to increased sales and a stronger brand.

View a sample ad designed by Cairril.com

Hands of Love card available!
We regularly receive emails from people across the country who’ve seen our greeting card Hands of Love and want to know where they can order more.

The card is published and distributed by Sunrise Greetings. For a limited time, Hands of Love is available at Black’s Mercantile at 7th and Walnut in Bloomington. You can stop by or contact them to request an order. Delivery may require additional fees.

We know this is a favorite of many of our readers; take this opportunity to order cards today!