Yesterday was one of the most exciting days for the folks who work in television, The Emmys.  There were some big winners like the “Mad Men” folks and of cours some disappointments like in every award show.

This week, we looked into more details on how TV stations handle the websites for their star shows. The challenge for most of these websites is to  build a unique site within the TV stations main site.

Here are some of our favorite examples:

1-Mad Men:

Mad Men became an instant classic since its debut about four years ago. The show is about the folks in advertising  in the 1960s. Mad Men was a term coined in the late 1950’s to describe the advertising executives of Madison Avenue. The website is very interactive and fun. It lets the audience to get more involved. They have an iPhone application and a fun game that allows people to turn themselves into an animated version of their favorite Mad Men character.

2-Dexter

Dexter is a TV show on Showtime about a forensics scientist by day, and a serial murderer by night. What sets him apart is that he’s a serial murderer of OTHER serial murderers. So he’s the good  guy of the story. Based on the book series by Jeff Lindsey. Very strange, but well-written. The website is one of the most unique TV show websites.

3- The Simpsons

A highly influential, animated television sitcom. First aired in late 1989; originated as a recurring animated skit on the Tracey Ullman show, created by Matt Groening. The website is as fun as the show. Very colorful and entertaining. The site has a Trivia link for dedicated viewers.

4-True Blood

HBO series written by Alan ball – based on the sookie stack house / southern vampire series by Charlaine Harris. With all the recent interest in vampires (thanks to the Twilight series) this show was able to be an instant success. The website is dark (just like the  show) and mostly focused on introducing new characters.

5-Sponge Bob, Square Pants

A cartoon character on Nickelodeon. He is a yellow, square-shaped, friendly sponge who works at the Krusty Krab. He lives in a pineapple under the sea. This a great example how Networks handle the websites for younger audience. The website is full of games and other interactive functions.

You’ve seen our list of top five TV show websites.  Now we want to know yours.  Please comment with your top five.

It’s Monday morning, and we’re all drinking coffee getting ready for another productive week at OTW.  This got us wondering about what the best coffee websites are out there.  After some digging, here are the finalists, chosen by our designers.  What are your favorite coffee websites?  We want to know!

The Scene.

Advertising agency meets with client. Client is looking to build customer base, brand awareness and sales. Client is tired of traditional marketing programs. Client has heard of new “tactics” such as social media. Client has heard about successes for some companies that have adapted social media. Client is slightly interested in learning more about social media options. Agency is excited to share new social media opportunities with client. Agency is armed with success stories and strategies. Agency mentions “Facebook” and “Twitter.” Client’s eyes start to glaze over. Client doesn’t think they are “ready for this.” Client is not sure their customers use social media yet. The conversation comes to an end.

Clients … WAKE UP! If Facebook was a country, it would be the fourth largest in the world. Twitter is the fastest growing form of social media out there. Your customers ARE engaging in some type of social media. It is you who is lagging behind.

Facebook may not bring in thousands of leads right away and Twitter may take time to show a return for you, but you need to face the facts. There is no “one hit wonder” out there. Today’s marketing success stories are about companies that take a good look at their goals and their target audience to find mediums that will touch these folks.

“We tell our clients all the time, it’s the way you put the puzzle together that makes all the difference,” said Cindy Hale, president of OTW Advertising.  “There are many ways to tackle a social media program and the individual elements all work synergistically to create a cohesive and strong one.”

To truly connect with customers and position your brand as an industry leader via social media, Hale said a company must strike a healthy balance of posting interesting and relevant content and promoting the product or service.

“Don’t just blast out there,” she said.  “Think about what your messaging strategy should be and make a plan. Mix up the promotional messaging with real information that is of interest to your fans. We all get tired of seeing the ‘sale on today’ or ‘get to our bootcamp class.’ What we don’t tire of is real information that is helpful and interesting to us. When you mix this in with the ‘salesy’ type info, then it is well received.”

