Mindshift Media

Mindshift Media - LIVE on VIMEO!!

2012-02-14T17:20:00.000-08:00

www.Vimeo.com/MindshiftMedia

DID YOU KNOW? The Truth about Spinal Cord Injuries

2012-02-02T18:48:00.000-08:00

Think you know the facts about spinal cord injuries? Here is some information that may surprise you!

For more information about Spinal Cord Injuries, visit:

www.acureiscoming.org

Media Campaign Provided by: Mindshift Media

How Many People Does it Take to Make a Difference? ONE...

2012-01-11T00:06:00.000-08:00

The 1 book is the second book in the Life by the Numbers series, the highly anticipated sequel to the best-selling 5 book, which inspired hundreds of thousands of people to decide how to make the next five years of their lives the best five years of their lives. The 1 book will inspire you to ask yourself, “How will I make a difference...how will I give something back...how will I give something beautiful to the world?”

We all come into the world with special gifts in our hands designed to make the world a better place. The purpose of the 1 book is to inspire you to discover and celebrate your special gifts and, above all, to share them with a world that truly needs you.

True Life: Living as a Quadriplegic at 28 Years Old INSPIRATIONAL

2012-01-05T18:42:00.000-08:00

On May 28th of 2005 Michael-Ryan Pattison broke his neck diving into Lake Chelan. This accident left him a quadriplegic with little movement below his shoulders. Michael-Ryan graduated from Woodinville High School in 2003 where he played all sports. At the time of his accident he was heading into his junior year at Washington State University and was active in basketball, skiing, bird hunting, weight lifting and about everything a 20-year old could do.

Following his horrific accident and injury, Michael-Ryan became keenly focused on helping others with spinal cord injuries and has done an excellent job of raising awareness and funding for that cause.
The Michael-Ryan Pattison Foundation was established in 2006 so others with spinal cord injuries can access the best possible care for their disability. Michael-Ryan serves as President of the Foundation.

The Foundation has organized several fundraising events including auctions and golf tournaments organized with the help of his family and caring friends including the Seattle Seahawks. In the last year, Foundation funds have been used to purchase specialized equipment as well as fund specialized exercise therapy here in the Seattle area for others in need.

In his own words, “I’m so very thankful for the opportunities that have been placed in front of me to help others that are less fortunate yet are in the same boat as myself. This community of people will continue to get better and we will do so by reaching my ultimate goal of building a rehabilitation facility here in the Seattle area.”

Michael-Ryan’s own recovery efforts continue along with ever increasing time and energy to building his Foundation.

www.acureiscoming.org

Media Campaign Provided by: Mindshift Media

The Michael-Ryan Pattison Foundation - "Look Me in the Eyes"

2011-12-09T18:14:00.000-08:00

On May 28th of 2005 Michael-Ryan Pattison broke his neck diving into Lake Chelan. This accident left him a quadriplegic with little movement below his shoulders. Michael-Ryan graduated from Woodinville High School in 2003 where he played all sports. At the time of his accident he was heading into his junior year at Washington State University and was active in basketball, skiing, bird hunting, weight lifting and about everything a 20-year old could do.

Following his horrific accident and injury, Michael-Ryan became keenly focused on helping others with spinal cord injuries and has done an excellent job of raising awareness and funding for that cause.

The Michael-Ryan Pattison Foundation was established in 2006 so others with spinal cord injuries can access the best possible care for their disability. Michael-Ryan serves as President of the Foundation. The Foundation has organized several fundraising events including auctions and golf tournaments organized with the help of his family and caring friends including the Seattle Seahawks. In the last year, Foundation funds have been used to purchase specialized equipment as well as fund specialized exercise therapy here in the Seattle area for others in need.

In his own words, "I'm so very thankful for the opportunities that have been placed in front of me to help others that are less fortunate yet are in the same boat as myself. This community of people will continue to get better and we will do so by reaching my ultimate goal of building a rehabilitation facility here in the Seattle area."

Michael-Ryan's own recovery efforts continue along with ever increasing time and energy to building his Foundation.

Contact Michael-Ryan:
MR@ACUREISCOMING.ORG

The Foundation:
INFO@ACUREISCOMING.ORG

Website:

WWW.ACUREISCOMING.ORG

Media Campaign Produced By:

"One Nation Under Online Video" :: Online VIDEO is 5.33x more effective than TEXT

2011-11-11T14:44:00.000-08:00

Web surfers spend an average about 48 seconds on a website, unless that website has a video. When a website has a video, viewers spend an average of about 5 minutes and 50 seconds on a site, or 5.33 times more time than on a text website!

Think that’s impressive? Just wait until you get a load of all the other impressive statistics that the video has to offer, such as the fact that optimized websites with video are 53 times more likely to appear on the front page of Google, or that in the last three years mobile video traffic has increased a whopping 5,000 percent!

If you don’t already have video on your website you’ll be champing at the bit to get some video up.

Written By: Megan O'Neill (Social Times)
Source: Social Times
Infographic

Created by: Column Five

Wistia

Sources: Wired.com

The 2nd Most Visited Website in the World - History of YOUTUBE!

2011-10-27T15:06:00.000-07:00

YouTube and its advertising strategy since its founding in 2005.

Infographic from: Mashable.com
Design by: Emily Caufield
Research by: Lauren Drell

Sound Body Fitness :: Dream . Create . Achieve

2011-08-25T03:52:00.000-07:00

Sound Body Fitness was created for men and women who are seeking to learn about and develop exercise and eating habits that will lead to a healthier life. Certified Personal Trainer, Katie Wygant provides her clients highly effective Nutrition and Fitness Training that yields fast, safe and long-lasting results. The small group programs provide cost effective fitness and nutrition training that is guaranteed to help you achieve your fitness goals.

During Sound Body’s Get Lean Now 8 week program you can expect to: learn all about healthy eating, lose excess weight, strengthen and rebuild your core, tone your muscles, improve your cardiovascular system, decrease stress, improve your mood, and learn how to get the body that you want.

For more information, log onto the website: www.SoundBodyFitness.com

Email - Info@SoundBodyFitness.com

Media Campaign provided by:

Mindshift Media

MyFoundIt.com - New Online Lost and Found System :: (Media Campaign)

2011-07-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

We all have stuff ... Protect it!

Found It is a revolutionary new lost and found service that needed some assistance creating buzz and getting the word out about their new company. Their solutions allow individuals to track lost items and provides finders incentives to return those lost items. MyFoundIt.com is secure, giving users who sign up greater comfort in knowing they may recover their belongings quickly, easily, and most importantly, without ever giving up their personal identity. To achieve their goal, company officials turned their attention to video. Mindshift Media, along with STVP, produced this campaign that was created exclusively for Found It and revealed at the company’s launch party in Seattle, Washington.

It's EASY -- sign up for an account, place your stickers and start using today.

It's AFFORDABLE -- Plans start at just $19.99 per year.

It's RELIABLE -- Found it uses a simple system in concert with cutting edge technology to help you recover lost belongings quickly and easily.

It's SECURE -- Protecting your identity is our biggest priority. Our system allows someone to immediately contact you via email, text OR phone without ever knowing your personal information.

Welcome to Found It www.MyFoundIt.com. The new online lost and found service allows individuals to track lost items and give finders incentives to return the lost items.

Media campaign created exclusively for Found It by Mindshift Media www.Mindshift-Media.com in association with STVP www.STVP.net

Apollo 13 - "Houston, we have a problem." Living Legends of Aviation Awards - 2011 (Jim Lovell)

2011-07-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

Many Hollywood and aviation celebrities gathered for the 8^thannual Living Legends of Aviation Awards at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills. This event, which by many is considered “the Oscars of Aviation” is all about recognizing and honoring individuals with great and significant contributions to the field of aviation.

With the challenges for the aviation industry of recent years, this event plays an important role, not only to recognize individuals with great achievements as aviators and entrepreneurs, but also to highlight everything that is made possible through the work of aviation. This includes humanitarian efforts, rescue operations and the role of aviation in enabling commerce to take place.

Rather than just being a “star studded” event, many Hollywood and Aviation celebrities are passionate about aviation and attend this gathering to help pushing the message of keeping the dream of flight alive and to make it real to people that aviation is not just something for a few select individuals but plays an important role in today’s society.

The current 70 people who are now part of the Living Legends of Aviation are people of remarkable accomplishments, in aviation. Members include entrepreneurs, innovators, industry leaders, record breakers, astronauts, pilots who are now celebrities and celebrities who have become pilots.

John Travolta, the Ambassador of Aviation is himself a Legend of Aviation and started flying at the age of 17. He presented the newest Inductee Mr M Laurent Beaudion, the CEO of Bombardier with his award. His accomplishments to bring aviation forward are nothing short of remarkable.

Sean Tucker, the award emcee, always has an enthusiasm for aviation that is contagious to anyone he gets in contact with. From a reliable source, and from what I have seen with my own eyes, he is probably the greatest aerobatics pilots currently flying at air shows – a true professional in his field.

Actors and Pilots Harrison Ford and Kurt Russell gave out several recognitions at the event. Harrison Ford has done a remarkable job to introduce people and our youth to flying and is a great proponent and spokesman for aviation. Awards included the “Aviation Legacy Award” given to Pat Epps, Atlanta, Georgia. Captain “Sully” Sullenberger awarded Captain James Lovell, Apollo 13 Commander, the “Captain Cool Award”. Sully mentioned that the only thing he really had in common with Mr. Lovell was that they both landed in water, but on the other hand, Mr. Lovell was supposed to! Buzz Aldrin was in attendance as well, the second person to put a foot on the moon.

Mindshift Media Honored with a 32nd Annual Telly Award

2011-06-30T14:43:00.000-07:00

New York City, NY -- (June 24, 2011) The Winners of the 32^nd Annual Telly Awards have been announced. With nearly 11,000 entries from all 50 states and numerous countries, this year’s Telly Awards has been one of the most successful and competitive in the long history of the Telly Awards.

Founded in 1979, the Telly Awards is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, the finest video and film productions, and web commercials, videos and films. Winners represent the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators, and corporate video departments in the world.

This year’s Winners include companies, agencies and organizations of all sizes, from large multinational media companies to small ad agencies and local production houses. A sample of Winners includes: Booz Allen Hamilton, Turner Studios, evans hardy + young, Jack Morton Worldwide, BSX Digital Productions, Michigan State University, Quigley-Simpson, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., FOX SPORTS NET, Nickelodeon, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Bass Pros Shops Film & Video Productions, Lockheed Martin, Miami Dolphins Ltd., Vox Pop Films, AEG Network LIVE, Kansas City Chiefs, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, Outdoor Channel, Time Warner Cable, Johns Hopkins Children's Center, Cause & Effect Productions, Inc., The Lighthouse Film Company, Eveo, Inc.

