asteriskcreative | creativecontrol

Instant Photography Has Reached A New Level

2011-01-11T15:50:00.009-05:00

Did you grow up with a Polaroid camera? The instant camera that gave you the satisfaction of seeing your photographs immediately? Most of us that were born around the 70's-80's have seen one. The first one came out in 1972 and was the camera of choice by novice photographers.

Then, in the early 90's the digital camera was born and after that the camera phone was invented giving people the ability to view images instantly. These technologies eventually wiped out Polaroid for good and they stopped production of their cameras in 2007 and discontinued the film in 2009.

That was the end to a tragic story until now. Polaroid has re-emerged with the creative help of pop icon, Lady Gaga. Last week on January 6th, Polaroid announced their new product line. The GL10 Instant Mobile Printer, GL30 Instant Digital Camera and the GL20 Camera Glasses.

Next time you think about taking photos for your website, blog or Facebook post, consider buying the new Polaroid camera or try using an older camera. The results will create interest and bring some creativity to your work.

Polaroid Photo - By: Ellen McCall

My 20 Tips For Twitter Success

2010-11-02T16:21:00.008-04:00

Check out this article by Joanna Ciolek, published January 13, 2010. She talks about 20 different things that you can do, and avoid, to better your position in the Twitter market. Brush up on your skills today to achieve great success tomorrow!

Here is the article:

There is so much talk about what it takes to be successful on Twitter. Some seem to be better at it then others. We all agree, Twitter is one of the most cost-effective ways to grow and market your business. Let’s learn to use it to our advantage then.

My 20 Tips For Twitter Success

While I’m relatively new to Twitter (joined less then a year ago), I’ve learned quickly that Twitter is about engaging, interacting, sharing, giving, learning and growing. Here are my 20 tips for Twitter success.

First and foremost be authentic. Don’t be afraid to show your personality. To stand out, be yourself and do your best to add value to your community. Your followers will be drawn towards an authentic voice. Soon your business will grow in the process.
Avoid self-promotion, this will only scare people away. Instead concentrate on building relationships by actively engaging in natural conversations.
Be approachable, genuine and respectful. Treat others the way you’d want to be treated.
Engage with your followers. Take the time to get to know those who follow you, learn who they are and what interests them. Read the stream and respond to anything that you find interesting, re-tweet, answer questions, acknowledge their RTs. This will start to build a community around you and your brand.
Be personable. Provide a personal connection by creating a fun and inviting profile with a nice picture/background.
Reach out to those you follow as some of them may have not noticed you. Let them know you’re there; get noticed. This can be easily accomplished by re-tweeting their awesome content, adding them to one of your lists or tweeting them directly.
Stay upbeat and positive. No one likes drama, badmouthing or plain negativity. This doesn’t mean that you should be something you are not but with every tweet you have a choice. Be positive or stay away.
Respond to mentions and DMs. Don’t ignore.
Give and you shall receive. RT others as you’d expect them to RT your content. Offer help, provide useful information and guidance. Be there for your people and they will return the favor when you are in need.
Don’t be boring. Entertain, be funny, be snarky, be real.
Be multidimensional. Don’t just tweet about marketing only because you are a marketer. You are so many more things. Tweet about your hobbies, kids, that funny thing that happened to you this morning, anything that your followers might find interesting. One-dimensional tweets are boring.
Follow people and conversations relevant to your niche. This will help you grow your skills, expertise and your business network.
Grow your community by connecting people with one another. Make introductions, support and coach others.
Talk less, listen more.
Get to know your audience, their wants and needs, to understand where your business needs to grow. Only after you learn what is it that people are looking for, you can give it to them.
Numbers mean nothing. You are better off having 20 true friends that 2000 strangers who care nothing for you.
Always seek out new people to connect with.
Take those online relationships into offline friendships.
Never tweet anything you wouldn’t want your mother or your boss to see.

Don’t spam!

… And That’s a Wrap

My best advice for Twitter success is to be yourself, be real and invest in building relationships just as you would in the ‘real world’. In fact, interaction, response, and reciprocation are keys to building lasting relationships via any social media platform. The key here is remembering the social part. When you promote and support the community you are a part of, you contribute to its growth and prosperity and that will trickle down to your own business.

Happy Halloween from Asterisk Creative

2010-10-28T15:30:00.036-04:00

In the spirit of Halloween I thought that I would blog about a subject dear to my heart, Tim Burton. You have probably heard of him or seen one of his many movies like Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Sleepy Hollow, Corpse Bride or the new Alice and Wonderland, just to name a few.

Tim Burton has reached a degree of greatness that every aspiring animator around the world would love to achieve. He has created a world where his creations can come to life.

With Halloween right around the corner any Tim Burton fan will tell you that The Nightmare Before Christmas is on their mind. This animated film was produced in 1993 and tells the story of a skeleton figure named Jack who is from Halloween Town. He unlocks a portal to Christmas Town in which he knows nothing about. The plot thickens when Jack becomes intrigued with Christmas Town and devises a plan to take over Christmas.

This movie is not just your average cinema flick. Tim Burton started his idea for the story with a poem he wrote in the 80's while working at Disney. After Disney thought the idea was too scary for kids, Tim turned to Touchstone Pictures to produce the film. He needed a lot of financial backing. To create this visual spectacle, Tim and his crew of magicians had to be innovative. After sketching what every character and scene would look like, they create everything by hand. The film was comprised of over 200 puppets. The main character Jack alone had over 400 heads for different expressions!

Tim recently had his work featured in MOMA (The Museum of Modern Art in NYC) which drew an enormous crowd that became the museums most visited exhibit to date. The collection consists of over 700 original pieces by Tim along with studio and collaborative work. The exhibit is now in Australia and will be going to the LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) in late May 2011 until October 31, 2011. If you haven't seen Tim Burton's website you should treat yourself for Halloween this year. Click Here

We at Asterisk Creative can appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into a project of this volume. To create a seamless story whether in video, web design, logo design or in a marketing plan it takes plenty of organization, sketching and thought. We carefully plan every move, like Tim, in order to make superior marketing and design decisions that tell a creative, compelling story.

Happy Halloween from all of us at Asterisk Creative!

Swiss Grid Inspiration

2010-10-18T16:47:00.014-04:00

Graphic Design has evolved through the years like fashion has. Every historic moment in time has effected how people communicate their style. After the Art Deco period ended in the late 30's early 40's a new kind of graphic design emerged out of Switzerland. This movement began in the 1950's and adapted the name The International Typographic aka "The Swiss Style."

The graphic artists in this movement focused on clean lines, readability and the grid system. The use of empty space combined with text, images or both created the minimalist look. Josef Müller-Brockmann was one of these Swiss designers who has left an impact on designers around the world. He was born in Rapperswil, Switzerland in May 9, 1914 and has written many books on the grid system for Graphic Designers. Check out some of his poster designs that showcase the minimalist aesthetic with interesting ways of using the grid system to create clean lines.

How to make your Facebook content “Top News”

2010-10-15T11:04:00.000-04:00

This is an article we wanted to share:

One of the main aims of companies using Facebook for business is generating awareness, as Jay Baer pointed out in his Facebook Success Summit session on Tuesday afternoon. The top way to do this, Baer says, is to win the News Feed. It seems simple: If you get someone to “like” your company’s Facebook page, then they receive the content you send out, right?
Not exactly, Baer said.
Your news feed is divided into two sections, “Top News” and “Most Recent News,” and people are automatically directed to their “Top News” feed when they log in. Facebook has even acknowledged that 95% of users only read their “Top News” version of the feed. Thus, to stay on your customer’s radar, your content must fall into the “Top News” category.
As Baer explained in his presentation, “Top News” is determined by the Edge Rank, an algorithm that reflects three components:

Affinity Score: The amount you have historically engaged with content by a person/page increases your affinity to the content creator.
Timing: The more recent the post, the higher it ranks.
Weight: As posts are commented on, liked and shared by other Facebook users and their networks, their overall weight increases.

So, what should you do to continue to appear in the “Top News” section of the News Feed?

Post content frequently. This increases your chances via the timing angle.
Consider your post timing. Only 35% of Facebook users log in during the workday, research shows. That means “off hours” might work best for posting your content.
Use calls to action in your posts. Encourage your fans to like, comment, or share your content to increase the weight.

How often are you posting content on Facebook? Did you understand direct the connection between frequency, weight, affinity and becoming “Top News”?

By Emily Molitor
www.smartblogs.com
*This article was written by Emily Molitor for SmartBlogs

10 Marketers Who Transformed American Culture

2010-09-09T10:56:00.000-04:00

10 Marketers Who Transformed American Culture

Liodice Continues His Series by Looking at the People and Ideas That Changed Our Lives

by Bob Liodice
Published: September 06, 2010

http://adage.com/cmostrategy/article?article_id=145707


Bob Liodice

Looking at American culture throughout history, iconic images come to mind. Some are turning points in history, forming our nation. Others are people who shaped our freedoms and laws. And some are brands that affected how we eat, shop and pass our time. Each was once an idea that has grown into a national -- and in many cases, global -- force to be reckoned with. Below are 10 examples of these people and their ideas that have grown far beyond expectations.

PT BARNUM
The showman created some of the most sensational promotional stunts of the 19th century. Barnum stole a place in the marketing hall of fame by staging outrageous hoaxes, through which he drove audiences to his American Museum and captured the imagination of the country. Barnum took a country still suspicious of spectacles and had it shed its conservatism; scholars credit him with spurring America to embrace spectacle.

R.H. MACY
In 1858, R.H. Macy launched a small, "fancy" dry-goods store. Its emblem was a memorable red star, sourced from the tattoo Macy got as a young sailor. With this store, Macy attempted new tactics. Instead of haggling, he presented customers with clearly marked prices and actively advertised them. These practices led to $36 million in sales by 1918. Six years later, Macy's Herald Square expanded to become the "World's Largest Store."

