Mediaura

Mediaura has long been a proponent regarding the value that membership in the American Advertising Federation of Louisville brings to any business, especially a small one. The connection and networking opportunities are endless, in addition to the informative luncheons and speakers on best-practices that they bring to our community. As an organization there is truly something for everyone to find.

As a company we have sponsored previous events, helping to bring keynote speaker Paul Dery of R/GA to Louisville and our team has been working diligently at placing the final touches on the AdFed Mobile App (launching soon).

I have been a member of the Executive Board, Vice President of Communications, for the past year and I am so proud to have the opportunity to have helped put together the latest version of the print Communique' with my amazing team of committee volunteers.

This issue of the Communique' focuses on the future of advertising; highlighting best practices, sharing tips for what works & what doesn't, and looking forward to the changing climate of our industry as a whole. Featuring contributions from the leading professionals in our area, this issue of the Communique' has something for everyone; whether you're a sales professional, a charity, government official, or an interactive company, etc. Just like the AdFed itself, we've got you covered.

This issue of the Communique' has been a labor of love, and being able to see it materialize from a concept into a tangible magazine has been a wonderful adventure that I am so honored to have helped lead.

Make sure to check out the article entitled "Interactive Technology and Change" written by Mediaura's CEO Andrew Aebersold. As a company, thinking ahead to the future is what helps set us apart from other organizations; so Andrew has a few tips to share on what companies should keep an eye on.

Special thanks to Mary and Julie at the AdFed for helping make this become a reality, Doug Prater for giving me the opportunity to participate on the Executive Board this year, Mark Cable for his wonderful artwork and helping to realize the vision, and to all of whom helped to contribute to this project. It couldn't have been done without you.

Make sure to pick up your copy today or contact the American Advertising Federation of Louisville's office to find out how you can get your own. They make an eye-catching, and valuable read for any business lobby or waiting area as well!

-Dawn

Mediaura ProBuilder Print (formerly known as ADBuilder) is our proprietary, patent-pending web-based software that lets you create templates for your organization to easily and rapidly create customized print-ready content that meets brand standards.

Key Features:

• Patent-pending visual editor allows for real-time creation of content
• Full dynamic sizing capabilities
• Image library allows you to choose from approved content for image customization or upload your own
• Image placement tools allow you to scale and move images on the canvas in real time
• Business database allows you to store custom information specific to a business and auto-populate that on the template, including custom logos per business
• Create black & white or full color CMYK content
• Full control of font face, size and colors
• Choose from approved background images and colors to maximize template capabilities
• Capable of supporting high quality billboard-sized content
• Create single page content or multiple page brochures
• E-Commerce ready means you can send your created designs directly to a printer upon completion
• User-rights management built-in

The Mediaura team is proud to announce that we will soon be releasing an exclusive mobile app designed for the Louisville Advertising Federation (AAF Louisville). The mobile app will provide users with a calender of events (and the ability to sign up/register directly from your phone), access to the job listings page, information about AAF Louisville, and the latest in advertising news.

We have been honored to work with such a prestigious organization on this project. Keep checking our blog for further details and a release date.

If your company is looking for a mobile app, feel free to contact us to schedule a consultation. The Mediaura team are certified Apple & Android development specialists, with the ability to develop on all other platforms, so give us a call at 502-554-9649 today.

Long John Silvers Tablet Givewaway

Mediaura is proud to have worked closely with the Long John Silvers team to help develop a sweepstakes giveaway. Winners will receive a chance to win a free tablet of their choice (up to a $500 value) just by entering!

It is always a pleasure to work with the LJS team and we are always happy to help them realize their interactive vision for the company.

About LJS

At Long John Silver's, we serve high-quality seafood with a "come as you are" attitude at a "pay less than you expect" price. For more than 40 years, we've been building seafood expertise – how to catch it, cook it, serve it and enjoy it. Over the last 40 years, we've learned that to get great seafood, you don't need a lot of time, you don't need a lot of fuss, and you definitely don't need a lot of money. The only thing you really need is know-how. And at Long John Silver's, you get more because we know more. You could say that at Long John Silver's, we speak fish.

To view the website (or enter the sweepstakes), please visit: http://www.ljspromotions.com/

2011 has been a banner year here at Mediaura. Aside from all of the wonderful recognition we've received from both the community and business organizations, we have been fortunate enough to continue to grow our team. As anyone who has had a chance to stop by our office can attest, while we play hard, we work even harder to achieve our goals. Our clients know, their satisfaction is our number one priority!