Mindshift Media was recognized with a Telly award for the category: Internet/Online Programs, Segments, or Promotional Pieces. The online media campaign that was awarded a Telly is the national multimedia marketing campaign launching unsocial.mobi, a mobile based application for the iPhone, Android and Blackberry.

UNSOCIAL - "Generate Opportunities in Real Time"

MAX DISPATCH from Zetron

2011-04-04T09:00:00.000-07:00

Introducing MAX DISPATCH from Zetron! Mindshift Media in association with STVP produced this multimedia marketing campaign exclusively for Zetron and was launched at the International Wireless Communications Expo in Las Vegas.

For over 30 years, Zetron has been providing communications solutions to customers in public safety, transportation, and utilities.

Zetron products include highly integrated, state-of-the art radio dispatch, 9-1-1 call-taking, and fire station alerting systems.

With thousands of systems installed and over 15,000 console positions deployed worldwide, Zetron products have earned their reputation for reliability, adaptability and performance.

Zetron announces the new MAX Dispatch System!

Zetron's new MAX Dispatch gives you the solid reliability and performance you expect from Zetron in a breakthrough, IP-based dispatch console system.

FEATURES:

* Intelligent UI selectively displays important information. Reduces information overload automatically, allowing the dispatchers to focus on the incident at hand.

* Built-in Network Health Monitor provides constant, real-time feedback. Automatically makes both users and technicians aware of network conditions that could degrade performance.

* IT EZ automatically configures IP parameters within the local network. Reduces IT labor and helps avoid system conflicts.

* Dual connections allow for complete end-to-end network redundancy. Keeps your system up and running in the event of a loss of a network.

With thousands of systems installed and over 15,000 console positions deployed worldwide, Zetron products have earned their reputation for reliability, adaptability and performance.

6 Examples of Innovative and Successful Guerilla Multimedia Marketing Campaigns

2011-03-01T03:00:00.000-08:00

1. Absolut

2. Unicef

3. Volkswagen

4. Novocortex

5. Loctite

6. Sixt

Facebook vs Twitter :: A Breakdown of 2010 Social Demographics

2011-02-28T03:00:00.000-08:00

A look at the breakdown...

2010 Social Demographics of:

Vs.

Image/Statistics by: digitalsurgeons

A SWEET DEAL from PinkaBella Cupcakes in Bellevue Square - Voted #1 Best Desserts of 2010 in Western Washington

2011-01-07T10:28:00.000-08:00

Only $17 for One Dozen Cupcakes at PinkaBella Cupcakes™ in Bellevue Square.

A Sweet Deal! ($33 Value)

Deal Exclusively brought to you by:

www.BIGBellevue.com

About This Deal

Voted #1 Best Desserts of 2010 by King 5 and Evening Magazines "The Best of Western Washington", PinkaBella Cupcakes™ are made by hand, baked with love and handled with care. Made with only the freshest ingredients, Sweet Cream Butter, Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla, real Cream and Farm Fresh Eggs. Perfect for any occasion without needing an occasion at all.

*A portion of BIG Bellevue's proceeds from this exclusive deal will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Bellevue*

Oh cupcake, why do I love thee…let me count thy ways...

Reviews:

PinkaBella Cupcakes™ have done cupcakes for several of my events. It doesn’t matter what other food you serve as long as you serve PinkaBella Cupcakes™. They go first and are the only thing your party guests will talk about after. Hit of the party! They are reason alone to invite friends over.
~ Mary Beth Maines in Bellevue, Washington

PinkaBella Cupcakes™ are the best I’ve had. Every flavor is delicious, the presentation is classy and fun, and I would highly recommend ordering these cupcakes if you want to offer a wonderful treat to your party, wedding, shower guests.
~ Becky Flitsch in Bellevue, Washington

Your cupcakes are amazing! Truly the most delightful scrumptious treat I have ever had! The cupcakes were a huge hit at the party…my friends are still talking about how delicious they were.
~ Angelina Olsen in Bellevue, Washington

"Perfect for any occasion without needing an occasion at all."
- PinkaBella Cupcakes™

To purchase this deal or sign-up for upcoming BIG Bellevue deals, log onto the website:

www.BIGBellevue.com

The Book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day

2011-01-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day. - Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right. - Oprah Winfrey

One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this: To rise above the little things. - John Burroughs

The object of a new year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul. - G.K. Chesterton

"Become Legendary" - Michael Jordan (NBA Hall of Fame)

2010-12-21T03:00:00.000-08:00

The Michael Jordan exhibit continues to grab attention around the country and the world! This exclusive exhibit is currently being displayed in the Basketball Hall of Fame. Now, photos and various video commercials from NIKE are being viewed by millions across the world.

Check out these powerful videos showcased as part of the "Become Legendary", Michael Jordan series.

Inspirational videos with a true message, from the voice of the GREATEST!

It’s not about the shoes
It’s about knowing where you’re going
not forgetting where you’ve started
It’s about having the courage to fail
Not breaking when you’re broken
taking everything you’ve been given
and making something better

It’s about work before glory
And what’s inside of you
it’s doing what they say you can’t

It’s not about the shoes
It’s about what you do in them
It’s about being what you were born to BE!

Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media

"Everybody has a Story to Tell" with Dave Irish - Singer and Songwriter

2010-11-24T03:00:00.000-08:00

Dave writes virtually all of his music, with the exception of the occasional hymn that he arranges in a style uniquely his own. He is equally comfortable performing alone-just him and his piano-with another accent instrument like a cello, or with his full band. His goal is to work in the ministry context to which his host is accustomed. Dave’s music can be utilized in a variety of ways, here are a few:

- Concerts
- Guest Worship Leader
- Special music that reinforces the theme of a church service
- Special Events-Retreats

Having recorded one CD per year since 1994, Dave hopes to continue recording and exploring new avenues in his music. He is committed to excellence, without sacrificing heart centered ministry Dave and his wife Nancy were married in 1983 and have two daughters, Breanna and Jess.

A life of worship
Dave uses his music to express his life’s devotion of giving respect and honor to God through His Son, Jesus Christ. His unique expression has touched thousands of lives around the world. His divinely inspired songs are refreshingly honest and transparent, born from a lifelong effort to forge a truth-filled relationship with his Savior, Lord, and Friend. Just as King David’s music brought praise to God and comfort to troubled hearts, so the music of Dave Irish has proven to do the same (1 Samuel 16:22-23)

Financial Policy
Full-time support for Dave’s family comes from his ministry. It’s set up as a nonprofit 501-c3. He has a board of directors who have determined his salary. He’s chosen not to charge a fee for his services. Instead, his compensation for an event is at the discretion of the church or sponsor featuring him.

Below is a recent sample of just a handful of the hundreds of churches and organizations that Dave has blessed with his ministry over the years.

Pastors/ Worship artists

Pastor Stan Simmons-Faith Chapel, Billings, MT.
Marty Nystrom-Worship Leader/Songwriter
Pastor Jim Hayford-Eastside Foursquare, Bothell, WA.
Pastor Gary Gulbranson-Westminster Chapel, Bellevue, WA.
Jeff Kemp-Executive Director Families N.W.
John Andrew Schreiner- Producer/Songwriter, Los Angeles, CA.

Churches and Organizations

Promise Keepers
Family Life
Focus on the Family
World Vision
Families Northwest
Union Gospel Mission
Cannon Beach Conf. Center
Westminster Chapel, Bellevue WA.

Eastside Foursquare, Bothell, WA.

Calvary Chapel, Spokane, WA.
Shepherd of the Hills, Simi Valley, CA.
Life Center, Tacoma, WA.
Faith Center, Billings, MT.
Northshore Christian Everett, WA.
Coeur de Alene Bible Church, Coeur’d Alene, ID.
Gillette Christian Center, Gillette, WY.
First Presbyterian of Bellevue, Bellevue, WA.
Life Center, Everett, WA.
West Salem Foursquare, Salem OR.
New Port Nazarene, New Port, OR.

“Thanks for sharing yourself and your ministry with us yesterday morning. You and your team brought a rich sense of worship and sensitivity to the Lord to our services. I appreciated, also, your willingness to flex with the various flavors of the three services yesterday."
Jeff MacLurg
Pastor
Our Savior Baptist, Federal Way, WA.

“It is easy to recommend the “Dave Irish Band” to you. Dave and the band always show up with an attitude that is up, worshipful, and contagious. The thoughtful, powerful lyrics to the songs that Dave has written strike a cord with everyone living in our face paced modern world…. and the music is contemporary, uplifting and energetic. I consider Dave one of my favorites…. he has a special place on my I-pod. Dave is welcome back here anytime and we are glad to be part of his ministry.”
Dean Curry
Senior Pastor
Life Center, Tacoma Washington

“I give my strongest recommendation to having Dave Irish minister at your church.”
Ken Ortize
Senior Pastor
Calvary Chapel, Spokane, WA.

“Thank you again and again for the very worshipful concert of praise you and your band led here on Dec. 26th.
Many people have mentioned to me how it ministered to them beyond the entertainment value of the good music.”
Howard Burgoyne
East Coast Superintendent
Covenant Church

"Dear Dave,
Thank you so much for coming to Issaquah Christian Church this Sunday! You blessed me and my flock in a wonderful way. I was encouraged by the words of the songs you wrote and felt that you led us into God’s presence without distraction.
God bless you in your service of the King!"
Pastor Brad Bromling
Issaquah Christian Church

www.DaveIrish.com
425-829-3830

BIGBellevue.com Brings First Hyper-Local Deals Site to Bellevue

2010-11-16T22:45:00.000-08:00

BIGBellevue.com Brings First Hyper-Local Deals

Site to Bellevue

New exclusive Bellevue website uses the power of group purchasing to offer weekly, unbeatable deals on things to eat, see, do, and buy in Bellevue.

BELLEVUE, Wash.—(November 16, 2010) — Today BIGBellevue unveils its plans to become the first group buying website dedicated to the city of Bellevue, WA (www.bigbellevue.com). Residents and visitors can expect discounts from 50% - 90% off at the best businesses in the city. BIGBellevue takes the power of group purchasing and customizes it for the local Bellevue market.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010 marks the launch of weekly deals from BIGBellevue with the freshest and tastiest burgers in town. For 48 hours BIGBellevue will offer $20 worth of Fatburger for only $10. Fatburger is located in the heart of downtown Bellevue on Bellevue Way and is home to gourmet burgers, signature shakes, homemade sides, and beer combos.

BIGBellevue is based in Bellevue, WA and was founded with the intention to connect local Bellevue businesses with consumers to offer deep discounts.

Sign-up to receive email notifications for BIGBellevue deals at www.bigbellevue.com.

About BIGBellevue

BIGBellevue.com delivers weekly deals from Bellevue businesses at 50% - 90% off. BIGBellevue is a great way to enjoy the city without breaking the bank.

