Meta Media, Inc.

Holiday Dinner

2011-12-20T09:39:00.000-08:00

December has been a busy month for our company. We've welcomed new clients and expanded to our offices in Miami and North Carolina. However, we can still make time for fun!

This year we held our Holiday Dinner at Serpas. The staff was great and the food was excellent. They even created a personalized menu created in our honor:

Per company tradition, everyone participated in a white elephant gift exchange during appetizers. There were a lot of great gifts including chocolate covered Oreos, season one of "The Big Bang Theory" and wine.

The mark of a great Holiday Dinner is delicious food and a lot of laughter. It was definitely a success. Michele was able to get some great shots of our hardworking team.

Puneet and Ronell

Wood, Amy and Cindi

Chris E., Chris F. and Puneet

Cindi, Doug and Ryoko

We all wish you and yours a happy holiday season. Stay tuned for more updates in 2012!

CamiCakes for all!

2011-11-17T09:10:00.000-08:00

Here at Meta Media, Inc., we LOVE cupcakes. This has been proven time and time again based on the short amount of time between cupcake arrival and a completely empty box.

Atlanta is a wonderful city for many reasons, but the fact that it has tons of local bakeries to chose cupcakes from is a definite highlight! Michele, our VP of Marketing & E-Commerce, brought in a dozen of delicious cupcakes from CamiCakes.

Rest assured, they were devoured in a matter of minutes.

Meta Media Halloween Party

2011-11-11T06:02:00.000-08:00

This posting is a little late. However, it's because we've had a lot of exciting things happening here at Meta Media, including several new projects and welcoming our new talented designer, Ryoko!

The Halloween Party was a great success! There was a Halloween Trivia Challenge, games, endless amounts of food and of course great conversation. Amy dominated Halloween Trivia, earning herself new ipod speakers.

Doug displayed the most Halloween spirit and won the costume contest for his superb portrayal of a "Jersey Shore" character.

Stay tuned for more blog updates.

New Report Indicates SEO is the Best Way to Generate Leads

2011-11-04T06:11:00.001-07:00

According to the 2011 State of Digital Marketing Report by Webmarketing123, search engine optimization is the first source marketers utilize to create new business leads.

SEO tactics ranked higher than PPC and Social Media.

Review the Search Engine Land infographic for more details.

We at Meta Media, Inc. understand the value in creating SEO enriched websites, but also provide our clients with PPC campaigns and social media. Using SEO, PPC and social media enhances a client's overall Internet presence, which is an important step in reaching a broader audience and differentiating one's business from competitors.

Has Marketing Gone Too Pink?

2011-10-14T08:15:00.000-07:00

During the month of October, pink products dominate store shelves. The popularity of Breast Cancer Awareness month has resulted in various industries supporting the cause with their products, everything from dressed up tubs of lunchmeat to special edition eyelash curlers.

The plethora of products has activists questioning the integrity of these marketing campaigns. How many companies are really contributing to the cause? How many are just marketing an easily recognizable cause for profit?

This ongoing debate raises excellent questions for those in the marketing industry. Supporting cancer awareness is trendy and with every trend there’s a risk for consumer backlash. Although some companies may be using pink as a marketing ploy to increase profits, if the demand decreases as a result, it could negatively impact the genuine campaigns, thus losing support for the cause.

http://www.newser.com/article/d9qabtko1/some-women-question-pinkwashing-is-breast-cancer-awareness-more-marketing-than-health.html

We're Hiring!!

2011-10-11T05:24:00.000-07:00

Meta Media, Inc. is looking for an experienced Project Manager to join its growing team. The Project Manager will be responsible for overseeing a segment of the agency's marketing, website design and website development accounts. The Project Manager will meet with the team regularly, create timelines, and ensure that projects meet a client’s goals and are delivered on time. Agency experience preferred!

The Project Manager will also work with clients on strategy as well as execution of crucial deliverables. The Project Manager should preferably have e-commerce, web, and/or online marketing experience, with the ability to efficiently manage and implement multiple, simultaneous projects for our clients – on time and on budget.

Client projects may include:

- Website redesign

- Landing pages and micro-site development for local clients

- Usability/ site updates and enhancements

- Admin tool development

- Website coding, development and other web-based IT projects

- SEO copywriting and linking, including directory and map listings

- Paid search implementation and management on Google, Yahoo/Bing and other second-tier search engines

Requirements for the Project Manager position include:

- Relationship building both internally and with new/ existing customers.

- Direct experience with an agency or e-commerce company as a Project Manager, or Marketing Manager

- Ability to review and make decisions based on Web analytics programs like Google Analytics or CoreMetrics

- Understanding of usability, information architecture, and the web user experience

- Demonstrated ability to manage both technical and non-technical details for all types of web projects

Other information:

- The position is full-time

- Competitive salary based upon experience

ABOUT OUR COMPANY

Meta Media, Inc. is a growing, fast-paced interactive marketing agency that caters to companies that want to effectively market their products and/or services on a local and/or national level. As a one-stop shop for all our clients’ needs, Meta Media, Inc. provides a comprehensive suite of strategic services, including website design/ creative/ usability, e-commerce platform development, custom IT solutions and ROI-based marketing strategies such as e-mail, paid search, social media and SEO.