Social media users adopters are growing daily and frequently engage with their favorite brands. Active social media users (folks who are active on at least one social media network) say they interact with company’s social media networks in various ways, including:

47% say they have posted a comment on a company’s Facebook page.
41% have read company blogs.
32% have posted a comment about a company or product on their own Facebook page.
17% have sent brand-related tweets on Twitter.
(SOURCE: Invoke Solutions, July 2010)

The time is now to get in the game with social media. Take stock of your goals and sit down with a social media expert and let the games begin. If you would like to discuss how to enhance the social media platform for your brand, give us a call.

Sometimes less is more when it comes to website design.  Here are some sites (chosen by our designers) to use as inspiration to find “simple elegance” in web design.  What are your favorites?

Is Steve Slater Jet Blue’s social media blunder … or wonder?

For a company that is one of the leading social media czars in the country, Jet Blue has yet to release even one tweet about Steve Slater, the new working-man sensation. Although Jet Blue is mum, the rest of the country is in a social media frenzy. Word has it that there are defense funds propping up to “Save Steve Slater” and, as of this morning, Steve had close to 100,000 new fans on his Facebook page.

Jet Blue’s twitter page (see above) is currently littered with evasive replies to tweets from customers, reporters and others craving more information about Slater’s “dramatic exit” that has consumed the news media and American public.

This morning, Advertising Age ran a story about Slater, and the effect that this incident has had on Jet Blue’s social media strategy, which had become such an integral part of the airline’s marketing strategy.

But how badly will the social media outcry of support for Slater hurt Jet Blue?  Maybe not so much, according to sources in the article:

For all the tension the incident is bringing JetBlue, experts say that, in the end, Mr. Slater is likely to bring mostly positive attention to the brand.

“Usually when a flight attendant gets called out it’s for something they have done wrong that pissed off passengers,” said Mr. Bellinger. “But when an attendant does something where passengers say they wish they would do the same thing at their own job, that’s great. It’s a net positive story for the brand.”

We at OTW, like the rest of the country, are fascinated with this whole situation, and want to know what you think.  Read the full article from Ad Age, and let us know how it will affect Jet Blue.

A lot of web designers are moving away from using Flash, but it can help to make a website visually stunning.  Here are five examples of some of the world’s most beautiful flash websites we’ve come across lately.  We want to know what your favorite flash websites are, so please comment.

http://www.sensisoft.com/

www.dancingbullwines.com/index.html

http://www.v5design.com

http://www.theologos.gr

http://www.plazma.lt/lt.php

As with any newer form of media, there is always the question of whether there is a measurable ROI. Reviewing what my peers have to say on this subject results in answers that are as varied as the media form itself. I am in the camp that social media is measurable if you define the goals that you want to get out of your social media program. It is like any media “buy” or program that you enter into. You need to have clear expectations of what your expectations are.

If you are strictly looking for business leads, your social media platform will be entirely different than a social media platform built to evaluate and deal with customer satisfaction. If you are looking to beef up your brand awareness, your social media program will look differently than a company that is working on a participatory relationship with its customers. Social media can be effective in determining qualitative satisfaction, brand loyalty, confirming your company as an authority, and a way for interaction and feedback.

The real deal is that if you set your expectations in advance, you will have something to measure when you start evaluating effectiveness. Social Media takes time to figure out what the best combination and elements are for your business for best success. You have to be ready to test and re-test. Everything does not work perfectly the first time out of the gate.

There are plenty of stories of raging success and there are even more stories of companies that aren’t seeing measurable success … even to the point that they are convinced social media is making a dent in their business. If you have considered evaluating social media and how it can impact your business, there’s no better time than the present to dive in.

OTW is a full-service advertising and communications agency that has embraced the positive side of social media. If you would like to discuss how social media can impact your business, give us a call. We’d be happy to meet with you and help you get your social media program on the map.