WALT DISNEY
Walt Disney created his first shorts in the 1920s. In 1928, he won over the public with Mickey Mouse in Steamboat Willie. When he introduced color and produced features in the 1930s, his studio skyrocketed into popularity. By World War II the federal government noticed the positive effect Disney's films had on American morale and contracted them to create cartoons for the war effort. In 1954, he was one of the first to introduce full-color programming to TV.

Steve Jobs

STEVE JOBS
In 1976, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak set up operations in the Jobs family garage for Apple, which soon began to sell some of the first personal computers. In 1985, Jobs left the company for a decade, creating his own computer company, NeXT, and forming Pixar. He returned in 1996 and soon became head of Apple once again. The company produced a successful line of sleek products that has changed the media, music and computer industries.

Martha Stewart

MARTHA STEWART
Within a decade, the catering business that Martha Stewart began in her farmhouse's basement in 1976 was billing celebrity clients and making more than $1 million, and she had published a series of bestselling lifestyle guides. In the late 1980s and early 1990s Stewart's personal fame continued to flourish with TV appearances, Kmart consulting and the Martha Stewart Living brand. Today it's an iconic image of female entrepreneurship.

Ray Kroc

RAY KROC
In 1954, Ray Kroc had the vision of creating the McDonald's we know today. He came across a restaurant run by brothers Dick and Mac McDonald, and inspired by the speed and efficiency with which they served burgers, fries and beverages, he sold his idea of taking the restaurant nationwide to them. McDonald's went on to become the largest fast-food chain in the world because of Kroc's solid supplier partnerships and franchise model.

ROBERT PITTMAN
The "MTV Generation" resulted from the programming efforts of Robert Pittman, who began shaping content for the Music Television cable network in 1981. With his unique blend of creative, business and research savvy, Pittman molded a brand that clicked with the youth of the day. MTV stood out from the traditional networks and became the most profitable cable network of the time. It has since expanded to MTV Networks, which operates in more than 160 countries.

SAM WALTON
In 1945, with a $10,000 loan from his father, Sam Walton bought a franchised variety store. He experimented with practices like longer hours, buying inventory in large quantities and offering a broad assortment of goods at budget prices. With the five-and-dime store Walton later opened, he put check-out counters near the exit, having consumers pay for everything at once. It was the foundation for his first Walmart in 1962.

Oprah Winfrey

OPRAH WINFREY
Oprah Winfrey had her first glimpse of fame as a talk-show host in Baltimore in 1976. She won national recognition over the next decade with her morning show, "A.M. Chicago," and her supporting role in "The Color Purple." The syndicated "Oprah Winfrey Show" launched in 1986 and became a near-instant hit. Oprah co-founded the Oxygen channel and will launch the Oprah Winfrey Network in 2011. Oprah also has had success in publishing and philanthropy.

HENRY FORD
After several years spent working with industrial jobs, Henry Ford built his first self-propelled carriage in 1896. Seven years later, he formed the Ford Motor Co. with just $28,000, and in 1908, the company produced the Model T. The car sold 15,500,000 in the U.S. alone over the next 19 years because of Ford's assembly-line approach to mass production and the low cost. He revolutionized America with the Model T.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bob Liodice is the president-CEO of the ANA (Association of National Advertisers). This is the eighth in a series of 10 columns being published in celebration of the ANA's 100th anniversary.

Driving Traffic to a Blog - SEO Style

2010-09-02T10:25:00.009-04:00

In today's world you can find a blog on just about anything. There are blogs about delicious foods from around the world, clothes that are straight off the runway and even blogs about other peoples pets! No matter what the topic is, all bloggers have one common goal. That goal is to have people read their blog!

A blog is an online diary that is created to share information with others. Most people usually use search engines like Google to find resources on topics that they are interested in.

Writing a successful blog is not as easy as you think. There are strategic actions that you can take to make your blog visible to as many people as possible.

Check out these tips from Samuel Axon on how to write an SEO friendly blog. Read his article HERE

Queen's Guitarist Creates a BANG!

2010-08-09T09:39:00.011-04:00

Over the weekend, I went hiking in the beautiful hills of Virginia. On my way back, to my delight, I stumbled upon an interview between Terry Gross and Queen's guitarist Brian May on NPR.

I was ecstatic to hear a man that not only plays in one of my favorite bands but who is also interested in science and photography!

During their interview they talked about the band and the music but then they switched gears to talk about how May went back to school to get his doctorate in astrophysics at Imperial College in London.

He mentioned how he was fascinated with stereoscopic photographs and had been collecting them for years. The term stereoscopic represents any technique that enhances the illusion of depth or 3D imagery. This collection led up to his second book A Village Lost and Found. The book showcases imagery that he has collected over 25 years depicting a small village in London during the 1850's. As a designer, who manipulates imagery in a two-dimensional space, I found this 3D process to be very interesting.

Check out the full interview at NPR.org

Traveling Light

2010-07-26T14:38:00.009-04:00

Graphic artist, Harmen Liemburg is a creative, one man act with his traveling "Show in a Box".

In 2008, Harmen cruised into America from his home in the Netherlands to showcase a body of work that had spanned over a 10 year period. His act was unique. He created a box with the dimensions L52 x W14 x H36 inches and it weighed exactly 243 lbs. The Content: Over 45 large screen prints with smaller printed objects. It also included 8 process books, plus visual instructions for (de)construction and shipping plus a DVD for video projection. The shipping crate doubled as a light table, display case and poster.

The idea was to send this box through the mail to different universities so that students could set up the exhibit themselves. To start off his traveling show, Harmen visited four universities including the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Harmen was with the students for two weeks. During that time he conducted a screen printing workshop where the students could explore Charlotte's history and in turn make iconic prints to represent those events. At the end of the two weeks, visitors were invited to attend the gallery show of not only Harmen's work but for the students final prints as well.

This is a show to see! Harmen's prints are not only vivid and captivating but they are a view inside a culture. If you would like to have Harmen's show come to life in your town go to his website and ask! He is taking orders! His exhibit was funded by The Netherlands Foundation for Visual Arts, Design and Architecture. To read more about Harmen's exhibit and to see photos click here

Whump! Pow! Wham! >> A Glimse Inside One Man's Imagination

2010-07-22T11:42:00.008-04:00

"Imagination is more important than knowledge. For while knowledge defines all we currently know and understand, imagination points to all we might yet discover and create."

Albert Einstein

Imagination is the most important tool for creation. It is the start of the creative process. Artists alike pull from their imagination and inspirations to fuel ideas for themselves and their clients. There are many components to making your imagination a reality. Once an idea has materialized the creative process begins. Brainstorming, researching, sketching, comps, the throwing away of comps, mock-up designs, more sketching and models are all examples of what is created before the end result can be presented.

The artist, Roy Lichtenstein used his imagination to create a world of eye-popping, colorful paintings and sculptures. Before he could create his iconic pop art he first had to use the creative process. CLICK HERE to read an article and to see some photos of his process!

Clearly Carolina!

2010-06-24T12:05:00.000-04:00

Clearly Carolina Water and Coffee Company opened its doors for business in 1992 with a single van, one employee and no customers. We are one of many divisions owned by Propst Brothers Distributors of Concord, NC, a company that has done business in the Charlotte, NC area for over 80 years. Originally, bottled water, coolers and cups were the only products we offered. Since that time we've added office coffee service with Community Coffee as our centerpiece. They also feature Point of Use Filtration services and Private Label bottled water packaging all with the same goal in mind: excellent customer service and a variety of offerings to satisfy our customers.
They now service customers over a six-county area surrounding Charlotte, NC, and our Private Label Division can ship anywhere in the United States.

Images of World Cup Poster Design

2010-06-17T11:20:00.009-04:00

You may have noticed that the World Cup is currently underway. Before and after every commercial break you hear a quiet African chant and you see the animated soccer player kicking the ball in a circular motion. This little introduction is the branding for this year's World Cup.

Every four years FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) hosts the World Cup for the world to see. It is important for them to have images and graphics that remind the world about what is going on and where the action is happening.

Make sure that you have memorable graphics for an event. That way people will want to be a part of it and will remember it for years to come! Check out the posters that have represented the World Cup since 1930! CLICK HERE

Typekit and Google Announce Open Source Collaboration

2010-05-19T14:28:00.006-04:00

Have you ever wanted to see a more creative font used on your website? Have you ever been told that using other fonts other than "web" fonts is impossible? Well, today changes everything! Google has teamed up with Typekit to make it easier for website developers to use real fonts on the web. This is a long time in the making people. Check out the press announcement HERE!

The 8 Types of People That Belong on Twitter

2010-05-03T16:25:00.000-04:00

Check out this neat article from Inc.com - The 8 Types of People that Belong on Twitter

So which one are you? Customer Service Rep? Brand Watchdog? Conversationalist?

For questions on Twitter, social media or anything marketing, contact us. We'd love to have a conversation.

Asterisk Creative about town

2010-04-06T17:14:00.000-04:00

At Asterisk Creative, we're known to be avid networkers. As in, when we are seen at networking events we usually get the response - "Man, you guys are everywhere!". There's a method to the madness. Networking is a great, and fun, way to keep your brand and business top-of-mind. It's also an easy way to meet new clients and referral partners.

Here are just a few of the organizations whose events we regularly attend:
National Association of Women Business Owners - Charlotte Chapter
Northlake Network
Charlotte Business Professionals
CORE (Charlotte Organization for Referrals and Education)
Business Leaders of Charlotte
Business Marketing Association of the Carolinas
Business Sorority

I'm sure there are more, but this is a good start. If you have questions about any of these strong organizations, contact us. And try doing some networking yourself, you might like it!

Combining the Strengths of Social and E-Mail - eMarketer

2010-03-24T09:39:00.000-04:00

Combining the Strengths of Social and E-Mail - eMarketer

Great article showing the benefits of a combination approach to email marketing.

