Jun
4
2010

Mindgruve Signs On to Develop New MIR3 Brand, Website.

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Leading digital agency looks to help notification technology firm evolve brand, increase web presence.

SAN DIEGO, CA – June 4, 2010 – San Diego-based digital media firm, Mindgruve, has signed with the world’s leading intelligent notification and response software company, MIR3, Inc., to increase their online presence through improved branding and a new website set to launch this fall.

MIR3, whose clients include the top three cellular providers, top four global energy companies and top three insurance companies, as well as more than 85 of the FORTUNE 100 companies, hopes to solidify their position as the premier notification platform provider worldwide. Mindgruve was selected to take on this challenge because of their stellar track record of optimizing campaigns for increased revenues and market share.

Starting with a refresh of the MIR3 brand, Mindgruve looks to streamline the MIR3 message, while making their products and services easier to engage with in an online setting. From the updated brand, a new website will present relevant information to all site visitors, while also increasing SEO and user-experience.

“The potential revenue growth for MIR3’s product suite is very robust. Our goal is to help their target customers connect with their unique value proposition and then drive engagements through their new website,” stated Chad Robley, President of Mindgruve.

About MIR3
MIR3, Inc. is the leading developer of intelligent notification and response software, which helps organizations enhance communication abilities, protect assets, and increase operational efficiency. MIR3’s technology enables advanced rapid, two-way communication for IT, business continuity, and enterprise operations for more than 85 of the FORTUNE 100 companies, as well as government entities, universities, and companies of all sizes in more than 130 countries. www.mir3.com.


May
19
2010

Mindgruve Honored as Top Brand Identity Firm

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Mindgruve has nine logos featured in the LogoLounge Master Library, Volume 1.

SAN DIEGO,CA – May 19, 2010 – In the first volume of their Master Library series, Initial & Crest Logos, LogoLounge awarded Mindgruve, a San Diego-based digital media firm, with nine featured logos, including:

  • Crestline Funding
  • ClearWater Outdoor
  • Panish & Hoey
  • Dr. Michael Lardon (x2)
  • Mauzy Heating and Air
  • Waveland Financial Services
  • Zocalo Retail
  • Custom Quilting

Mindgruve, who has had work featured in the past four annual hardcovers, had their logos selected by a panel of distinguished judges, which made their choices based on innovation, longevity and significance of the design. “We pride ourselves on the identity work we do for clients. Although we’re known for our digital expertise, the identity and brands we create serve as the foundation for every successful initiative,” stated Clint Walden, Mindgruve SVP, Strategy & Brand Experience.

Mindgruve continues to push the limits of what identity can do by partnering with several entrepreneurial start-ups, including Sunfood.com and SanDiego.com, in an effort to create powerful brand engagement across all mediums, starting with their identity.

About LogoLounge

LogoLounge provides an online and printed reference of the top logo and identity designs found worldwide. Chosen by renowned leaders of brand design, the logos featured by LogoLounge are the best of what was submitted by over 40,000 agencies and designers.


Apr
13
2010

Cause Criteria: Consumers Get Cause-centric, Should Your Brand Follow?

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Cause marketing is nothing new. Yoplait has been supporting breast cancer research for years. What is new, are the “New Affluents,” who spend over $303 billion a year in the U.S. on their favorite brands. With their spending power, this group is single-handedly redefining what makes a “good” brand, including if that brand represents integrity and authenticity through charitable efforts.

But that’s not all. According to a report done by Cone based on nonprofit partnerships, “59% of Americans are more likely to buy a product associated with the partnership.” Similarly, Bob Gilbreath reports that 71% of consumers continue to give despite the economic downturn, 87% would switch to a brand partnered with a good cause and 50% would pay more for cause-related products.

So what is a brand to do? Mindgruve believes there are some basic criteria you should consider before rushing into the cause-marketing space. Standing behind a cause with an innovative marketing campaign is a great way to connect with your consumers and build brand awareness. However, the wrong cause and campaign may force people to view your efforts as a weak attempt to stay relevant. Take a moment to review and carefully think about what will work for you.

