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Recognized as Top Social Media Agency

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0600

March 05, 2009

We Get Social Media!

Recognized as Top Social Media Agency

On February 19, ZDNet.com published the results of an extensive research report by blogger Jennifer Leggio about social PR. Horn Group was recognized in the top 4 most frequently named agencies that "get social media" and in the top 2 of those most often considered by companies thinking of making an agency change. The release of the survey resulted in a few follow on posts worth noting. Peter Greenberg, who blogs about CRM on his PGreenblog site, noted Horn Group as the agency he trusts the most. Edward Barrera, editor of the interactive advertising industry blog Adotas, also called us out as a firm who gets it.

We’re grateful for these accolades and appreciate all of the industry support!

New from our Portfolio!

Horn Group Launches New Biofuels Start Up Sirona Fuels

Last month we launched our first alternative energy company Sirona Fuels. This is not your typical fuel company. In one of several community-based programs, Sirona is partnering with farmers and cooperatives in third-world countries that are planting the ingredients for their biofuel. As a result, the company is helping to create a stable source of income for some of the world's most economically depressed rural regions. The Sirona brand had to convey the strength of a growing business combined with the emotional appeal of their humanitarian mission. In just 60 days, Horn Group created Sirona’s corporate identity, collateral, website, tradeshow booth and press materials. We also developed a social media strategy that included the development of the Sirona Cares blog to allow people to follow the company's community work.

Check out the Sirona Fuels website or visit the Sirona Cares blog.

Horn Group New York

In the Event You Have an Event...

Our New York office has been busy supporting several exciting industry events. In early February Horn Group handled PR for AlwaysOn's OnMedia conference where CEOs introduced new ways to monetize everything from social media to computer games. We attracted more than 50 media to the event and drove a significant amount of coverage for AlwaysOn and several of our clients who were at the show. This month we’re gearing up for the VideoNuze NYC Broadband Video Leadership Evening on March 17 at the Hudson Theater. Top executives from the broadcast, cable, advertising and video industries (including our client, John Edwards, CEO of Move Networks) will discuss broadband’s road to profitability. We’re also working with Pontiflex to drive PR for The CPL Summit, the first industry event devoted to performance marketing and Cost-Per-Lead advertising, on March 26 at The Explorers Club in Manhattan.

Hot Off the Press!

Horn Group Website Wins Bronze Telly Award

Just in today, Horn Group has won a Bronze Telly Award for the production of its opening video on horngroup.com. Horn Group produced and directed the 3-minute video in-house in our San Francisco video studio using green screen filming technique and post-production Flash animation. Video is fast becoming a standard format for hi-impact communications. We produce low-cost video footage including executive interviews, white board sessions, man-on-the-street vignettes, event video, sizzle reel and short documentary-style footage.

Check out our award-winning video here.

Horn Group Launches New Website and Blog

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0500

New Website Live!

Horn Group Launches New Website and Blog

We're proud to announce the launch of our new website. Created by our own team, the site opens with an engaging and informative new homepage video piece. We've combined an elegant new user interface, conversational copywriting and the power of social media to embody our vast capabilities in digital communications. Our new Portfolio beautifully showcases dozens of our best client projects in PR, social media and interactive services, bringing our services and value to life. We've also relaunched our blog as Brass Tacks, where we get to the point on communications, business and the digital life.

Check out the new site and come back often for new industry posts, client results and agency news.

www.horngroup.com

Just a Few Spaces Left!

Is Social Media Killing PR?

Girls in Tech and Horn Group present "Is Social Media Killing PR?" â€“ a lively debate about the relevance of PR in social media â€“ on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at Horn Group's office in San Francisco. Go beyond the finger pointing and participate in a head on discussion about new media and the people who participate in it. The panel includes Jeremiah Oywang of Forrester Research and author of the Web Strategist blog, Kara Swisher of The Wall Street Journal and All Things Digital, Horn Group;s social media evangelist Susan Etlinger, and moderator Sam Whitmore, editor of the eponymous Media Survey.

Get the full details here.

Going Green!

Green Screen Added to Agency's Video Production Studio

People expect video on the web. But marketers rarely have the skills or the time produce quality creative video.

We're doing full-service video production including direction, script writing and storyboarding, location or in-house studio shooting, and standard post-production capabilities. We just added a green screen to our studio which allows us to transport subjects to any setting or backdrop in post production. Segment styles include executive interviews, white board sessions, man-on-the-street vignettes, event video, sizzle reel and short documentary-style footage. Post-production capabilities include editing, motion graphics, and voiceovers.

Watch our home page video for an example.

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A Holiday Message from Horn Group

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Seasons Greetings!

