Being a new contributor to the blogosphere, I’ve been paying more attention to this realm lately. Here are a few blogs I find myself returning to regularly. Feel free to share your favorites.
It’s great when someone from little ol’ Jackson Hole can do something to make an impression on the outside world, and Keith Peters is doing just that with his Carbon Neutral Journal. Keith posts his entries religiously every morning, so there’s always interesting stuff to read after you fire up the computer in the morning. As the story goes, Peters (an ex-Nike communications guru often credited for, among other things, creating nike.com, before it was hip to do such things) woke up in the middle of the night not too long ago worrying about his family’s carbon footprint and decided to do some things about it. His blog is just one of those things.
Not nearly as socially conscious, but arguably more entertaining is David Gonzales’ thesnaz.com. Keeping me coming back this season has been the mini v-log serial “Teewinot to Corbet’s,” where DG documents his (still?) girlfriend’s progression as a new skier from the Teewinot lift to dropping in to Corbet’s in one season. The last episode ended on a bit of a downer note, but I seem to have noticed a few more blog entries as of late (could be due to Lauren’s [I’m guessing here] increased couch-time due to an ACL injury relapse). I’ve particularly enjoyed the “Without a Hitch” video, featuring two hapless skiers being repeatedly denied a ride up the pass by lone driver after lone driver passing them by in their SUVs. Now there’s some carbonneutral.com blog fodder.
Patagonia has finally entered the fray with their new blog, thecleanestline.com. Entries are so far brief, but typically interesting and short and sweet, just like a blog entry should be. I particularly like the video of Ron Kauk talking about Fern Spring in Yosemite; it’s a fine example of the type of Web video we here at Circumerro are striving to create.
Since I’ve covered Nike and Patagonia, here’s a blog that I’d hope ours could emulate in some way: the thought kitchen is the blog by the employees of the new clothing company (comprised mostly of ex-Nike and ex-Patagonia employees), called Nau, and it’s “dedicated to stirring the pot.” There’s a nice combination of thought-provoking and entertaining here.
ThreeMinds is Organic’s blog on what’s happening in the world of digital marketing (and sometimes beyond). According to their Web site, Organic is a “digital marketing agency that designs and builds exceptional interactive experiences for leading companies to drive brand awareness and more profitable customer relationships.” I couldn’t have said it better myself. Keeping an eye on such things, I couldn’t help notice their post on USA Today’s recent switch to a more Web 2.0 approach to delivering the news—definitely a news sight to keep an eye or two on.
More to come…
—Chris
It’s the title of our blog, but sometimes even we have a hard time expressing just what it means to “live an engaged life.” Well, as you can start to get a picture of from the entries here, an engaged life can be many things. We tend to focus on the outdoors because that’s where we crave to be when we’re not at work. Yes, we do a lot of skiing here in the winter, but its mostly a matter of living life to the fullest. It may be broom-ball one evening or ping-pong another (while we embrace the outdoors, there are just some times during a long winter when indoors is the only ‘doors you can handle). And sometimes we cram and tuck in every bit of activity we can around the work-day: “dawn-patrol” on Teton Pass for first tracks in a foot of new this morning and tubing with the kids on the King after work—now that’s a good day!
The engaged life also includes our community; particularly, our families and friends. We’re all very lucky to live in such a great place and be engaged by our surroundings, but to share the experience with our loved ones and to see our kids grow up immersed in it is quite rewarding. The sense of community is strong here and we feel it when we talk to our neighbors, go out for dinner, meet during Rotary, or read the paper. Sure, as some claim, we all—especially our kids—miss out on some of the culture and diversity found in a metropolitan setting, but I’ve lived both and in this day and age I wouldn’t trade for my kids the experience of growing up close to the outdoors for any amount of citified livin’.
Ah yes, and then there’s work. Sometimes perhaps a bit too much of it, but we do what we do because it needs to be done, we love what we do, and we’re lucky enough to be able to do it here. All of us here at Circumerro are creative professionals in our own way. Some of us have given up more fiscally rewarding career paths in order to live here. But just because we live in the mountains doesn’t mean we are any less engaged professionally than our peers in the big city. Our clients are everywhere, and while we live in Jackson Hole, we work in the world. We’re just lucky to be here, and we celebrate it by being “engaged” in all that we do.
—Chris
At Circumerro International Headquarters (*ahem*), here in Jackson Hole, we speak the shop-talk-jargon of “Brand Identity” every day.
But when working with clients, we’re sensitive to the overuse of vaguely understood industry buzzwords. They can sound presumptuous and inflated. But in some cases, an industry term is useful in summarizing an idea that is difficult to articulate.