Meta Media, Inc. stands out from other agencies in the space due to our customized, ROI-focused solutions and high level of personalized customer service for each client. In addition, we track all campaigns down to the last dollar, and engage in a multi-tier process that includes ongoing refinement and optimization. You can read more about Meta Media, Inc. online at www.metamediainc.com or check out our blog: http://metamediainc.blogspot.com.

If interested, please send resume and cover letter to info@metamediainc.com with "Project Manager Position" in the subject line.

Testing Website Usability

2011-09-30T13:08:00.000-07:00

A good website design is not only visually stimulating, but it must also have functionality. Potential customers can be intimidated by overly complicated sites, and become frustrated when they are unable to find what they want, whether it be information or a product.

Testing usability is a vital part of all of Meta Media, Inc.'s website design or redesign projects. We test and retest every aspect of a site to ensure a great overall user experience for all of our client's websites.

Mashable.com recently posted an interesting read providing an in-depth exploration of this topic. The article emphasizes the importance of assessing a website from the user's perspective, not just a marketing/business angle. Check out their article: "22 Essential Tools for Testing Your Website’s Usability."

Cupcakes on a Casual Friday!

2011-09-27T10:01:00.001-07:00

At the end of the day, we all manage to get through the conference calls, email updates and deadlines, but what's more important is we still like working with each other!

Meta Media, Inc. truly is a special place to work. Finding a reason to celebrate isn't that hard around here; birthdays, new accounts and Fridays are always great reasons.

Friday is usually everyone's favorite day because we can dress casually, but last week we had an additional surprise. Michele, our VP of Marketing & E-Commerce treated everyone to delicious cupcakes from Piece of Cake!

Cupcake break! Here's a picture of Michele and our Creative Web Designer extraordinaire, Doug.

Here we have our enthusiastic Content Writer and budding starlet, Amy.

Key members of our sales staff Dallas and Ronell take some time to discuss their favorite cupcake flavors.

Lastly, we have our Content Writer/Administrative Assistant, Cindi. She didn't want to miss out on the fun!

Keep checking for more updates. Next on the agenda is the Meta Media, Inc. Halloween Party!

Upcoming Facebook Changes

2011-09-22T09:08:00.000-07:00

As some facebook users are still reluctantly adjusting to the recent changes made affecting their news feed, even more changes are on the way. Facebook has plans to expand the popular “Like” feature by adding additional “Read,” “Listened” and “Watched” buttons.

From a marketing and advertising perspective, these new features will allow facebook to provide more detailed data to companies.

Will these upcoming changes encourage society’s current facebook addiction by increasing activity and involvement, or will these changes create a massive negative backlash? With every change comes a risk of alienation, but the new information could help a lot of companies with more detailed targeted ads.

http://www.newser.com/story/129003/new-facebook-buttons-coming-watched-read-listened.html

Daily Deal Site Craze is Winding Down

2011-09-01T11:00:00.000-07:00

Groupon, Living Social and other daily deal site competitors have been experiencing significant drops in popularity and revenue recently. Facebook decided to end its version of daily deals, just after four months of testing.

Daily deal sites managed to overcome the stigma of coupons, but it seems their novelty is wearing off. From a marketing perspective, which deal sites are still worth recommending to clients, and for how long?

Groupon is hoping to move in a new direction with Groupon Now, a real-time mobile application that allows users to search for deals near them. Real-time deal apps might be enough to captivate consumers, but based on recent data customers are definitely looking for the next stage.

http://mashable.com/2011/08/30/one-too-many-daily-deals/?WT.mc_id=obinsite

MySpace Takes a New Marketing Direction

2011-08-26T08:19:00.000-07:00

Remember MySpace? The MySpace brand conjures images of sparkly graphics, goofy page designs and top ten friend lists. For years, people have been switching over to use facebook and Twitter for social media, and Google+ has recently gained popularity as well.

The old MySpace is outdated, but their new marketing executives are attempting to revive the site with a new music marketing strategy. Entertainer Justin Timberlake is serving as a creative director, and partnerships have been formed with iTunes, Spotify and Vevo.

Re-branding a well known name like MySpace can be difficult because not only does a company have to compete with its competitors, but it has to compete with its former archaic self.

Do you think music-focused marketing is enough to save MySpace?

Revamped MySpace Will Have iTunes, Spotify and Vevo in Its Crosshairs

Online Social Shopping Trends

2011-08-15T13:19:00.000-07:00

Recent data found while studying the behavior and habits of online shoppers revealed three important trends, according to ecommerce-guide.com

Trend #1: Online Shoppers Research Products before Purchasing

Most online shoppers begin their shopping experience by conducting research through a search engine, like Google. This is why search engine optimization (SEO) is so important for ecommerce sites and online retailers

Trend #2: Other Customer Reviews and Social Media Comments Matter

A good or bad review can influence whether an online shopper makes a purchase. Shoppers also look into products and companies that have a lot of facebook “likes.”