Our dedication and commitment to excellence has allowed us to recently welcome 10 new individuals to the Mediaura Team. As a company, we have pledged to source local talent whenever possible in order to reinvest in our community. It has most certainly paid off. This team of motivated individuals have hit the ground running, exceeding everyone's expectations and achieving quite a few milestones in just their first week.

Welcome to the team and keep up the great work!

Wow.

That has been our response so many times these past few weeks. The Mediaura team has recently been overwhelmed by a great deal of recognition for our work. While it has never been a secret how dedicated our team is to success, it is wonderful when people outside of your organization honor and praise your efforts. It pushes us to continue surpassing expectations and raising the bar for what is possible in our industry.

Mediaura's Better Business Bureau Torch Award Application

On Friday November 18, 2011 we were honored by the Better Business Bureau as winners of the Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics. With over 100+ companies nominated (and an application that took about 2 months to complete), we were thrilled when we were announced as a finalist. When we heard that we won, we were ecstatic!

BBB Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics

Wow. This is one of the greatest honors any business could ever receive. Integrity is one of the strongest driving forces behind the work we do, so this award means a great deal to the Mediaura Team.

As we were preparing to attend the Better Business Bureau award ceremony, the team was still riding high from the day before. You see, on Thursday (November 17, 2011) Mediaura won Business First's "Healthiest Employer" award.

Recognizing employers who have made conscious-efforts to focus on health initiatives and a positive work environment, the Healthiest Employer Award nomination much like the Alfred B. Sloan award, brought attention to Mediaura's foward-thinking employee programs.

Business First Healthiest Employers Issue

Healthiest Employers LLC, an Indianapolis-based research company, judged the companies that entered this year's contest. The research company developed a 75-question survey and a proprietary scoring system for measuring six core areas of wellness.

We were also interviewed by the fabulous Business First staff about our practices, and the various initiatives that employees have responded to and what has worked.

Healthiest Employer Winner "Mediaura"

Healthiest Employer Finalist Recognition

Healthiest Employer Winner: Mediaura

Wow.

Lead 411 also ranked Mediaura #39 on their Top 200 tech companies. To see the full list, click here. We were humbled to have been nominated, grateful to have made the list, and when we realized that we were the only Kentucky business listed – proud.

Mediaura: Lead 411 Hot Company

Wow.

But it hasn't been all "Winning Awards" at Mediaura, the team has been working very hard on quite a few new game-changing projects that we are anxious to announce. So be on the lookout for that in the near future.

Another project that we were happy to be involved in was Dress For Success Louisville's annual Suit & Salad luncheon. Dress for Success is a non-profit organization that we are always willing to support, because of the empowering work they do in our community (and as an organization, the world).

We were asked to design and layout collateral materials (such as a brochure) and their powerpoint presentation that would display before, during, and after the luncheon. The theme for this year was "Turning Over A New Leaf" and we had a great time at the event!

Dress for Success Louisville & Mediaura

Our headquarters has been a hive of non-stop activity. Even with the holidays approaching we show no signs of slowing down, but it's in this environment that we thrive and do our best work.

Make sure to keep checking back!

Hospital waiting rooms have traditionally not be the most exciting place for individuals to find themselves. Whether they are waiting for an appointment or accompanying a loved-one, the waiting room is their first introduction to a hospital’s service. If you think of a hospital in terms of a business or service provider, satisfied patients will be more likely to recommend a doctor or a hospital to friends and family, as well as return for future service or services offered.

There are many ways that hospitals are enhancing their brand and raising awareness for their facilities, but one of the most currently talked about it is the use of intelligent digital signage.  Dynamic digital signage allows healthcare providers to communicate directly with a captive audience (as well as their own staff). The benefit to digital signage over traditional signs or posters, is the ability for a hospital to not only share information but to also generate revenue.

Digital Signage in a waiting room can serve a multitude of uses, such as:

• Instructional content that helps facilitate their visit (sign-in information, insurance guidance, etc).
• Information can be provided to the patient regarding how to communicate with their physician during their visit.(What questions to ask, preparing the patient for information to provide to their doctors (i.e. medications they may be taking, allergies, etc).
• Physician information – a brief introduction to the hospital staff, which helps to alleviate patient anxiety – especially for children.
• Displays can carry a mix of news, wellness information, and health tips.
• List public health advisories and items such as flu shot reminders.
• Promote value-added services and procedures
• Provide patients advice for procedures such as, “What to expect after surgery”
• For hospitals, digital signage is a wonderful avenue to promote upcoming events such as Health Fairs and Wellness Expos.