A Holiday Message from Horn Group

"With a little bit of imagination anything is possible. Happy Holidays from Horn Group."

www.horngroup.com/happy-holidays

Calling All Innovators

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0500

September 21, 2007

	INTRODUCING NEW PODCAST Calling All Innovators We’re jazzed to announce Innovator Insight – Horn Group’s new video podcast series hosted by our own Ken Shuman. A few times a month, Ken will meet with different innovators in business and technology for no-nonsense 5 minute interviews on innovation and related topics. Our first guest, BrightIdea CEO Matt Greeley, shares his thoughts on how innovation can occur at every level within an organization. Visit our blog regularly for the latest interview.
	horngroup.blogs.com

	HORN GROUP NEWS Agency Wins Two National Design Awards This week, we were recognized with two national awards for the design of Right Media’s website and corporate identity system: Web Marketing Association’s 2007 Standard of Excellence WebAward and Graphic Design USA’s 2007 American Graphic Design Award. Right Media, now owned by Yahoo!, is a client of Horn Group’s integrated PR and digital marketing services. Congratulations to everyone who worked on these projects!
	www.rightmedia.com

	LIVE! FROM OUR PORTFOLIO Storm Exchange Site Launched Check out our latest client website launch! Storm Exchange wanted a total overhaul, from creative design and navigation to architecture and website copy. The project priorities were a sleek and compelling site experience, including bold visuals and punchy sound bites to bring the company’s complicated story to life, and a site flow that encouraged visitor-to-customer conversion.
	www.stormexchange.com

Agency Wins Fifteen New Clients, Earns Industry Awards

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0600

November 12, 2007

	HORN GROUP NEWS Agency Wins Fifteen New Clients, Earns Industry Awards Check out our recent announcement about the 15 hot companies that have joined our client roster in recent months. Our work for these companies includes a mix of PR and digital marketing campaigns in all three of our offices and across business software, consumer Internet and interactive media sectors. We're also happy to report that our interactive marketing work for Right Media continues to earn industry accolades - most recently a W3 Award and a SABRE Award of Excellence, both for web design.
	Read Announcement

	PUTTING SOCIAL MEDIA TO WORK IN 2008 Don't Miss our Social Media Boot Camp Webinar! Social media, social computing, digital media - different names that describe the same effect: building an open conversation with communities that are important to your business. Attend our Social Media Boot Camp to discover how to integrate social media with your 2008 communications plan and learn from real client successes and lessons. Join us for a one hour webinar on December 4 at 10:00 am PDT with Horn Group Social Media Director Kyle Flaherty. Check out the details here or register here.
	Social Media Boot Camp

	IMPORTANT UPDATE FROM NEW YORK! Horn Group New York Has New Phone Numbers Our New York office and its entire staff have new phone numbers. Please update your records: Click here for new phone numbers.
	New NY Numbers

China 2008: Communications in an Olympic Year

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0600

January 3, 2008

	HORN GROUP WEBINAR NEXT WEEK China 2008: Communications in an Olympic Year The relentless march of globalization means that no one can afford to ignore China, particularly as Beijing prepares to host the 2008 Olympic Games. But do you understand the social, political and economic communications drivers of the world's most dynamic market? Join Horn Group and Oriella partner Upstream Asia, for a one hour webinar next Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at 8:00 am PDT/11:00 am EST. Aimed at global marketers, the session will introduce the state of the nation in terms of communications, and the implications for businesses expanding in China or facing Chinese competition at home.
	Click here for details or register here

	ORIELLA PR NETWORK New Partners, New Website for Agency's Global Alliance Oriella PR Network, the alliance of communications agencies formed by Horn Group and Brands2Life in 2006, has added new partners in France and Poland and launched its new website. Agencies joining the global network include Ballou PR and Clipping-TU in France, as well as MDI Strategic Solutions in Poland which extends the network’s reach into Eastern Europe. The new website, www.oriellaprnetwork.com, showcases the alliance of 15 communications agencies across 20 countries and includes background on its members, global PR best practices, client case studies and breaking news from Oriella partner agencies.
	Click here for full announcement

	LIVE ON THE WEB! Agency Builds Facebook App for Client Intraware Horn Group built a Facebook application for client Intraware’s zAthlete social network. The application allows the Facebook community to develop their own sports trading cards – type in your sport, your stats, and your picture and then print out your card and highlight it in your profile. And you can challenge your friends in online athletic pursuits. Recently launched on Intraware’s blog , this is a terrific example of the changing landscape of communications and how Horn Group is helping clients engage directly with their community.
	Click here to visit zAthlete.com

The Trumpet for August 2010

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0500

August 30, 2010

CMOs and CFOs Collaborate As Clients Consider IPOs

Last month we sat down with investor relations guru Judith McGarry to discuss the new rules in financial communications and the return of the initial public offering in our industry (see Sunday's Wall Street Journal article ). We have half a dozen clients considering an IPO in the next 6-18 months, which is a welcome change from recent years where there were far fewer opportunities of this kind. Although we have almost 20 years of experience supporting clients through the IPO process, much has changed from a communication perspective.