Contact:

Email: info@bigbellevue.com

Website: www.BIGBellevue.com

Facebook: http://on.fb.me/bNRgGv

Twitter: www.twitter.com/bigbellevue

A Revolutionary Business Networking Mobile Application - UNSOCIAL

2010-11-15T22:07:00.000-08:00

Multimedia Campaign Produced by: Mindshift Media in Association with STVP

Social networking is a fast growing field dominated by giants. Companies like Facebook, Linkedin and Foursquare have proven how important social networking can be. By connecting users to the people they know, these companies have supplemented the natural network of friends most people have. This proven formula has a challenger though. The appropriately named Unsocial just became the first social networking application that does not care who your friends are.

Instead, it focuses on connecting users to people they should know. The idea is fairly simple. Unsocial is a smart phone app for Iphone, Android and Blackberry that broadcasts a users personal brand, who they are and what they do to the people around them. The goal is to connect people in related fields. In essence, it introduces you to all the people you should know but don’t. Unsocial launched their groundbreaking application on October 18 at this years Discovery Beat in San Francisco.

For those not in the know, Discovery Beat is an annual meeting of the biggest and most influential app developers. The goal is to find that secret recipe for app discovery and help make new contacts in the industry. Unsocial took discovery beat by storm.

They were the official conference app of Discovery Beat, and they have been riding the wave of good press ever since. Their app has already garnered praise from the likes of Mashable.com, which said, “It makes locating people at the same event who share similar interests less of a hassle. You can also send notes via the app without having to give away any private info until you know you want to make a connection.”

http://mashable.com/2010/10/18/unsocial-mobile/

Unsocial has also had favorable mentions from Tech Crunch, which said Unsocial is, “ideal for large conferences or similar events where attendees have a limited amount of time to identify high-value contacts”. The newly launched app even got a mention in The New York Times. All this good press is even more amazing, given that Unsocial is only currently available in San Francisco, New York and more cities soon to come!

With the developers promising to bring more cities online soon people are almost certainly going to hear a lot more about Unsocial in the future. When this app becomes available globally, a morning commute could become the perfect networking opportunity. Packed trains, busses and subways will become something other than just an inconvenience, they will be the social networking equivalent of speed dating. With so many possibilities, Unsocial is poised to revolutionize the business world and bring a whole new dimension to the social network.

www.unsocial.mobi

Blog Posting by: Tyler Griffin - Creative Director, Mindshift Media

Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger

Multimedia Production Provided by: www.Mindshift-Media.com

Further information regarding Unsocial: www.unsocial.mobi

A Bellevue Deal Site for Bellevue by Bellevue - Save 50% and up!

2010-11-13T18:16:00.000-08:00

BIGBellevue.com offers BIG discounts on everything to
EAT, SEE, DO AND BUY
in Bellevue, Washington.

Join our mailing list, and follow us on
Twitter and Facebook;

you do not want to miss this!

www.BIGBellevue.com

http://on.fb.me/asYP9G

http://twitter.com/bigbellevue

If you are a business who would like to be featured on BIGBellevue.com,

log onto our website and contact us TODAY!

Or feel free to leave a comment via this blog and we will make sure someone gets in contact with you and your business.

UNSOCIAL - Revolutionary Mobile Application

2010-10-26T16:51:00.000-07:00

unsocial National Multimedia Campaign

Produced by: Mindshift Media
in association with STVP

What is Unsocial?

Unsocial is a great new mobile application that connects you with business professionals in your proximity that you need to know.

Why do I need to use Unsocial?

unsocial facilitates your business in several ways... It enables you to take your brand mobile, and broadcast who you are and what you do to business professionals in your proximity. Connecting you with the business professionals you need, and the professionals who need you. unsocial provides you with detailed lists of professional events in your area where you can maximize your brand.

(INVESTORS) - Make Money with Private Mortgage Investing

2010-09-28T03:00:00.000-07:00

MAKE MONEY WITH PRIVATE MORTGAGE INVESTING

Mindshift Media Produces Video Marketing Campaign for River Forest Financial

CONTACT RIVER FOREST FINANCIAL TODAY!

There has never been a better time to get started with foreclosure investing.

Experts predict between 1.5 and 2 million properties will go through foreclosure in the next 12 months creating a huge marketplace for savvy investors with funds. Are you ready to get in the game and get your share?

Buying foreclosures offers great investment opportunities, but it's a lot of work. For investors who want to participate in the opportunities presented by distressed real estate, but without all the effort, River Forest Financial sells the fully-documented notes that they originate. These investors enjoy an easy and safe double-digit return on an investment that's secured by real estate at nearly double the investment.

RIVER FOREST FINANCIAL

info@riverforestfinancial.com

www.RiverForestFinancial.com

Phone: 425.945.0100

Fax: 888.893.8513

Multimedia Marketing Campaign Provided by:

How to Effectively Captivate Your Online Target Audience - Broadcast Your Brand!

2010-09-24T03:30:00.000-07:00

In the past, every business needed three things, a good product, a convincing sales pitch and a willing customer. With people doing more and more business online, that list of three has been steadily growing. The latest addition for the successful online business is multimedia. Having something like streaming video on a website is a must for every business wanting to be taken seriously.

Here is a sample of our home page introduction video, which greets visitors to our website and showcases a short flash video about our business and services.

In today's tech savvy world the importance of multimedia can not be understated. Online video can sell products, promote a business, benefit an organization, tell a story and improve the effectiveness of any website. That may sound like a lot for such a simple addition but video is the most powerful tool in the online marketplace. It can help sell products by offering customers a preview of the items they are interested in. Apple does this with all its products both before and after they are released. That way people can get all the information about an item before they buy, and get help using a product they may already own. When people can see the item before they buy, it builds a feeling of credibility that is missing from much of the online marketplace. This also helps to promote a business. Anyone can put up a website so consumers are looking for a professional, well presented company. A streaming video or motion graphic is just the thing to greet customers and welcome them, while also helping assure them that they are dealing with a legitimate company. Building consumer trust is just the beginning. Video and motion graphics can do so much more to promote a business. This is because they stick with customers long after they have left the page.

People remember 20% of what they hear and only 30% of what they see but a whopping 70% of what they hear and see! That means advertising and marketing money is much better invested in something more than just a simple banner add. People encounter hundreds of those each day and most consumers can’t remember a single one. Customers will remember more from a 3 minute video than they will from a huge block of text. That means company names and contact information are much more likely to be remembered. This benefits the entire organization by spreading the world about the company and helping people remember its message and goals.

The addition of multimedia is about more than just selling a product. It is about selling a company and its ideas. The right video and motion graphic can tell people the story of a company or instantly give consumers a window into what a business does. The possibilities are limitless and growing every day. It is the perfect investment for any company hoping to convey passion, excellence and professionalism along with information.

Sample Online Video Marketing Campaigns presented by:

Flash Video Marketing Campaigns for Websites

Business and Corporate Multimedia Marketing

Promotional Video Marketing

Television Commercials Streamed to your Website to Market Your Business

Non Profit Video Marketing

Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media
Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger

Social Media Marketing Campaign Helps 21 Year Old College Student Elected to the Oklahoma State House of Representatives

2010-09-20T03:00:00.000-07:00

There are plenty of people out there advocating social media. It has been touted online and in the press as the next generation of communication. This very blog has dedicated many articles to the subject. Despite all that, some companies are still on the fence about social media.

After all, it can be hard to understand the true power of sites life Facebook or Twitter, when huge corporations like Apple or CNN are using them. Social networking may be good for them but it could also be that they are just so popular, that people will seek them out wherever they are. That being said, there is one example free from any corporate celebrity or huge budget, that example is a 21 year old college student named Elise Hall. Using a campaign based largely on Facebook and Twitter, she was just elected to the Oklahoma State House of Representatives. Needless to say, before her political campaign, Hall was a fairly ordinary college student. She had not political war-chest or fame to catapult her into public office, just a computer and the drive to succeed. Using Facebook and Twitter, Hall beat out her opponents.

She did all that while still studying and attending classes. By regularly tweeting and organizing her supporters via social networks, Hall was able to enlist an army of followers. In fact, her cunning use of social media not only got her elected, it got her on CNN, a feat any good business owner would love to replicate. This means two things, a promising political career for Hall, and another good reason for every business to get involved with social media.

Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media
Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger

Blogging 101 - 10 Effective Tips for Business Blogging

2010-09-03T03:00:00.000-07:00

Businesses are always looking for new ways to communicate with their customers. Whether its advertising, market research or consumer feedback, every company is trying to better understand their client base. Unfortunately, most businesses overlook the easiest and most underrated method of communication, the blog. Blogs are one of the best ways to spread a message and get people to respond. In fact, there are ten great reasons for every company to create a busy business blog.

1: Its quick and easy. There are a number of great free blogging services that make it very simple to set up a blog. Once the initial blog site is up, it is just a matter of keeping it up to date with interesting articles.

2: A good blog can grow into an amazing advertising and marketing machine and requires as little as a few hours a week to keep up to date.

3: It provides easy access to company news. A blog can inform customers about sales, product information, events and even company news. It can also provide a great deal of information for other businesses and potential investors.

4: A blog is search engine friendly. Many search engines like Google look for “key words” in websites. A blog can provide thousands of key words. That means it will come up more often for more searches, thereby guiding more potential customers to a businesses website.

5: Blogs mean easier customer access. Customers will be better able to contact the company and share their views. A good blog also makes the company seem more open and accessible, even if it is not.

6: A blog makes the company look like an authority or expert. By writing about a subject on a blog, a business looks like they know their field and are an authority on the subject. That gives customers confidence and can boost sales.

7: Blogs increase brand awareness. Businesses want their name to stick in a customers head. The more times people see or hear a name, the more likely they are to associate that name with the service the company provides. A blog helps link a company’s name to its product in the minds of consumers.

8: Blogs build Rapport. A good blog is written in a more informal style than tradition news. That means customers feel like they know the company. They are more likely to trust the produce and make a purchase.

9: Blogs help gain insight. Customers are fickle creatures and often the only way to find out what they want or like is to speak with them directly. By allowing comments, blogs provide that vital link between customer and company. A blog also allows businesses to track which posts get the most hits and which are most popular. That means more market research data all for free.

10: Blogs answer questions. A good blog answers customer questions before they have to call or email. That means less stress on the customer service department and makes the company look good.

These ten reasons are just the tip of the iceberg, blogs can do much more for any company. With a little work, a blog can even draw in a loyal base of readers which means more sales and free advertising. As long as it is updated regularly and full of good information, a blog is marketing machine. It can be harnessed to work 24/7 pulling in new customers and funneling them towards a businesses website. That makes blogging more powerful and relevant than ever.

Social Network Marketing

We Make Your Identity!