Trend #3: Consumers Are Using Mobile Phones In-Stores

The recent study revealed that more customers are scanning barcodes and comparing in-store prices to those found on Amazon.com. Customers are also taking advantage of coupons found on their phones.

Overall, the latest data reveals how crucial it is for businesses to stay connected with consumers and have a strong online presence.

3 Consumer Shopping Trends Online Retailers Need to Know

Meta Media, Inc. Welcomes Cars.IAAI.com as a New Client

2011-08-10T14:01:00.000-07:00

ATLANTA, GA (August 10, 2011) – Meta Media, Inc., a full-service firm specializing in marketing, website design and development, e-commerce and usability techniques, welcomes Cars.IAAI.com as its latest client. Cars.IAAI, the vehicle purchasing and auctioning division of Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc., has hired Meta Media, Inc. to design and implement a natural search engine optimization strategy.

“We are very excited to work with Cars.IAAI.com,” said Michele Fontanelli Arnett, VP of Marketing and E-Commerce at Meta Media, Inc. “The strategic leaders of this website are seeking to increase business and build brand awareness on a national level, and we plan to execute our proven marketing strategies to help them achieve their goals.”

Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. is a large national company, with over 150 locations throughout the United States focused on purchasing and auctioning vehicles. Cars.IAAI.com pays cash for all vehicle makes and annually models and auctions more than one million vehicles.

Meta Media, Inc. plans to utilize a variety of search engine optimization techniques designed to provide additional exposure for Cars.IAAI.com, with the ultimate goals of increasing both brand awareness and sales. The main strategy will focus on content, tags, linking and other targeted SEO tactics, which will be implemented and maintained by the Meta Media, Inc. account team.

About Meta Media, Inc.

Meta Media, Inc. is a full-service firm, with expertise in traditional and non-traditional, ROI-based marketing strategies, including website design, usability, front and back-end development, marketing, analytics and tracking, reporting, testing and optimization. In addition to Cars.IAAI.com, the company’s clients include Dr. Comfort, Aaron’s, The ENT Institute, Pope & Howard, P.C. Law Firm and many others. You can read more about the company online at http://www.metamediainc.com.

Social Scoring Systems

2011-08-02T13:54:00.000-07:00

An emerging online trend in social media that professionals in the marketing field should keep an eye on is social scoring systems. Currently, the website with the most buzz is Klout, which is a social media metrics analytics company.

According to their website klout.com, the assigned “Klout Score” is the measurement of your overall online influence. The scores range from 1 to 100 with higher scores representing a wider and stronger sphere of influence.

Although Klout is currently the most newsworthy site, there are other up-and-coming social scoring systems, including:

Tweetlevel and Bloglevel, both from the Edelman PR firm, measure your influence in Twitter and the blogosphere, respectively.
PeerIndex scores you based on your influence on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Quora, as well as blogs and other URLs you add.
Tweet Grader from HubSpot ranks you according to how influential you are on Twitter.

Social media metrics analysis could potentially be a great tool for marketers, as it measures social interactions and who is influencing who.

5 Things Small Businesses Should Know about Klout

IBM Unveils New Cloud-Based Analytics System for Online Marketers

2011-07-15T10:50:00.000-07:00

The latest press release from IBM announced a new web analytics system to assist marketers with online campaigns, entitled the Coremetrics Digital Marketing Optimization Suite.

The new IBM software is supposed to act as a single source of information for marketers providing customer profiles, web analytics and digital marketing execution. According to IBM some highlights of their latest marketing tool are:

- Enables marketers to perform advanced segmentation and automate marketing execution based on multichannel data, including off-line data sources
- Delivers real-time product recommendations for all online channels, including social, mobile, email, and display ads
- Provides A/B testing capabilities to help search engine marketers compare pairs of search terms to determine the most cost-effective terms and associated ads
- Incorporates best practice key performance indicators and corresponding industry-specific benchmarks
- Supports deep analysis into how customers interact with a brand over time and when each marketing program is the most effective.

Only time will tell if the Coremetrics Digital Marketing Optimization Suite by IBM will be able to compete with other programs that marketers are already utilizing, such as Google Analytics.

IBM Press Release

Domain Name Expansion May Contribute to Branding Obstacles

2011-07-01T07:31:00.000-07:00

Recently the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) announced a significant change in the makeup of the current domain name system. ICANN is responsible for overseeing online addresses, and has approved to widen the choice of domain endings to include nearly any word in any language.

The potential downside to the new domain expansion is branding interference. The expansion creates an opening for competitors or general opportunists to purchase a nearly limitless amount of domains associates with a company’s brand.

However, domain extensions will not be obtained without an application or a hefty price. The charge to apply for a domain extension with ICANN is $185,000, plus a $25,000 yearly fee for those who gain control of the domain. There is an ongoing debate as to whether these fees are to prevent domain extension abuse or if ICANN is just trying to increase their profits.

