Our Blog

I'm excited to show the three videos we produced over the past year for the Mount Baker Council Boy Scouts of America.  We were able to track them and check out their cools sites and put together a video campaign showing the relevance of Scouting as well as the benefits.  Our latest and last video for 2009 was The Benefits of Scouting and it's neat to see an organization that's 100 years old still stay relevant in this day and age.

4th Avenue Media is creating demand for businesses with intense and epic videos... like the one we just did for Tru Cellars.  Click to watch the EPIC TRAILER.

When my Grandpa was in WWII, he would send my Grandma letters from where he was stationed. Writing letters and sending them through the mail system took weeks, but it was the only way to talk to loved ones and be informed on what was going on over here in the States.

The Puget Sound public has chosen us as one of their favorite Northwest employers in the fourth annual NWjobs People's Picks contest!

When people talk to us about our services and what we can provide for clients, the number one thing we stress is the importance of conveying the personalized story of the client. So often there are cookie cutter approaches to what we see and that's not something we do. First it doesn't really help you stand apart and second, it isn't your real story, it's someone else's.

On September 29th, 4th Avenue Media was the Media coverage for the Northwest Event Show. “The Largest and Grandest event in the Northwest”(nweventshow.com). This show is put on by B and E Resources and is open and free to the public (banquetevent.com). This impressive, one-day event show, features a wide range of businesses such as: Catering Companies, Hotels, Wineries, Entertainers and Event Coordinators.

In today’s fast paced business world, having your online presence and overall customer appeal is a vital part of your business' success.  Often times businesses who rely on outside marketing companies to handle their marketing are faced with the challenge of finding a company that can handle all of their marketing needs. This means they have to hire multiple companies to achieve these goals. This not only makes the process less efficient and more stressful, but it will undoubtedly cost you more money than is really necessary.

It's not uncommon for businesses to cut back on marketing budgets to save money in a tough economy. According to Imagine Visual Marketing studies have shown that 75% of U.S. companies retract marketing and advertising budgets when the Economy starts to plummet. As companies begin to cut back budgets, they must refocus and invest in marketing tools that are proven to be beneficial.

In any kind of sales business, we all know how important it is to get your company's name out there. You call, email, go on appointments, follow up. But there's only so many people you can call or email in one day, it's just logistics. Sales is a numbers game. It doesn't matter how good what you're selling is or how much you believe in it, if you're not talking to enough people about it, you're not going to sell anything!

The Video Insider blog over at MediaPost.com has an interesting article discussing online video trends. Here are some key takeaways that every business needs to put into practice in order to differentiate themselves and stay ahead of their competition:

We're putting together a TV show called "4th Avenue Media" which will air on local channels!  Stay tuned to 4thAvenueMedia.com to find out all the latest details.

When I think about the current state of today’s economy, I can’t help but reflect back to September 11th. The businesses that survived after 9-11, were those who were already prepared for disaster to strike. What can we be doing today to prepare for disaster tomorrow and how can we think positively?

Having a strong online presence is becoming even more crucial for businesses to stay relevant in today’s ever changing market. A friend of mine sent me a link to new research done by the “Pew Internet & American Life Project” that highlights who is using the internet (http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1093/generations-online).

Many people ask me if what we do is a commercial or is it news and I say both.  You know the old saying "Any press is good press" and the reason is people hear about you and want to see for themselves the accuracy of what they hear.  That really is what 4th Avenue Media is trying to create for businesses, a sense of awareness where people will check out for themselves and see if they want to do business at the location we're featuring.  We say we're helping take away the blind date feel for customers looking for what they want and in turn we're helping businesses stand out from their competition.

I recently came across a website called The Real Estate Bloggers. It is evident that people are catching on to the importance of video to help sell a property. Although most Real Estate agents are beginning to advertise with low-resolution video on You Tube, those taking the next step are really coming out on top.

Valuable advice about effectively running your business, and it’s free! I’m referring to the Young Entrepreneur blog. Updated daily, this blog provides a wealth of information that has been extremely useful to all of us at 4th Avenue Media. In particular, I enjoy the interviews with entrepreneurs. It’s always refreshing to hear the experiences of other business owners who are dealing with similar challenges.

I recently watched an informative webinar, "How to Use Social Media for Lead Generation” by Hubspot. Some of the points I found interesting include:

I am continually seeking advice about Online Marketing in order to continue helping my clients get the word out about their business. Jim Connolly has a blog called Jim’s Marketing Blog that I have found extremely helpful and beneficial. (jimsmarketingblog.com) In Jim’s Blog he highlights 34 major marketing tips and ideas. Here is just a couple I have found most helpful.

I am continually blown away by the popularity of online video and the impact it leaves on society. Here are just a few statistics that emphasize the amount of people viewing online video. According to Website Video Guide, in 2007 “123 Million Americans viewed online video each month. 26% of those videos were humorous, 66% of those videos were ads and 44% of viewers took action after viewing those ads.”