  1. Is your cause relevant to your brand? Tyson’s hunger relief program and Haagen-Dazs’ Help the Honeybee initiative both support relevant causes by giving food to those in need and saving honeybees, respectively. Coupled with engaging online efforts, such as Haagen-Dazs’ field tour, Beeboy dance video and personalized honeybees, they demonstrate an understanding of consumer interests and areas where their brand can have impact.
  2. Is it meaningful to you AND your consumers? Just because a cause makes sense, doesn’t mean it holds meaning with your staff and your consumers. After surveying women around the world, Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty was created to combat low self-esteem and beauty stereotypes among young girls and women. Dove has been criticized for this campaign and called hypocritical, but they identified an issue many ignored and are providing meaningful conversation and support for it.
  3. Will it engage your consumers? Pepsi has set a new standard with Pepsi Refresh Project. Not only did they take a strong step into social media, they got their consumers to actively participate in good deeds by providing the chance to submit a cause, vote and help determine how Pepsi’s donation will affect communities. The same individual impact can be found in the relaunched American Express Members Project, which also allows participants to vote for charities, volunteer and donate.
  4. How do you want to commit? Long-term or short-term? Donor or defining the needs? While a lasting partnership like Yoplait has with the Susan G. Komen Foundation can span a decade and raise millions of dollars, it’s important to consider the growth, evolution and scale you expect for your company as well as its relation to the cause. Serving short-term needs, like Mindgruve did with client Sunfood to raise donations for the Haiti Earthquake through the International Rescue Committee, can also provide great engagement with a simpler company commitment.
  5. **BONUS** New companies, can you build a cause into your business structure? TOMS Shoes, founded in 2006, saw a need and the opportunity to meet it. Its mission is simple, “with every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need.” This is an extreme example, but should the opportunity present itself, creating a company around a cause can successfully serve the world while also building your business, brand and customer base.


Just like the examples we’ve listed, or with any successful campaign, a well done cause marketing plan is genuine, engaging and builds awareness. Think carefully about the details of a cause – How your brand relates to it? If your consumers will care about it? And what you can commit to it? – before making a decision. If you do, the cause and your business will both see great returns from your efforts.


Jan
14
2010

Mindgruve Launches New Website, Brand Identity for Warson Capital Partners

Mindgruve provides strong step forward to financial services firm during rough economic climate.

SAN DIEGO,CA – January 14, 2010 – Warson Capital Partners, a respected national financial services firm, recently partnered with Mindgruve to develop and launch a new branded website. Despite the challenging economic times, their measured and progressive efforts in investment banking, private equity and wealth management are clearly outlined for interested investors.

Launched for 2010, the new Warson Capital website, which includes a new logo and corporate identity, provides an updated look as well as gives existing and potential clients an opportunity to easily access Warson Capital’s business initiatives – a key goal as Mindgruve developed the new branded site to drive client engagements.

“Warson Capital offers financial services, which support a large clientele base that continues to grow. The new site allows them to showcase their expertise and connect with new customers while also providing customer service that assists and maintains strong client relationships,” says Chad Robley, Mindgruve President.

In addition to creating Warson Capital’s website, Mindgruve developed an advanced file management tool which provides clients with the ability to easily upload and manage documents within the website for a streamlined, all-inclusive financial experience with Warson Capital Partners.

About Warson Capital Partners

Warson Capital Partners serves the capital needs of emerging growth companies. Specializing in investment banking, private equity and wealth management in a variety of industries such as banking, insurance, healthcare services and more, Warson Capital’s focus is on the Midwest region while also assisting international clients. www.warsoncapital.com.


Sep
21
2009

Sunfood Renews Agency of Record Contract with Mindgruve

Successful marketing strategy and sales growth lead to evolving superfood partnership.

SAN DIEGO,CA – After a successful first year of sales growth with Mindgruve, Sunfood has decided to renew the San Diego, California-based digital media firm as their agency of record. “Mindgruve has been a perfect fit. Working with Chad and his team had an immediate impact on our business – sales are up 30% and our email database has doubled in size as a result of increased reach and traffic. They understand the booming superfood marketplace and have been extremely helpful in defining and targeting our audience,” stated Brian Bowers, Sunfood COO.

With one year under their belt, Mindgruve now looks to play an increasingly vital role in Sunfood’s operations and image. “Initially, we were brought in to help with their internet marketing strategy, but as the relationship evolved, we now drive all of their advertising and marketing campaigns,” said Chad Robley, Mindgruve President. He continued, “Moving forward, we will be doing product consulting and new packaging to fuse seamlessly with a complete brand overhaul. And, of course, we’ll continue to refine and increase the potency of our online marketing efforts to maximize ROI.”

The leader in the superfood marketplace, Sunfood is prepared to solidify their role as an expert and innovator of high quality superfood products. They plan to take the steps necessary to increase conversion and retention of site visitors through various community-building tactics, including a superfood-specific social network, events and an increased two-way dialog between Sunfood and their consumers. Brian Bowers explained, “superfoods are a lifestyle. With the help of Mindgruve, now we can more easily commit to engaging, educating and helping people integrate superfoods into their own lifestyle. In doing so, we will build and maintain a dedicated community that helps people love their health and love their life.”

About Sunfood

Sunfood is the world’s leading provider of high-quality superfoods, including sustainable, organic and raw products. Distributing over 1000 different products, their website has become the nucleus of the growing superfood global community. Sunfood also provides staff experts, educational materials and various other tools used for integrating the health benefits of superfoods into their patrons’ lifestyles. www.sunfood.com