We are Boston folks and we live in the sea of hope among our sports teams. It’s all part of the fun.

Read the article as it appeared in the Boston Herald http://ow.ly/2hJxk

Hi
I opened the screen door yesterday and my cat got out and has been missing since then so I was wondering if you are not to busy you could make a poster for me. It has to be A4 and I will photocopy it and put it around my suburb this afternoon.

This is the only photo of her I have she answers to the name Missy and is black and white and about 8 months old. missing on Harper street and my phone number.
Thanks Shan.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.26am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
That is shocking news. Luckily I was sitting down when I read your email and not half way up a ladder or tree. How are you holding up? I am surprised you managed to attend work at all what with thinking about Missy out there cold, frightened and alone… possibly lying on the side of the road, her back legs squashed by a vehicle, calling out “Shannon, where are you?”
Although I have two clients expecting completed work this afternoon, I will, of course, drop everything and do whatever it takes to facilitate the speedy return of Missy.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.37am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Poster

yeah ok thanks. I know you dont like cats but I am really worried about mine. I have to leave at 1pm today.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.17am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
I never said I don’t like cats. Once, having been invited to a party, I went clothes shopping beforehand and bought a pair of expensive G-Star boots. They were two sizes too small but I wanted them so badly I figured I could just wear them without socks and cut my toenails very short. As the party was only a few blocks from my place, I decided to walk. After the first block, I lost all feeling in my feet. Arriving at the party, I stumbled into a guy named Steven, spilling Malibu & coke onto his white Wham ‘Choose Life’ t-shirt, and he punched me. An hour or so after the incident, Steven sat down in a chair already occupied by a cat. The surprised cat clawed and snarled causing Steven to leap out of the chair, slip on a rug and strike his forehead onto the corner of a speaker; resulting in a two inch open gash. In its shock, the cat also defecated, leaving Steven with a foul stain down the back of his beige cargo pants. I liked that cat.
Attached poster as requested.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.24am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

yeah thats not what I was looking for at all. it looks like a movie and how come the photo of Missy is so small?

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.28am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
It’s a design thing. The cat is lost in the negative space.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.33am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Thats just stupid. Can you do it properly please? I am extremely emotional over this and was up all night in tears. you seem to think it is funny. Can you make the photo bigger please and fix the text and do it in colour please. Thanks.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.46am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
Having worked with designers for a few years now, I would have assumed you understood, despite our vague suggestions otherwise, we do not welcome constructive criticism. I don’t come downstairs and tell you how to send text messages, log onto Facebook and look out of the window. I am willing to overlook this faux pas due to you no doubt being preoccupied with thoughts of Missy attempting to make her way home across busy intersections or being trapped in a drain as it slowly fills with water. I spent three days down a well once but that was just for fun.
I have amended and attached the poster as per your instructions.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.59am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

This is worse than the other one. can you make it so it shows the whole photo of Missy and delete the stupid text that says missing missy off it? I just want it to say Lost.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.14am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.21am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

yeah can you do the poster or not? I just want a photo and the word lost and the telephone number and when and where she was lost and her name. Not like a movie poster or anything stupid. I have to leave early today. If it was your cat I would help you. Thanks.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.32am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Awww

Dear Shannon,
I don’t have a cat. I once agreed to look after a friend’s cat for a week but after he dropped it off at my apartment and explained the concept of kitty litter, I kept the cat in a closed cardboard box in the shed and forgot about it. If I wanted to feed something and clean faeces, I wouldn’t have put my mother in that home after her stroke. A week later, when my friend came to collect his cat, I pretended that I was not home and mailed the box to him. Apparently I failed to put enough stamps on the package and he had to collect it from the post office and pay eighteen dollars. He still goes on about that sometimes, people need to learn to let go.
I have attached the amended version of your poster as per your detailed instructions.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.47am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Awww

Thats not my cat. where did you get that picture from? That cat is orange.. I gave you a photo of my cat.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.58am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Awww

I know, but that one is cute. As Missy has quite possibly met any one of several violent ends, it is possible you might get a better cat out of this. If anybody calls and says “I haven’t seen your orange cat but I did find a black and white one with its hind legs run over by a car, do you want it?” you can politely decline and save yourself a costly veterinarian bill.