Domain-Name Bosses Approve Huge Expansion

Online business trend: Social Commerce

2011-06-17T10:56:00.000-07:00

E-commerce websites are increasing efforts to capitalize on social networks such as Facebook. Ebay recently announced in the next few months they will begin offering consumers an opportunity to find products and plug them into their Facebook network. This enables a consumer’s Facebook friends to vote on their preferred product and offer comments.

Social commerce initiatives were inevitable. Current social media practice allows companies to easily improve overall branding and online presence, through interactive conversations with customers. But social commerce will take things to a new level. Now companies will be able to analyze more specific information based on detailed product conversations and consumer feedback.

Social commerce will enhance the likelihood of potential customers becoming consumers by utilizing word-of mouth communications through social networking.

Ebay to launch social commerce features

Local Marketing, Inc. Nominated for Most Effective Local Marketing Campaign in Georgia

2011-04-15T11:20:00.000-07:00

Atlanta Interactive Marketing Association Recognizes Local Marketing, Inc. with 2011 Award Nomination

ATLANTA, GA (April 15, 2011) – Local Marketing, Inc., a full-service marketing, creative and IT firm based in Atlanta, announced today it is a finalist in the 2011 Atlanta Interactive Marketing Association (AiMA) Awards.

Local Marketing, Inc. received the AiMA nomination in the category of Most Effective Local Campaign in Georgia for the company’s website design and marketing work for The ENT Institute. Strategies for the company included a website redesign and online/ off-line marketing efforts targeted around each of The ENT Institute’s seven Atlanta area locations.

In order to qualify as a finalist, Local Marketing, Inc. submitted a detailed review of its strategies and tactics, all designed to help increase both awareness and new patients for The ENT Institute. AiMA analyzed Local Marketing, Inc.’s effectiveness by conducting a comparison of success metrics to both industry benchmarks and specific campaign objectives.

“We are thrilled to have the AiMA Award nomination in the local campaign category,” said Vice President of Marketing, Michele Fontanelli Arnett. “We are particularly proud of our efforts for The ENT Institute, and the fact that we have garnered such good results for all their locations. This campaign is a great example of what we can do for any company: improve both brand awareness and customer acquisition.”

Winners for the 2011 AiMA Awards will be announced at the ceremony on April 28, 2011, held this year at the Georgia Aquarium.

ABOUT LOCAL MARKETING, INC.

Local Marketing, Inc. specializes in non-traditional, ROI-based marketing strategies, including site design, development, marketing, analytics, reporting and optimization. Local Marketing, Inc. provides customized solutions for companies who want to specifically target local markets. Our philosophy of ongoing refinement means we never start improving and optimizing our clients’ campaigns. With our knowledge, experience and industry relationships, we are your multi-channel experts and a one-stop shop for effective online strategies with clear ROI. Read more about the company’s efforts online at www.localmarketinginc.com.

Meta Media, Inc. Welcomes Ford Investment Consulting, LLC As Latest Client

2011-01-04T11:58:00.000-08:00

ATLANTA, GA – December 27, 2010 - Meta Media, Inc., an online marketing firm specializing in e-commerce and local business, welcomes Atlanta’s Ford Investment Consulting, LLC as their latest client.

Shavonn Crawford recently founded Ford Investment Consulting, and her aim is to help small businesses and individual investors manage their investments by providing them with the individualized attention and assistance that large investment firms cannot.

Crawford has worked with the larger money management firms, but with this company she hopes to offer investment advice for the everyday client.

“We are very excited to take on Ford Investment Consulting as our latest client,” said Michele Fontanelli Arnett, VP of Marketing and E-Commerce at Meta Media, Inc. “Ms. Crawford has a clear vision for her company, and we plan to provide her with a marketing plan that will greatly increase her client base.”

Meta Media, Inc. plans to utilize a variety of marketing programs designed to provide exposure for Ford Investment Consulting, including paid search marketing, natural search engine optimization tactics and social media. Their staff of experienced web designers will also be creating a useful and informative website for the company.

Contact:
Amy Farley
Meta Media, Inc.
http://www.MetaMediaInc.com
afarley @ metamediainc.com
Phone: 404.917.2100 x235

Meta Media, Inc. Is Seeking A PHP Web Developer with SEO & E-Commerce Experience

2010-12-16T10:44:00.000-08:00

An online marketing, creative and IT development company located in Midtown, Atlanta, is looking for a Senior .PHP Web Developer to join its growing team. The Senior .PHP Web Developer should have extensive experience building e-commerce websites and back-end administrative tools, as well as a strong understanding of how to develop SEO-friendly websites.

The Senior .PHP Web Developer will manage at least one other developer, and will report to the VP of Marketing & E-Commerce. We are looking for someone who not only understands code, but can ask questions of the team that allows us to build websites that drive increased traffic and conversions.

