Activate Brands

Activate marketing launch for new mobile Voting App to deliver realtime opinion from Presidential Debate Viewers 

Activate helped support the launch of a new opinion polling app will provide up-to-the-minute feedback from viewers watching Wednesday’s presidential debate at the University of Denver. The iVote Mobile app will allow iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad users to answer relevant questions and view polling data as the debate unfolds.  “In the past, pollsters have had to rely on in-person exit polling, panel opinion and telephone polling to gauge viewer opinion on the proceedings of a debate,” said Joel Comm, chief communications officer for iVote. “For the first time ever, all Apple iOS users have the opportunity to leverage the power of mobile to make their voice heard, and to instantly see how others have responded.” Harnessing the voice of the voter, iVote Mobile allows users view results based on gender, age, and location immediately upon responding to a poll question. The app also features a social media component enabling the app’s 100,000 users to post comments, to vote a comment up or down, and to ask questions of other users.  iVote Mobile will be asking its users a series of questions related to the topics discussed during the debate. For example, if President Obama is asked about Libya, iVote Mobile users may be asked: “Did the President answer the question about Libya to your satisfaction?” The various answers to the questions can be displayed according to state or city.

“The iPhone has opened up new opportunities to engage public opinion and assimilate data faster than ever before,” added Comm. “With iVote Mobile, we are now able to survey the world and receive feedback as quickly as we are able to post questions.”  Comm continued: “With over 25 million votes and responses provided since iVote Mobile’s inception in 2008, this platform has become the definitive source for gathering public opinion quickly and effectively. We look forward to empowering both voters and the media with relevant data that enhances the dialogue in this political season.”

iVote Mobile is a free application in the Apple iTunes App Store accessible to Apple iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad users. iVote Mobile, LLC is a Denver, Colorado-based new media and marketing company focused on exploring technology for business and consumers.

Alem International 

Branding & Interactive Website  

The Além International team website supports the customized events featuring unique client goals and objectives.  Alem has a long history of building brands through fun, face-to-face, mobile and live consumer experiences. Alem’s  clients include BMW, Land Rover, Jaguar and Porsche. The goal of their new site was to showcase programs that envelop the client, press and consumer in the total brand experience.

As humans, it’s in our DNA to search for our higher purpose. We long to be a part of a story bigger than our own lives. We believe that companies and organizations that believe they are our changing our world for the better have a competitive advantage. At Activate, our purpose as a company is to help our clients connect on a deep, personal and emotional level with their advocates and customers, so that they in turn want to share those experiences with the world. We believe we are touching and changing lives every day. We wanted to share one of those touching stories on how a simple new name and message can help support a new community coming to America.

Several weeks ago, we met with Jay Singh, a very special man with a big heart to work with some of the 5000 Nepali refugees in the East Colfax area of Denver. These people, having fled persecution, civil war, and rejection in Bhutan and Nepal, began arriving in Denver in 2008. Friends who have visited Nepal have told me that, while the Nepali are among the kindest on earth, their culture couldn’t be more different than ours. You’re telling me… much of our day was spent showing these recent arrivals how to use Windex, microwaves and other simple products we often take for granted.

At the end of the day, we asked Jay what the Nepali refugees needed most.  Jay’s cheerful demeanor diminished a bit as he expressed concern about the kids, especially the boys. They have no life skills that would help them assimilate and succeed in America, and Jay’s most immediate concern was that the boys were being bullied* at the schools they had recently begun attending.

We have helped launch a new community called Naya Life and the formation of the Denver Nepali-American Boy Scout Troop. The mission of these boys is to live out the Scout Law by being  trustworthy, loyal, helpful,  friendly,  courteous,  kind,  obedient,  cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent  The goal of this new troop and community is to to educate, support and train these families into our community here in America. The 5000 Nepali refugees in Denver today are expected to increase to 20000 over the next few years. We have partnered with a local Community Church, to help build out this vision. If you feel led to help support this initiative go to to www.restorationcommunitychurch.us, go the Give link and follow instructions. Be sure to click on “NayaLife” in the drop down box.

Start out the year leading with purpose.  One of the most effective ways to build your brand today is to focus on, understand and communicate your purpose.  Here are some good steps to help you build purpose into you’re marketing plan for 2012.

Culture – Creating a culture where people are free to be who they are, grow, prosper and generally love to come to work is one of greatest ways to create a brand that radiates out to the customer. Creating this culture isn’t easy but if you create this as part of your primary purpose, a positive brand experience is almost guaranteed.

Story  Develop and craft a compelling story about why you do what you do,  Share about when you have fallen on your face and how you have overcome great hurdles to get where you are today.  Share your gratitude in a way that is revealing, authentic and build more of your stories around these experiences and opportunities.

Simple – 2012 is the year of simplicity.  That can be in how something works, how we find it, how we engage it, how we buy it, how we understand it, how we explain it – make your goal and purpose to create simplicity and you are on your way to creating something that attracts even the most techie among us.

Difference – An essential element for any brand this year is the ability to stand out from perceived competition. Making this your purpose allows you to focus every ounce of your attention on getting very good and serving and communicating your unique way to doing and being good to great.

Lead –  Find your single minded purpose for doing, delivering or serving the customers that you have and those that you want.  Make sure you lead with every decision with this purpose and your business will thank you.

Will 2012 be the year you actively participate in creating your brands purpose?  Cheers to leading with what matters most – get moving with your purpose.

Businesses and organizations that run contests on social media platforms are found to have generated twice as many followers as those who don’t. Facebook promotions and social change campaigns enable your organization to connect with your community and have some fun with your fans.