The 11 Commandments of Corporate Tweeting

2010-03-09T13:54:00.000-05:00

Should the company be tweeting?

11 Commandments of Corporate Tweeting

Famous Graphic Designer goes to the White House

2010-03-02T15:04:00.012-05:00

Modern renaissance man aka American graphic designer, Milton Glaser, has earned his right to have a poster designed for him with his shiny, new medal.

Mr. Glaser was one of 12 individuals awarded the 2009 National Medal of Arts from President Barack at the White House on February 25th, 2010. He was awarded this prestigious award along side Bob Dylan and Clint Eastwood.

Milton Glaser is well known for his "I Love NY" logo and his poster of Bob Dylan for his 1967 Greatest Hit album.

Check out more about Mr. Milton winning his award here!

Leads for Less with Social Media - eMarketer

2010-02-25T16:34:00.000-05:00

Leads for Less with Social Media - eMarketer

Want to spend less on lead generation? Use social media! Not only is it fun to use, but it's highly effective in generating leads and developing engagement with your customers. Check out the article to learn more...

2010-02-24T12:19:00.000-05:00

YouTube to kill IE6 support on March 13

By Emil Protalinski | Last updated February 23, 2010 10:39 AM

Over six months ago, Google announced it would start phasing out support for Internet Explorer 6 on Orkut and YouTube, and started pushing its users to modern browsers. The search giant has now given a specific kill date for old browser support on the video website via a page on Google.com titled Solve a Problem: Upgrading your browser:

Support stops on March 13th. Stopped support essentially means that some future features on YouTube will be rolled out that won't work in older browsers.

As you can see in the screenshot above, YouTube will have an interstitial appear when users on older browser try to watch a video on YouTube. Google says the interstitial will show up indefinitely every two weeks until the user upgrades to the most recent version of their browser. Google deems anything below IE7, Firefox 3.0, Chrome 4.0, and Safari 3.0 as an "older browser." Users on these browsers will still be able to watch YouTube videos, but additional features that Google plans to roll out may not be supported in these older browsers.

Late last month, Google announced it will end old browser support for Google Docs and Google Sites on March 1, 2010 and earlier this month, the company announced it would start to phase out support for these browsers for Google Mail and Google Calendar by year end. Google is pushing both enterprise and consumer users towards newer browsers on all its Web properties.

Google's stance on IE6 varies from Microsoft's because the search giant does not need to support Windows XP, the operating system with which IE6 first shipped, as long as Redmond (which will support XP and IE6 until April 8, 2014). Microsoft, on the other hand, which has stated time and time again that it wants to see IE6 disappear as much as anyone else, refuses to force anyone to upgrade (though it's worth noting that the software giant's Office Web Apps won't support IE6 either, just like Google Docs) and says the decision is ultimately up to the user.

Microsoft is trying to push users to upgrade by touting IE8's many features over IE6, particularly in the area of security. So far, this has worked relatively well, as IE8 is the most popular browser, although IE6 is still used by about 20 percent of surfers worldwide, according to NetApplications.

Google Seeks To Make High-Speed Internet Much Speedier

2010-02-11T15:05:00.001-05:00

By Frank James

The high-speed connections most Americans use to connect to the Internet aren't nearly fast enough as far as Google is concerned.

So it plans to use it dominant position as the world's largest Internet company to launch tests of much faster Internet connections, with speeds of as much as an astonishing 1 gigabit per second, about 100 times faster than what's now widely available to customers. Google's slogan for the project: Think big with a gig, building on IBM's "Think" and Apple's "Think Different."

As Google explains in its blog:

Imagine sitting in a rural health clinic, streaming three-dimensional medical imaging over the web and discussing a unique condition with a specialist in New York. Or downloading a high-definition, full-length feature film in less than five minutes. Or collaborating with classmates around the world while watching live 3-D video of a university lecture. Universal, ultra high-speed Internet access will make all this and more possible. We've urged the FCC to look at new and creative ways to get there in its National Broadband Plan -- and today we're announcing an experiment of our own.

We're planning to build and test ultra high-speed broadband networks in a small number of trial locations across the United States. We'll deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today with 1 gigabit per second, fiber-to-the-home connections. We plan to offer service at a competitive price to at least 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people.

Our goal is to experiment with new ways to help make Internet access better and faster for everyone. Here are some specific things that we have in mind:

-- Next generation apps: We want to see what developers and users can do with ultra high-speeds, whether it's creating new bandwidth-intensive "killer apps" and services, or other uses we can't yet imagine.

-- New deployment techniques: We'll test new ways to build fiber networks, and to help inform and support deployments elsewhere, we'll share key lessons learned with the world.

Openness and choice: We'll operate an "open access" network, giving users the choice of multiple service providers. And consistent with our past advocacy, we'll manage our network in an open, non-discriminatory and transparent way.

The Wall Street Journal had an interview with Minne Ingersoll, a Google product manager, who provided more information on Google's plans. An excerpt:

In an interview, Google product manager Minnie Ingersoll said consumers will be able to buy service directly from Google or from other providers, whom Google will allow to resell the service. She said Google will manage the deployment of the network but probably partner with contractors to help build it.

Google said it would offer service at a speed of 1 gigabit per second--or 100 times faster than what many U.S. consumers are used to--and would offer the service at "a competitive price."

Ms. Ingersoll declined to say how much Google planned to invest in the project, saying it would vary based on which cities participated. She said Google plans to "foot the bill" for the deployments itself, without government subsidies.

Google doesn't plan to roll the service out as a national network, Ms. Ingersoll said. Instead, Google's goal is to help demonstrate how faster access can lead to more innovative Internet services. In a blog post, Google described watching live 3D video lectures and streaming medical imagery as examples.

"We have been advocating that the FCC set up an experimental testbed and this is our way of putting our money where our mouth is," she said.

www.npr.com

The Internet Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

2010-02-11T15:02:00.001-05:00

The Internet Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

Posted using ShareThis

Pepsi Invites the Public to Do Good

2010-02-02T13:37:00.002-05:00

By STUART ELLIOTT

Published: January 31, 2010

DECADES ago, consumers were invited to “be sociable, have a Pepsi.” Now the brand wants to invite consumers to help Pepsi support social causes — and will use social media like Facebook and Twitter to help spread a message.

On Monday, PepsiCo will begin a campaign called the Pepsi Refresh Project, in which consumers will be asked to vote for causes they like.

Pepsi-Cola is formally introducing on Monday an ambitious campaign named the Pepsi Refresh Project, aimed at doing well by doing good. The brand is dedicating at least $20 million through the end of the year for donations to local organizations and causes proposed by the public in realms like health, arts and culture, the environment and education.

Ideas for Pepsi Refresh grants can be submitted each month to a Web site (refresheverything.com), where computer users can subsequently vote on the ideas suggested during the previous month. More details are to be disclosed on Monday as a media blitz begins with an appearance by Kevin Bacon and Demi Moore on the “Today” show on NBC, where they will seek votes for their pet causes. Mr. Bacon will promote SixDegrees.org, and Ms. Moore Girls Educational & Mentoring Services.

There will also be paid pitches for the project on “Today” and its Web site as part of an agreement with a marketing unit of NBC Universal named Women@NBCU, which also includes properties like Bravo, Oxygen and USA Network.

The goal is to reach female high school and college students, said Lauren Zalaznick, president at the women’s lifestyle and entertainment networks at NBC Universal in New York, along with women ages 18 to 54, among them the mothers “we call ‘P.T.A. trend-setters’ ” who influence their peers.

The other big media partners for the project are AOL, Facebook, Hulu, MTV Networks and Parade. There will also be ads on two other broadcast networks, ABC and CBS; on 30 cable channels; in 10 print publications; and on Web sites like Yahoo.

The project is meant to tap into a booming trend for what is called cause-related marketing or pro-social marketing, by which corporations seek to back up their talk about benefiting society.

“Our idea was that this year we’d try to shift the marketing and communications to something that’s truly walking the walk,” said Lee Clow, chief creative officer and global director for media arts at the Pepsi-Cola agency, TBWA Worldwide in Los Angeles, part of the Omnicom Group.

The project is an extension of a campaign his agency introduced last year for Pepsi, which carried the theme “Every generation refreshes the world. Now it’s your turn.” The goal is “to develop a mechanism for young people to create ideas to make things better,” he added, that “will ultimately become part of the global behavior of the brand.”

•

Pepsi initially discussed the project in December when it announced that for the first time in 23 years it would forgo buying commercial time during a Super Bowl.

“This is a fundamentally different program that required us to engage with our consumers in a different way,” said Seth Kaufman, director for media strategy at the PepsiCo North American Beverages unit of PepsiCo in Purchase, N.Y.

So although there will be commercials to promote the project, a considerable amount of the advertising will be digital as well as customized content created by the media partners.

For instance, Pepsi will sponsor a reality show, “If I Can Dream,” on hulu.com, which Hulu describes as its first original long-form series. There will be at least 26 weekly episodes, and perhaps 52.

“It amplifies an advertising campaign,” said Jean-Paul Colaco, senior vice president for advertising at Hulu in Los Angeles, “by making it something people talk about, more of a social conversation.”

Among the efforts at MTV Networks, part of Viacom, will be promoting the Pepsi project at awards shows presented by cable channels like Comedy Central, Spike and VH1.

Viewers of those channels will welcome such branded entertainment, said Judy McGrath, chairwoman and chief executive at MTV Networks in New York, because they “love fun and love doing good, and don’t see those as incongruous in any way.”

The other agencies working on the project are Edelman; Huge, part of the Interpublic Group of Companies; Mr. Youth; Undercurrent; and Weber Shandwick, also an Interpublic unit.