Coincidentally, yesterday, such a term crossed my path three times. At Circumerro International Headquarters, anything that happens three times warrants a BLOG entry.
The term is Wordmark. As defined by The Dictionary of Brand (yes, a real dictionary published by the American Institute of Graphic Arts, AIGA), a Wordmark is: the brand name as represented by a distinctive typeface or lettering style; a logotype.
If you find yourself calling your company’s mark a logo and then following-up with an explanation that it’s really just a word, not the kind of graphic one might typically think of as a logo (e.g. the BMW roundel, the Apple Computer apple), then I would consider making use of the term Wordmark. Easy right? As a matter of fact, you might also notice that your company (and certainly the majority of the top 100 brands in the world have) a logo and a wordmark. Hmm.
Thanks for reading.
Matthew
Don’t these people have something better to do (for you)?
A State Police bomb squad officer in Somerville removed a device from a McGrath Highway column on Wednesday. (CJ Gunther / European Pressphoto Agency)
Viral Marketing. It’s become the topic of the week (“it’s HOT!”), what with the “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” (or, for those in the know, ATHF) debacle in Boston. In case you hadn’t heard, New York-based marketing firm Interference, Inc.—known for their guerrilla marketing efforts—placed a number of electronic boards (similar to the classic children’s toy Light Brite) featuring characters from Cartoon Network’s “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” in so-called strategic places around the city to create a viral buzz about the show. Apparently a subway worker, not quite clear on the concept, mistook the “electronic device” for a bomb. Long story short, a large part of the city of Boston and its public transportation system were shut down while authorities “defused” the suspect devices.
Two weeks ago, in a parallel universe, 22-year old design student Todd Vanderlin “had just left Lucky’s lounge in South Boston when he spotted what looked like an alien glowing on the side of a bridge. He pulled out his digital camera, photographed the illuminated plastic figure, and posted the images on his blog,” so says boston.com.
Yeah, that’s right: two weeks ago.
Now, there’s no telling if the Lite-Brite-like thing in the subway was there for the two weeks (or longer?) that the one Mr. Vanderlin saw was, but you’ve got to wonder if the folks who identified the item in question as an explosive devise are really on their game and even on the lookout for real threats in a “post-9/11 world.” Oh yeah, did you hear that Boston was only one of ten—yep, count ’em—ten cities targeted in this campaign?
But back to the marketing. There are many questions we can ask about and—I’m guessing here—things we can learn about this real-world tragicomedy.
The news sites are talking about the legality of the [fill in the blank: “hoax,” “prank,” “stunt,” “misadventure,” etc], while the blogosphere and other (perhaps more thoughtful) media have delved into the deeper ethical questions. (Thursday’s Talk of the Nation committed considerable time to the topic.)
One thing’s for sure if you’re following any of this on the Web: there is a wide generation gap between the ages that see this endeavor as a kind of advertising message and those that see it as a threat. Duck and cover anyone?
Meanwhile, as they wait for their stories to unfold, the two “artists” who take responsibility for placing the devices in Boston can thankfully find some humor in the gravity of the situation they’re now in: During their arraignment they reportedly had difficulty keeping straight faces when Assistant Attorney General John Grossman described the items at the root of the mayhem as “bomb-like devices.” (They pleaded not guilty to charges of “placing a hoax device in a way that causes panic and disorderly conduct.”)
Good luck to them.
Meanwhile, we wholeheartedly engage in discourse about the unintended results of this unconventional type of marketing campaign and continue to poke around the edges of the discussion about original ways to market in a world that absorbs everything and changes by the nano-second.
Oh yeah, and in the category of “there’s no such thing as bad PR,” the current Ebay bid for one of those Lite-Brite things: $3,150.
—Chris
THE VISUAL ADVANTAGE Presenting Solutions through a Greater Selection of Compelling Destination Imagery Jackson Hole, Wyoming (November 2006)
Circumerro announces comprehensive services that deliver a greater selection of compelling destination imagery in less time. The company has rebranded to combine JHStock.com and TravelerStock.com into one contemporary interface—Circumerro Stock Agency.
Now, professionals find over 5,000 images, compelling destination photography from 18 select photographers, and counting. The new gallery showcases a greater selection of mountain, adventure, lifestyle, nature, wildlife, and landscape all in one place. Enhanced in-house services take convenience one step further. Advertising, editorial, and corporate clients benefit from user-ready digital images expedited via CD or FTP server.