Applicants interested in the position should have the following:

• Bachelors Degree in Computer Science or related field
• 4+ years.PHP experience, preferably working for an e-commerce company or agency that caters to e-commerce companies
• CSS, HTML and JavaScript coding experience; AJAX experience a plus!
• Ability to develop code in a clean and consistent manner with proper supporting documentation and best practices.
• Work directly with development team to ensure excellent code, standards and design.
• Create and maintain accurate technical specification documentation.
• Help to build and support best practices for website application construction.
• Accurately estimate project timelines and meet scheduled milestones.
• Communicate effectively with team managers and co-workers.
• Maintain flexibility throughout the site design and production process.
• Excellent project management skills and strong attention to detail
• Knowledge of cross-browser compatibility issues.

Please submit your resume and cover letter to michele AT metamediainc DOT com for consideration.

JC Penney Launches Facebook E-Commerce Store

2010-12-16T06:55:00.000-08:00

In a move that mashes up e-commerce with social media, JC Penney has announced the launch of a system where "fans" of the brand can make purchases on JC Penney's Facebook page.

This seems like a wise step forward, given the already strong and still growing presence of social media in the marketing industry. Bringing e-commerce to Facebook makes it that much easier to convert potential customers into buyers.

JC Penney launches Facebook e-commerce store

Strong Growth For Local Online Advertising

2010-12-10T08:34:00.000-08:00

Local online advertising is on the upswing, according to this eMarketer article from earlier this Fall.

It's only natural that online advertising grows as our society becomes increasingly digital, but it's interesting to note the degree of growth here. Forward-thinking companies should be taking all this into serious consideration as they create marketing and advertising budgets from here on out.

Google Search Engine: Caffeine

2010-06-24T13:27:00.000-07:00

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/06/our-new-search-index-caffeine.html

Meta Media, Inc. Launches Mobile Shopping Portal for FootHealth.com

2010-06-17T14:44:00.001-07:00

FootHealth.com Offers Comfort Shoes & Health Products in New Mobile Phone-Friendly Format

ATLANTA, GA- June 14, 2010- The Internet changed how people shop. Now, FootHealth.com is changing how and when people shop for comfort shoes and foot health products.

People are increasing the amount of commerce on their mobile phones every day, as technology increases. With this advancement in technology, there has been a dramatic rise in success for the mobile commerce platform. Several online retailers, including foothealth.com have integrated this mobile commerce platform.

Directly from their Smart phones, customers can easily pull up the mobile FootHealth.com Web site. The mobile site for Foot Health will still feature the same content and functionality of the online website. Customers can navigate through the site, add items to their cart and checkout using a fast, secure, user-friendly mobile platform.

According to the MMA, Mobile Marketing Association, 1 in every 5 people are now using mobile commerce. Statistics are now proving that technology and mobile marketing are soaring.

“Mobile definitely represents the next big thing in Internet retailing,” said VP of Marketing & E-Commerce Michele Fontanelli Arnett. “We have seen significant increases in conversion because the FootHealth.com site is so easy to shop from any mobile smartphone – especially when we have a promotion running. People are shopping on the go more than ever, and Foot Health is one of the first foot health retailers to have this kind of sophisticated mobile shopping portal.”

By incorporating products directly into the customer's environment on a smartphone, local companies can enhance the shopping experience, making it even easier and more direct. This new sophisticated platform has made mobile shopping a compelling and viable option for companies worldwide.

About Foot Health
Foothealth.com is the 2nd largest online retailer for specialized foot care products, comfort and therapeutic shoes. For more information visit www.foothealth.com or follow us on Twitter @foothealth and become a fan on Facebook: www.facebook.com/foothealth

About Meta Media, Inc.
Meta Media, Inc. provides creative, IT and marketing services to e-commerce and local businesses. Founded in 2006, Meta Media, Inc. uses best practice industry tactics, strategic marketing techniques, precision tools and in-depth analytics to help companies increase their exposure and profitability across

Meta Media, Inc. Launches Newly Redesigned FootHealth.com E-Commerce Site

2010-05-13T06:21:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Natalie Zambrano
Meta Media Inc.
http://www.MetaMediaInc.com
natalie @ metamediainc.com
Phone: 404.917.2100 x229

Meta Media, Inc. Launches Newly Redesigned FootHealth.com E-Commerce Site
Foot Health Offers Comfort Shoes & Health Products in New User-Friendly Format

ATLANTA, GA- May 5, 2010- Meta Media, Inc., one of Atlanta’s leading e-commerce focused marketing firms, has launched a redesign of its direct-to-consumer product site, FootHealth.com.

Founded in 2008, FootHealth.com offers foot care products and comfort and therapeutic shoes for the 45+ demographic. The newly redesigned site, http://www.foothealth.com, will help increase brand awareness and further the company’s role as one of the leading online retailers for comfort shoes and health products for the feet.

The redesign was integral in helping to overhaul the back-end infrastructure and allowing Foot Health employees to easily pull orders, access customer service information, update products and much more.