The emphasis the campaign places on social media demonstrates how “a big brand is letting what used to be called the audience take part in what can become a movement,” said Gene Liebel, partner for user experience at Huge in Brooklyn, which is handling tasks like the development and design of the refresheverything.com site.

Huge has also worked on the presence the project will have on Facebook, which will include buying the lead ad position on facebook.com on Super Bowl Sunday.

•

The principal Pepsi-Cola rival, Coca-Cola, which returned to the Super Bowl in 2007, plans to run two commercials during the game. Coke announced last week a social media component to its Super Bowl campaign to be centered on Facebook. Coca-Cola will donate a dollar to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America each time a visitor to the Coca-Cola fan page on Facebook (facebook.com/livepositively) shares a virtual Coke gift.

Even when it comes to philanthropy, the giant cola warriors cannot resist poking each other. (And not in the fun, Facebook way.) PepsiCo executives pointed out that Coke is capping its donations at $500,000, compared with the budget for the Pepsi Refresh Project of more than 40 times that.

Katie Bayne, chief marketing officer at Coca-Cola North America in Atlanta, responded that the “single-month contribution” represents only “a portion of the almost $60 million in cash and in-kind donations” that the company has made to the clubs “in just the last 14 years.”

Although PepsiCo North American Beverages declined to discuss the ad budget for the project, there are plans to spend more on ads for Pepsi-Cola this year than last — and to spend more on TV commercials, too, despite the absence from Super Bowl XLIV.

According to Kantar Media, a unit of WPP that tracks ad spending, PepsiCo spent $41.6 million to advertise Pepsi in the United States during the first nine months of 2009, down 41 percent from the $70.5 million spent in the same period of 2008. Ad spending for all of 2008 totaled $74.6 million, Kantar Media reported, down 13.4 percent from $86.2 million in 2007.

Source: www.nytimes.com

Google to end support for IE6

2010-01-30T11:24:00.001-05:00

January 29, 2010, 09:10 PM — IDG News Service —

Google will phase out support for Microsoft's Internet Explorer 6 Web browser starting in March, the company said Friday.

"Many other companies have already stopped supporting older browsers like Internet Explorer 6.0 as well as browsers that are not supported by their own manufacturers. We're also going to begin phasing out our support, starting with Google Docs and Google Sites," Rajen Sheth, Google Apps senior product manager, wrote in a blog post Friday.

The announcement comes more than two weeks after Google reported that its servers had been the target of attacks originating in China. Those attacks targeted a vulnerability in IE 6, for which Microsoft has since issued a fix.

Support for IE6 in Google Docs and Google Sites will end March 1, Sheth said in the post. At that point, IE6 users who try to access Docs or Sites may find that "key functionality" won't work properly, he said.

Sheth suggested that customers upgrade to Internet Explorer 7, Mozilla Firefox 3.0, Google Chrome 4.0 or Safari 3.0, or more recent versions of those browsers.

According to StatCounter, IE6 has 18 percent market share among browsers.

Source: http://www.itworld.com/internet/94809/google-end-support-ie6

Winmock at Kinderton

2010-01-19T16:05:00.005-05:00

The latest project on the horizon for the team at Sterling Events. Our companies collaborate on a new website design for this one of a kind space. Check out the new site at www.winmock.com

The WinMock at Kinderton is an amazing 1920's barn that will soon become the site of magnificent weddings, elegant social functions, and unique corporate events. Nestled near the banks of the Yadkin River, this stunning structure stands as an icon for surrounding counties and all of Piedmont North Carolina.

Puncture Seal.... Peace of Mind on the Road

2010-01-19T14:59:00.003-05:00

Asterisk Creative video production for Radiator Specialty's product Puncture Seal. Our team worked closely with the Gunk family to create a video that clearly depicted the value offered by the Puncture Seal Family of Products.

Radiator Specialty Video Production!

2010-01-07T12:57:00.005-05:00

Asterisk Creative teamed with Radiator Specialty to create a video to showcase Engine Shine which is part of the Engine Brite family of products.

www.gunk.com

Using Social Media Strategically - eMarketer

2009-12-21T09:39:00.000-05:00

Using Social Media Strategically - eMarketer

Marketing Spending Pays Off for Small Biz

2009-12-11T09:19:00.001-05:00

Marketing Spending Pays Off for Small Biz

NOVEMBER 9, 2009

Spending money to make money

Marketers have seen budgets slashed in the recession, but that can create a dilemma: More marketing spending in a downturn can help a company come out ahead when the economy picks up again. According to the “Small Business Marketing Health Check” report from Hurwitz & Associates, there is a correlation between small businesses that are doing well and greater marketing spending.

Almost two-thirds of small businesses that expected increased revenues had raised or planned to raise marketing spending, compared with just 32% to 36% of businesses with flat or declining revenues.

Less than one-half of small businesses studied (46%) were expecting higher revenues in 2009, while 22% anticipated flat revenues and nearly one-third foresaw a decline.

The survey showed small businesses shifting marketing initiatives toward cheaper digital media and away from traditional channels. The top three marketing tools used were social media, e-mail newsletters and search.

Use of e-mail marketing in particular correlated with expected revenue growth.

“The survey clearly reveals that the use of low-cost Web-based marketing tools is playing a strategic role in helping businesses succeed,” said Laurie McCabe, partner, Hurwitz & Associates, in a statement. “Making a few changes to incorporate more online tools into the marketing mix seems to be a key ingredient to small business success.”

Keep up on the latest digital trends. Learn more about an eMarketer Total Access subscription, today.

Check out today’s other article, “Hassle-Free Healthcare, Delivered Digitally.”

http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?R=1007367

How fake sites trick search engines to hit the top

2009-12-09T14:47:00.000-05:00

By JORDAN ROBERTSON, AP Technology Writer Jordan Robertson, Ap Technology Writer Tue Dec 8, 3:34 pm ET

SAN FRANCISCO – Even search engines can get suckered by Internet scams.

With a little sleight of hand, con artists can dupe them into giving top billing to fraudulent Web sites that prey on consumers, making unwitting accomplices of companies such as Google, Yahoo and Microsoft.

Online charlatans typically try to lure people into giving away their personal or financial information by posing as legitimate companies in "phishing" e-mails or through messages in forums such as Twitter and Facebook. But a new study by security researcher Jim Stickley shows how search engines also can turn into funnels for shady schemes.

Stickley created a Web site purporting to belong to the Credit Union of Southern California, a real business that agreed to be part of the experiment. He then used his knowledge of how search engines rank Web sites to achieve something that shocked him: His phony site got a No. 2 ranking on Yahoo Inc.'s search engine and landed in the top slot on Microsoft Corp.'s Bing, ahead of even the credit union's real site.

Google Inc., which handles two-thirds of U.S. search requests, didn't fall into Stickley's trap. His fake site never got higher than Google's sixth page of results, too far back to be seen by most people. The company also places a warning alongside sites that its system suspects might be malicious.

But even Google acknowledges it isn't foolproof.

Some recession-driven scams have been slipping into Google's search results, although that number is "very, very few," said Jason Morrison, a Google search quality engineer.

On one kind of fraudulent site, phony articles claim that participants can make thousands of dollars a month simply for posting links to certain Web sites. Often, the victims are asked to pay money for startup materials that never arrive, or bank account information is requested for payment purposes.

"As soon as we notice anything like it, we'll adapt, but it's kind of like a game of Whac-A-Mole," he said. "We can't remove every single scam from the Internet. It's just impossible."

In fact, Google said Tuesday it is suing a company for promising "work at home" programs through Web sites that look legitimate and pretend to be affiliated with Google.

Stickley's site wasn't malicious, but easily could have been. In the year and a half it was up, the 10,568 visitors were automatically redirected to the real credit union, and likely never knew they had passed through a fraudulent site.

"When you're using search engines, you've got to be diligent," said Stickley, co-founder of TraceSecurity Inc. "You can't trust that just because it's No. 2 or No. 1 that it really is. A phone book is actually probably a safer bet than a search engine."

A Yahoo spokeswoman didn't respond to requests for comment. Microsoft said in a statement that Stickley's experiment showed that search results can be cluttered with junk, but the company insists Bing "is equipped to address" the problem. Stickley's link no longer appears in Bing.

To fool people into thinking they were following the right link, Stickley established a domain (creditunionofsc.org) that sounded plausible. (The credit union's real site is cusocal.org.) After that, Stickley's site wasn't designed with humans in mind; it was programmed to make the search engines believe they were scanning a legitimate site. Stickley said he pulled it off by having link after link inside the site to create the appearance of "depth," even though those links only led to the same picture of the credit union's front page.

The experiment convinced Credit Union of Southern California that it should protect itself by being more aggressive about buying domain names similar to its own. Domains generally cost a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars each — a pittance compared with a financial institution's potential liability or loss of goodwill if its customers are ripped off by a fake site.

"The test was hugely successful," said Ray Rounds, the credit union's senior vice president of information services.

Stickley's manipulation illuminates the dark side of so-called search engine optimization. It's a legitimate tactic used by sites striving to boost their rankings — by designing them so search engines can capture information on them better.

But criminals can turn the tables to pump up fraudulent sites.

"You can do this on a very, very broad scale and have a ton of success," Stickley said. "This shows there's a major, major risk out there."

Robert Hansen, a Web security expert who wasn't involved in Stickley's research, said ranking high in search engine results gets easier as the topic gets more obscure. An extremely well-trafficked site such as Bank of America's would always outrank a phony one, he notes.

Still, Hansen said, criminals have been able to game Google's system well enough to carve out profitable niches. He says one trick is to hack into trusted sites, such as those run by universities, and stuff them with links to scam sites, which makes search engines interpret the fraudulent sites as legitimate.

"I don't think we're anywhere near winning" the fight against such frauds, said Hansen, chief executive of the SecTheory consulting firm.

Roger Thompson, chief research officer for AVG Technologies, who also wasn't involved in the research, said search results can be trusted, for the most part.

