Covenant Kickoff #1 from Covenant Communications on Vimeo.

“This will have a huge influence on consumers, who will now be able to see what their social network of friends ‘Like’ on other sites they frequently visit,” says Justin Ramb, Covenant’s president.

For example, if someone decides to “Like” a T-shirt on Levis.com, this action will be shared both on the brand’s site and on Facebook as well.

This will also have a big impact on the way businesses market their products to consumers, helping them better understand their customers’ preferences and buying patterns, Ramb explains.

A full-service marketing agency, Covenant has launched successful social media campaigns for clients on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, establishing a relationship between businesses and their consumers. Also specializing in design, print and Web, Covenant plans to incorporate this new Facebook initiative into their custom Web designs for clients.

“This is a huge opportunity for businesses to market directly to their target audience, and redefine their products and services based on customer feedback,” Ramb says. “This opens a new door for marketing.”

So what’s the big deal? Well, what’s to keep hackers, phishers, and other ne’er-do-wells from creating a pop-up window that looks exactly like Facebook’s window? Once you enter your username and password, they would have all the info they need to comprise your identity on Facebook. You’d be able to tell by looking at the URL, but for the average user who doesn’t know enough nor care enough to pay attention to the URL, this could be a very dangerous issue.

Plus why doesn’t Facebook use a secure URL instead of just an open one?

Maybe we’re making mountains out of mole hills, but it sure does seem like this is prime phishing grounds for those who seek to pray on the unsuspecting.

“We just have a passion for the work and get a big kick out of receiving this honor,” says agency president Justin Ramb. Ramb also serves as principal creative director for this marketing communication agency located in downtown Orlando. “Peer recognition is indeed a compliment and I congratulate all the 2010 winners,” said Ramb.

Covenant Communications was recognized for its work in newspaper advertising, radio spots and direct marketing campaigns.

Covenant Communications partners with its clients to deliver compelling communications across all media, including broadcast, print, direct and interactive. Since 2002, Covenant has been making businesses successful through Marketing Communications, Branding and Design, Web Design and Web Development, and Online Marketing services. Visit www.covweb.com for more information.

xxx

The ADDY® Awards represent the true spirit of creative excellence by recognizing all forms of advertising and administered by the advertising industry for the industry. The American Advertising Federation conducts the ADDY® Awards through its 200 member advertising clubs and 15 districts.

Now, after years of hard work, changing my co-workers’ proposals, e-mail drafts and ad copy from “website” to “Web site,” the AP Stylebook has officially changed the word to “website.”

And, sadly, I am forced to put away my red pen and officially retire as the “Web site” Police. But before I do, I’d like to take a moment to remember the good times. When politicians were honest, gas was cheap and website was “Web site.” So here’s to you Web site entry in the AP Stylebook. You had a good run while it lasted. And you may be replaced, but you will never be forgotten.

“What do you think of BBQ?” one of the senior account executives asked in the beginning of my second interview.
“I like Sonny’s salad bar,” I replied. She grimaced and shook her head, as though I answered her incorrectly.
“We’re going to have to work on that,” she replied. “BBQ is a staple around here.”

She and the Vice President began talking amongst themselves about Po’ Boys and a few other local BBQ joints that they were addicted to, and I made a mental note to try one out over the weekend and report back.

“Have you ever played Wii tennis?” the Vice President asked.
I paused and looked down at my lap where my portfolio sat, filled with writing clips and a list of answers I had prepared to common interview questions. None of these were on there. Crap.
“No,” I replied. “But I play regular tennis.”
The Senior Account Executive laughed. “We have a lot to teach you,” she said.

Looking back on that day almost two years later, they’ve definitely delivered on that promise. I’ve learned that “fun” and “work” aren’t necessarily contradictions. I’ve learned that your opinions do matter, even if your name isn’t followed by the word “President” or “Owner.” I’ve also learned that you can’t eat more than 12 pieces of Double Bubble without feeling really, really sick (but we’ll save that for another time).

So happy anniversary to us, Covenant, and here’s to another two years of a great relationship, life lessons and the rare opportunity to work at a place where you can really be yourself—as long as you like BBQ.

Kristin Davis is an Account Executive and Copywriter at Covenant. She loves adventure sports and is a kickboxing instructor…which means she could probably take all of us.

]]> http://www.covweb.com/blog/happy-anniversary/feed/ 0 http://www.covweb.com/blog/the-state-of-the-internet-in-2010/ http://www.covweb.com/blog/the-state-of-the-internet-in-2010/#comments Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:56:51 +0000 Jason http://www.covweb.com/?p=1817

JESS3 designed and animated this for the JESS3 lecture at AIGA Baltimore in Feb 2010.

]]> http://www.covweb.com/blog/the-state-of-the-internet-in-2010/feed/ 0 http://www.covweb.com/blog/the-apple-ipad-is-a-game-changer-heres-why/ http://www.covweb.com/blog/the-apple-ipad-is-a-game-changer-heres-why/#comments Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:42:46 +0000 Jason http://www.covweb.com/?p=1564 This isn’t a comprehensive guide to the Apple iPad – there’s already one of those.

This isn’t an article about iPad’s limitations – though there are many.

This is an article about why everyone should care about the Apple iPad. Love it, hate it, disappointed by it, or ready to buy it, the bottom line is Apple has created a product that will help usher in a new form of information experience. The iPad doesn’t have everything (some would argue it doesn’t have anything), but it’s clear that the way we consume information and media is evolving, and the iPad is a first draft of where we’re headed.