Greater selection and 24 hour turnaround accelerate work flow. Fine art buyers appreciate display quality prints that are ready for framing. Circumerro Stock is a one-stop shop, applying state-of-the-art technology and photo customization to meet precise project objectives. The agency caters to discriminating clients who appreciate image purity and affordability. “Our photographers possess a keen understanding of the Greater Yellowstone region and Jackson Hole. They produce one-of-a-kind images that communicate the energy of these destinations. Our continued commitment to interface, search functionality and collective marketing makes compelling destination photography highly accessible,” says President Latham Jenkins.
About Circumerro Stock Agency
The Circumerro Stock Agency focuses on “Compelling Destination Stock Imagery.” Latham Jenkins, photographer, founded the agency in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and expanded to other select US locations. The objective is to provide our clients with a greater selection of destination photography. Image quality and versatility support the diverse objectives of advertising, editorial, real estate, travel and creative professionals. Rights reserved and royalty free photography is available, as well as traditional film and digital formats. Circumerro also delivers fine art prints on premium paper for the best in archival quality.
About Circumerro
Based in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Circumerro is comprised of a Creative Group, a Publishing Group and a Stock Photography Agency. Together they provide best-in-class communications tools and service.
In prep for the big Halloween party at Snow King, a crew of 9 of us decided it was a great day to skin or hike up Grand Targhee to make some turns, enjoy the sun and have a great view of the Grand Teton. Grand Targhee is not open yet, and Teton Pass didn’t have enough snow, so we’re giving this a try!
The need to be the first to ski—many other people had the same thought. There were cars of people gearing up to get some early turns as well. We all congregated and decided we’d meet at the top of Fred’s Mountain. Get to the top when you get there is the motto.
Us girls were dragging in the back, so when we arrived, here came Randy snowboarding down in a battery-operated blow-up flamingo costume. A perfect way to get our attention and some laughs, and to have our picture on Photo of the Day for the Jackson Hole web site! We all make it down safe and sound, a few falls here and there with the snow thickening. But a worth-while experience. Time to get home and take a nap before we hit the town.
Here’s to an awesome ski season ahead!
—Julie!
It was great to sneak in one last paragliding flight of High School Butte just before the snow covered the upper elevations. It was a perfect fall day and I got to soar with 5 other pilots for a good 45 minutes before the sun went down and we all had to land. With the loss of public access to the Legendary Aerial Tram at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort there will not be any Paragliding allowed in Teton Village this winter. That leaves Grand Targhee in Alta, WY as the only real option for lift service to allow pilots to get there fix over the next 6 months.
With snow in the mountains it is time to switch focus to winter sports. With the cold weather comes Hockey, Broomball, and Ski Season. Lets all hope we have another great snow year. Last year was the 2nd most snow fall in 40 years and the skiing was fantastic.
Think Snow!
—Geoff
To make traveling easier and to provide solutions for the active everyday and world traveler, Eagle Creek has re-launched www.eaglecreek.com with a bevy of new online travel tools and educational content.
In addition to providing effective page layout and design, the updated EagleCreek.com enhancements provide consumers with efficient and useful navigation to facilitate product education, selection and ultimately purchase vis-à-vis its retail network. Eagle Creek’s 150-plus styles are now easier to find and more effectively presented, with virtually every color way it offers showcased, multiple product photography perspectives (e.g., open, merchandised, on body, etc.), and feature-rich detailed product specifications.
“We set out to deliver a world class site that conveys the Eagle Creek brand ethos and presents our products,” said Eagle Creek Director of Marketing Adam Ziegelman. “We’re working to leverage the web in every way possible to help the consumer gain a better understanding of the products we make and create an ambience on the site that speaks clearly in the Eagle Creek voice.”
Cutting-edge travel tools such as the site’s new interactive “Outfit Me” tool are designed to enhance traveler understanding. “Outfit Me” enables travelers to easily identify product that fits their specific travel needs through a brief Q & A process. Additionally, its online Global Electricity Navigator tool allows travelers to enter a destination to immediately determine what electrical gadgets are required for world travel, while its Pack-It® Video tutorial helps travelers learn how to maximize space and minimize wrinkles when traveling.
In its Travel Tips section, the EagleCreek.com site offers in-depth advice on traveler concerns such as packing advice, vacation planning, traveling light, etc. Packing suggestions, tips, checklists, and other detailed travel insights also are featured in Travel Tips. With the new site, travelers are encouraged to contribute to the online travel community. At EagleCreek.com, travelers may convey their opinions about the brand, submit travel and product images for posting on the site, and freely review the product for others to view.
