Leverage Blog: How to Exploit the Web.

New Work for Cricket

Wheel Media recently launched a new website for Cricket, the global leader in salon shears and products.  I'll spare you the puns when describing our cutting-edge work (oops, that one slipped...) and keep it simple.

The new site contains hundreds of products and detailed information on each.  We used a programming structure that is especially friendly to search engines, because the broad range of product brands in the Cricket family are well known in the salon industry.

We opted for very large detail views of products because we want the visitor to see and appreciate the quality and precision in the product design.

Next, we created an easily searchable database of suppliers, moving our visitors seamlessly from browsing to purchase.  To stay top-of-mind with our clients and coordinate efforts at tradeshows and events we envisioned an email marketing campaign.  We'll use rich HTML emails for promotions, product launches and more, and the back-end will manage the mailing and tracking of each campaign.

You'll also find a pretty engaging animated product tour on the homepage.  Thanks to all the sharp folks at Cricket for their work on the project.

Take a look at www.cricketco.com.

New Intranet For BCCI Helps Business Operations Run Smoothly

The Bay Area construction firm BCCI approached Wheel Media with a bit of a problem: Several mission-critical company documents were in large, difficult-to-navigate formats and needed to be updated regularly.  In addition, the new versions needed to accessible company-wide in a secure area.

Working closely with BCCI technical teams and their clear assessment of the project goals, Wheel Media began by converting their existing manuals into PDF format, ensuring all employees could open the files.  We also added custom bookmarks within the files to make it easy for everyone to skip to the section they were looking for – essentially a dynamic Table of Contents.  Finally, we trained the staff on how to edit the manuals so they could create new versions as company policies evolved.

Our next step was the creation of an Intranet – on online workroom similar to a regular website but only accessible from within their network.  The Intranet made it easy for the BCCI staff to visit and view the most current version of the manuals. And we built a password-protected area for the BCCI administrator updating the documents – an online destination where they can easily login and upload new versions. There's even an area that displays the date of the last update, so the users can quickly and easily visit the page and see if there has been a recent update.

Our goal was to provide not just a technical solution but a process that all stakeholders could understand and carry forward.

Inspiring New Clients

Wheel Media recently completed a logo for a non-profit startup called WishingPost, a wonderful new
organization that will connect terminally ill children with philanthropically minded individuals, facilitating charitable gifts between them.  Their mission sounds inspiring, and it is.  Rest assured, I'll write an post when we launch the website, and I'm guessing some of you might just be moved to donate.

I'm also pleased to say that I have the go-ahead to share a few words about another inspirational new startup flying under the radar, So Much 2 Say.  We can't share many details at this point, but in short our client, a soldier who has served in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia, will help professionals who work in harms-way create messages for their loved ones.  For now all we can share with you is the logo we created-- launch of the online service is planned for this Fall.  We'll keep you posted.

Technology Lovers, Take a Look

If you're a fan of fancy technology then I have a company for you.  MIT Systems converts homes (and businesses) into uber-sophisticated electronic marvels, where portable touchscreens control music in every room as well as raising the blinds, turning on the header before you get home and dimming the lights when the mood is right.

Cool Stuff.

Wheel Media created a bright and engaging website to present what they do in clear terms, not focusing on the technology so much as the way it can improve your quality of life.  With a service like "Home Automation" we found that MIT needed to connect with not just the guys who love big TV's--   they also need to reach the spouses that want to know the investment will make their home safer and more elegant (and be easy to use.)

We're pretty impressed with what MIT Systems is up-to.  Visit them online at www.mitsystemsinc.com

Our Client Contour Realty is Rockin'

A couple years ago we did some strategy work and built a website for a new kind of real estate company called Contour Realty.  They had this crazy idea of selling homes for no (yes, that's 0%) commission.  No trickery or unlicensed Realtors either, just a simple process that works for some people.

It turns out the Contour process is working for lots of people.  I've just learned that an agent at Contour Realty is in the top 4% of all Realtors in Ventura County in Southern California.  (There are more than 8,000 agents down there...)

Congrats to Contour for doing an old thing in a new (and fair) way, and getting rewarded for it.

Visit them here.

Wheel Media Created a new blog for the CCI

Wheel Media is pleased to announce the launch of a new blog from The Center for Citizens Initiatives:  Russia: Other Points of View (ROPV).

ROPV is an alternative perspective on the current economic, political and cultural environment in Russia today.  In-depth news, research, interviews and more inform academics, analysts and everyone interested in following the growth of Russia.

Our services included the creation of a design to meet client preferences, custom programming to enable the posting of images, articles and files within the blog's pages, and training to enable the CCI team to maintain and grow their blog.  Unique features include email subscriptions to help drive traffic to the blog, and a search tool to enable visitors to find information on topics of interest.

Congrats to CCI for their introduction of a new voice in media coverage of Russia.

Store your stuff here.

Wheel Media recently helped the bay area's top self-storage facility with a new website.  Payless Self Storage is a special place to store your extra stuff, with climate-controlled units and the free use of a truck and driver to get things from point A to B.

The site is bright, clear and easy to navigate, with online coupons, descriptions of the units and all of the info you need (without the clutter of competitor's websites.)

Our favorite feature is above the storage units - the solar panels on the roof provide the power for the facility.  Payless is "off the grid" (and ahead of their time.)  Gotta love the commitment to the environment.

Visit Payless Self Storage >

What's Next In Marketing & Advertising

A supersmart presentation from Paul Isakson from the agency Space150.

If I can impart even a sliver of the ideas shared here into my work with the fine clients of Wheel Media I'll rest easier at night.
   

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More New Work - JP Research

Wheel Media is pleased to announce the launch of JP Research, a global leader in safety research.  JP Research serves the automotive industry, legal community and numerous cities and companies around the world, providing professional consultancy on consumer and automotive safety.

Our task was to translate a complex analytical service into an online message and website that would build trust with the visitor.  We felt that if prospective clients could grasp the depth of experience and leadership in the space achieved by JP Research, the site would help generate new revenue.

We used clear-yet-detailed descriptions of services and case studies to show the research in action, and developed a bright and warm visual design to make the firm approachable.  Thanks to the entire team at JP Research for their vision and direction.

Visit www.jpresearch.com

Recent Launch - ProInsurance.com

We recently launched a new website for Pro Insurance, a top insurance brokerage in the Silicon Valley.   Our focus was on presenting the breadth of the firms services in a way that would educate and inform the visitor, steering away from a sales-driven tone.

Hat's off to everyone at Pro Insurance for their collaboration.

Visit www.proinsurance.com