GCI Joins SparrowHawk & Associates

GCI recently joined SparrowHawk & Associates and have become an on-call consultant for the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Being at the WSDOT Open House was a wonderful experience, and we had a fantastic time meeting representatives of the Department of Transportation!

SparrowHawk & Associates is made up of Don Chalmers, GCI, Furlong Communications, Notion Pictures and Connected Buildings.

From Left to Right: Don Chalmers, Donnie Miller, Wyatt Smith, Connie Lovelady

What do pizza and GCI have in common?

Humm if you’re wondering what the answer is, read on and I’ll tell you.

OK who doesn’t love pizza? Its become a ritual at our house on Friday movie nights. We’re always trying a new pizza place and tying to find just the right ingredients and pizza that everyone loves. Well, we found one that suits everyone in our family and what even makes it more special it was right in front us all the time.

THE ROCK WOOD FIRED PIZZA (link) is one of the best we’ve ever tasted and what even makes it even better is that GCI has been retained to assist them with their press releases! Yep that right. We recently completed a Press Release for THE ROCK PIZZA announcing the opening of there new restaurant(s) in Texas. Whoo Hoo!

OUR press release was picked up by over 300 outlets, produced tweets AND with our connections, we were able to arrange a radio interview.

GCI ROCKS WITH THE ROCK!

If your company has an important announcement contact GCI we’ll craft the perfect message tailored just for you

GCI Now Offers Google Tours!

 GCI and Google Certified Photographer Jack Von Eberstein teamed up to offer Google Business Tours to GCI’s clients! What is a google business tour, you might ask? Waste no time and watch this short video!

 

Digital Signage

Don’t just view signage, experience it!

Engage customers and generate sales with interactive digital signs.

GCI has partnered with DescoAV to offer the next generation of technology for all your digital signage needs, turning a standard flat panel display into a dynamic marketing machine.
A Winning Team:
  • DescoAV has the cutting-edge electronics
  • GCI has the marketing and design know-how to make your new digital signage achieve your goals
  • Add those to your business or organization and you’ve just turned a blank wall into a powerful sales tool.

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Digital Signage is a Powerful Eye Catching Tool

• Get attention with live video, photos, motion and more
• Increase sales, inventory turnover and impulse purchases
• Change specials and promotions quickly
• No costly printing of point of sale (POS) banners and posters
• Personalizes and enriches the experience
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Ready to get started?
You can call GCI (360.786.9657) for a complimentary consultation about your digital signage needs before you make your purchase with DescoAV

FAQs

Q:  What are the most important things I need to know about BrightSigns?

A:  They are the market leader in digital signage media players:

  • offers the highest standard of reliability and affordability
  • exceptional features and capabilities for unlimited signage possibilities
  • all models include free BrightAuthor software, making it easy to create & update presentations
  • can be connected to network and internet for syncing, clock events, RSS and twitter feeds, but not required.

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Q:  What are the models and prices?

  • XD230 – $450
  • XD1030 – $600
  • XD1230 – $700

Prices reflect current prices for October 2013, and may change at any time without notice on this page.

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Q:  What is Digital Signage?
A:  Digital Signage refers to using a flat panel TV or display as an electronic, multi-media advertising display. Digital signage can use live TV/video, graphics, sound, and animation to attract attention and create colorful digital signs.

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Q:  Why should I use digital signage?
A:   Digital signage is one of the most eye-catching ways to engage your customers. It’s an easy, cost effective way to get noticed, educate, entertain, and deliver consistent messages to your customers when you can’t – especially if you have a high-traffic area or a captive audience like a waiting area, restaurant/bar, service area at a car dealership etc. The content is easily changed to keep up with promotions and changing sign needs.

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Q:  What kind of things can I use it for?
A:  The uses for digital signage are only limited by your imagination.  Whether it is a single panel or a multi-panel display, digital signage can convey your message in a clean and dynamic format that the business owner controls.

