Launch Box

Cheese + Kerning: Test Your Typography Skills

Mel — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:36:24 +0000

Until the Digital Age, type design was a specialized occupation. Digitization opened up typography to new generations of visual designers that relied on computers to hone their skills – ultimately removing the art from the craft. If you are a designer here at Launch, it’s probably been brought to your attention that the consensus from the older generation is that our designs often lack typographic clarity – and he’s probably right. Years ago I was trained by the Jedi-Type masters Ben Day, Rob Carter and Phil Meggs. I’m thinking that we all should revisit the manual.

If you aren’t sure where you are in your skill-set. The quizzes below might help you determine where you stand…

KernType

Your mission is simple: achieve pleasant and readable text by distributing the space between letters. Typographers call this activity kerning. Your solution will be compared to typographer’s solution, and you will be given a score depending on how close you nailed it.
http://type.method.ac/

Cheese or Font?

If you’re a designer that loves food, are familiar with fancy Font names, and harbor a quiet love for the finest artisanal fromage – this quiz should be a no-brainer. For the rest of us, let’s just say there’s a LOT of cheese in the world.
http://cheeseorfont.com/

Job Opening: Interactive Account Manager

Mel — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 20:38:30 +0000

Interactive Account Manager delivers Internet marketing solutions to clients by identifying client needs and working with internal agency team to define projects and assign/manage agency resources to complete assignments on time and within budget.

Responsibilities

Interfaces with the various departments of the agency to ensure smooth implementation of interactive marketing programs for clients
Helps in the preparation of client proposals, estimates, statements of work, invoices, and reports
Coordinates project timing and budgets with all relevant agency personnel
Assists in developing strategic interactive marketing plans
Maintain team status report and work in progress reports for active clients
Reviews creative, copy, layouts, and interactive demo materials and secures client approvals
Participates in website development review, testing and quality control
Ensures project delivery on budget and on time
Educates clients about the benefits of interactive marketing
Actively seeks additional projects/new business from clients
Stays current on marketing trends and technology
Performs additional duties as assigned

Qualifications

4+ years Internet marketing experience, including SEO, email marketing, banner advertising and social marketing
Experience in the development, design and management of websites, including experience with content management systems
A solid understanding of Internet technologies and protocols
Strong interpersonal and presentation skills
Excellent verbal and written communications skills with the ability to effectively communicate with all levels of company personnel
Leadership and team-building skills
Strong analytical, organizational and decision-making skills

Qualified candidates should email resume to Elizabeth Lester.

Summer is for Socializing

Nicholas Valese — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 16:08:00 +0000

If you haven’t taken your brand social, you should. But first you need to understand the rules of social marketing. The following are the top 5, but as the social world changes from day to-day, you may want to take a more strategic approach, and hire an agency (like Launch Interactive) to help you develop a plan that makes sense for your business.

Rule #1: Know Your Customers
You probably already know who’s buying your products or services, but do you understand their media habits? Or how they want to hear from you (phone, email, social networks, etc)? And how they want to interact with your brand? It’s not too hard to ask these questions in a survey or even when they come in to your place of business. But to put the feedback to good use, you need to follow Rule #2.

Rule #2: Listen
It’s one thing to ask the question, it’s harder to listen to the answer, because it may not be what you want to hear. There are many ways to listen to your customers. Many businesses are taking advantage of social networks to see what people are saying about their brand. So visit www.socialmention.com or www.howsocial.com and start listening to what people are saying.

Rules #3: Facebook isn’t for Everyone
Yes, Facebook has over 500 million active users, but not every company needs a Facebook page. It kills us to see companies jumping on Facebook and never posting. Why waste the time? But if your customers are on Facebook and you have something to say about your brand on a regular basis (at least 3 times a week), than Facebook may be right for you. And the stuff you say on Facebook should not be all self-serving — see Rule #4.

Rule #4: Engage
Make sure all of your social activities speak TO your customers, not AT them. Also, find ways to engage and interact with them, by asking questions, polling and offering special promotions. Treat your loyal followers as friends and they will stay with you.

Rule #5: Track
If you are going to participate in the social sphere, your need to have a plan and you need to be able to track your progress, whether its # of new customers, followers, coupon redemption, Likes, etc. Make sure someone is reporting on the numbers so that you can justify the time and money involved in being social.