"But the rule is, if you're looking for something topical or newsworthy, you should be very cautious about clicking the link," he said. That's because criminals load their scam sites with hot topics in the news, to trap victims before the search engines have a chance to pull their sites out of the rankings.

"The bad guys don't have to get every search," he said. "They just have to get a percentage."

Consumers can protect themselves from scam sites by looking up the domain at http://www.whois.com, which details when a site was registered and by whom. That can be helpful if the Web address of a phony site is similar to the real one.

___

AP Technology Writer Michael Liedtke contributed to this report from San Francisco.

Your On-Line Reputation: 3 Things You Need to Remember

2009-09-29T10:44:00.001-04:00

Your Online Reputation: Three Things You Need To Remember

So you’ve read all our articles here at Brand-Yourself.com about how essential it is to maintain your online reputation and personal brand identity. You’ve successfully set up your Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn accounts, emphasizing your individuality, visibility, consistency, and desirability as an employee.

The battle doesn’t end there, however. Maintaining a personal brand is continuous work and will continue for the remainder of your working life – perhaps even beyond retirement.

In order to cultivate your identity and your online reputation, keep three things in mind:

Be smart, not paranoid.
This is the age of the World Wide Web and, although you should exercise basic common sense and abstain from releasing information like your social security number to the general masses, there is no need to be paranoid about your information being online. Visibility is key, and it is up to you to take advantage of the accessibility of the Internet. Although you obviously shouldn’t provide, say, a blueprint and a detailed aerial shot of your home, don’t make it difficult for interested employers to contact you, either.

Use your name as often as [logically] possible.
Look at your various websites and social networking profiles as web footprints. Your online personality should be unique to you, but a clever, intelligent website means nothing if people have no idea who owns it. It is crucial that your name be prominent on any work you post online – not only in titles and bylines, but also headings, URLs, etc. – so that there will be a higher chance of your page[s] receiving hits. Exercise discretion, however. Sprinkling your name unnecessarily will look cheap and desperate, but thoroughly linking your work with your name shows that you are proud of what you can accomplish.

OWN YOUR ONLINE REPUTATION.
It can’t be stressed enough how important it is to own your personal brand identity. If you haven’t already, do a quick search of your name and see what the Web says about you. If you find there are people who share a similar name, you must work hard to differentiate yourself from those people. Always keep in mind all those professional and personal traits that make you desirable to prospective employers, and protect this image with everything you’ve got.

Remember, your work isn’t finished once you’ve established a personal brand identity. You must also work hard to regularly manage the impression you make on the rest of the world, ensuring now only that you remain individual but also that your brand remains true to who you are. Your online reputation is how people will differentiate you from the masses.

–

Gabrielle is a recent graduate from Syracuse University, where she studied fashion design and fashion communications. She occupies her time with photography and creating her own comic book, and she plans to return to Syracuse in 2010 to pursue her Master’s Degree in art journalism.

www.brand-yourself.com

The Gap Between Google and Rivals May Be Smaller Than You Think

2009-09-22T15:52:00.001-04:00

It’s no secret that even with their recently-announced alliance, Yahoo and Microsoft will lag well behind Google in the hugely profitable search and search advertising business. How far behind? With a combined 28 percent of the American search market, Yahoo and Microsoft could double their usage and still trail Google, which accounts for 65 percent of the market.

But by another important measure, the two sides are much closer. ComScore found that for the combined Yahoo-Microsoft, “searcher penetration,” or the percentage of the online population in the United States that uses one of those search engines, is 73 percent. Google’s searcher penetration is higher, but not by that much: at 84 percent.

The difference between the two ways of measuring is frequency of use. Users of Yahoo-Microsoft on average searched just under 27 times in a month on those sites, whereas users of Google searched on average 54 times a month, or twice as often.

Of course, when it comes to making money from search, it is the number of searches, not penetration, that matters. But the penetration figures suggest that Yahoo-Microsoft could close the gap with Google if they persuade their existing users to use them a bit more often.

“The challenge will be to create a search experience compelling enough to convert lighter searchers into regular searchers which is generally easier than converting new users,” Eli Goodman, comScore Search Evangelist, said in a press release. “Though clearly easier said than done, if they were to equalize the number of searches per searcher with Google they would command more than 40 percent market share.”

That suggests Microsoft may want to spend more of its money improving Bing, rather than on marketing Bing. Spending on both, of course, can’t hurt.

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com

Asterisk Creative Client, Mitch Yellen, is making strides in a stagnant market

2009-08-31T15:38:00.002-04:00

Colorado Springs, CO (PRWEB) August 22, 2009 -- In a time when most people are finding it difficult to afford life's daily necessities, Mitchell B. Yellen of Colorado Springs, CO is not only sustaining personal financial stability and planning for long-term wealth he is helping others to do the same.

Having 18 plus years of experience in the financial services industry, Yellen has had a chance to work with some of the best financial advisers in the business, study the mistakes and traps of conventional financial thinking and discover the true principles regarding what it takes to acquire wealth. After years of observing the devastation of fiscal misinformation, Yellen decided to forgo the traditional methods of financial planning and launch two advisory groups (Wealth Wonks and IBPro llc.) utilizing his own ideologies on ways to obtain wealth and consult with clients.

"People need more than a financial product," said Yellen. "They need to understand what wealth-building processes and enlightened strategies build true wealth. So many people with real wealth potential are still languishing in the shadows of traditional financial planning, however, we are blessed to have the answers these people need. It is my passion (and my calling) to lead others into this light that has so profoundly changed my life."

By establishing a personal relationship with each client and implementing customized strategies, the results desired are almost always guaranteed. Mr. Yellen sees financial planning as more than just a monetary projection. It's about helping clients understand the dynamics of various financial climates, pitfalls and wealth building as well as encouraging them to be their own bankers and invest in themselves. His expertise have helped everyday professionals as well as corporate CEOs and Presidents. "I found the services to be extremely helpful in planning long term growth and a secure retirement," said Dr. John Trowbridge, M.D. The President and CEO of Credit Union said, "It didn't take long to see that we could accumulate more wealth with better money management." Mitchell B. Yellen is well on his way to becoming one of the United States' premier financial planners.

Mitchell B. Yellen is the Founder and CEO of Wealth Wonks and IBPro llc. Information and resources regarding his companies and ideologies can be found on the Wealth Wonks and IBPro websites respectively http://www.wealthwonkspro.com/ and http://www.ibprollc.com/default.asp.

News From the Mecklenburg Times!

2009-08-11T10:36:00.002-04:00

Social Media is not just for reconnecting with old friends. It is a tool to grow your business and create a greater footprint in your market. The article below explains that. Don't get left behind!

Full-time Facebooking

By Austin Light

CHARLOTTE — Twitter grew a staggering 1,382 percent in the last year. Since starting in 2006, it’s picked up more than 8 million users, according to Nielson Online. Facebook has attracted about 65.7 million users in five years.

With numbers like that, it just makes good business sense to be where the people are, said Brandon Uttley, hired recently by Charlotte marketing firm Wray Ward as the company’s first social media strategist. But that’s often easier said than done.

“Sixty percent of people that sign up for Twitter become inactive after 30 days,” Uttley said. “The LA Times found that that same percentage of people don’t even know what Twitter is…but you’re seeing more companies use it.”

Brandon Uttley, social media strategist, Wray Ward

Twitter is a Web-based communication system, using messages of 140 characters or less that are sent via phones or computers.

Accordingly to Uttley, the high drop-off rate comes from people knowing they should be on Twitter or other social media sites, but not knowing the lingo and culture associated with them. That’s where he comes in.

Uttley is part of a growing profession that helps companies monitor, use and market with social media. Their job description is simple — “connecting people to other people online” — but according to Jason Keath, a prolific Charlotte social media strategist and head of SocialFresh.com, it isn’t a simple task.

Keath maintains that social media management is fast becoming a full-time job as opposed to a low-priority task that can be passed off to an intern.

“I think it is as big as when e-mail came along,” Keath said. “Everyone uses e-mail; it’s expected. There’s etiquette, legalities, even laws associated with it. I think social media is going to be integrated like that into almost every business. Clients will start demanding it.”

Roy Morejon is the founder of B2WE, a social media marketing agency in Charlotte. He said businesses have three options: Hire one person full-time to manage it, hire an agency or third party to manage it, or use existing staff to figure it out.

“I’ve dealt with a lot of them, whether they need their hand held or I’m training a marketing manager in-house,” Morejon said. “[Social media] is not the same as traditional media. It’s more about conversation and less about campaigns.”

Uttley said a company’s best bet is to hire someone or use an agency.

“You can now have a presence in a lot of different places, and they are free or very low cost,” Uttley said. “So the biggest investment here is time.”

Keath maintains that even though social media services are free, businesses shouldn’t skimp on the time they invest to maximize on-line opportunities.

“A lot of people think it is free and they move to it to save money, but if you are going to do it correctly, you have to invest in it time-wise,” Keath said. “Can you afford to invest that time?”

Keath’s SocialFresh.com is working to increase social media awareness among businesses and help them develop skills to use it in a positive way. Social Fresh will host its first conference Aug. 24, a one-day event for marketing professionals with social media speakers from Rubbermaid, Best Buy and other companies.

“It’s quickly becoming a more legitimate industry. From people like myself that are individual consultants all the way up to large companies,” Keath said.

Duke Energy is among several Charlotte corporations hiring social media managers, including GMAC and Bank of America. Duke Energy is providing information through its Twitter feed DukeEnergyStorm, which keeps customers informed of power outages and restoration efforts.

“On Twitter, just from the anecdotal, we’ve got good replies back,” said Michelle Pearson, Duke’s social media director. “We’re still working to formulate where we go from here, and an important part of that is listening to our customers and other important people out there.”

As businesses attract more followers, more will be asked of them when it comes to interaction.

