Sport and the love of it - creates common bonds and conversation.

I particularly love this time of year as the NRL Finals heat up - every game seems to be a ripper and highly entertaining.

Unfortunately my Sharks are at the other end of the table this year - it's a "rebuild" we say.

I'm a typical mad Sharks fan - I think it's a bit of an escape from the daily pressures of modern life and in many ways brings people together.

There's something about not winning a premiership in 42 odd years of competition (who's counting) that builds a certain strength of character!  (LOL)

That "Sharks Forever" will and determination, of overcoming advertisty, of persistance, exists in every Shark.

That deep down sentiment shared with family, friends and fellow Sharks Supporters - a common bond - to win a Grand Final.

Last night we launched a CLIVEvideo as part of the new "Sharks Connect" Community Engagement program.  Below is the press release and check out the Sharks website for more information.

Personally, I'm very happy to have had a small part to play.

31/08/2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SHARKS ATTACK THE NET WITH VIDEO HOSTS

The Cronulla Sharks NRL club is luring a new breed of internet-savvy fan using an innovative web technology to deliver an engaging personalised welcome message from their website.

New CEO Richard Fisk and new Chairman Damian Irvine are leading the charge to turn the embattled Club around and the recent launch of the ‘Sharks Connect’ marketing initiative is a key part of their strategy to re-engage with their local community and supporter base.

"Sharks Connect is a very important initiative for the club,” Mr Fisk said. “We are extremely serious about re-engaging with the fans and in making them a big part of what we are doing here at the Sharks. By becoming involved with the Sharks Connect program fans will receive better communication and we can keep them abreast of everything going on at their club.”

The Sharks website (www.sharks.com.au) boasts a friendly new look, with internet visitors greeted by a videoed Mr Irvine walking across the home page to invite them to join up at Sharks Connect.

Long-term Sharks fan Scott Maxworthy has delivered the message through ‘CLIVE’ (short for Customer’s Live Internet Video Experience), a revolutionary transparent video layer that delivers an instant, interactive web video experience (www.clivevideo.com.au ).

“These days, you’ve got just 12 seconds to grab someone’s attention on the web,” says Mr Maxworthy, who heads local firm Max Media and Entertainment.

“CLIVE is easily installed on existing websites, using just one line of code, and loads instantly as it’s streamed from our high-end servers. The real effectiveness lies in the immediacy of the professionally scripted and shot video message.”

Internet Advertising researchers Dynamic Logic recently released results from surveys covering three years that show strong impact from Rich Media with Video content, with ads using video creating stronger brand influence than those using any other media format.

With most web pundits predicting video is the future of the web, the launch of their CLIVE video initiative puts the new-look Sharks well ahead of the game.

Further information:

Scott Maxworthy, CEO, Max Media and Entertainment

0414 792 072 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it www.maxys.com.au

About the Event

It is forecast over 90% of future Internet traffic will be video - covering everything from entertainment and advertising to health and education.

Australians now spend more time online than watching television and as we know media is increasingly fragmented. Today customer attention is scarce - you have an average 12.5 seconds on a website to capture attention and generate a call to action.

This group discusses developing effective digital media communications - from clients all the way to vendor solutions.

Each month commencing at 5PM sharp and running for an hour we'll hold an informative but social meetup group bringing together a wide mix of people covering film and video professionals; actors, presenters, sales, advertising and marketing people, Internet technologists, investors and clients.

Each month we'll have short presentations/ interview followed by short Q&A, drinks and offline social networking.
This month

We've all suffered "death by Powerpoint".
This months CLIVE-ALIVE event will focus on "effective online communication" and creating engaging content.

Our special guest speakers this month will be -

* Rose Fulete, National Advertising Sales Manager, CMPMedica (www.mydr.com.au)
* Scott Maxworthy, CEO Max Media and Entertainment & Chris Schwager, Creative Director RidgeFilms
* Jo Wilton - Professional Presenter
* Andrew Brain, General Manager, Virtual Communications - a clients perspective

Trouble reading this - view online http://www.maxys.com.au/20090804189/News/Latest/maxys-report-august-5th-2009.html

Maxys Report - August 2009

I walk into the bras and lingerie section of the shop - yep, I'm already beyond my typical blokes purchasing knowledge and experience.

Sure I know some things but that's doesn't include what makes a good bra for a woman.  My first guess is that it needs to feel comfortable, look goods and supportive.  In a lot of ways much like your bloke or partner.

I move up and down the isle - what an assortment of riches - materials, colours, styles and sizes.

Right now I'm sure the security cameras are zoomed in on me and the people watching the monitors upstairs in their little room are laughing very loud as they see me trying to work out the size with my hands cupped

Or maybe not - they see it all the time and the joke's no longer funny.

I scan for a shop assistant - none to be found .  Yep, I'm sure they're up there in the security room laughing at the bamboozled bloke in the lingerie lane.

I don't care if the shop assistant is young, old, male or female - just as long as they know what's important and make my purchasing decision easier.

I begin to wonder if maybe "bra buying" is secret women's business, that I just shouldn't be here but I know those days of sexual discrimination are long gone.  Maybe a gift card would be a better present?

Still no service - I wonder if I try and put on the biggest bra I can find they'll immediately arrive to help  BUT then maybe I'll end up on funniest home video,  some bloke wins a 4WD at my inconvenience and I still don't get service!

In my journey of discovery I realise that a 12D brand A is a totally different from brand B and C.  Why is that?  Is it to make sure you have to come into the shop so you buy other stuff as well?  That the pain of finding the right bra means your locked in for a lifetime to avoid further shopping decision making.   No, that can't be it - most women love to shop - it's all part of the experience - the fabrics, the materials, the style etc.

The reality is I'm here on official research - we've a new prospective client and I've been asked to put together a Digital Marketing Strategy for them.   They sell bras, lingerie, nightwear etc online but their online sales conversion is quite low.

Yes our CLIVE videos will bring the website alive and humanise the site but it doesn't get to the core reason why.

Like all our projects I need go through the personal customer experience - it doesn't matter if it's buying a house or selling soft drinks - I need to understand the process - what factors influence purchasing behavior.

Some Twittering gives me great instant market feedback to help build the proposal.  I'm sure this blog and replies will also give me a few more insights.

If it's too hard in a shop then what hope of delivering the service online?

What's important for buying a bra online?

Will keep you abreast of updates (sorry!)

Maxy