ESP experiences the Prime Advantage


Prime Advertising offers the Prime Advantage to their clients with each department working very closely together to provide the highest quality service to each & every client. Recently, esp IT Professionals took advantage of this advantage.

Since 1968, esp has been building a successful and highly respected IT placement company that specializes in both consulting and direct hire services for IT professionals throughout Minnesota.

When esp President, Ray Davey first came to Prime Advertising, he was looking for an update of the company’s logo and a complete redesign for his website. Years of dramatic changes in the computer technology industry called for a fresh image with more contemporary appeal.

Although the first instinct of Ray and the esp group was to choose a logo design that conformed closely to the original, their final choice was significantly different. Working directly with the Graphics Design team, esp received a new logo that  was able to reach the target market of a new computer generation and let them know that esp is constantly changing to meet industry needs.

Previous Logo Design                                                       New Logo Design

         



Once esp’s new logo design was complete, the Prime web team began building a fully functional interactive website. Looking to find a tool that would allow esp to update their site regularly, keeping them constantly up-to-date, Prime provided the SMC (Site Management Console). Using the new logo as a guideline to start from, our web team created a new site that looked professional, but also was packed with SEO to help esp obtain more traffic to their site. You can see the transformation below:

Previous Website

 

New Web Design


 
By working together closely on the various projects, the Prime team was able to create a consistent and coherent marketing package that makes it easy for esp to do business.

The Meaning of Color


As part of the graphic design team, I work with color all the time, but is not only an important part of my everyday job is a part of who I am as a person! I am a Graphic Designer by day, Artist by night!!
 
When we look through advertisements, Color Wheelwebsites or just anything is everyday life…color is all around, but what are colors all about?  According to Color Wheel Pro the meanings of each color is as follows…

Red
The color red is associated with Energy, Danger, Strength, Passion & Love.  

Why would you use red?

  • It is highly visable    
  • Stimulates people to make quick decisions
  • Perfect color for ‘Buy Now’ or ‘Click Here’ buttons on Internet banners and websites    
  • In advertising, often used to evoke passionate feelings (red lips, red nails, etc.)        
  • Widely used to indicate danger (high voltage signs, traffic lights)


Orange
The color orange is commonly associated with joy, sunshine & the tropics.

Why would you use orange?

  • Has very high visibility, use it to catch attention and highlight the most important elements of your design
  • Very effective for promoting food products and toys


Yellow
The color yellow is most often associated with joy & happiness, along with intellect, or energy.

Why would you use yellow?

  • To evoke pleasant, cheerful feelings.
  • Promote children’s products and items related to leisure
  • Highlight the most important elements of your design
  • Avoid using yellow if you want to suggest stability and safety


Green
There are several different emotions & feelings that the color green usually evokes, nature, growth, harmony & safety, and of course money!


Why would you use green?

  • Suggests stability and endurance
  • Indicate safety when advertising drugs and medical products
  • Green is directly related to nature, so you can use it to promote ‘green’ products


Blue
The color blue has a variety of emotions that is commonly is associated with;
depth & stability, trust & loyalty, wisdom & intelligence, along with tranquility and calmness.

Why would you use blue?

  • Promote products and services related to cleanliness (water purification filters, cleaning liquids)
  • Promote air and sky (airlines, airports, air conditioners)
  • Promote water and sea (sea voyages, mineral water)
  • Suggests precision when promoting high-tech products



White
The color ( or non-color ) of white is commonly associated with light, goodness, innocence & purity.

Why would you use white?

  • In advertising, white is associated with coolness and cleanliness because it’s the color of snow
  • Suggest simplicity in high-tech products.
  • Appropriate color for charitable organizations or to promote safety


The next time you are ready to create new print materials for your business or create a new website…let Prime help evoke the right feeling & emotion with COLOR!!
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A Tough Goodbye, But Good News Too


I’m sorry to write that this post is my last at Prime Advertising & Design.  A new opportunity has presented itself and I’m off to take on some new challenges.  In the last 3+ years here at Prime as the Web Director I have truly enjoyed the clients, our projects, the Prime staff and most of all my team.  I’ve also grown to love this little outlet called a blog.

I definately want to say thank you to the subscribers/readers and commenters here over the last year.  It’s been fun interacting with you and also forming friendships along the way.  I would say it’s safe to say I will reappear on the blogosphere soon.

To my team of Luke, Jeff and Janna … you are all top notch and I know the high level of work will continue and probably even improve as I depart.  At least I’m not holding you back anymore!    I admire your abilities and dedication to do the right thing and how well you work together.  It will be fun to stay on top of the web work you guys turn out for clients.  Thank you for everything you have taught me and all of the fun times we’ve shared.  I’m having a hard time imagining leading a better group.

The good news is that more of the experienced and talented people at Prime will be getting involved with the Prime blog upon my exit.  You can look forward to more insight, tips and examples from our print department and hopefully even the community guide crew.  So instead of just me spouting off, the content here should diversify a bit and increase.  That’s awesome.

I could write a million more things, but brevity has its purpose.  The Internet rocks, good luck and stay classy.

 

Prime Launches Central Land Title’s Online Ordering System Website


Central Land Title’s first website is small in page structure, but big on abilities and it hit the web this week.  Central Land Title is a Minnesota Title Insurance issuer and wanted to not only have a web presence after years in business; but improve their business process and service by offering online title insurance accounts and ordering to their clients.

Below is a screen shot of their home page.