“If you join Twitter and just blast out a bunch of messages about yourself and your company, it’s going to fail,” Uttley said. “It’s about empowering the consumer…they have more of a say in expressing their opinions and getting feedback.”

Monitoring and responding to that feedback can take serious juggling skills, not just because some social media strategists are monitoring multiple platforms — Twitter, Facebook, blogs — but multiple accounts on those platforms as well.

“It’s a 24/7 job. My phone is constantly beeping with updates,” Morejon said. “The Internet doesn’t sleep and people don’t stop talking. You have to engage them and listen to them.”

The job, Keath said, is rewarding.

“It’s a rewarding career path because I’m more or less connecting people and helping people,” Keath said. “I consider myself an idea guy…It’s a great outlet for someone with a lot of ideas to help people.”

http://mecktimes.wordpress.com

Key to Sucess: A Solid Marketing Strategy

2009-08-06T14:20:00.002-04:00

"Without a solid marketing strategy, you will have no blueprint to follow."

In order to create success for your business, you need a plan. Organization helps you know when to hire new people, what functions to attend, where to spend money, and how to better develop your business. Learn how to create an effective marketing strategy with advice from this article.

Visit http://www.examiner.com/x-12418-NY-Market-Research-Examiner~y2009m8d5-Planning-Your-Marketing-Strategy-Quickly-and-Effectively

9 Ways to Pump Up You, the Brand

2009-08-05T14:00:00.002-04:00

With the stressful economic times, everyone could use a breath of fresh air when it comes to their branding strategy. Get yourself involved in the networking community through new means of communication. Focus on relationship building. And venture outside your comfort zone. Here are some tips and tricks to help you pump up your brand.

Visit http://webworkerdaily.com/2009/07/30/9-ways-to-pump-up-you-the-brand/

Twitter 101: How to be a better tweeter

2009-08-05T12:13:00.004-04:00

Okay, we get it. Twitter is all the rage. But what are "good tweets" and how do you get in touch with the right people? Who do you follow? Check out this article for a little Twitter 101.

Visit http://www.examiner.com/x-14552-Providence-Social-Media-Examiner~y2009m7d30-Twitter-101-How-to-be-a-better-tweeter

Beating Negative Perceptions of Your Brand

2009-08-05T11:43:00.003-04:00

Marketing and personal branding are key elements when promoting your business. But what happens when the going gets tough? Here are some tips to help you move past negative perceptions of your brand.

Please visit http://www.managementtoday.co.uk/channel/Finance/news/922812/mt-experts-top-ten-tips-beat-negative-perceptions-brand/

Add a Blog to your Website

2009-08-04T15:59:00.003-04:00

This New York firm explains that having a blog on your website can greatly increase your SEO.

"Maintaining a blog is simple and easy once you get the hang of it," says Crisafi, "and it is an added feature that will, in time, help your online presence grow so that your business can grow too."

At Asterisk Creative we stress the importance of Social Media Marketing and the use of blogging. You can never do enough to connect with your consumer.

Read more at http://www.onlineprnews.com/news/3999-1249339284-new-york-web-development-firm-says-that-adding-a-blog-to-your-website-can-greatly-improve-your-search-engine-ranking.html

Having Doubts in Social Media Marketing?

2009-08-04T15:34:00.003-04:00

If you need a little more convincing - here are some helpful hints from people in the field.

Please visit http://www.examiner.com/x-13133-Columbia-Internet-Marketing-Examiner~y2009m7d22-Social-media-tips-from-the-field

Just a Few Website Design Tips

2009-08-04T15:14:00.003-04:00

Need some ideas to increase your sales? Start with a closer look at your website design. With the growing internet community, a website is more often than not a clients first look at your company. Create a positive first impression with some advice from this article.

Check it out at http://www.promotionworld.com/articles/internet/webdesign/090710-Website-Design-Tips-Web-Designers-Increase-Reputation-Sales

Seven Habits for Sucessful Email Marketing

2009-08-04T12:05:00.007-04:00

Even if social media has seemingly taken over the networking community, the old stand by of email marketing should never be ignored. Research shows that companies are over-spending on email marketing simply because of minor mistakes. Here are seven tips that will help you save money and take full advantage of this networking tool.

Visit http://www.utalkmarketing.com/pages/Article.aspx?ArticleID=14812&Title=Seven_habits_for_successful_Email_Marketing_revealed

A New Take on Social Marketing

2009-08-04T11:59:00.003-04:00

Recently, all the buzz has been about getting your company out there through the likes of Twitter, Facebook, and blogging. But there is one thing we are forgetting. While creating a web presence is key, relationship building will never fail you. Here is a fresh perspective that will get you thinking.

Check it out http://www.bizjournals.com/extraedge/consultants/succeeding_today/2009/08/03/column560.html?market=portland

Your Personal Brand can be a Calling Card

2009-08-04T11:36:00.002-04:00

The term "personal brand" has been thrown around by business professionals for years. With the recent explosion in networking and social media marketing, this whole idea of creating a "personal brand" has taken on a new meaning. Whether it is a logo, or simply your name, branding is about communicating what you and your company stands for to the public. You never know when a simple blog post could turn into a future business opportunity.

Read more @ http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2009/07/your_personal_brand_can_be_a_c.html

Reverse Your Fortune With Sound Marketing

2009-07-30T11:44:00.003-04:00

When you know your market, your product will sell itself.

Too many people are concerned with finding something innovative that they can sell to their customers. In reality, you should begin with finding an target audience and discovering what they WANT to buy. With a strong marketing plan, you can turn your business around regardless of any economic strife.

For more information please visit http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32206855/ns/business-small_business/

SEO and Web Design: Why Now is the Time to Invest

2009-07-30T11:17:00.004-04:00

Even with the tough economic times, the web design industry continues to push forward. The Internet has now become a part of everyone's day. People access it to check the news, search an idea on Google, or simply to connect with friends. To ensure that your company has the most visibility, a strong website design and SEO strategy are crucial.

For more information please visit http://www.officialwire.com/main.php?action=posted_news&rid=12311&catid=409

Better Website Design: Love at First Site

2009-07-30T11:07:00.004-04:00

Your website should be a reflection of what you and your company represents. A user-friendly, informative website is the first impression that potential clients have of your company. What makes a design successful?

1. Fit for purpose
2. Accessibility

For more tips check out http://www.watoday.com.au/technology/biz-tech/better-design-produces-love-at-first-site-20090728-dzfi.html

Can You Join Too Many Networks?

2009-07-28T10:38:00.002-04:00

Social Media Marketing? Check. But which networks should you join? Many people have spread out their personal brands on too many networks and are unable to manage their existence effectively. Here are some methods to help you choose which social networks are worth your while.

Check it out at http://mashable.com/2008/12/16/choosing-social-networks/

Take Control of Your Google Search Results

2009-07-28T10:28:00.002-04:00

Google can be your best friend or your worst enemy. When someone Google's your name, the results can be very telling about who you are and what you do. Essentially, the Google results are your resume. Here are some tips on how to manipulate your search results and increase your web presence.

Visit http://mashable.com/2009/02/19/control-google-search-results/

How To: Build Your Personal Brand on LinkedIn

2009-07-28T10:14:00.003-04:00

In the corporate world, having a LinkedIn page is a must. However, for all of us non-techies out there, how do you best customize your page to reflect a personal brand? Taking advantage of this public forum can help you learn and further your career in no time at all.

Find out how at http://mashable.com/2009/07/27/linkedin-personal-brand/

Making Time for Social Media Marketing

2009-07-28T09:57:00.002-04:00

Social media marketing, made simple, should only take you up to one hour per day. Many business professionals claim that social media marketing is too time consuming. The key: prioritizing. Social media has now been established as the most up to date tool to directly connect your company with your consumer. If done well, social media marketing can boost your companies success and only take you a short amount of time. Here are some tips and tricks to keeping social media marketing simple.

Please visit http://www.examiner.com/x-13398-Salt-Lake-City-Social-Media-Examiner~y2009m7d28-Social-Media-Marketing-in-an-Hour-a-Day

10 Ways to Jump Start Your Social Media Thinking

2009-07-22T14:39:00.005-04:00

It seems as if there are thousands of articles out there advising you how to effectively incorporate social media into your marketing plan. In reality, what is the next step after you've created a Twitter, Facebook, and a blog? Here are 10 way to jump start your social media thinking and take your company's presence to the next level.

Please visit http://www.socialmediaexplorer.com/2009/07/22/10-ways-to-jump-start-your-social-media-thinking/

Asterisk Creative

2009-07-16T17:30:00.000-04:00

Asterisk Creative is a creative services company that uses graphic design, illustration, and new media technology to custom design strategies and products for corporate communication needs. Asterisk Creative manages productions involving multimedia web site design, print design, logos, corporate identity systems, illustration, brand marketing, production coordination, and a vast array of related services.

5 Reasons to Jump on the Facebook Bandwagon

2009-07-16T15:36:00.002-04:00

In the past two to three years, the marketing world has brought on an all out social media frenzy. If your company does not have atleast a Facebook or a Twitter, "everyone" is convinced that the world is ending. But really, is social media marketing all that its cracked up to be? Here are 5 reasons to convince you that it is.

Check it out at http://www.isedb.com/db/articles/2099/1/5-Reasons-to-Jump-on-the-Facebook-Marketing-Bandwagon/Page1.html

So What?

2009-07-16T15:24:00.003-04:00

The most important marketing question: "So What?"

Today, it seems like all marketing techniques are the same. A representative lists off the product facts followed by a short shpeal on their "unmatched reliability" and finally, wraps up with a dramatic customer satisfaction story. But in all honesty, "So what?". What differentiates YOU from the company next door?

Find out more at http://search.sys-con.com/node/1038433

SEO Strategy: Your Website needs one

2009-07-16T12:09:00.002-04:00

"As much as 90% of purchases begin with a keyword search."

