Maxys Max Media and Entertainment

As a kid surfing there was always an old bloke that would just sit out the back waiting for the perfect wave to come through – the next “big thing” – he’d sit there for what seemed like eternity while closer to the action, us grommets would race around picking and surf anything that even looked like a wave.  In many ways that’s how much of the digital world reacts – businesses, advertising agencies, consumers busy trying to get on board the next technology fad wave that may become a trend.

In my work I constantly hear and read the techno babble of “What mobile apps are you developing?” and cringe.   Mobility is just one element of technology convergence – the interactive landscape will cover everything from your mobile to rich media e-books; Internet enabled TVs to digital radio; point of sale displays to outdoor digital billboards.

Don’t get me wrong – I love my iPhone – much like I loved my first PC 20 something years ago and our first big screen TV (wow haven’t the prices dropped there!)  Fact is there will always be something new and next year I’ll want a new phone or TV for what reason I don’t know yet.

Interestingly, so much of new technology is about creating pre release hype and in many ways it’s like the movies, but, just because a major studio is behind a project doesn’t mean it will be a success.

I think of Avatar (which I loved) and the Hurt Locker (seeing this week).

As you may know this week at the Oscars Apple launched their first TVC for the iPad and already there’s a new wave of feedback and comments on whether the campaign was successful; whether the iPad will do for publishing what the iPhone and iPod have done for mobile computing and music.

End of the day it’s you and I who decide with our wallet and whether we share a positive or negative experience.

On the weekend a girlfriend bought a new Blackberry with the initial intent of getting an iPhone – the sales guy telling her lot’s of returns on the iPhone convinced her not to buy.  Fact or fiction?

Whatever the truth it's a classic example of the “trusted knowledge” expert’s influence.

Back at the movies, Avatar generated over a billion dollars in the first three weeks but didn’t win the Oscar.  Who's the winner?

As the old bloke now in the water I’ll just paddle out the back.  Hmm wonder if the iPad comes in a waterproof version I can drop inside my surfboard?  Been there, done that!

Hi

Hope you're well and business is booming.

Every good story takes us on a "journey" - a great story opens up our imagination. The most effective marketing is that which is not said - which allows the customer, the viewer to either join the dots; fill in the gaps and share.

Welcome to The FACE, the new project title to cover both online and offline customer engagement.

Please find below a quick update on our latest projects for your review.  If we can be of any service please call or send us a note.

Note: If I've sent you this email in error please accept my sincere apologies (unsubscribe [UNSUBSCRIBE] here).

Have a great day.

The Big Dell NRL St George Illawarra Dragons Campaign

Nearly all Aussies love their sport and the characters around it. Saying that, you've got to love "The Big Dell" (Wendell Sailor).

From a digital media strategy perspective it's been great working with the big fella and the Dragons

The result of the campaign saw the Dragons

• Win the NRL's 10K members Challenge;
• Increased merchandise sales;
• Dragons Facebook fan numbers pass 13K and
• The once techno shy Big Dell embrace Twitter with enthusiatic passion (over 1,300 followers in just a few weeks).

For my fellow Sharks fans, we also saw great results with Ricky Stuart and the Sharks CLIVE campaign passing their pre-season membership record.

Expect to see more sporting teams embrace CLIVE for their sites and use social media to engage with their fans.

Note: There's a great case study here on the effectiveness of CLIVE ; internet video and online social media/ customer engagement which I'll work on over the next few months and share - very relevant to all customer focused businesses; politics; brands and services.

Adtech Sydney - Tuesday 16th - Wednesday 17th March 2010.

We had the pleasure of having Jenny Williams, online advertising industry heavy weight and Chairperson of Adtech 2010 Sydney in the CLIVEvideo studio last week.

www.ad-tech.com/sydney/adtech_sydney.aspx

The CLIVE Crew are exhibiting at Adtech Sydney 2010 (Stand 14)

Drop in and say G'day - we also plan to demonstrate our new customer friendly, high speed HD video streaming platform for Australian businesses (very cool).

Other Recent Projects

Ingram Micro - ebook

A great example of combining the functionality of e-books with the power of CLIVE.

Ingram Micro Inc. is the world's largest technology distributor and a leading technology sales, marketing and logistics company.

The Smart Way e-book Series is designed to demonstrate to resellers partners how to gain the most value for their and their customers business.

Basically, the video's brought a very dry subject to life and had great feedback for the client.

Any questions or suggestions please give me a call on 0414 792 072 or Twitter @maxymedia or email

Cheers, all the best and hope to speak soon

Scott Maxworthy
CEO
Maxys - Max Media & Entertainment
http://www.maxys.com.au

Chief Experience Officer
The CLIVE Video Project
http://www.clivevideo.com

Biography

• Music and the Maxys began way back in the 60's with Peter Maxworthy performing in leading Sydney band "The Statesmen"
• In the 70's, Pete and Bev's eldest son Brett, at 12 years of age, became EMI's youngest recording artist  (and also starred in Columbia Pictures movie "Barney") 
• During the 80 to 90's the Maxys Band was formed and was a full family affair - father Peter (lead guitar), sons Brett (vocals) and Scott (rythme guitar) and daughter Nicolle (vocals). 
• In the late 90's, the Maxys took their music inhouse when they took over management of the Intersection Tavern at Ramsgate. Guest artists included Ian Moss, Mark Williams and Mal Eastick.
• Maxys pub which went on to become the premier live entertainment venue in Sydney's South.
• In 1999 the pub was sold and the band then became the NRL Cronulla Sharks band - providing entertainment to thousands of supporters every home game.
• Today the band comprises of brothers Brett and Scott, Bruno Gerace (lead guitar) [Peter sadly passed away in 2007] and the very beautiful and talented Rachael Woodlands on vocals.
• The Maxys are available for club and corporate events across Australia.
• For more information please contact above or call 0414 792 072

Give me a Solution

I was living in London and in the shower (more a trickle given London's poor water pressure) and there was this almighty smash on the door.  I grabbed a towel and raced out to see the six foot six, sharply dressed gezza from the downstairs unit in a hot tempered flurry.

In his hypertensed mumbling Bristol accent - "ya ferkin water's drippin into me unit man, get out of da shower"

"Cool your jets brother" as my mate Donny would say, "we will shower" I stated.

Nearly always the immediate fix is not the complete solution to the problem.

From a sales and marketing management perspective this is something I try and have my team focus on when presenting and putting together customer proposals - to understand the customers' problems and provide solutions. 

Often sales people are more focused on the product sizzle then the steak solution, particularly in the information technology space.

Basic Sales Proposal Framework

Following is a very basic framework I use for nearly every customer proposal and video script writing development.

• Current Situation (SWOT/ Situational Analysis)
• Problems with Current Situation
• Proposed Solution (s) - provide 2-3 options
• Benefits/ Comparision of Proposed Solution(s)
• Cost of Proposed Solution(s)
• Next Action (limit the options - give them two cards/ options)

Understanding your customers problems first of all requires listening and then filtering through the noise.

What problems do you solve?