It’s ideal for:  retail signs, video walls at car dealership or casinos, waiting rooms, restaurants, bars & pubs, schools, banks, hotels & event centers, golf courses, gyms and physical therapy, spas, hair salons, etc.

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Q:  What do I have to buy to make it work?
A:  All you need is flat panel TV and a BrightSign media player.

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Q:  Do I have to buy a new TV?
A:  No, as long as the TV you intend to use has an HDMI or VGA input available.

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Q:  Why should I buy your media player over the other guy?
A:  We put a lot of research into selecting a complete digital signage solution to offer our customers. BrightSign is the market leader in digital media players. They offer the most extensive features and capabilities and deliver the highest standard of reliability and affordability. The software to create the presentations is free and there are no required monthly subscriptions.

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Q:  What are the key features?

  1. Powerful Video Engine: BrightSign XD models feature advanced video decoding with superior scaling technology that delivers pristine 1080p60 video, uncompromised decoding capable of playing two 1080p60 videos simultaneously, as well as 3D content.
  2. Live HDTV: BrightSign XD1230 brings Live HDTV to your signage with an ATSC/Clear QAM tuner that plays cable TV or closed circuit TV, an HDMI input that plays any broadcast content – even protected HDCP content.
  3. HTML 5: Web designers can easily build content to run on BrightSign XD.
  4. Touch & Swipe: BrightSign touch screen support now includes the popular “swipe” interactivity and only BrighSign includes the free BrightAuthor software to easily create interactive playlists and touch areas.
  5. Video Walls: Synchronized playback between multiple video displays including non-standard display shapes and mixed screen orientation.
  6. Interactivity: Trigger transitions and playback from virtually any type of interactive device including barcode scanners, motions sensors, RFID, GPIO, USB button controls, touch screens, mice and more.
  7. Zones: Playback multiple content types and multiple videos on a single screen using upto 5 zones.
  8. BrightSign App: Easily update messaging and interact with locally networked signage using your iPad or iPhone.
  9. RSS & Social Media Feeds: Live RSS, Twitter and more. Display virtually any RSS data feed available.
  10. Live Text: Live text fields can be integrated anywhere in your presentation to instantly update content without republishing the entire presentation. Perfect for menu board pricing, waitlists, transportation schedules and more.
  11. Geo-Fencing: Play content targeted to the current location of your moving digital signage.
  12. IP Streaming: Easily connect to IP cameras to stream full HD video over a local area network in full screen or zoned layouts.
  13. Networking: BrightSign’s networked models make it easy to update content, playback live content, monitor and manage your digital signs remotely.

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Q:  How is my content loaded into the media player?
A:  It can be saved on to a SD card and plugged directly into the player, it can be web-hosted on your website or you can pay to connect to the BrightSign Network.

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Q:  Is there a fee for upgrades?
A:  No.

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Q:  Is there technical support available?
A:  Yes.

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Q:  Is there a monthly subscription that I have to pay?
A:  No. Unlike some other digital signage options there are no monthly fees to use the media player. You can pay for additional web-hosting services via the BrightSign Network, which is not required and rarely needed.

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Q:  Do I have to subscribe to a service to host the presentation?
A:  No. You publish the presentation to an SD card or use your own web hosting. You can also pay to host your presentation on the BrightSign network.

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Q:  What kind of graphics can I use?
A:  Digital signage can include live tv/video, HTML 5, photos, graphics, sound, text, animation, and even live RSS and Twitter text feeds.

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Q: What kind of software does it run on?
A:  BrightAuthor is a PC software application for BrightSign. It makes creating, publishing and managing BrightSign presentations simple and dependable.

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Q:  Is there a fee for the software?
A:  No. BrightAuthor software is free. You can download it directly from the BrightSign web site.

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Q:  Do I have to buy anything extra when I purchase the media player to connect it or make it work?
A:  No.  If you already have a TV with HDMI or VGA input, you are good to go.

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Q:  What is the warranty?
A:  There is a one year warranty.