What good is a website if no one can find it? Having a thorough review of your content is crucial if you want your website to be search engine friendly. The key: thinking about what your consumer will search, not what YOU want them to search.

Get more tips and tricks at http://www.examiner.com/x-16921-Newark-Internet-Business-Examiner~y2009m7d14-Your-SEO-strategy-should-begin-with-a-thorough-review-of-your-Web-site

Branding with Twitter to help your company

2009-07-16T11:46:00.003-04:00

All this talk about Twitter and social media marketing can get overwhelming. Twitter has millions of users but how do you customize your Twitter profile to better connect with your consumer? The worst feeling is possessing the means to succeed but simply not knowing how to utilize them to the best of your ability.

Visit http://www.examiner.com/x-14460-DC-Social-Media-Examiner~y2009m7d9-How-to-brand-your-Twitter-profile-for-your-company to find out how.

Era of Digital Information

2009-07-07T15:27:00.003-04:00

Digital media is completely changing the way companies respond to their consumer. Obama's campaign manager, David Plouffe was regarded for his "imaginative use" of social media and as a key player when it came to producing the first "You-Tube era President". While this explosion of digital information has left some confused and overwhelmed, it appears that the sky is the limit when it comes to discovering new ways to market your brand. Your mission: harness the beast that is social media and never, never underestimate the power of cyberspace.

Check it out at http://www.mad.co.uk/Main/Home/Articlex/900a9802919e47cdaa7d7f6427be0c21/Era-of-digital-information-redefining-brand-identity.html

The Art of Branding

2009-07-07T14:46:00.003-04:00

Its more than just the logo.

Today brands are meant to embody everything that is your company. True success is when someone can recognize a brand even when the name is taken away. Companies like Apple, Nike, and McDonald's have mastered the art of branding recognition - who could forget the infamous "swoosh"? The Asterisk Creative team brainstorms to give you the the most optimal brand recognition through use of social media marketing, keyword rich content, and SEO strategies. If you want to reach your highest potential, no aspect of your company can be overlooked.

Discover how you can improve your brand recognition.
Visit http://www.smh.com.au/small-business/brand-recognition-20090619-cogw.html

20 Reasons to use Social Media Marketing

2009-07-07T14:20:00.005-04:00

Today the importance of a TV commercial or newspaper ad is dwarfed in comparison to that of social media marketing. If I had a dime for every time I heard, "Follow us on Twitter!" in the past 12 months I would be rich. While interactive media powerhouses like Facebook and Twitter may seem like a fad or downright annoying, in reality they are excellent resources to communicate your brand to the consumer. They are efficient, low-cost, and easy to manage. At Asterisk Creative we stress the importance of using media resources like these. The more your company is mentioned, the more potential clients you reach.

Still not convinced? Here are 20 reasons that will change your mind.
Visit http://www.examiner.com/x-8160-San-Diego-Social-Media-Marketing-Examiner~y2009m6d25-The-Top-20-Business-Reasons-To-Use-Social-Media-Marketing

Getting your Brand out there in the "Twittisphere"

2009-07-07T13:47:00.004-04:00

Twitter has become all the rage recently when it comes to social media marketing. But lets be honest, there are millions of people tweeting everyday - how do you get the right people to follow your brand and remain dedicated? The key is syndication. When you syndicate your content you'll get Twitter followers who want your information, knowledge, know how, style, and sense of humor. At Asterisk Creative we have a huge respect for not only the power of social media marketing but also those who can utilize it to the best of their ability.

Check it out at http://www.examiner.com/x-977-SF-Marketing--PR-Examiner~y2009m7d4-Grow-Your-Twitter-Following-Free-branding--promotion-on-Twitter

Social Media... Teaching Ourselves and You...

2009-06-29T13:37:00.003-04:00

Success on the social web depends directly on your current knowledge of the subject. At Asterisk Creative, our team stays on top of the latest trends and are always continuing our social web education.

The AC Team will keep your employees abreast of the all the tips, tricks, and trends required to conduct business on the Internet.

We involve ourselves in ever aspect of the social media community. We work to understand who the players are and what the next innovation will be to drive results for your business.

Contact Asterisk Creative today to start using the internet to grow your business and make an impact using social media!

Color Theory and Your Brand

2009-06-26T13:47:00.002-04:00

Color is more than meets the eye. Color evokes strong emotions and reactions. This is important to understand when designing a logo, website, or marketing materials. The colors you choose sends a message to your buyer. The proper use of color is vital to create a positive image among your target audience.

For example, red stimulates appetite. Think of the impact the McDonald's logo has had for decades. Red, however, is not a color to use in the financial sector because it creates fear not trust. On the other hand, blue it is one of the least appetizing and one of the favorites for most people.

Our team at Asterisk Creative uses color theory to when designing. We understand the complexity of the decisions buyers make. We work with our clients to create a brand strategy and materials that will deliver the right message to their buyers to create RESULTS.

Good SEO can help Reputation Management

2009-06-23T15:58:00.002-04:00

A company traditionally implements an SEO (search engine optimization) strategy in order to ensure that their references appear that the top of every search engine results page. In the past few years, reputation management has become a higher priority as more people are using the Internet to express their opinions. This article gives great insight into how SEO and repuataion management can complement one another to take your business to a higher level.

Please visit http://www.brafton.com/industry-news/good-seo-can-help-reputation-management-$1305898.htm

Increasing Sales with Social Media

2009-06-23T15:48:00.004-04:00

Marketing and sales go hand in hand. You can't have one without the other (unless you're the neighborhood lemonade stand, that is). But lets be real, marketing creates a demand for your product. Marketing gets your clients calling you. Find out how you can increase your sales using social media marketing powerhouses like Facebook, Twitter, and Blogger.

Visit http://www.examiner.com/x-13637-Kansas-City-Social-Media-Examiner~y2009m6d16-Increasing-sales-with-social-media

Ten Tips for Expanding Your Twitter Presence

2009-06-23T15:44:00.003-04:00

This is a great article that can help you take full advantage of the "media bonanza" that is Twitter. Social media marketing is an efficient and inexpensive way to bring your business to a larger audience. Whether you're "tweeting" about your latest gig or a simple humorous comment, Twitter is without a doubt the most cutting-edge way to connect with your consumer.

Check it out at http://ohmygov.com/blogs/general_news/archive/2009/06/22/ten-tips-for-expanding-your-twitter-presence.aspx

Timing is Everything on the Web

2009-06-23T14:16:00.000-04:00

When Trying to Engage People on the Web, Timing is Everything.

http://www.forbes.com/2009/06/22/allen-adamson-marketing-cmo-network-adamson.html

Shapes Salon & Day Spa

2009-06-18T16:04:00.003-04:00

Recently presented with a 2009 Charlotte's Best of the Best Award, Shapes Salon & Day Spa is on its way to becoming the next big thing when it comes to getting a little rest and relaxation. Shapes offers services for men, women, as well as children; everyone deserves some pampering.

In the spirit of the tough economic times, Shapes boasts an extensive package that offers specials on hair, spa, and nail services. Also, Father's day is just around the corner. Need a last minute gift for Dad? Lucky for you, on June 21st, Shapes is running a special on select spa and nail services. Gift cards are available as well.

Don't be afraid to stop by. Heck, there is a 10% discount for any first-time customer. Whether its a massage or a simple haircut, at Shapes Salon & Day Spa there is something for you.

Check it out at www.ShapesDaySpa.com

Social Media – Is it a fad?

2009-06-10T13:41:00.000-04:00

So just came across this post on twitter - http://www.ploked.com/social-media/social-media-is-it-a-fad.html, and it got me to thinking. Is social media a fad? I think not. It’s a new wave of communication that has yet to used to its fullest potential. We have just scratched the surface on how social media can be used, not only from a communications standpoint, but also from a marketing perspective as well. Brands can instantaneously engage with their end users via social media and this communication can give them insight into how to better meet the needs of those consumers. Brands can learn how consumers react to their products and services and even gauge what marketing campaigns are most effective based on consumer response. Brands like Domino’s and Comcast have used twitter to manage their “damage control.”

If you have considered dabbling in social media and don’t know where to start, or would like to explore how it can positively (and inexpensively) boost your marketing and SEO efforts, give Asterisk Creative a call. We can help you navigate the wild world of social media.

Opus Company launches new brand and website!

2009-06-10T13:30:00.003-04:00

Asterisk Creative was tapped by Opus Company to create a new brand identity design to reflect the companies creative approach to hospitality solutions and hotel consulting. The logo is built in vector graphics.
The brand message and feel were continued throughout the website to create a user friendly experience. The website is hand built and coded to allow for future adaptation as the business grows. The site is built with a search engine optimization strategy in place and the site is cross browser compatible.

Discover the DiFabion Difference

2009-06-02T15:33:00.003-04:00

Asterisk Creative has launched the redesigned DiFAbion Remodeling site. The site needed an updated look and feel that would create a dynamic user experience. The site features multiple photos galleries and contact form mechanisms. The site is also built to be cross browser compatible and with a Search Engine stragtegy. Please visit www.difabionremodeling.com.

Applied Vector

2009-06-02T15:31:00.000-04:00

Vector graphics are very useful and have many applications.

In particular, the use of vector graphics is a great way to create a logo or identity mark. Vector graphics refer to geometric shapes, lines, and curves used to produce an image. By manipulating these vector objects, one can produce a symbol that effectively represents their company or business. That paired with the use of typography or the arrangement of type will ultimately construct a logo.

What's All The Tweeting About?

2009-06-02T14:45:00.001-04:00

What's All The Tweeting About?
Twitter Offers A Unique Platform For Communication

Twitter is a "microblog". Think of it like a blog, only smaller... in fact you only have 140 characters (not words, characters) to communicate a message, so what you say has to be short, concise and of interest.