There are many additional uses for digital signage in hospitals, some of which can even be utilized to open up new revenue opportunities.

Also, for larger facilities digital signage can be tailored for the individual departments, addressing the specific needs of patients and physicians. For example, digital signage in a pediatric wing can provide valuable information regarding immunization or safety tips. An obstetrics office may have advice for expectant mothers or reminders about when to schedule check-ups. The dermatology department may provide its patients with UV-safety tips, etc. There are a great deal of possibilities, specifically adapted to the needs of the patients.

An extra benefit of digital signage is using it as a way-finding. Way-finding kiosks allow patients or visitors to navigate the facility without having to ask for directions. They can also provide visiting hours or other instructions that will be pertinent during their hospital stay.

For Your Staff

The benefits of adding digital signage to your hospital also extend to the hospital staff. It can be quite time consuming to have meetings with the entire staff or members of different departments, but with digital signage you can make sure your message is being communicated and reaching everyone.

Some of the innovative uses Mediaura has implemented for digital signage in regards to staff are:

• Placing digital signage in common areas (such as break rooms), hospitals are able to raise awareness about new policies, updated safety procedures, new treatments, etc.
• Hospitals are able to illustrate organization information and hospital policy.
• Information about disease such as H1n1, AIDS, Cancer, or other items governed by law.
• Employee recognition allows hospitals to highlight outstanding members of staff or bring attention to key team members.
• Emergency messaging – an important way to let physicians know when an emergency arises
• Deliver on-demand employee training.
• Digital signage can be configured as a touch-screen interface, allowing different departments to enhance training, provide skill reminders or operate as a teaching tool.

Digital signage helps to keep hospital staff up-to-date not only on their facility’s guidelines, but also on important medical practices.

Why Is Digital Signage Important?

Digital Signage allows healthcare providers to enhance their brand by improving the patient experience. Hospitals can enhance sales or services through targeted, localized, and relevant offers and information. Through digital signage, hospitals are able to inform and educate their patients on products or services without pressure.

Digital signage saves money. By reducing costs associated with producing printed materials and static signs, hospitals are able to redirect those funds where needed. Additionally, digital signage is better for the environment and reduces waste.

Since Mediaura’s digital signage solution is web-based, hospitals can also broadcast live content and communications from their headquarters. This means that a several locations, anywhere in the world, are able to receive uniform branding and communications. And unlike other digital signage solutions, our turn-key software can be used on any digital screen. The unique benefit to cost-savings that the Mediaura Digital Signage solution provides, is that hospitals are able to purchase inexpensive screens or re-purpose existing screens to utilize for digital signage.

Hospitals are able to benefit from what has been found successful in other industries. Digital Signage has a proven track record of enhancing brand recognition, providing valuable content, reducing costs, and increasing revenue.

Contact Mediaura today to learn more about our services and how our Digital Signage solutions can help take your facility to the next-level.

The team at Mediaura were happy to host the Louisville Zoo and their film crew at our offices earlier this summer. Everyone at our office was thrilled to invite them in, to shoot some commercials in our space, and a couple team members even made cameos in the ads!

But if you’d like to check out the commercials themselves, here they are:

Elevator -- Louisville Zoo Polar Bear Commercial

You’ve probably seen them by now. Plastered on billboards. Lurking in the corners of catalogs. Strategically placed on the back of direct mail postcards.

They look like a cross between a traditional barcode and one of those “Magic Eye” pictures that you have to stare at long enough until you see a boat.

But what are they?

Quick Response Codes, or more commonly “QR Codes” is what is known as a specific matrix barcode. Created in 1994, by the Japanese company Denso-Wave, these barcodes are readable by QR barcode readers; but what really makes them fantastic for use in Marketing & Advertising, is that they are also readable by today’s smartphone technology.

The QR Code is comprised of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The key difference between traditional barcodes and QR Codes is the amount of information they can hold or share.  Since QR Codes were designed to allow information to be decoded at high speeds; they are excellent for sharing complex information such as text, website urls, or other data.

There are a wide-variety of ways that QR Codes can be utilized as a “Call to Action” for consumers or potential clients.

