Just in case you are looking for a member of the Zapwater team, you should be aware that it is employee appreciation day.
In honor of everyone’s hard work, employees can choose to take off either July 1st or July 5th. Be assured, that after a four day weekend, the team will be rested and ready for the second half of 2011.
Everyday we see how the education provided by these Zapwater clients dramatically impacts the lives of their students.
One of the main things our agency is tasked with from the clients above is student acquisition. Obviously, marketing plays a major role in convincing students to go to one school over the other.
Here are two amazing marketing videos from two very different schools. In my opinion, both are hit the mark.
Several articles have been published lately discussing the benefits of creating a mobile app for your small business or enterprise. While multiple misconceptions about apps still exist – they are expensive, they are not right for us, they don’t allow for creativity – those ideas are being refuted by the newest DIY trend in mobile apps, such as the services offered by Red Foundry. Red Foundry was recently featured in the Wall Street Journal article “The Ins and Outs of Mobile Apps.”
The article brought up some great points about why having a mobile strategy is essential to the future of small business development and debunked some app myths:
• Mobile apps have the ability to market and expedite exposure for your company
• The monthly upkeep of a mobile app (publishing fees, maintenance, etc.) can cost less than $100 – sometimes it is even free!
• DIY mobile software/platforms are NOT always confusing
• Small businesses do not need to hire a developer to make a beautiful and relevant app
• Larger businesses may opt to outsource their app development, but there are options available for under $12,000
• Be wary of app developers who ask for revenue-sharing agreements
• Small businesses need a mobile app (or at least they need to consider it!)
Overall, a company like Red Foundry offers small businesses the chance to create a beautiful app, complete with the functions desired, without using any code. They have package options, such as their IGNITE Program, for companies who want in-house training along with their app creation. This option allows Red Foundry to guide employees of a company through the app development phases, but will also teach those individuals how to make modifications in the future without Red Foundry’s assistance.
Moving forward, companies need to consider a mobile strategy. Just as websites have become a norm for small businesses looking to propel their services and market their brand, mobile apps are becoming key features in new business plans. With an estimated one out of two Americans having a smart phone by Christmas 2011(iPhone, Android, or Blackberry) it’s no surprise you will need an app for that.
Did you know that one of Zapwater’s fastest area of growth is with education clients? We have experience working with universities, education services companies, cultural institutions and associations. Yes, we know education marketing.
Interested in who we’re working with? Study up on some of Zapwater’s education clients:
Pocket Literacy Coach Pocket Literacy Coach is a text messaging service that provides parents with daily creative and fun research-based lessons to use with children to build emerging literacy skills. These lessons are designed by literacy scholar Dr. Chris Drew and a team of teachers to provide a unique way to develop basic and critical literacy skills. Services are currently designed for parents of Pre-K through 2nd grade students, and Pocket Literacy Coach will soon be expanding through 5th and 6th grade.
The American Schools of Flower Design The American Schools of Flower Design was started by award-winning designer Michael Gaffney. Gaffney is recognized as one of the country’s most renowned floral artists, offering a distinctive approach to floral art that allows students to explore their creative passions. The American Schools of Flower Design currently offers classes in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, and most recently Miami. The school provides a hands-on floral design experience, walking students through an intense, four-week course designed to teach them the fundamentals of florals.
Tricoci University Tricoci University of Beauty Culture, founded in 2004 by beauty industry legend Mario Tricoci, is redefining the industry of beauty education in the Chicago area. Tricoci University not only prepares students for state licensing exams and careers in Cosmetology, Esthetics, or Nail Technology, Arts and Sciences, but also teaches ethical leadership, values and advanced skills for success in the beauty industry. With seven locations throughout the Chicagoland area and plans for ongoing expansion, Tricoci University is committed to furthering the community of beauty industry professionals.
Rasmussen College Rasmussen College offers career-focused Bachelor’s and Associate’s degrees at its 21 campuses across the Midwest and Florida. Walter Rasmussen founded the College in 1900 with a mission to deliver top-notch educational programs that answer the demands of the growing business environment.
A big part of Zapwater’s time is raising the profile of Rasmussen’s”>Rasmussen’s leadership and faculty. Check out one of the many broadcast segments we’ve secured on behalf of Rasmussen’s faculty.
Summer Hours at Vertigo Sky Lounge
When: Friday – Sunday, 12 p.m.
