Archive for January, 2009

The City of Dallas’ Office of Economic Development has selected Ariamedia to design and brand the nation’s premier municipal economic development web presence to attract national and international business to the area.  Ariamedia was selected in part for our deep understanding of the local government and economic development markets.  Area clients include:  Town of Addison, McKinney EDC, City of Southlake and City of Allen.

Ariamedia’s CEO Ryan Thompson was interviewed this morning on KRLD CBS News Radio (1080am in Dallas) to share our views on the economy and how to thrive during it.

Here’s our take on how to Thrive in today’s economy:

1.  Review your target markets segments.  Are they more economically stable than others?  Do you have customers in market segments with which you can tell a compelling value proposition?  If so, expand your marketing to those groups and write a case history to prove you have experience.

2.  Address the economy in your go-to-market messaging…..and try to avoid “doom and gloom”!  Its really really easy to talk about how dismal the economy is currently but…its old news and its not productive.  Step back and think about your offerring:  Do you have products or services which create efficiencies, reduce labor, increase profit, etc?  Its very likely that you can make at least one compelling argument in this area.  For example:  At Ariamedia, we provide digital marketing and advertising services to build online experience and insure they are successful through online marketing results.  Because we’re highly targeted (not mass blast) and because virtually 100% of our work can be measured through analytics, we provide a much more “efficient” solution for your advertising and marketing dollars.  Thus, our go to market is about Marketing Efficiency and insuring that your agencies prove their value.  

3.  Find Qualified Advice:  It never hurts to gain insight from third parties.  If you’re a small business CEO, you’re likely an “island”.  That is, you make all the decisions, report to no one, and have no advisory function around you.  Are your decisions the right path?  I suggest building an advisory group and doing so at zero cost.  Here are several ways:

• Contact your local SBA office and get connected with a SBDC (Small Business Development Center).  These groups have expertise in all areas, are totally free and in my experience are immensely insightful.  (NOTE:  The north Dallas office I frequent is the Collin County SBDC).
• Find like-minded CEOs (or whatever title is lateral to your position) and form an advisory group over lunch or dinner once a month.  Exchange ideas, challenge one another, network, etc.  You’ll be amazed what happens when you simply begin verbalizing your challenges.

4.  Maintain a Positive Attitude.  Look, I know the economy sucks for many but what are YOU going to do about it?  Negative is like a virus and it often causes procrastination.  Remain positive, explore deeply to find existing opportunities, create new opportunities that address the economy and most of all, ACT!  Inaction is far worse than incremental failure.  You must move forward and make tough decisions.  

Feel free to continue this discussion on Twitter:  www.twitter.com/ariamedia

Update: We are no longer looking for this position.

Overview –

We are looking for you!

That is, if you are a designer who has solid conceptual skills, has the ability to self-manage, has a great sense of humor, and can handle a wide range of projects and solve an equally wide range of problems quickly and efficiently.

You will be afforded the privilege of working on high-profile projects across multiple media with a creative team that will guarantee it gets done with a ton of fun.

You, the candidate must be able to show your ability to translate conceptual ideas to real-world communication in web, print, and motion graphics, and in some cases across all media.

Requirements –

• Desire to learn, grow, and move through the ranks while taking our clients along for the ride
• 3-5 years experience in web design or related working structures
• Fluent in today’s technologies, terms, and mediums as they apply to design
• Advanced understanding of XHTML and CSS
• Seasoned eye for layout, graphic design, and typography
• Self-motivated, good communication skills, comfortable following direction
• Strong skills in Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, and all creative applications that make our job easier, faster, or more efficient
• Great sense of humor, and not overly sensitive

Desired but not required –

• Agency experience
• Skills in Flash and ActionScript
• JavaScript knowledge
• Ability to work in motion graphics arena without heavy training
• A degree in design or art
• Awesome dart throwing skills
• The ability to walk on water

About Ariamedia –

We’re fun people, and pretty darn nice to boot.

We are a creative firm who lives in the convergence of art, intelligence and function. We create beautiful and meaningful interfaces between our clients and their constituents. We are an agency who hold no creativity hostage in the pursuit of greatness on behalf of the people who trust us with their brand, their image, their message, and their business.

Now for the “fun” part –

Ariamedia is located in the gorgeous city of Addison, TX., but unfortunately we cannot offer relocation at this time, which means that you must be local to the Dallas area. Also, you must be eligible to work in the U.S. and fluent in English.

Portfolios are absolutely required.

Here’s what to do -

Send a resume and salary history to: 
Jordan Wollman | Partner, Marketing & Strategy | jwollman (at) ariamedia.com

We will check all references submitted, oh and, no calls please. We’re super busy and would love to talk, but let us get back to you.