The new site also has a completely new front-end design featuring new navigation and sorting options to make it easier for consumers to shop the site. New functionality includes an Ask the Podiatrist feature that allows consumers to send in questions and get answers from local podiatrist Dr. David Helfman of Village Podiatry Centers.

“We’re very excited about the new features on the site, and know consumers will find it easier to shop Foot Health and find the products they need to treat common conditions like plantar fasciitis, foot pain and heel spurs,” said Michele Fontanelli Arnett, VP of Marketing & E-Commerce at Meta Media, Inc. “The conversion rate should improve dramatically, and we are increasing our marketing efforts to bring more new customers to the site.”

For more information about Meta Media, Inc., one of Atlanta’s leading marketing firms specializing in online marketing strategy & execution for retail sites and local businesses, please visit http://www.metamediainc.com.

About Meta Media, Inc.
Meta Media, Inc. provides creative, IT and marketing services to e-commerce and local businesses. Founded in 2006, Meta Media, Inc. uses best practice industry tactics, strategic marketing techniques, precision tools and in-depth analytics to help companies increase their exposure and profitability across all media outlets. Please visit Meta Media, Inc. online for more information: http://www.metamediainc.com.

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Internet Retailer Article: FootHealth.com

2010-05-11T10:55:00.000-07:00

New retail site lets shoppers ask a podiatrist for advice

FootHealth.com is hoping its re-launched retail site that lets customers ask a podiatrist about their foot troubles will be just what the doctor ordered—more web sales.

FootHealth.com, which was founded in 2008 and sells comfort shoes and health products for consumers aged 45 and older, unveiled its new e-commerce site this week with a new feature that enables consumers to pose questions to Atlanta podiatrist Dr. David Helfman of Village Podiatry Centers.

The feature is located at the bottom of the home page. Visitors type in a question. That question is then directed to one of FootHealth’s customer service reps, who review it, and send it to Helfman to answer. Customer typically receive a personalized answer within two to three business days, the company says.

The new site took about two and a half months to launch and offers shoppers more navigation and sorting options, including Shop By Ailment, and Shop By Brand. Visitors also can shop by part numbers and create a wish list.

With the redesign in place, FootHealth plans to increase its paid search marketing efforts, as well as to launch new programs like affiliate marketing, comparison shopping engines and re-targeting, says Michelle Fontanelli Arnett, vice president of marketing and e-commerce.

The content on the new site was developed with search engine optimization in mind, says Fontanelli Arnett. And the retailer has already increased its number of natural search visitors, she says.

FootHealth’s conversion rate has also increased from 2.5% to 3.2%, the retailer says.

The retailer says it plans to continue to modify the site and will be adding new category and sub-category banners along with new foot condition-focused content in the coming weeks. "Our philosophy is launch, market, test,” she says.

The new site was designed by Meta Media Inc., an Atlanta-based e-commerce marketing firm. Its clients include Art.com, No. 100 in the Internet Retailer Top 500 Guide.

New Client Press Release

2010-04-08T08:16:00.000-07:00

Meta Media Inc. Welcomes Victor Alexander, Jr. P.C., as Newest Client

ATLANTA, -- 04/08/10 -- Meta Media, Inc., a leading strategic marketing firm for e-commerce and local businesses, welcomes Atlanta attorney at law, Victor Alexander, as its newest client.
The law firm of Victor Alexander, Jr. P.C., available online at www.VicAlexander.com, has successfully represented Georgians for Workers’ Compensation and Personal Injury claims in the Atlanta area since 1991.
Victor Alexander, founder of Victor Alexander, Jr. P.C., started the firm in 1991 after a successful career practicing law on the other side as both an Assistant District Attorney for Fulton County and as an attorney representing The Hartford and Wausau insurance companies.
“We are thrilled to have the Victor Alexander law firm as our newest client.” said Michele Arnett, VP of Marketing and E-commerce at Meta Media, Inc. “With Mr. Alexander’s expertise in the area of workers’ compensation law suits, combined with our strategic marketing plan for his firm, we know we can successfully increase his new customer acquisition rate and grow his bottom line.”
The law firm of Victor Alexander, Jr. P.C. has been recognized with an AV rating (Law Firm Rating) for the highest levels of skill and integrity as determined by Martindale-Hubble, the authoritative resource for the worldwide legal profession for more than 140 years.
Meta Media, Inc. plans to promote the new site through paid search marketing, natural search engine optimization tactics and other programs.

"We are very pleased to be working with Meta Media to increase the firm's visibility and let those who may be injured on the job or in a car accident know that we are here to work hard on their behalf. We have great confidence in the Meta Media process for bringing together our firm with those who may need an experienced lawyer to help them through complicated Workers' Compensation or accident claims procedures” Said Victor Alexander. “I've been on the other side. I know how insurance companies look at a claim and how devasting an accident or injury can be. That's why it is so important that those who suffer an injury consult with a lawyer so they have the best chance to receive a fair and equitable settlement. We are looking forward to having more opportunities to work with those individuals as a result of our relationship with Meta Media."