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Q:  Are you running a special or promotion that I can take advantage of now?
A:  Yes, for $999 you get

  • Sony 40-inch LED flat panel TV,
  • BrightSign XD230 media player
  • Single screen programming services by GCI

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Q:  If I bought the special today, how quickly can I be up and running?
A:  2 to 3 weeks.

Why Hire GCI Marketing?

The right agency will make your business rise above the competition and persuade potential customers to choose you.

This is a GCI specialty, and one reason it works is because we offer a full range of services, including on-staff whizzes in:

  • On-line media advertising and print
  • Art, graphic design and copywriting
  • Video and photography
  • Social media campaigns
  • Web design and development

GCI has the know-how for strategic marketing plans that will maximize your advertising budget. We design logos, brochures and ads, we develop websites, produce videos and TV commercials and craft social media campaigns. We excel at sales promotions, trade shows, public relations, packaging, and event marketing.

We love clients with smaller budgets.

We show you how to save money by finding ways to cut costs in printing and media buys using skilled negotiations as well as in finding the best suppliers.  Our solutions are custom, and that includes custom web design, print, advertising and social media campaigns.

We understand the market and the media and have the creative talents to match your needs.

In short, we know what does and does not work.

GCI is the right agency to make your cash register ring by finding the right media to reach the right customer in the right place at the right time.

Get in touch now for a free consultation meeting and see what GCI can do for your business, band, record label, startup or organization.

Size Matters

If you don’t have a mobile site (or it’s not optimized for smartphones in some way), 61% of visitors will return to Google to find a site that is easily readable on a mobile device.

What is a Mobile Friendly Website & Why Does Your Business Need One?

Mobile devices account for one in every three minutes spent online, and that matters.

What is a mobile friendly website?

A mobile friendly website is one that displays well on hand-held devices such as smartphones (e.g. iPhone, Galaxy S4, HTC One, etc) and tablets (e.g. iPad, Galaxy Tab, Surface, Kindle Fire). While most sites are visible on mobile devices, simply being visible does not mean the site offers a good user experience on a small screen. Many websites still require the user to repeatedly zoom in and out in order to navigate on a mobile device. This does not equate to a good user experience.

A mobile site, as pictured above, has different functionality and is developed to meet specific needs. The tabs in the center of the screen provide simple navigation for the user and present the most relevant information to them. With a mobile friendly site, the user can quickly find the information they came looking for. They can simply tap the screen to instigate a call, be directed to a map of your location and see any special offers that you have– all in one glance and within two clicks– which does equate to a good user experience.

So the question is not if, but when and how, you should start planning the mobile strategy for your business. A positive experience builds customer trust, which builds better relationships. And the process of developing a mobile friendly site doesn’t have to break the bank. GCI has solutions that can fit your budget, no matter what the size.

Give us a call today! 360.786.9657

New Award!

We’ve been awarded the Crown in Town Award for the best Advertising / PR / Marketing in Olympia for 2012/13.

The team at GCI was honored last month when Crown in Town announced we had won Best Advertising / Marketing / PR Company in Olympia for 2012.

Crown in Town hosts local business award competitions and recognizes the best businesses in several different categories, from coffee shops and nonprofits to education and medial services. You can sign your businesses up for recognition in your community and vote for your faves, too!

Vote for next year’s winners

Do I Need Web Services?

Take a look at our simple flow chart to find out if you need web services.

It will quickly guide you through a brief assessment of what you currently have, and where you should be aiming.

Click here to download the chart and see for yourself.

That was easy – right?!

Now read on to discover the reasoning behind your results and check out our list of must-do’s for business websites.

Have a Website

This one’s fairly obvious. The internet is a staple in the lives of the vast majority of Americans; for that reason alone, having a website is no longer a matter of choice in a viable business plan.

The internet is central to:

  • research and information
  • shopping
  • communication
  • managing money
  • news
  • entertainment

and in all of the cases listed above, it’s paramount to the way most people make decisions. Everything from ordering socks to buying a house can be influenced by the internet.

