Maybe I am on to something?

Okay I couldn't resist this post from AdWeek

Blogs: Fad or Marketing Medium of the Future?
SAN FRANCISCO In the past few years, blogs have gone from a quirky vehicle for expression to a political force to, now, a quirky marketing tool for corporate America.

This year, Nike, Dr Pepper, Mazda, SBC and others have staked claims in the blogosphere. They've found blogging (short for "Web-logging") an easy, cheap way to appear hipper and keep customers engaged with the brand. The cost is a pittance--just some spare server space.

"It's a relatively small investment and can elicit a lot of information because it's such a democratic medium," said Matthew Cross, brand consultant at Interbrand, New York. "Compared to the millions companies spend to create or revitalize a brand, and then do TV spots and a print campaign, it's pennies to the dollar to do a blog."

Not surprisingly, tech companies have been the biggest blog boosters. Microsoft has about 1,000 employees penning personal blogs and hosts channel9.msdncom, where developers talk with others in the community. In October, 850,000 unique viewers visited the site.

Sun Microsystems is also leading the blogolution. Andy Lark, vp-worldwide marketing, has been Sun's blog champion. "We encourage it in an informal way and now have about 200 blogs running," he said. "It's a hugely effective marketing tool. I'm surprised more consumer companies haven't embraced blogs."

But there's a downside to blogging. Mazda, for instance, got spooked by a "HalloweenM3" blog, which was ostensibly created by a twentysomething but seemed to be a way to shill Mazda TV spots. The site disappeared and Mazda reps could not be reached.

Interesting indeed!

The ball is rolling...

Strategy in marketing! Stay consistent with your message. That is what I have to remember. What is my vision: Pinnacle Event Media Services was founded on the basis of providing memorable events through the creative use of projection, lighting, audio, and staging. What is memorable? What is creative? I certainly have my own thoughts, but what do you think they are?

Marketing 101

So I sent out my first press release today. We will see how far that goes, but I am anxious to see the response. Spent a while talking about the future with Conor of LJ3 last night. We are very excited about what the future holds and will be putting our plans together about the future.

The post title has to do with trying to figure out just what direction my marketing will be headed. I am still feeling out the market, but I have some ideas.

Any one else have some?

What is this?

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog. Okay so I decided to start making this even more functional... Thanks to Kasey for this one!

Each week something new!

I guess the great thing about having your own business is that you get to do something new each week. Last week it was a Christian Rock concert with my company not only producing 2 giant video screen feeds but putting content on TVs that were located behind the performers. This was a lot of fun to put different technology to work and see how it can all come together. This week brings meetings on some projects and research.

The research part is what I am excited about. I tend to dream big and right now there is no bigger dream than High End and their series of digital lights. Imagine being able to one minute put your logo in front of the audience and the next that logo becomes a mask that expands to reveal the product in full color and moving video. This series of lights greatly expands what can be done in the rental and staging market to almost allow you to do anything with video, oh yeah and a few things with light too.

So I decided it is also time to buy a production switcher as we are getting into some areas that would be nice to have a little more actual production capabilities with switching of sources. There are products out there that allow for simple switching of video, but I am looking for more in the way of effects and with the ability to store video also.

Exciting times!

So what the heck you may ask! I did something I haven't done in months and it actually was rewarding and at the same time very time consuming! I used to love spending hours wiring and soldering. I really don't get a chance to do that any more and it was indeed fun. So what is it for? Well Conor of LJ3 Entertainment and I are going to multi track a production this weekend at Westside Church and I soldered 24 ends on a snake cable that they are installing tomorrow to allow us to multi-track on Sunday. No better time than the present to do it... No pressure in my soldering skills. Lets just say the soldering iron will be handy on Sunday just in case.

The storm came and went....

You never know when you find an event that shows you that you may be on the right track, but fortunately I think I was given that answer this last week. I spent a lot of time working on an event for Westside Church called Waking the Dead. This was probably the most intense production that I have ever been involved with. It included 3 different video screens triggered by automation, a custom music bed done by LJ3 entertainment, full lighting rig including fog and haze, and live acting. It was incredible to watch and I feel so grateful that I was able to be a part of it. It does truly show that there is a unique future for a different brand of corporate staging as well as live production. I learned two things from this one, One: There are some amazing youth out there that are willing to just chip in and help out. Two: Sometimes there exists cost effective technology that will work for what you are trying to do. So on to the next project... Hmmm something about a DVD that needs to be finished.