For more information Contact:
Natalie Zambrano
Meta Media Inc.
nataliemetamediainc.com
Phone: 404.917.2100 x229

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Facebook and Twitter Making a Huge Impact on Online Purchases

2010-03-18T14:25:00.000-07:00

Many studies today suggest that Social Media has given businesses a major competitive advantage over those who aren’t participating.

Even more specifically, a new study on e-marketer shows that people who are fans or followers of a brand on Facebook or Twitter, are significantly more likely to buy products and services; even recommend the brand to a friend or coworker. Social media is a free tool that helps to establish credibility and word-of-mouth marketing.

Social media is essential for getting the message out about a business, its products and services. It is a new media platform in which all businesses should learn to communicate.

A planned and personal approach is the key to any successful social media campaign.

Customers want to know about a business’s latest products and services but they never want to feel like they are being sold. The trick to social media like Twitter and Facebook, is to engage and listen to the customer.

Businesses can engage customers with social networks like Twitter and Facebook. These social networks can be used to even attract news media. Social media is also a great tool for businesses to receive instant feedback, connect and communicate with customers.

At Meta Media Inc, we base our best social media practices on an understanding of how people consume media online. We engage consumers through the establishment of social media campaigns across many social networking platforms.

For more information contact Meta Media Inc. today @ 404.917.2100 or info@metamediainc.com

SEO Done Right

2010-01-28T10:30:00.000-08:00

Another great article from Eric Enge at searchenginewatch.com on the benfits of doing SEO well and correctly:

http://searchenginewatch.com/3636083

SEO is Alive and Well!!!

2010-01-26T06:35:00.000-08:00

While many people feel Social Media is taking over and the art of SEO is dying, Eric Enge makes a compelling case why SEO is not going anywhere:

http://searchenginewatch.com/3636265

E-commerce stocks get a bounce from strong online holiday sales

2009-12-15T13:26:00.000-08:00

Wall Street was impressed with online retail sales over the Thanksgiving period, and it showed up last week in strong gains in share prices for e-commerce stocks.

The Internet Retailers Online Retail Index gained 5.2% for the week, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up only 0.8% and the Standard & Poor's 500 Index advanced only 1.3%.

"Stronger than expected online spending data contributed to share prices moving higher," says analyst Colin Sebastian of Lazard Capital Markets. "We are still looking for ongoing healthy online trends over the remainder of the shopping season, however growth rates may moderate a bit." Sebastian predicts 3-5% growth in online sales for the holiday period. Web measurement firm comScore Inc. reported online sales grew 7.4% from Thanksgiving Day through last Monday.

Analysts from such Wall Street firms as UBS Securities LLC and Morgan Stanley, as well as Lazard's Sebastian, issued reports noting the strong online retail sales. All three reports highlighted e-commerce technology provider GSI Commerce Inc. as one of the companies likely to benefit from consumer spending shifting to the web. GSI's stock was up nearly 9% last week.

Overall, 22 of the 25 online retailer and e-commerce technology provider stocks tracked by the Internet Retailer Online Retail Index gained for the week. Leading the way was Drugstore.com, which reported it had its best day ever on the Monday after Thanksgiving, typically one of the heaviest online shopping days of the holiday season.

Here are the best-performing stocks last week in the Online Retail Index and the percentage price increase for each:

Drugstore.com, 17%
1-800-Flowers.com, 14.8%
VistaPrint, 10.5%
CyberSource, 9.8%
GSI, 8.9%

Here are the Online Retail Index stocks that performed least well last week and the percentage change in stock price for the week:

Netflix, -2.8%
American Greetings, -1.0%
Bidz.com, -.9%
Digital River, +.3%
Overstock, +1.8%

How Simple Usability Fixes on Your Site Can Immediately Impact Sales

2009-01-17T12:13:00.000-08:00

When shopping or browsing a website, many people can get frustrated, lost, or even confused. As marketers, we are often so close to the site that we don’t realize what’s going on with our target audience, which is why reviewing your analytics daily is such an important task. But there are also little fixes you can make to your site to keep visitors happily shopping. Here are the first five we’re going to discuss this month:

Usability Tip #1: Put Contact Information Above the Fold
Don’t send your audience searching for ways to communicate with you. Make sure your phone number and contact info are in plain view, above the fold and preferably in the top areas of your site where visitors will look first.

Usability Tip #2: The More Content, the Better When Trying to Convert
If you have an e-commerce site, putting a great deal of content on your product pages is an important practice. Why? While some visitors like to scan and pick up tidbits quickly, other types of visitors will carefully read all you have to offer. Plus, adding more content to these pages increases your relevancy in SEO rankings.

Usability Tip #3: Show Breadcrumbs Everywhere
Just telling a visitor where they are on your site can help decrease frustration and prevent visitors from abandoning your site altogether. Adding breadcrumbs is a quick and easy fix for your IT department, and even has SEO benefits.