I recently read an article about Internet Marketing in Today’s Society and gained some incredible insight. Internet advertising requires different techniques than your typical advertising medium. It is our job at 4th Avenue Media to be your Internet advertising expert.

We had a great shoot today at Egrari Plastic Surgery Center in Bellevue, Washington.  They were not only fun to work with, but patients seem to really like the entire practice.  We'll have their story posted soon so check back.

4th Avenue Media continues to partner with wineries in Woodinville. Last week we did a shoot on Matthews Estate and the owners and wine makers left a lasting impression. Matthews not only offers great tasting wine, but they have a fabulous team of individuals that makes Matthews so unique.

4th Avenue Media has a team of highly skilled web developers and designers helping businesses stand apart from their competition by producing classy and innovative websites.  We just finished Klovr's site and have many more on the way.

When you're looking for a real estate agent, it's tough to know who to choose and where to look.  How do you know who to trust?  How can you find out if they're a buyer's agent or a seller's agent?  At 4th Avenue Media, we've gotten into the real estate market with Agent Profile Videos, so you can see the agent before meeting with them. 

This Saturday was Brian Carter Cellars Blending Party and 4th Avenue Media covered the event. I must say that this work assignment is among my favorites. I have always been curious as to how wine makers create such beautifully blended wines.

Members of the Woodinville Wine Country share the same passion: “for crafting world class wine.” Wine lovers from all over the state keep coming back to Woodinville each year to share in the continually growing Woodinville Wine Country. With over 40 wineries and tasting rooms to visit in Woodinville, everyone can find fine wines fitting to their personal style and taste. I grew up in Washington State and I am just now beginning to realize all that Woodinville has to offer.

I realize we’ve been drilling into your head the importance of having a video on you or your business, but here I am to do it again.

I can’t stress to you all enough how important it is to have, not only a visually attractive website, but also a functional one. We always say here in the office that “your website is your storefront” and I have found that to be completely true.

Over the perfect-weathered Memorial Day weekend, I went up to the San Juan Islands to go whale watching. Although we didn’t see a whale on the boat (saw them later at the lighthouse !), we still had a great time!

After looking around the headlines on Yahoo.com, I came across one that said, "Taking vacations stresses out worker, survey finds". I thought, "Are you kidding me"? So I had to find out.

There are different social networking events occurring in every city, but are they effective? I have attended the Eastside Entrepreneurs networking event, plus every month I attend the Everett Young Professionals events.

What about breweries? There are people who know the ins and outs of beer, from the four major ingredients to the first sip after brewing. 

If you're looking for a good shopping experience in Leavenworth, WA you better pay a visit to the Wood Shop Hat Shop.  This store has been a Leavenworth staple for decades, but continues to grow in popularity.  When I was a little girl, I would spend hours playing with the unique toys in the Wood Shop and then would step over to the Hat Shop to try on every hat imaginable.

They're fun and offer something great to taste: Wineries!  We shot at story at Icicle Ridge Winery in Leavenworth, Washington.  It's located at one of the most beautiful spots I've ever seen.  If you're looking for great wine and a great get away head to Icicle Ridge Winery.

I've been in San Antonio, Texas this week doing three shoots on different businesses.  Tuesday I shot a story on The Orsatti Dental Group, which turned out great.  If you're looking for a dentist in the San Antonio area, look no further than them!  Wednesday it was off to Northeast Baptist Hospital where we met up with plastic surgeon, Sheryl Pilcher, M.D.  We shot part of a breast augmentation surgery and then went to her practice to interview patients.  She is so sweet!

Move out of the way California because Washington wineries are on the rise! Washington State is home to more than 300 wineries and vineyards and is the nation's second-largest producer of premium wines. With so many options for wine lovers, how does someone choose the wine they should drink and the wineries they should visit? A wine maker's reputation plays a key role in keeping people interested and coming back for more. 

4th Avenue Media is a marketing company that produces videos in order to help businesses grow, succeed, and tell their story to customers explaining why they're the best.  But there's a reason we are different from other production companies producing online videos - we have a reporter!

Most people, including myself, have a wrong view of the purposes and procedures of plastic surgery. We have often heard horror stories of plastic surgery gone wrong or have an inaccurate view of what occurs in the operating room. Because of these misconceptions, it is so important to speak with others who have had a procedure done that you're interested in.

Day after day I find myself passing businesses and thinking how beneficial it would be to have a feature video on their website. Any type of business can take advantage of this marketing tool. The videos allow customers to get to know the business on a more personal and emotional level. The best part is that these feature videos are valuable for any business from physical therapy clinics to hotels.

Everyone seems to be turning to the Internet for information nowadays.  If you want to know the best restaurant in town, a movie rating, or even the latest gossip, the Internet has it all. We have found that blogging is a great way to keep people up to date and informed about your business. 