This summer, Vertigo Sky Lounge will keep the daytime rocking all weekend long! Get a head start on the party and enjoy the view with friends on the 26th floor of the dana hotel and spa. The penthouse lounge will now open at noon on Friday through Sunday for the entire summer season. Play hooky on Friday, catch some Saturday sun, or have a Sunday Funday on the only year round outdoor patio in Chicago. Guests will enjoy $6 Belvedere cocktails, a water melon water tasting station, signature bites, and local house music all day long. Take in the sights of Vertigo Sky Lounge’s stylish renovations, including an extra 800 square feet of space, an extended bar with twice the service capacity, sleek furniture, and enhanced lighting.
Listen Local, Drink Local at Bull & Bear
When: Thursdays, 5 p.m.
Bull & Bear has scoured the city to discover the best in Windy City charities, breweries, markets, and musical talent. The new after work concept, Listen Local, Drink Local will host a different brewery weekly and feature a signature menu of both local dishes and ingredients. Don’t miss exclusive pricing on all local beer selections and complimentary tasting cards for all guests that attend. Many local breweries will have their founders onsite to introduce product and provide first tastes of Chicago born beer. Listen Local, Drink Local signature dishes will include roasted beet salad, mini shrimp tacos, and grilled Dietzler farm hanger steak. No steep ticket price or cover charge required.
Tricoci University of Beauty Culture Opens New Campus
When: Saturday, August 6 and Tuesday, August 16
Tricoci University of Beauty Culture campus in Highland, Indiana will open its doors to welcome a new class beginning August 16. A kick-off event in Highland, attended by prospective students and current TUBC staff, faculty and corporate executive leadership, is tentatively scheduled for August 6.
Founded by Linda Wolff in 2001, Funky Junque specializes in selling accessories at a wholesale level to high-profile retailers nationwide. For 23 years, Linda has been one of the top representatives of children’s apparel in the U.S. Many of her retail customers were looking to increase the sales of accessory products, but there were no companies that matched her vision of what a great accessory company should be. Thus, Linda decided she could better serve her customers by developing her own line of accessories, Funky Junque. Funky Junque boasts a variety of accessory products, including bags, purses, belts, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, rings, scarves, watches, hair accessories and more. For more information, visit http://www.funky-junque.com/.
Shrine Haberdashers is a men’s accessories boutique located on Chicago’s exclusive Oak Street. Carrying only the finest, artisan-crafted accessories, Shrine has become the go-to shop for Chicago’s best dressed gents. Rafik Boughadou, founder of Shrine, has been inspired by the traditional craftsmanship he witnessed from his travels when he was a young boy. Shrine has recently extended its unique selection of accessories to the web, so men all around the world can have access to the boutique’s rare products. For more information, visit http://shrinestyle.com.
The British are coming in full force, and no one is more excited than the Zapwater team for the opening of the Topshop and Topman store on Michigan Avenue. Although many of the details of the grand opening celebration are under wraps, we are your go-to source for exclusive updates and previews!
We have the Brits to thank for introducing us to The Beatles, tea time and now Topshop/Topman. Follow up on what the media has to say about this British staple’s move to the Windy City:
They say you always remember your first, and Zapwater is living proof! We are back at it again with our first client, Greg Schern, and his newest endeavor, Gura Gear. Gura Gear offers a line of bags used for transporting photo gear designed by photographers for photographers using the latest technology, best designers, and highest-quality materials. Gura Gear bags are lightweight, durable, comfortable and fully-functional and are ideal for on-the-go, adventurous photographers.
Zapwater first collaborated with Mr. Schern when he launched a previous company, a line of archival, digital imaging papers.
Zapwater knows the importance of loyalty and client relations, and we are thrilled to keep a good thing going with Gura Gear!
With three vegetarians, a handful of meat lovers and our ever-evolving diet crazes and contests, it is not often that the Zapwater office can decide on a lunch spot that suits everyone. Thankfully, Protein Bar has saved the day! (And our waistlines!) Protein Bar recently opened its second Chicago location, conveniently sitting in the heart of River North at 353 N. Clark St.
If you haven’t heard, Protein Bar offers customizable high-protein blended drinks, bowls, fresh-made chili, wraps and salads and the signature PROTEIN BAR-RITOs. Its one-of-a-kind dishes and drinks fill you up without filling you out, and we can honestly say it tastes amazing. With quick service, an expansive hearty and healthy menu and two more locations set to open soon, it is impossible not to love Protein Bar.
Lions, and tigers, and the Today Show, oh my! Andy Biggs, Zapwater client and wildlife photographer extraordinaire, made an appearance on the Today Show on May 24. Andy offered viewers tips on how to get great family vacation photos and also gave his must-have camera suggestions for users of all different skill levels.
Check out the BBC’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year in the segment, below!