By offering real traveler product reviews, Eagle Creek believes its customers will better understand the products it sells, and is confident that traveler reviews will help others make better informed luggage purchase decisions. “The new Eagle Creek online brand experience is intended to help the customer understand and experience that travel will be made easier and that they are tapping in to a true travel community when they visit the Eagle Creek site or purchase Eagle Creek products,” added Ziegelman.
After sales support online remains a top priority for Eagle Creek. With this in mind, warranties, customer service, repair services and FAQ resources, are made easily accessible through highly visible navigation design. Concurrent with the consumer-facing Web site, Eagle Creek also has launched a new secure “Pro Purchase Program” eCommerce function, which is linked to the existing direct merchant or internal commerce engine.
The online solution replaces its paper-based, offline pro purchase program. Eagle Creek’s trade only Pro Shop donates five percent of all industry purchases made through the Eagle Creek Pro-Purchase Program eCommerce Pro Shop to The Conservation Alliance, a non-profit organization that supports grassroots citizen-action groups and their efforts to protect wild and natural areas. Eagle Creek’s consumer and trade-only Web sites were created in partnership with Jackson, Wyoming-based Circumerro Creative Group.
Circumerro Creative Group is a division of Circumerro Incorporated. The Group specializes in concept-driven design solutions for traditional and interactive mediums. Core competencies include branding, interactive and graphic design, content management systems, and integrated marketing solutions.
Eagle Creek Eagle Creek is a maker of adventure travel gear, everyday bags, travel accessories and packing solutions for active, adventurous souls. Founded in 1975, California-based Eagle Creek, Inc., invented the adventure travel gear category, introduced the industry’s first convertible backpack on wheels, and is revolutionizing the way travelers pack with its Pack-It® folders, cubes, sacs and toiletry kit organizing system.
Circumerro Incorporated is putting Jackson Hole’s youngest citizens first: The company has begun an ongoing philanthropic relationship with the Community Children’s Project, aimed at giving back to the Jackson Hole community.
CCP plays a vital role in the lives of area children by providing quality early childhood development, as well as much-needed training programs for educators and parents. By donating the talents within the company’s Creative, Publishing and Stock Photography groups, Circumerro Incorporated affirms its dedication to fostering a strong community through service.
“Quality childcare is a key component in making Jackson Hole an attractive place to raise children,” said Latham Jenkins, President of Circumerro Incorporated. “I am extremely proud of our team at Circumerro, who’ve dedicated their time and talents. It is our belief that by adopting CCP and committing our services to them in an ongoing fashion, the community will benefit in a more tangible way.”
The Circumerro Creative Group has already finished designing a fresh, updated logo and sharp new business papers for the non-profit; a new website is currently in the works. In addition, the Circumerro Stock Agency and Latham Jenkins have contributed photography for the upcoming Annual Report. “Latham Jenkins and the entire Circumerro team have been tremendous to work with,” said Peggy Smith, Executive Director of CCP. “They’ve taken our ideas and needs and created a wonderful new look. We couldn’t be more pleased and grateful to be the beneficiary of such generosity.”
About Community Children’s Project
CCP is a non-profit dedicated to serving the Jackson Hole community by providing early child development, education, and services that encourage healthy families.
About Circumerro
Circumerro Incorporated, based in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is comprised of a Creative Group, a Publishing Group, and a Stock Photography Agency. Together they provide best in class communications tools and services.
HILTON HEAD/BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA
Frank Dunne, Jr. has joined Circumerro Publishing Group as Sales Manager, representing Lowcountry for the Beaufort County area. Dunne will be responsible for real estate advertising sales and customer retention in HomeReview’s online properties and print publication.
Dunne’s previous advertising and marketing experience includes local promotion and event company BFG Communications, and McCann-Erickson and General Motors Corp. in Detroit, Michigan. A five-year Hilton Head Island resident, Dunne is also a regular contributing writer for Hilton Head Monthly Magazine.
“I am excited to bring Frank into the fold of the LowCountry HomeReview team. Frank has extensive background in advertising and marketing, and brings with him an entrepreneurial spirit,” said Brian J. Tierney, Regional Sales Director for Circumerro Publishing Group. “As the HomeReview model continues to evolve to address industry trends, Frank’s ability to adapt to those trends and offer innovative solutions will be a key factor in Lowcountry HomeReview’s continued success in bringing value and best in class service to our customers.”
About Circumerro
Based in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Circumerro Incorporated is comprised of a Creative Group, a Publishing Group and a Stock Photography Agency. Together they provide best-in-class communications tools and service.