Launch Interactive Redesigns Wyndham Orlando Resort Website

Mel — Tue, 03 May 2011 18:45:34 +0000

(Virginia Beach, VA)‐‐‐ Launch Interactive, a full‐service interactive agency, recently launched the new website for the Wyndham Orlando Resort in Orlando, Fla. The site launched on April 25, 2011. (www.orlandowyndhamresort.com)

“We created the design of the new Wyndham Orlando Resort website to be more inviting and
enriched with Florida resort flavor,” said Elizabeth Lester, president of Launch Interactive. “We
wanted to create the relaxing feel and ambience of a tropical oasis in the heart of Orlando.”
In addition to the website, Launch Interactive created a social marketing outreach program for
the Wyndham Orlando Resort with a custom blog and links to their social networking sites to
build loyalty with guests and travelers.

“We’re excited about our new website and implementing our social marketing outreach
program,” said Verdell Ekberg of Wyndham Resort Orlando. “The look and feel of the site
represents our brand and will help guests see all we have to offer. We look forward to
interacting with them through our social media platform.” For more information on Launch Interactive, visit launchint.com.

About Launch Interactive
Launch Interactive, a division of Meridian Group, is an Internet marketing firm that specializes in
building branded user experiences on the Web for businesses. Launch builds engaging, results
oriented Web sites, landing pages, email‐marketing programs, online advertising campaigns,
search engine‐marketing strategies and social marketing programs that help its clients meet
their business goals. For more information, visit launchint.com.
# # #

Launch Interactive Hires Senior Web Developer

Mel — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 18:42:49 +0000

(Virginia Beach, VA) – Launch Interactive, a full‐service interactive agency headquartered in
Virginia Beach, recently announced the addition of Alan McCoy as senior web developer.
McCoy will be responsible for developing web‐based applications and providing data
management to Launch Interactive’s growing roster of clients. Previously, McCoy was senior
web developer at Hampton University, where he developed applications to support the
university’s programs and activities, as well as workflow management tools for the rest of the
university web site staff. Prior to that, he was a developer with Old Dominion University’s Center
for Advanced Engineering Environments, where he performed project work on proof‐of‐concept applications for NASA Langley Research Center. McCoy holds a bachelor’s degree from East Carolina University.

About Launch Interactive
Launch Interactive, a division of Meridian Group, is an Internet marketing firm that specializes in
building branded user experiences on the Web for businesses. Launch builds engaging, results
oriented Web sites, landing pages, email‐marketing programs, online advertising campaigns,
search engine‐marketing strategies and social marketing programs that help its clients meet
their business goals. For more information, visit launchint.com.
# # #

Does Digital Reading Mean Digital Boredom? Maybe Not…

Mel — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 20:01:27 +0000

With the rise of the iPad and other digital readers, there is no denying that the future of how we read will be changed forever. We are in the infancy of exactly what that might mean for us, but for me it’s bitter sweet. I’m a print designer at heart, and love to see book store shelves full of designed covers and printed pages. Print is not dead, but it’s becoming less popular. As coworker Zach Young once quoted digital “lacks soul but it’s more convenient”.

Okay, I’m all about innovation, but I’m honestly not impressed with the iPad or even the beloved Kindle, but I did recently stumble upon an online interactive magazine that made my heart skip a beat.

Fasten your seat belts and turn up the speakers for this magazine brought to you by Royal Dutch Airlines.

http://www.iflymagazine.com

Is Everything a Remix?

Mel — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 21:13:34 +0000

“If and when there is no role for the future, we exist in cliche, memory and repetition.”

For some reason, that phrase is so deeply enscribed into my memory from my college days, it could almost be a tagline if my memories were every downloaded into outline form. I have no clue who wrote it, or which professor forced me to memorize it. But it recently resurfaced as I viewed the latest video edition of “Everything is a Remix”.

Being in an industry where we are constantly forced to “tap into” the sub-stream of consumer knowledge and pull out the golden nugget, I would have to agree with this statement. The same goes for designing something so unique that it sparkles with newness and insight. Good advertising is just that. If you can tap into the magical subconscious central database, you can tell the story from there.