Here are four reasons why I believe the Apple iPad is a game changer:

1. Rich User Experience

Apple is the undisputed leader in user experience. From the beginning when Apple introduced the scroll wheel for its iPods to the unprecedented iPhone user interface, Apple has revolutionized the way we interact with technology. Granted, Apple didn’t reinvent the wheel with the iPad experience (it’s a lot of the same features we see in the iPhone). But what is clear is that future devices, applications, and technology must include rich user experience. Mouse clicks and scrollbars won’t last forever. What Apple has done is create an experience that involves natural human elements – why click a mouse when you can use your fingers? Why scroll when you can swipe with your hand?

Though the iPad isn’t the end-all, be-all tablet yet, its user experience is a game changer. It’s a game changer because it will influence the future tablets and devices yet to be developed.

2. All-Inclusive Content

I’ll say from the start Apple missed the boat on this – but that doesn’t mean they aren’t close to the boat. As we consume more and more information and media through digital and online channels, it’s becoming clear that eventually we will need devices that provide all-inclusive content. This means being able to read a book, newspaper, surf the web, watch a movie, and connect through social media all through one device. Doesn’t the iPad do that already? Well, yes it does, but the problem is that Apple’s device isn’t open source yet, and it severely limits the user’s ability to share content across multiple devices.

For instance I can’t share files, information, media, or applications across my computer, iPad, iPhone, etc. I can’t hook up my iPad to my television. These are limiting factors that Apple will have to address at some point. But, the iPad is a step in the right direction. We are always trying to simplify our lives, and while the iPad seems more like an extra device than a convenient replacement, the devices of the future will look and function a lot like the iPad. All-inclusive content is the future, and, though limiting and restrictive, Apple’s iPad has it in spades.

3. Mobility

As our information consumption becomes more centralized it also has to become more mobile. We won’t put up with sitting at our desktop to read the news anymore. We’ve solved the mobility issue in large part with the technological advancement in phones. I can do quite a lot on my iPhone. So is a device like the iPad necessary? Yes, and here’s why.

My iPhone is small.

Mobility and portability are essential, but so also is a good experience. The experience on the iPhone is awesome, but I’d rather surf the web, watch movies, and read books on a larger screen. Wouldn’t you? The Apple iPad is small enough, thin enough, and light enough to be mobile while also optimizing the “consumption” experience. Don’t get me wrong it could be better (I don’t like the huge bevel around the screen for one). But the bottom line is I would feel comfortable carrying around an iPad, rather than my laptop, if the functionality were in place.

Mobility is key, and the iPad is a very good start.

4. Entertainment

Just as the way we consume information is changing, the way we consume entertainment (digital) is changing. It won’t be much longer before cable, and even television are obsolete. The internet has changed things. So how will we consume our digital entertainment in the future? It will be through a variety of means one of which will be through devices like the iPad. Whether it’s reading a magazine, watching a network show, watching a movie, or playing games, our devices will become smaller, faster, and more mobile.

The Apple iPad is small, pretty fast, and mobile. Yes it has some big limitations – namely that you can’t connect to your TV, can’t share content, and must route everything through Apple’s proprietary platforms (iTunes, iBooks, etc) – but once again it’s a mold that I believe many will follow. Imagine being able to control your digital entertainment library at the touch of a button with a mobile device that can share content across multiple platforms.

That’s where we’re headed.

Should you buy an iPad?

That depends. Will I buy one? Probably not…yet. But the die has been cast by a visionary brand, and despite all of the negative chatter surrounding the iPad, you can’t argue that it will be a game changer. There is a third device platform between phones and computers, it’s not just a marketing gimmick. The iPad could definitely be better. But the bottom line is that just as the iPhone changed the way we view phones, the iPad will change the way we view, interact with, and share content.

If Apple is smart (which they usually are), they’ll listen to the feedback from its user-base, make the necessary hardware and software upgrades, and continue to push the technology envelop for the iPad. If anyone could lead the charge for this third device platform, Apple is my choice to do it.

What do you think? Share your thoughts and opinions with us on our Facebook page:

]]> http://www.covweb.com/blog/the-apple-ipad-is-a-game-changer-heres-why/feed/ 0 http://www.covweb.com/blog/26-miles-26-degree-weather/ http://www.covweb.com/blog/26-miles-26-degree-weather/#comments Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:30:36 +0000 Kristin http://www.covweb.com/?p=1549 One of our Account Executives, Kristin Davis, recently completed the Disney Marathon. Here’s her story…

It’s 5:23 a.m., just minutes before the start of the 2010 Walt Disney World Marathon, and I’m filled with mixed emotions of excitement and self-doubt. I breathe in deeply and exhale to calm my nerves, watching my breath fill the air like smoke. I’m told it’s 26 degrees outside, but I can’t feel anything. Partly because I’m wearing just about every item of clothing that I own, but also because I’m too focused on the race to think about anything else.

My heart beat quickens as fireworks crack open against the sky and I hear Minnie Mouse’s squeaky voice over the intercom wishing us all “Good luck.” Claiming whatever personal space I can in a crowd of 15,000 runners, I try to get in some last-minute stretching. Then I stop to look up. The noise, the cold, the people, everything fades into the background as I watch the fireworks splash bright hues of red, blue and purple across the black sky, and I think about how grateful I am to be here in this moment. I close my eyes and breathe in again, as if to store it all in my memory so that I could revisit it again later.

A countdown from 10 begins, and the runners all start to inch closer toward the start line, but I hang back. I double-check that I have everything I need for the next four hours: Cell phone, Cliff bar, iPod, Chap Stick. Because once I cross that start line, I’m not going to stop until I finish this race … no matter what.

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