Usability Tip #4: Don’t Use Too Much Red
You’ve probably heard it a million times, but don’t overuse the color red on your site. Subliminally, red means stop, and has a host of other negative connotations. Keep the red to a minimum while playing up more happy colors.

Usability Tip #5: Let Buttons Speak for Themselves
Your calls to actions on the site are so critically important, why would you hide them or keep them small? Let them live large, especially if they are as crucial as the Add to Cart button. You don’t want visitors to wonder where it’s hiding.

Next month we will visit five new quick and easy usability fixes you can make that can immediately impact your site stickiness and revenue.

Paid Search is Saturated: So What’s Next?

2009-01-17T12:10:00.000-08:00

For the past five years, paid search has been the top sales driver for many online retailers. And, as many marketing agencies will point out, paid search involves much more than just choosing the right keywords. Paid search requires constant optimization and testing, from the ad text grabbing the customer’s eye to the landing page introducing or reaffirming your brand’s offerings.

Most importantly, and as many have realized, paid search can only work when your site is optimized with the latest and best in usability and site stickiness tactics. Meaning: You need marketers to get people to your site, but you need top usability experts to make sure those visitors convert to customers once they’ve landed there.

Today, more and more people have discovered the ins and outs of paid search, but… what’s the next big thing taking the online marketing community by storm? Two types of media – video and social media marketing – are leading this year’s hottest marketing trends.

Website Videos

Retailers especially will benefit from using videos on their websites and in their marketing campaigns to increase online conversion rates. Why? Videos bring the customer one step closer to that true in-storm experience. Although they can’t touch an item of clothing, for example, or try it on, a video allows them a true snapshot of the item, bringing it to life better than a series of photographs ever could.

Videos also bring a sense of credibility to your website, and – if done right – a sense of class as well. Meta Media, Inc. partner Quadras Integrated has been an expert in photography and now videography for over 30 years.

QI experts recommend that your website videos:

Compel users without overwhelming them with too much information.
Be very focused; showcase individual products or services rather than a variety.
Be short and to the point; videos that are too long will lose the audience.
Play in all browsers; testing is crucial when launching a new website video.

Video SEO

You can even take advantage of Video SEO by including transcriptions and captions of your videos on your site. Post them to YouTube as well for additional external links, bound to raise your overall rankings on Google especially.

Video Advertising

Video advertising is on the rise and should be tested, in addition to adding website videos to your site. As a recent eMarketer article pointed out:

“[S]pending on online video advertising will grow to $4.6 billion in 2013, representing a more than sevenfold increase from the $587 million spent on the format in 2008” (1/9/09).

Marketers love video advertising for the sole reason that it allows you to convey so much (ideas, emotions, sensibilities) in a quick and charismatic format. It is also ideal for communicating to younger audiences who would much rather watch than read.

Social Media Marketing

Finally, we have social media marketing, defined as the collaboration and communication of online content across a variety of different verticals. From clothing & accessories to health & beauty to home services, people are taking advantage of social media marketing to share ideas, comments, coupons and more. The growth of social media marketing has proved it’s not a short-lived trend, but the latest way to get audiences interested in your product, service or brand.

- Social Media Resources: From Facebook to Myspace to Twitter, your audiences are discovering new ways to interact with each other and create “Consumer-Generated Media” (CGM). It’s important to locate those resources that have the most potential for your business, and test and track the results.

Widgets: Social media widgets for Facebook, Twitter and others keep you constantly connected with your audience. Just a simple application added to your site can make a big difference in how you interact with visitors and keep them updated on your business.
Blogging: How can a blog impact your sales? Is it essential for your business growth? With so much saturation in blogs today (there are about 80+ million blogs online and active), you need to find your voice and continually update and enhance your content to make sure your audience sticks around.

For more on the latest trends in online marketing, contact Meta Media Inc. today.

The Importance of an Easy-to-Use Admin Tool for Site Updates & Maintenance

2009-01-16T08:55:00.000-08:00

In many organizations, large and small, the IT-Programming department often serves as a bottleneck for many company-wide requests. With IT services always in demand, especially for larger projects that require advanced technical expertise, smaller fixes and updates to your website can remain “in queue” for weeks and even months at a time.

That’s why it’s so important to have a back-end system that allows you to make updates to your site – without involving the IT department.

Add and update categories, products/ service listings and new pages.
Refresh photos and keep site content fresh to keep visitors returning to the site.
Change title tags, meta descriptions, alt text and meta keywords for search engine optimization.
Control product feeds in real time.
Store and segment customer data.

Companies like Meta Media, Inc. build these admin tools with the “every user” in mind, so that someone with little to no IT knowledge can make these updates quickly and easily.

There’s an Expense… But It’s Worthwhile

Many admin tools require an upfront expense, as they are usually custom built to handle the specific needs of your business and your employees. Once the admin tool is built, however, you control your site, and don’t need to depend on a third-party or even your IT department to make the updates and maintain the site the way your marketers require. The cost definitely pays out over time – just in time saved and in the increase in site stickiness you’ll experience as you regularly update your site.