manage to experience

Status Update

Yes, the tumbleweeds are rolling through here, serenaded by the gently whistling wind.

While I benignly neglect this place, I'm:

• Finishing production of a client's corporate overview video.
• Riding herd on the development of three Web sites; one for a business client, and two others for an agency client, while... 
• ...writing a spec for another site.
• Working on a variety of print and digital advertising programs, corporate signage, and collateral.

I'm also acting on some lingering guilt and developing a digital assets management system to improve collaboration between me and my creative and technical partners. 

And, I need to do something about my business site. It's embarrassing, I know.

August Insights for June 2009

The latest issue of August Insights, my consultancy's e-newsletter, went out today. You can read it online, and even subscribe if it strikes a chord. This month's issue asks if the traditional Web site, as organizational online presence, is past its expiration date. And, I point out the lesson that Amazon's Kindle can teach us about our customers.

One in an occasional series of status updates

Clearly, posting here has been on the light side. Between a crush of projects with longtime clients, starting up a consulting gig for a new client (B2B services), and juggling a variety of other items, I haven't devoted much time to this poor blog.

That's not to say I'm inattentive to my online presence. Rather, I've been spending more time with Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, and LinkedIn. Each plays a role in keeping me connected, and in the flow of shared ideas.

This will come as no surprise to Twitter users, but the platform generates the most interest among clients and colleagues, while being the least understood. My advice to them: Get an account, start using it, and the value will become clear.

The return of August

I've enjoyed working with the good folks at The Bloom Agency since I joined them late last summer, but as of this week I'm back on my own, working under the August Communication Consultants banner. As agencies go, I can't think of a better place than Bloom to call home. But my heart is in working as a consultant, one-on-one with clients and agencies, and as part of a creative collaborative with talented designers and programmers.

I'm hiring

I'm hiring an interactive designer. Here's the skill set I want:

• Demonstrated ability to design for interactive media. Some knowledge of print design/production is a plus.
• Strong working knowledge of HTML, CSS, Javascript.
• Working knowledge of Macromedia Flash.
• Understanding of Web standards and current trends in interactive design and media.
• Knowledge of Adobe CS3, Fireworks, Dreamweaver.
• Experience with social media.

The right candidate has to be able to work with minimal supervision, balance several projects at once, and play well with others. A good eye for design is a given.

It's a full time gig. To apply, send a link to your personal Web site by email (ian@thebloomagency.com) or Twitter (@ianjoyce).

Wow, that month flew by...

After diving deep into a major Web development project I headed west for a few days to participate in the JDRF Ride to Cure in Death Valley. Great experience -- we 288 cyclists raised $1.2 million for diabetes research.

Then it was back to NC where I have been vigorously trying to catch up with the work I left behind (including the agency's soon-to-be-launched-and-not-a-moment-too-soon site). That's not to mention the new work that's been landing.

Add a couple of new business pitches, including one that's occupied a significant amount of time. That means a lack of attention to this blog. I hope to correct that soon.

Fast, cheap and under control

The agency web site (read: lack of) is a thorn in our sides so it's back near (read: vying with way too much other stuff) the top of my to-do list.

I have a concept. It's gaining traction.

Now it's time to build it.

I'm liking this groove I'm in: Identify problem, brainstorm solution, implement solution. Move on.

Work in progress

Yes, The Bloom Agency needs a new Web site. It's on my to-do list, below some interesting projects in which I've immersed myself. But I will get to it sooner than later.

Those projects:

• The redevelopment of a large community college Web site; lots of attention to site architecture. And, recruiting talent to rapidly develop the site.
• Planning and launching a Foundation micro site.
• Consulting on multiple email marketing campaigns.
• Guiding work on national and regional print advertising for a large logistics industry client. Writing treatments for a video for the same client.
• Planning the development of a pro-bono site for the local JDRF chapter.

No worries about staying busy, that's for sure.

More about the new gig

Between settling in to a new office, adapting to a longer commute, and starting work with a new (to me) set of clients, the past week has been hectic. Good, but hectic.

The Triad Business Journal ran a story (PDF) in Friday's edition that does a good job of summarizing my move to The Bloom Agency.

The most common question I've been asked during the past week is whether I was looking for an agency to acquire my business. No, I wasn't. Over the past few months I've been working on a pro bono project that The Bloom Agency is also involved with. As I got to know Art Bloom, who founded The Bloom Agency, we found similarities in how we run our businesses, what we value in an industry (marketing) that can sometimes do less for clients than they need and deserve, and how we want to deliver services to those clients. Not to mention, what those services need to be.

The more we talked, the more it made sense for us to work together. So that's where we find ourselves.

So in a way, it was a surprise.

Moving on...

I'll have more on this later, but I'm pleased to announce that The Bloom Agency of Winston Salem, NC has acquired august communication consultants. I'm in the process of setting up shop at Bloom, where I'm the director of interactive marketing.

I'm looking forward to writing about what this means for Bloom, and for me and august's clients. The short story: deeper creative and content capabilities, new opportunities for interactive projects, and a slightly longer morning commute.