Central Land Title web design

 

The website allows for their current and new customers to create their own account online or log-in to their existing account. Once an account is created the second screenshot below shows the capabilities users have.  They are able to administer to their account info and password, place new title insurance orders, view past orders, check the status us current orders, upload documents and more.  This really gives Central Land Title the ability to provide improved service and work flow internally and externally.  We’re positive their customers will appreciate the website’s offering and ease of use.

Account Log-in & New Account Registration Screentshot

 

 
User Account Management Screenshot
 


CUhire.com Launches News Website, Adds to Prime’s Resume


CUhire.com is a start-up company focusing on connecting Credit Union jobs with qualified candidates.  CUhire is targeting a national audience and has put together a turn-key, web based service that will allow Credit Unions a powerful connection to multiple Credit Union hiring websites when looking for their next employee. 

 

 

Prime started with designing the logo and branding for CUhire and then the web squad was brought in to create the website.  As the focal point of their business and service, CUhire knew they needed a site that was easy to use, displayed job postings and communicated their offering to both Credit Unions looking to hire and candidates looking for a Credit Union career.   The site turned out great, the client has expressed their happieness and we look forward to working with CUhire and their bright future.

Check out the new website for CUhire.com.

Small Business Blogging Works & Here Is An Example


I was catching up on email over the weekend after missing a few days of work and read through one of our clients e-letters.  They also blog and had highlighted a few resent posts on the outlook for 2008 so I clicked to check it out.  (Mental note:  e-letter opened, e-letter read and link clicked on: It’s doing its job.)

Paramount Granite Blog 

After reading that post I decided to read a few more posts.  Barb and Angie at the Paramount Granite Blog do an excellent job of communicating product specific information, entertaining content, recipes (their product is part of numerous kitchens) and more. Then I came across a post Angie had written, Granite … Not Just for Kitchens.  Seeing that it had a few comments I clicked into it to see what conversation it had generated and I was smiling ear to ear to see what had transpired.  Not only had one reader let PGC know they really valued the blog and granite advice, but this commenter made them aware they were comparing granite to a manufactured product (cambria) for their kitchen remodel. Another customer/reader appreciated the fast answers and let them know they would be calling them ASAP.

You can read the full post, but here are the comments and Angie’s responses below:

 

Kendra said, on January 4th, 2008 at 6:38 pm

I have been researching Granite lately and came across your website. The blog idea has been really interesting and you brought up some good points. Here’s my sitch: I want a new house. My husband says no. I counter-offer with some remodeling of the kitchen including new countertops. My husband wants to go with Cambria. He says it’s more durable and over-all it’s cleaner. What are your thoughts on the difference between your products? Thank you.


Angie said, on January 7th, 2008 at 3:46 pm

I can appreciate your dilemma. Hopefully your husband will consider the remodel. To address your husbands misconceptions about granite, I will start off by saying that granite is the hardest countertop surface you can find, as there is no resin (plastic) in granite. To give you more detailed information on the cleanabilty, click on this link to find the results of a study that was conducted http://www.marble-institute.com/industryresources/sanitation.cfm. "The findings of the report show significant cleanability advantages of natural granite countertops over almost all other commonly found countertop surface materials." Thanks for reading!


Kendra said, on January 8th, 2008 at 7:55 pm

Angie, I tried the website you suggested but the article doesn’t come up? Do you have any other links I can try. My husband likes his facts and figures, so any info I can relay to him would be so helpful! For example, if one wanted to, they can use the countertop as a cutting board, correct? I also would like you to know I appreciate your fast response. For my husbands sake I emailed Cambria about 1 1/2 weeks ago and still haven’t heard back. Customer Service goes a long way in my book!


Angie said, on January 9th, 2008 at 9:05 am

Kendra, you may just have to type the link in if it does not work properly. If that doesn’t work let me know. As far as cutting on your countertops, that is fine. The only thing to be aware of in that case is that your knives might become dull from cutting directly on the granite.


Mrs. Shelly Yeasting said, on January 9th, 2008 at 4:15 pm

Wow, you do a wonderful job blogging. You must really enjoy being the owner/operator of a successful granite business. Do you feel that antique finished stones provide an alternative look to traditional polished granite? Do you feel that antique Emerald Pearl has a softer look than regular Emerald Pearl but still maintains the iridescent accents that make the stone so popular? I’m concerned if we install antique Emerald Pearl we will loose that incredible mica flecking. My research tells me that antique stones have a textured surface and are the perfect complement for simple or rustic design kitchens. With that said, would you agree? I will have my husband send you our plans.


Angie said, on January 10th, 2008 at 3:43 pm

Thank you for your comments. I am not the owner of Paramount Granite Company, but rather the Customer Service Manager. The antique finish is definitely a more rustic/textured look. To respond to your questions, I have not seen Emerald Pearl in an antiqued finish. I can assume based on the materials that I have seen with the antiqued finish that it would compromise some of the iridescent mica reflection that is typical of polished Emerald Pearl granite. We have samples of other material with an antique finish in our showroom. We would be happy to help you explore your options.


Mrs. Shelly Yeasting said, on January 10th, 2008 at 5:24 pm

Angie,
Thank you for your quick attention to this blog. I apoligize for thinking that you were the owner of ParaMount Granite. From your knowledge on natural stone crystals, I assumed incorrectly. The owner of ParaMount Granite should be proud to have you on staff! My husband, Leonard will be calling you later today.

 

Will this transpire on every post?  No.  But you can see how the information, the relationship with a potential client and the ability to answer questions through the blog is creating business for Paramount.  Great job Barb and Angie and keep up the great work.  I’m sure we’ll see more examples of how blogging translates into business with your efforts.