Consumers are flocking to blogs, social-networking sites and virtual worlds. Mindshift Media offers Social Networking/Media Marketing solutions as well as custom designed blogs for your corporation or business. We utilize award winning script writers to write columns and blog postings about your business, and we look forward to helping you achieve the success your company deserves! Our passion combined with your potential drives us to see our clients succeed in the online marketplace!

Our Social Media Marketing Services include:

Profile Maintenance
Find Friends in Your Target Market/Demographic
Banner Creation & Promotion
Add HTML Linkable Comments
Group Creation & Promotion
Post Blogs & Bulletins
Write Content
Video Streaming
Promote Blog Subscriptions

View the Mindshift Media blog, by logging onto:

http://mindshift-media.blogspot.com/

Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media
Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger

iPad...a Disappointment or Success?? You Decide!

2010-09-01T03:00:00.000-07:00

Each time apple releases a new product, there is a fanfare of advertising and interest. The iPhone had people waiting in lines around the block, the macbook air had everyone marveling at the thin, sleek design, and apples latest creation, the ipad, had the Mac faithful camping out just to get their hands on a product that was dubbed, “magical”. While Apple is great at generating interest and drawing big crowds for a products release, the real test comes after the hype dyes down. For instance, the iPhone became a huge hit while the macbook air struggled to live up to its press, and now it is time to see how the ipad fared. The initial sales were good, more than 2 million sold in the first two months. It seems no one could resist the sleek look of the iPad, and who could blame them. After reading dozens of reviews on tech sights and the online marketplace, I have yet to find one negative thing said about the iPads looks. So if you are looking for the latest tech fashion accessory, get down to your local apple store and buy, buy, buy. But for those of us looking for more than apple arm candy, the ipad does have its detractors. In fact, it seems people fall into one of two camps, they either love it or hate it.

Those who love the iPad rave about its brilliant and crisp screen, ease of use and portability. These people use the ipad primarily for light web surfing, checking email and watching videos. As for the people who hate the ipad, their main concerns are the price, lack of flash player, inability to connect devices, problems with file transferring and the need for another computer.

The information contained in the reviews sheds some light on what the iPad can and can not do, and who should buy it.

First of all the iPad is great at playing movies and surfing the web. Its quick sleep/awake feature means there is no time wasted waiting for a computer to start up, and with 3G it offers good directions and a perfect way to stay connected and supplement light computing needs.

That being said the iPad is not perfect. The lack of flash player is a huge drawback. Nearly every review complained that the iPad lacked the ability to handle sites that use a lot of media. That means anyone who watches streaming video or wants access to all the videos on sites like YouTube is out of luck. There are also some hardware concerns with the device. There is no USB or fire wire ports on the iPad which make it impossible to connect things like a standard keyboard, mouse, mobile phone or other device. It also means anyone who wants to transfer data to or from the iPad has to go through itunes. That can be tough and annoying. Finally, one of the biggest problems iPad detractors have with the product is the need for another computer to use it. While it may seem like a laptop killer, the iPad has to be connected to a computer to update and download new items like podcasts. In other words, The iPad must be regularly synced with another computer to function at its best.

We want to hear your feedback on this incredible advancement in the history of technology. Do you own an iPad? If so, what do you like/dislike about the iPad? What are your favorite features of the iPad? When the next version of the iPad is released, what features would you like to see implemented to the new iPad in the future?

We want to hear your feedback....the Apple iPad, Disappointment or Success?

Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media

Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger

New Competition for Online Social Network Marketing Giant Facebook...Is this Hype or Truth?

2010-08-31T03:00:00.000-07:00

In the world of social networking, one name stands above the rest. Facebook. It is the undisputed champion of the social scene, a monolith in the market. That makes it very hard for any newcomer to survive. With 500 million users and a net worth of about 33 billion dollars, the giant is certainly not going out without a fight. Despite all that, one company thinks there may be a few chinks in Facebook’s armor. The David facing off against the Facebook Goliath is called Diaspora.

Loosely translated, diaspora means the spreading out of people. This new company aims to take advantage of two things, the first is Facebook’s privacy problems. Not long ago, there was a tremendous outcry when Facebook started changing its privacy settings. People were often confused by the new settings and many users felt their information was not being protected. Since then, Facebook has simplified its privacy controls but there is still a fear that the company will try to make more profiles public. That is good news for Diaspora, which describes itself as a “privacy-aware, personally-controlled” social network. Their goal is to give users more control over what information is shared and who can see it. That means users can choose who can see what on an individual basis. For instance, Your boss, won’t be able to see that hilarious picture you took of him at the office christmas party. The second innovation that may help Diaspora succeed is the fact it is open source. That means the company allows people to access the code that runs the programs. In laymen's terms, anyone can see how the program works. That gives apps creators and other software developers more access and means there may be more games and other customizable creations for the individual account. Diaspora is set to be released on September 15th. So far the company has raised more than $200,000 dollars. Among the initial investors was Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. With plenty of capital and some luck this new upstart could give Facebook a run for its money.

Do you think this is just hype, or a successful business venture?? Do you feel Diaspora can compete with Facebook? Let us know what you think about this new business and idea!

Blog Posted by: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media
Written by: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger

Has the Thought of Quiting Your Job in a Blaze of Glory Crossed Your Mind? Jet Blue Flight Attendant Being Offered Reality Show (Latest Update with Animation of Actual Event)

2010-08-26T03:00:00.000-07:00

Anyone who has ever worked a crumby job knows, Long hours, angry customers and ungrateful supervisors mean stress. It starts as a knot in your stomach and grows until it feels like you are being pushed from all sides. When it gets too bad, most of us just quit, a few even manage a nervous breakdown, but there is a rare breed of employee who takes it a step further. Rather than bending under the pressure, they push back in an office space esque explosion. It is everyones dream to leave their crumby job in a blaze of glory, and on August 9, Jet Blue flight attendant Steven Slater did just that. The trouble started when Slater was hit by a woman's bag while she was removing it from a luggage compartment. Slater asked the woman to apologize and remain seated until the plane had stopped, but she refused, calling him a Mother F*****. In response, Slater got on the planes PA system and gave the customer a pice of his mind. He then grabbed his luggage and two beers before deploying the planes emergency evacuation slide.

Slater escaped down the slide, ran to his car and drove home. Just hours later he was arrested and charged with criminal mischief, reckless endangerment and criminal trespassing. If convicted of all these charges, he could face up to 7 years in prison. That has not stopped people supporting him though. Slaters myspace page and various news articles about the sliding steward are full of accolades for his one man walk out. In addition, Jet Blue released a statement saying, “at no time was the safety of our customers or crew members at risk.” The Jet Blue flight attendant has struck a chord with Americans and the world. He is more than just the rebel we love, Slater had the guts to do what most working class people can’t... quit with style. He may have burned a bridge, but my god it was one hell of a fire.

Steven Slater currently has a staggering 212,000 fans on Facebook. Some of those fans even donated money to help pay for his bail to release him from jail. Less than one week after he slid down an airplane's emergency shoot, JetBlue flight attendant Steven Slater has received an offer to host a reality TV show in which he helps unhappy workers quit their jobs in creative ways.

TMZ reports that “According to well-placed industry sources ... Stone Entertainment— a powerhouse in the reality TV world — is going after Slater to host a show in which various disgruntled workers quit their jobs in extravagant ways.”

Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media
Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger

A Mystery. A Cover Up. A Crime. "The Tillman Story"

2010-08-25T03:00:00.000-07:00

Pat Tillman gave up his professional football career to join the Army Rangers in 2002—and became an instant symbol of patriotic fervor and unflinching duty. But the truth about Pat Tillman is far more complex, and ultimately more heroic. When the government tried to turn his death into war propaganda, they took on the wrong family. From her home in the Santa Cruz mountains, Pat's mother, "Dannie" Tillman, led the family's crusade to reveal the truth beneath the mythology of their son's life and death. Narrated by Josh Brolin and featuring candid and revelatory interviews with Pat's fellow soldiers as well as his family, Amir Bar-Lev's emotional and insightful film not only shines a light on the shady aftermath of Pat's death and calls to task the entire chain of command but also examines themes as timeless as the notion of heroism itself.

Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media

The Secret Strategies Behind Many "Viral" Videos

2010-08-20T03:00:00.000-07:00

Anyone with online video, dreams of the day their creation will go viral. It is like winning the world cup and super bowl at the same time. A tiny investment in video is suddenly the most talked about thing on the web and everyone is watching it. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that any video will hit it big online.

People have spent vast amounts of time and money on videos that have fallen flat. That having been said, it takes more than lots of luck to be the next big online sensation. Mindshift Media recommends the following important rules to consider when attempting to produce an online multimedia campaign that will ultimately go VIRAL!

Rule 1: Make a video for people who are bored at work. There are hundreds of millions of people around the world sitting at a computer with nothing to do. They surf sites like YouTube looking for funny or interesting videos and sharing them with friends. While the idea of so many slacking employees may scare any good business person, it has created one of the best and most lucrative avenues for viral videos. By creating a video these people will want to share, companies can tap in to a pool of viewers larger than that of any major television networks.

Rule 2: Use what Jonah Peretti (CEO of Buzzfield) calls “The Mullet Strategy”. That is, business in front, party in back. Keep the front page of your website serious and put all the crazy silly stuff in back. That way the site still looks professional but there is something fun as well to keep people coming back.

Rule 3: Brands should use big seed marketing. That means anyone trying to sell a brand needs to spend some money. By making a really good campaign/video and paying to have it in a few high profile places, social media will pick up parts of the video faster and businesses can get the viral boost they crave for free.

Rule 4: Target the maniacs. The goal of any good viral campaign should be to target people like Lady Gaga, Kanye West and Perez Hilton, because they are the people who get involved and stir stuff up. When they rant about something or get involved with a product, the world knows. The web is run by maniacs and when they speak, consumers listen.

Rule 5: Companies need to always be pushing themselves and looking for new customers and new markets. The moment they stop, so does the companies growth. The same is true for any viral video. The moment people stop pushing it, the video flops.

These five rules are by no means a guarantee that a video will go viral, but they are the result of a decade of hard work and research from many successful corporations and Fortune 500 companies. They may not always work, but ignoring them is a good way to loose the race to go viral.

Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media

Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger

ATTENTION Android Phone Users - "Malicious Application" - Be Aware!

2010-08-19T03:00:00.000-07:00

Android phone users may be in for a shock on their next phone bill. Google, Androids creator has identified the first “malicious app” for its popular phone. This phone virus is disguised as a media player but once installed, it sends text messages to a premium rate number. The viruses creator then collects the money from the premium number. That means big charges and little recourse for those affected. This booby trapped app was discovered by Kaspersky Labs and is spread by text message. The message tells users to install a 13KB media player app. The virus or “trojan” is called Trojan-SMS.AndroidOS.FakePlayer.a. Currently, the virus is most common in Russia but because it is spread via text, android users in the U.S. and elsewhere can also be targeted.