I knew someone who had a basset hound that had its hind legs removed after an accident and it had to walk around with one of those little buggies with wheels. If it had been my dog I would have asked for all its legs to be removed and replaced with wheels and had a remote control installed. I could charge neighbourhood kids for rides and enter it in races. If I did the same with a horse I could drive it to work. I would call it Steven.

Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.07pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Please just use the photo I gave you.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.22pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.34pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

I didnt say there was a reward. I dont have $2000 dollars. What did you even put that there for? Apart from that it is perfect can you please remove the reward bit. Thanks Shan.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.42pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.51pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Can you just please take the reward bit off altogether? I have to leave in ten minutes and I still have to make photocopies of it.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.56pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 1.03pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Fine. That will have to do.

The other day, I had a client look at me like I had two heads when I suggested they consider developing a new home page. “Are you kidding? Our website is only two years old,” he said. There are many more important things we need to do… like coming up with ways to bring in new clients… That’s much more important than a new home page”.

I am sure this client thought I was crazy . In fact, it is my guess he was second guessing if our agency was “right” for his business since we were recommending something he thought had no merit. By the way, his business is a highly consumer-focused, “first impressions count”, style of business and they see over 30,000 visitors to their website per month.

What we really wanted to recommend was starting to talk about a new website to launch in a year. By that time, three years would have passed and so much changes now in such a short period of time. Having a reasonably fresh website is part of the cost of doing business in today’s marketplace. With 30,000 visitors to their site monthly, I cannot think of any better way to help bring in more clients than a fresh and up to date home page and well coded website with strong SEO.

I often use the following analogy when talking to clients about whether a new website is really “worth” the time and investment.

Imagine if you wanted a red dress and you were told that there were two stores in town that carried red dresses. It was easy to get the address of the first store but you were having trouble finding the exact address of the other store.

You start walking down the street. You see on one side of the street the first store. Yes, it is the same store you had found the directions for.

The sign is newly painted and it is easy to read the store name. The colors are vibrant and inviting. You see there is a great dress in the window. It looks like the one you just saw recently in the fashion magazine as the “right” look for today.

You glance across the street and see the second store you had heard about but couldn’t find the directions for. You can make out the name of the store on the front but it looks like the sign could use a coat of paint. It is faded and there is some peeling. You also notice some vines growing on the store front. You look in the window and see that they do sell dresses but the dresses don’t look like the style you are looking for. The dresses they have in the windows look like the dresses you wore a couple of years ago. You look in the store and there is a lot of merchandise, but it does not look very organized.

You look over to the first store again and you can see the merchandise is all organized inside. It looks like they pay a lot of attention to how the store looks. In fact, the owner is right in the doorway inviting you into the store.

So which store are you going to look in first for your new red dress?
The answer is obvious.

Your website is your front door. It is the face of your company and the first interaction/impression anyone has with you. One of the most important marketing tools you have is an up to date website. What you look like and the ease that someone can find you and understand your unique proposition, is one of your most important marketing tools today.

We all know which store the woman shopping for the red dress went into first. I am quite confident that you want to be the first place your potential customers stop when looking for your type of goods or services. Take a look at your website. When was the last time you had a professional give you some feedback on your website?

From our experience over and over again, clients who commit to being the best they can be with their website, keeping it up to date and looking fresh, see up to five times the traffic to their site, increased time spent on the site and ultimately a more engaged and stronger lead or sale from these visitors.

If you would like to sit down and meet regarding how your website stacks up, give us a call at 781-729-7229. Learning about where you are in comparison to your competition is the first step to achieving your goals.