Some commonly used methods are:

    On brochures and other marketing materials (you’re able to supplement information with direct links to your landing page)
    Catalog Pages (allows the consumer to immediately go online to order the item)
    On business cards
    Product Tags and Packaging
    Convention and event nametags
    Storefronts
    Restaurant menus
    Point-of-sale receipts
    Direct Mail
    Event tickets

There is seemingly no limit to the innovative ways QR Codes can be implemented or what information they can provide.

Some of our favorite methods are:

    Product Instructions (construction, installation, proper usage, etc.)
    Company or Business website landing page
    Directions to your business or event
    Valuable coupons or special offers
    Catalog ordering
    Additional products and services
    Customer feedback forms
    Real Estate listings (direct mail pieces with a QR Code linking to a specific home)

So whether you already know about QR Codes or have yet to see them in practical application, here are a just a few examples:

Calvin Klein Billboard

Pepsi Max Bottle

Clothing Hang-Tags

Catalogs

Product Information/Instructions

So if you have a smartphone, take advantage of the QR Code technology by downloading one of the many available free apps, and scanning the ones you come across.

There is a whole world out there, take advantage of the information!

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving the visibility of a website or a web page in search engines via the “natural” or un-paid (“organic” or “algorithmic”) search results. In general, the earlier (or higher on the page), and more frequently a site appears in the search results list, the more visitors it will receive from the search engine’s users.

As an Internet marketing strategy, SEO considers how search engines work, what people search for, the actual search terms typed into search engines and which search engines are preferred by their targeted audience.

The design of a website plays a large role in the branding of a company, as the aesthetic will affect sales and the overall image of your business. However, while most people can differentiate between a good-looking website and a bad one; relying on the superficial qualities of the design to attract traffic is no longer enough.

With so many websites competing for attention, companies have had to learn ways to break out from the pack – and SEO is key to doing just that.

While an attractive looking design will always engage viewers, a good web designer, one that is well-versed in SEO, will always make sure to build their websites with optimization in mind.

When Do You Need To Focus On SEO?

Search Engine Optimization should actually start at the very beginning.

The way that a website is programmed and designed can positively or negatively affect its SEO campaign. So while there are some individuals who can make fantastic looking websites, they may not be experts in everything needed to increase your SEO. And while there are experts in SEO, very few of them design websites themselves – they’re more or less consultants once the web page is finished. This is why making sure to work with a company, knowledgable in both realms, is imperative to really maximizing your exposure.

An SEO compatible web design will improve conversion rates, increase sales, and improve your placement in Search Engine results; long before the “legwork” of inputting keywords and meta-tags even begins.

The term “search engine friendly” is used when describing website design, menu navigation, content management systems, images, videos, shopping carts, and many other elements of a website design.

There are many designers who believe that an “SEO friendly design” means that they are restricted in regards to the creative elements they can implement with their design.

What do we say to them? Think again.

The guidelines for Search Engine Optimization are actually a set standards that help offer visitors the best possible user experience. Protocols for design elements help to not only affect SEO results, but they also contribute to streamlining the entire website experience. Essential features such as menu and navigation layout have become more intuitive, while colors and fonts are made more readable, and graphic elements have been streamlined to stop hindering load time.

Websites are now encouraged via SEO to be more concise and precise with the information offered. Some of these factors may impact minor facets of the design, while most will only be known by yourself and the designer. However, a design that is built with SEO in mind will offer a truly efficient user experience.

Where To Go For SEO

While there are many people in the search marketing and social media industries who proclaim themselves “experts” in SEO, the unfortunate truth is that not many of them actually are.

Search Engine Optimization is a new concept for most organizations, and the complex algorithms and unique verbiage can be quite overwhelming for most individuals. Unfortunately this has led to quite a few pseudo-experts trying to make a quick buck with just a very basic understanding of search engine optimization as a whole.

Within the realm of SEO, nothing can be taken for granted.

As new algorithmic updates are introduced, techniques developed, and more efficient methods discovered - it quickly becomes apparent that there is no “magic formula” for guaranteed SEO results. Be wary of anyone who tells you that SEO is as simple as merely inputting “keywords” “meta-tags” and focusing on “page rank.” While these are necessary components to effective SEO development, they are by no means the definitive end to true SEO success.

SEO is a constantly evolving process, that literally changes day-to-day.

Also worth noting, is that what is effective for one company may not be what is best for another.

Even though there are SEO basics that should be apparent in every search engine optimization campaign, there are also additional variables for almost every industry. For example, an effective SEO campaign for a hospital may need to be dramatically different from one specific to a restaurant, etc. This is due to the content and targeted audience.