Many people have their first interactions with a company on the internet. If someone can’t check your hours and range of products and services before they go out the door, they are more likely to exclude you from their list of viable options.

Check out our past article about website do’s

Update Your Content

If your website isn’t fresh, you are losing people. When you make regular updates:

  • You ensure you have the most current information available
  • You give your customers a reason to stay engaged with you online
  • You tell search engines that you are relevant
  • You look like a viable choice to potential customers who don’t know you yet

Do your own updates:
Not sure how to do it? Not everyone has the time or interest to learn to write code. That’s okay! GCI proudly offers websites that use the WordPress platform. (Updating a WordPress site is about as easy as writing an email or creating a Microsoft Word document.)

Be purposeful:
Not sure what to change? Let’s sit down and talk about your strategies. We can establish goals and create a plan for achieving them.

Check out our past article about website do’s

Utilize Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

SEO is critical to :

  • Being competitive – if your competitors outrank you, they have an advantage
  • Being found by people actively looking for what you offer
  • Getting more high-quality visitors to your site
  • Being accessible to your past customers

Optimization happens in the code of your site, the content, and through external efforts. What we would propose is unique to your goals and the competitiveness of your local industry.

Be Mobile-Friendly

Having a traditional website isn’t enough anymore. 46% of American adults have smart phones and that number is continually growing. (To put it in perspective, Smartphones outrank lower tech mobile phones in use.)  Many Smartphone users shop and make decisions on the go. If your site doesn’t stand up to their expectations for ease of use (if they have to pinch and squeeze or can’t find what they are looking for), they will probably pass you by.

Set Meaningful Goals and Follow A Plan to Achieve Them

Did you create your website with goals in mind? You probably had expectations for how the investment of getting online would impact your profits. If those expectations aren’t being met, then there are some things we should talk about.

  1. Do you have specific goals?
  2. Was your site made with your goals in mind?
  3. Beyond having a website, are you implementing goal-oriented strategies online?
  4. Do you have a business plan? A marketing plan? A media plan?

If you answered “no” to any of these things, then it’s time to set some goals. (Aim before you shoot!)

You won’t find specific goals on our blog, because your goals should be uniquely yours. Schedule a free consultation with us  so we can talk about what makes you unique and how our approach to web can help you.

3 Reasons To Have a Mobile Friendly Site

Today’s mobile users expect information at their fingertips… let’s give it to them!

As standard, if you come in to speak to us about digital work we’ll talk to you about who is going to be your target audience, where they will be accessing the site and we will begin to work out how users will interact with what’s presented to them.

What we’re talking about here is responsive web design for mobile. We need to consider the user interface, and user interaction with an array of portable devices – from fingertip sized buttons to swipe gestures.

Why this is so important

93% of U.S. adults own a cell phone
More than 40% of mobile phone owners browse the Internet via their phones. It’s crucial that your website is ready to view on mobile devices.

Standard websites don’t work well on mobile Devices
Mobile phones display differently than computers, your website may not even show up on some phones. Make it easy for your customers or they will simply go somewhere else.

Mobile access is not a passing phase
Experts predict that in the next 5 years, mobile access will surpass laptops as the primary source of how your customers access the Internet. Be sure your business is ahead of the curve.

Lucky for you, the help you need is at your fingertips. Call GCI today.

The Power of a Mascot

Mascots are powerful which is why so many companies use them. Having a character or mascot to represent you in front of the public can have several advantages:

Mascots get attention

People are constantly bombarded with media messages, mascots cut through the noise and clutter and stand out.

When mascots speak; people listen

When people see a mascot they are more likely to stop and listen.

Increased brand awareness

A good mascot is memorable. If an appealing character can work its way into the public consciousness, it will become an instantly recognizable symbol for a product. The company’s logo is reinforced through the mascot’s message.

A positive image

Mascots are fun! They provide a likable character the audience can relate to, which in turn creates a positive connection about your product. It’s much harder to do that with just a logo.

Mass appeal

A mascot can appeal to a wide demographic, across many age groups and backgrounds, transcending languages and cultures.