A spokesman for Google says users can take steps to prevent their phones from being infected. First, read the permissions screen before installing. This screen tells users what the app has permission to do. Second, only install apps you trust and finally, be especially cautious when installing applications outside the Android market.

Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media
Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger

Facebook New Search Feature called "Questions" - (Sneak Peak) Available Soon!

2010-08-18T03:00:00.000-07:00

20 years ago, anyone with a question went to an expert. Then came the internet, and people began to use giant search engines like Yahoo and Google to find answers. This gave people access to far more information, but lacked the personal approach and security you got from asking a known expert. Without knowing where information originates, it can be hard to see bias or know how credible the source really is. That is the premise behind a new search feature on Facebook called “Questions”.

The option allows users to post questions to other users of Facebook. That way not only do you get an answer to a question, but you know where, or better yet, who the answer came from. The option is being offered to a small selection of Facebooks 500 million users for now but it will be available to a wider audience soon.

Some online analysts see this as a direct challenge to Google, but it is more likely to be a threat to search engines like ask.com and yahoo answers. Facebook can not match the searching and indexing power of google, instead, it will use its vast network of social contacts to help answer questions. That means it will not provide the immediate results provided by Google, but it may give users better answers to more specific or specialized questions. It could also prove a great way to find knowledgeable professionals. One day businesses may even use Questions as a sort of pre interview phase to vet potential employees.

Either way, web users now have another choice in the ever growing number of specialized search engines.

Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media
Writter By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger

Anybots - Revolutionizing Business Communication Around the World!

2010-08-17T03:00:00.000-07:00

Commuting may be one of the most loathed chores in human existence. It is an act totally devoid of any fun, excitement or meaning. You get in a car and endure a tedious drive alongside several thousand of your fellow commuters. But what if you could avoid all that by sending someone to work in your place. That is the idea behind Anybots new telepresence robot named “QB”.

The robot may look like the lovechild of a roomba and a mic stand, but the QB has tremendous potential. It uses a video camera, still camera and speaker/mic to remotely interact with with anyone in range of a wi-fi signal. That means an engineer in Chicago can oversee production in a factory in Japan without having to travel there. The robot can be remotely controlled from any computer and sends live streaming video back to the user. It also allows the user to talk back and forth through the QB. The robot even projects the users voice like a live telephone connection. That means people can manage projects, attend meetings and collaborate with colleagues without ever boarding an airplane. The QB gives them a robotic presence anywhere in the world. More importantly, the robot is unobtrusive enough to work in any office. at 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing about 35 pounds, It is a big improvement over its heavy, cumbersome predecessors. That means people will not be forced to dive out of the way every time the QB rolls by. The robot even has an 8 hour battery life, the same length as a normal work day. This makes it invaluable in todays global marketplace. Trevor Blackwell, CEO of Anybots, says the $15,000 QB will be in every major office in silicon valley within a year. It ships in Fall, 2010, so don’t be to surprised if the next person you find looking over your shoulder is doing so from across the globe.

Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media
Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger

Optimizing Online Marketing and Advertising Campaigns

2010-08-02T03:00:00.000-07:00

Starting an online ad campaign is an involved process, especially for the inexperienced. Advertising is a specialized field with its own series of challenges. Simply deciphering the jargon can seem impossible. To understand how a good ad campaign is run, it is important to know how to analyze a campaign.

The first step is locating the target audience. Find a website with plenty of traffic, that caters to the target audience. This is like finding a good fishing hole, it may take a few tries but eventually you find a good place. Once you have found a suitable site to advertise, you will need to run an advertising audit. This means looking at every part of the advertising campaign to see what is making money and what needs improvement. First, look at click through rates. This is the number of people who actually clicked on the ad and were redirected back to the advertised website. These numbers give you initial indications of how the ad is preforming, but they can be deceiving. For instance, they do not take into account accidental clicks or people who clicked on the ad, only to immediately leave the site.

To better understand an online ad campaign, advertisers must move beyond click through rates and look at engagement rates and overall ad performance. Engagement rates are the number of people who actually navigated around the site, commented on products, and/or purchased a product. In short, they spent time with the site and its content. These numbers should have a direct correlation with the overall ad performance. Sales should go up in proportion to the number of people clicking through and engaging with a site. Along with these tools, advertisers should be using “intent to purchase studies”. This is a complex term, meaning a study taken before and after an ad campaign, that looks at the target audiences willingness to buy a product. The goal of the study is to gauge any change in the buyers opinion of a product due to an advertising campaign.

Intent to purchase studies provide, what is possibly the most reliable data to understand the effectiveness of an online ad campaign. Using these tools, even a first time advertiser can better understand how to improve and tailor their ad to increase revenue and maximize effectiveness.

Zeekee Interactive Experiences Success with Online
Multimedia Marketing Campaign

(Produced by: Mindshift Media and STVP)

Blog Posted By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media
Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger

Turn any Surface at Home or in your Office into a Touch Screen Computer...and more! Exciting Technology News from Intel.

2010-07-13T03:00:00.000-07:00

A research project from Intel can turn any surface into a touchscreen. Instead of propping up a tablet or putting a touchscreen computer in your kitchen, picture yourself tapping on the counter top to pull menus, look up recipes and add items to a shopping list.

According to researchers, this new system can turn any wall into a touch screen computer. There are no major renovations needed, Intel’s system uses two cameras and a small projector and the entire device is no bigger than a large cell phone. One camera identifies colors and shapes while the other measures depth. That gives this new form of computing a distinct advantage over traditional PC’s.

Not only can it use any surface as a touch screen, it can identify objects it sees. That means it can find recipes based on the food on a counter, identify objects without a lengthy search and create a virtual interface that is more tactile and user friendly. Soon we may be accessing recipes while we cut up raw chicken, looking at gardening tips on the side of a greenhouse or searching for that perfect song to sing along with while we shower. If Intel succeeds with this new device it will completely revolutionize how people interact with computers both at work and in their homes. It will also make computes more ubiquitous.

People will be able to access information about a city on the side of one of its buildings, learn about different plants and animals in a virtual class room and interact more naturally with the machines that surround them.

Keep your eyes open for touch screens on the side of buildings, in classrooms, or even in your office! Check out this new video from Intel on their latest invention!

Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media
Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger

World Cup 2010 - "Kenya Field of Dreams"

2010-07-12T03:00:00.000-07:00

The world cup attracted viewers by the billions this year. People all over the world tuned in to cheer for their respective teams. But what about those without access to television? That was the problem facing people in many remote parts of Kenya. There, watching the world cup is often a luxury only available to the rich. That is changing thanks to the Kenya Field of Dreams project. This is a group of volunteers working with Google, UK Sports International Development and a Kenyan woman's development project called "Moving the Goal Posts" (MGP).

These organizations use inflatable television screens and projection televisions to rebroadcast world cup matches for the people who could not afford to see them. When the screening is over, the projector is packed up and the screen simply deflates and folds up. This mobile movie theater is more than just good entertainment. It is also providing an education to the women of the area. The MGP women are taught soccer as a way to help give them confidence and start them down the right path in life. Their involvement in the world cup broadcasts is building on this ideal.

While Google and UKsports provide funding and equipment, the women of Moving the Goal Posts help run the whole operation. These women set up the screens, put together a car mounted PA system, advertise the screening and learn how to use other video equipment. As the World Cup ended yesterday, these girls will still have jobs to do. The Kenya Field of dreams project is hoping to teach the girls along with others on how to produce their own videos. They have already broadcast advertisements and short films made by locals during commercial breaks throughout the World Cup games. More importantly, the field of dreams project will leave behind some film making equipment so locals can continue to produce videos. This means new opportunities for Kenyans and a brighter future for some of the poorest people in the world.

Congratulations to Spain for winning the 2010 World Cup!

Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media

Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger

"Lights for Life" - A New Invention is Providing Electric Light to People without Electricity in the Poorest Countries and Victims of Disasters

2010-07-09T03:00:00.000-07:00

Worldwide, over 1.6 Billion People Live without Electricity

Introducing the World's Only Solar Light Bulb

The Nokero N100

"Lights for Life"

A new invention is providing electric light to people without electricity. The Nokero N100 solar powered LED lightbulb may not be impressive to look at but it could soon be providing free clean energy all over the world. The idea is to provide electric lights to the poor and victims of disasters. With an estimated 1.6 billion people without access to electricity the new light could soon be used in every corner of the globe. These lights will replace things like kerosene lamps and other fossil fuels. That means less indoor air pollution.

The lights will also cut 550 pounds of CO2 emissions over the course of a year. That will help improve the health and living conditions of the poorest people on earth. These solar powered lights may also have another unintended benefit. Electric lights can extend the number of hours a person can work, thereby making them more productive. Increased productivity helps both the individual and troubled economies. A single bulb costs $15 and is designed to last between 5 and 10 years. Nokero says each bulb will pay for itself in a few months when replacing kerosene. The bulb will produce light for up to four hours and is weather proof so it can simply be hung outside to charge. Nokero offers five times the lights and 1/200th the energy consumption of fuel lights.

By providing light to those without, this new bulb could potentially help more than a billion people already struggling against poverty.

For more information about Nokero and their campaign "Lights for Life",

log onto the Nokero website:

http://www.nokero.com/

Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media
Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger

Non-Profit Marketing Solutions

2010-07-06T03:27:00.000-07:00

The basics of marketing a nonprofit organization are nearly identical to any other marketing plan. But where ordinary companies draw from a wide array of funding sources, nonprofits have to rely on donors, members or visitors. That means any nonprofit looking to market itself, needs a sound strategy based on research, analysis, careful planning, budgeting and campaign review.

The first step is insuring that a companies marketing goals match the goals of the nonprofit. That may sound fairly basic but if the two are not squarely aligned, it can cost an organization both time and money.

The second step is a SWOT analysis. This is an in depth look at a companies strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. This is a great way to understand where an organization fits in its field. It is also essential in order to plan for the future. Knowing strengths and weaknesses helps people understand what can be used and what must be improved. Recognizing opportunities can give companies an advantage. And identifying threats can help prevent mistakes and encourage cooperation. Once the SWOT analysis is complete, it is time for step three, identifying the target audience.

This will help you identify messages and strategies that resonate with your target audience. It also helps companies focus on the needs of specific groups in a target market. For instance, volunteers may need to be thanked and encouraged while the message for the general public focuses more on awareness. To identify a target audience, it is important to ask, who they are, why do they care about a cause, what do they look like, where do they live, etc. This helps organizations get a clearer picture of who they are working with. With the target audience identified and understood, step four is developing a marketing plan.

A well thought out and planned marketing campaign is the most important part of any nonprofits marketing strategy. Companies can not just conduct marketing blindly. Every press release, event and advertisements needs to stay on message and support the nonprofits goals. To do this companies can use advertising, direct marketing, donation promotion, fund raising, donation solicitation, public relations and the internet and new media.