According to broadcastvideomail.com websites with online videos hold attention 10 times longer than text! This is why 4^th Avenue Media clients have seen success with their videos. Award winning reporter Lucas Mack tells your business's story. Potential customers browsing your website will be able to see and hear what your business is about and build a relationship that cannot be done through text. In a recent article done by Entrepenour.com it stated, "The benefits for including customer-centric multimedia elements on your website are so forceful and undeniable that failing to do so is a huge mistake."

Friday Lucas and I met at Country Village in Bothell to meet with the manager, as well as some business owners.  The light sprinkle did not stop us from having a blast reminiscing of the good ol' days when we used to visit Country Village.  I almost forgot how amazing the place is, but my mother and grandmother are regular shoppers.  I guess I'll join as the next generation to begin my constant visits to check out the area and buy something amazing.

Last week was our first 4^th Avenue Media Retreat. We headed off to Leavenworth; the Bavarian Village just two hours east of Seattle, with a lot of work a head of us. I have to say that even though the trip was work related, we had a fabulous time! 

I got an interesting e-mail from Lucinda Kay, owner of Let it Shine Media. The e-mail had informational tidbits about advertising while the economy is down. Not only is it beneficial for the company to advertise while the economy is down but businesses also did better when the economy straightened out.

On November 10, 2008, I produced, anchored, and later edited a 30-minute newscast for OC News at California State University, Fullerton. My professor, Beth Evans, said it was one of the best scripts she had read, and said I should submit it for the CSUF SPJ Journalist Competition. So that's exactly what I did.

Advertising is crucial when trying to get your name out to potential customers, especially during these economic times.  Whether buying advertisning on television, radio or in print... spending a lot of money doesn't always guarantee a return on investment.

We feel that it's important to be supportive of every team member here at 4^th Avenue Media. Each employee has so much to contribute and that combination of talents is what makes us successful.  We also desire to build the same lasting relationships with our clients!

I've seen a lot of different video resumes online and weren't happy with any of them.  That's why we've decided to start producing them for job hunters!

As a recent graduate, I know how difficult it can be to begin the job hunt.  At 4^th Avenue Media we especially want to provide a way for college students and recent grads to have a jump-start into the job market.  A Video Resume really does give you an edge over your competition.

4th Avenue Media now offers video resume's for people on the job hunt!  Besides handing in a great paper resume, you can now email your potential employer a link to your resume online.

Nowadays everyone is leaving the newspapers to get all their information online.  So we have become a media company that deals with video optimization to help clients get their name out there.  But they don't really understand why.  So what's the great thing about video optimization, and how is it helping us and clients with 4th Avenue Media?

Yesterday Robin and I had met at Let's Do Lunch! in Bellevue with Jason Shindler of Curvine Web Solutions.  It was fun meeting someone who's creative and dedicated to what he does.  His team at Curvine is really talented.

Prior to starting work at 4^th Avenue Media, I already had a good idea that this was a company I wanted to be a part of.  Before my interview with Lucas, like anyone interviewing for a job would do, I did my research.  I stared by watching the videos of 4^th Avenue Medias current clients and I was sold!

Every Wednesday, Movin' 92.5 hosts Working Women's Wednesday. It's basically happy hour for women to network and be entertained. February 25th Allison, Kiri and I went to The Parlor and helped at the American Heart Association booth, registering women (and men) for Go Red For Women, and educational campaign that educates women about heart disease, plus sends tips and recipes on how to maintain a healthy heart! It was a great cause, and there were some great raffle prizes - unfortunately, none of us won.

I am so excited that it's that time again to climb climb climb!!

I have already worked 88 hours of my 150 hours required to complete my academic internship through California State University, Fullerton. And although I'm still getting used to the whole cold-calling side of the business, I'm having a blast!

I just got back from the AACS convention in Phoenix (American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery).  With hundreds of surgeons from around the world and vendors showcasing what's new for them in the new year, I found the key word for 2009 is "Non-Invasive".

Don't only large companies like Coke and Nike hire marketing/PR firms? Fiction, no company is too small to make a coffee appointment with a marketing/PR company to start discussing the possibilities of enhancing their customer appeal.  There are a lot of things companies can do for their image that will not cost millions of dollars in advertising. For example, today, some medical organizations have chosen to couple their grassroots efforts with PR agencies to gain better public awareness on issues including colon cancer, obesity and diabetes.   Do not hesitate to ask us at 4th Avenue Media any questions you may have.  We are here to serve you.

When businesses decide to hire a PR agency they are essentially entrusting their company's image to a professional.  PR agencies specialize in knowing the best innovative ways to help your company tell its story. 

Make sure to tune into Grey's Anatomy on ABC tonight at 9P to see our very own Kylie Meyer as the pregnant woman! We are so proud of Kylie! Make sure to email ABC and tell them you want MORE of the pregnant lady!!! Congrats Kylie, you're really doing it!

Today, medical practices, that are engaged in broadening their demographic, are discovering the advantages of increased digital communications between healthcare practices and their patients.