Messaging and positioning that show vision and direction, balanced with immediate relevance, are considered essential by potential investors. But the role played by bankers and research analysts in helping pre-IPO companies shape, refine and promote their messages has been greatly minimized. Which means that the CMO has a tremendous opportunity to step up and take the lead, working closely with the CFO and CEO. Preparation for being a public company must happen over a 1-2 year period prior to actually going public, well before the corporation files its S-1. As soon as the executive team starts to think about an IPO, the CMO should spring into action.

Read our blog post for much more detail.

Info-Graphics are Top Trend in Media

Info-graphic, data visualization, charticle – call it what you want. Graphic representations of content are on the rise in media and journalism. BusinessWeek, Fast Company, IDG, The Wall Street Journal and several others are interested in this kind of content as publishers start to measure engagement in addition to page views. What’s more, as the ‘owned media’ trend takes off, these kinds of visuals are quickly becoming part of the stable of original content that companies are producing directly for their audience.

We developed this visualization for Coremetrics, now an IBM company. The dynamic heat map shows regional Facebook activity – data that would lack resonance if merely written down – for Coremetrics’ customer Seton Hall University. Horn Group’s Interactive Design team produces smart, modern info-graphics with quick turn around time.

Don’t do another pitch, press release, survey or launch without including some kind of graphic illustration to bring the story to life. Tap your team for creative direction on info-graphics and improve the results of your campaign.

Video and Explainer Animations in High Demand

Along the lines of bringing your message to life, another trend we’re seeing is the demand for video and motion graphics – also a capability of our Interactive Design team. We produced this eye-catching Horn Group animation and voiceover for our client Conductor, who first launched it on stage at a conference, put it on their website homepage (click ‘watch the video’), and now runs it 24/7 in their lobby.

The applications are endless – from explainer animations that simplify a multi-faceted story, like this “How It Works” demo produced for YuMe, to entire video libraries that detail an upcoming product suite like this one created for BitDefender’s YouTube channel. Be thinking about video and motion graphics for any marketing and sales platform – mobile, social, web and live events.

Digital Media Dominates As Publications Negotiate Advertising Slump

The Oriella PR Network surveyed almost 775 journalists in 21 countries this summer to see how digital media has changed the nature of reporting. The study found that journalists today have greater demands than ever on their time; have less scope to research stories; and work in an environment of continued uncertainty. Publications are experimenting with smart phone 'apps', micro-payments and paid e-reader content to boost online revenues.

52% of journalists believe their publication will move online only
Twitter is used by 42% of journalists
22% of publications have a smart phone app

For all these challenges, however, the third annual Digital Journalism Study found journalists positive about the impacts of digital and social media on their reporting, and overall job satisfaction remains overwhelmingly high. The implications for communicators are to swiftly create quality content for every different medium.

Visit http://orielladigitaljournalism to see the entire study and watch a video with highlights from the survey.

A New Take on the Horn Group Story

Has it been a while since you last heard the Horn Group story? Maybe not since we pitched your business or you last visited our website? Agency partner Shannon Latta provides a fresh perspective on the firm, its capabilities and differentiators in this video. You’re sure to learn something new about the agency.

Agency Adds 15 New Clients, New Talent in NY and SF

It’s been a busy first half of 2010 with exciting client work, new business activity and lots of recruiting to support our growth. Horn Group has added 15 new clients to its roster in the past six months; you can check out the news of some of our latest client wins here. We’ve unplugged our wires in each of our offices, thanks to high performance wireless networking recently installed by new client Xirrus. We’ve used at least a dozen of our clients’ products and services over the years and expect to continue that trend in the coming months.

In other company updates, Linda Clarke, five-time marketing VP, joined Horn Group this past March as the managing director who runs our San Francisco office. And we’ve welcomed several other talented people who have joined our offices in New York and San Francisco at all levels.

Big News from Horn Group

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0500

September 28, 2010

Introducing Horn Group ID

Last week we announced the expansion of our award-winning design and development practice – now called Horn Group ID (Interactive Design). The expansion includes new services, with two eminent launches for iPhone; a wider sector focus beyond our technology heritage; and new leadership to support our growth. Digital marketing expert David Fausel joins Horn Group ID on October 4 as Vice President of Interactive Business responsible for business development, strategy and operations. See the full story here.

As part of the announcement, Horn Group also launched several new enhancements to its website including a new design portfolio, sub-brands for its PR and ID practices, and new content detailing its services.

Agency Adds New Executive Talent in San Francisco

Katie Neuman joined our San Francisco office last week as senior vice president to help grow our enterprise and mobile business. She is a seasoned PR executive who has represented both global brands and hot start-ups, and who understands the Silicon Valley landscape. Katie last worked at Bite Communications as a vice president where she worked extensively with mobile brands ZTE, Sun Microsystems, Bytemobile and Mocana, as well as enterprise tech companies including SonicWALL. She reports to Horn Group managing director Linda Clarke.