After a nonprofit has chosen there marketing strategy it is time to review. Look at which type of marketing attracted the most attention or brought in the greatest number of donations. This will help refine future plans and make the marketing budget earn more and go further. More importantly it will further the goals of the organization and help establish it as a permanent part of any community.

.

"Trash Ball"

A Story of Faith and Hope, from the

Streets to the Stadium

(Kibuye, Rwanda)

(Video Produced for Saddleback Church, The Peace Plan and the Orphan Initiative Care nonprofit).

Video Production provided by: Mindshift Media

Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media

Written By: Brad Girtz, Mindshift Media Blogger

Where to Spend Your Advertising Budget?

2010-07-02T03:00:00.000-07:00

HOW MUCH WAS SPENT ON ONLINE ADVERTISING IN 2006?

Roughly $12 - $16 BILLION

HOW MUCH WILL BE SPENT ON ONLINE ADVERTISING IN 2012?

Roughly $51 BILLION

Advertising a company or product can be tough, especially with so many new online options. Finding the perfect advertising strategy takes time and often involves some trial and error. With no “right” way of doing things, companies often worry they are wasting their advertising budgets. So the question is, how do you spend those precious advertising dollars? Well, according to the chief marketing officer for Levi Strauss, Jaime Cohen Sculz, The best place to start is online.

When it comes to online advertising, the first step is testing all the options. Because most forms of online ads are cheap and easy to make, it is cost effective to try each one out and find which produces the best results. Online advertising also allows companies to easily review the effectiveness of their campaigns using tools like google analytics.

That means businesses can see the results of an advertising campaign in real time and focus resources on what works best. Sculz says viral video has been the most effective for his company because of its ability to spark the interest and curiosity of consumers. He also recommends using updates on websites and facebook, as well as ecommerce. These are great places to start an advertising campaign because they all have a low to no initial investment. That means small companies are able to compete with their larger counterparts. It can also mean a jump on the competition because large companies are just beginning to realize the potential of online advertising. There is no guarantee that any ad campaign will be %100 effective. That being said, the best bet for any business is to skip the traditional and dated world of advertising and move into the less expensive and more effective online realm.

Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media
Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger

The Future of Tablet Computers

2010-07-01T03:00:00.000-07:00

They started out as an oddity but tablet computers may soon be outselling everything else on the market. According to Forrester Research, tablet computers will be outselling net books by 2012 and desktops by 2013. The report goes on to predict that by 2015, tablets will account for 23% of all PC sales.

This prediction is backed up by the sales figures. more than 2 million ipads sold in the first two months. The boost in sales coincided with a decline in consumers purchasing netbooks. This shift in buyer behavior is the result of portability, innovation and compatibility. Netbooks lack any new innovation. They are slower smaller versions of a laptop and they lack a disk drive. PC computers have the power but with everyone clamoring for wireless capability and mobility, PC’s are too big and cumbersome. ultraportable devices like smart phones, playstation personals and the ipod score high on innovation. They can do everything a computer can do, unfortunately they cant do any of it very well. This leaves a huge gap in the market to be filled by tablet computers. They provide the speed and ease of use web surfers crave, all wrapped up in a sleek portable package. Combine that with the desire for a touch screen and tablets are poised to take the computing world by storm.

Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin - Mindshift Media, Creative Director
Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger

The All New iPhone 4 : Design & Features

2010-06-11T03:00:00.000-07:00

The new iphone is out and answering many of its critics. Apple released the iphone monday at its Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco. This new phone is full of enough new tech to keep even the biggest of gadget lovers happy. This includes a second camera, improved display, a stainless steel case and a thinner design.

The new phone is also able to run multiple applications and play high definition video, something previous iphones were criticized for lacking. All the new hardware means the iphone can now make video calls and run a video chat on skype or ichat.

New Features:

Sturdy Titanium and Glass Design

OLED Screen

3G Data Speed

True GPS

iChat Camera

Removable Battery

3.2 Megapixel Camera

Video-Capable

32 GB Capacity

Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media
Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger

Introducing Custom Email Signature Marketing - An Overlooked Marketing Option

2010-06-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

Custom Email Signatures

Designed and Provided By: Mindshift Media & STVP

Custom email signatures are an emerging trend for online businesses. While most people have seen these signatures very few people understand the effect they can have on a business. These small additions to emails may look inconspicuous but they can be a business goldmine if used correctly. An email signature such as this,

Gives an ordinary email credibility. The email signature is a badge or authority and professionalism. It tells readers the sender is credible and reputable. This helps stop emails from being labeled as spam and dismissed. Along with authority, email signatures provide crucial information to customers. Every email is like an electronic business card that gives people an easy way to locate the sender. That means no lost business because someone misplaced a business card.

Most importantly, custom email signatures are an amazing way to use an everyday email to advertise. When each email has a company’s logo and information on it, the results can be drastic. Not only do the companies business partners and customers view that logo, everyone who gets the email as a forward sees it too.

That means one simple business reply can potentially reach hundreds, even thousands of people. It is like a free banner add that is targeted at only potential customers. This makes a banner add incredibly valuable, especially when companies weight the costs.

Traditional advertising requires an ongoing investment of time and energy. Custom email signatures are a one time expense. They build credibility while they advertise and the more emails a company sends, the more effective the signature becomes. That makes custom email signatures the perfect choice for any businesses.

Contact Mindshift Media for a free consultation regarding a custom designed Email Signature for your company or corporation: info@mindshift-media.com

Custom Email Signatures Designed and Provided By:

Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media

Written By: Brad Girtz

Tribute to Our Fallen Heroes on Memorial Day

2010-05-31T07:00:00.000-07:00

As Americans celebrate the unofficial start to summer, here's a short tribute to the true American heroes: the men and women of the armed services. Without these brave men and women, America would not be America. It's a reminder that the cost of our treasured freedom comes at a high price. Thankfully we have these heroes who defend our way of life.

Since the deployment of our military into Iraq, 5,462 men and women have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Operation Iraqi Freedom: 4,387

Operation Enduring Freedom: 1,075

God bless all the service members and God Bless the U.S.A.

Remembering Pat Tillman - Gone but Never Forgotten!

A Tribute to all the brave men and women who serve this great country and defend our way of life!

"Praise You in This Storm" - Casting Crowns

Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media

"One Laptop Per Child" - Changing the Lives of Children Around the World!

2010-05-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

"One Laptop Per Child" - (OLPC)

Children in the worlds poorest countries may soon have access to their own tablet computers. This is the dream of “One Laptop Per Child” (OLPC), a nonprofit organization that has been working on a portable computer for under $100. Until recently, the company could not produce laptops for that price, but after they teamed up with Marvell Technology Group, OLPC says they should be able to make a $99 tablet. This could mean access to information and technology for some of the poorest schools, countries and peoples across the globe. OLPC has already sold older versions of their affordable computers to places like Afghanistan and Uruguay. Unfortunately, those models still cost $200 and had too many moving parts.

By using solid-state memory coupled with a tablet design, OLPC hopes to provide durable, long lasting computers that will help educate and inform. The new tablets would have wi-fi, cameras, and play high def video. They will also support plug in peripherals like mice and keyboards. Besides fewer moving parts, tablets have another advantage. Standard laptops have a Latin based keyboard which makes it hard to use for none Latin based languages. A tablet will be able to plug in to any keyboard. The companies founder Nicholas Negroponte says he hopes to unveil the first tablets at the International Consumer Electronics Show in January.

For more information about "One Laptop Per Child" and the (OLPC) non-profit organization, log onto the website and see how you can become involved in helping children across the world gain access to a personal computer of their very own!

http://laptop.org/en/

View this video clip and see how these computers are changing the lives of children across the world! A special Thank You message from the children.

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others" - Mohandas Ghandi

"Real generosity toward the future lies in giving all to the present" - Albert Camus

Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger
Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media

Choosing the Right Social Website for Your Business

2010-05-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

For modern businesses communication is key. The ability to reach customers, business partners and employees is crucial in todays marketplace. It is no longer enough to post a few advertisements, the future of communication is social websites. Sites like Facebook, Del.icio.us and Wiki all have different uses but they are all a part of a good online presence. By picking the right social sites, businesses can do everything from growing their brand to boosting sales. That makes the selection of social sites very important. The first step in choosing which sites to become a part of is identifying each sites purpose. With so many sites to choose from, that may sound impossible but there are a few tricks. Most social sites fall into one of six categories, social media, social bookmarking, professional networking, niche social media, general social media and job sites.

The first of these is social media. These sites include Youtube, Reddit, Digg and WikiHow. They allow you to post videos, articles and tutorials that can be viewed and commented on by anyone. This gives companies the ability to speak directly with their target audience and gain feedback. Businesses who take advantage of these sites can use them for free advertising and marketing as well as driving more traffic to their sites. Once a business has established itself using social media sites it can take the next step to social bookmarking.

This means joining sites like Delicious, Furl and Tubearoo. Each of these sites allows users to bookmark websites they like. Then they can view what other users have bookmarked. This connects businesses to a vast network of users. The end result is that social bookmarkers create thousands of links back to a companies website. This boosts site traffic and helps build a companies brand and name recognition.

The next step for businesses is joining professional networking sites. Places like Facebook, Linkedin and Tribe are a great place to start. These are all perfect for advertising and building a loyal following. For instance, Facebook allows companies to create a page with company news, pictures and promotions. More importantly, each site gives businesses access to consumers and potential employees. In essence, professional networking sites allow companies to find who they want, when they want.

While professional networking sites provide access to vast numbers of people, companies can also target their consumers using niche social media sites like pixel Groovy, Tweako and Small Business Brief. All of these sites provide a place for business professionals and enthusiasts to network, share information and form new contacts. These sites bring everyone interested in a business together in one place. While companies are busy with professional networking, they should also be reaching out to a broader consumer market using general social media sites.

These sites include Wikipedia, 43 Things, Twitter and Yahoo Answers. Each of these sites allows companies to share information about their companies to consumers and other professionals. This can be an article about a business on Wikipedia, a list of company goals on 43 things or status updates on Twitter. These sites provide potential customers with information about a company and its products. It also gives the business a sense of openness and legitimacy.

Finally, there are job sites like CareerBuilder.com, Monster and Yahoo Hot Jobs. The benefits of using these sites are obvious. Maintaining a presence on these sites will insure companies can land the most talented employees.

While all this may sound a bit complicated, social websites are fast becoming a permanent part of the successful business. By taking advantage of these websites early, companies can grow their brand, their business and their bottom line. These sites reach more people than any television station or newspaper and they are just waiting to work for you.

Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger
Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media

YouTube for Business: Online Video Marketing for Any Business

2010-05-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

YouTube is more than just a place to watch funny videos. With millions of daily viewers and a global reach, the Internet giant is a perfect platform to advance any business. It can be used in three basic ways, internal communication, external communication and external feedback.