Twitter is simply a means to communicate with an audience of people who want to hear what you have to say. It's two way communication with your customers and prospects. And it's free!

Using Twitter is very easy - you sign up for a Twitter account and then start posting the 140 character messages, known as 'tweets', immediately. Once you've posted a tweet, it goes into your Twitter feed. Anybody who is following your tweets will then see your update within their own Twitter account - similar to how a blog's RSS feed communicates with RSS readers.

Of course, if your 'followers' are subscribed to hundreds of people, you may only have exposure on the main page of their account for just a few seconds, which is one of the reasons that people Twitter so much - so they can stay top of mind.

By default, Twitter feeds are set to public. This means that you can search for anybody who uses Twitter and see all of their past tweets.

So, what's all the fuss about this tool. And, how can you as marketer think about using it? Try these ideas:

· Extending the reach for those individuals or companies that already have a blogging strategy in place, and want to deepen or further ties. Good examples: Carnival Cruise Lines. The ScienceNewsBlog's weather tracking updates. Andy Carvin's PBS blog on education and technology.

· Retailers announcing sales and deals. Good example: Deals on Dells. Blue-light specials at Amazon.

· Increasing the ability for frequent updates to blogs or web sites or news. Examples: The NY Times, CNN, BBC, Adrants, and those of us here at MarketingProfs.

· Building consensus or a community of supporters. President Obama's successful campaign can be tied directly to his use of Twitter and Obama News Updates.

· Building buzz. Example: Sneak previews for followers.

· Updating breaking news at conferences or events. Share your experience with your followers presents you as a thought leader.

· Updating your network to shape your own personal branding: What's going in your life and your business.

So, is this hype or the next thing? Probably somewhere in between. Social media continues it's evolution and Twitter represents the latest platform breaking down the walls of communication as we've know it.

Sources: Marketing Profs, Web Profits

The New Shape of Shapes Salon & Day Spa

2009-04-20T14:11:00.002-04:00

Asterisk Creative has teamed with Shapes Salon & Day Spa to create a website that is both visually appealing and user friendly. The site allows for monthly specials, on-line gift cards, and booking. Take a moment to visit the site at www.shapesdayspa.com.

The website is just the first step in the new evolution in Shapes. They will be using a variety of interactive media to stay in touch with their clients. So, be on the look out for specials on services and products.

Shapes Salon & Day Spa is a premiere full service day spa with three locations to serve their guests.

Common Market

2009-04-10T13:03:00.003-04:00

The AC team is very excited to welcome our new neighbor, Common Market, to the South End. Stop by and check them out. They have an awesome selection of beer and wine. It is a great place to grab lunch or to just chill out after work!
http://www.commonmarketclt.com/

Hire Resolution

2009-04-10T12:59:00.003-04:00

Asterisk Creative teamed with Hire Resolution to create a website that conveys their fresh approach to finding the right fit when hiring new employees. We created a vibrant site that drives home their innovative approach.

Check it out at www.hireresolution.com

Asterisk Creative Cafe

2009-04-10T12:52:00.003-04:00

The Asterisk Cafe is open for business. We understand that we feed ourselves everyday and we need to do the same thing for our businesses. Remember this!

Marketing is the food for your business... So, order up one of our tasty originals or a side item to kick start your business!

User Friendly Websites & SEO

2009-04-10T12:47:00.002-04:00

The design principle at Asterisk Creative has always been to design and build user friendly websites. We approach each project with a results driven strategy and search engine strategy.

Take a moment to read this article to further understand how important a well designed sites means to your site conversion rates and SEO.

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=103636

On-Line Marketing in 2009

2009-03-06T13:30:00.002-05:00

There are so many great advances in technology that have created new visual mediums to create brand awareness and to capture greater market share

A recent headline from eMarketer trumpeted Marketers Eye Online Video in 2009. The stats below show what marketers are focusing on.

Video gets the attention of about two-thirds of marketers. This is pretty significant. But more than 4 out of 10 are also eyeing social media.

All of these offer great opporunity to market your company, but you have to start with a solid, well designed, and user friendly site. The idea is to drive traffic to your site and to convert users into sales.

Marketing in a Down Economy

2009-02-17T10:40:00.002-05:00

Marketing in any economy is a challenge for business owners. Marketing in a down economy presents new challenges because you have to do more with less. But in every economic slow down there are always companies that actually excel and prosper. They are strategically able to seize market share, reach new customers, and streamline their marketing operations. These companies have planned and prepared to tackle the challenges by turning the challenges into opportunities. By reapproaching how you spend your marketing dollars and finding more effective tools your can stretch your marketing dollar.

One area to invest your marketing budget in is your website. Your website is the first impression most of your customers have of your company. This is an area that can not be neglected and needs to be maximized. Your website is a marketing tool that works for you even when your business is closed.

This leads into the second area to invest in, Search Engine Optimization... If your customers can not find you then your business will cease to exist. You need to have a website that is properly optimized for the web and you need to drive traffic to that website.

Please feel free to contact Asterisk Creative today for more information and for a complimentary consultation...

Asterisk Cafe

2009-02-16T22:34:00.001-05:00

Check out the first installment of the Asterisk Cafe: www.asteriskcreative.com/cafe

Are you ready to be WAY PAST CRAZY?

2009-02-10T12:56:00.004-05:00

Brain Pooley, the idea man behind Way Past Crazy, came to Asterisk Creative to develop the website for the on-line artists community. The site allows artists of all types to collaborate, communicate, and engage. The site is made for the artists and those that just like art... Check it out today to see what is going on at www.waypastcrazy.com!

Everything Roses

2009-01-16T15:53:00.002-05:00

Today Asterisk Creative did a photo shoot for Rose Chauffeured Transportation. We shot all over Charlotte's uptown at locations like the Bank of America Stadium, Time Warner Cable Arena, and the convention center. Here's just a sample of what we got. Keep an eye out for Rose's materials for additional photos.

Discovering Southend

2009-01-05T08:33:00.000-05:00

I had a great time designing and creating the website for Discover Southend (www.discover-southend.com). I took a day walking around Southend with my camera, taking pictures of everything. There were some places that I've never really seen as I drive by. The website itself is a great database driven site that lists all the businesses in the Historic Southend and any specials they may have.

Welcome to the Asterisk Creative blog

2009-01-01T23:08:00.000-05:00

I would like to welcome everyone to the official Asterisk Creative website blog. On this blog, Asterisk Creative team members will update what is happening with current projects, the industry, the media... just about anything design or marketing related. So please check back often.

asterisk*creative | creative*control

Instant Photography Has Reached A New Level

My 20 Tips For Twitter Success

My 20 Tips For Twitter Success

… And That’s a Wrap

Happy Halloween from Asterisk Creative

Swiss Grid Inspiration

How to make your Facebook content “Top News”

10 Marketers Who Transformed American Culture

10 Marketers Who Transformed American Culture

Liodice Continues His Series by Looking at the People and Ideas That Changed Our Lives

Driving Traffic to a Blog - SEO Style

Queen's Guitarist Creates a BANG!

Traveling Light

Whump! Pow! Wham! >> A Glimse Inside One Man's Imagination

Clearly Carolina!

Images of World Cup Poster Design

Typekit and Google Announce Open Source Collaboration

The 8 Types of People That Belong on Twitter

Asterisk Creative about town

Combining the Strengths of Social and E-Mail - eMarketer

The 11 Commandments of Corporate Tweeting

Famous Graphic Designer goes to the White House

Leads for Less with Social Media - eMarketer

YouTube to kill IE6 support on March 13

Google Seeks To Make High-Speed Internet Much Speedier

The Internet Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

Pepsi Invites the Public to Do Good

Google to end support for IE6

Winmock at Kinderton

Puncture Seal.... Peace of Mind on the Road

Radiator Specialty Video Production!

Using Social Media Strategically - eMarketer

Marketing Spending Pays Off for Small Biz

Marketing Spending Pays Off for Small Biz

Spending money to make money

How fake sites trick search engines to hit the top

Your On-Line Reputation: 3 Things You Need to Remember

Your Online Reputation: Three Things You Need To Remember

In order to cultivate your identity and your online reputation, keep three things in mind:

The Gap Between Google and Rivals May Be Smaller Than You Think

Asterisk Creative Client, Mitch Yellen, is making strides in a stagnant market

News From the Mecklenburg Times!

Social Media is not just for reconnecting with old friends. It is a tool to grow your business and create a greater footprint in your market. The article below explains that. Don't get left behind!

Full-time Facebooking

Key to Sucess: A Solid Marketing Strategy

9 Ways to Pump Up You, the Brand

Twitter 101: How to be a better tweeter

Beating Negative Perceptions of Your Brand

Add a Blog to your Website

Having Doubts in Social Media Marketing?

Just a Few Website Design Tips

Seven Habits for Sucessful Email Marketing

A New Take on Social Marketing

Your Personal Brand can be a Calling Card

Reverse Your Fortune With Sound Marketing

SEO and Web Design: Why Now is the Time to Invest

Better Website Design: Love at First Site

Can You Join Too Many Networks?

Take Control of Your Google Search Results

How To: Build Your Personal Brand on LinkedIn

Making Time for Social Media Marketing

10 Ways to Jump Start Your Social Media Thinking

Asterisk Creative

5 Reasons to Jump on the Facebook Bandwagon

So What?

SEO Strategy: Your Website needs one

Branding with Twitter to help your company

Era of Digital Information

The Art of Branding

20 Reasons to use Social Media Marketing

Getting your Brand out there in the "Twittisphere"

Social Media... Teaching Ourselves and You...

Color Theory and Your Brand

Good SEO can help Reputation Management

Increasing Sales with Social Media

Ten Tips for Expanding Your Twitter Presence

Timing is Everything on the Web

Shapes Salon & Day Spa

Social Media – Is it a fad?

asteriskcreative | creativecontrol