Another example of an industry where SEO has been making great strides, is the field of law. Entities such as law firms, lawyers, and various other law-related practices have really benefited from embracing SEO technology.

Law firms have seen the results (and the return) on websites that integrate SEO into their design.

However, the SEO for a truly outstanding web presence within this industry often requires even greater attention to detail than most. Designers within this industry not only need to make sure that the basic building blocks of SEO are present, but they also must be aware of other requirements, such as Bar Association guidelines and/or any applicable statutes (especially those regarding advertisements).

Factors such as this are crucial, because while something such as design and SEO may be subjective, the law is not. It’s not worth potentially compromising your practice’s reputation because you trusted such an important endeavor to someone not fully educated or well-versed on the necessary guidelines.

Remember, there are many people out there touting themselves as “SEO Experts” but anyone with a true investment in your success should be able to justify such a claim. Make sure to ask questions, lots of them. Part of the measure of a true ‘expert’ in any field, is someone who can explain esoteric constructs (such as SEO) in layman’s terms. The person managing your SEO should be able to answer your questions, without being erroneously vague.

The very nature of Search Engine Optimization requires that anyone working in the field continue to research, learn and challenge themselves, because what may have worked a few months ago may not be as effective today.

A Case Study of SEO

A powerful SEO campaign will not only drive traffic to your website, but it will also help make your business more cost-effective. As we all know, the greater the awareness is for a brand, the increased likelihood there is to translate that into viable sales. However, many companies aren’t aware of the impact that SEO can have not only on sales, but the entire solvency of their own business.

Not long ago, Mediaura was contracted to help a company optimize their SEO and PPC (pay-per-click) advertising. This company already had a very solid website, so they were looking to utilize SEO and PPC to further enhance their presence in the marketplace. They had also previously contracted with one of these so-called “SEO Experts” to manage their SEO & PPC campaigns with a budget of around $45,000 per month. However, they were dissatisfied that with such a large budget they were still ranking quite low on search engine results; so they wanted to see if we would put our extensive knowledge of SEO to the test.

Naturally we were more than happy to comply.

After analyzing a multitude of aspects and variables, we were able to determine the best course of action. Although the previous consultant had put some basic SEO implements in place, many of those aspects had been proven months ago to have no real effect; or conversely the signals had been modified by the Search Engines. You see, the Search Engines themselves are constantly altering and updating the information they are looking for on a website as well. This is why it is imperative for companies involved in SEO to always remain up-to-date on new developments in the realm of optimization.

At the end of this process, much to our client’s satisfaction, we were not only able to significantly increase their search returns (which often resulted in their company monopolizing almost the entire first page of results), but we also were able to reduce the required budget by more than half – thus saving them tens-of-thousand-of-dollars per month.

Now, our client was not only benefitting from an increased awareness for their company, but they were also saving over half of their budget. They were then able to reinvest that money into new sections of their business, further enhancing growth and development for their company and making it more competitive in the marketplace.

This is just one of many examples as to why it is  important to work with a company with true experience in Search Engine Optimization. Working with a company that can maximize the return on your investment will provide you with tangible results.

So Why Do You Need SEO?

There is a reason that SEO has become the phenomenon that it is today.

Simply put, when performed correctly – It works.

Driving traffic to your website is critical for any business, especially one that relies on their webpage for online sales or marketing. And while there are a lot of ways to achieve this, search engine optimization is undeniably one of the most effective.

It is a process that does require time to properly develop, so don’t be dismayed when there is not immediate overnight success. As a good rule of thumb, you typically begin seeing your median results at around 2-3 months. Although your SEO consultant should be monitoring your status on a daily basis, making changes where needed; it is around this time that a clear picture begins to emerge. At this point your SEO consultant will compile the data, evaluate the best course of action, and make any necessary recommendations. If you’re lucky enough, you will have achieved the exact results you were after, and then the process of maintaining that level of success is what is then needed.

Make no mistake about it, search engine optimization takes effort and of course know-how. While the overall concept may seem straight-forward and basic, it is a world full of arcane concepts and complex mathematical formulas.

However, a website that incorporates the principles of Search Engine Optimization into its development will be one of the most valuable weapons in your marketing and advertising arsenal.

To learn more about how SEO or PPC may benefit you, contact Mediaura today or visit us on the web at www.mediaura.com