The first of these is internal communication, or communication inside a company. Businesses can use YouTube to upload and enhance presentations and meetings. This allows a company to reach all of its employees at once. Using one well-designed YouTube video can save countless meetings and allows people to refer back to the video if they have any questions. The ability to deliver a clear and concise message extends well beyond internal communication.

YouTube is a spectacularly effective way for companies to take their message directly to consumers. YouTube videos can showcase and explain products to customers, highlight services, build credibility and even give instruction. A great example of this is Apple. They produce videos for all of their products. This builds consumer trust and allows Apple to show off its latest gadgets. More importantly, these videos create a buzz around products. That helps sales and improves the bottom line. The videos also open new channels of communication.

When a business uploads a video, potential customers are able to comment. Those comments are external feedback. This give companies access to important consumer ideas and opinions. It also removes communication barriers and allows businesses to react faster to the changing demands of consumers.

In the modern world of business, communication is key. The company that can deliver its message most effectively has a distinct advantage over the competition. That makes YouTube a vital part of every successful companies communication and marketing strategy.

Apple Utilizing YouTube to Explain the iPod Touch

River Forest Financial YouTube/Website Video Campaign
Produced By: Mindshift Media

Zeekee Interactive Experiences Tremendous Success with YouTube & Multimedia Campaign
Produced By: Mindshift Media & STVP

Mindshift Media provides our clients with many tools needed to succeed in today's global marketplace. Our unique and comprehensive approach to advertising enables us to accommodate a variety of clients, including businesses, organizations, non-profit’s and individual’s.We successfully service a variety of clients every day, and we're ready to earn your business too. We enjoy working with results-oriented businesses and ambitious entrepreneurs. Mindshift Media provides various Social Networking Marketing plans to successfully promote your business on YouTube. Contact us today and see how Mindshift Media can assist your company in creating a Global presence on YouTube and other Social Networking websites.

Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger
Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media

First Impression Counts! The Halo Effect - Website Design

2010-05-19T16:00:00.000-07:00

Big businesses spends millions of dollars each year on website design. Every detail from font, to picture placement is carefully scrutinized. That may sound a bit excessive, after all, who really cares if a picture is 1 inch or 1.3 inches from the edge of the page? Those tiny details may sound silly, but it turns out they could be the key to a good webpage. That is because web users form first impressions of a website in as little as 50 milliseconds. That is faster than a hummingbird can flap its wings.

In other words, before a person even knows what a page is about, they have already formed an initial impression that will color how they view the rest of the page. This is called the halo effect. To stop this from ruining a web page, businesses need to look for certain traits that appeal to web users. The most important of these are load time, professionalism and visual appeal.

Load time is simple, it is the amount of time it takes a page to load. If a website has too many graphics or images, it will load slower. This can be annoying and makes a bad first impression. Using smaller or faster loading files, graphics and images makes for a better page. It also makes a page look more professional.

If a website is stuffed with too many pictures or graphics, it can look cluttered. Most of the better websites are very organized and subscribe to a “less is more” style. Instead of flooding a sight with visual clutter, use a well designed logo, a good company name and one or two professional motion graphics. Then add a navigation bar and its done. This makes a site look professional and reputable. It also gives a site great visual appeal.

When something is pleasant to look at it is visually appealing. When a website looks good, it makes a better first impression. By simply making a good looking site, businesses can draw people in.

With good load time, a professional site and visual appeal, any website can improve business without the million dollar investment.

Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger
Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media

The Children of Rwanda and the World...Did you Know?

2010-05-17T23:58:00.000-07:00

The Children of the World...Did You Know?

In the world today there are 143 million children who have lost one or both parents. That is almost one half of the population of the United States.

Every 14 seconds an Aids death leaves another child orphaned.

Every year 12 million children become orphans.

87.6 million Orphans live in Asia.

43.4 million Orphans live in Sub-Saharan Africa.

12.4 million Orphans live in Latin America and the Caribbean.

In Ukraine and Russia 10%-15% of children who age out of an orphanage commit suicide before age 18.

One million children in Rwanda are orphaned, without anyone to care for them when they fall down, are hungry, sick, or need protection from the pouring rain. They have no hope for a home and a family. The church in Rwanda, through the PEACE plan has invited a partnership that will change the lives of children for the good.

Five Things YOU can Do!

1. Pray

2. Give

3. Go

4. Get Educated

5. Listen

(For more information, log onto www.orphansandthechurch.com)

The Children of Rwanda… Did You Know?

Number of Orphans and Vulnerable Children: In Rwanda, over 800,000 children have lost at least oneparent; 210,000 children have been orphaned due to HI/AIDS. Orphans and Gender: In Rwanda, 45% of all girls have lost at least one parent. Child-Headed Households: Over 100,000 children are the head of their households in Rwanda, one of the greatest populations of child-headed households in the world.

Orphan Interventions: Orphans are cared for in the community primarily through orphanages or the assimilation of a child into the community. Rwanda does not have an adoption agency to facilitate the adoption of children internationally. Only six Rwandan children were adopted to the U.S. in the last five years.

Orphans on the Streets: There are 4,000 children living on the streets in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.

GO:

Orphan Care PEACE Trips: You can GO!

The Rwanda Orphan Care Initiative is a unique, church-initiated plan for orphans and vulnerable children which uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Join the almost 1000 Following the principles of PEACE, your unique abilities and S.H.A.P.E. (Spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality and experiences) will be used on a Global Orphan Care PEACE trip to Rwanda. other people who have traveled to Rwanda on a PEACE trip, but be among the first to go on a specific trip designed around orphan care.

VOLUNTEER WITH THE ORPHAN CARE CONNECTION (Ministry)

GIVE:

10% of Rwanda’s population are orphans — over 1 million children.

• Sponsor an orphan directly through a local peace church that will provide a FAMILY instead of an orphanage! Your one-time gift or monthly sponsorship will go through a purpose driven church as a part of the PEACE Plan. You can find out more information, by logging onto: www.orphansandthechurch.com

• Support the adoption of an orphan by a Rwandan family who is eager to adopt but needs financial assistance.

• Support local church orphan ministries – that provide life-skill training for orphans

– that provide drop-in centers for street children

– that provide other interventions for orphans and vulnerable children.

GROW:

For more information on how you can become involved with a mission trip or The Orphan Care Connection, log onto their website:

www.OrphansandTheChurch.com

Content, Literature and Facts By: Saddleback Church and Orphan Care Connection

Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media

Video Production Provided By: Mindshift Media (www.Mindshift-Media.com)

CNN Heroes 2010

2010-05-15T16:45:00.000-07:00

Last year I was so inspired by CNN's tribute to the heroes of 2009. These were ordinary people doing extraordinary things and changing the lives of people around their community and/or around the world. This year, I wanted to join in on the nominations of someone who I consider my Hero. I am nominating an incredible human being, Nick Vujicic who was born without arms or legs and given no medical reason for this condition. God has used Nick to let people know in countless schools, churches, prisons, orphanages, hospitals, stadiums and in face-to-face encounters with individuals how very precious they are to God. Secondly, he has assured tens of thousands that God does have a plan for their lives that is purposeful. For God took his life, one that others might disregard as having any significance and filled him with His purpose and showed him His plans to move hearts and lives toward Him. Understanding this, though faced with struggles, Nick speaks about being able to overcome obstacles in your life and achieving your own personal goals and dreams in life. If Nick was able to get up and accomplish so much in his life, so can anyone! Here is a little video about Nick and how he has taken his DISABILITY and transformed it into an incredible ABILITY!

My name is Nick Vujicic and I'm 26 years old. I was born without arms or legs and given no medical reason for this condition. Faced with countless challenges and obstacles, God has given me the strength to surmount what others might call impossible. Along with that, the Lord has placed within me an unquenchable passion to share this same hope and genuine love that I've personally experienced with more than two million people all over the globe.

Traveling extensively to over 19 nations, I've been extremely humbled by the continuous opportunities that the Lord has given me to share my testimony along with the hope that I have in Jesus with people in so many nations and situations. My greatest joy in this life is to introduce Jesus to those I meet and tell them of His great desire to get to know them personally by allowing Him to become their Lord and Savior.

One of my favorite scriptures from the Bible is Psalm 139:17-18 that says, "How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand."

God has used me to let people know in countless schools, churches, prisons, orphanages, hospitals, stadiums and in face-to-face encounters with individuals how very precious they are to God. Secondly, it's my pleasure to assure them that God does have a plan for their lives that is purposeful. For God took my life, one that others might disregard as having any significance and filled me with His purpose and showed me His plans to move hearts and lives toward Him. Understanding this, though faced with struggles, you can overcome too.

Be encouraged today as you read this promise from the Lord found in Jeremiah 29:11 of the Bible, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Editor's Note: Nominations for 2010 CNN Heroes are being accepted through August 1 at CNN.com/Heroes.

(CNN) -- Great things can happen to those nominated as CNN Heroes:
• Anne Mahlum's Philadelphia running program is now helping the homeless get "back on their feet" in Baltimore and Washington.
• Doc Hendley's 'Wine to Water' organization, which works in three continents, is building sustainable water filtration systems in earthquake-ravaged Haiti.
• Jordan Thomas, 20, has raised more than $500,000 to provide prosthetics to underserved children -- including Haiti.
What do they have in common? Each was selected as a CNN Hero after being nominated by someone like you -- someone who wanted us to share their story with the world.
Enter your nominations at CNN.com/Heroes
Now your nomination of a 2010 CNN Hero could help the person that inspires you achieve even greater recognition and success.