Launching a campaign is the most effective way to gain new fans of your organization or to deepen your connection with those you already have. A variety of promotions are available; be strategic and select the promotion most appropriate for your needs.
First, we recommend that you review Facebook’s Official Promotion Guidelines before selecting and launching your promotion. These guidelines explain specific rules for sweepstakes and contests that you will need to follow.

Define Your Goals
What are your objectives and goals for this promotion? How will you define success?

Maybe your fan page is relatively new and you’d like to boost your number of “likes” or followers.
Maybe you want to target fans of a valuable demographic.
Do you already have fans that have “liked” your organization’s page but don’t interact with the brand in an emotional context?
Are you looking to maintain momentum of your already active Facebook page that has a large amount of followers?
Do you just want to “reward” your fans with an exciting promotion?

Defining your goals will help you to design a promotion that best addresses your organization’s needs.

Sweepstakes vs. Contest Promotions

There are two basic kinds of promotions: sweepstakes and contests.

In a sweepstakes, winners are selected at random. Sweepstakes promotions require little commitment from entrants and are optimal for launching a fan page, attracting new fans, or boosting your company “like” count.

In a contest, winners are selected by achieving a certain goal. Contest promotions require more user engagement and help to engage an already-present fan base.
Run a photo, video or essay-based contest when you want to deepen connection with your fans.

Conscious Planning
When planning your promotion, whether a sweepstakes or a contest, remember that the more information, steps and time you require from potential entrants, the less entrants will participate.

Run a simple one- or two-step promotion if you’re looking to see a spike in your “like” count.

Launch a multi-step promotion that requires thoughtful content and a deeper level of engagement if you’re looking to stimulate an already existing fan base.

Daily voting contests are a great way to connect with your fans and drive interest in your product or service.

Promotion Length
How long should your promotion run? Promotion length should be dictated by the prize you are offering. If your prize is of relatively high value, consider running a contest for an extended period of time. If you plan to give away a lower-valued item, such as a $25 gift card, shorten your promotion timeline. Smaller promotions can last just a few hours while larger promotions may last up to a month or longer. Check out the Falken Tire Porsche Cayman Giveaway Sweepstakes, a six-month promotion that ends on October 5, 2011.

Launch Date
As you plan the launch date of your promotion, ensure that you have enough time to develop the concept, creative elements, and a positive user interface experience. Confirm that your terms and conditions are in line with your legal requirements, and that you have the right start date, end date, times and time zones. (We nearly launched a contest late due to time zone confusion!) Clearly define your winnings and odds of winning. We recommend that your legal department conduct an internal review of the promotion.

Technology Platform
Be aware that your organization can not use Facebook’s basic features or functionality to conduct a promotion. In other words, you can’t give away a prize just because someone “likes” your page or tags your organization in a photo. You must use a third-party application or develop your own through iFrame.

Based on our experience using several different platforms, here are some options that we recommend: www.wildfireapp.com, www.strutta.com, www.offerpop.com, and www.northsocial.com.

Terms/Conditions
Make sure you clearly state that Facebook is not in any way involved in your campaign. We like to add the following copy to all of our campaigns: This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. You are providing your information to (your name) and not to Facebook.

Clearly state that any information obtained is being given to, and will be used by, your business and NOT Facebook. If using a third party application, this disclosure will be already listed on your behalf.

Budget
Organizations need to clearly and realistically define the amount they are willing to spend on Facebook promotions. Consider the following:
What is the cost of the “prize” you are offering?
Will you be using a Facebook ad campaign to promote your contest to current and prospective followers?
Is there a fee associated with the third party application you have decided to use?

Facebook application campaigns can range anywhere from $2,500 to $150,000+ for integrated and custom-designed applications.

Spark Policy Institute

Naming, Identity, Website, Email Marketing, Direct Mail

Activate developed a new name, website and messaging platform for Spark Policy Institute. The goal was to launch a new name for “CSI” Center for Systems Integration organization that would communicate the focus on improving the public policy processes and outcomes through engagement, research and communication. The name required Activate to develop a short, memorable and easy to pronounce new name for the organization. Activate developed a tagline that would connect current audience partners with the organization while ensuring a strong, memorable and credible message. Activate developed a creative new launch campaign, direct mail, email template and launch fo the new site to ensure all clients and prospects were invited to learn more about the new products, services and foundation launch under the Spark Policy brand. Activate also integrated a srrong new brand image with the name that would integrate and align with the core brand values of insights, community, innovation, trust, and security. www.sparkpolicy.com

Drumbeat

Drumbeat is a brand experience company with a focus on interaction design. Activate helped launch a new brand identity, website and message platform that focuses on the Drumbeat cadence that enriches brand culture and affinity. The handwritten script font for the mark and the reveal flow of the new website display the authentic nature of the organization and creativity found within the brand.

Click to view how Activate helped reveal the message and imagery to reflect the unique nature of Drumbeat. Click to view interactive video revealing the story of the brand experience  www.drumbeat.us

Cash Course  Direct Mail Marketing, Website 

Activate recently launched a new direct mail enrollment kit to support and expand the Cash Course website focused on helping Colleges and Universities to provide the tools to help students build money management skills and prepare them for success.  Activate developed a new message and call to action integrating social media links and easy online application that has over 600+ colleges and Universities engaged today.  The goal of the campaign is to increase awareness and engagement among target Colleges/Universities with new enrollment incentive kit.  The second goal is to increase and engage University/College Financial counselors and students to sign-up for the program with new easy to use kit.  Stay tuned for upcoming results to this new campaign as we prepare to follow-up with our second phase mail and social media campaign.  View program at www.cashcourse.org