These are amazing comparisons. A lot of them I had no idea existed before — or at least not that I remember.

Everything is a Remix Part 2 from Kirby Ferguson on Vimeo.

Everything is a Remix from Kirby Ferguson on Vimeo.

Small Business Web Starter Packages

Elizabeth — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 21:21:16 +0000

Every business, no matter how small, needs to have a web presence. That’s why we’ve created two options for getting your business noticed online, especially developed for businesses that support Independent We Stand (www.Independentwestand.org).

Basic Website

For the business that needs to establish a professional, trusting web presence that includes all the relevant information about the business. The business will provide all content for the website, including copy, photography, logo and graphics.

Basic Website includes:

Design and programming of homepage and up to 5 additional pages*
Location page with Google map integration
Stock photography, as needed
Web traffic reporting

$1,850

Enhanced Web Presence

For a business that wants more website traffic and the ability to capture leads, the Enhance package includes:

Custom layout design/programming of a homepage plus up to 10 standard interior pages*
Location page with Google map integration
One contact form
SEO enhancements (meta data and URL page-structure and semantic mark up language considerations)
Stock photography, as needed
Integration with Social networks
Email account set up
Web traffic reporting

One time investment:

$3,200

Call today to discuss which package is right for you! 757-431-1996

Other Services to Consider:

Domain name registration
Website hosting
Website updates/maintenance
Custom blog creation
Mobile websites and apps
Email account set up
Professional copywriting
Logo development
Email marketing program set up
Search Engine/Pay-per-click programs
Banner advertising
Social marketing planning and maintenance

Call today to discuss the services that are right for your small business – 757-431-1996

*Custom website includes 2 custom homepage designs with 1 round of revisions; interior page design with 1 rounds of revisions. All copy/logos/graphics provided by client. Edits will be charged at hourly rate.

Launch Interactive Hires Media Strategist

Mel — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 16:45:32 +0000

(Virginia Beach, VA) – Meridian Group, a full service marketing communications firm, recently announced the addition of Lynlea Rudell as media strategist for both Meridian Group and Launch Interactive.

“The media landscape is evolving faster than it ever has in the past,” said Joe Takach, CEO of Meridian Group. “Lynlea’s expertise will assure that we are always ahead of the curve.”

In Rudell’s new role, she will be responsible for all strategic planning of traditional and online media for both Meridian Group and Launch Interactive clients. Rudell was previously an account executive at Otto Design and Marketing in Norfolk, Va., where she was responsible for key agency accounts such as Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development, Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, East Beach and Bay Creek Resort. Prior to that, she was a media buyer with The Primm Company located in Norfolk, Va., where she placed multi‐tiered media plans for the company’s largest clients.

Rudell holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Elon University and a master’s of business administration from Louisiana State University with a concentration in marketing.

About Meridian Group
Meridian Group is a full‐service marketing communications firm that specializes in building top brands through their patented Why Process™ and integrated marketing programs. Headquartered in Virginia Beach, the agency has served more than 225 clients including STIHL Inc., Wounded Warrior Project, Cox Communications Hampton Roads, the Roosevelt Hotel, and the Virginia Zoo.

For more information, visit www.themeridiangroup.com.

About Launch Interactive
Launch Interactive, a division of Meridian Group, is an Internet marketing firm that specializes in building branded user experiences on the Web for businesses. Launch builds engaging, results oriented Web sites, landing pages, email‐marketing programs, online advertising campaigns, search engine‐marketing strategies and social marketing programs that help its clients meet their business goals.

For more information, visit launchint.com.

Creativity and Innovation in 2011

Elizabeth — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 18:48:36 +0000

Happy 2011! This year, I’ve tasked the Launch Interactive team with making 2011 the most creative and innovative year in our 15 year history.

To jump start this theme, the Launch Interactive team created their own coffee mugs. Our group needs a lot of caffeine to get us through our day. The process of choosing the size/shape and then designing a coffee mug that will greet us each morning became an exercise in self-expression.

As you can see, we are a team of true individuals.

Can anyone match the cup to the team member? If you match them 100%, there is special Launch Interactive prize coming your way.

We wish everyone much success in 2011. We look forward to working with you this year!