• Think about what makes your hero special. Ask yourself: What makes my nominee unique? What specific accomplishment has he or she achieved that is truly remarkable? What impact has their work had on others? We encourage you to watch videos of previous CNN Heroes to familiarize yourself with the achievements of the inspiring individuals we honor as "everyday people changing the world."
• Take a look at our nomination form. We suggest you review the information requested about yourself, your nominee and their work before filling out your submission.
• Tell us about your hero! Take your time and write from the heart. Remember: What you share -- in your own words -- is the most important factor in advancing a nomination for further consideration. You can enter your answers to the essay questions directly on the form, or write them first in a word-processing document and "cut-and-paste" them into each answer field. Please note that the information you provide will be used in accordance with our privacy policy.
• Click "Submit." If your nomination has been successfully transmitted, you'll see a "thank you" message on your screen. If you provided us with your e-mail address, we'll also send a confirmation that your nomination has been received. And yes, we read each and every one.
That's it! Nominations for 2010 CNN Heroes remain open through August 1.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is eligible to be considered as a CNN Hero?
A: Nominations must be in the name of a single individual, at least 13 years of age, whose accomplishment occurred (or continued) after November 26, 2009. Nominees in the "Young Wonder" category must be 25 years of age or younger. Groups and organizations are ineligible for consideration. Citizens of voided countries are also ineligible. For complete details on eligibility requirements and other rules governing selection of CNN Heroes, please read our Legal Disclosures.
Q: How will I know if my hero is selected?
A: Because of the high volume of nominations received, we cannot respond individually to each submission. However, if your nomination advances, we will contact you and your nominee through the contact information you provide.
Q: What if I don't know my nominee's address, e-mail, and telephone number?
A: Please make every effort to provide as much contact information as possible. We require either an email address or telephone number so we may quickly contact your nominee to obtain their permission for consideration as a CNN Hero.
Q: May I submit additional supportive information about my nominee?
A: There's space at the end of the form to provide links to articles or Web sites with more information about your hero. Please do not send additional materials unless requested.
Q: May I mail or fax my nomination?
A: No. All nominations must be submitted online through our Web site.
Q: What if my nomination form is rejected?
A: When filling out your form, please note that certain information is required. Those fields are marked with an asterisk (*). If you are not certain of your hero's nationality, select "Other" from the country drop-down menu. Likewise, if you're unsure which category their cause belongs in, just click "Other."
CNN is not responsible for technical problems that may prevent your submission from being successfully transmitted. You may wish to first write and save the answers to essay questions in a word-processing document. That way, if you need to re-submit your nomination, you can "cut-and-paste" those answers into the form without re-writing them.
Q: Can I buy tickets to "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute"?
A: Unfortunately, seating for our November telecast is limited and by invitation only. Airdates and times for the global broadcast of "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" will be announced later this year.

Have other questions or comments about CNN Heroes? Contact us

Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media

What is a Webinar and How Can it Help a Business?

2010-05-14T17:03:00.000-07:00

A webinar is an online seminar or conference. It can be a prerecorded movie or a live video. That may not sound to radical but it is revolutionizing how businesses communicate. Using webinars, people are able to hold meetings, train staff and give presentations without leaving their desk.

The idea is simple. A live or prerecorded video is put online. A Company sends a link to that video to all the relevant employees. They can then watch the video while discussing it via an online chat. This means no travel costs, no need for trainers and better distribution of information. In other words, instead of having to go to a meeting, make the meeting come to you. Using webinars, companies can increase efficiency, train more knowledgeable employees and save money with the click of a mouse.

Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger

Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media

Effective Logo Design and Brand Development Tips

2010-05-13T20:36:00.000-07:00

A company’s logo is often the first thing their customers see. That makes it a crucial part of any business. It can also make designing a logo very difficult. While there is no formula for designing the perfect logo, there are a few simple rules to follow. The first is to keep it simple. Logos need to be easy to recognize, memorable and adaptable. A simple logo is easier to remember and recognize, even at a distance. Simple logos can also be photo copied, put on business cards and resized to fit any need without much trouble.

Along with representing a company, a logo should attract attention. The best way to do this is by using bright colors. This allows the logo to jump off the page at potential customers. Finally, it is important to make sure a logo looks good both online and in print. That way it can be used as a letterhead as well as an online marketing tool. The right logo can make a company more memorable, marketable and profitable. It is an essential part of any good business.

Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger
Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media

6 Steps for Choosing a Successful Business Name

2010-05-13T19:59:00.000-07:00

Shakespeare once said, A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. This is a lovely sentiment, but when it comes to naming a company, it is wrong. The name of a company is often its first impression. It tells potential customers all about that company and can often make or break a sale. Finding that perfect moniker can be tricky but there are six easy steps that can help.

Step one is all about telling the customer who you are. A name becomes a companies brand. It will be inexorably linked to everything else the company does so it must show who they are. Choose a name that does not reflect the identity of a company only harms the brand.

Step two is making sure a company name tells what the company does. The name must at least hint at the companies products or services. If it does not, customers may not know what a company does.

Step three in choosing a name is making sure that name tells customers not just what you do, but how you do it.

Step four is finding a name that is unique and helps you stand out from the competition. To do this, pinpoint how a business is special and what is does different or best. That way customers know they are getting something special. Once a name reflects who a company is, what they do, how they do it and how they are unique, it needs to spark the interest of consumers. This is step four. When choosing a name it is important to incorporate words that suggest the qualities that are most interesting to customers. Knowing what words appeal to a companies target audience make it easy to incorporate those words into a name.

The final step is encouraging the customer to take action. A name needs to be sound approachable. If it is to pretentious customers may be discouraged. The best names make customers want to call the company. They sound professional, yet inviting. That may sound like a lot to ask of a name, but with a little research and some thought, any company can find a name that suits them and their customers.

Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger
Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media

The Secret Strategies Behind Many "Viral" Videos

2010-05-13T02:25:00.000-07:00

Websites like YouTube are full of videos all vying for attention. Even with millions of users watching videos each day, most clips get very few hits. Only a handful of videos get 100,000 hits or more. These are often referred to as viral videos. The massive number of viewers may seem like luck but getting a video to go viral comes down to good content, efficient networking, a good title and thumbnail picture, comment control, timing and tagging. Here is how it works.

The best videos are between 15 and 30 seconds. They use things like fake headlines and sex appeal to help draw people in. The best videos are also easy to reuse so other people can repost or remix them. Once the video is created, the race is on. Simply posting a video does not mean people are going to watch it. By using blogs, forums, email lists, facebook, myspace and friends to get the word out a good video will start to gain popularity. The idea is to link the video to blogs, post links to it in discussion forums, email everyone you know a link to the video, recommend it to all your friends on facebook and myspace and do anything else possible to spread the word. The combination of all these efforts is only the beginning. Blogs and social networking can often help a good video start to snowball.

Another important factor is the title and thumbnail picture for a video. The title needs to be compelling, interesting and unique. This attracts attention and makes the video more likely to be found in a search. The thumbnail picture is just as important. It is the first thing anyone sees when searching for a video. Nothing kills peoples interest like a dull picture.

Once the video is up and the word is out, it is time to create even more buzz by incorporating interesting conversation in the comments section. Many youtube users have multiple accounts so they can sign on under two different names and stir up some controversy. It is also important to delete negative comments that may hurt the blogs potential. This allows the videos creator to steer the conversation and encourages more people to take an active interest in the content. Finally, if a creator has multiple videos, they need good timing and tagging. Rather than releasing all their videos slowly, it is important to post all the videos at the same time. Users may want to watch all the videos but if they can not, they will not come back later. It is also important to give all the related videos unique tags. That way anyone watching one video will see the rest in the “more like this” section. Using these steps, anyone can boost the number of people watching their videos.

A great example of a video going "viral"after being posted to YouTube. "Here it Goes Again", by OK Go, was an extremely successful viral video on YouTube for 2009 and 2010, gaining the band well over 10 million hits. This music video doesn't include backup dancers, lighting effects, or motion graphics...rather, 6 treadmills, one video camera and an epic choreographed dance with the band. Simple, yet brilliant!

"Here it Goes Again" - OK Go

Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger
Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin, Creative Director - Mindshift Media

How to Increase Website Traffic and Unique Visitors to Your Website

2010-04-29T23:45:00.000-07:00

Attracting new viewers to a website can be like herding cats. It is hard enough just getting peoples attention online, let alone keeping it. Many companies spend millions of dollars each year just trying to attract people to their page. That is out of the question for most businesses, but thankfully there is another way. A well written and updated blog can help any website without hurting the bottom line. In fact, new content drives all the best web pages including YouTube, Google and Yahoo. The idea is simple, if you never got any mail, you would never check the mail box. So, if there is nothing new on a website, there is no reason to visit it.

By creating a blog, companies attract more customers, get noticed by search engines and get free PR. That may seem like a lot for a simple blog but it is easy to explain.

Search engines look for key words and phrases in every website. The more new information on a site, the higher its ranking with search engines. That means sites with new blog posts are more likely to come up in a search. This increases the sites traffic and the number of people who go to the website regularly. Often these people will post links to the site. This draws in even more users and gives the site more credibility. In short, a blog is one of the fastest, cheapest and most effective ways to promote a website.

Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger
Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin - Creative Director, Mindshift Media

The World's First Magic: The Gathering Multimedia Marketing Opportunity!

2010-04-29T01:13:00.000-07:00

MTG Stores LLC and Mindshift Media believes Multimedia is the key to separating yourself from the competition. Imagine, your business showcased in video media, to thousands of potential global customers. Utilizing the power of Multimedia’s limitless marketing exposure, your business could be transformed to the next international market leader.

MTG Stores LLC and Mindshift Media are partnering together to bring you the most exciting and innovative Multimedia Marketing opportunity in the industry. Contact us today for a free consultation!

Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin - Creative Director, Mindshift Media

Using Facebook to Increase Business Leads and Sales

2010-04-28T01:13:00.000-07:00

A good website is a tremendous advantage for any company. It is like having another employee who works 24/7 and never needs to be paid. Unfortunately, simply having a good website is no longer enough. Businesses also need a way to insure people visit their site. There are plenty of ways to do this. Advertising and search engine optimization both work, but one of the cheapest and most effective ways to draw more users to a site is through facebook.

Creating a company facebook page helps businesses target perspective customers in a way few other social mediums can. This may sound far-fetched but it is easy to explain.

When a company creates a facebook page, individual facebook users can become fans of that page. Every time a user becomes a fan, it is announced to all their friends on something called a mini feed. It is also added to that person’s profile. Considering the average facebook user has 130 friends, that means for every person who becomes a fan of a business, that business is advertised to 130 people. This gives any business the opportunity for free exponential advertising.

As a company gains fans on facebook, they also have a direct line of communication to their target market. Businesses can announce events and information via facebook, which is automatically posted to all their fans mini feeds. Fans can then respond to these announcements, providing useful feedback for a business. Companies can also create polls for their fans and gain valuable marketing information without all the cost. Finally, companies can use facebook groups to reach customers by interest, age, and even location. All these methods are free and help direct potential customers back to a companies website. Considering facebook has over 400 million active users, it is a resource companies cannot afford to ignore.

Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger
Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin - Creative Director, Mindshift Media

The Importance of Online Video Marketing on the Internet

2010-04-25T23:30:00.000-07:00

Every business wants to make a good first impression. It builds trust, boosts sales and keeps customers coming back. More and more, peoples first contact with a company is through its website. That makes a professional and informative website more valuable than ever. Overhauling a website may sound like a costly and daunting process but a few easy changes can give a company the competitive edge. The most important of these, is the addition of video.

Anyone can add text and pictures but a professional video makes a site more credible and memorable. People are 40 to 50 percent more likely to remember information in a video rather than text. Visitors to a site are also less likely to spend a lot of time reading information. Web users are looking for more information delivered faster. A great example of this is the apple Ipad videos. Videos like this are the perfect way to reach people. A good video delivers information, engages potential customers and allows companies
to showcase their products or business.

So while pictures may say a thousand words,

video says millions!

Written By: Brad Girtz - Mindshift Media Blogger
Blog Posting By: Tyler Griffin - Creative Director, Mindshift Media

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