Interactive Marketing Associations

Every month, I attend our city’s interactive marketing association event. There’s networking (and free cocktails) before the speakers, which usually draws a big crowd. Half the people leave before the event starts, which is a shame. There have been some fabulous speakers and topics lately. I feel terrible for the client-side members who attend, though. They’re descended upon like vultures by the agencies. One client told me he felt like he was in a den of wolves with a pork chop hanging around his neck.

Here are some links to some interactive agencies around the country. There is a huge difference in the look and feel – some are static html, some have flash, some have video.

Why do clients always go for the comps that aren’t your favorite?

Just had a comp review for a microsite with another client today. We did 3 concepts – one we adore and is ultra-cool and ultra-rich, the second is colorful and fun, but vanilla, and the third is standard, boring, static html. We made the 3rd concept boring on purpose to force the client into choosing from the first two. The client loved the 2nd concept, but after lots of begging and pleading, I think she might agree to do the first concept. If she does, I’ll post the creative after it’s done – if I do say so myself, it’s a work of art considering the content.

Check out this agency’s site (Fuel Industries)- in particular the interactive desktop companion pictured below. Great idea for keeping the agency top of mind. Not sure how many people will download it, but it showcases another creative ability of the shop.

New Interactive Home Depot Site?

What’s this? Has Home Depot gone crazy and veered away from its stagnant, HTML boring-ness? A flash/video microsite! I read on Brandweek yesterday that The Richards Group is placing Home Depot tv spots online in VOD content. This doesn’t look like The Richards Group’s work, though. Let’s hope this is a new trend for the big boxes – their sites may be great for e-commerce, but creativity has been at a loss.

This site features a host walking through a home (looks on location – see the outside shots) talking about the various “Installation Services” The Home Depot offers.   It has multiple video vignettes which all end in a soft call to action.  Nicely done.